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'(Get Me On A Bus To) Betterville' – was a new number – just a few months old at the time of recording. It’s a mix of things really. A bit of it is about dusting yourself down and getting your act back together you know, pulling yourself together and getting out of the grief. Discover something from it - that things that sometimes seem better are not and some things that seem bad can be overcome. I was watching the classic Sergio Leone film 'The Good, The Bad & The Ugly' – the DVD full version un-cut. Betterville was actually a prison of war camp for Confederate Soldiers in the film. The captured soldiers are told they’re going to a better place, out of the war, they’ll be looked after, cared for etc, etc… but it’s actually an extermination camp more or less and they’re treated terrible, they’d have been better fighting on (apparently it’s based on a true prison camp from the American Civil War called Andersonville but Leone reversed the role in the film because the real life camp was a prison camp for Union Soldiers). I suppose there’s a double meaning to the title and chorus in the song…you know like there’s times you cry out for a better place, better things you know – but you can actually get there by not giving up sometimes.

It’s a very percussive, up-tempo groove, a real funky / slide / blues feel to it … a bit Rolling Stones Beggars Banquet period. We nailed a great version on this EP. Martin played tambourine on this – he did a great job … that Geordie got rhythm :-) lol bless him. x

lyrics

(Get Me On A Bus To) Betterville

They say you never miss – what you’ve never had,
If ya’ belly full – and ya’ feelin’ glad,
Well love and pain – they hurt the same,
And I’ve had my fill of being sad…

(Chorus)
Well – get me on a bus – get me on a bus to Betterville,
Yeh – get me on a bus – get me on a bus to Betterville…
Cos’ I’m feelin’ ill – I can’t sit still…gonna’ be much better – in Betterville

Well your depression – becomes obsession,
And there’s no messing – when you’re upsetting,
Come Find Yourself – be a Natural Mystic,
A Harry Smith – or a Hallelujah!

(Chorus)
Well – get me on a bus – get me on a bus to Betterville,
Yeh – get me on a bus – get me on a bus to Betterville,
Yeh – get me on a bus – get me on a bus to Betterville
Yeh – get me on a bus – get me on a bus to Betterville…
Cos’ I’m feelin’ ill – I can’t sit still…gonna’ be much better – in Betterville

(Slide Guitar)

You’re intellectually perfect – chemically secure,
Ambitiously unflinching – stylistically so pure,
You’re as strong willed as an outlaw – and devoted as a Nun,
Well Sergio Leone – won’t you load me up a gun and…

(Chorus)
Well – get me on a bus – get me on a bus to Betterville,
Yeh – get me on a bus – get me on a bus to Betterville,
Yeh – get me on a bus – get me on a bus to Betterville
Yeh – get me on a bus – get me on a bus to Betterville…
Cos’ I’m feelin’ ill – I can’t sit still…gonna’ be much better – in Betterville

I’ve had my fill of the combat zone - wrap me up and send me home,
I’ve had my fill of the combat zone - wrap me up and send me home,
I’ve had my fill of the combat zone - wrap me up and send me home,
I’ve had my fill of the combat zone - wrap me up and send me home,

Get me on a bus – get me on a bus to…
Get me on a bus – get me on a bus to…
Get me on a bus – get me on a bus to…
Get me on a bus – get me on a bus to…Betterville…(I’m feeling ill).

Words and Music: Gary O’Dea - Jan 2006

credits

from Twenty Years of Love and Pain​.​.​.​they hurt the same. EP, track released January 6, 2006

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Gary O'Dea / GOJO' MUSIC West Midlands, UK

Gary O'Dea / GOJO’ MUSIC…acoustically driven…blending together elements of blues, country, funk, soul and reggae with the passion / attitude of old school punk / rock n’ roll to produce a rocking mix of rhythms to soothe your soul in these troubled times.

Amen Brothers and Sisters. ... more

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