Live from Here Highlights

Tom Papa reads an excerpt on grandparents from his book Your Dad Stole My Rake during our December 7, 2019 show. (originally from our December 7, 2019 episode) Find more about Tom’s Netflix special and his new book, You’re Doing Great!, at tompapa.com. Please support Live from Here with Chris Thile to help us stay strong during these tough times: livefromhere.org/give — Listen to our May 23 rebroadcast with Pixies, Black Pumas, Crooked Still, Freestyle Love Supreme, Aoife O’Donovan, and Tom Papa

This week: our Out In America correspondent Tom Papa heads to San Diego, where he visits an oceanfront bar, ponders ways to live a stress-free life, and chats with a business traveler from Queens named Gladys. (originally from our December 7, 2019 show) Find more about Tom’s Netflix special and his new book, You’re Doing Great!, at tompapa.com. Please support Live from Here with Chris Thile to help us stay strong during these tough times: livefromhere.org/give — Listen to our May 23 rebroadcast with Pixies, Black Pumas, Crooked Still, Freestyle Love Supreme, Aoife O’Donovan, and Tom Papa

Download Chris Thile’s Song of the Week for May 23, 2020: “How’s the Weather Where You Are?” (originally from our December 7, 2019 show) The band: Chris Thile, Aoife O’Donovan, Mike Elizondo, Chris Eldridge, Marcus Gilmore, Brittany Haas, Brett Williams. Please support Live from Here with Chris Thile to help us stay strong during these tough times: livefromhere.org/give — Listen to our May 23 rebroadcast with Pixies, Black Pumas, Crooked Still, Freestyle Love Supreme, Aoife O’Donovan, and Tom Papa — Lyrics: 1. Morse: A nibble! Lincoln: A bite! A reason to be thankful— M: —for another sleepless night But how best to set the hook? L: How best to reel him in? M: Hmm...what to send? L: Hmm...what to send? M + L: Not my name L: He’ll know it M: Rendering this another unclean slate L: Another couple hours answering for these Divided States M: And being the amplifier of this rift between Americans Won’t help me make a friend L: What to send? M + L: Hmm...what to send? L: What are the chances of this meeting? I won’t let it get away M: Who else will dance me through the dead of night unto the break of day? L: If I believed in God I’d ask him M: Father, tell me M + L: what to say To make a friend out of this stranger on the wire L: How’s the weather where you are? 2. M: It’s hot as stock in Western Union The air’s as thick as the brow of a grim patent judge L: Is that your field of law? M: Nice try. How’s the weather where YOU are? L: Hot as the barrel of a freshly fired cannon Air as thick as the skull of McDowell at Bull Run And the smoke rising up to the sky Over sons that were loved as much as mine was M: I’m sorry for your loss. L: I’m grateful for your ear I hope I haven’t scared you off M: Fellow stranger au contraire Any night you feel like hopping On this wire I’ll be here Waiting to ask you how’s the weather where you are L + M: How’s the weather where you are? M: Cold as the sweat I woke up in an hour ago L: Cold as each toe in each boot marching south through the snow M: Exactly further yet from their hearths and our peace Were I Abe I would bid each brave toe retreat* L: What of the war for freedom lost? M: I don’t believe it’s ours I hope that doesn’t scare you off L: Fellow stranger au contraire Any night you feel like hopping On this wire I’ll be here Waiting to ask you how’s the weather where you are ‘Cause you can learn a lot about someone from asking how they feel about the weather where they are

Download Chris Thile’s Song of the Week for May 9, 2020: “You’re Just Doing Your Job.” The band: Chris Thile, Anaïs Mitchell, Jon Cowherd, Eric Doob, Alex Hargreaves, Armand Hirsch, Chris Morrissey. (Originally from our November 23, 2019 episode.) Please support Live from Here with Chris Thile to help us stay strong during these tough times: livefromhere.org/give — Listen to our May 9 rebroadcast with Paul Simon, Vagabon, Anaïs Mitchell, Ryan Hamilton, Ron Funches & Holly Laurent — Lyrics: Here’s a song For the good folks who We pay to look for bombs In each other’s boots Sure this line is long Longer than my fuse But you’re just doing your job And what a job you’re doing For the put-upon Bearers of bad news Now and forever caught here Between us and our due As platinums golds and silvers Singing the Delta blues “I can’t believe it’s not in your Power to move me To the seat I want And just forgot to choose I know you’re doing your job But what a job to do” And for the mom Running stoically through Each kid-unfriendly gauntlet Doing the work of two ‘Til the boarding process Drops her off next to A childless man of business Whose cares are few Enough to voice his problems with Her toddler on fumes I heard her tell him off like “Who the hell are you To assess this job That you could never do Just put your headphones on” Then away we flew Then away we flew

Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton joined Chris Thile on our May 2 show to introduce their new podcast, Julie’s Library; share some movie recommendations; and chat about what makes them hopeful for the future. Listen to this extended version of the interview and find Julie’s Library wherever you get your podcasts! — Listen to our May 2 show with Sylvan Esso, Watkins Family Hour, Gaby Moreno, Josh Gondelman & more

Download "It's a Long Way Across the Wire," Chris Thile's Song of the Week from our November 16, 2019 broadcast. The band: Chris Thile, Aoife O'Donovan, Mike Elizondo, Eric Doob, Alex Hargreaves, Armand Hirsch, Gabriel Kahane. Please support Live from Here with Chris Thile to help us stay strong during these tough times livefromhere.org/give — Lyrics: Boy you’re gonna tire Yourself right out pretending That you can write a happy ending To this story by yourself ‘Cause it’s a long way Across the wire Ain’t no shame in falling Just in being ashamed of calling For a friend to come and help Yeah it’s a long way Across the wire And it’s been a bad day Boys you’re gonna tire Yourselves right out pretending That you can write a happy ending To this story by yourselves ‘Cause it’s a long way Across the wire Ain’t no shame in falling Just in being ashamed of calling For a friend to come and help Yeah it’s a long way Across the wire And it’s been a bad day But I bet it’ll get a little better Bet it’ll get a little better Boy let a buddy in I bet it’ll get a little better Whoop Let it get better Let everybody in ‘Cause buddy with everybody in I bet it’ll get a little better We ain’t gonna tire Ourselves out pretending That we can write a happy ending To this story by ourselves ‘Cause it’s a long way Across the wire Ain’t no shame in falling Just in being ashamed of calling For a friend to come and help Yeah it’s a long way Across the wire And it’s been a bad day But I bet it’ll get a little better Bet it’ll get a little better Boy let a buddy in I bet it’ll get a little better But I bet it’ll get a little better Bet it’ll get a little better Boy let a buddy in I bet it’ll get a little better Whoop Let it get better Let everybody in ‘Cause buddy with everybody in I bet it’ll get a little better

Tom Papa reads an excerpt from his book ‘Your Dad Stole My Rake’ on the importance of strangers in our lives and points out a few new groups of strangers (originally from our November 2, 2019 show). Find more about Tom’s Netflix special and his new book, You’re Doing Great!, at tompapa.com.

Tom Papa heads to Portland, Oregon during Halloween week, tries to determine who’s wearing a costume and who’s just “Portland,” and sets off on a quest with a local wizard (originally from our November 2, 2019 show). Find more about Tom’s Netflix special and his new book, You’re Doing Great!, at tompapa.com.

Comedian Tom Papa checks in from Out In ... his home with thoughts on how his daily routine has changed while he stays socially distanced due to Covid-19. Find more from Tom at tompapa.com. Listen to our brand-new #livefromhome episode now, with remotely recorded music from Chris Thile and our amazing band of Live from Heroes (Madison Cunningham, music director Mike Elizondo, Chris Eldridge, Jeremy Kittel, Trevor Lawrence Jr., and Brett Williams), along with #livefromhome Challenge performances from Rachael Price with Taylor Ashton, Theo Katzman, Louis Cato, Megan Burtt, Kayce Guthmiller, Laurens Joënsen, and Kaitlyn Kelly Faraghan. Plus: Mike Marshall joins Chris for a Bach birthday salute, Claire Coffee helps us celebrate Stephen Sondheim's birthday, and Bodine Boling encourages you to stay creative with an essay from Elizabeth Gilbert. Head to our YouTube channel for a few behind-the-scenes videos of the recording process.

Tom Papa reads an essay on what life is like with children from his book Your Dad Stole My Rake (originally from October 12, 2019). Find info about Tom’s books, his Netflix special, and his new YouTube baking show at tompapa.com.

Tom Papa visits Milwaukee for Oktoberfest, samples some spicy breakfast chili, chats with a waitress named Denise, and serves as a wingman in a bratwurst eating contest (originally from October 12, 2019). Find info about Tom’s books, his Netflix special, and his new YouTube baking show at tompapa.com.

