[ Both ]
Mhm too used to that certain someone to offer my love to anyone new
My excuse for not wanting no one too used to being with you
[ Skeeter ]
When you lose a true love you treasure other affairs are just to pass time
You find a kiss just a cheap imitation the love they offer's not real genuine
[ Both ]
Too used to that certain someone...
[ Bobby ]
Some other's arms may hold and caress you and some other's lips may burn on my own
While my eyes are filled with their beauty my heart inside will be crying alone
[ Both ]
Won't you take me home to mama she loves me and she'll keep me safe and warm
All I ask is take me home to mama please take me home to mama's arms
Oh greyhound bus I bet she could never guess
Where I got the money to buy this ticket home
Well I tell you after years of tears and hard work today I made it
I reached bottom I've begged on the street that's how I got it
Won't you take me home to mama...
I've lost many things in my life but today I lost my pride
So ol' greyhound take me home to mama I need some love inside
He knows I'm true
But what he don't know is I'm true to only you
Tell me where does it stop?
Does he know our married life is on the rocks?
Now, before you say you want me
For the rest of your life
Tell me, what are we gonna do about your husband?
And what're we gonna do about your wife?
Speak to your side
In the darkness where unfaithfulness must hide
Knowing I'll forever taste
All the tears I'll put upon my children's face
Now, before I say I want you
For the rest of my life
What're we gonna do about my husband?
And what're we gonna do about my wife?
Shouldn't we stop and look around?
Let's think about the hearts we'll be breaking
And though we want each other
Need each other and we love each other
Think about the move we are making
Oh baby, don't you cry
No matter what, we'll never ever say goodbye
And Bobby, I promise you this
Though I wear his ring, I'll always wear your kiss
But as for marriage, we can't pay the price
'Cause you don't really want to hurt your husband
And you don't really want to hurt your wife
So what're we gonna do about your husband?
I look cute at the end of your leash
Your adorable beast
As I salivate on your shoes
Obedient and true
Loyal through and through
A fuzzy reflection of you
If you are wounded, I will lick it
If you feed me, I won't forget it
If I mess up just rub my nose in it
You let me out to sniff around
Do my business and stretch out
And I always come running when you call
I look cute at the end of your leash
Your adorable beast
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
I look cute at the end of your leash
Your adorable beast
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
I was lost when you found me
Half crazy and mangy
You cleaned me up and I am here for good
But if I run away, will you miss me
Search through the streets for me?
'Cause I will be looking for you
I look cute at the end of your leash
Your adorable beast
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
I look cute at the end of your leash
Your adorable beast
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
And if I growl, well, I don't mean it
And if I bark, just give me a kick
And when I whine pay me no mind
'Coz I'm just missin' you
I'll chase your enemies away
Lick your momma on the face
I'll only wag my tail when I'm with you
I will follow you anywhere around to every part of town
You can show me off like a brand new tattoo
I look cute at the end of your leash
Your adorable beast
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
I look cute at the end of your leash
Your adorable beast
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
And I come running to you
And I come running to you
And I come running to you
Lovers yes I guess I've had a few
I've played the game like lovers do in the night alone
Feelin's they never meant a thing to me
I never knew how love could be until you came along
You made a believer out of me I can see it I can feel it
You made a believer out of me how could I believe that it's not true after lovin' you
[ steel ]
Forever was just a word I used to say
Love was just a game I played that ended with the dawn
Funny with all the love that I've been through
Now I know till I met you I never loved at all
You can't stop the wild wind from blowing
You can't stop the wild wind from blowing
Let us live just for tonight don't think of tomorrow
Any thoughts of loving me can only lead to sorrow
For soon I'll be going and you can't stop the wild wind from blowing
No you can't stop the wild wind from blowing
Wild and free I gotta be I've got to be going
And you can't stop the wild wind from blowing
You can't stop the wild wind from blowing
Your lips are soft your kisses sweet and in your arms I love you
I can give just part of me then move on I've just got to
Like a wild raging river you can't stop the water from flowing
And you can't stop the wild wind from blowing
Who's the greatest singer in the land (you are)
Who's the world's most sweetest kindest man (you are)
Who's gonna give you some ice-cream
If you sing this thing just right (you are) oh outside
Now who's the handsomest man in Tennessee (you are)
Who's the trunk of this old family tree (you are)
And when ye kids get old enough to work
Who's gonna live off you (you are) yeah that's true
You are the world's greatest father (thank you kids)
No matter what you say you're never wrong (you're right)
And it's so nice of you to bother (it ain't no bother)
To teach us this equal silly song
Now who's the one who watches while you grow (you are)
Who's the one who whipes your dirty nose (you are)
Who's gobnna treat you better than any daddy ever did (you are)
Oh thank you kids
You are the world's greatest father
No matter what you say you're never wrong (you got there right)
And it's so nice of you to bother (it ain't no bother)
To teach us this equal silly song (just keep singin' now)
Who's the one that buys you all your clothes (you are)
Who's the one who let ye sing on all his shows (you are)
Who's gonna make more money off you than any daddy ever did (you are)
Show me a house with a yard full o' rusty cars
and you know there'll be a coffee perkin' on a rusty stove
and you walk right in, sit down and feel right at home
in the kitchen of the house of the man with a yard full o' rusty cars
Show me a man with a yard full o' rusty cars
and you know he's got a fridge full o' beer and it's nice and cold.
Swing on the porch, eat balony and bread and talk about gettin' old.
Spittin' in the dust with the man with a yard full o' rusty cars.
Scratchin' the ears of the dog of the man with a yard full o' rusty cars.
Tell him I been to Haite an' he says âwell 'at's real niceâ.
âHay, Ma, this beer could sure use a little bit o' iceâ
âNow what was you sayin' about goin' to Hades?â says the man with a yard full o' rusty cars.
âMa' teeth gone badâ says the man with a yard full o' rusty cars.
âToylet's on the blink and heavyweights today can't hit.â
âYou know you remind me a lot o' my brother's youngest kid.â
âGot killed in Korea. You play gin rummy?â says the man with a yard full o' rusty cars.
Kick off your shoes on the couch of the man with a yard full o' rusty cars.
Smoke your smokes and flick the ashes on the floor.
âHell son, everythin' here's been burned or broke at least once beforeâ.
And he winks at his old lady and she winks back at the man with a yard full o' rusty cars.
âLord!â says the man with the rusty cars âthat woman's gettin' wide!â
âSo much for beauty son! Hand me that TV guide.â
Watching the flies in the kitchen of the man with a yard full o' rusty cars.
Hole in the screen door where the dogs crawl in and out.
âCareful with that soup son. It'll burn a hole in your mouth!â
âSoup an' life, you gotta wait 'em out.â says the man with a yard full o' rusty cars.
Watch TV in the parlour of the man with a yard full o' rusty cars.
âSon, you ever get to sleep with any o' them movie stars?â
âI'd like to do that once before I dieâ but he's talking a little too loud,
and his woman's smilin' kinda proud of the man with a yard full o' rusty cars.
Talking God and baseball with the man with a yard full o' rusty cars.
Fall asleep right on the couch there where ya' sit
an' you know that his old woman ain't gonna mind a bit,
Y'all come y'all come oh y'all come to see us when you can
Y'all come y'all come (oh y'all come on over to see us now and then)
The kinfolks're comin' comin' by the dozen eatin' everything from soup to hay
And right after dinner they ain't looking any thinner
And here's what you'll hear them say
Y'all come y'all come...
(When you live in the country everybody is your neighbor on this one thing you can rely
They'll all come to see you and never never leave you
Saying y'all come to see us by and by)
Y'all come y'all come...
[ harmonica - steel ]
Y'all come y'all come...
It takes a worried man to sing a worried song
It takes a worried man to sing a worried song
It takes a worried man to sing a worried song
I'm worried now but I won't be worried long
I went across the river, laid me down to sleep
I went across the river, laid me down to sleep
I went across the river, laid me down to sleep
When I woke up, I had shackles on my feet
Don't you know
It takes a worried man to sing a worried song
It takes a worried man to sing a worried song
It takes a worried man to sing a worried song
I'm worried now but I won't be worried long
I asked that judge, what's gonna be my fine?
I asked that judge, what's gonna be my fine?
I asked that judge, what's gonna be my fine?
Twenty one years on the Rocky Mountain line
Oh, it takes a worried man to sing a worried song
It takes a worried man to sing a worried song
It takes a worried man to sing a worried song
I'm worried now but I won't be worried long
Well the train I ride, it's twenty one coaches long
The train I ride is twenty one coaches long
The train I ride is twenty one coaches long
The woman I love she's on that train and gone
Oh, it takes a worried man to sing a worried song
It takes a worried man to sing a worried song
It takes a worried man to sing a worried song
I'm worried now but I won't be worried long
Well here I am in Chicago all alone near the place where we met
I walk through the rain the wind whispers your name oh why won't they let me forget
Cause when the wind blows I get lonely and one day for sure you left behind
But the wind always blows in Chicago so I'm lonely most all of the time
Folks looks so happy on State Street they don't know that our love's not the same
There's a crowd all around but I don't hear a sound
Just the wind when it whispers your name
And when the wind blows I get lonely and one day for sure you left behind
But the wind always blows in Chicago so I'm lonely most all of the time
The year is two thousand and eighty
And hardly a highway remains
Gone are the days of the diesel
And songs about wrecks in the rain
The Macs and MacLeans have all rusted away
The Harvesters rot in the sand
And in a deserted truck stop sits Tennessee Thompson
The world's last truck drivin' man
He lit up the world's last Lucky
Got his last cup of coffee refilled
Then he stared at the sky for one final high
Took the world's last little white pill
He said world you are losin' your truckers
And your suckers do not give a damn
You're freightin' in space and there just ain't no place
For a hard ridin' truck drivin' man
The world's last truck drivin' man
His left arm is losin' its tan
The rest all went broke and just went up in smoke
He's the world's last truck drivin' man
Then he sat there and drank to old mem'ries
And Doreen sat there dryin' his tears
Doreen was the world's last truck stoppin' waitress
She was weary and worn with the years
So he put his last dime in the world's last jukebox
For the lady he'd loved for so long
And there in that deserted truck stop they danced
To the world's last truck drivin' song
Then he climbed up inside his ol' semi
And Doreen she crawled up at his side
He shifted it down and the diesel's sad sound
Said this is your last homeward ride
So he whispered 10-4 to her and the Lord
As the microphone fell from his hand
And he came to the exit marked Tennessee Thompson
The world's last truck drivin' man
He was high ballin' straight through them bright pearly gates
When behind in the dust of his rig
Come the wailin' siren of ol' Smokey McKenzie
The world's last interstate pig
Hear 'em roar see 'em fly past the clouds through the sky
On that highway that don't have an end
But you know that's heaven for Tennessee Thompson
The world's last truck drivin' man and Doreen
The world's last truck drivin' man
I swear you could taste the chicken and tomatoes and the noodles and the marrow bone
But it really wadn't nothin' but some water and potatoes
And the wonderful wonderful soup stone
Hangin' from a string in my momma's kitchen back in the hard time days
Was a little ol' stone bout the size of an apple it was smooth and worn and gray
There wadn't much food in my momma's kitchen so whenever things got tight
Momma'd boil up some water put in the stone say let's have some soup tonight
And I swear you could taste...
It'd been in the family for a whole lotta years so we knew it was a nourishing thing
And I remember momma as he stirred it in the water and we could all hear her sing
It's a magical stone and as long as we got it we'll never have a hungry night
Just add a little love to the wonderful soup stone and everything'll be all right
And I swear you could taste...
So it carried us all through the darkenin' days till finally the sunshine came
And the soup stone started in a gatherin' dust but it hung there just the same
But ever since then Lord the food's been plenty and ever now and then I find
That momma in the kitchen and the wonderful soup stone drifts across my mind
And again I'd taste taste...
I appreciate the coffee that you made I appreciate the shelter of your roof
I'll pay you back someday for all the kindness and all the other liberties I took
Although I cannot say that I have loved you I won't forget how good it was to be
Among the people you call little darling hey woman you have been a friend to me
Woman you have been a friend to me and somewhere down the line I'll drink a toast
To the lady who encouraged me to try and took me in when I was down and broke
I hope that life holds many thrills for you and there are great big apples on your tree
I'm sorry that I could't give you more than thanks
The hulk of a man with a beer in his hand he looked like a drunk old fool
And I knew if I hit him right why I could knock him off of that stool
But everybody they said watch out hey that's the Tiger Man McCool
He's had the whole lotta fights and he's always come out winner yeah he's a winner
But I had myself about five too many and I walked up tall and proud
I faced his back and I faced the fact that he had never stooped or bowed
I said Tiger Man you're a pussycat and a hush fell on the crowd
I said let's you and me go outside and see who's the winner
Well he gripped the bar with one big hairy hand then he braced against the wall
He slowly looked up from his beer my God that man was tall
He said boy I see you're a scrapper so just before you fall
I'm gonna tell you just a little bout what it means to be a winner
He said now you see these bright white smilin' teeth you know they ain't my own
Mine rolled away like Chicklets down the street in San Antone
But I left that person cursin' nursin' seven broken bones
And he only broke ah three of mine that makes me the winner
He said now behind this grin I got a steel pin that holds my jaw in place
A trophy of my most successful motorcycle race
And each morning when I wake and touch this scar across my face
It reminds me of all I got by bein' a winner
Now this broken back was the dyin' act of a handsome Harry Clay
That sticky Cincinnati night I stole his wife away
But that woman she gets uglier and she gets meaner every day
But I got her boy that's what makes me a winner
He said you gotta speak loud when you challenge me son cause it's hard for me to hear
With this twisted neck and these migraine pains and this big ole cauliflower ear
And if it wadn't for this glass eye of mine why I'd shed a happy tear
To think of all that you gonna get by bein' a winner
I got arthritic elbows boy I got dislocated knees
From pickin' fights with thunderstorms and chargin' into trees
And my nose been broke so often I might lose if I sneeze
And son you say you still wanna be a winner
Now you remind me a lotta my younger days with your knuckles a clenchin' white
But boy I'm gonna sit right here and sip this beer all night
And if there's somethin' that you gotta gain to prove by winnin' some silly fight
Well okay I quit I lose you're the winner
So I stumbled from that barroom not so tall and not so proud
And behind me I still hear the hoots of laughter of the crowd
But my eyes still see and my nose still works and my teeth're still in my mouth
Dear mom and dad I'm writing you to say I found a job
It's a good job I don't go to work till nine
If my old car holds up I guess I'll be home for the Fourth
Don't worry bout me everything is fine
That was 1952 where have all the seasons gone
[ strings ]
Dear dad remember Peggy we were married Friday night
I'll bring her home to see you when I can
We took some pictures at the wedding I'll enclose the few
And the money that you wanted me to send
That was 1953 where have all the seasons gone
[ strings ]
Dear Uncle Ray I thank you for the Christmas card you sent
The kids enjoyed the pretty toys you bought
Congratulations awful sad that you retired last week
And that you are living in a trailer park
That was 1963 where have all the seasons gone
[ strings ]
Yesterday I got a letter from that oldest boy of mine
He said that he was doing fine in school
He said if his old car holds up he'll be home for the Fourth
He said don't you worry papa things are cool
I watch you most every night see you in the front porch lights
You and him sittin' in a swing radio playin' through the screen
Wilma Lou Wilma Lou don' let that boy put his hands on you
I can see he ain't your kind he loves your body and not your mind
[ steel ]
Every night I watch you hard a hidin' here iin the wreckin' yard
Sittin' in a rusty truck lettin' mosquitoes eat me up
Wilma Lou Wilma Lou...
[ steel ]
Oh Wilma Lou you're too far away so I sneak up behind his Chevrolet
I hunker down here in the weeds a little closer so I can see
I hear the June bugs in the night see you in the front porch light
I'm goin' home I've had enough God sake Wilma Lou get up
Wilma Lou Wilma Lou...
On that first day of March the day that she was born
Wild as the wind was on the Friday morn
They all say that she looked evil even then
When her daddy smiled and said that she looked wild as the wind
The fourteen summers passed and she blossomed like a flower
Wild as the wind she grew prettier by the hour
Then one day she found out she could break the minds of men
She became a woman child wild as the wind
Lips as sweet as honey and so eager to please
She comes and she goes just like a summer breeze
I've been beneath her magic spell I know I'll go again
Gotta have that woman child wild as the wind
Gotta have that woman child wild as the wind
We both know a certain party I won't mention any names
But you think you love this party who's brought me so much pain
I don't know what he's told you but I'll bet you think he's free
Well I'm the wife of this party and he still belongs to me
I'm the wife of the party you go out with every night
I'm the wife of the party who holds you so tight
In the arms of this party you don't have the right to be
For the wife of the party is me
[ steel ]
When you look this certain party he's a laughing boy I know
He's the life of every party you should see him when he's home
Always tired always sleeping resting up to be with you
I should just let you keep him but you see I love him too
I'm the wife of the party...
I wonder which one of us is to blame
The nicest thing that's come my way is you but I cannot offer you my heart or name
Oh it isn't fair to do me like you do I wonder which one of us is to blame
Somehow I can't blame myself although I guess I should
And I can't place the blame on you I would have if I could
We've made ourselves the gossip of the town
The things we've done can only bring us shame
We've let our passion drag our honor down I wonder which one of us is to blame
Your nearness makes me tremble with desire your ruby red lips set my soul aflame
But for you I'd be a beggar thief or liar I wonder which one of us is to blame
Somehow I can't blame myself...
[ Jeannie Bare & Bobby Bare Jr ]
Mama where'd I come from did they give me to you free
Did you buy me in a boystore mama where'd you find me
Well Bobby I found you in a smile
And the gentleness hidden in your daddy's eyes
Freddie said a bird came and left me in a tree
Mama where'd I come from that don't sound right to me
Well I'll tell you darling God in all his sweetness smiled on us yes he did
Then an angel and brought you on the wings of love
Did a doctor bring me like John said he did
And if a doctor brought me where they get kids
Well sweetheart can you keep a secret hmmm well just between a mother and her son
I'll tell ye you were born of love and that's where you came from
Spring could come you'd never show it love could come you'd never know it
Life has drawn so many tears from your eyes
You've been used then lost the user you've been branded as a loser
Where did all the sincere people go
When love is gone it will not return
The river's full of your tears the bridges have been burned
Someone took your four leaf clover all your lucky days are over
That's the way you feel when love is gone
Nights're long dawn is heartless quiet heartaches in the darkness
How could scars so deep still plainly show
All the old dreams so delicious all the news came so suspicious
Where did all the simple pleasures go
I have met the Master on my knees been tested and I've tried
And I've seen the God of heaven paint the fields and the country side
I've been the husband of one wife heard my newborn baby cry
But when I've learned enough to really live I'll be old enough to die old enough to die
I'm just a plain hard working man no stopping place have I found
Although I'm tired I'm still inspired at night when I lie down
I've learned to like it on God's earth but I sometimes I wonder why
When I've learned enough to really live I'll be old enough to die old enough to die
I have met the Master on my knees been tested and I've tried
And I've seen the God of heaven paint the fields and the country side
I've been the husband of one wife heard my newborn baby cry
But when I've learned enough to really live I'll be old enough to die old enough to die
I'm just a plain hard working man no stopping place have I found
Although I'm tired I'm still inspired at night when I lie down
I've learned to like it on God's earth but I sometimes I wonder why
When I've learned enough to really live I'll be old enough to die old enough to die
Will anybody know I've been here when I'm gone
Will anything that I've done here live on
Every man's allowed just so much time
And all you take along is what you leave behind
Will anybody know I've been here when I'm gone
When I'm gone when I'm gone
Oh will anybody know I've been here when I'm gone
Will anybody cry just a little bit when I'm gone
Will anybody cry just a little bit when I'm gone
Will the things I've tried so hopefully all turn to dust alongside of me
Will anybody know I've been here when I'm gone
When I'm gone when I'm gone
Oh will anybody know I've been here when I'm gone
Will anybody think about me when I'm gone
Will anybody ever remember me when I'm gone
Will they call me failure or success did I really live or just exist
Will anybody know I've been here when I'm gone
When I'm gone when I'm gone
Oh will anybody know I've been here when I'm gone
I hate to leave your party and these friendly people here
But I don't fit in with all that's goin' on
Your love's an invitation but I can't go along
Cause when I want to love a lady I go home
I go home to love a lady she's waiting up for me a lady who has spent the night alone
No other man has touched her she saves her love for me
When I want to love a lady I go home
It would be so easy to live just for tonight yet I know to love you would be wrong
So I won't accept your offer although temptation's strong
When I want to love a lady I go home
When God dips his pen of love in my heart
And writes my soul a message he wants me to know
His spirit all divine fills this sinful soul of mine when God dips his love in my heart
Well I said I wouldn't tell it to a living soul
How he brought salvation when he made me whole
But I found I couldn't hide such love as Jesus did impart
Well it makes me laugh it makes me cry sets my sinful soul on fire
When God dips his love in my heart
Sometimes though the way is dreary dark and cold
And some unburdened sorrow keeps me from the goal
I go to God in prayer I can always find him there to whisper sweet peace to my soul
Well I said I wouldn't tell it...
He walked every step up calvary's ragged way
To give his life completely and bring a better day
My life was steeped and sinned but in love he took me in
His blood washed away every stain
Well I said I wouldn't tell it...
What kind of bird is that
The one with the bright red breast
I know it just can't be the robin
'Cause my love is not back yet
The one I love and wanted to marry
Had to leave before she became my bride
But she said she'd return
Before the robin would return
And with each other we'd spend our lives
And she said she'd return
Long before the robin returned
And together we'd watch the leaves turn green
She showed me then just how much she loves me
And she and I and the robin can spend the spring
So what kind of bird is that
The one with the bright red breast
I know it just can't be the robin
'Cause my love is not back yet
So who could be playin' tricks on me
By the time that I relax and countin' leaves
That can't be a spring, yeah surely that can't be
'Cause the one I love, she's not with me
Oh, what kind of bird is that
The one with the bright red breast
I know it just can't be the robin
What am I gonna do girl what am I gonna do I love you so much what am I gonna do
What am I gonna do girl what am I gonna do I love you so much what am I gonna do
Sittin' here and thinkin' bout you so far away
Wondering what you're thinkin' wondering what you'd say
If you were sittin' here beside me here alone beside me
Used to be so good with you baby baby
What am I gonna do what am I gonna do I love you so much what am I gonna do
[ guitar ]
You left me here alone said it all takes time
I should keep the place together keep everything in line
Why aren't you sittin' here beside me here alone beside me
Till you come back to me baby baby
Mhm mhm I was New York City bound when I left my old hometown
But I got hung up like a fool somehow along the way
Lord God her name was Sally she lived in the Kanawha Valley
Just outside of Charleston West Virginia US of A
Sally done me down and dirty really put that hurtin' on me
Reckon how she must have got her kicks that'a way
She turned me every way but loose blew my mind and cooked my goose
And stomped my Georgia soul into that West Virginia clay
Now I'm walkin' back to Georgia cryin' Lord I feel like I'm a dyin'
Everything I try to do right seems to turn out wrong
I met a gal from West Virginia that woman sure enough sent me home
With my hat in my hand
[ Both ]
We'll sing in the sunshine we'll laugh every day
We'll sing in the sunshine then be on our way
[ Bobby ]
I will never love you the cost of love's too dear
But though I'll never love you I'll live with you one year
[ Skeeter ]
I'll sing to you each morning mhm I'll kiss you every night
But darling don't cling to me I'll soon be out of sight
[ Both ]
But we can sing in the sunshine we'll laugh every day
We'll sing in the sunshine then be on our way
[ Skeeter ]
Daddy he once told me now don't you love you any man
Just take what they may give you and give out what you can
[ Bobby ]
Now when our year has ended and I have gone away
You'll often speak about me and this is what you'll say
[ Both ]
We sang in the sunshine we laughed every day
We sang in the sunshine then went on our way
[ Both ]
We said our goodbyes long ago never thinking we'd miss each other so
All the memories we can't leave behind oh we must have been out of our minds
[ Skeeter ]
I've thought I loved another not you
[ Bobby ]
Oh how foolish I've thought the same too
[ Both ]
They both turned out to be the wrong kinds oh we must have been out of our minds
[ piano ]
[ Bobby ]
Let's forgive and forget the past we've known
[ Skeeter ]
We'll reap together all the wild seeds we've sowed
[ Both ]
Surely they can forgive us and find that we must have been out of our minds
[ Skeeter ]
Yes I've thought I loved another...
