I am currently traveling from Chicago to California by car. I have never driven across America and I want to use it as an advantage to my creativity and songwriting. I decided, yesterday in my hotel, that I will record all of the songs that I write on this trip on my Mac computer. I will do my best to have the best quality on my recordings. I want to put all of these songs together on a demo and call it “California Hotels.”

The sound of these recordings will take you back to the pure sound of recording that Woody Guthrie used to have of his ramblings across America. I love that sound, and want to recreate it in a modern way. I hope you will take the time to listen through the rough sounds and hear the words being said in the songs.

Take care!

-Donnie Biggins

Ryan Clark McDonald was killed on the west side. He was found at 3 A.M. I can’t find his name in the Sun Times

So the gangs are left to blame. The gangs are left to blame. The gangs are left to blame

Bryan McDonald, he was misnamed. I found the murder in ink. The press didn’t bother to check for his name

So the press they are to blame, The press they are to blame. The press, they are, to blame.

“The detectives” they say, “are on the case.” But nothing’s being said. There wasn’t one witness to the crime,

So the guns were left to blame The guns were left to blame. The guns were left to blame.

Who can tell me of a just society? I’d like to talk to you. Where you from and can I come,

Where the gangs aren’t left to blame. Where the guns aren’t left to blame. And the blacks aren’t left to blame.

Early in the morning, The sun is always shinin’, an’ my mind is always hiding things away from me.

It’s hard now to remember, In that dark and stormy weather, the way you kissed my lips and looked back awkwardly.

Now I want to see you, But you won’t give me time. You say you got a boyfriend, but You’re acting like your mine!

Oh, I’ve been getting used, And it’s giving me the blues, So won’t you step up off my shoes an’ Turn away from me.

Now I’m sitting here, You’re always on my mind, I’m drinking too much beer, and I’m wasting my own time.

Oh girl you got to know, That I’d hate for you to go, an’ Leave me all alone unexpectedly.

One for all but none for one, He’s gonna fight this war until it’s done. Its all for him and none for you, He’s gonna fight this war until his term is through.

How many people must we kill? And do you enjoy this homicide thrill? How many children must we send? Is it worth it to wait until the bitter end?

Get off your ego and send them home! You can go over and fight on your own! This isn’t what Jesus would do! But you’re gonna fight this war until your term is through!

You’re gonna be all alone We don’t want you as our own. With an election coming near, We’ll have Obama to steer us away from fear!

He’s all for one, we’re one for all. American people have heard his call. A call for hope and a call for change, a brand new cabinet to re-arrange.

Two thousand and eight will be the year that our politics will turn away from fear. ‘Cause we are powerful and we are right, but this change won’t happen over night.

It’s a call for action from young and old, We have our pick not one that’s been sold. Our countries future relies on us, So vote for him because he’s the man to trust.

An’ Bush will be alone, We don’t want him as our own. With an election coming near, We’ll have Obama to steer us away from fear!

An’ Bush will be alone, We don’t want him as our own. With an election coming near, We’ll have Obama to steer us away from fear!

I’m looking up blindly staring at the sky as it comes. An’ sweat it is forming as my gaze it just stares to the sun.

How can it be raining when heat is beating down to us? An’ a rainbow’s been formed out of thin air to gain our trust.

Costanzo come quickly and look at the colors that shine. An’ blessed are the pigments that keep us from turning blind.

(Harmonica Solo)

We use that one sense to see all of our humans as one, but you use that sense as a sin when you aim through your gun.

An’ killing is fair if our country could be under attack, So until that time comes you’ll kill them just to cover your backs.

Costanzo come quickly another bomb has been dropped by our planes. To expect more respect out of them well you must be insane.

(Harmonica Solo)

They have all the resources we need to feed our rich lives. While they struggle through murder and nature just to stay alive.

They have that one sense to defend and protect what they own, So leave them alone, let’s give up, and please send our troops home! Costanzo come quickly I think that we lost our own war, An’ when they attack it will be just to even the score!