Guadalcanal Diary — Trail of Tears
Album: At Your Birthday PartyAvg rating:
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Length: 2:43
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The sun hangs low in the western sky
I bow my head and remember now
Someone's lips pressed close to mine
Her cool hand upon my brow
Hell burns hot for a killer 's heart
A shallow grave in an unmarked plot
Crack of gunfire in the dark
Hand in hand we'll walk at daybreak
One wore black (x3)
The trail of tears is winding on
Many pass along the road
Dusty soldiers march along
As they file one by one
One wore black (x3)
Trail of tears is winding on
Frightened soldier run no more
Arm and arm with lovers gone
No one passes on the road
Two girls wait at the railroad track
For their soldiers to come back
Knowing this will be their last
One wore blue and one wore black
One wore black...
I bow my head and remember now
Someone's lips pressed close to mine
Her cool hand upon my brow
Hell burns hot for a killer 's heart
A shallow grave in an unmarked plot
Crack of gunfire in the dark
Hand in hand we'll walk at daybreak
One wore black (x3)
The trail of tears is winding on
Many pass along the road
Dusty soldiers march along
As they file one by one
One wore black (x3)
Trail of tears is winding on
Frightened soldier run no more
Arm and arm with lovers gone
No one passes on the road
Two girls wait at the railroad track
For their soldiers to come back
Knowing this will be their last
One wore blue and one wore black
One wore black...
Comments (142)add comment
Damn! I had an album from this band back in the 80s but I was metal and didn't appreciate it then. Then my roommate turned me on to R.E.M. and other alternative bands. I had forgotten all about this band. Love it!
GCD ... Put Litany in rotation !
like Shittier REM......if that;s even possible
Oooof, sounds like REM.
Ugh, PSD from U2 to this? This is not better...
F*ck h*ll yeah! This band, and our hair, was on fire when live in the 80's ATL music scene. If we dared miss a show, friends would beat us with soggy drum sticks for gross show-judgement errors.
True story: When the band broke up and members headed off to pursue normal life, an in-law of mine had just started a new job. She was on a conference call, not knowing how to behave on one being someone a family member of mine would marry of course, and seemed Murray Attaway of GD was also on the call, being a suit then at the same company. When she heard his name on the call she just totally lost it, jumping up and down with hair on fire, as in ye olde 80s days, yelling "Whoa! Like THE Murray Attaway of Guadalcanal Diary?! F*ck hell yeah, dude! Y'all was THE most awesome band ever!"
Super fans + 80s Georgia music scene + the Atlanta business lifestyle don't always mix... calmly.
True story: When the band broke up and members headed off to pursue normal life, an in-law of mine had just started a new job. She was on a conference call, not knowing how to behave on one being someone a family member of mine would marry of course, and seemed Murray Attaway of GD was also on the call, being a suit then at the same company. When she heard his name on the call she just totally lost it, jumping up and down with hair on fire, as in ye olde 80s days, yelling "Whoa! Like THE Murray Attaway of Guadalcanal Diary?! F*ck hell yeah, dude! Y'all was THE most awesome band ever!"
Super fans + 80s Georgia music scene + the Atlanta business lifestyle don't always mix... calmly.
More GD please.
melzabutch wrote:
I like La Gloria Cubana cigars too!
Love this sound. Takes me back to school
I love it that all you lovers are posting, but this has to be the CREEPIEST album cover that I've seen since the Beatles' bloody baby cover.
STILL BRILLIANT, this vinyl was on heavy circulation in my house when I was in HS. Thanks Bill.
treatment_bound wrote:
Thanks, Nigel!
Thanks, Nigel!
One of the great unheralded bands of the 80's. Out of Marietta, GA, and then out of Athens like REM, and just great live as this track gives a good indication. Their album 2x4 was terrific, as was Jamboree. I have their stuff still on vinyl...
nutrod42 wrote:
Thanks, Nigel!
None more black.
Thanks, Nigel!
R.E.M. did a Chris Gaines?