Remember when I saw you standing slightly cryin' empty-handed
With no one that you could call your own
Looking up to someone somewhere asking for life with no despair
Begging for the world to leave you alone
Yes I shouldn't have butted in but you looked as if you could use a friend
And I'd lost one myself and was looking about
Remember it was kinda crazy I held my hand out you took it baby
For a while we helped each other out
Remember how I dried every tear that you cried
And gave you love to trust beyond a doubt
And whenever I was down you made me laugh brought me around
Yeah for a while we helped each other out
And early one day in the morning sun that time came we knew would come
And in our hearts well there was love no more
I guess we're just two of that kind that look for life but never find
The love in mind that we were looking for
But I always have the warm spot for you cause at one time I adored you
And if I pass this way again I'll shout
May be years 'fore I come through but when I do I'll call on you
Cause at one time we helped each other out
Down at the railroad station my suitcase settin' by my side
Got no high hopes of leaving I'm just watching the trains go by
Watching the trains go by
Lawyer Jabob's wife she is expecting and he wonders why in blazes
How his wife could come to blame now they tried so many times before
Walking back down this dusty farmroad my thirsty mind is high and dry
One more day down at the station watching the trains go by
Down at the railroad station...
Papa's working at the coal mines mama's lying sick in bed
They'd be better off without me one less mouth to be fed
Younger brother John is in the jailhouse down on the woodfarm chopping wood
I stayed around and tried to change him don't look like I done no good
Down at the railroad station...
Warm and free warm and free that's all it takes to get a hold on me
Warm and free warm and free you never know how low you can be
Till you go into an an all-night cafe grab somebody's dirty old cup
Walk right up to the hot water boiler and fill that sucker up
Then you add some ketchup salt and tabasco sure smells good to me
Then sloopity-slop you suck it up it's warm and it's free
Oh warm and free...
Till you sneak into a party on the Saturday night and say hey I'm a friend of Stan's
And you ease into the kitchen open up the fridge and gobble up everything you can
Then you crawl into the bed neath the big pile o' coats
And try to get yourself some sleep
This life ain't swell but what the hell you're warm and you're free
Oh warm and free...
Till you go into the bar and meet a middle aged lady let her buy you a drink or two
You look into her eyes till she says I've got a son bout the very same age as you
Then you say you remind me of my very own mama as her hand slips to her knee
She ain't Raquel but what the hell it's warm and it's free
I know they all know that I love her they don't say a word I can tell
The people who live here on Main Street know and respect me too well
Each morning she brings me my coffee thank you good looking I'd say
Everyone knows I'm in love with the waitress at Main Street Cafe
I watch as she walks by my table I'm longing to hold her so tight
I know once again I will meet her when she gets through working tonight
Someday when my ship comes to anchor I'll come and I'll take her away
My schemes and my dreams are including the waitress at Main Street Cafe
I know that some stranger would wonder why we steal a quick little kiss
I eat and I drink all my orange juice yet I never leave her a tip
She says she will take off that apron when we can afford it some day
Vincennes Vincennes Vincennes Indiana Vincennes Vincennes Vincennes my hometown
I'm coming back clear the track I'm someone to someone in Vincennes my hometown
Have you ever known how lonesome it can be in the big city
Let me tell you friend it's lonesome
Everybody runnin' busy with their own affairs
There I was in a crowd lost and no one cares
I've often heard if you want a break go to the big city that's the place to start
But the only break I saw anybody get in the heart of that city was a broken heart
Inside her feeble mind
She is spinning out of time
Like a hunter who's gone blind, my valentine
Beside her velvet nest
She humiliates the best
Couldn't take no more I guess of my valentine
Valentine, I killed my valentine
And I laughed until I cried for my valentine
Valentine, I killed my valentine
And I shall proudly do the time for my valentine
Beneath her rugged skirt
She does most of her work
Laughing while you hurt for my valentine
In the middle of every dream
Is a lie that holds the key
To free you from what you think you'd need like my valentine
Valentine, I killed my valentine
And I laughed until I cried for my valentine
Valentine, I killed my valentine
(Okay, I'll tell you what I'm gonna do now. I'm gonna tell you about a unicorn.
Now who knows what a unicorn is? Let me tell you about.)
A long time ago when the earth was green
Well there was more kinda animals than you've ever seen
And they just run around free while the world was being born
And loveliest of them all was the unicorn
There was green alligators and long neck geese
Humpty bumpty camels and some chimpanzees
There was cats and rats and elephants but sure as you're born
The loveliest of all was the unicorn
But the Lord seen some sinning and it caused him a pain
He said stand back I'm gonna make it rain
So hey brother Noah I'll tell you what to do
Go and build me a floatin' Zoo
And you take 'em two alligators and a couple of geese
Two humpty bumpty camels and chimpanzees
Cats and rats and elephants but sure as you're born
Noah don't forget my unicorn
Now Noah was there and he answered the callin'
And he finished up the ark as the rain started fallin'
Then he marched in the animals two by two
And sung out as they went through
Hey Lord I got your two alligators and a couple of geese
Two humpty bumpty camels and chimpanzees
Cats and rats and elephants but sure as you're born
Lord I just don't see your unicorn
Well Noah looked out through the drivin' rain
But the unicorns were hidin' playing silly games
They were kickin' and a splashin' in the early morn
Oh them foolish unicorns
Then the ducks started duckin' and the sneaks started sneakin'
And the elephants started elephantin' and the boat started shakin'
The mice started sqeekin' and the lions started roarin'
And everyone's aboard but the unicorns
I mean a green alligators and long neck geese
The humpty bumpty camels and chimpanzees
Noah cried close the door cause the rain is a pourin'
And we just don't wait for them unicorns
And then the dark started movin' and it drifted with the tide
And unicorns looked up from the rock and cried
And the water came up and sorta floated them away
And that's why you've never seen a unicorn to this day
You'll see lots of alligators and long neck geese
You'll see humpty bumpty camels and chimpanzees
You'll see cats and rats and elephants but sure as you're born
In the unemployment line in the unemployment line
I see a butcher and a baker a faker and a quaker and an old girl friend of mine
There's white collars blue collars and no collars too talking bout the bad new times
And we all get together every Wednesday afternoon in the unemployment line
Now who do you think was there today talking bout food and rent
There was a hard hat a fat cat a girl from the laundromat and one ex-president
I raised my eyes and prayed to the Lord please save this world of mine
Then I turned around and I saw God standin' in the unemployment line
In the unemployment line in the unemployment line
Last Saturday morning I shut off the alarm
Drove out in the valley to old Dan Cook's farm
A sign on the fence post put up with one nail read 10 a.m. sharp for big public sale
At least forty people were out in the yard
Looking for bargains they were dealing real hard
To buy up the pieces and find out the worth of fifty years living so close to the earth
Who'll give me five I got five now who'll give me ten
I'll call out the numbers and you just say when
For a lifetime of mem'ries some happy some sad
Two for a dollar the price sure ain't bad
No bids for the carriage rottin' out by the shed
The one that they drove on the night they were wed
Five bucks for the brass bed a little bit worn
Not much for the place where the five kids were born
And the old parlor piano still sounded alright
Just as good as it did many Saturday nights
And the big round oak table where dinner was made
Brought almost as much as the tiffany shade
Who'll give me five...
My nights have been lonely since I've been in Tulsa County
And I really don't know what I'm gonna do
Guess that I'll just mosey down around that southern border
Cause I feel I gotta get away from you
I got your note in Charleston that you needed my assistance
But when I came out you didn't need me then
Though I may not be your wise man but I know the life I'm a living
And you got your help from lots of other men
I don't know just where I'll go guess I'll ride on down to Mexico down to Mexico
You say that you love me like your feeling got you sorry
But you gotta lie to keep this fool around
And if I'd stay I know that I'll just be around to laugh at
Since there's nothing else to keep me in your town
I don't know just where I'll go guess I'll ride on down to Mexico down to Mexico
Try to remember the kind of September when life was slow and oh so mellow
Try to remember the kind of September when grass was green and grain was yellow
Try to remember the kind of September when you were a tender and happy fellow
Try to remember and if you remember then follow follow
Try to remember when life was so tender that no one had wept except the willow
Try to remember when life was so tender when dreams were kept beside your pillow
And deep in December it's nice to remember
Too fire of September that made us mellow
[ Bobby ]
You empty all my pockets you take away my gold
[ Skeeter ]
You strip me of my innocence then leave me in the cold
[ Bobby ] You rob me of my patience [ Skeeter ] and you mess up my mind
[ Both ]
But we're gonna stick together babe cause a truer love you'll never find than mine
[ Bobby ]
You set my very soul on fire and you burn it to the ground
[ Skeeter ]
You take my lovely little world and turn it upside down
[ Bobby ] You rob me of my patience [ Skeeter ] and you mess up my mind
[ Both ]
But we're gonna stick together babe cause a truer love you'll never find than mine
We're gonna stick together babe cause a truer love you'll never find than mine
This mornin' I jumped on my horse and went out for a ride
Some wild outlaws chased me and they shot me in the side
So I crawled into a wild cat's cave to find a place to hide
But some pirates found me a sleepin' there and soon they had me tied
Till a lady zombie cut me loose and begged to be my bride
So I said I'd come back Wednesday but I must admit I lied
Cause I run away into the swamp but I forgot my guide
And I stepped into some quicksand and no matter how I tried
I couldn't get out until I met a crocodile named Clyde
Who took me to some cannibals who planned to have me fried
They built a fire under me and I swear I almost cried
Till an eagle come and swooped me up and through the air we flied
But he dropped me in a boilin' lake a thousand miles wide
[ Both ]
I give to you and you give to me true love true love
On and on it will always be true love true love
[ Bobby ]
For you and I have a guardian angel on high with nothing to do
[ Both ]
But to give to you and to give to me love forever true
[ guitar ]
[ Both ]
Truck driver truck driver stop your Diamond T
Do you have room inside your rig for a highway bum like me
Hey thank you very much don't suppose you could sorta scoot over a little bit
And give me a little more room cause I got long legs
And it's a long way to where I'm goin'
Truck driver truck driver let your diesel roll
Now do you have one cigarette for a man who's wet and cold
Yeah thank you very much ah I don't reckon you got one of those filter tips instead
I don't really like them regular cigarettes
It's bad for your lungs you know what I mean
And it's a long way to where I'm goin'
Truck driver truck driver lemme ask you one thing more
If I can't sleep in your sleeper cab can I sleep on your trailer floor
Thank you very much
I don't suppose I could sorta borrow your jacket to kinda cover up and get warm with
Cause I'm cold and it's a long way to where I'm goin'
Truck driver truck driver I see in that plastic frame
A picture of a sexy blonde and you know that's my kind of dame
Man I'd really like to grab onto your wife huh
Well it's a long way to where I'm goin' oh yeah
Truck driver truck driver thank you for the ride
Now if you lend me a dollar and half I'll move on down the line
Well I ain't no need to get mad about some folks don't never do nothin' to nobody
And I ain't gonna rob you no more
I am a travelin' minstrel man I'll do my best to make you happy if I can
I'll sing my song and move along cause I'm a travelin' minstrel man
My life is measured by the telephone poles the mileage lines are on my face
I never care much where that old highway goes I'm happy almost any place
I'm married to a beatup busted guitar I'm obligated to my band
Don't waste your time by making permanent plans I'm only playing one night stands
Come see the travelin' minstrel man...
I've got a suitcase full of stories to tell bout all the places that I've been
When I've told my stories and I've sung you my song I'll be back on the road again
Shout out the number that you'd like me to play then clap your hands and sing along
Let's have a good time while we still have today because tomorrow I'll be gone
I am a travelin' minstrel man...
Midnight flights and barroom lights and rollin' for three days and nights
And motel rooms have been my only home
They gave me these sad knowing eyes and old age lines before my time
I guess I spent too many nights alone
Denver trains and LA games taxis through the New York rain
On everybody's party but my own
Tellin' myself love could wait now maybe girl you've come too late
I may have spent too many nights alone
I never let nobody any closer than my body and I never needed someone till now
And you know I want so much to reach out my soul and touch you
But I don't know if I know how
Cause midnight flights and barroom lights and rollin' for three days and nights
And open roads have been my only home
Learnin' ways to say goodbye and songs that only make me cry
[ Both ]
Together again our tears have stopped falling
[ Skeeter ]
The long lonely nights are now at an end
[ Bobby ]
The key to my heart you hold in your hand
[ Both ]
And nothing else matters now we're together again
[ guitar + steel ]
[ Both ]
Together again the grey skies are gone
You're back in my arms now that's where I belong
The love that we knew is living again
And nothing else matters now we're together again
I've been on the road twenty years ten thousand nights and a million beers
But I'm tired of the road Joe it's no fun anymore Joe
I'm savin' my money and I'll be goin' home soon
I've lived good played with the best stayed up for days and never got no rest
But I'm gettin' old Joe tired of the road Joe
I'm savin' my money I'll be goin' home soon
Ain't it funny how things don't work out the way you had 'em planned
One day you just turn around and it's slipped right through your hand
These bandstand lights they won't erase
The wrinkles in my hand and the lines in my face
But I'm gettin' old Joe tired of the road Joe
Times're gettin' hard boy money's almost gone
Times're gettin' hard boy time to move along
Gonna take my true love by the hand lead her from this town
Times're gettin' hard boy we're California bound
Pack up everything we own that won't take us long
Say goodbye today because tomorrow we'll be gone
It's hard to leave this place it's been hometown for so long
Oh but the men can't live with nothing's right and everything goes wrong
Sometimes I drink cause sometimes I think maybe I was born with a curse
Things don't get no better for me they just go from bad to worse
You know I spent my entire life learned my trade and working hard
Then one day the bossman brought some big machines
And next day he told me I was fired
Ain't the snow fallin' just a bit deeper these days
Ain't they're building the stairs a bit steeper these days
And the town's really changin' in so many ways it's time time
The young folks you're growin' uncommonly tall
And the newspaper print is becomin' so small
And folks talk so soft you can barely hear at all it's time just time
Jokes aren't as witty as the old jokes once were
And the girls ain't half as pretty as I remember her
And today on the bus a grown man called me sir it's time just time
[ steel ]
You know I ain't quite as anxious for fame or success
And my eye finds the girl in the plain simple dress
And I cling a bit longer to each warm caress that's time just time
So it takes a bit longer to walk up a hill
What of it but my life now is much more fulfill
She was quite a looker she kept herself up well
She was crowdin' forty but in the dark you couldn't tell
I sat down at her table and had myself a pour
Then we slow danced by the jukebox to a motel room next door
I whispered soft and sweet what's the use in waitin'
Love is wild and free and night is quickly fadin'
She said it may be wild but honey it ain't free
Would you lay twenty on me till I get on my feet
[ guitar ]
Well now friends you'd never guess it so I really must confess it
I just met the sweetest woman of my long dismal life
But a friend of mine said buddy just in case your mind is muddy
Don't you know that girl you're fooling with is Peg-Leg Johnson's wife
And that man is hard and cold and mean and grim
And he'll catch you and he'll brain you with his artificial limb
But next morning bright and early I stole old Peg-Leg's girlie
And I also took his wooden leg just to play it safe
But there weren't no time for laughter cause he started hopping after
And I keep on running faster but he won't give up the chase
And I'm running through the mountains with his bride
And I got his wooden leg here by my side
I'm a three-legged man with a two-legged woman
Being chased across country by a one-legged fool
Though he's hoppin' and he's clappin' and he shows no sign of stoppin'
I tell you boys this life is hard and cruel
Through the deserts and the valleys and those dark Chicago alleys
Cross the muddy Mississippi to the hills of Caroline
Through the mountains of Montana and the swamps of Louisiana
Each time that I look back he's just about one foot behind
And I know he must be cold and wet and sick
But in spite of all his troubles he can kick
Oh he's ragged and he's filthy and I'm feeling kinda guilty
Specially in the evenings when I hear him plead and beg
He says in spite of all your stealing friend I bear you no hard feelings
You can keep that damned old woman but please give me back my leg
Cause old friend I know you think you took my wooden leg
But in the dark you made a mistake you took my good leg
I'm a three-legged man...
This guitar is for sale, I'll let her go cheap
She's pretty to look at but she don't earn her keep
She can roar like the west wind, she can weep, she can wail
But the tunes that she plays just ain't sellin' today
This guitar is for sale.
She lay close beside me on cold winter nights
She's got me in trouble and she won me some fights
We both come out all right
She knows all the sad songs that Hank ever wrote
Just touch her once gently and she'll take you on home
She'll tell you some stories 'bout junk yards and jails
And a fool with a song and a dream that went wrong
This guitar is for sale.
She's rode cross this country on freight trains and trucks
On 'round pawnshop windows when we're down on our luck
We been down on our luck
So please treat her kind, keep her out of the rain
It's funny you're askin', I never gave her a name
But if you say she looks weary, you been readin' our mail
So if you got the dough buddy take her and go
This guitar is for sale.
She's won me some ladies with her sweet lovin' songs
And she's stuck right here with me when the ladies were gone
And the ladies are gone
But hard times and trouble been doggin' our tail
So if you got the dough buddy take her and go
Boring through the mountains by-passing the towns
Interstate 90 is a sight to behold
But that monument to progress and engineering skill
Has covered up the old swimmin' hole
Thirty feet straight up from where the old hole stood
They sell twenty kinds of icecream and the food is good
But it never can compare with the food for the soul
You could get for a dip in the old swimmin' hole
Oh the old swimmin' hole her cool waters ran deep
Felt good to a boy with mud on his feet
And I'm wishing these days I could strip to my soul
And go for a dip in the old swimmin' hole
[ harmonica ]
A symbol of our great and affluent society Interstate 90 fulfillment of our goals
But that masterpiece of human ingenuity has covered up the old swimmin' hole
Gone the wooden schoolhouse the old country store
The winding dirt road that's winding no more
And the old swimmin' hole hears the sound of speeding wheels
Entombed beneath a blanket of concrete and steel
Boring through the mountains by-passing the towns
Interstate 90 is a sight to behold
But that monument to progress and engineering skill
Has covered up the old swimmin' hole
Thirty feet straight up from where the old hole stood
They sell twenty kinds of icecream and the food is good
But it never can compare with the food for the soul
You could get for a dip in the old swimmin' hole
Oh the old swimmin' hole her cool waters ran deep
Felt good to a boy with mud on his feet
And I'm wishing these days I could strip to my soul
And go for a dip in the old swimmin' hole
[ harmonica ]
A symbol of our great and affluent society Interstate 90 fulfillment of our goals
But that masterpiece of human ingenuity has covered up the old swimmin' hole
Gone the wooden schoolhouse the old country store
The winding dirt road that's winding no more
And the old swimmin' hole hears the sound of speeding wheels
Entombed beneath a blanket of concrete and steel
[ Bobby ]
There was a time we'd sit in the backyard cause the house would get so hot
From the summer sun there was no way of sleepin'
[ Skeeter ]
And you'd play your old guitar we'd fight mosquitos and enjoy
Your backyard concerts for we had no television
[ Both ]
We'd just begun our life as man and wife and hardships then
Could scarcely scare us into quittin'
Things were far from bein' fine we often dined upon a dime
There never was a time we didn't love
[ Skeeter ]
That Christmas brought our saddest days when your pride gave way as you told the kids
There'd be no gifts cause we were broke
Though their little tears of grief were so hard to see it didn't hurt me
Like the lump I knew was in your throat
[ Both ]
It was then with arms entwined we both broke down and cried
For it seemed like nothing good would ever come
The doctor bills we couldn't pay they came and took our car away
There never was a time we didn't love
[ Bobby ]
Now there's an easy chair for my back and satin pillows for your head
And the kids are wild about the brand new cars
You and I can order steak with all the trimmings and not worry
If we've spent a dollar more than we could spare
[ Skeeter ]
No wonder in our prayers we've thanked the man upstairs who led us through
The years of raisin' kids and payin' bills
And I think he guided us not because we were smart but just because
[ Both ]
There never was a time we didn't love
There never was a time never was a time never was a time we didn't love
Why must you always try to make me over ?
Take me as I am or let me go
White lilies never grow on stalks of clover
Take me as I am or let me go
You're trying to reshape me in a mold o' love
In the image of someone you used to know
But I won't be a stand-in for an old love
Take me as I am or let me go
You've tried to change me ever since you've met me
Take me as I am or let me go
If you cannot overlook my faults, forget me
Take me as I am or let me go
You're trying to reshape me in a mold o' now
But I won't be a stand-in for an old love
I thought I'd like to lead the bachelor life for a while
Live alone and have some fun
So I told her to take the kids and go back to her mama
(That's how I wanted it to be) and I felt satisfied it was done
I wake up every morning make myself a cup of Jay
Down to the factory that's where I spend my day
Five o'clock the whistle blows and that leaves the evening free
That's how I wanted it to be
Well it didn't take me long to find out just how much I needed her
So I wrote and told her to take the kids
And come on back home cause I was ready to settle down now
Well you see I just got her letter today
And it seems she's found someone else someone she can depend on
(That's how I wanted it to be) and she ain't comin' home no more
I wake up every morning...
If you love somebody enough
You'll follow wherever they go
That's how I got to Memphis
That's how I got to Memphis
If you love somebody enough
You'll go where your heart wants to go
That's how I got to Memphis
That's how I got to Memphis
I know if you'd seen her you'd tell me cause you are my friend
I've got to find her and find out the trouble she's in
And if you tell me she's not here
You can follow the trail of my tears
That's how I got to Memphis
That's how I got to Memphis
She'd get mad and she used to say
She'd come back to Memphis someday
That's how I got to Memphis
That's how I got to Memphis
I haven't eaten a bite
Or slept for three days and nights
That's how I got to Memphis
That's how I got to Memphis
I've got to find her and tell her that I love her so
I'll never rest til I find out why she had to go
So thank you for your precious time
Forgive me if I start to cry
That's how I got to Memphis
That's how I got to Memphis
[ Both ]
A little love that slowly grows and grows
Not one that comes and goes that's all I want from you
A sunny day with hopes up to the sky a kiss and no goodbye
That's all I want from you
[ Bobby ]
Don't let me down oh show me that you care
[ Skeeter ]
Remember when you give you also get your share
[ Bobby ]
Don't let me down I have no time to wait
[ Both ]
Tomorrow might not come when dreams're dreamed too late
A little love that slowly grows and grows
Not one that comes and goes that's all I want from you
[ guitar ]
That's all I want from you
[ Bobby ]
Don't let me down oh show me that you care...