Download Chris Thile’s Song of the Week for March 28, 2020, “CQ” (originally from October 12, 2019). The band: Chris Thile, Sarah Jarosz, Mike Elizondo, Kush Abadey, Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas, Brett Williams. — Lyrics: [BALLADEERS] He believes (belies (belabors)) Himself into the wee hours of the morning ‘Til even he finds it boring So he leaves it to long (and then look) for Someone else with some midnight oil that wants burning And seeing as he’s made up so much of this story (We will too) Behold dear listener some 50 years early (The first CQ): [MORSE] Mark what goes on under the sun Bonds are broken feuds are begun Behind veils of pride that no pastor’s son Can peek through Peek through But these treacherous partners with their envy and lies Have drifted off and left me to my Own beloved darkness where I Seek you Seek you CQ [BALLADEERS] And who should hear our hero But a sleepless God of Wire in Waiting Who jumps up from the cot where he ought to be sleeping Having implored (empowered (imperiled)) The free world into the wee hours of the morning And because that world keeps adding more to his story (So will we) Behold the rail-splitter of Illinois (At the straight key:) [LINCOLN] Mark what goes on under the sun Bonds are broken wars are begun Behind veils of pride that no farmer’s son Can peek through Peek through But these treacherous generals asking “how, sir, and why?” Have drifted off and left me to my Own beloved darkness where I Seek you Seek you Seek you [MORSE AND LINCOLN] Mark what goes on under the sun The dream is over the nightmare’s begun Behind veils of pride no daughter or son Can peek through Peek through Let these embattled children with children and wives Drift off to sleep and leave me to my Own beloved darkness where I Seek you Seek you Seek you CQ CQ CQ...

Chris Thile’s Song of the Week for March 21, 2020, “Vail Monograph, Version 2” (originally from October 19, 2019). The band: Chris Thile, Aoife O’Donovan, Mike Elizondo, Jeff Babko, Matt Chamberlain, Chris Eldridge, Alex Hargreaves, Noam Pikelny. — Lyrics: “Canst thou send lightnings So that they may go And say unto thee here we are?” A rhetorical question From our Father In Heaven To Job in his suffering Here below To Job in his suffering— As we sent the first lightnings All those years ago I quoted that question by heart Then delivered the answer Full of magnets and wire On behalf of a dreamer Here below On behalf of a dreamer— “Sounds like you did this” I did but— It was the least that I could do —than I would do to serve his genius To serve his— `“Sounds like it’s time to set the record straight Nothing’s wrong with calling a good man great, but a bad man...” No, he’s not a bad man Though it’s true before we met The God of Wire was struggling to connect What he had with what he dreamt Then I applied a method to the madness And the thing began to click We were like a couple little kids ‘Cause it was clear this was it I’d take him by the hand and lead him to whatever future he had seen And pan whatever gold was in his stream Of consciousness that flowed between his heart and anything like love for the doer of his dreams “Sounds like he used you” He did but— Oh how I burned to be of use —to be of use and not be slave to A mind as— As cold and dry and barren as this one is At least when in comparison to one like his “You have a great mind” No, his is the great mind And it will never be at rest Will ever trade this moment for the next And what it has for what it’s dreamt So even if the present is exactly what he wanted it to be He’ll miss his un-manifested destiny And find a better man than me To take him by the hand and lead him to whatever future he’s been seeing And pan whatever gold’s still in his stream Of consciousness that flows between his heart and anything like love for me I send him a lightning Every now and then Saying unto him “here we are I don’t expect you to answer But I miss you dear dreamer And what we did together Here below O what we did together here”

Our Out In America correspondent Tom Papa spends a rare day off at home in Los Angeles stretching out his morning rituals as far as they’ll go, pondering the dawn of a new decade, and rejecting diet advice from his friends and family. (originally from our January 25, 2020 episode) Find Tom’s tour dates and more information about his forthcoming Netflix special You’re Doing Great! at tompapa.com.

Tom Papa reads an essay from his book Your Dad Stole My Rake on the beginnings of relationships, and why it’s important to eat meals with someone as you get to know them. Find more information about the book and Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com. (originally from our September 28, 2019 episode)

Our Out In America correspondent Tom Papa puts on his blue suede shoes and heads to Las Vegas, where he gets a ride from a soon-to-be fan of the Las Vegas Raiders, extols the virtues of the city’s buffets, and chats with an old married couple who aren’t married at a $10 blackjack table. (originally from our September 28, 2019 episode) Find Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Download Chris Thile’s Song of the Week from our February 29, 2020 show, “The Sully” (originally from September 14, 2019). The band: Chris Thile, Sarah Jarosz, Mike Elizondo, Eric Doob, Armand Hirsch, Gabriel Kahane, Jeremy Kittel. — Lyrics: This is the Sully— —As fine a ship as you can sail from Le Havre France to New York of a mild October in the year of our lord 1832 Blessed be the quiet mind— —such as wielded by a Sully passenger named Samuel F.B Morse the nearly famous artist coming up for air post years of work and study Quiet be the weary mind That hovers o’er the water— —grateful to be homeward borne by true and perfect boredom Hallowed be its name ‘Cause— —weary be the troubled mind That hovers o’er the water With its lonely sons and daughter On the shore ahead And on the shore behind So much unfinished business But there ain’t a cure for distance Save a long long time Tick tick ticking several decks below in steerage next to less- considered travelers nothing but their fevers running wild from bed to bed To bed Quiet be their weary minds Between the old and new world No more to seek approval From the loved ones wedded to the shore behind Calling “y’all are gonna miss us, Unless you find the cure for distance” —and in that instant There it is A ceaseless current A boundless grid A prayer a potion With form and function To deliver us To each other From each other Racing be the blessed mind To a future long imagined Bright with glory, fame and fortune It had left for dead On the shore behind Jedidiah are you listening Your son has found a cure for distance And blessed be his quiet mind That hears the roaring of an instant God hath wrought the cure for distance And that cure is mine

