We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

The Ballad of James Tedford

from Disappearances by Matthew Connor

/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $1 USD  or more

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Comes in a jewel case, with lyric booklet featuring photographs by Matthew. More images coming soon.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Disappearances via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 3 days

      $12 USD or more 

     

lyrics

Full dark descended and the snow wasn’t far behind
Five o’clock on the first of December, 1949

With a wave of the porter the Greyhound was rolling
Route 7 South, from St. Alban’s to Bennington
A soul in every seat
Fingers of ash and elm brushed the window
Where a soldier was leaning, his coat for a pillow
Sleeping just as sound as if beneath an eiderdown
Do you think he was dreaming or was it just black?
Was he seeing his sweetheart? Was he bringing her back?
Pearl’s run off to the general store
And nobody’s seen her no more
Nobody’s seen her no more

With the heat from the bodies, the light from the lanterns
The Greyhound was glowing, a rumbling aquarium
Drifting through the dark
The chatter fell silent when all of a sudden
The depot appeared and loomed like a phantom
The soldier’s seat was bare, only an open timetable there
The bleary-eyed passengers couldn’t believe
The driver exclaimed, “It’s the damnedest thing!
I swear there was a man there before.”
And nobody’s seen him no more
Nobody’s seen him no more

James Tedford was elderly by some accounts
And by some he was just back from the war
I’ve seen his last name spelled three different ways
But I guess it don't matter much anymore
If no one records the details of a life
Can you tell me then what’s it all for?

credits

from Disappearances, released October 21, 2022

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Matthew Connor image

Matthew Connor Boston, Massachusetts

Matthew Connor is a crooner for the 21st century, writing heart-wrenching songs that combine the windswept ideals of classic American balladry with stark depictions of modern-day alienation. The Boston-based Connor has a haunting voice that conjures ghosts of past heartbreaks, and he pairs it with spectral guitars that recall country tearjerkers and alt-pop brooding.

—Maura Johnston ... more

contact / help

Contact Matthew Connor

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like Matthew Connor, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featuring Riley Pinkerton (aka The Rat Queen) from the theatrical NYC rockers, Castle Rat.
listen now