SYMPATHY
Writers Bobby Bare, Charlie Williams
Oh well, I look in your eyes
And what do I see
Well, I don't see love
All I see is sympathy
Before she came along
You belonged to me
She stole your heart away
But yet you stayed in sympathy
If you can't say you love me
Then don't say you're sorry
Please don't you pitty me
If I can't have your lovin'
I'd rather have nothing
I don't want sympathy
Do you think I'm blind?
Why any fool can see
That a-you don't care
And all that's there there is a-yeah honey, sympathy
If you can't say you love me
Then don't say you're sorry
Please don't you pitty me
If I can't have your lovin'
I'd rather have nothing
I don't want sympathy
Do you think I'm blind?
Why any fool can see
That a-you don't care
And all that's there there is a-yeah, sympathy
And it's all for me
Chorus:
Pour me another Tequila Sheila,
Take off that red satin dress
I cross the border and I beat the dealer
For all the damn gold in Juarez.
I feel like old Pancho Villa, Sheila
And sure could use a friend (I got Pesso to spend)
So pour me another Tequilla Sheila
And lay down n'love me again.
Though I can tell you about it
But don't mind my gun by the bed
I feel kind of naked without it
And it eases the fear in my head.
Just pass me the salt n'the lemon
Bend down n'blow out the light
I never had trusted the woman
But Sheila I'll trust you tonight.
Chorus:
Pour me another Tequila Sheila
Take off that red satin dress
I cross the border and I beat the dealer
Dor all the damn gold in Juarez.
I feel like old Pancho Villa, Sheila
And sure could use a friend (I got Pesso to spend)
So pour me another Tequilla Sheila,
And lay down n'love me again..
Sheila I'm hearing your heart beat
But I'm hearing footsteps outside
The courtyard is crawling with damn federalists
And Sheila there's no place to hide.
I don't know who could have tipped them
nobody knew but you
But I can't make love to a squealer, Sheila
So I guess there's just one thing to do.
Pour me another Tequila Sheila.
I'm gonna put on your red dress, you put on my cloths
You go out and face the dealer
And Sheila, I wish you the best.
I feel like old Pancho Villa, Sheila
I need a fast horse and a friend
So pour me another Tequila Sheila
There was a tall oak tree that loved a bubblin' brook
And the bubblin' brook loved a mountain high
And the mountain high loved the sky above
The creator looked down and saw everything was loved loved loved
Then he took a bone and a piece of mud
He made a man and a woman to be flash and blood
Then along came a devil up bottom ground
He tempted woman and that's spred sin all around all around all around
If she'd've left that apple on the apple tree
There'd be no tears and sorrow we'd live eternaly
And then along came man to burn the oak tree down
And now the bubblin' brook is a solid ground
And the mountain high don't stand so high
And there's a cloud of smoke that covers up a clear blue sky
Talk me some sense talk me some sense
Put a song of love and laughter on your face
Talk me some sense talk me some sense
Cause the way you're talkin' now is a digrace
I've heard enough o' your talk about the world that is to be
You say it's sick and sinful and then any fool should see
You sing songs of agitation and usin' funny rhymes
The whole new trend and your preachin' friend is a great big waste of time
Talk me some sense talk me some sense...
Just call me a illiterate or any other name
But no matter how you bug me up I'll tell you without shame
Don't know where your world is but it sounds quite a mess
But here on earth we waste our time on things like happiness
Just as far as I can remember she'll remain the rose of my heart
Mama took sick along in December February brought us broken hearts
The reason we've not called the family reunion is we knew that you wouldn't be there
But now that we thought it all over mama we know that the spirit is here
No no I can't forget the hours you're the only one mama and sweeter than the flowers
No no there's no need to bother to speak of you now would only hurt farther
Oh no mama I'll never forget you and someday I'll meet you up there
[ guitar ]
Never hit seventeen when you play against the dealer
For you know the odds won't ride with you
Never leave your woman alone when your friends around to steal her
Years I've gambled and lost like summer wages.
And we'll keep rolling on till we get to Vancouver
And the woman that I love is living there
It's been six long months and more since I've seen her
May be gambled and gone like summer wages.
In all of the beer bars all down along Main Street
The dreams of the seasons get all spilled down on the floor
All the big stands of timber just waitin' for falling
And the hookers waitin' watchfully as they sit there by the door.
So, I'll work on the towboats with my slippery city shoes on
Which I swore I would never do again
Through the gray fog-bound straits where the cedars stand a waitin'
I'll be far off and gone like summer wages.
--- Instrumental ---
In all of the beer bars all down along Main Street
The dreams of the seasons get all spilled down on the floor
All the big stands of timber just waitin' for falling
And the hookers waitin' watchfully as they sit there by the door.
So, I'll work on the towboats with my slippery city shoes on
Which I swore I would never do again
Through the gray fog-bound straits where the cedars stand a waitin'
I'll be far off and gone like summer wages.
(Sweet dreams of you every night I go through
Why can't I forget you and start my life anew
Instead of having sweet dreams about you)
You don't love me it's plain I should know you'll never wear my name
I should hate you the whole night through instead of having sweet dreams about you
[ guitar ]
Sweet dreams of you dreams I know can't come true
Why can't I forget you and start my life anew
I was hangin' round Nashville writin' songs and playin' them for all of the stars
Watchin' them laugh and hand 'em back livin' on hope and Hershey bars
So I pawned my guitar and bought a ticket home
And I's a headin' for the trailway bus
When I seen an old pen layin' in the gutter so I reached down and picked it up
It was beaten and bent and cast aside pretty much like myself
So I sat down on the curb and wrote a little song
That told the world how both of us felt
Then I run that song down the Music Row and before I had time to spit
It's pitched and sold and cut for a record
And movin' up the charts and damned it's a hit
So I wrote me another winner then I wrote me a smash again
And I was flyin' off the ground cause I knew I found me a sure hit songrwiter pen
Well the songs they just kept a pourin' out and the money kept pourin' in
I just couldn't miss all it took was a twist of my sure hit songwriter's pen you Remember when I won the Grammy then I won it again and again
Well none of you knew it was all due to my sure hit songwriter's pen
I was a darling of all of the ladies I was a hero among the men
Makin' big dough workin' rodeos and TV shows me and my sure hit songwriter pen
Then one night in Wichita I was just comin' off of the stage all the folks had guithered around, my Lord I was a nation rage.
One little red headed girl was there she was a freciledfaced nine or ten.
She said I have no pincle sir. So I signed with my songwriter pen and handed the pen back to her.
Four o'clock in the morning I woke up with the shakes and the bends
With terror in my eyes cause good God I realized I'd lost my sure hit songwriter pen
I advertised on the radio and I pleaded down the sympathy line
And a whole lotta folks and a whole lotta pens but none of them pens was mine
Well my songs got worse and my money ran out and so did all my good time friends
And there was no doubt I was nothing without my sure hit songwriter pen
So I rolled like a stone down old Skid Row where I feed my blues on wine
And I rest my chops in a two-bit flop and I tell my tale for a drink or a dime
And I sleep with my shoes underneath my head and dream about times back then.
When I blazed my name across the sky with my sure hit songwriter pen
And Somewhere in Wichita tonight there"s a red headded girl she's a freckle faced and nine or ten, doin' her arithmetic homework with a sure hit songwriter's pen
And I say God bless you darling you got a sure hit songwriter pen.
Write me a song.
Send me some money.
In the park I see a daddy with the laughin' little girl that he's a swinging
And I stop beside a Sunday school and listen to the song they're singing
I'm headin' back for home and somewhere far away a lonely bell is ringing
And it echoes through the city like my disappearing dreams of yesterday
On the Sunday morning sidewalk wishing Lord that I was home
Cause there's something bout a Sunday makes a body feel alone
And there's nothing sure to dying half as lonesome as the sound
On a sleeping city sidewalk Sunday morning coming down
I smoked so much the night before my mouth feels like an ashtray I've been licking
Now I light my first and watch a small kid cussin' at the can he's been a kicking
I cross the empty street and catch the Sunday smell of someone fryin' chicken
And it takes me back to something that I'd lost somehow somewhere along the way
On the Sunday morning sidewalk...
I sold the farm to take my woman, where she longed to be
We left our kin and all our friends back there in Tennessee
I bought those one way tickets, she had often begged me for
And they took us to the streets of Baltimore
Her heart was filled with laughter, when she saw those city lights
She said, "The prettiest place on earth is Baltimore at night"
Oh well a man feels proud to give his woman, what she's longing for
And I kind of liked the streets of Baltimore
Well I got myself a factory job, I ran an old machine
I bought a little cottage in a neighborhood serene
Yet every night when I came home with every muscle sore
She would drag me through the streets of Baltimore
Well I did my best to bring her back to what she used to be
But I soon learned she loved those bright lights
Much more than she loved me
Now I'm a going back on that same train
That brought me here before
While my baby walks the streets of Baltimore
She?s a wild girl but that's alright
Because she's living in a wild world
And she's kinda like the queen bee
Swimming in cola like a strange bird
You don't want to get close to
Yea, she's a strange bird and I should know
Because I thought I'd heard an angel
From down the road but it was you, girl
Climbing up a tree and you were howling
I thought I heard you singing
I'm a princess and I'm a thief
I'll make you laugh and leave you grief
Pay your ticket and get your keys
'Cause I'm bored and I, I wanna go home
I'm bored and I, I wanna go home
She is a wild one but that's okay
Because she's living in a wild world
Where I'm the fly and she's the spider
Fighting in and out beneath your collar
I thought I heard her singing
I'm a princess and I'm a thief
I'll make you laugh and leave you grief
Pay your ticket and get your keys
'Cause I'm bored and I, I wanna go home
Did you hear about Stacy Brown (no we didn't but we'd like to)
He had every chick in town (no he didn't but he tried to)
He got looks he got class do anything to get a little lass
Everybody shouts at him as he walks his girlies past
They say everybody got one (everybody got one) everybody got one (everybody got one)
Everybody got one (everybody got one) Stacy Brown got two
Do you know the reason for his success (no we don't so tell us)
They say that he was double blessed (not like those fellas)
They say that Stacy Brown was born just a little bit deformed
That's why his girl friends they all wake up smilin' every morn
Singin' everybody got one (everybody got one)...
Why they're climbin' up the wall (just to get to Stacy)
Young ones run and the old ones crawl (he drives us crazy)
He got two and that's a fact but no one knows where the other one's at
On his elbow on his knee or underneath his hat
Ooh everybody got one (everybody got one)...
The corn was dry and the weeds were high
When daddy took to drinking
Then him and Lucy Walker they took up and ran away
Mama cried a tear and then she promised fourteen children
I swear you'll never see a hungry day
Oh, the path was deep and wide from footsteps leading to our cabin
Above the door there burned the scarlet lamp
And late at night a hand would knock
And there would stand a stranger
Yes I'm the son of Hickory Holler's tramp
When mama sacrificed her pride the neighbors started talkin'
But I was much too young
To understand the things they said
The things that mattered most of all was mama's chicken dumplings
And the goodnight kiss before we went to bed
Oh, the path was deep and wide
When daddy left then destitution came upon our family
Not one neighbor volunteered to give a helping hand
So let 'em gossip all they want she loved us and she raised us
The proof is standing here a full grown man
Last summer mama passed away and left the ones who loved her
Each and everyone of us were more than grateful for our birth
Now every Sunday she receives a fresh bouquet of fourteen roses
With a card that says to the greatest mom on earth
Oh, the path was deep and wide
I used to like to listen to the tales of the old men who sat around the old park square
But the piddlers and the whittlers and the checker boards're gone
There's a brand new office building there
And the street known as Maple is much wider now and there are no maples to be found
Since Consolidated Whozit Subdivision of Universal-What-You-Call-It bought my old hometown
[ ac.guitar ]
There used to be good fishin' down along the shady mill stream
You'd see 'em as they jumped and played
But the blue gill and the croppie and the old mill made way
For Chemical Division Section A
They pulled up the flowers planted by the Ladies' Club
And took the city founder statue down
Since Consolidated Whozit Subdivision of Universal-What-You-Call-It bought my old hometown
[ harmonica ]
Yeah the picture show has had it where I used to spend my Saturdays
With Jean and Roy and Pop along
Now the Brotherhood of Gismo Fixers Local 102 is making it their temporary home
They cut down the maples along Maple Street and of course the pool hall came down
Chorus:
Somedays are diamonds, somedays are stone
Somedays the hard times won't leave us alone
Sometimes the cold wind brought chill to my bones
Somedays are diamonds, somedays are stone.
How the face that I see in the mirror
More and more is a stranger to me
More and more I can see there's a danger
In becoming what I never thought I'll be.
Chorus:
Somedays are diamonds, somedays are stone
Somedays the hard times won't leave us alone
Sometimes the cold wind brought chill to my bones
Somedays are diamonds, somedays are stone.
So when you ask how I've been here without you
I like to say I've been fine and so I did
But we both know the truth is hard to come by
And if I told the truth, that's not quit true.
Chorus:
Somedays are diamonds, somedays are stone
Somedays the hard times won't leave us alone
Sometimes the cold wind brought chill to my bones
Somedays are diamonds, somedays are stone.
Somedays are diamonds, somedays are stone
Somedays the hard times won't leave me alone
Sometimes the cold wind brought chill to my bones
Somedays are diamonds, somedays are stone.
You promised love that never would end but now you are gone and the hurtin' begins
Just what do you mean that I'm no more than a friend
Oh darling have you forgotten so soon
Love that we knew just fell by the way the tears from my eyes fall day after day
There was a time we were carefree and gay oh darling have you forgotten so soon
[ guitar ]
Lost is our love that we found long ago warm memories so soon have grown cold
Now where are the dreams that we dreamed long ago
The sandman told me he's done all he can
The situation calls for more than sand
You been cryin' all night long
Tossin' and turnin' and it's almost dawn
I am here I'm gonna help you sleep
Count on me instead of countin' sheep
Close your eyes and leave the rest of me.
You'll have sweet dreams that'll last all night
And easy feeling in the morning light
Drift away with the touch of the hand
From the sleep tight goodnight man.
Soft and soothing as a lullaby
I'll kiss the tears from those weary eyes
And in the morning you will understand
You've been touched by the goodnight man
I'll rock you gently like a rolling wave
Hold you in my arms till you drift away
Just lay back and leave the rest to me.
You'll have sweet dreams that'll last all night
And easy feeling in the morning light
Drift away with the touch of the hand
From the sleep tight goodnight man.
You'll have sweet dreams that'll last all night
And easy feeling in the morning light
Drift away with the touch of the hand
From the sleep tight goodnight man.
You'll have sweet dreams that'll last all night
And easy feeling in the morning light
Drift away with the touch of the hand
Well I pulled out of Pittsburgh a rollin' down that Eastern Seaboard
I got my diesel wound up she's a goin' like never before
There's a speed zone ahead alright I don't see a cop in sight
Six days on the road and I'm gonna make it home tonight
I got me ten forward gears and a Georgia overdrive
I'm taking little white pills and my eyes're open wide
I just passed a Jimmy in white well I been passin' everything in sight
Six days on the road and I'm gonna make it home tonight
It seems like a month since I kissed my baby goodbye
I could have a lotta women but I'm not like some of the guys
I could find one to hold me tight I can never make believe it's alright
Six days on the road and I'm gonna make it home tonight
[ harmonica ]
Well the ICC is a checkin' on down the line
Well I'm a little overweight and my log book's way behind
But nothin' bothers me tonight I can dodge all the scales alright
Six days on the road and I'm gonna make it home tonight
Well my rig's a little old but that don't mean she's slow
There's a flame from my stack and the smoke's blowin' black as coal
Well my hometown's a comin' in sight if you think I'm happy you're right
Six days on the road and I'm gonna make it home tonight
(Please baby wait for me wait for me)
I got smashed last night on a bottle of gin and I had a fight with my best girl friend
When I'm drinkin' I am nobody's friend
But please baby wait for me until they let me out again
I know the same thing has happened before
And everytime it does I hate it more and more
But when I'm drinkin' I am nobody's friend
But please baby wait for me until they let me out again
Spent a whole lotta time sittin' and thinkin'
I guess I spent too much time sittin' and thinkin' bout you
If I didn't spend so much time sittin' and drinkin'
We'd still have the love that we once knew
Oh I won't promise the same thing won't happen again
But I can promise it'll be a long long time till then
Cause when I'm drinkin' I am nobody's friend
(Is everybody ready now? Yeah! Okay!)
Here we go singin' in the kitchen all together now singin' in the kitchen
Everybody singin' in the kitchen bangin' on the pots and pans
Mommy and daddy singin' in the kitchen baby laughin' singin' in the kitchen
All the kids singin' in the kitchen bangin' on the pots and pans
Supper's done and table's clear baby wants a bottle and I want beer
Lord I sure am glad I'm here where there's lotsa love to share
And I clap hands and everybody sings dishes cling and banjo rings
There's gravy on these guitar strings but I don't really care
Cause here we are singin' in the kitchen all together now singin' in the kitchen
Everybody singin' in the kitchen bangin' on the pots and pans
I'll play the comb and you'll play the spoons
I'll sing the words and you'll sing the tunes
We'll wake up the old Man in the Moon cause we sing so loud yeah
I'll hug ya all and you'll hug mother snuggle up close to one another
Just like bread on a piece of butter Lord it makes me feel so proud
Cause here we are singin' in the kitchen all together now singin' in the kitchen
Everybody singin' in the kitchen bangin' on the pots and pans
Now the fireplace embers're glowin' red everybody's tired and it's time for bed
Baby's noddin' his sleepy head so let's sing quiet now
What do we love (singin' in the kitchen) can't get enough (singin' in the kitchen)
Whole lotta love singin' in the kitchen bangin' on the pats and pans
Mommy and daddy (singin' in the kitchen) a little bitty baby (singin' in the kitchen)
All the kids singin' in the kitchen bangin' on the pots and pans
(Here we go) singin' in the kitchen all together now singin' in the kitchen
Everybody singin' in the kitchen bangin' on the pots and pans
Yeah mommy and daddy singin' in the kitchen baby laughin' singin' in the kitchen
Widow Jones couldn't make it on her own
Frank was 'lectrafied leaving six kids half grown
In her misery she sent for me the singer of sad songs
And I sympathized and eulogized Frank Jones
And she cried singer of sad songs I need your services today
Doctor of broken hearts
I'll wash your clothes and mend your socks for your pay
Farmer Brown had always dreamed of city lights
Mini skirts on pretty girls were in his sights
So one early morn he left his corn to harvest a field of sin
Mrs Brown called me shortly after three a.m.
And she cried singer of sad songs I need your services today
Doctor of broken hearts got some early hybrid corn for your pay
Lovely Lucy sat there sippin' a glass of wine
She was at the church waitin' till after nine
But the groom to be was somewhere free with a case of yellow spine
Lovely Lucy is still a virgin and that's a crime
And she cried singer of sad songs I need your services today
Sometimes you sing for the money sometimes you sing for the show
Sometimes you sing for the dewy eyed darlings
Still makes them cry don't you know
Sometimes you sing for the glory but glory don't last very long
And through the haze of the stage can you look back to days
When you used to sing for the song
Sing for the song boy just like you did when you stood on that corner
And didn't even feel the glow
Sing for the song boy just like you did before all of the flash bulbs
And cocaine and bright things and ladies got hold of your soul
But you really don't make too much money and you donn't give much of a show
And them dewy eyed darling next week will be crying
For somebody else don't you know
But the music's become your burden and the words all sound twisted and wrong
And the hits that you sell don't taste quite as well
As when you used to sing for the song
Sing for the song boy...
Sing for the song boy...
Silence is golden my love tell me now with your eyes
No need to speak just let me see your eyes look love to me
Silently place your warm hand in mine
Safe and secure from the troubles of our time
Say with your eyes what you feel deep inside
Words cannot express they only hide
Silence is golden my love eyes are windows of one's heart
Look into mine find peace of mind that you and I will never part
Who needs words when we are so near
A soft summer rain she was when she came and settled my old dusty worn-out soul
While I watched in a dream and dreamed as I watched
The sweetest and the shortest story told
Short and sweet were those good old songs of yesterday
Short and sweet Lord was the warm and tender love she gave to me
Short and sweet Lord so short and sweet
Walking down the same old roads good Lord knows I toted loads
But that was back before she came along
Now I'm lost and alone singing some old wornout song
Where the darkness stretches time ten to one
Well friends you know once I was took in by a girl with a twinkly eye
But the first time that I wasn't lookin' she ran off with a handsomer guy oh my
But I'm an inventin' type feller so as soon as my brain got uncurled
I tiptoed right down to my cellar and built a mechanical girl
Oh her arms are iron her legs are steel her hips are on wires attached to a wheel
And her spine is a coil that I now and then oil she's my ever lovin' machine
She's always right there when I need her and she's very easy to please
And hardly cost nothing to feed her just some water and oil and grease
She never complains when I stay out all night she never complains that I ain't rich
And each time I want her just to cuddle me up tight
I just reach out and turn on 'er switch
Oh her arms are iron...
She has no trouble makin' her mind up cause friends I did not give her a mind
And her heart is a clock that I wind up so I know that she'll love me in time
She always did what she was supposed to right up to this evening but then
She had an affair with a toaster and they ran off and left me again
Oh her arms were iron her legs were steel her hips were on wires attached to a wheel
(Okay, hold it kids, hold it! Listen! I wanna sing a song now especially for mama.
Okay? This is for mama.)
She looks at me with the eyes of a child
She thinks I can reach out and turn back the tide
And I'm just a man and I can't work no wonders
But she thinks I can so I try
She follows me down the dark pathways I'm leadin'
She's still believing that I'll find the way
And I tell her I can't give her all that she's needin'
But she thinks I can so I may
I may find a way to turn darkness to suinshine
I may find a rainbow behind the next hill
But with her beside me and heaven to guide me
Lord she thinks I can so I will
[ piano ]
I may find a way to turn darkness to suinshine
I may find a rainbow behind the next hill
But with her beside me and heaven to guide me
Lord she thinks I can she thinks I can so I will
She called me baby baby all night long used to hold and kiss me till the dawn
Then one day I awoke and she was gone ah there's no more baby baby all night long
Well she called me baby baby all night long lift me up so high and made me strong
Well what I'd give if she'd just come back home and call me baby baby all night long
[ trumpet ]
Yeah she called me baby baby all night long
Kissed my tears away when things went wrong
But now each night in dreams just like a song I still hear baby baby all night long
Shame on me for hurting you what can I say what can I do
Last night I was blind but today I see I did you wrong shame on me
You say you won't be seein' me again you say we're through
I wouldn't want to see the sunrise tomorrow if I knew that to be true
I know that just sayin' sorry doesn't sound out a lot
But the girl you saw me with last night means no more to me
Than the thousand stars to the great clouds that cover the night
The more I look at her the more I realize how much I love you
Shame on me for hurting you...
I'll admit I shouldn't have given into love's wild temptation
With someone I cared nothing for I was blind and I hurt you
Can you ever forgive the fool the fool who really loves you
(Okay, is everybody ready to be animals? Yeah!)