None more black.
hallogallo wrote:
Guadacanal Diary fan. Decent live version of a good song. Saw them a few tmes at The Brewery, back in the day. Would enjoy hearing 'Watusi Rodeo' sometime.
You could buy it.
Guadacanal Diary fan. Decent live version of a good song. Saw them a few tmes at The Brewery, back in the day. Would enjoy hearing 'Watusi Rodeo' sometime.
You could buy it.
Haven't heard this in years—Love it!!!
REM light
I sense a little REM influence here.
treatment_bound wrote:
This song is actually the first cut on this album:
Kudos to you Mr. Tuma, as I never seem to get lucky w/The Mrs. when I throw this on the "hi-fi".
True, but that's the studio version. This is live. I like the studio one better. Great band from Athens, GA - unfortunately they got steamrolled by the REM juggernaut.
This song is actually the first cut on this album:
Kudos to you Mr. Tuma, as I never seem to get lucky w/The Mrs. when I throw this on the "hi-fi".
True, but that's the studio version. This is live. I like the studio one better. Great band from Athens, GA - unfortunately they got steamrolled by the REM juggernaut.
hayduke2 wrote:
Much better album cover, Thanks for sharing treatment_bound!
Yeah, that album pictured at the top is a real head scratcher. I used to shop at stores like Borders and Tower, and I've never seen it. Turns out (per Wiki), it's a 1999 live album issued by the band after their recording contract with Elektra expired.
Here's the track listing from AllMusic:
1 Gilbert Takes the Wheel John Poe / Jeff Walls 2:48
2 Trail of Tears Murray Attaway / Jeff Walls 2:43
3 Country Club Gun Murray Attaway 2:26
4 Pretty Is as Pretty Does John Poe 4:20
5 The Likes of You John Poe 3:29
6 Lips of Steel Murray Attaway / Jeff Walls 3:26
7 Newborn Murray Attaway 5:02
8 Say Please Murray Attaway 2:33
9 I See Moe Murray Attaway / Jeff Walls 1:38
10 Whiskey Talk Murray Attaway / Jeff Walls 3:44
11 Vista Murray Attaway / Rhett Crowe 3:33
12 Litany (Life Goes On) Murray Attaway 3:44
13 Dead Eyes Murray Attaway / Jeff Walls 3:04
14 Cattle Prod Murray Attaway / John Poe / Jeff Walls 3:03
15 Pau Pau Rhett Crowe 2:40
16 Watusi Rodeo Murray Attaway / Jeff Walls 3:33
Much better album cover, Thanks for sharing treatment_bound!
Yeah, that album pictured at the top is a real head scratcher. I used to shop at stores like Borders and Tower, and I've never seen it. Turns out (per Wiki), it's a 1999 live album issued by the band after their recording contract with Elektra expired.
Here's the track listing from AllMusic:
1 Gilbert Takes the Wheel John Poe / Jeff Walls 2:48
2 Trail of Tears Murray Attaway / Jeff Walls 2:43
3 Country Club Gun Murray Attaway 2:26
4 Pretty Is as Pretty Does John Poe 4:20
5 The Likes of You John Poe 3:29
6 Lips of Steel Murray Attaway / Jeff Walls 3:26
7 Newborn Murray Attaway 5:02
8 Say Please Murray Attaway 2:33
9 I See Moe Murray Attaway / Jeff Walls 1:38
10 Whiskey Talk Murray Attaway / Jeff Walls 3:44
11 Vista Murray Attaway / Rhett Crowe 3:33
12 Litany (Life Goes On) Murray Attaway 3:44
13 Dead Eyes Murray Attaway / Jeff Walls 3:04
14 Cattle Prod Murray Attaway / John Poe / Jeff Walls 3:03
15 Pau Pau Rhett Crowe 2:40
16 Watusi Rodeo Murray Attaway / Jeff Walls 3:33
But yeah ... "Watusi Rodeo" ... come on ... who doesn't like cowboys in the jungle?
Proclivities wrote:
I think both bands formed around the same time, in the same area, and both have worked with producer Don Dixon, so it shouldn't be too alarming if both bands sound similar.
