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Learning to Swim
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Tough times require tough mothers.
Hank Waite and the Milkmashers: Honky-tonk heroes.
If "Americana" is just some catchphrase, just about any band could fit the bill. But if it's a true genre, well then, Hank Waite and the Milkmashers define it. Steeped in tradition but always fresh. Honest and, honestly, American. Step up, friend: hear your favorite song again for the first time.
Song Info
Genre
Country • Honky-Tonk
Charts
Peak #320
Peak in subgenre #14
Author
Hank Waite
Rights
2007
Uploaded
May 23, 2008
Track Files
MP3
MP3 3.3 MB • 128 kbps • 3:35
Lyrics
My brother took me to the swimming hole a summer day when I was five years old. Sat by the riverbank as he swam with the girls. I thought, "hey now, don't that look fun splashing around in your swimming trunks." So I figured I'd slide on in and give it a whirl. By the time my brother pulled me out I was shivering and cold, coughing up muddy water on the bank. Pretty sure I'd get a whipping when I got home But instead my momma spoke these words I remember to this day: She said it ain't no use That's the cold, hard truth. There's a hard current that sweeps against your skin. Soon as your hand touches dry land It drags you down again. They can't teach you in school, can't learn in a pool, but the sooner you learn this hard, fast rule The sooner you begin learning how to swim. Late that night I heard my momma yell. Told my daddy that he might as well Pack his things if he was gonna leave, and the next day he left. Thought for sure he'd come back one day, but he never did, no matter how I prayed. And pretty soon I understood what my momma meant. That it it ain't no use That's the cold, hard truth. There's a hard current that sweeps against your skin. Soon as your hand touches dry land It drags you down again. They can't teach you in school, can't learn in a pool, but the sooner you learn this hard, fast rule The sooner you begin learning how to swim. Sometimes it's a real good thing that little boys do as we do, not what we say. I saw my momma work three jobs and still come home with a heart full of love. She might've said that it ain't no use but she taught me how to swim along the way. Took my little boy to the swimming hole just the other day; he's five years old. Sat by the riverbank; I took off my shoes. I waded in up to my knees. Said, "just like I showed you now, swim to me. And if that river's too fast, well I'm right here for you." But I'll tell you the truth 'Cause I owe it to you: There's a hard current that never goes away. You don't understand right now, but you will someday. They don't teach you in school, can't learn in a pool But whenever you're sinking there's only one thing to do. You've gotta try and try again. That's how you learn to swim.
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