See that bluebird on a limb he wants you to fly away with him
He wants you to wear a featherly vest
And he wants you to sleep in a featherly nest
But he can't have you no no no I ain't gonna let you go
Birds in the sky you'd better see my little birds are staying with me
See that fish down in the sea he wants you to paddle away from me
He wants you to splash and bubble and swim
He wants you to live in the water with him
But he can't have you no no no I ain't gonna let you go
Birds in the sky and fish in the sea my little fishes are staying with me
[ guitar ]
Hear that lion roarin' in the Zoo he wants you to come and live there too
But he don't know that when you're cryin' you can roar louder than any ole lion
So he can't have you no no no I ain't gonna let you go
Birds and fish and lions better see
[ Jeannie Bare ]
I peeked in to say goodnight and I heard my child in prayer
Send to me some scarlet ribbons scarlet ribbons for her hair
All the stores were closed and shuttered all the streets were dark and bare
In our town no scarlet ribbons scarlet ribbons for her hair
Through the night my heart was aching just before the dawn was breaking
I peeked in and on her bed in gay profusion laying there
Lovely ribbons scarlet ribbons scarlet ribbons for her hair
If I live to be a hundred I will never know from where
Came those lovely scarlet ribbons scarlet ribbons for her hair
Sun's up I better get up and make the rounds
All alone on my own here in this old town of Salt Lake City
Gotta find work forget the hurt and how she put me down
For some man who didn't care but with his fast talk and curly hair
He took her away from me in Salt Lake City
[ guitar ]
Night has come day is done
But there's just no job to be found in Salt Lake City
Oh this room's cold no one to hold so I just walk around
And think of all the times that she said that she loved me
But that's just a memory in Salt Lake City
I should pack my things and go but my heart keeps saying no
In a pub Britanny I had me a drink or three
I can vaguely recall a pretty girl was standin' there
Ran her hand through my hair took me off for some air
I hope we had a good time for I woke without even a dime
I'm a sailor that's all that I am I've been in many a land
Had a million girls but never have the urge to stay
I was born to be on the rollin' sea
That's where I'll be a livin' and I'll be a dyin' someday
Well I copped me a ship once more that was bound for Singapore
I got in a card game that lasted for thirty some days
I made my shipmates sad I took all they had
I taught those rosy cheek lads they don't be underratin' ol' Dad
I'm a sailor that's all that I am...
Three more days and we'll be in port we'll have twenty four hours of sport
We'll spend our hard earned money as fast as we can
Lift the glasses high and tell the pretty girls lies
And then we'll run for the harbor that's the life of a sailor man
I was born in Saginaw Michigan I grew up in a house on Saginaw bay
My dad was a poor hard working Saginaw fisherman
Too many times he came home with too little pay
I loved a girl in Saginaw Michigan the daughter of a wealthy wealthy man
But he called me that son of a Saginaw fisherman
And said I wasn't good enough for his daughter's hand
That's why I went up to Alaska searchin' around for gold
Like a crazy fool I was diggin' in the frozen ground so cold
But with each new day I pray I'd strike it rich and then
I'll go back home and claim my love in Saginaw Michigan
I wrote my love in Saginaw Michigan I said honey I'm comin' home please wait for me
And you can tell your dad I'm coming back a richer man
I've hit the biggest strike in Klondike history
So her dad met me in Saginaw Michigan
He gave me a great big party and we served champagne
Then he said son now you're a wise young ambitious man
Now won't you sell your father-in-law your Klondike claim
So now he's up there in Alaska diggin' in the cold cold ground
Why the greedy fool is lookin' for the gold I never found
It serves him right and no one here is a missin' him
Least of all the newly weds of Saginaw Michigan
You have painted up your lips and rolled and curled your tinted hair
Ruby are you contemplating going out somewhere
The shadows on the wall tell me the sun is goin' down
Oh Ruby don't take your love to town
It's hard to love a man whose legs are bent and paralized
And the wants and the needs of a woman your age Ruby I realize
But it won't be long I've heard them say until I'm not around
Oh Ruby don't take your love to town
For it wasn't me that started that old crazy Asian war
But I was proud to go and do my patriotic chores
Oh I know Ruby that I'm not the man I used to be but Ruby I still need your company
And she's leaving now cause I've just heard the slamming of the door
The way I know I've heard it slam one hundred times before
If I could move I get my gun and put her in the ground
I was waitin' in Rosie's Restaurant.
When the waiter came up and said "what do you want?"
I looked at the menu and it looked so nice.
Till he said, "let me give you some advice"
He said, "Spaghetti and potatoes got too much starch,
Pork chops and sausage are bad for your heart.
There's hormones in chicken and beef and veal.
A bowl of ravioli is a dead man's meal.
Bread got preservatives, there's nitrites in ham.
Artificial coloring in jellies and jam.
Stay away from donuts, run away from pie.
Pepperoni pizza is a sure way to die.
Sugar rots your teeth, makes you put on weight.
Artificial sweetner's got cyclamates.
Eggs got cholesterol, there's fat in cheese.
Coffee ruins your kidneys and so does tea.
Fish got mercury, red meat is poison.
Salt's gonna send your blood presure risin'
Hot dogs and bologna got deadly red dyes.
Vegetables and fruit are sprayed with pesticides.
So I said, "what can I eat that's gonna make me last?"
He said, "a small drink of water in a sterilized glass"
Then he stopped and he thought for a minute.
He said "Never mind the water---There's carcinogenics in it"
So I got up from the table and walked out in the street.
Reliazing there was nothin' I could eat.
I ain't eaten for a month and I'm feeling fine...
"Cause he did not mention, beer, whiskey, women
As I lay here all alone I feel the darkness coming on
It's too late to try to catch the sinking sun
But the seasons of my mind they're walking back through summer time
When the sun was bright and our new love was blind
Roselee won't you come and walk through summertime with me
At your mother's house tonight I kissed the sunshine of my life
As I tucked him in his little baby bed
When I turned to walk away my thoughts ran back to yesterday
When I held you close to me and softly said
Roselee I can see in him a part of you and me
At the market place today I overheard somebody say
In three short weeks you'd marry my best friend
But the seasons of your mind will walk again through summertime
When you feel me in the touch of my son's hand
Roselee you'll be walking with the living end of me
[ guitar ]
With my hand clutched to my head they'll find me in this lonely bed
Where you told me you were through with loving me
Maybe then your seasons mind will walk again through summertime
When our sun is shining six feet over me
It's two in the morning on Saturday night at Rosalie's Good Eats Cafe
The onions are frying the neon is bright and the jukebox is startin' to play
And the sign on the wall says In God We Trust all others have to pay
And it's two in the morning on Saturday night at Rosalie's Good Eats Cafe
The short order cook with the momma tattoo he's a turnin' them hamburgers slow
Eggs over easy whole wheat down, y'all want that coffee to go
He never once dreamed as a rodeo star that he'd wind up here today
At two in the morning on Saturday night at Rosalie's Good Eats Cafe
There's a tall skinny girl in the booth in the back wearin' jeans and a second hand fur
She's been to the doctor then called up a man
And now wonders just which way could turn
She stares at her coffee then looks toward the ceiling
But Lord it's a strange place to pray
At two in the morning on Saturday night at Rosalie's Good Eats Cafe
There's a guy in a tux and he stands in the corner feedin' the jukebox his dimes
He just had a woman and thought that he'd bought
But found he'd just rented some time
And he couldn't sleep so he came back to see if anyone else wants to play
At two in the morning on Saturday night at Rosalie's Good Eats Cafe
Now there's an old dollar bill in the frame on the wall
The first one that Rose ever made
It was once worth a dollar a long time ago but like Rose it's beginnin' to fade
She's back of the register dreamin' of someone and how things would be if he'd stay
But it's two in the morning on Saturday night at Rosalie's Good Eats Cafe
The stoop shouldered man and his frizzy haired woman
It's strange how their eyes never meet
He's playin' the pinball she's fixin' the blanket of the baby asleep on the seat
He's out of work she's puttin' on weight and they never did have too much to say
It's two in the morning on Saturday night at Rosalie's Good Eats Cafe
The waitress Darlene she sits at the counter paintin' her fingernails blue
And the short order cook he yells move it or lose it and pick up an order of stew
But someday a rich handsome man'll walk in and carry her far far away
From two in the morning on Saturday night at Rosalie's Good Eats Cafe
The shaggy haired hippie he's finished his meal
And he's countin' the change in his jeans
Burger and coffee are 85 cents and he's only got 23
He smiles at Rose and she winks back at him but Lord that's a high price to pay
At two in the morning on Saturday night at Rosalie's Good Eats Cafe
The baby faced sailor he leans on the phone and dials the number again
While the guy in the tux tells the girl in the jeans bout wonderful places he's been
And a wino comes in off the street and starts shoutin'
Bout fortunes that he threw away
And Rosalie's asking the shaggy haired hippie if he's got a warm place to stay
And the short order cook takes a five from the till while Rosie's looking away
And the onions keep frying the neon is bright and the jukebox continues to play
She wakes while you sleep and tiptoes out softly and brings you your coffee in bed
And she crawls in beside you with biscuits and kisses until all your hungers're fed
Then she opens the paper and reads how them rodeo rowdies have rolled into town
Then she's gone with the wind and you shook off again
And here's how it looks from the ground
With a rodeo queen belle of the ball she's out of the shoe and she's tossin' 'em all
And if you think about it you will take the fall lovin' a rodeo queen
[ guitar ]
She's home in the morning looks a bit weary and smilin' a little bit strange
But she fixes your coffee and lays down beside you just as if nothin' had changed
And while she holds you you're holdin' back words you know that you'd better not say
But she makes no excuses shows no regrets and you just better love her that way
She's a rodeo queen belle of the ball...
This could be our last goodnight together
We may never pass this way again
Just let me enjoy 'til it's over or forever
Please don't tell me how the story ends
See the way our shadows come together
Softer than your fingers on my skin
Someday this may be all that we'll remember of each other
Please don't tell me how the story ends
Never's just the echo of forever
Lonesome as the love that might have been
Just let me go on loving and believing 'til it's over
Please don't tell me how the story ends
ROCKS STAR LAMENT
I have pawned my golden records I have sold my sequent suits
For a bottle of bad whiskey I gave up my fancy boots
Now I stand here on the corner with a sad sad tail to tell
Once a rock star now a drunker with no song left to sell
Hide a face you might remember hide a voice you may recall
It was that cold night in December when we played Carnegie Hall
Now we're smokin' marijuana singin' flat but doin' well
Till I took my first drink of whiskey we started down the road to hell
Solo
I have pawned my golden records. I have sold my sequent suits
For a bottle of bad whiskey I gave up my fancy boots
Now I stand here on the corner with a sad sad tail to tell
Once a rock star now a drunker with no song left to sell
Once a rock star now a drunker with no song left to sell
(Is everybody feelin' silly now? Yeah, I feel silly, yes)
Well I'm gonna teach you a Ricky tic song it's kinda silly and it ain't too long
But you can't go wrong singin' a Ricky ticcky song
You just go ricky ticky ticky tacky ticky ticky
Ricky ticky ticky tacky ticky tacky ticky
No you can't go wrong singin' a Ricky tic song
Now I'm gonna teach you a Scooby dooby song sorta silly and it ain't too long
But you can't go wrong singin' a Scooby dooby song
You just go scooby dooby dooby ooby dooby ooby dooby
Scooby dooby dooby dooby ooby dooby dooby
No you can't go wrong singin' a Scooby dooby song
[ dobro ]
Now I'm gonna teach you a Yagga wagga song equally as silly and equally as long
But you can't go wrong singin' a Yagga wagga song
You just go yagga wagga yagga wagga wagga wagga wagga
Yagga wagga wagga wagga wagga wagga wagga wagga
No you can't go wrong singin' a Yagga wagga song
No you can't go wrong with ricky ticky yagga wagga
Scoodby dooby zinga zanga dobble wobble mobble woogle
Does anyone know of a girl who might like a tired old boy on a rusty old bike
Who just pulled in today from the Florida Glades
And just got to stop and rest awhile and rest awhile
Does anyone know of someone who can use
A hard working fool who don't ever touch booze
Who's only vice is a roll of a dice
And he's just got to stop and rest awhile and rest awhile
Easy there lady I don't want no trouble I'll pay for my chili and leave
Easy there mister I got the money and if I was you I'd let go of my sleeve
Does anyone know of a place I can sleep
Where I won't hear the cry of the wind as she weeps
For a poor wandering soul who got no place to go
And just got to stop and rest awhile and rest awhile
No fellers you can't have a ride cause my bike and my girls I don't share
Hey sheriff thank you for stoppin' and being concerned bout the length of my hair
Can anyone lend me a half tank of gas
And I guess that a smile would be too much to ask
Cause your warm friendly town don't want my kind around
And I guess I can't stop and rest awhile and rest awhile
Hello mama your boys comin' home cause my bike and my dreams all got wrecked
No mama don't hung up the phone I'm sorry that I had to call you collect
(It's gonna take a lot more than a memory for I had the real thing too long)
I keep telling myself I'll be all right with the mem'ry that you left behind
But it will take a lot more than a memory to keep me from losin' my mind
My memories won't last as a shield from the past
They break down and cry out when we're alone
I need a lot more than a memory for I had the real thing too long
[ strings ]
For a while I can pull myself together with a mem'ry and a drink for my heart
It was a rainy day in Richmond when I've found out what she had done
She walked right out of my life in her hour of fun
They thought I'd gone to Baltimore and never suspected a thing
They didn't know I was following them right down to their shame
A shower of tears fell from my eyes hurt in every one
I couldn't believe what I had seen and what my woman had done
Oh I never thought my baby could ever give me room for doubt
It was a rainy day in Richmond the day that I found out
I followed close behind them to the love nest they had found
Then the pain came down so hard I stopped and turned around
I'd seen enough to tell me there wasn't any doubt
It was a rainy day in Richmond the day that I found out
I know that my surroundings aren't the very best
But my soul's on fire and won't let me rest
I'm doing things I really shouldn't do I guess I'm just pursuing happiness
I'm living much too fast a pace with two to care
I'm just looking for a dream that I can share
I'm sinking fast but no one hears my SOS I'm just pursuing happiness
Almost everyone I know has someone to worry
Someone to cheer them when they're low
So if I walk by you in too big a hurry it's because I got no place to go
Wherever people gather that's where I'll be found
In hope that someone's hand will reach and slow me down
Behind me I can feel that demon loneliness I'm just pursuing happiness
[ el.banjo ]
Almost everyone I know...
Well he rode through the woods on a big blue ox
He had fists as hard as choppin' blocks
Five hundred pounds and nine feet tall that's Paul
Talk about working when he swung his ax you could hear it ring for a mile and half
He'd yell timber and down she'd fall for Paul
Talk about drinkin' that man's so mean that he'd never drink nothin' but kerosene
A five gallon can is a little bit small for Paul
Talk about women that man's so lusty
Needs a woman ever hour just to keep from gettin' rusty
Young ones run and the old ones crawl to Paul
Talk about tough well he once had a fight with a thunderstorm on a cold dark night
I ain't sayin' who won but it don't storm at all round here thanks to Paul
He was ninety years old when he said with a sigh
Said I think I'm gonna lay right down and die
Cause sunshine and sorrow I've seen it all says Paul
Says there ain't no man alive can kill me ain't no woman left can thrill me
And I think a heaven just might be a ball says Paul
So he died and we cried
It took eighteen men just to bust that ground
Took three or four more just to lower him down
Then we covered him up and we figured that was all for Paul
But late one night the trees started shaking
And the dogs started barking and the earth started quaking
And out of the ground with the hi ye all came Paul
Well he shook the dirt from off his clothes
He scratched his ass and wiped his nose
You know being dead wasn't no fun at all says Paul
He said now up in heaven they got harps on their knees
They got clouds and wings but they got no trees
I don't think that's much of a heaven at all says Paul
So he jumps on his ox with a fare thee well
He said I'll find out if they got trees in hell
And he rode away and that was all we ever seen of Paul
Butthe next time you hear a timber yell
That sounds like it's comin' from the pits of hell
Then a boomin' laugh and a ghostly wail like somebody choppin' on the devil's tail
Then a shout and a call a crash and a fall
The first sound I heard was a woman's cry
The first word I learned to utter was goodbye
Forgive me if I'm wrong in what I do to you
While passin' through passin' through
Happiness for me cannot be found but yet I still search from town to town
No offence but I don't think I'll find it here with you
Goodbye babe just passin' through
Passin' through your life like a ragin' river
No woman needs or can hold the love I give her
Please understand I can't control these things I do
While passin' through passin' through
What was that did you say you thought you loved me
That's too bad girl cause if you really do
You'll just awaken with the dawn and find your love has flown
Like an old wild goose passin' through
Passin' through your life like a ragin' river...
Like a cold north wind jus a passin' through
I live one day at a time I dream one dream at a time
Yeasterday's dead and tomorrow is blind I just live one day at a time
Guess that's your surprise to see me back at home
You know how much I miss you when I'm gone
But don't ask how long I planned to stay it never crossed my mind
I live one day at a time
I live one day at a time I dream one dream at a time
Yeasterday's dead and tomorrow is blind I just live one day at a time
One among the three of us is always in the way
People talk but still I walk like a queen with all her charms
When I'm alone I know what's wrong he's somewhere in your arms
Don't know my friend where this will end but all we have to say
Yes one among the three of us is always in the way
One among the three of us is always in the way
Yesterday I was the one so today must be my day
There'll come a time these tangled minds will all have dues to pay
Cause one among the three of us is always in the way
He tells me that he loves me and that his love is true
But he tells me the same old thing but he can't be true to two
Oh it's a cryin' shame but we're all to blame in this crazy game we play
Cause one among the three of us is always in the way
The old gang's gone I'm the only one that's left
And I guess that it's about time I move on out myself
Cause there ain't no use in hangin' round a town that's grown so cold
With its used-to-be's and memories it makes a man feel old
My friends have wed and some are dead and some are far away
From the part of town we ran around and the fun of yesterday
The old gang's gone...
Johnny Green's in Jacksonville he's a doctor now you know
And Shaky Sam's in Vietnam he volunteered to go
Cindy lives in Tennessee and Mary moved to Maine
Oh I don't guess I'll ever see the likes of them again
The old gang's gone...
They passed an ordinance in the town they said we'd have to tear it down
That little old shack out back so dear to me
Though the health department said its day was over and dead
It will stand forever in my memory
Don't let them tear that little brown building down
Don't let them tear that precious building down
Don't let them tear that dear old building down
There's not another like it in the country or the town
It was not so long ago that I went tripping through the snow
Out to that house behind my old hound dog
Where I would sit me down to rest like a snowbird on his nest
And I'd read that Sears and Roebuck catalog
Oh I would hum a happy tune peeping through the quarter moon
As my daddy's kin had done so much before
It was in that quiet spot daily cares could be forgot
And it gave the same relief to rich and poor
Don't let them tear...
Now it was not a castle fair but I could dream of future there
Build my castle to the yellow jackets drone
I could orbit round the sun fight with General Washington
Or be a king upon a golden throne
It wasn't fancy built at all we had newspapers on the wall
It was air-conditioned in the wintertime
Oh it was just an humble hut but its door was never shut
And a man could get inside without a dime
I was sittin' in Friday's suckin' on a glass of wine
When in walked a chick who almost struck me blind
Had wet blue eyes and her legs were long and fine
On a scale of one to ten, I'd give her a nine.
Now on my scale there ain't no ten's, you know
Nine is about as far as any chick can go
So I flashed her a smile, but she didn't even look at me
So for brains and good judgement, I'd give her a three.
I said, "Hey sweet thing, you look like a possible eight
You and me could, uh! make eighteen, if your head's on straight."
She looked up and down my perfect frame
And said these words that burned into my perfect brain.
She said, well, another one of those macho-matician men
Kind who grade all women on scales of one to ten
And, you give me an eight, well, that's a generous thing to do
Now, let's just see, just how much I give you.
She said you comin' on to me with that phony numbers jive
Your style makes me smile, I give it a five
When you walked up I noticed that suit of (yores)
It's last year's double-knit frayed-cuffs, give it a four.
That must be your car parked out on the curb
That sixty-nine homemade convertible, a three and a third
Now, as for your build, I guess (yore) less than five
Except, for your pot belly, I'd give that a ten for size.
That wine you're pourin' might be fine to you
But I'm used to fine champagne, I give it a two
It's hard to tell what your flashin' smile is worth
I give it a six, you could use some dental work.
But, It's your struttin' rooster act that really makes me laugh
It may be a ten to these country hens, but to me a three and a half
And there really ain't much to add once the subtractin's done
Since there ain't no zeroes, I give you a one!.
She walked out, while up and down the line
The whole bar was laughin', said' Bare, what happened to your nine
Nine says I, hell soon as she started to talk I knew
She didn't have no class, I barely gave her a two.
Spoken:
Yeah! No matter how good they look at first
There's flaws in all of them
That's why on a scale of ten to one, friend
I walk around imagining the way she say goodbye
And when she tries to tell me I hope that I won't cry
No sad songs for me soon our love will be just a memory it's all over
The glow has gone forever and our dreams have turned to dust
I don't know how I can go on and yet I know I must
No sad songs for me soon our love will be just a memory it's all over
It breaks my heart to feel this way although I try to smile
To think I'll be alone again in just a little while
I was learning how to fly when I left Boise City
Like summer I was headin' for the fall
Now the bitter taste of truth it's gettin' hard to swallow
For a country boy who thought he knew it all
So cold and tired and broke I can't even pay attention
And loneliness ain't fit and warm to wear
And home is just a word it hurts me now to mention
Yes I've gone too far to get back there from here
Hear the Salvation Army band a playin' I hear questions but the answers I don't know
The silence fell the truth for me will soon be dead rain
Through this cold and lonely New York City snow
These old New York City sidewalks sure did thrill me
I guess the right way was the wrong way after all
Lord I'd sell my soul if just one friend could hear me callin' for 'im
I wish I could afford to make a call
Hear the Salvation Army...
[ Skeeter ]
I followed you to Texas I followed you to Utah
[ Bobby ]
We didn't find it there so we moved on
[ Skeeter ]
I followed you to Alabam things look good in Birmingham
[ Bobby ]
We didn't find it there so we moved on
[ Both ]
I know you're tired of following my elusive dreams and schemes
For they're only fleeting things my elusive dreams
[ Skeeter ]
I had your child in Memphis you heard of work in Nashville
[ Bobby ]
We didn't find it there so we moved on
To a small farm in Nebraska to a gold mine in Alaska
[ Skeeter ]
We didn't find it there so we moved on
[ Bobby ]
Now we've left Alaska because there was no gold mine
[ Skeeter ]
But this time only two of us moved on
And now all we have is each other and a little mem'ry that we could to cling to
[ Bobby ]
But still you won't let me go on alone
[ Both ]
I know you're tired of following my elusive dreams and schemes
For they're only fleeting things my elusive dreams
I bought a ring and gave it to your daughter Mrs Jones
She promised me that she would be my wife
But after she had talked to you she gave me back my ring
Mrs Jones your daughter cried all night
Mrs Jones your daughter cried all night you wouldn't give your blessings to our love
You said she should stop seeing me and maybe you are right
But Mrs Jones your daughter cried all night
Mrs Jones some day some man may bring your daughter wealth
And all the things that I could never buy
But Mrs Jones we love each other and wealth won't buy a love
And I guess that's why your daughter cried all night
Oh how I wish that I could be the man
Who has the wealth to win your daughter's hand
You know her life is in your hands and you hold on so tight
Mrs Jones your daughter cried all night
(Okay kids, I'm gonna sing you a song now bout a monkey and an elephant.