Good point. Don Dixon produced Walking in the Shadow of the Big Man (1984), the Guadalcanal Diary album that had (the studio version of) "Trail of Tears."
Dixon also co-produced REM's first album, Murmur (1983), with Mitch Easter (although Murmur had been preceded by a "Radio Free Europe" single and the five-song Chronic Town EP).
So yeah ... only one year and 80 miles apart (Guadalcanal Diary - Marietta, REM - Athens) and a significant part of a very fertile North Carolina music scene at the time.
I think both bands formed around the same time, in the same area, and both have worked with producer Don Dixon, so it shouldn't be too alarming if both bands sound similar.
Good point. Don Dixon produced Walking in the Shadow of the Big Man (1984), the Guadalcanal Diary album that had (the studio version of) "Trail of Tears."
Dixon also co-produced REM's first album, Murmur (1983), with Mitch Easter (although Murmur had been preceded by a "Radio Free Europe" single and the five-song Chronic Town EP).
So yeah ... only one year and 80 miles apart (Guadalcanal Diary - Marietta, REM - Athens) and a significant part of a very fertile North Carolina music scene at the time.
hallogallo wrote:
Guadacanal Diary fan. Decent live version of a good song. Saw them a few tmes at The Brewery, back in the day. Would enjoy hearing 'Watusi Rodeo' sometime.
Me too!
Guadacanal Diary fan. Decent live version of a good song. Saw them a few tmes at The Brewery, back in the day. Would enjoy hearing 'Watusi Rodeo' sometime.
namp wrote:
I think both bands formed around the same time, in the same area, and both have worked with producer Don Dixon, so it shouldn't be too alarming if both bands sound similar.
I thought this was one more REM repetitive song, but it turned out that this came from their mentors...
I think both bands formed around the same time, in the same area, and both have worked with producer Don Dixon, so it shouldn't be too alarming if both bands sound similar.
Sounds much like "Two Soldiers" that is an old folke song about two brothers off to fight in the U.S. Civil War...
The folke version is much slower and sounds more like a dirge....
Never underestimate the power of the "Silent -E-"... Never more so than when in fake old English
treatment_bound wrote:
This song is actually the first cut on this album:
Kudos to you Mr. Tuma, as I never seem to get lucky w/The Mrs. when I throw this on the "hi-fi".
Much better album cover, Thanks for sharing treatment_bound!
This song is actually the first cut on this album:
Kudos to you Mr. Tuma, as I never seem to get lucky w/The Mrs. when I throw this on the "hi-fi".
Much better album cover, Thanks for sharing treatment_bound!
GD = Automatic 10
namp wrote:
I thought this was one more REM repetitive song, but it turned out that this came from their mentors...
I thought it was one more awesome REM song...First time i hear from this band. Not my taste!
by far the most horrible album covers of all time :-(( ... but excellent music. thx 4 playing this!
Everybody in my churches loves this song...
OK, why didn't I know about this band back in the day?
this song disturbs my thought processes ... dont care for it at all. Not the words, the music is annoying.
Speaking of R.E.M. Guadalcanal opened for them on October 5, 1986 at the War Memorial Gym, University of BC, Vancouver. R.E.M. were fans and supported them with back-up gigs. The G. Diary highlight for me was their cover of "I Can See For Miles" by the Who which they slipped into the middle of "Kumbaya". The transition from one song to the other was seemless and the jangly guitar sound was awesome. An excellent evening of music that will not be soon forgotten!
Damn, haven't heard this since I was a DJ at my college radio station in Miami (WVUM 90.5 1988-1992) 
For a short time I though they were from Miami since they were playing gigs locally nearly year-round for a spell.
For a short time I though they were from Miami since they were playing gigs locally nearly year-round for a spell.I thought this was one more REM repetitive song, but it turned out that this came from their mentors...
Got all their stuff on vinyl back in the eighties. Love to hear them on RP! >8
Never heard this band before - love the song.
Now need to check out some more from them!
