Ten Songs was my first Adam Again CD (I had actually seen their performance at the Ichthus festival right after "New World of Time" came out, but didn't pick up a cassette.) Ten Songs was in constant rotation on the playlists of everyone in our college-era band, and as such became one of the defining CDs of that time in my life.

Tree House had always been one of my favorite tracks because of its racial reconciliation message. This arrangement isn't as long as the original... I took out about 2 minutes worth of breaks and extended jams. 

Background vocals were courtesy of my daughter, Alaina, and La'Shelle Allen—two massively talented young ladies. I played everything else. I especially enjoyed trying to tap into Greg Lawless' off-the-rails guitar approach, and I apologize to Paul Valdez for using a pick on the bass. I understand he doesn't think much of that... Horn section and the saxophone were samples.

Steve Broderson

Lyrics

Tree House

from the album "Ten Songs by Adam Again"

When I think about Apartheid, I can hardly believe that a system like that actually exists in the same world I live in. But then again, I realize that the same kind of divisions exist throughout life. The basic need to be superior to others is one that works to destroy friendships, churches, even nations. "Drop the ladder down."
© Gene Eugene - 3rd verse lyric by Steve H. 1988 Chenka Chenka Music/ASCAP

Some kids from the apartments
Were out playing in a field
When they came across a clubhouse in the sky
But the big kids pulled the ladder up
Once they got inside
And the little kids below began to cry

In the valley city families struggle to survive
Minimum wage becomes their self esteem
And the real estate developer
Took over their hillside
A thousand homes like only in their dreams

One of these days
We might understand
The last will be first in the end
And if we wait too long
For them to come down to the rest of us
There's gonna be a fire in the tree house

Children ought to play together
Someone throw the ladder down

Small children and their mothers
Brave the winter all alone
They pray their sun will shine another day
I know they call it the homeland
But it must not feel like home
Go on and hang your heads, Daddy's far away

One of these days
We might understand
The last will be first in the end
And if we wait too long
For them to come down to the rest of us
There's gonna be a fire in the tree house

Children ought to play together
Someone throw the ladder down
Children ought to play together
Someone throw the ladder down

Must we beat our brothers down?
Must we make our sisters frown?
If we look into their eyes
Surely we will recognize
Our own true flesh and blood
Our own flesh and blood
Our own

HOME