Download Chris Thile's Song of the Week for February 22, 2020, "Escape from the Tuileries." The band: Chris Thile, Mike Elizondo, Jon Cowherd, Armand Hirsch, Jeremy Kittel, Nate Smith.

Tom Papa explains why you should never let anyone tell you that you don’t work hard enough and offers a few more life lessons, in an excerpt from his forthcoming book, You’re Doing Great! Find Tom’s tour dates and more about his new Netflix special at tompapa.com.

Our Out. In. America. correspondent Tom Papa stays warm in Cleveland by eating his way across the city — sampling the corned-beef-hash-centric menu at Slyman’s, accompanying a group of police officers to a pierogi restaurant, and celebrating a friend’s birthday with dim sum. Find Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Download Chris Thile’s Song of the Week for February 8, 2020, “Circular Mistake.” The band: Chris Thile, Sarah Jarosz, Mike Elizondo, Armand Hirsch, Jeremy Kittel, Abe Rounds, Brett Williams. — Lyrics: Chris: Tell me beloved Why is there a tear in your eye? Tell me beloved Why is there a tear in your eye? Sarah: It’s a trick of the winter light Love everything is fine C: Then tell me beloved Why are you now clenching your teeth? S: I didn’t dress for the winter air Should’ve worn another layer Whereas you’ve got your coat and wool underneath C: Then tell me beloved Why won’t you let me give you that coat? S: ‘Cause it’s good to be cold in the wintertime Love everything is— Fine it’s because you make me tell you And I don’t wanna have to tell you That I have nothing to tell you ‘Cause I’ve said it all said it all said it all before And you can’t make it all ok Make me say it all say it all again And darling we’ll be further from the end And closer to the forming of another circular mistake C: Tell me beloved Why are you angry with me? S: Well well well look who’s taking on The role of the hurting one Who can’t keep his heart off his sleeve C: Tell me beloved if I could where would we be now S: Some sweet place where it’s understood A girl doesn’t have to— C: Look I thought you wanted me to ask you And didn’t know what I should ask you S: I don’t wanna have to tell you That I have nothing to tell you ‘Cause I’ve said it all said it all said it all before And you can’t make it all ok Make me say it all say it all again And darling we’ll be further from the end C&S: Cause we’ve said it all said it all said it all before And we can’t make it all ok S: Make me say it all C: If we C&S: Say it all again And darling we’ll be further from the end And closer to the forming of another circular mistake C: Tell me beloved Why is there a tear in your eye?

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "First Kiss," from our February 1, 2020 rebroadcast (originally from April 13, 2019) featuring Holly Laurent reading Jessica Greenbaum’s poem “I Love You More Than All the Windows in New York City.” The band: Chris Thile, Madison Cunningham, Mike Elizondo, Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas, Philip Krohnengold, and Ted Poor. Find "I Love You More Than All the Windows in New York City" in Jessica’s book Spilled and Gone. — Lyrics: We float above the recycling And the catcalls A prelude to the hardest We will ever fall No bar is too loud No bar is too loud No sidewalk’s too crowded No stoop too well-lit No head is too cloudy For an East Village first kiss Text me Text me Text me Text me Don’t forget Don’t forget me I will take out the recycling And pick up the take out While you stir a pair of Manhattans And a mocktail No child is too loud No dinner’s too hurried No morning too big No future’s too blurry For a South Brooklyn next kiss So text me Text me Text me Text me Don’t forget Don’t forget me

Our Out In America correspondent Tom Papa spends a rare day off at home in Los Angeles stretching out his morning rituals as far as they’ll go, pondering the dawn of a new decade, and rejecting diet advice from his friends and family. Find Tom’s tour dates and more information about his forthcoming Netflix special You’re Doing Great! at tompapa.com.