It's all happened a long time ago. Whenever I say "a long time ago" you all jump in there with me. Okay? Are you ready?)
Well once the world was full of monkeys a long time ago
And the elephants with the big long trunkies a long time ago
And the elephants swam in the Zazafram Sea
And the monkey swung from the zilibum tree
And life was silly as it could be a long time ago
One day the elephant was feelin' spunky a long time ago
She went to have a talk with the monkey a long time ago
And the elephant said oh Lordy me I think I'm in love with the bumblebee
Do you think she's a little too little for me a long time ago
Now the monkey said you're thinkin' like a donkey a long time ago
Ah she's so small and you're sorta chunky a long time ago
So sit right down upon my knee I'll tell you why your love can never be
It's a physical imposibility any old time at all
Now the elephant's tears went plunkity plunky a long time ago
Then he went home to pack his trunky a long time ago
He said I see that bee was not for me so he went and married a little gray flee
And they were happy as they could be and they had children one two three
I remember it now we were kids back then living down on the farm
We were told that the city could only bring us harm
Well how far away is the city you know that's a great big town
And Barbara said why it's a million miles and then the story got around
It's a million miles to the city from the hills and valleys we know
It's a million miles to the city and some day we all wanna go
There was a town nearby but a town is a town and a city that's somethin' else
Our daddy had been to a city but he never was much help
The buildings're taller than oak trees ah but we knew better than that
Cause ain't nobody could climb that high the city was wide and flat
It's a million miles...
[ guitar ]
The years have passed and we have grown and traveled far and wide
The cities have changed the kids we were we see it in each other's eyes
Lord I'd love to go back to those hills again to the boy I used to be
Where the leaves in the wind and the whippoorwills
Were all just a part of the land like me
Way down in the state of Georgia
Amongst the swamps and the Everglades
There's a big old hole in Tiger Mountain
God help the man who gets lost in Miller's Cave
I had me a girl in Waycross, Georgia
But she had unfaithful ways
She made me feel I was unwanted
Like the bats and the bears in Miller's Cave
I caught her out Sunday morning
With some guy they called Big Dave
The meanest man in Waycross, Georgia
I'd rather fight a mountain lion in Miller's Cave
So I said, "You're gonna pay both you and Davy
'Cause I'm gonna see you in your graves"
And they laughed at me and then I shot 'em
And then I dragged their cheatin' skin and bones to Miller's Cave
I couldn't stand the way she did me
Well I guess I showed her I was brave
Most wanted man in the state of Georgia
Long distance information get me Memphis Tennessee
Help me find the party tried to get in touch with me
She would not leave her number but I know who placed the call
Cause my uncle took the message and he wrote it on the wall
Help me information get in touch with my Marie
She's the only one who'd call me here from Memphis Tennessee
Her home is on the southside it's high up on a ridge
Just a half a mile from the Mississippi Bridge
[ ac.guitar ]
The last time I saw Marie she was a waving me goodbye
With hurry home drops on her cheeks that trickled from her eyes
But we were pulled apart because her mom would not agree
And tore apart our happy home in Memphis Tennessee
Help me information more than that I cannot add
Only that I miss her and all the fun we had
Marie is only six years old information please
[ with Jeannie Bare ]
(Okay, kids. Now me and your mama gonna sing a song.)
It don't matter what you do and it don't matter what you say
Honey you know I'll be lovin' you anyway yes I will
And it don't matter if you come to stay or if you come to play
Honey you know I'll be lovin' you anyway
I'll be lovin' you fast and lastly longin'ly on your birthday and in between
When your friends all up and gone I'm the one you can count on
It don't matter if it lasts forever or just today
Honey you know I'll be lovin' you anyway
[ dobro ]
I'll be lovin' you rain or shine snow or sleet in the alley or on the street
Anytime anyway anyhow anywhere turn around and I'll be there
It don't matter if you're young and gay or if you're old and gray
Me and Jimmie Rodgers used to ride them rollin' boxcars in the summer time
Jimmie he'd play his guitar I'd lay back and watch the stars and sip my wine
Me and Audie Murphy used to crawl out on our bellies through the German lines
Audie I won't leave you here I'll pull you through cause buddy you're a pal of mine
Me and Phil Rizzuto didn't we move round like lightnin' on the double play
I'd look over in the stands and Marilyn should see me and she'd smile and wave
Hell no Coach Lombardi this old broken back ain't nothin' if the game was saved
And fellers if I don't pull through just put a little golden football on my grave
John Wayne he once said to me them Japs will take the Island
And we've got to save the old Red White and Blue
Someone's got to swim out to the submarine and warn 'em
And Bare you know I hate like hell to ask you to
Me and Tony Zarro we used to spar together up in Stillman's Gym
Knowin' someday it would be the Garden and the championship for me or him
And Coop if no one in this town is man enough to back you when Frank Miller comes
Then come High Noon I'll walk with you I may be young but I know how to use a gun
Judy Grable don't you cry you know you can be a star
And with my drinkin' I'd just hold you back
Go on and sign the contracts hon and I'll read about you
In some old newspaper blowin' cross some lonesome hobo camp
Me and Jimmie Rodgers we still ride them rollin' boxcars in the summer time
Jimmie he plays his guitar I lay back and watch the stars and sip my wine
Me and Audie Murphy we still crawl out on our bellies through the German lines
Busted flat in Baton Rouge headin' for the trains feelin' nearly faded as my jeans
Bobby thumbed a diesel down just before it rained it took us all the way to New Orleans
I pulled my ol' har'poon out of my dirty red bandana
I blowed it low while Bobby sang the blues
With them windshield wipers slappin' time
Bobby clappin' hands we finally sang up ever song that driver knew
Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose
And nothin' ain't worth nothin' but it's free
Yeah feeling good was easy Lord when Bobby sang the blues
And buddy that was good enough for me it was good enough for me and Bobby McGee
From the coal mines of Kentucky to the California sun
Bobby shared the secrets of my soul
Standin' right beside me Lord through everything I done
And every night she kept me from the cold
Then somewhere near Salinas Lord I let her slip away
Lookin' for the home I hope she'll find
I'd trade all of my tomorrows for a single yesterday holding her good body close to mine
Freedom's just another word...
Mhm mhm mhm me and Bobby McGee mhm mhm mhm me and Bobby McGee
I saved up my money to buy my sweetheart some flowers
For Saturday's date and I restlessly counted the hours
And today in the mail I received a short little note
And I broke down inside the message that her mother wrote
Mary Ann regrets she's unable to see you again
We're leaving for Europe next week, she'll be busy till then
They know that she loves me but poor boys don't fit in their plans
Goodbye, true love, goodbye, my sweet Mary Ann
The weeks have gone by, not a word have I heard since then
In the papers I read of the far away places she's been
I can't eat, I can't sleep for over and over again
My mind reads that letter and I cry for my Mary Ann, Mary Ann regrets
My Mary Ann died, they said she just wasted away
My Mary had died too sad, she just wasted away
If I could have seen her I know she'd be living today
For we loved each other and if they had left us alone
Today she'd be wearing my ring, not a blanket of stone
Down in Louisiana where the black trees grow lives a voodoo lady named Marie Leveau
She got a black cat tooth and a mojo bone and anyone wouldn't leave her alone
She go (greeeeeee) another man done gone
She lives in a swamp in a hollow log with a one eyed snake and a three legged dog
She got a bent bony body and stringy hair
And if she ever seen you all messin' round there
She go (greeeeeee) another man done gone
And then one night when the moon was black into the swamp come Handsome Jack
A no good man like you all know when he was lookin' around for Marie Leveau
He said Marie Leveau you lovely witch gimme little charm that'll make me rich
Gimme million dollars and I tell you what I'll do this very night I'm gonna marry you
And it'll be ummmmmmm another man done gone
So Marie done some magic and she shook a little sand
Made a million dollars and she put it in his hands
Then she giggled and she wiggled and she said hey hey
I'm gettin' ready for my weddin' day
But ol' Handsome Jack he said goodbye Marie
You're too damn ugly for a rich man like me
Then Marie started numblin' her fangs started gnashin'
Her body started tremblin' and her eyes started flashin'
And she went (greeeeeee) another man done gone
So if you ever get down where the black trees grow
And meet a voodoo lady named Marie Leveau
If she ever asks you to make her your wife
Man you better stay with her for the rest of your life
I'm a man of constant sorrow I've known trouble all my days
I'll say goodbye and leave tomorrow and I won't be back this way
Misery is nothing new to me memories will fade in time
Another day some new tomorrow just might ease my troubled mind
I'm a man of constant sorrow...
I just can't be the man you've made of me only you know how I tried
I'll say goodbye and leave tomorrow maybe then you'll be satisfied
People starin' at me as they wheel me down the ramp toward my plane
The war is over for me I've forgotten everything except the pain
Thank you sir and yes sir it was worth it for the old red-white-and-blue
And since I won't be walking I suppose I'll save some money buying shoes
The bottle hidden underneath the blanket over my two battered legs
I can see see the stewardess make over me and ask were you afraid
I say why no I'm Superman and couldn't find a phone booth quite in time
A GI gets a lotta laughs if he remembers all the funny lines
Mama bake a pie daddy kill a chicken your son is comin' home 11:35 Wednesday night
Mama will be crying daddy's gonna say son did they treat you good
My uncle will be drunk and he'll say boy they do some real great things with wood
The letter that she wrote me said goodbye she couldn't wait and lots of luck
The bottle underneath the blanket feels just like an old friend to my touch
I know she'll come and see me but I bet she never once looks at my legs
She'll talk about the weather and the dress she wore the July 4th Parade
Lord I love her and I don't believe this bottle's gonna get her off my mind
I see here in the paper where they say the war is just a waste of time
Maggie how I wish we'd never met never kissed or tried to fall in love
For Maggie fashion's not the same as love it's just a game we're soon tired of
We were too young to marry anyhow hot blood was all there was between us
Now there's the kids a house and more than bills to pay
It breaks my heart we're not in love
Maggie Maggie how I wish we'd never met
Maggie many tears ago love we thought would grow was dead and gone
Maggie it's hard to pretend when things that need to end keep draggin' on
It's not quite fair to raise our kids like this
They're not too young to know we're fakin'
But nothing's ever said out loud and time takes on
Clean to the bone our souls're achin'
Morning comes and she's sleeping beside me I'm not ashamed that she's lying there
Her lips are still warm from the love she just gave me
She's contented with sweet dreams we shared
Soon I know that she will awaken with the smile that strips my soul bare
While I wait for her smile and the sunshine that follows I offer to heaven this prayer
Please Lord let me love her forever and keep her just the way she is now
She's tender and warm she's mine for the asking
My sweetheart my treasure my prayer
The Lynch mob gathered in the square across from the jail
Young Billy watched them from his cell and felt his courage fail
Bill swore he wasn't guilty but the evidence was plain
Tomorrow he would go on trial for killing Mary Jane
They shouted beat the prisoner hardy we're gonna have a Lynchin' party
Gonna hang him high watch him die for killing Mary Jane
The mob is closer to the jail excitement all around
The deputies kept moving back afraid to hold their ground
Then the young girl cried you cowards but the Lynch mob searched ahead
Dragged young Billy from that jail and soon the kid was dead
They shouted beat the prisoner hardy...
The weeks went by and no one spoke about it anymore
Or seemed to see the wreath Bill's mother hung upon the door
Then one night they dragged a ragged hobo from a train
And he confessed he was the one who killed young Mary Jane
They shouted beat the prisoner hardy...
Gather round fellows I'll tell you some tales about murder and blueberry pies
And heroes and hells and bottomless wells and lullabys legends and lies
And gather round ladies come sit at my feet I'll sing about warm sunny skies
There's mermaids and beans and lovin' machines in my lullabys legends and lies
Lullabys legends and lies and lies lullabys legends and lies
I'll sing you a song then I'll shuffle along with my lullabys legends and lies
I may make you wonder I may make you smile I may bring the tears to your eyes
But when I disappear Lord you'll wish I was here with more lullabys legends and lies
So open the bottle and pass a guitar and look in my warm lovin' eyes
I'll take you to places you ain't been before with my lullabys legends and lies
I have seen the morning burning golden on the mountain in the skies
Aching with the feeling of the freedom of an eagle when she flies
Turning on the world the way she smiled upon my soul as I lay dying
Healing as the colors in the sunshine and the shadows of her eyes
Waking in the morning to the feeling of her fingers on my skin
Wiping out the traces of the people and the places that I've been
Teaching me that yesterday was something that I never thought of trying
Talking of tomorrow and the money love and time we have to spend
Loving her was easier than anything I'll ever do again
Coming close together with a feeling that I've never known before in my time
She ain't ashamed to be a woman or afraid to be a friend
I don't know the answers to the easy way she opened every door in my mind
But dreaming was as easy as believing it was never gonna end
(Love's gonna live here love's gonna live here love's gonna live here again
No more loneliness only happiness love's gonna live here again)
Oh the sun is gonna shine in my life once more love's gonna live here again
And things are gonna be just the way they were before love's gonna live here again
(Love's gonna live here...
[ harmonica - steel ]
Oh I hear bells a ringin' I hear birds a singin' love's gonna live here again
And I hear bees a hummin' and I know the days're comin' love's gonna live here again
I never was great at pickin' cotton but Lord I always carried all my rows
There were those who could pick it clean or better
But didn't I pick my cotton with a lot of soul
I'd go hmm with feeling I'd go hmm with soul
I'd say hmm with meaning yeah I sang my songs of life with a lot of soul
[ dobro ]
I never was great at words so fancy oh but my woman knew I loved her so
There were those who could give her more and better
But didn't I loved that woman with a lot of soul
I'd go hmm with feeling I'd go hmm with soul
I'd go hmm with meaning but Lord I love that woman with a lot of soul
[ dobro ]
When I leave this life I'll be forgotten cause I never made big tracks upon its roads
Things I've done will never last forever but didn't I do it all with a lot of soul
The years creep slowly by Lorena snow is on the grass again
The sun is sinking low Lorena frost is where the flowers have been
The music softly plays Lorena happy sounds have left today
The music's sad and low Lorena where once it rang so loud and gay
I hardly feel the snow Lorena I know the darkness soon will pass
We'll sing our songs again Lorena you'll be in my arms at last
In the shadows of our bedroom I hold you in the darkness tenderly
While there's another woman who's waitin' in a room alone for me
By now I'll bet she's restless she's already poured the wine and dimmed the lights
But I'm here at home beside you and look who I'm cheatin' on tonight
I guess that I'd forgotten the warm willing woman you can be
And I guess that I'd forgotten the gentle way you feel next to me
It's strange to be here with you the one I've cheated on so many times
But your body's warm beside me look who I'm cheatin' on tonight
[ steel ]
So I lie here in the shadows and watch the rise and fall of your breast
The blush is still on your face love makes a woman look that way I guess
By now I'll bet she's worried she'll pour herself another glass of wine
Lord knows I've done some cheatin' but look who I'm cheatin' on tonight
I guess that I'd forgotten...
I'm a long long way from where I want to be in the Arizona Prison they've got me
And until they set me free oh oh me it's a long long way from here to Tennessee
Oh my mouth is dry with dust my throat is raw
How I miss those big green trees in Arkansas
On the way to where I'll be when they set me free
But it's a long long way from here to Tennessee
A long long way from me to the girl that I love so
Will she wait for me oh Lord I don't know
I know that I've done wrong but friends I've paid the price
Back in Tennessee I left sweet paradise
But until they set me free oh oh me it's a long long way from here to Tennessee
It's a long long way from here to Tennessee
Ten years ago on a cold dark night
Someone was killed 'neath the town hall light
There were few at the scene but they all agreed
That the slayer who ran looked a lot like me
The judge he said, ?Son, what is your alibi?
If you were somewhere else then you won't have to die?
I spoke not a word although it meant my life
For I had been in the arms of my best friend's wife
She walks these hills in a long black veil
She visits my grave when the night winds wail
Nobody knows, nobody sees
Nobody knows but me
The scaffold was high and eternity was near
She stood in the crowd and shed not a tear
But sometimes at night when the cold wind moans
In the long black veil, she cries o'er my bones
She walks these hills in a long black veil
She visits my grave when the night winds wail
Nobody knows, nobody sees
There's a long line of mourners driving down our little street
Their fancy cars are such a sight to see, oh, yeah
They're all of your rich friends who knew you in the city
And now they've finally brought, brought you home to me
When you left you know you told me that some day you'd be returnin'
In a fancy car all the town to see, oh, yeah
Well, now everyone is watching you, you finally had your dream
Yeah, and you're ridin' in a long black limousine
You know the papers told of how you lost your life, oh, yeah
The party, the party and the fatal crash that night
Well, the race upon the highway, oh, the curve you didn't see
When you're riding in that long black limousine
You're riding in that long black limousine
Through tear filled eyes I watch as you ride by, oh, yeah
A chauffeur, a chauffeur at the wheel dressed up so fine
Well, I never, I never, never, never, oh, my heart, all my dreams
Yeah, they're with you in that long black limousine
Yeah, yeah, they're with you in that long black limousine
Yeah, yeah, yeah, they're with you in that long black limousine
You gotta walk that lonesome valley you gotta go all by yourself
No one else can walk it for you you gotta walk all by yourself
My mama said when she was dying just before she passed away
Said come here son sit down beside me you better listen to your mama's say
That you gotta walk that lonesome valley...
Now many men has walked that valley they had to walk all by theirselves
Cause no one else could walk it for them so you gotta walk all by yourself
Yes you gotta walk that lonesome valley...
You must go and stand your trials boy and you gotta stand all by yourself
Cause no one else can stand them for you you gotta stand all by yourself
Yes you gotta walk that lonesome valley...
I'm a walking down to Lonely Town I din't wanna go but now I know I will
Walking down to Lonely Town and it's just over the hill
Everybody told me someday you'll let me down
And put me on that lonely road that leads to Lonely Town
I told them all I'll say oh no she's all I hoped I found
There she is and here I go down to Lonely Town
Yes I'm walking down to Lonely Town...
It's just over the hill
[ trumpet ]
Yes the way you did me some might call a sin
Cause when I get down to Lonely Town I'll never love again
Now I'm walking down to Lonely Town...
I'm looking for that Lonely Street I've got a sad sad tale to tell
I need a place to go and weep where's this place called Lonely Street
A place where there's just loneliness where dim lights bring forgetfulness
Where broken dreams and mem'ries meet where's this place called Lonely Street
Perhaps upon that Lonely Street there's someone such as I
Who came to bury broken dreams and watch an old love die
A place where there's just loneliness where dim lights bring forgetfulness
I need a place to go and weep where's this place called Lonely Street
I remember the time she used to be mine
But just a little bit later on down the line she said bye bye try not to cry
See you just a little bit later on down the line
See when I was born she was goin' on ten
And on the day that I was to make her mine
She said it's not right so I'm leaving tonight
See you just a little bit later on down the line
She said babe it ain't that I don't love you
It's just that road is long and there's a lot you've got to see
But today I heard it said she got herself wed
They say he looked her age and she looked fine
My one love is gone why was I born just a little bit later on down the line
[ Both ]
Come on baby let's make love not war come on baby what're we fighting for
Don't let a silly fight keep us apart tonight come on baby let's make love not war
[ Skeeter ]
Now everytime we fight you know it makes me so sad
[ Bobby ]
But don't say things you know gonna make me mad
[ Both ]
Let's hold each other tight and everything will be all right
Come on baby let's make love not war
[ steel ]
[ Skeeter ]
We quarrel over silly things that always makes me cry
[ Bobby ]
And babe when I hurt you tears me up inside
[ Both ]
Let's take the time to count to ten and we'll be laughin' again
Come on baby let's make love not war
Won't you let me tell you 'bout Mary?
I promise, it won't take me very long
'Cause all I have to say about Mary
Is, I'm afraid, my Mary's gone wrong
The day I went away and left Mary
She promised she would wait eternally for me
But I came back today, heard my Mary say
Yes, she don't want any part of me
So, now, won't you let me tell you 'bout Mary?
I came back and went by to see Mary
But she couldn't even look me in the eye
Then, when I asked her what happened
I stood there and watched my Mary cry
So, won't you let me tell you 'bout Mary?
Someone's gonna get hurt before you're through
Someone's gonna pay for the things you do
How many will it take how many hearts must break
Just to satisfy you just to satisfy you
Another love another fool to play your game
Another love another fool they're all the same
Someone's gonna get hurt before you're through
Don't be surprised if that someone is you
You're gonna find when it's too late a heart that just won't break
Just to satisfy you just to satisfy you
[ vibes ]
You're gonna find when it's too late a heart that just won't break
Mhmm hmm let me be a little kinder let me be a little blinder
To the faults of those about me let me praise a little more
Let me be when I am weary just a little bit more cheery
Think a little more of others and a little less of me
Mhmm hmm let me be a little braver when temptation bits me waver
Let me strive a little harder to be all that I should be
Let me be a little meeker with my brother who is weaker
Think a little more of others and a little less of me
Mhmm hmm let me be when I am weary just a little bit more cheery
Let me serve a little better those that I am striving for
Let me be a little meeker with the brother who is weaker
When I was just a lad of ten my father said to me
Come here and take a lesson from the lovely lemon tree
Don't put your fate in love my boy my father said to me
I fear you'll find that love is like the lovely lemon tree
Lemon tree very pretty and the lemon flower's sweet
But the fruit of the poor lemon is impssible to eat
Lemon tree very pretty and the lemon flower's sweet
But the fruit of the poor lemon is impssible to eat
One day beneath the lemon tree my love and I did lie
A girl so sweet that when she smiles the star grows in the sky
We passed that summer lost in love beneath the lemon tree
The music of her laughter hit my father's words for me
Lemon tree very pretty...
All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go
I'm standin' here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye
But the dawn is breakin', it's early morn
The taxi's waitin', he's blowin' his horn
Already I'm so lonesome, I could die
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go
There are so many times, I've let you down
So many times, I've played around
I tell you now that they don't mean a thing
Every place I go, I'll think of you
Every song I sing, I'll sing for you
When I come back, I'll bring your weddin' ring
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go
The time has come to leave you alone
Let me kiss you so close your eyes
And honey, I'll be on my way
Dream about the days to come
When I won't have to leave alone
About the times, I won't have to say
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go
'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
LEAVE MY BABY ALONE
(Harlan Howard - Bobby Bare)
« © '64 Tree Publishing »
RECORDED BY WANDA JACKSON
Don't you be a tellin' my baby lies
You better leave my baby alone
And don't you be a winkin' your flirty eyes
You better leave my baby alone
Well I'm not mean and I'm not bad
You better leave my baby alone
You know a jealous gal keep gettin' mean and mad
You better leave my baby alone
He's the only one for me I've always been his girl
And he's all I've got so can't you see I just can't let you take my world
You better gather your sweet talk somewhere else
You better leave my baby alone
Now I can handle my baby all by myself
You better leave my baby alone
You better leave my baby alone
You better leave my baby alone
He's the only one for me I've always been his girl
And he's all I've got so can't you see I just can't let you take my world
You better gather your sweet talk...