Now need to check out some more from them!
I read the book, an actual war correspondent diary, when I was a teenager. The Pacific campaign was some messed up stuff. Good band though.
Man, the studio version on Walking in the Shadow... of this song is so much better. Will upload.
The song is good but some of the pictures do not pass to Guadalcanal Diary. As a Marine it could have been different.
Hmmm .... this version doesn't stand up to the studio version.
Man, I haven't heard this in years! Great song ... too bad I wasn't online at the time. 
Yeah, living in Atlanta now and during the 80's this bring back some fond memories. I may have seen them also with Fishbone.... getting into a grey zone of memories - 20 + years and whole lot of beers. Anyway, wow yes, Fishbone...hadn't thought of them in awhile.
Now you know where REM gets tthe mustard from!!
Seahunt wrote:
Loved Fishbone back in the day. I bet that was a great show.
I saw these guys with some other bands and Fishbone headlining. Wild show!
Loved Fishbone back in the day. I bet that was a great show.
I saw these guys with some other bands and Fishbone headlining. Wild show!
wow, I was actually amazed this wasn't early REM. The singer sounds so much like Stipe...
I've read that this band (whose members live in my town) is still carrying on. Would be great to see them live — hint hint, guys, in case you're listening.
Cynaera wrote:
With a name like 'Guadalcanal Diary', it's GOT to be sad...
What a song.
VERY much liking this song, although the lyrics are sad...
With a name like 'Guadalcanal Diary', it's GOT to be sad...
What a song.
BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Who plays Guadalcanal Diary!?!?!?!?!?! Can. Not. Believe. Bill, you are a genius. Moremoremoremoremoremoremoremore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
romeotuma wrote:
How did we live without wireless keyboards?
Soooo groooovy... we be shagging...
How did we live without wireless keyboards?
Two girls wait at the railroad track
For their soldiers to come back
Knowing this will be their last
One wore blue and one . . . wore black
VERY much liking this song, although the lyrics are sad...
leathepea wrote:
House of Freaks - know them well. From Richmond. R.I.P. Bryan....
This is a very loosely based on an old Civil War song.
This sounds like "House of Freaks", anybody have any info on that?
House of Freaks - know them well. From Richmond. R.I.P. Bryan....
This is a very loosely based on an old Civil War song.
romeotuma wrote:
Soooo groooovy... we be shagging...
This song is actually the first cut on this album:
Kudos to you Mr. Tuma, as I never seem to get lucky w/The Mrs. when I throw this on the "hi-fi".
Soooo groooovy... we be shagging...
This song is actually the first cut on this album:
Kudos to you Mr. Tuma, as I never seem to get lucky w/The Mrs. when I throw this on the "hi-fi".
liking this very much
So, I guess we can conclude that one wore black.
Awesome transition!!!
Hey Bill, great change from "Eagles - Hotel California (live acoustic)".
Thanks for all the good music 24/7
Hey Bill, great change from "Eagles - Hotel California (live acoustic)".
Thanks for all the good music 24/7
Wow! Bill, I had no idea that you even knew of this band. I had albums of theirs from the 80's onward thanks to a friend who tipped me off. In the mid-90's I moved to Athens, GA where I was fortunate to see them live at the 40 Watt Club twice - one of those two shows was especially notable, one of the top 10 of the 100's I've seen in my life. I feel very lucky to have seen them at all despite their lack of recognition. Thank you!
NickDanger wrote:
give her our love!
GD's bass player is the web designer in our department. Whodathunk.
I stop by her office and tell her every time Bill plays one of their cuts. She's always amazed. Keep it up Bill!
I stop by her office and tell her every time Bill plays one of their cuts. She's always amazed. Keep it up Bill!
give her our love!
GC's bass player is the web designer in our department. Whodathunk.
I stop by her office and tell her every time Bill plays one of their cuts. She's always amazed. Keep it up Bill!
I stop by her office and tell her every time Bill plays one of their cuts. She's always amazed. Keep it up Bill!