This week: Tom Papa celebrates the Los Angeles food scene with a stop at Tony’s Mexican Grill and meets a mechanic named Fernando and an Uber driver named Donna, along with a few mythical L.A. characters (originally from February 2, 2019). Find Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Barkeeper," from our January 11, 2020 show (originally from February 2, 2019). The band: Chris Thile, Sara Watkins, Mike Elizondo, Jeff Babko, Chris Eldridge, Trevor Lawrence Jr., and Gabe Witcher. — Lyrics: We’re here For the vibe For the grog For the people That brought us We’re here For the love Of these Gods That ain’t trying to stop us And I’m here ‘Cause it calms me down Why are you here, Barkeeper? We’re here For a glance From a girl Or a boy That reminds us There’s more To our lives Than the goals Dead ahead And behind us And I’m here ‘Cause it calms me down Whispers breathe in Don’t just breathe out And I’ll stay for as many rounds As it takes you to answer Why are you here, Barkeeper? It ain’t the money ‘else You would’ve made a killing Selling out to those Scientologists They would’ve had to clear all of us to raze this building... Of the vibe Of the grog Of the people That brought us Of the love And these Gods That ain’t trying to stop us And I’m here ‘Cause it calms me down Whispers breathe in Don’t just breathe out And I’ll stay for as many rounds As it takes you to answer Why are you here, Barkeeper? It ain’t the glory ‘else You would’ve been out years ago Before the movie stars soured on your Zombies Now you’re laying ‘em on me like I’m Brando And you’re the man in the photo on the back wall And I wonder If a fella’s ever shone brighter in his daddy’s shadow Yeah, a fella’s never shone brighter in his daddy’s shadow Well, I hope you all are having a good night It’s Wednesday which is when I like to toast my dad, Ray That’s his picture up there, you’ve probably seen it. Anyway, he was the master ninja, he built the tiki, so Here’s to you Dad All right Bottoms up, everyone Have fun

Tom Papa visits wintry Kansas City, where he learns about a bit of family drama from a stranger in the hotel lobby and meets a jovial man named Big Daddy at a BBQ joint (originally from January 12, 2019). Find Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Download Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Fail Better (Three Advil and a Coffee)," from our January 4, 2020 show (originally from January 12, 2019). The band: Gaby Moreno, Mike Elizondo, Tyler Chester, Chris Eldridge, Alex Hargreaves, and Trevor Lawrence Jr. — Lyrics: Three Advil and a coffee Could cure whatever ailed me In my twenties: Sunlight loomed like a wall (On a late morning after) I woke up in a well (They threw me a ladder) I said “thank God for y’all (I thought I was a goner”) They said “we're happy to help (At least ‘til you’re older) Soon it won’t be last call (That’s leaving you hammered) It’ll be the plight of the world (And the vanity of your efforts) So keep your eye on the ball (Your mind over matter) And they’ll help find you a girl (Sooner or later) And when you fall down a well (She’ll throw you a ladder) And when the world goes to hell (You can crawl out together) Singing ‘Darling you’re my Advil Darling you’re my coffee In the bitter light of morning Darling you’re my Advil Darling you’re my coffee In the bitter light of 2019 Everybody trying to do the right thing If only for their own’” So Darling be my Advil Darling be my coffee In the bitter light of morning Darling be my Advil Darling be my coffee In the bitter light of 2019 Everybody’s trying to do the right thing Who knows? It might get done

Our Out In America correspondent Tom Papa heads to New York City, meets a couple from Dallas at the Broome Street Bar, visits the legendary Comedy Cellar, and chats with a security guard at his hotel after he finds himself locked out of his room. (Originally from our December 16, 2017 episode.) Find Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Download Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Ornaments," from our December 28, 2019 compilation broadcast. (Originally from December 9, 2017) The band: Chris Thile, Aoife O'Donovan, Rich Dworsky, Mike Elizondo, Alex Hargreaves, Julian Lage, and Ted Poor. — Lyrics: Don we now Our winter coats Cheery as a Christmas bonus Deck the yard with icons Our neighbors may not like 'em Set up the lights And the plastic sheep Watch our seasonal belief start to trickle down May our seasonal belief forever trickle down Damn we now Our vague concerns The sky could fall, Rome might start burning Deck the hall with revelry And no regard for history It's all rum and dancing Fun and games 'Til someone slips on the perspiration that trickles down Someone catch the perspiration as it trickles down Ornaments Hang from the branches Hang from the branches The year that was Hangs from the branches (Hangs in the balance) Hangs from the branches America Hangs in the balance Hangs in the balance Dim we now Our screens in bed Exhausted as a line of credit Deck the room with worry Dream of fire and fury We smell the smoke We smell the smoke We smell the smoke From the burning hills We hear the senate swear their millions will trickle down May the good lord let their joy and comfort trickle down I know I'm on your list Because I got my wish But something's gotta give 'Cause someone always lifts you up In America we trust God's been good to us