You better leave my baby alone you better leave my baby alone
Billy Dalton staggered on the sidewalk someone said he stumbled and he fell
Six squad cars came screamin' to the rescue hauled old Billy Dalton off to jail
Cause the law is for protection of the people rules're rules and any fool can see
We don't need no tramps like Billy Dalton scaring decent folks like you and me no siree
Charlie Watson wandered like a stranger showin' he had no means of support
Policeman took a look at Charlie's pants cuffs hustled Charlie Watson off to court
Cause the law is for protection of the people rules're rules and any fool can see
We don't need no bums like Charlie Watson
Scaring decent folks like you and me no siree
Homer Lee was nothing but a hippie walking through this world without a care
Then one day six strapping brave policemen held down Homer Lee and cut his hair
Cause the law is for protection of the people rules're rules and any fool can see
We don't need no hairy headed hippie scaring decent folks like you and me no siree
So thank your lucky stars you've got protection walk the line and never mind the cost
And don't wonder who them lawmen were protecting
When they nailed the Saviour to the cross
Cause the law is for protection of the people rules're rules and any fool can see
I come from just the other side of nowhere to this big time lonesome town
They got a lotta ice and snow here half as cold as all the people I found
Every way I've tried to go here seems to bring me down
And I seen about enough to know where I belong
I've got a mind to see the headlight
Shinin' on that old white line between my heart and home
Sick of spendin' Sundays wishing they were Mondays sittin' in a park alone
So give my best to anyone who's left who's ever done me any lovin' way but wrong
And tell 'em that the pride of just the other side of nowhere's going home
Taking nothing back to show there for these dues that I've paid
But the soul I almost sold here and the body I've been given away
Fadin' from the neon night time glow here headin' for the light of day
Just the other side of nowhere's going home
I watch the sky that brightens with the dawn
And I know this night with you is almost gone
And I memorize each moment of the special thing that's been
Just in case a night like this one never comes again
A daylight call the rest I struggle through it's changed into a magic time with you
Why once again my hands and eyes take your beauty in
Just in case a night like this one never comes again
It's true we talk of future things to be but beyond this dawn's too far for me to see
So hold me now and love me before the night time ends
Just in case a night like this one never comes again
I am weak but Thou art strong Jesus keep me from all wrong
I'll be satisfied as long as I walk let me walk close to Thee
Just a closer walk with Thee grant it Jesus is my plea
Daily walking close to Thee let it be dear Lord let it be
When my feeble life is o'er time for me will be no more
Guide me gently safely o'er to Thy kingdom shore to Thy shore
Just a closer walk with Thee...
Well I've been a trucker more than twenty years
From the Charleston coast to the Jersey piers
Sharin' the road with race car nuts and loggers
Sunday drivers scouts on hikes Hells Angels on Harley bikes
I never met a roader I didn't like cept them joggers
One day I'm rollin' down 1-0-1
I got 18 wheels under 14-tons
Radio playin' a good ol' country rocker
The day was sure a trucker's dream
The sky was sunny and the air was clean
When up ahead on the road I seen one of them joggers
He was dressed like they do in baby blue
With shortie shorts and a headband too
I yelled Sweetie I bet that you are the hit of the men's room locker
But I'm a runnin' late with an overload
So get your Adidas off a this road
I'm LA bound and I don't slow down for dead raccoons or joggers
Well without breakin' stride or losin' poise
He said you and that rig sure make some noise
But I can't talk now cause I'm racin' against the clocker
But it's just nine miles to Forkers Leap
And if you ain't afraid to race that heap
We'll see how that ol' rig holds up against a super jogger
Race I must be hearin' wrong
The boy's been runnin' in the sun too long
The only place he's racin' to is a doctor's
But before I could say thank you no
That fool yells ready get set go
And the race is on we're off and gone me and that maniac jogger
Well I could've left him far behind
But I played with him like a fish on a line
And I stayed about a half a mile behind that sucker
Then I pushed her up to forty-five
And he sees me comin' and he starts to fly
So I pushed her to sixty and shift to high and finally catch that jogger
And it wasn't easy
Now I'm doin' eighty and I turned to check
And he's stayin' right with me neck in neck
His hearts a thumpin' like my engine goin' pop pop pocker
Then he yells out I hope you're set
Cause I ain't shifted into second yet
Then he unwinds and leaves me behind eaten the dust of a jogger
Then I see him joggin' up into the sky
And he yells hey thanks for the exercise
I hope that losin' this race was not too shockin'
Ya see my dad says heaven's no place to run
and I try to be an obedient son
So I have to come down to earth to do my joggin'
Well that's my story take it or leave it
My trucker buddies they believe it
So do those race car nuts and Harley hoggers
And I'm still drivin' much the same
Cept I don't call nobody names
And I tip my hat each time I pass one of them good old joggers
Hey here comes one now... Hey good buddy
How ya doin?
See the Sunday morning wino slowly shufflin' down the street
The only God he knows clutched in his hand
And heaven's just a drink from his bottle and Jesus Christ to him is just another man
Yes Jesus is the only one that loves us he'll forgive us when we sin
Jesus is the only one that loves us even when we think we haven't got a friend
In cheap hotel room somewhere in Chicago a cheatin' husband takes his neighbor's wife
Lord that's not the way he did it in Korea
Still it's just another way of takin' someone's life
Around the corner in a cement city alley hidin' from the cold Chicago rain
While the Salvation Army band was playin'
A junky rolls his sleeves up and lets his Saviour in
Yes Jesus is the only one...
I've heard all the songs you're singing today there's one thing I don't understand
That's why you don't sing more songs about Jesus my hero
Yes Jesus Christ now there was a man
So sing me some songs about Jesus cause I am a big Jesus fan
Sing me more songs about Jesus my Saviour Jesus Christ oh what a man
[ piano ]
I've heard all your songs about living and dying I admire you deep in every word
Oh but you haven't lived till you've heard Roy Acuff
Sing about Jesus and the Great Speckled Bird
So sing me some songs about Jesus cause I am a big Jesus fan
Sing me more songs about Jesus my Saviour Jesus Christ now there was a man
Tonight I'm sad my heart is weary I'm wondering if I'm wrong or right
To dream about you though you left me I wonder where you are tonight
That old rain is cold and slowly falling upon my window pane tonight
And though your heart was even colder I wonder where you are tonight
[ rh.guitar ]
Then came the dawn the day you left me I tried to smile with all my might
But you could see the pain within me that lingers in my heart tonight
Deep in the pocket of an old sport coat jacket I chanced to discover an old memory
Three for a quarter black and white picture takin' up Jennifer Johnson and me
I'm in the corner with my shirt collar open like some latin lover on late nite TV
Sittin' right there with her head on my shoulder Jennifer Johnson she's smilin' at me
Three for a quarter black and white picture Jenny close a curtain so no one can see
Now kiss me quick while the red light is flashing flashing on Jennifer Johnson and me
It must have been summer nineteen-sixty-seven
The Beatles were singing that love's all you need
I held her hand while we walked through the arcade
Two young believers on a three dollars spree
Later that night holdin' close in the darkness
I felt her warmth in the cool evening breeze
I told her I probably love her forever forever for Jennifer Johnson and me
Three for a quarter...
Three for a quarter black and white picture
Two young believers on a three dollars spree
I'll save your picture in my sport coat pocket
(Come give Jeannie one last kiss)
The moon hid its light and the midnight was still
And they had their last quarrel on top of the hill
And she said to him, please, as they stood in the mist
If we must part this way, come, give Jeannie one last kiss
But in anger he turned, with no kiss and no care
There she stood on the cliff, with the wind in her hair
The next mornin' they learned that his Jeannie was dead
Girl climbin' and slipped, all the newspapers said
Then night after night, when the moon hides its light
The wind's in the mist, seem to cry out his name and call him again
Come, give Jeannie one last kiss
Years have gone by and they talk of him still
And the voice that was callin' from the top of the hill
And they tell of the night that he ran from his door
How he ran toward the cliff, then was heard from, no more
Now, night after night, when the moon hides its light
And the wind's in the mist, all the old people swear
That he's out there somewhere
To give Jeannie one last kiss, come, give Jeannie one last kiss
I can hear the footsteps walkin' by my bedside Lord she's leavin'
I can smell her perfume driftin' through my room
If I try to make her stay I'd know she couldn't even hear me
Might as well be on the darkside of the Moon
Cause it's freezin' in El Paso in the summer
All the sweet things here are dyin' on the vine
Wish that woman could have took it when the hard times came around
Wish her winter hadn't spoil my summertime
[ ac.guitar ]
So when her plane takes off for Memphis I'll be sittin' in some tavern
I'll be washin' out the corners of my mind
When she's in the wild blue yonder I'll be feedin' that old jukebox
Playin' every happy song that I can find
Go away from my window leave at your own chosen speed
I'm not the one you want babe I'm not the one that you need
You say you're looking for someone never weak but always strong
To protect you and defend you whether you are right or wrong
Someone to open each and every door but it ain't me babe no no no
It ain't me babe it ain't me you're looking for babe
[ harmonica ]
Go lightly from the ledge babe go lightly on the ground
I'm not the one you want babe I'll only let you down
You say you're looking for someone who'll promise never to part
Someone to close his eyes for you someone to close his heart
Someone to die for you and even more but it ain't me babe no no no
Is it wrong for loving you is it wrong for being true
Tell me please tell me dear is it wrong
Have I waited for so long has your love for me gone
Is it wrong is it wrong for loving you
Oh way down deep inside my heart you're the only love sweetheart
Yes the only true love I ever knew
But I ask myself inside no need tellin' myself lies
Is it wrong is it wrong for loving you
[ trumpet ]
(Is it wrong is it wrong is it wrong)
Way down deep inside my heart you're the only love sweetheart
[ Both ]
Invisible tears in my eyes incredible pain in my heart
Indestructable memories are passing in review
Impossible though things may get improbable I will forget
Indelible memories of sweet loveable you
[ Bobby ]
You're back again so I'll let you in
[ Both ]
Altough I'm only stealing pictures from the past
[ Skeeter ]
Those arms are not real but somehow I feel
[ Both ]
If I'd just close my eyes then maybe it will last
Invisible tears in my eyess...
[ guitar ]
[ Both ]
[ Both ]
In the misty moonlight by the flickering firelight
[ Skeeter ]
Any place is all right long as I'm with you
[ Both ]
In a faraway land on the tropic sea sand
[ Bobby ]
If your hand's in my hand I won't be blue
[ Both ]
Way up on the mountain a way down in the valley
I know I'll be happy anyplace anywhere I don't care
In the misty moonlight by the flickering firelight
Any place is all right long as you are there
[ Skeeter ]
You know I could be happy in just one little room with only a table and a chair
As happy as I'd be in a kingdom by the sea darling if you're there
[ Bobby ]
And I could be rich or I could be poor but if you were by my side
I could be anyplace in the whole wide world and I know that I'll be satisfied
[ Both ]
Way up on the mountain...
Have you seen Amanda Blaine in the Hills of Shiloh
Wandering through the morning rain in the Hills of Shiloh
Have you seen her at her door listening for the cannon roar
And the man who went to war from the Hills of Shiloh
Have you heard her mournful cries in the Hills of Shiloh
Have you seen her haunted eyes in the Hills of Shiloh
Have you seen her running down searching through the sleepy town
In her yellowed wedding gown in the Hills of Shiloh
Have you seen her standing there in the Hills of Shiloh
Wind a blowing through her hair in the Hills of Shiloh
Listening for the sound of guns listening for the rolling drums
And the man who never comes to the Hills of Shiloh
Have you heard Amanda sing in the Hills of Shiloh
Whispering to her wedding ring in the Hills of Shiloh
Hear her humming soft and low poor Amanda doesn't know
I been wired since I can't remember when
You seen me out most every night with a dissipated grin
All my life I been been ribald, loose and loud now I think I'm finally wearin' down
I may rock and I may roll I may sleep out in the cold
I can still stay up six days in a row
But I know the things I do don't compare with the things I did
If you think I'm crazy now should've seen me when I was a kid
I been wild I been wasted stoned and stooped
Stayed out nights and started fights and wore out two bar stools
All these years it's been bedrooms bars and beers
But now the end is finally drawin' near
Farmer Jones ran short on seeds so he borrowed from his neigbor Sam
The fall brought Jones a flourishin' crop while his neighbor's all burned brown
Sam had a wife and thirteen kids he worked to feed each day
With hungry pride he begged for help and he was turned away
He was forced to sell his farm for half its worth
To this man he thought a friend to be if there's not a hell there ought to be
Mary Ann was sweet sixteen never had been around
A child as pure as a mountain stream that ran through her hometown
Then happened by the slick Tom Shark in his hand she was clay
She got caught and faced the shame and he laughed and went his way
Now no one knows where she's at her folks sent her away
If there's not a hell there ought to be
Widow Brown worked since Joe died and tried to save her pay
To give nine children beans and bread and pretty ties on Sunday
She got sick and slipped behind the rent she had to meet
They told her they were sorry and they kicked her out in the street
And that same day they came and took her kids away
If there's not a hell there ought to be
Young Billy Brown he took a trip to keep his country free
We're all proud of what he done for the good old USA
But somewhere there's a mighty big man who kept this a goin' on
The personal game wealth and fame they did their league all wrong
All wrapped up in the stars and stripes Bill came home one day
Baby I'm sorry I done you like that
I called you a name and I gave you a wack
I spit in your eye and gave your wrist a twist
And if that ain't love what is
In front of your apartment I waited all night long
To see who you'd come home with and if he done you wrong
Then I slapped your face and I stepped on his
And if that ain't love what is
I called up the police swore that you stole my car
Showed some naked pictures of you down at the bar
Pointed out the part of me you used to kiss
And if that ain't love what is
If that ain't love then a Cadillac ain't a car
And if you'd rather be with him than me
You're a stupider bitch than I think you are
I tore up your clothes threw 'em out in the rain
Flushed your birth control pills down the drain
If you don't want mine you can't have his
And if that ain't love what is
I stared at your picture till I went into shock
Sold my guitar and got my gun out of hock
Took a shot at you bare but I deliberatly missed
And if that ain't love what is
I've lived a lot in my time
I once had a mansion and lived in my glory but now I'm down to my last dime
I once had a sweetheart but I was unfaithful yes I've lived a lot in my time
I fought the Grim Reaper down in the dark valley
I prayed when the sun wouldn't shine
I've looked through the bars of a cold lonely prison oh I've lived a lot in my time
[ choir ]
I've been a soldier and I've been a rambler I once thought that everything was fine
I've hoed in the cornfield I've picked in the cotton yes I've lived a lot in my time
I've walked with our Master down in the dark valley and wonderful peace I did find
BBut now some day I'll journey to Eden's green pastures
I get a sad kind of feeling
When I see a passenger train
In this fast movin' world we live in
Nobody rides them much these days
Oh, maybe I'm just sentimental
'Cause I know that things have to change
But I still like to go for a train ride
'Cause I've got a thing about trains
Train, train, train, you're out of place these days
But you've had your days of glory, train, train, train
Train, they say you're too slow for travelin'
But I'm gonna miss you some day
When my little boy says
"Daddy, what was it like to ride a train?"
I'll say it was a good way to travel
When things didn't move quite so fast
And I'm sorry that you can't ride one
But trains are the thing of the past
Train, train, train, you're fading from the scene
But I'm gonna mourn your passing, train, train, train
So if you're tired of people and buildings
Weary of worry and strain
Then you ought to go on a train ride
And look out the window at things
Go for a ride down to Memphis
The night train is still right on time
But I read in the papers this mornin'
Next week they're gonna take it off the line
Train, train, train, blow your whistle proudly and loud
As you roll to your place in history, train, train, train
[ Skeeter ]
Sometimes I want to throw my arms around you
Then I tremble at the thought of giving in
[ Bobby ]
Because I know how much it cost to love you I'm so afraid of losing you again
Being close to you revives the sorrow that wakes me up and tells me I can't win
[ Skeeter ]
I'd love to wake up in your arms tomorrow but I'm so afraid of losing you again
[ steel ]
[ Skeeter ]
If heaven were to hear my heart's confession wanting you would be my greatest sin
[ Bobby ]
And I'm glad that you're no longer my possession
Cause I'm so afraid of losing you again
Being close to you...
I'm not the least bit worried bout somebody stealin' my honey
Not even those uptown cats with their money
I feel real sure no one can ever take my place
Cause I'm her hoss if I never win a race
I'm her hoss if I never get out of the gate
If I stumble and fall I don't worry at all she'll wait
Although I never have the coin just to buy all things she'd want
Still she swears up and down that she just loves me only
She says bein' broke ain't never been no disgrace
And I'm her hoss if I never win a race
[ guitar ]
No I never have to worry bout somebody stealin' my honey
I ain't sweatin' them uptown cats with the money
Lord I feel real sure no one can ever take my place
I'm her hoss if I never win a race
I'm her hoss if I never get out of the gate
I don't worry at all if I stumble and fall she'll wait
Although I never have the coin just to buy all things she's wantin'
She swears up and down she just loves me only
She says been broke ain't never been no disgrace I'm her hoss if I never win a race
My baby's gone and I'm all alone seems like a million years since she's gone
She's out havin' fun she's out with someone she used to know
Can this really be the one who was mine one and only tell her for me I'm gettin' lonely
I'll never know what made her change
Now that she's gone everything seems so strange
Too late it seems my hopes and my dreams weren't meant to be
I tried to deny but I know that I'll love her only tell her for me I'm gettin' lonely
I should have known when I did her wrong that she would learn
Like a kid actin' smart I broke her heart now it's her turn
If you should see my baby somewhere tell her I know now that I really care
I really miss the true love each kiss she gave to me
She knows that she will always be be my one and only
Some glad morning when this life is o'er I'll fly away
To a home on God's celestial shore I'll fly away
I'll fly away oh Glory I'll fly away when I'll die hallelujah by and by I'll fly away
When the shadows of this life outgrown I'll fly away
Like a bird from prison bars have flown I'll fly away
I'll fly away oh Glory I'll fly away when I'll die hallelujah by and by I'll fly away
[ ac.guitar ]
Just a few more weary days and then I'll fly away
To a land where joy shall never end I'll fly away
I'll fly away oh Glory I'll fly away when I'll die hallelujah by and by I'll fly away
I don't care what anybody thinks of me
For my pride is gone and here I am on bended knees
I only know I need you and I love you so
And I'd fight the world before I'd ever let go go
I'd gladly beg or steal I'd borrow I'd turn my back on everyone I know
I'd do these things with no fear of tomorrow
I'd fight the world before I'd let go go
Yes I've heard 'em talkin' about me lovin' you like I do
And they are sayin' things like noone should love anyone as much as I love you
But I don't care if the world stops and the sun explodes or the moon turns to ashes
I'd gladly stand and fight the world before I'd let you go
The first strange town I was ever in the county was hanging a man
Nobody cared if he lived or died and I just didn't understand
So I washed my face in the morning dew bathed my soul in the sun
Washed my face in the morning dew and kept on moving along
The second strange town that I was in they were laughin' at a poor crippled man
Begging for nickels and dimes on the street and I just didn't understand
So I washed my face in the morning dew...
[ ac.guitar ]
The third strange town that I was in was settled peaceful and nice
The rich got richer and the poor got poorer and to me it didn't seem right
So I washed my face in the morning dew...
Someday times are bound to change it can't be very far
And each injustice I have seen will come before the bar
Then I'll wash my face in the morning dew bathe my soul in the sun
I stopped by at the party of an old friend
But then I saw this old sweetheart I once knew
And I vowed as I set me down beside her that darling I was coming home to you
Can I help it if she was going my way
And we talked about old times we used to know
And I'm sure we had that green light at the corner
Anyone who saw the wreck could tell you so
I was only gonna drop her off at her place
And then darling I was coming home to you
[ guitar ]
Then you came you saw her lying there beside me
Please believe me dear that romance is through
Even though I know you saw her arms around me darling I was coming home to you
I saw the light I saw the light no more darkness no more night
Now I'm so happy no sorrow in sight praise the Lord I saw the light
I wandered so aimless life filled with sin I wouldn't let my dear Saviour in
Then Jesus came like a stranger in the night and praise the Lord I saw the light
I saw the light...
Just like a blind man I wandered along worries and fears I claimed for my own
Then like a blind man God gave back his sight praise the Lord I saw the light
I saw the light...
I was a fool to wander and stray straight is the gate and narrow the way
Now I have traded the wrong for the right praise the Lord I saw the light
I saw the light...
Sorrow comes like a thief in the night and leaves me cold and sad
Lord please Lord send a word from her cause I need some good news bad
Why did she take her love from me when she was all I had
I feel a tear roll down my cheek I need some good news bad
I need her hear to ease this pain Lord it hurts so bad
Just tell me she will be a coming back cause I need some good news bad
(I love you drops I miss you drops hurry home drops you've been gone too long drops
They're not teardrops just sincere drops that say I'm lonesome and I love you)
They were on my pillow when I woke up this morning
They were on the letter I tried all day to write
And just a little while ago I saw them falling on your picture as I kissed it goodnight
(I love you drops...
[ guitar ]
Never knew this heart could hurt the way it hurts for you
Never lived so many lifetimes in one week
Why don't you come back to me the way you said you would
And kiss these little crystals off my cheek
(I love you drops...
[ Both ]
I love you you you no one else will ever do always true true true I'll forever be to you
I love you no one new will never ever do I'll always be true to you cause I love you
[ Bobby ]
The wedding bells are ringing in the chapel just over the hill
They're ringing for the wedding of my best friend Bill
He wed the girl I loved and I'd rather to die than to live I got to choose
Cause I've lost her and I've lost the friend
But there's one thing I'd never lose that's the way that she says
[ Skeeter ]
I love you you you no one else will ever do
Always true true true I'll forever be to you
[ Bobby ]
Yes in her shy sorta way I could leave you here now cause I like she was here today
She said she would always love me she would always be good and true
Yes that's one thing I'll never forget the way she says
[ Skeeter ]
I'll always be true to you cause I love you
[ Both ]
I love you you you...
[ Bobby ]
Don't get no attention from the people on the street
They don't even see us they just step right on our feet
Two unnoticed people in this great big world are we
And when I think about it I guess that's all we'll ever be
[ Both ]
But I got you and you got me and if they look they can see that we don't care
I got you and you got me and baby that's all we will ever need
[ Skeeter ]
Looking through the window of a fancy diamond store
Goin' window shopping for the things we can't afford
People all around us with their noses in the air
They walk right on by us just like we're not even there
[ Both ]
But I got you...
[ trumpet - steel ]
[ Bobby ]
Though the world around us hasn't time to know we're near
We don't feel neglected no we'll never shed a tear
[ Skeeter ]
We may go unnoticed but we'll never be alone
As long as we're together in a world that's all our own
[ Both ]
Cause I got you...
[ Both ]
I don't care the sun don't shine I don't care the bells don't chime
Just as long as you love me
I don't care the tops don't spin I don't care the gins don't gin
Just as long as you love me
So darling let it rain let it snow let the cold north wind blow
Just as long as you love me
North or south east or west you know I will stand the test
Just as long as you love me
[ guitar ]
[ Bobby ]
I don't care the birds don't sing I don't care the bells don't ring
[ Both ]
Just as long as you love me
[ Bobby ]
I don't care the world don't turn I don't care the fire don't burn
[ Both ]
Just as long as you love me
So darling let it rain...
