Holden Oversoul
Widespread Panic · Colorado Springs 1985 [2011]
The screen door to the farmer's porch
To the back porch, to the backlands
It's never left closed
A new air pushed a full wind
That brought worlds on through
That only he could know
As the last of November passed
With his new life, with his new wife
She said she was feeling a little cold
The ghost of a clown just danced in and
Did a few tricks and danced out again
Warming a farmer's soul
Summer was all there was
We were working, breathing heat
Terror rising out of control
Through that door came a breeze
Wrapped on through our heads and around our spines
Cooling off the burning floor
The morning's breaking woke us long enough
We were sure we could see
The whole of some older birds
Riding to the ground on the falling leaves
Riding to the ground on some falling leaves
One last time
One last time
To feed
To the back porch, to the backlands
It's never left closed
A new air pushed a full wind
That brought worlds on through
That only he could know
As the last of November passed
With his new life, with his new wife
She said she was feeling a little cold
The ghost of a clown just danced in and
Did a few tricks and danced out again
Warming a farmer's soul
Summer was all there was
We were working, breathing heat
Terror rising out of control
Through that door came a breeze
Wrapped on through our heads and around our spines
Cooling off the burning floor
The morning's breaking woke us long enough
We were sure we could see
The whole of some older birds
Riding to the ground on the falling leaves
Riding to the ground on some falling leaves
One last time
One last time
To feed
Holden Oversoul
Widespread Panic's "Holden Oversoul" appears on the 2011 live recording "Colorado Springs 1985," capturing the band's signature blend of blues, jazz, and rock. This track exemplifies the group's improvisational prowess, featuring the interplay of guitarist John Mayer and bassist Derek Trucks alongside the band's core members. The song reflects the ensemble's ability to weave complex harmonies and rhythmic shifts into a cohesive, extended performance typical of their live catalog. Released decades after its original performance, the recording preserves the raw energy and collaborative spirit that defined Widespread Panic during their formative years in the late 1980s.