Our traveling correspondent, comedian Tom Papa experiences the music, beer, barbeque, colorful characters, and festive weirdness of Austin, Texas. Originally from our December 15, 2018 episode. Find Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Download Chris Thile’s Song of the Week for December 14, 2019: “Letters” The band: Chris Thile, Sarah Jarosz, Mike Elizondo, Eric Doob, Chris Eldridge, Alex Hargreaves, Brett Williams — Lyrics: TELEGRAPH OPERATORS (Chris) Sleep my child and peace attend thee All through the night Guardian angels God will lend thee All through the night Soft the drowsy hours are creeping Hill and vale in slumber steeping I my loving vigil keeping All through the night Though I roam a minstrel lonely All through the night My true harp shall praise sing only All through the night... LINCOLN (Sarah) My dear Sir and Madam In the loss of your noble son My affliction here is scarcely less than your own Our acquaintance began less than two years ago Yet I can proudly say we knew each other well And that the honors he labored for so laudably, and, in the sad end, so gallantly gave his life for, he meant for you, no less than for himself. May God give you that consolation which is beyond all earthly power Yours in our common affliction... TELEGRAPH OPERATORS (Chris) Love's young dream, alas, is over Yet my strains of love shall hover Near the presence of my lover All through the night... LINCOLN: Dear Mrs. Ainesworth I’ve been informed by an adjutant general That your noble husband Has died on the field of battle I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine As sorrow threatens to blot out the sun And blind you to what might yet be won Let the memory of the brave man you loved remind you Remind you How much the prize of freedom is worth How great the role is of death in rebirth And such peace as there exists on this earth Will find you find you find you TELEGRAPH OPERATORS (Sarah) Love to thee my thoughts are turning All through the night All for thee my heart is yearning All through the night LINCOLN (Chris) Dear Fanny I am deeply saddened To hear of the death your father Sadder still to think of the pain Your young heart is being made to suffer... Dear George I too was a child when I lost my first parent Dear Sir as you know I’m a parent whose buried his child So I know what I say when I say that As sorrow threatens to blot out the sun And blinds you to what might yet be won Let the memory of your father, husband, son remind you Remind you How much the prize of freedom is worth How great the role is of death in rebirth And such peace as there exists on this earth Will find you find you find you TELEGRAPH OPERATORS (Sarah, then Sarah and Chris): Though sad fate our lives may sever Parting will not last forever There’s a hope that leaves me never All through the night

Tom Papa reads an excerpt on grandparents from his book Your Dad Stole My Rake during our December 7, 2019 show. Find more about the book and Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

This week: our Out In America correspondent Tom Papa heads to San Diego, where he visits an oceanfront bar, ponders ways to live a stress-free life, and chats with a business traveler from Queens named Gladys. Find Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Download Chris Thile’s Song of the Week for December 7, 2019: “How’s the Weather Where You Are?” The band: Chris Thile, Aoife O’Donovan, Mike Elizondo, Chris Eldridge, Marcus Gilmore, Brittany Haas, Brett Williams — Lyrics: 1. Morse: A nibble! Lincoln: A bite! A reason to be thankful— M: —for another sleepless night But how best to set the hook? L: How best to reel him in? M: Hmm...what to send? L: Hmm...what to send? M + L: Not my name L: He’ll know it M: Rendering this another unclean slate L: Another couple hours answering for these Divided States M: And being the amplifier of this rift between Americans Won’t help me make a friend L: What to send? M + L: Hmm...what to send? L: What are the chances of this meeting? I won’t let it get away M: Who else will dance me through the dead of night unto the break of day? L: If I believed in God I’d ask him M: Father, tell me M + L: what to say To make a friend out of this stranger on the wire L: How’s the weather where you are? 2. M: It’s hot as stock in Western Union The air’s as thick as the brow of a grim patent judge L: Is that your field of law? M: Nice try. How’s the weather where YOU are? L: Hot as the barrel of a freshly fired cannon Air as thick as the skull of McDowell at Bull Run And the smoke rising up to the sky Over sons that were loved as much as mine was M: I’m sorry for your loss. L: I’m grateful for your ear I hope I haven’t scared you off M: Fellow stranger au contraire Any night you feel like hopping On this wire I’ll be here Waiting to ask you how’s the weather where you are L + M: How’s the weather where you are? M: Cold as the sweat I woke up in an hour ago L: Cold as each toe in each boot marching south through the snow M: Exactly further yet from their hearths and our peace Were I Abe I would bid each brave toe retreat* L: What of the war for freedom lost? M: I don’t believe it’s ours I hope that doesn’t scare you off L: Fellow stranger au contraire Any night you feel like hopping On this wire I’ll be here Waiting to ask you how’s the weather where you are ‘Cause you can learn a lot about someone from asking how they feel about the weather where they are