I don't believe I'll fall in love today old memories of you stand in the way
Well I just can't make my heart find someone new
It's always much too busy loving you
So I don't believe I'll fall in love today cause if I did I'm sure I wouldn't stay
You'd just come between us like you always do
I'm sure she'd never measure up to you
Each night I pray I'll wake at dawn and find another in my heart and on my mind
Then I'll wake and I'll hear my poor heart say
Oh no I don't believe I'll fall in love today
Each night I pray I'll wake at dawn and find...
Some people worry bout tomorrow well all my worried days are through
Cause I just got mine all together how about you girl how about you
Those loose ends have really been a draggin'
Since the day you said that we were through
But I managed to get mine all together how about you babe how about you
How about your life back home with mama
Do you miss those things you've grown and accustomed to
Well I just thought I'd call to let you know I'm doing fine
And findin' lots of different things to do how about you girl how about you
Well sometimes as I sit here a thinking about those silly things we used to do
And it stirs up some old familiar feelings now how about you girl how about you
Yeah how about your life back home...
Well it's lonesome in this ol' town everybody puts me down
I'm a face without a name just a walking in the rain
A going back to Houston Houston Houston
I got holes in both of my shoes well I'm a walking case of the blues
Saw a dollar yesterday but the wind blew it away
A going back to Houston Houston Houston
I haven't eaten in about a week I'm so hungry when I walk I squeak
Nobody calls me friend it's sad the shape I'm in
A going back to Houston Houston Houston
[ harmonica ]
A going back to Houston Houston Houston
I got a girl waitin' there for me well at least she said she'd be
I got a home and big warm bed and a feather pillow for my head
A going back to Houston Houston Houston
Well it's lonesome in this ol' town...
I wonder how the old folks are at home
I wonder if they miss me while I've gone
I wonder if they pray for their boy who went away
And left his mom and papa all alone
You could see the cattle lowin' in the lane
You could see the fields of blue grass where I've grown
You could almost hear them cry as they kissed their boy goodbye
I wonder how the old folks are at home
Just the village and the homestead on the farm
And the mother's love there to keep you from all harm
There's the mother's love so true and the sweetheart who loves you too
I wonder how the old folks are at home
You could see the cattle lowin' in the lane
You could see the fields of blue grass where I've grown
You could almost hear them cry as they kissed their boy goodbye
I wonder how the old folks are at home
Oh I'm so homesick all I do is roam the street
Can't sleep at night can't eat a bite homesick too homesick to eat
I'm so homesick I'm going crazy and I don't know what to do
Too ashamed to cry too sick to die homesick to be with you
Little by little I'm losin' my mind cause I haven't been home in too long a time
But I'll be home soon I'll be home if I have to come in a box
Cause I'm homesick homesick for you
I'm so homesick I'm going crazy and I don't know what to do
My friends and my mother they all like my songs
They said boy Nashville is where you belong
And I agreed the music world probably needed me
Well Music City here I am but I don't think anybody gives a damn
In the cold cold heart of Tennessee there's ten thousand dreamers just like me
With a song and a guitar and a message to tell come to find heaven in hillbilly hell
Another day a watchin' the Cadillacs go past
Writin' songs in my head while I'm a pumpin' gas
Eatin' beans and wearin' jeans and sleepin' in my car
I hope the folks back home will understand it's gonna take a little longer than I planned
Take the ribbon from your hair shake it loose and let it fall
Laying soft upon my skin like the shadows on the wall
Come and lay down by my side till the early morning light
All I'm taking is your time help me make it through the night
I don't care who's right or wrong I don't try to understand
Let the devil take tomorrow Lord tonight I need a friend
Yesterday is dead and gone and tomorrow's out of sight
And it's sad to be alone help me make it through the night
Come and lay down by my side till the early morning light
Hello darlin' nice to see you it's been a long time
You're just as lovely as you used to be
How's your new love are you happy hope you're doing fine
Just to know this means so much to me
What's that darlin' how'm I doing guess I'm doing all right
Except I can't sleep and I cry all night till dawn
What I'm trying to say is I love you and I miss you
And I'm sorry that I did you wrong
Look up darlin' let me kiss you just for old time sake
Let me hold you in my arms one more time
Thank you darlin' may God bless you and may each step you take
Bring you closer to the things you seek to find
Goodbye darlin' I gotta go now gotta try to find a way
To lose these mem'ries of a love so warm and true
And if you should ever find it in your heart to forgive me
When the sun shines babe it'll wake you in the morning
When the moon fades away then you gonna find me gone
I'll kiss her lips so fine put that ring back on her hand
Takes a lowdown son of a gun to steal her lips from another man
So heaven help my soul for the bad things I've done
And the girl I thought so true cheatin' on a man while he's gone
Every time I see a babe looking for a love to share
I fight the pain inside but somehow I just don't care at all
Heaven help my soul for the bad things I've done...
I'll kiss her lips so fine put that ring back on her hand...
He got the whole world in his hands the whole world in his hands
He got the whole world in his hands he's got the whole world in his hands
He's got the wind and rain in his hands he got the wind and rain in his hands
He's got the wind and rain in his hands he's got the whole world in his hands
He's got the sinner man in his hands he's got the sinner man in his hands
He's got the sinner man in his hands he got the whole world in his hands
He got the tidle little babies in his hands the little babies in his hands
He got the little bitty babies in his hands he got the whole world in his hands
He got you and me brother in his hands he got you and me sister in his hands
He got you and me brother in his hands he got the whole world in his hands
He got the whole world in his hands the whole world in his hands
He got the whole wide world in his hands he's got the whole world in his hands
He was a friend of mine he was a friend of mine
He died without a penny he didn't have a dime he was a friend of mine
He died neath the midnight sun he died neath the midnight sun
His wanderin' days are over his loneliness is done
Yes he died neath the midnight sun
I have a lot of buddies in my time but he was the best buddy I ever had
The kind of friend you can lean on and turn to when times 're goin' bad
He could have been a rich man or maybe he could be the President
But he was just a friend of mine the one who had died without a cent
I soughed away and cried I soughed away and cried
Tears fell like raindrops the night my best friend died
There's an old man sittin' in a rented room sittin' and watchin' the wall
Tryin' to remember the good ole days and wonderin' why the kids don't call
They used to go drivin' in the summer sun when his woman was alive
Now he reads his Gideon Bible and waits for his welfare check to arrive
He got the hard time hungrys doin' the best that he can
Lord the hard time hungrys are spreadin' all over the land
There's a Tennessee housewife shoppin' in the market wearin' her last used jeans
She picks up a roast then changes her mind
Puts it back down and buys some more beans
Her old man's workin' in the filling station and what's he gonna say
When he sits down to a table full of nothin' after workin' like a dog all day
He got the hard time hungrys doin' the best that they can
I see the hard time hungrys spreadin' all over the land
A Mississippi farmer he's watchin' the sky wondering if it's gonna rain
The payment's due on the tractor Lord and the subsidy's been taken away
And in New York City a taxicab driver screams at the world outside
Cause it sure is hot and nobody's got the money for a cross town ride
Lord they got the hard time hungrys...
Now I ain't no preacher and I ain't no teacher but one thing's sure as the sun
If the dollar keeps a droppin' and prices keep a risin' the worst is yet to come
We got the hard time hungrys I feel it touchin' my hand
Lord I see the hard time hungrys spreadin' all over the land
Stick my thumb out catch a ride maybe this time I'll be satisfied
Find a new town bout a mile maybe this time I will stay a while
Then if no one wants this restless heart of mine
Guess I'll move on down the line guess I'll move on down the line
Been to Memphis and St Joe but I won't be goin' there no more
Seen the bright lights and the shows seen the people in their fancy clothes
But I can't get use the big city wine
Guess I'll move on down the line guess I'll move on down the line
[ dobro ]
Tired of ridin' trucks and trains tired of hobo livin' aches and pains
Need a place to settle down need a place to put my feet on the ground
But till I get to rest this restless soul of mine
Guess I'll move on down the line guess I'll move on down the line
The old hometown looks the same as I step down from the train
And there to meet me is my mama and my papa
And down the road I look and there runs Mary
Hair of gold and lips like cherries
It's good to touch the green, green, grass of home
Yes, they'll all come to meet me
Arms reaching smiling sweetly
It's so good to touch the green, green, grass of home
The old house is still standing though the paint is cracked and dry
And there's the old oak tree that I used to play on
Down the lane I walk with my sweet Mary
Hair of gold and lips like cherries
It's good to touch the green, green, grass of home
Then I awake and look around me
At the gray walls that surround me
And I realized I was only dreaming
For there's a guard and there's a sad old padre
Arm in arm, we'll walk at daybreak
Again I'll touch the green, green, grass of home
Yes, they'll all come to see me
In the shade of that old oak tree
I remember the day when the snow melted away and the great snowman was wed
He said yes I do and little Linda said it too and the great snowman was wed
Well Jimmy Jones was the snowman's name he put all the other local lovers to shame
He had good looks and a real fine car went around breaking all the pretty girls' hearts
Until one day the great snowman found Linda Lou started melting him down
He bought the ring and they named the day
And the great snowman started melting away
I remember the day...
Now the great snowman and his loving spouse live in a little subdivision house
They've got six kids and a mother in law another kiddie comin' in the fall
His old Cadillac needs the paint retouched it's full of baby diapers and bottles and such
The great snowman he has outgrown all his fancy cuddy clothes
I remember the day...
I've laid around and played around this old town too long
Summer's almost gone, winter's comin' on
I've laid around and played around this old town too long
And I feel like I've gotta travel on
High sheriff and police are ridin' after me
Ridin' after me, oh, they're ridin' after me
High sheriff and police are ridin' after me
And I feel like I've gotta travel on
Papa writes to Johnny, Johnny can't come home
No, Johnny can't come home, Johnny can't come home
Papa writes to Johnny but Johnny can't come home
'Cause he's been on that chain gang too long
Gotta see my baby, gotta see her bad
Gotta see her bad, oh, I gotta see her bad
Gotta see my baby, gotta see her bad
She's the best friend this poor boy ever had
I've laid around and played around this old town too long
Summer's almost gone, winter's comin' on
I've laid around and played around this old town too long
And I feel like I've gotta travel on
Oh, I feel like I've gotta travel on
She don't hold and kiss me like she did one time
I think my sweet baby's got leavin' on her mind
The longer I know her the more I can tell my darling's not happy with me
The longer I know that I know her too well the less love in her eyes I see
Cause she don't hold and kiss me like she did one time...
[ harmonica ]
The stronger I hold her the farther apart my darling is growin' from me
The danger of my darling breaking my heart is fast movin' in on me
Cause she don't hold and kiss me like she did one time...
The deeper I love her the farther away my darling slips out of my hands
The longer the future the longer I stay out of my darling's plans
Cause she don't hold and kiss me like she did one time...
Goodnight Irene goodnight Irene
I'll see you in my dreams.
Sometimes I live in the country
Sometimes I live in town
Sometimes I take a big notion
To jump in the river and drown.
And say Irene goodnight, Irene
Irene goodnight
Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene
I'll see you in my dreams.
I love Irene God knows
I do love her till sea runs dry
And if Irene turns her back on me
I'll lay right down and I'll die.
And say Irene goodnight, Irene
Irene goodnight
Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene
I'll see you in my dreams.
--- Instrumental ---
Last Saturday night I got married
Me and my wife settled down
Now me and my wife just parted
So I'll take another stroll downtown.
Yeah, Irene goodnight, Irene
Irene goodnight
Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene
I'll see you in my dreams.
Hey, rambler stop your ramblin'
Stop stayin' out late at night
Go home to your wife and the family
Stay by the fireside bright.
Yeah, Irene goodnight, Irene
Irene goodnight
Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene
I'll see you in my dreams.
--- Instrumental ---
Irene, goodnight Irene
Irene goodnight
Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene
I'll see you in my dreams.
Irene, goodnight Irene
Irene goodnight
Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene
Remember the nights we would jam in the motels
After the honky tonks closed
No one had credit
And no one had no place to go.
Just crazy kids with 'lectric machines
And some soul
Turnin' them crowds on
By playin' some loud rock'n roll.
Then came the man with a suit and a tie
And the promise of contracts and bread
With all our joy he gave us to fame and fortune
That left us half dead.
Goin' up's easy
When you got the song
That comes from the depth of the soul
Where it really belongs.
Comin' down's hard when you find
That you just can't sing it no more
Your emerald ring with the solid gold band
Reflects back the face of a whore.
Freddie would play on his guitar all day
And sometimes his firgers would bleed
Sam would ride on his drum
Like a magnificent steed.
Ben on the bass would make the thunder
And the lighting with love
And I'd sing the lyric of life
That I felt the part of.
Then came the money and Freddie dropped out
To start him a band of his own
Sam bought a frenchise and Bennie OD'd
And I'm soon the label alone.
Goin' up's easy
When you got the song
That comes from the depth of the soul
Where it really belongs.
Goin' up's easy
When you got the song
That comes from the depth of the soul
(I'm goin' home I've been gone so doggone long now at last the rambling fever's gone
I'm goin' home I know that mama'll cry with joy
To see her wanderin' boy I'm goin' home
I'm goin' home I've lived in certain happiness I hadn't met with very much success
I'm goin' home I got holes in both my shoes and a bad case of blues I'm goin' home
I'm goin' home comin' walkin' ridin' when I can
I said I'd be a wealthy man the things don't work out always like you plan
I'm goin' home then maybe back there with my friends
I'll lose this bitterness that burns within
The Gods were angry with me for loving you
The Gods were angry with me because they knew
I stood at heaven's portals but they were too high for any mortal such as I
So they took down the sun the skies were gray then the howling wind took you away
There was nothing I could do for I could see
It was because the Gods were angry with me
Once upon a time when our love was young and new
I was so happy in the heaven that I have found
Then one day the Gods looked down and they saw me there holding you
That day they sent my heaven crashing to the ground
(Y'all settle down! Everybody be quiet because daddy's gonna sing a quiet song called the Giving Tree)
Once there was a giving tree who loved a little boy
And every day the boy would come to play
Swinging from her branches sleeping in her shade
Laughing all the summer hours away
And so they'd love and oh the tree was happy oh the tree was glad
But soon the boy grew older and one day he came to say
Can you give me some money tree to buy some things I found
I have no money said the tree just apples twigs and leaves
But you can take my apples boy and sell them in the town
And so he did and oh the tree was happy oh the tree was glad
And soon again the boy came back and he said to the tree
I'm now a man and I must have a house that's all my own
I can't give you a house she said the forest is my house
But you may cut my branches off and build yourself a home
And so he did and oh the tree was happy oh the tree was glad
And the time went by and the boy came back with sadness in his eyes
My life has turned so cold he said and I need sunny days
I've nothin' but my trunk she said but you may cut it down
And built yourself a boat and sail away
And so he did and oh the tree was happy oh the tree was glad
And after years the boy came back both of them were old
I really cannot help ye if you ask another gift
I'm nothin' but an old stump now I'm sorry boy she said
I'm sorry but I've nothin' more to give
I don't need very much now just a quiet place to rest
The boy he'd whispered with a weary smile
Well said the tree an old stump still is good for that
Come boy she said sit down sit down and rest awhile
Every triangle has three sides it's true
There's the wife's side the husband's and my side too
What's the difference who's to blame everybody suffers the same
Oh the game of triangles is a heart breaking game
I tried to be a good wife and keep a nice home
On my job I had to travel I was always alone
It's because I was so lonely that I asked her for a date
When I found out he was married it was already much too late
Every triangle has three sides it's true
There's the wife's side the husband's and my side too
I hate to break our home up but I just got to be free
But I still love you darling what's to become of me
A woman who steals husbands will end up ruining your life
No woman steals a husband if he's happy with his wife
Every triangle has three sides...
On a warm summer's evenin' on a train bound for nowhere
I met up with the gambler we were both too tired to sleep
So we took turns starin' out the window at the darkness
Till boredom overtook us and he began to speak
He said son I made a life out of readin' people's faces
And knowin' what the cards were by the way they held their eyes
And if you don't mind my sayin' I can see you're out of aces
And for a taste of your whiskey I would give you some advice
So I handed him my bottle and he drank down my last swallow
Then he'd bummed a cigarette and asked me for a light
And the night got deathly quiet and his face lost all expression
He said if you're gonna play the game boy you gotta learn to play it right
you gotta know when to hold 'em know when to fold 'em
Know when to walk away know when to run
you never count your money when you're sittin' at the table
There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin's done
[ guitar ]
He said every gambler knows that the secret to survival
Is knowin' what to throw away and knowin' what to keep
Cause every hand's a winner and every hand's a loser
And the best you can hope for is to die in your sleep
When he finished speaking he turned back to the window
Crushed out his cigarette and faded off to sleep
Somewhere in the darkness the gambler he broke even
In his final words I found an ace that I could keep
You gotta know when to hold...
You gotta know when to hold...
Four strong winds that blow lonely seven seas that run high
All these things that don't change come what may
But my good times are all gone and I'm bound for moving on
I'll look for you if I'm ever back this way
I may go out to Alberta weather's good there in the fall
Got some friends that I can go to workin' for
Still I wish you'd change your mind if I asked you one more time
But we've been through that a hundred times or more
If I get there before the snow flies and things are going good
You could join me if I sent you down the fare
But if you'll wait until it's winter it would do no good
But the winds sure can blow cold way out there
Remember when I saw you standing slightly cryin' empty-handed
With no one that you could call your own
Looking up to someone somewhere asking for life with no despair
Begging for the world to leave you alone
Yes I shouldn't have butted in but you looked as if you could use a friend
And I'd lost one myself and was looking about
Remember it was kinda crazy I held my hand out you took it baby
For a while we helped each other out
Remember how I dried every tear that you cried
And gave you love to trust beyond a doubt
And whenever I was down you made me laugh brought me around
Yeah for a while we helped each other out
And early one day in the morning sun that time came we knew would come
And in our hearts well there was love no more
I guess we're just two of that kind that look for life but never find
The love in mind that we were looking for
But I always have the warm spot for you cause at one time I adored you
And if I pass this way again I'll shout
May be years 'fore I come through but when I do I'll call on you
Cause at one time we helped each other out
Gather round me buddies hold your glasses high
And drink to the fool the crazy fool who told his baby goodbye
Too late he finds he loves her so much he wants to die
Drink to the fool the crazy fool that told his baby goodbye
Now he needs her Lord he needs her so and he wonders why he let her go
She found a new love buddy he's a lucky guy
So drink to the fool the crazy fool that told his baby goodbye
LYRICS AS WRITTEN BY JOHNNY CASH (THE WRITER OF THE SONG):
I hear the train a comin'
It's rollin' 'round the bend,
And I ain't seen the sunshine,
Since, I don't know when,
I'm stuck in Folsom Prison,
And time keeps draggin' on,
But that train keeps a-rollin',
On down to San Antone.
When I was just a baby,
My Mama told me, "Son,
Always be a good boy,
Don't ever play with guns,"
But I shot a man in Reno,
Just to watch him die,
When I hear that whistle blowin',
I hang my head and cry.
I bet there's rich folks eatin',
In a fancy dining car,
They're probably drinkin' coffee,
And smokin' big cigars,
But I know I had it comin',
I know I can't be free,
But those people keep a-movin',
And that's what tortures me.
Well, if they freed me from this prison,
If that railroad train was mine,
I bet I'd move it on a little,
Farther down the line,
Far from Folsom Prison,
That's where I want to stay,
And I'd let that lonesome whistle,
Blow my Blues away.
WHAT WAS POSTED:
I hear that train a comin' rollin' around the bend
I ain't seen the sunshine since I don't know when
I'm stuck in Folsom Prison and time keeps draggin' on
And that train keeps a movin' on down to San Antone
When I was a baby my mama told me son
Always be a good boy don't ever play with guns
But I shot a cat in Reno just to watch him die
Yeah I know I had it comin' I hang my head and cry
[ dobro - harmonica ]
I bet there's rich folks eatin' in a fancy dining car
Prob'ly drinkin' coffeee and smokin' big cigars
Well I'm stuck in Folsom Prison that's where I'll always be
And them people keep a movin' and that's what tortures me
Yeah if they freed me from this prison and that railroad train was mine
I bet I'd move it on a little farther down the line
Far from Folsom Prison that's where I long to stay
I have appointed me the captain of my destiny
And proclaimed myself the pilot of my soul
But my mind remains uneasy cause the rest of me
Depends on someone I don't even know
May the man who has his finger on the button have a lovely day today
Hope nothing hangs him up or ticks him off or bums him out in any way
Lord help him keep his cool cause he could pull the final curtain on my play
May the man who has his finger on the button have a lovely day today
[ dobro ]
I can recall when only God could start the world anew
He who left his babies wasted on the shore
But now that man could have the last word if he wanted to
God ain't such a bad dude anymore
May the man who has his finger on the button have a lovely night tonight
Hope he's got himself a honey who knows what to do and I hope she does it right
And in my heart I know you won't go bananas and again he might
May the man who has his finger on the button have a lovely night tonight
May the man who has his finger...
Send him over anything he wants give him a sixpack of beer
Baby you know me well you know I mean what I say
Before I say farewell I'll give you just one more day
So you can find out what's happening find out what's happening before long
If you don't find out what's happening you're gonna find out that I'm gone
Tell me what you're gonna do you better make up your mind
It all depends on you or I'm leaving you behind
You'd better find out what's happening...
[ guitar ]
Baby you know it's true we've been through thick and thin
But if you don't come through you won't ever see me again
You'd better find out what's happening find out what's happening before long
If you don't find out what's happening you're gonna find your daddy gone
Come sit beside me and I'll sing you one last song for you to carry with you as you go
And I'll remember you here in the frosty dawn and the lightly falling February snow
For tomorrow you'll be rolling somewhere light and free
Somewhere where these chilly winds don't blow
And maybe now and then you'll stop and think of me
And the lightly falling February snow
Don't ask me where the magic moments all have gone
You know you don't really want to know
And your memory of me is gonna last as long as the early meltin' February snow
[ dobro ]
I guess there ain't no use for us to try to talk
We maybe should have tried it long ago
But now all the summer pathways where we used to walk
Are covered by the February snow
Oh I really hope you'll find your garden in the sun
And that'll help your pretty flowers grow
And maybe I'll just be remembered as the one
Who saw you through the February snow
So come sit beside me and I'll sing you one last song
For you to carry with you as you go
We worked through spring and winter through the summer and through the fall
But the mortage worked hardest and the steadiest of us all
It worked on nights and Sundays worked each holiday
It's settled now among us and it never went away
The farmer comes to town with his wagon broken down
The farmer is the man who feeds us all
If you'd only look and see I know you will agree
That the farmer is the man who feeds us all
Yeah the farmer is the man the farmer is a man buys on his credit till the fall
Then they take him by the hand and they lead him from his land
And the merchant he's the man who gits it all
The banker says he's broke the grocer's up in smoke
They forget that it's farmer feeds us all
If we'd put them to the test if the farmer took a rest
Then they'd know that it's the farmer feeds us all
Yeah the farmer is the man the farmer is the man lives on his credit until Fall
Well his pants're wearin' thin his condition it's a sin
Because the taxes on the farmer feeds us all
Farewell Angelina, the bells of the crown
I've been stolen by bandits, I must follow the sound
The triangle tingles, and the trumpets play slow
Farewell, Angelina, the sky's on fire and I must go
There's no need for anger, there's no need for blame
There's nothing to prove, everything's still the same
Just a table that's empty by the edge of the sea
Farewell, Angelina the sky is trembling, and I must leave
The Jacks and the queens have forsaken the courtyard
2 gypsies now fight passed the guards
In a space where the dukes and the ace once ran wild
Farewell, Angelina, the sky is folding I'll see you in a while
See the cross-eyed pirates sitting crossed in the sun
Shooting 10 cans with a sort-of shot-gun
And the neighbors they claá¹— and they cheer with each blast
Farewell, Angelina, the sky's changing colors and I must leave fast
Hang calm, little elves on the roof tops they dance
Valentino-type tangos while they make-up man's hands
Shu the eye of the dead, not to embarrass anyone
Farewell, Angelina, the sky's embarrassed and I must be gone
The machine guns are roaring, the prophecy rocks
Avenge nailing time-bombs to the hands of the flock
Call me any name you like, I will never deny
Farewell, Angelina, the sky's erupting, I must go where it's quiet
(Rock of ages cleft for me)
There's a family Bible on the table its pages torn and hard to read
But the family Bible on the table will ever be my key to memory
Cause at the end of day when work was over and when the evening meal was done
Dad would read to us from the family Bible
And we'd count our many blessings one by one
I can see us sitting round the table when from the family Bible dad would read
I can hear my mother softly singing rock of ages rock of ages cleft for me
Now this old world of ours is full of trouble but this old world would also better be
If it had more Bibles on the tables
Fairy tale fairy tale tell me now a fairy tale
Tell me once again how it's me that you adore
And how we gonna live so happily for ever more
Once upon a time not very long ago the whole magic world was mine
You made me believe then that you loved me so but that was once upon a time
For you never loved me so you went away my whole magic world fell in
That's when I found out you made up fairy tales better than the Brothers Grim
Fairy tale fairy tale...
