Biography:
Michelle Shocked (born Dallas, Texas, February, 1962) is the stage name of Michelle Karen Johnston, an American singer-songwriter.
As a young feminist, she left Texas to travel, Kerouac-style, and was caught up in Reagan-era grassroots politics. Her musical career was ignited by a bootleg recording made around a Kerrville Folk Festival campfire on a Sony walkman. Released in England as ‘The Texas Campfire Tapes’ without Shocked’s authority, its success abroad enticed Mercury Records to offer the newcomer a recording contract.
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"Shaking Hands"
by Michelle Shocked
Arkansas Traveler (Mercury 1992)
[Verse 1]
Dm
Shaking hands and fingers that do tremble,
Soldier's Joy has been a bitter pill.
G Dm
Though in battle, a brave man I resemble,
A7 Dm
Alone I am a coward without will.
[Verse 2]
Dm
Pierce McGee from the great State of Missouri,
To the Show-Me-State militia I belong.
G Dm
And to judge from the pride on the Confederate side,
A7 Dm
I'd say five hundred thousand rebels can't be wrong.
[Verse 3]
Dm
A rebel stand is no place for a traitor.
A loveless Union cannot bend us to her will.
G Dm
Cannot command the soldiers who now hate her,
A7 Dm
Nor demand the fealty of her generals.
[Verse 4]
Dm
I took a rifle ball in my shoulder,
But my entire body filled with pain.
G Dm
I pleaded with them all at the field hospital:
A7 Dm
"Oh, God, another shot of morphine!"
[Verse 5]
Dm
Soldier's Joy, oh what's the point in pleasure?
When it's only meant to kill the pain?
G Dm
Lay down my arms and take the coffin's measure?
A7 Dm
Or take up arms and send me out to fight again?
[Verse 6]
Dm
Shaking hands ..was I a coward, was I brave?
With shaking hands, I took the bitter pill.
G Dm
Now tell the story on my grave, my soul they could not save,
A7 Dm
What the bullet would not kill, the needle will!
by Michelle Shocked
Arkansas Traveler (Mercury 1992)
[Verse 1]
Dm
Shaking hands and fingers that do tremble,
Soldier's Joy has been a bitter pill.
G Dm
Though in battle, a brave man I resemble,
A7 Dm
Alone I am a coward without will.
[Verse 2]
Dm
Pierce McGee from the great State of Missouri,
To the Show-Me-State militia I belong.
G Dm
And to judge from the pride on the Confederate side,
A7 Dm
I'd say five hundred thousand rebels can't be wrong.
[Verse 3]
Dm
A rebel stand is no place for a traitor.
A loveless Union cannot bend us to her will.
G Dm
Cannot command the soldiers who now hate her,
A7 Dm
Nor demand the fealty of her generals.
[Verse 4]
Dm
I took a rifle ball in my shoulder,
But my entire body filled with pain.
G Dm
I pleaded with them all at the field hospital:
A7 Dm
"Oh, God, another shot of morphine!"
[Verse 5]
Dm
Soldier's Joy, oh what's the point in pleasure?
When it's only meant to kill the pain?
G Dm
Lay down my arms and take the coffin's measure?
A7 Dm
Or take up arms and send me out to fight again?
[Verse 6]
Dm
Shaking hands ..was I a coward, was I brave?
With shaking hands, I took the bitter pill.
G Dm
Now tell the story on my grave, my soul they could not save,
A7 Dm
What the bullet would not kill, the needle will!
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