Tom Papa spends some time in Chicago’s depressingly festive O’Hare airport, talks with a pair of Green Bay Packers fans, and commiserates with a gate agent who’s beset by frustrated travelers. (Originally from our December 8, 2018 broadcast.) Find Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Download Chris Thile’s Song of the Week for November 23, 2019: “You’re Just Doing Your Job.” The band: Chris Thile, Anaïs Mitchell, Jon Cowherd, Eric Doob, Alex Hargreaves, Armand Hirsch, Chris Morrissey. — Lyrics: Here’s a song For the good folks who We pay to look for bombs In each other’s boots Sure this line is long Longer than my fuse But you’re just doing your job And what a job you’re doing For the put-upon Bearers of bad news Now and forever caught here Between us and our due As platinums golds and silvers Singing the Delta blues “I can’t believe it’s not in your Power to move me To the seat I want And just forgot to choose I know you’re doing your job But what a job to do” And for the mom Running stoically through Each kid-unfriendly gauntlet Doing the work of two ‘Til the boarding process Drops her off next to A childless man of business Whose cares are few Enough to voice his problems with Her toddler on fumes I heard her tell him off like “Who the hell are you To assess this job That you could never do Just put your headphones on” Then away we flew Then away we flew

Download "It's a Long Way Across the Wire," Chris Thile's Song of the Week from our November 16, 2019 broadcast. The band: Chris Thile, Aoife O'Donovan, Mike Elizondo, Eric Doob, Alex Hargreaves, Armand Hirsch, Gabriel Kahane.

Tom Papa reads an excerpt from his book ‘Your Dad Stole My Rake’ on the importance of strangers in our lives and points out a few new groups of strangers during our November 2, 2019 show. Find more about the book and Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Tom Papa heads to Portland, Oregon during Halloween week, tries to determine who’s wearing a costume and who’s just “Portland,” and sets off on a quest with a local wizard. Find Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Chris Thile’s Song of the Week for October 26, 2019: “Mutton and Strawberries.” The band: Chris Thile, Rachael Price, Mike Elizondo, Armand Hirsch, Gabriel Kahane, Jeremy Kittel, Joey Waronker. — Lyrics: What hath God wrought Of strength unfelt Gifts neglected And love withheld What hath God wrought (x3) Lucretia left the world without a fight Father left it clutching the handle of a knife His memory never failing to give that knife a twist All has led to this: Mutton— My children scattered like so many seeds Separated from one another and from me All my colleagues snickering at Samuel Morse the Scientist All has led to this: Mutton— (x2) Dark magic or miracle I don’t care It’s wonderful Listen, America’s about to bare her soul And maybe her teeth as well It’s a sound To behold Good or bad only someone else’s time will tell —and strawberries And a wire to connect the world A wire to remind it That nothing can become itself ‘Til something else defines it One wire to connect the world One wire to remind it That nothing can become itself ‘Til something else defines it Now a ghost of wire haunts this world A ghost of wire drives it Unto the need to know itself And with that knowledge binds it One ghost of wire haunts this world One ghost of wire drives it Unto the need to know itself And with that knowledge binds it ‘Til we use it to connect the world And let the world remind us That none of us become ourselves While someone else defines us

Chris Thile’s Song of the Week for October 19, 2019, “Vail Monograph, Version 2” The band: Chris Thile, Aoife O’Donovan, Mike Elizondo, Jeff Babko, Matt Chamberlain, Chris Eldridge, Alex Hargreaves, Noam Pikelny. — Lyrics: “Canst thou send lightnings So that they may go And say unto thee here we are?” A rhetorical question From our Father In Heaven To Job in his suffering Here below To Job in his suffering— As we sent the first lightnings All those years ago I quoted that question by heart Then delivered the answer Full of magnets and wire On behalf of a dreamer Here below On behalf of a dreamer— “Sounds like you did this” I did but— It was the least that I could do —than I would do to serve his genius To serve his— `“Sounds like it’s time to set the record straight Nothing’s wrong with calling a good man great, but a bad man...” No, he’s not a bad man Though it’s true before we met The God of Wire was struggling to connect What he had with what he dreamt Then I applied a method to the madness And the thing began to click We were like a couple little kids ‘Cause it was clear this was it I’d take him by the hand and lead him to whatever future he had seen And pan whatever gold was in his stream Of consciousness that flowed between his heart and anything like love for the doer of his dreams “Sounds like he used you” He did but— Oh how I burned to be of use —to be of use and not be slave to A mind as— As cold and dry and barren as this one is At least when in comparison to one like his “You have a great mind” No, his is the great mind And it will never be at rest Will ever trade this moment for the next And what it has for what it’s dreamt So even if the present is exactly what he wanted it to be He’ll miss his un-manifested destiny And find a better man than me To take him by the hand and lead him to whatever future he’s been seeing And pan whatever gold’s still in his stream Of consciousness that flows between his heart and anything like love for me I send him a lightning Every now and then Saying unto him “here we are I don’t expect you to answer But I miss you dear dreamer And what we did together Here below O what we did together here”