SYG
Thought I was hearing Hüsker Dü.
Thanks for playing this. I saw these guys back in the 80s in Athens, GA. Hearing it now reminds me they are probably influenced by Stipe & friends (R.E.M.). Cheers!
I hope I'm not jumping to conclusions, but I surmise that one wore black.
pedrock77 wrote:
Oh wait... the tune isn't that great either.
Nice tune, but wait...oh my ooooOOOOh OOOOH MY GOD, what an awful cover art!! 
seconded! Oh wait... the tune isn't that great either.
the vocals remind me a lot of barenaked ladies. a band i hate with a passion, but i didn't hate this, so that's good.
Like to hear that again.
Nice tune, but wait...oh my ooooOOOOh OOOOH MY GOD, what an awful cover art!!
woozurdaddy wrote:
These guys listened to a lot of early REM, I'd wager...
From the same wonderful town of Athens GA...along with B-52's...Pylon....Drive By Truckers...and a host of other good'ens
". . . Hell burns hot for a killer's heart. . ."
Vocals sound like a mix between REM and Jethro Tull.
Baby_M wrote:
If REM were emotionally engaged with their material, they'd be these guys.
Yeah, that's IT! This song has the ENERGY missing from a lot of REM's work. I gotta bump this up to a 9, it really kicks.
c.
that album art is scaring me...mommy 
woozurdaddy wrote:
These guys listened to a lot of early REM, I'd wager...
Do your research.
They came out at the same time as REM (1980-81) and from the same area. They probably ran across each others paths from the early days I'd wager.
Lot of similarities though so I can see the comparison.
leathepea wrote:
This sounds like "House of Freaks", anybody have any info on that?
Early-mid 80's... House of Freaks, Smithereens, Guadalcanal Diary, Meat Puppets, Husker Du - same era... punk was done, alternative wasn't invented yet... I guess REM falls in there somewhere as well.
SaintAwesome wrote:
This is what happens when Jethro Tull and Rem have a baby.
I was thinking that this group (I must have missed this decade musically) reminded me alot of Tull.
sounds like the smitherines
Reminds me of Sullivan by Caroline's Spine
Haven't heard these guys in a long time and they didn't get a lot of airplay back in the day. Thanks, Bill.
greg6494 wrote:
last track on this cd, Watusi Rodeo, is quite nice as well.
Love that one, too. Great lyrics, still applicable, and a nifty surf guitar bridge.
last track on this cd, Watusi Rodeo, is quite nice as well.
whoa! here's a blast from those thrashing art school dance parties of yesteryear
i didnt know michael stipe was singing with this band 
This sounds like "House of Freaks", anybody have any info on that?
That's and album cover
that will give you nightmares! 
SaintAwesome wrote:
This is what happens when Jethro Tull and Rem have a baby.
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
wondertoofar wrote:
one of the all time corniest band names in history.
It's an homage to the Richard Tregaskis book and subsequent movie of the same name (about the World War II battle for the South Pacific island of the same name.) I think the singer was a history buff... The book & movie were a real snapshot-in-time of a turning point in western civilization.
{/history lesson}
Ah, nostalgia, remember being in high school when GD played regularly on the local college station. Thanks for playing them, good memories!
Wow, if you're going to flatter a band by imitation, this is the way to do it.
one of the all time corniest band names in history.
Is that how you spell corniest? Kum on awl yoo spilin fanatikz. Done't bee shi nou.
Mugen wrote:
If this isn't simply an REM sound-alike, it's at least annoying for moany of the same reasons.
Oh, it's both.
If this isn't simply an REM sound-alike, it's at least annoying for moany of the same reasons.
Kurt_from_La_Qui wrote:
Check Amazon, thru Paradise, of course. They're out there... some are a bit pricey though. Especially this one! One is $99.00... used! The second one is $129.00... also used!!! A rare one indeed!
What! You said it's HOW MUCH!!!!
bitterdave wrote:
Tried to buy more of their CDs a while ago and were all out of print. Will have to try again, hopefully more are available . . .
