It’s All True

Thank you all for coming out to my big show
Before I get it started there’s something you should know
I’m obsessed with honesty and accuracy too
So when I sing about something you can bet that it’s all true

Well, there ain’t no doubt about it. Wouldn’t lie to you
My daddy told me to tell the truth and that I damn sure better do
Now, I don’t claim to be perfect of course I, I told a fib or two
But here and now I make this vow that all my songs are true

Yea they’re true

I get my songs from what I’ve seen and things I think about
True stories sung of when I was young yes, I was a Boy Scout
I’ve written songs of my first love and my divorces too
And especially the mental health industry, Yes I swear that it’s all true

Well, there ain’t no doubt about it. I give my word to you
My mamma said “Brian don’t you go round lying or nobody will ever trust you”
So I try hard to PAY ATTENTION so my mistakes are few
And I’ll take back any and all facts that prove to be untrue

Now you might think that it’s impossible for anything to be sure
Truth’s relative to perspective and mine is just one more
Yea I know it’s foolish to rely on just one myopic view
But oh so silly would I be to deny what is true

Yea there ain’t no doubt about it. Some things are clearly true
And if you wanna debate this I’ll be happy to oblige you
Who knows? We may end up discovering some new truths, me and you
But if you just breed dogmatic screed, the day you met me you’ll rue

You’ll rue the day

So thanks again for coming out to my big show
The most important thing about what I’ll sing you now already know
Now you might not like all my songs you might even hate a few
But like em or not they’re all I’ve got and at least they are all true

Yea there ain’t no doubt about it, all my songs are true
The people to whom they refer and all the places too
And if you hang around with me long enough I might just write a song about you
So you’d better be extra nice to me if you know what’s good for you
Cause when I sing about something you can bet that it’s all true

Song Credits

Brian von Ahsen: vocals and acoustic guitar
Stephen Inglis: electric guitar
Reggie Padilla: soprano saxophone
Steven Howells: drums
Ian Chames: bass
Recorded at a private home in Honolulu February 26, 2011
Artwork by Will Caron