Alpha Desperation March

Alpha Desperation March
Album	Transmissions to Horace
Released	1993
Artist	the Mountain Goats
Length	2:51
Previous Track	"No, I Can't"
Next Track	"Going to Monaco"

Alpha Desperation March is the fifth song on the tape Transmissions to Horace. It was re-released on the compilation Bitter Melon Farm.

Lyrics

I'm coming in
Try to stop me
Push furniture in front of the door
It only gives me something to push against
In the full heat of the summer's day
You're telling me to go away
But you owe me eight-thousand dollars 
And I can use it

I'm only getting stronger
You may have noticed
But a head full of memories propels me ever forward
And in the living room I don't see where you are
But the back door's locked so you can't have gone far
And eight thousand dollars is a whole lot of money
And I could use it

Could be that it's my imagination
But I think I hear you now
So come out come out, wherever you are
Olly olly olly olly olly olly oxen free
See I'm perfectly aware of where our love stands
But the plain fact is that you owe me eight grand
If it helps to jog your memory
I lent it to you one Tuesday when we were drinking

Ha!
ha-ha-ha-uh-uh-ha! 
Uh-ha! uh-ha! uh uh uh-ha! 
Uh-ha! ha ha ha
Ha ha ha
Uh-ha
Uh-ha
Uh-ha

Comments by John Darnielle About this Song

• "I would like to thank whoever requested that one, 'cause I wouldn't have thought -- [audience: 'What's it called?'] 'Alpha Desperation March'. If you -- yeah, well, of course it's called that. If you're looking for it, of course it's on a tape called Transmissions to Horace, released by the Sonic Enemy label, whose CEO is standing to my right, Mister Peter Hughes. Now available on one of the singles comps, but I don't know which one. [audience: Bitter Melon Farm!]. Bitter Melon Farm, I hear from the front row. I believe that, because I don't think they would lie. Because that would be cruel and also kind of bizarre, to outright lie." -- 2004-05-27 - Bottom of the Hill - San Francisco, CA

Live Shows this Song Was Played at

• 1992-12-27 - Xmasfest - Munchie's - Pomona, CA
• 1999-07-23 - CBGB - New York City, NY
• 2004-05-27 - Bottom of the Hill - San Francisco, CA
• 2005-03-04 - Gate City Noise - Greensboro, NC
• 2005-06-18 - China Clipper - Olympia, WA
• 2009-03-21 - Sixth & I Historic Synagogue - Washington, D.C.
• 2009-10-15 - Magnet - Berlin, Germany
• 2010-04-13 - Manning Bar - Sydney, Australia
• 2014-01-19 - Rock for Roe at the Pinhook - Durham, NC
• 2014-06-14 - Bottom of the Hill - San Francisco, CA
• 2019-08-31 - Top Hat Lounge - Missoula, MT
• 2023-09-19 - Brooklyn Made - New York, NY