Check Amazon, thru Paradise, of course. They're out there... some are a bit pricey though. Especially this one! One is $99.00... used! The second one is $129.00... also used!!! A rare one indeed!
Great to hear GD again! Since it's been a long time (been a long time) since I've been to a guitar mass, how 'bout a little Kum Ba Yuh at some point?
not awful
This is what happens when Jethro Tull and Rem have a baby.
long time no hear from gd. thanks for playing them 
WonderLizard wrote:
Gee, I guess I should be doubly ashamed to admit that I've got all three on vinyl--and play them fairly regularly. 
Tried to buy more of their CDs a while ago and were all out of print. Will have to try again, hopefully more are available . . .
Good stuff.
Jeez - been awhile since I've heard these guys. Since college probably
If REM were emotionally engaged with their material, they'd be these guys.
shelob101 wrote:
I'm not at all ashamed to admit I have 3 of their CD's - 2x4, Flip-Flop and Walking in the Shadow of the Big Man. Still fun to pull out every now and then.
Gee, I guess I should be doubly ashamed to admit that I've got all three on vinyl--and play them fairly regularly.
shelob101 wrote:
It was quite a surprise to hear this band today - but not at all surprising to hear it on RP. I really quite liked GD back in the late 80's - I used to give them regular airtime on a college radio show I had back then. Crowd favorites were Litany, Trail of Tears (album version was better IMO), and Watusi Rodeo. I'm not at all ashamed to admit I have 3 of their CD's - 2x4, Flip-Flop and Walking in the Shadow of the Big Man. Still fun to pull out every now and then.
Ashamed?!?!? You should be darn proud! 2x4 is one of the best CDs of the 80s and one of my desert island picks. And before the re-releases, 2x4 and Walking... were known to sell on ebay for $70. But there was no way I was letting mine go. Or my DB vinyl of Walking... with the different mixdown than the Elektra version.
I much prefer "Cattle Prod" from "Walking in the Shadow of the Big Man"
The only interesting thing about Guadalcanal Diary is its name. :P
Had heard of but never heard before. Sounds a lot like REM, but quite good!
I always thought they were better than REM. GD is one of my favorite bands.
Thanks for playing them Bill.
shelob101 wrote:
It was quite a surprise to hear this band today - but not at all surprising to hear it on RP. I really quite liked GD back in the late 80's - I used to give them regular airtime on a college radio show I had back then. Crowd favorites were Litany, Trail of Tears (album version was better IMO), and Watusi Rodeo. I'm not at all ashamed to admit I have 3 of their CD's - 2x4, Flip-Flop and Walking in the Shadow of the Big Man. Still fun to pull out every now and then.
i went to see them whenever i could! and i own Flip Flop too! Glad to see you here!
pseudafred wrote:
All this time I thought it was REM. Learned something new today.
Me to. Sounds like a lost REM demo from FABLES.
I dig.
shelob101 wrote:
It was quite a surprise to hear this band today - but not at all surprising to hear it on RP. I really quite liked GD back in the late 80's - I used to give them regular airtime on a college radio show I had back then. Crowd favorites were Litany, Trail of Tears (album version was better IMO), and Watusi Rodeo. I'm not at all ashamed to admit I have 3 of their CD's - 2x4, Flip-Flop and Walking in the Shadow of the Big Man. Still fun to pull out every now and then.
yep... good stuff!!!!
It was quite a surprise to hear this band today - but not at all surprising to hear it on RP. I really quite liked GD back in the late 80's - I used to give them regular airtime on a college radio show I had back then. Crowd favorites were Litany, Trail of Tears (album version was better IMO), and Watusi Rodeo. I'm not at all ashamed to admit I have 3 of their CD's - 2x4, Flip-Flop and Walking in the Shadow of the Big Man. Still fun to pull out every now and then.
Good band with many songs even more worthy of RP play.
As usual, cheers to RP!
I stop by her office and tell her every time Bill plays one of their cuts. She's always amazed. Keep it up Bill!
Tell her many of us still think their albums were amazing.