Tom Papa reads an essay on what life is like with children, originally from his book Your Dad Stole My Rake. Find more information about the book and Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Tom Papa visits Milwaukee for Oktoberfest, samples some spicy breakfast chili, chats with a waitress named Denise, and serves as a wingman in a bratwurst eating contest. Find Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Chris Thile’s Song of the Week for October 12, 2019, “CQ.” The band: Chris Thile, Sarah Jarosz, Mike Elizondo, Kush Abadey, Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas, Brett Williams.

Download Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Lightning Man" (originally from our June 8, 2019 show). The band: Sara Watkins, Mike Elizondo, Eric Doob, Brittany Haas, Shaun Martin, Noam Pikelny, and Bryan Sutton. — Lyrics: Morse has chained the lightning The rumors are true All this dashing and dotting’s gonna bring the world home to you And tell you what it is or what it might be So drink today’s coffee with tomorrow’s news... There’s no more elsewhere Everywhere is here With an o-perator, tap-tapping our hope and fear Speculation and excitement The clock hands froze the miles disappeared When Morse chained the lightning Morse has chained the lightning Behold these tyrants Assassins and thieves Haters of light, law And liberty Then behold Morse’s lightning Nipping at their heels Fixing to strike them in the middle of the battlefield Where they left America dying Of the great divide in what she thinks and feels Before Morse chained the lightning

Our Out In America correspondent Tom Papa puts on his blue suede shoes and heads to Las Vegas, where he gets a ride from a soon-to-be fan of the Las Vegas Raiders, extols the virtues of the city’s buffets, and chats with an old married couple who aren’t married at a $10 blackjack table. Find Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Tom Papa reads an essay from his book ‘Your Dad Stole My Rake’ on one secret to a healthy marriage: the Romantic Getaway. Find more information about the book and Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Tom Papa visits Sonoma County, California, where he attempts to find some non-wine-related activities, gets some advice on marriage from an Atlanta couple, and discovers a heavenly taco truck near his hotel. Find Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Dionysus," from our September 21, 2019 show. The band: Chris Thile, Gaby Moreno, Chris Eldridge, Alex Hargreaves, Trevor Lawrence Jr., Chris Morrissey, and Zac Rae.

Chris Thile’s Song of the Week from our September 14, 2019 show, “The Sully.” The band: Chris Thile, Sarah Jarosz, Mike Elizondo, Eric Doob, Armand Hirsch, Gabriel Kahane, Jeremy Kittel. — Lyrics: This is the Sully— —As fine a ship as you can sail from Le Havre France to New York of a mild October in the year of our lord 1832 Blessed be the quiet mind— —such as wielded by a Sully passenger named Samuel F.B Morse the nearly famous artist coming up for air post years of work and study Quiet be the weary mind That hovers o’er the water— —grateful to be homeward borne by true and perfect boredom Hallowed be its name ‘Cause— —weary be the troubled mind That hovers o’er the water With its lonely sons and daughter On the shore ahead And on the shore behind So much unfinished business But there ain’t a cure for distance Save a long long time Tick tick ticking several decks below in steerage next to less- considered travelers nothing but their fevers running wild from bed to bed To bed Quiet be their weary minds Between the old and new world No more to seek approval From the loved ones wedded to the shore behind Calling “y’all are gonna miss us, Unless you find the cure for distance” —and in that instant There it is A ceaseless current A boundless grid A prayer a potion With form and function To deliver us To each other From each other Racing be the blessed mind To a future long imagined Bright with glory, fame and fortune It had left for dead On the shore behind Jedidiah are you listening Your son has found a cure for distance And blessed be his quiet mind That hears the roaring of an instant God hath wrought the cure for distance And that cure is mine

Originally from June 1, 2019: our comedian correspondent Tom Papa lands in Washington D.C. in the middle of a spring heat wave, cools off with a classic ice cream treat, joins a class trip that’s visiting the Jefferson Memorial, and encounters a potential spy near the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool. Tom’s book Your Dad Stole My Rake is available in paperback now. Find his tour dates and more at tompapa.com.