[ keyboard ]
Wish you tell me what am I suppose to do with a castle in the air
Filled with broken dreams that never can come true since you are no longer there
Though I know you just don't love me anymore please help me to pretend
Take me in your arms the way you did before and tell a fairy tale again
Fairy tale fairy tale...
Lord it's easy as dreaming falling in love with you
But it's hard as dying knowing these dreams won't come true
Tonight I lie here sleepless without you and think on the sweet love we knew
That goes from the past sets me dreaming bout you then starts that old flame up anew
And it's easy as dreaming...
[ piano ]
Now I should be lettin' my poor heart forget you and start out gettin' over the fall
But I'd rather keep you right here in my dreamin' and never to have you at all
And it's easy as dreaming...
In the early morning rain with a dollar in my hand
With an aching in my heart and my pockets full of sand
I'm a long way from home and I miss my loved ones so
In the early morning rain and no place to go
Out on runway No 9 big 7-0-7 set to go
But I'm standing on the grass where the cold wind blows
Well the liquor tasted good and the women all were fast
There she goes my friend she's a rolling now at last
Hear that mighty engines roar see the silver bird on high
She's away and westward bound far above the clouds she'll fly
Where the morning rain don't fall and the sun will always shine
She'll be flying o'er my home in about three hours time
This old airport's got me down it's no earthly good to me
Cause I'm stuck here on the ground cold and drunk as I can be
You can't jump a big jet plane like you can an old freight train
So I'd best be on my way in the early morning rain
I'll be dropping out of sight for awhile I'll be crying and crying's not my style
If they ask you how I took it say I smiled but I'll be dropping out of sight for awhile
This town can do without me for a laughing stock
Since she's gone I'm in a funny state of shock
And I'm so troubled I could walk a thousand miles
So I'll be dropping out of sight for awhile
If you don't see me living like I did you'll know the coward in me went and hid
Before this same old circle drives me wild I'll be dropping out of sight for awhile
Dropkick me, Jesus, through the goal posts of life
End over end, neither left nor to right
Straight through the heart of them, righteous up rights
Dropkick me, Jesus, through the goal posts of life
Make me, oh, make me, Lord, more than I am
Make me a piece in Your master game plan
Free from the earthly tem pestion below
I've got the will, Lord, if You got the toe
Dropkick me, Jesus, through the goal posts of life
End over end, neither left nor to right
Straight through the heart of them, righteous up rights
Dropkick me, Jesus, through the goal posts of life
Bring on the brothers who've gone on before
And all of the sisters who've knocked on your door
All the departed, dear, loved ones of mine
Stick 'em up front in the offensive line
Dropkick me, Jesus, through the goal posts of life
End over end, neither left nor to right
Straight through the heart of them, righteous up rights
Dropkick me, Jesus, through the goal posts of life
Dropkick me, Jesus, through the goal posts of life
End over end, neither left nor to right
Straight through the heart of them, righteous up rights
Dropkick me, Jesus, through the goal posts of life
Yeah, dropkick me, Jesus, through the goal posts of life
Drinkin' from the bottle and singin' from the heart
Cryin' blues in motel rooms Lord the hard times weren't that hard
And some fell in and some fell out and some just fell apart
Drinkin' from the bottle and singin' from the heart
Harlan sang us Heartaches By The Number one more time
Johnny tell us how that woman helped you walk the line
Willie sing us Hello walls cause we all know our flaws
We've been drinkin' from the bottle and singin' from the heart
That blonde there sittin' on the floor my sad song made her cry
I think she caught my zipper bout the time I caught her eye
Well she can take my body home but who's gonna drive the car
We've been drinkin' from the bottle and singin' from the heart
Drinkin' from the bottle...
[ steel ]
Now I sip my Chivits from a fancy crystal glass
A young ambitions eight piece pot band a pushin' at my ass
While we're singin' for the money I think back to the start
When we were drinkin' from the bottle and singin' from the heart
You sit there a crying cry in your beer
You think you got troubles well my friend listen here
Don't tell me your troubles I got enough of my own
Be thankful you're living drink up and go home
I'm fresh out of prison six years in the pen
Lost my wife and fam'ly no one to call friend
Don't tell me your troubles I got enough of my own
Be thankful you're living drink up and go home
Now there stands a blind man a man who can't see
Yet he's not complaining why should you or me
If you'd look around you I'm sure you would find
There's folks who got troubles worst that yours and mine
I'm fresh out of prison...
[ Both ]
Sweet dream babby sweet dream baby sweet dream baby how long must I dream
Dream baby got me dreamin' sweet dreams the whole day through
Dream baby got me dreamin' sweet dreams nighttime too
I love you and I'm dreamin' of you that won't do
Dream baby make me stop my dreamin' you can make my dreams come true
Sweet dream baby sweet dream baby sweet dream baby how long must I dream
[ guitar - steel ]
Sweet dream baby sweet dream baby sweet dream baby how long must I dream
I'm down in Mexico had to go won't be home no more
I want mom and dad to know I miss and love them so
Though I'll never see them anymore
The day that I turned twenty one I could hardly wait
To say goodbye to mom and dad and shake the hand of fate
Fate was with me from the start until that fateful day
A big man he took my sweetheart and I took his life away
Now I'm down in Mexico...
I stood and watched the man as he fell and then I heard the policemen's whistle blow
And when I thought about that prison cell I thought about old Mexico
You make my eyes run over all the time you're happy when I'm out of my mind
You don't love me yet you won't let me be don't you ever get tired of hurtin' me
You must think I look bad with a smile
For you haven't let me have one in such a long long while
Still I keep running back how can this be don't you ever get tired of hurtin' me
[ vibes ]
A scarecrow and yellow moon and road house on the edge of town
Hear that midnight rooster crow well I have one more before I go
But Honey don't turn out the light cause I think I'm in the mood for love tonight
The night is cool beneath the stars I'm ridin' home in John's old car
Got my head out in the wind here I am drunk up again
But Honey don't turn out the light cause I think I'm in the mood for love tonight
[ guitar ]
Me and John in a pickup truck a bottle of gin and a paper cup
Runnin' wild and livin' hard and I passed out in our front yard
But Honey don't turn out the light cause I think I'm in the mood for love tonight
The moon is high the sun is down honey came out in her old night gown
On a porch at a quarter o'three talkin' to the deputy sheriff and me
But Honey don't turn out the light cause I think I'm in the mood for love tonight
I see your van you're a guitar man it's written all over your face
To make it big you quit your gig a playin' bass at the airbase
You've come to town you've been turned down but it's just a question of taste
Don't think you're too good for country music just because you can rock and roll
Likely as not your licks are hot but you won't work much here in Nashville
You're really keen on BB King but they don't cut him here in Nashville
And if you don't pick them country licks you can bet somebody else will
Don't think you're too good for country music just because you can rock and roll
[ ac.guitar ]
(Pickin' good pickin' good pickin' good sound like hell but pickin' good)
You're really hot on ZZ Tott but you ain't doin' any session
Your licks are neat but you won't eat until you learn one little lesson
You boogie good and I knew you could but they don't boogie much in Nashville
There ain't no use to sit and wonder why babe it don't matter nayhow
And there ain't no use to sit and wonder why babe if you don't know by now
When the rooster crows at the break of dawn look out your window I'll be gone
You're the reason I'm traveling on don't think twice it's all right
Ain't no use in turnin' on your light babe a light I'll never know
Ain't no use in turnin' on your light babe I'm on the dark side of the road
Still I wish there was something you would do or say
To try and make me change my mind and stay
We never did too much talking anyway don't think twice it's all right
[ ac.guitar ]
I'm walkin' down that long lonesome road babe where I'm bound I can't tell
But goodbye is too good a word gal so I'll just say fare thee well
Now I ain't seeing you treated me unkind you could have done better but I don't mind
You just sorta wasted my precious time don't think twice it's all right
For a long long time now just about every night
You found some excuse not to hold me tight
No matter what I do you sit and pout don't let that doorknob hit you going out
Don't let that doorknob hit you going out honey
Others lips now thrill you there's no doubt
There's no burden like the love you make me live without
Don't let that doorknob hit you going out
[ el.banjo - fiddle ]
I've laid awake nights to two or three so near to you but you're so far from me
The battle's done you won the fight no doubt
Don't let that doorknob hit you going out
Don't let that doorknob hit you...
Don't it make you wanna go home now don't it make you wanna go home
All God's children get weary when they roam
Don't it make you wanna go home don't it make you wanna go home
Oh the whippoorwill roosts on the telephone poles when the Georgia sun goes down
Well it's been a long time but I'm glad to see that I'm
Goin' back down to my hometown
Goin' down to the Greyhound Station gonna buy me a one-way fare
Good Lord's willin' and the creeks don't rise watch it for I'll be right there
Don't it make you wanna go home now...
But there's a six lane highway down by the creek
Where I went skinny dippin' as a child
And the drive-in show where the meadow used to grow
And the strawberries used to grow wild
There's a drag strip down by the riverside where my grandma's cow used to graze
Now the grass don't grow and the river don't flow like it did in the childhood days
Don't it make you wanna go home now...
Breakfast black coffee one slice of dry toast no butter no jelly no jam
Lunch just some lettuce two celery stalks no booze no potatoes no ham
Dinner one chicken wing broiled not fried no gravy no biscuits no pie
And this dietin' dietin' dietin' dietin' sure is a rough way to die
So pass me a carrot stick peel me a prune a glass of skim milk and that's all
Turn off the TV for the Big Mac commercial it's drivin' me right up the wall
And I'm thinkin' of french fries sausage and waffles spaghetti and cookies and cake
And each night I'm dreamin' of chocolate ice cream
And I'm starvin' to death when I wake
[ guitar ]
Supper two pieces of cauliflower raw some beefsteak the size of a nail
One sliced tomato a small dab of slaw I swear I ate better in jail
Stop eatin' that pizza right under my nose girl that's the least you can do
Put down that candy bar while I'm singin' I'm starvin' my pants off for you
You're fixin' the kids all those creamed mashed potatoes
But it's bouillon and water for me
Hey you got a lock on the refrigerator Lord knows where you're hidin' the key
While I'm starvin' for food late at night I'm starvin' for lovin' from you
But you say that when I can see my own dick you'll be glad to look at it too
So pass me a carrot stick peel me a prune a glass of skim milk and that's all
You and Jane Fonda and old Richard Simmons are drivin' me right off the wall
Now when I am dead with the insurance paid you'll look down at me and you'll grin
You'll say well the boy tried and he suffered and died
But don't he look good when he's thin oh my
I wanna go home
I wanna go home
Ohh how I wanna go home
Last night I went to sleep in Detroit city
And I dreamed about those cotton fields and home
I dreamed about my mother, dear old papa, sister and brother
I dreamed about that girl who's been waiting for so long
I wanna go home
I wanna go home
Ohh how I wanna go home
Home folks think I'm big in Detroit city
From the letters that I write they think I'm fine
But by day I make the cars, by night I make the bars
If only they could read between the lines
'Cause you know I rode the freight train north to Detroit city
And after all these years, I find, I've just been wastin' my time
So I just think I'll take my foolish pride
And put it on a southbound freight and ride
And go on back to the loved ones
The ones that I left waitin' so far behind
I wanna go home
I wanna go home
Oh how I wanna go home
Delia's gone one more round Delia's gone
First time I shot Delia shot her in the side
The second time I shot her she laid right down and died
Delia's gone one more round Delia's gone
The reason I shot my Delia she cursed such an evil curse
And if I hadn't shot her I'd believe she'd done me worse
Delia's gone one more round Delia's gone Delia's gone one more round Delia's gone
I went down to the graveyard to look at my Delia's face
I said Delia gal I love you and I wish I could take your place
Delia's gone one more round Delia's gone
On Monday I was arrested Tuesday my case was trialed
The jurymen found me guilty brought teardrops in my eyes
Delia's gone one more round Delia's gone Delia's gone one more round Delia's gone
Jailer oh jailer tell me how can I sleep
When all around my bedside I can hear little Delia's feet
Delia's gone one more round Delia's gone
Some gave Delia a dollar some gave her two or three
I didn't give Delia a penny cause she belonged to me
She smiled and said if you are who I think you are I'd really like to meet you
I laughed and said if you are what I think you are I'd like to meet you too
She said you've taught me lots of things
But I'll bet there's some things that I could teach you
And though you don't know me I sure know you
Cause you are my childhood hero she said
I got all your records I know all your songs
And I got your picture tacked over my bed
And you know I once wrote you a letter she said
And I don't believe that a night that was spent
By a girl with her childhood hero could ever be wrong
A thousand songs a hundred poems and a half half a fifth of Chivas Regal
While my picture on the wall looked down and winked at me as if the bastard knew
And he listened as she whispered hold me close so I can dream about this later
When you've forgotten me I'll remember you
It's snowing out there in the gloaming I've sat here and watched it all night
Little kids will be thrilled when they awaken and look at the fields deep and white
But the snow makes me think of my darling how she hated the snow and the cold
Now she lies in a grave back in Knoxville with a headstone that's just one year old
Please make the winter go quick Lord so the flowers around her can grow
I can't stand the thought of my loved one lying there in the deepening snow
Little Nancy climbs upon my knee now and I guess she's much too young to know
That the kiss I give was meant for her mother lying there in the deepening snow
Please make the winter go quick Lord...
I've been writin' Mary Lou letters every day
But I just found out lately how she throws them all away
She don't even bother to read the things I say
So I'm gonna write just one last time and I'll begin this way
I'll say oh dear wastebasket care of Mary Lou
If you see her say I need her like I'll always do
She won't read my letters now I write to you dear wastebasket care of Mary Lou
[ trumpet ]
Dear John, oh how I hate to write
Dear John I must let you know tonight
That my love for you has died away like grass upon the lawn
And tonight I wed another, dear John
I was overseas in battle when the postman came to me
He handed me a letter and I was just as happy as I could be
'Cause the fighting was all over and the battles have all been won
But then I opened up the letter and that started dear John
Won't you please send back my picture, my husband wants it now
When I tell you who I'm wedding you won't care dear anyhow
And it hurts me so to tell ye that my love for you has gone
But tonight I wed your brother dear John
Her house on the corner of Cedar and Elm
Still stands in our town
But it's been empty since she moved away
The day that the saw mill closed down
We'd sit on her porch almost every night
I remember how happy we were
We'd grow up and marry
I'd work at the mill to make a living for her
Her father worked at the mill
Like most of the others in town
I lost my girl when he lost his job
The day that the saw mill closed down
She moved from the corner of Cedar and Elm
And I never saw her again
But I can still hear her mother's soft voice
Saying, ?Honey it's time to come in?
No longer do mill hands live here
The giant saws don't make a sound
No longer does my love live here
Not since the saw mill closed down
See the ruins on the hill where the smoke is hanging still
Like an echo of an age long forgotten
There's a story of a home crushed beneath those blackened stones
And the roof that fell before the beams were rotten
Cecil Darby loved his wife and he labored all his life
To provide her with material possessions
And he built for her a home of the finest wood and stone
And the building soon became his sole obsession
Oh it took three hundred days for the timbers to be raised
And the silhouette was seen for miles around
And the gables reached as high as the eagles in the sky
But it only took one night to bring it down
When Darby's castle tumbled to the ground
Though they shared the common bed there was precious little said
In the moments that were set aside for sleeping
For his busy dreams were filled with the rooms he'd yet to build
And he never heard young Helen Darby weeping
Then one night he heard the sound and as he laid his pencil down
He traced it to her door and turned the handle
And the pale light of the moon through the window of her room
Split the shadows where two bodies lay in tangle
[ with The Family ]
(Daddy's been around the house too long
He's watchin' TV drinking beer and singing crazy songs
He don't ever yell at us so something must be wrong
Cause daddy's been around the house too long)
(Daddy he just says the times are bad
He gets up drinks his coffee and reads the want ads
Then he wanders round the house or maybe mows the lawn
Daddy's been around the house too long)
Oh I wanna hear that factory whistle blow just the way it used to sound before
And maybe it'll scare away the wolf that's at my door
I wanna hear that factory whistle blow
(Daddy used to spend his weekends lazy now momma says he's bout to drive her crazy
He's in the kitchen fussing till the Secret Storm comes on
Daddy's been around the house too long)
(Daddy what if the sun stop shinin' what would happen then)
If the sun stopped shinin' you'd be so surprised
You'd stare at the heavens with wide open eyes
And the wind would carry your lightto the skies
And the sun would start shinin' again
(Daddy what if the wind stopped blowin' what would happen then)
If the wind stopped blowin' then the land would be dry
And your boat wouldn't sail son and your kite wouldn't fly
And the grass would see your troubles and she'd tell the wind
And the wind would start blowin' again
(But daddy what if the grass stopped growin' what would happen then)
If the grass stopped growin' why you'd probably cry
And the ground would be watered by the tears from your eyes
And like your love for me the grass would grow so high
Yes the grass would start growin' again
(But daddy what if I stopped lovin' you what would happen then)
If you stopped lovin' me then the grass would stop growin'
The sun would stop shinin' and the wind would stop blowin'
So you see if you wanna keep this old world a goin'
You better start lovin' me again again you better start lovin' me again
You hear me Bobby you better start lovin' me again
Coutin' the hours countin' the days till I'll be back in your arms to stay
I left Lake Charleston on 72 and I drove the Highway 10
Took a ride at a second light and I turn back right again
Drove till I came to the junction 6 went to the transit 5-0-1
Stopped for gas at the Cumberland pass and dinned in Burlington
Coutin' the hours countin' the days till I'll be back in your arms to stay
[ guitar ]
Now out of Burlington I took old 70 headed west
I found me a picnic table and stratched out and I took a rest
I drove on across Montana dam till I came to Lake Awhoo
Took the prairie to the other side I was a coming home to you
Coutin' the hours countin' the days till I'll be back in your arms to stay
I heard the front door closing softly
As I wakened from my sleep
With the last touch of her lips, Lord
Like a whisper on my cheek
And I cursed the sun for risin'
For the worst, Lord is yet to come
'Cause this morning, she's just leavin'
But come sundown, she'll be gone
See the lipstick on the pillow
That I placed beneath her head
And the soft sheets still feel warm, Lord
Where she lay upon my bed
And it hurts to know it's over
For the hurt, Lord has just begun
'Cause this morning, she's just leavin'
I hearsay your new romance has faded
Just the way ours did sometime ago
I've lost count of all the times I've waited
For you to tell me that you've missed me so
Come on home and sing the blues to daddy
If things don't work out the way you planned
Come on home and sing the blues to daddy
Tell it all to one who understands
You're like a child that's found a brand new plaything
To you each one's more fun than those before
But there's a faithful one that's always waiting
To be picked up and kicked around some more
Come on home and sing the blues to daddy
If things don't work out the way you planned
Come on home and sing the blues to daddy
It's cold as a well in Cincinnati jail I ain't got nobody I ain't got nobody
Shouldn't have drunk that wine it messed up my country mind
But I didn't know that pretty gal wasn't free not free
And someone called the law and I had a southern drawl
The first one they locked up you're right was me
Now it's cold as a well in Cincinnati jail I ain't got nobody I ain't got nobody
I heard a lot about that great mid western town
So I thought I'd better go and look around look around
Couldn't find me no job and my kind just don't rob
But they don't want no southern bums around
And it's cold as well in Cincinnati jail I ain't got nobody I ain't got nobody
Lord an Appalachian boy ain't never known much joy
But I was better off in my Blueridge Mountain home sweet home
I could see the light of day I could while the time away
On the mornin' the government gave me to live on
Chicken every Sunday mama everything's all right
Johnny was just a little boy the day his daddy died
And his mama had a hard time keepin' them both but the Lord knows how she tried
And sometimes she'd tell him son we got heaven on our side
There's chicken every Sunday Johnny everything's all right
Although he was just a little lad he never did forget
His mama special way of sayin' how their little home was blessed
And sometimes she would said when she said her prayers at night
She'd bowed her head and said chicken every Sunday Lord and everything's all right
Well Johnny grew to be a man and his mama passed away
And this fate would have happened Johnny's the rich man today
In fact they held the dinner to honor Johnny's name
And with his fame and his riches you might think that Johnny had changed
But thirty rich men sat around and passed the golden cup
And Johnny God bless his honor looked around and then stood up
Thirty rich men bowed their heads and everything grew quiet
And Johnny said chicken every Sunday mama everything's all right
At the airport in Chicago Sunday night a soldier and his pretty wife came by
She had brought him there to send him off to war
I heard him say now don't cry anymore
Unashamed they kissed each other there he ran his fingers through her pretty hair
Once or twice she tried but could not speak
I saw the teardrops rolling down her cheeks
She said now don't you worry I'll be true I'll hope and pray no harm will come to you
I thought to myself good Lord what a shame
It made me stop and wonder who's to blame
That airport looked so big and then so small I couldn't hold a teardrop back at all
He turned and ran to catch his waiting plane
She stood there crying calling out his name
She watched his plane go up into the sky she waited until it was out of sight
Then she smiled and I thought Lord she's lost her mind
But she reached into her purse and got a dime
She was smiling as she dropped the money in
She was smiling as she let the number ring
I keep changin' my mind just can't make up my mind
I've been workin' hard and dreamin' bout all the things we're gonna do
And how satisfyin' it would be to feel the world round me and you
Then I'm changin' my mind I keep changin' my mind
Then I'm very sure I'm not the kind to sink my roots into the ground
And how unhappy I might be with someone to hold me down
Then I'm changin' my mind I keep changin' my mind
Now the right thing to do in fairness to you would be to go away
And maybe someday if I come passing through
You'll let me sit and watch your children play
I wanna go but I don't know what the future's gonna be
And I'm thinking bout the happiness that you would find and wishin' it was me
Now I'm changin' my mind I keep changin' my mind
Just can't make up my mind I keep changin' my mind
THERE AIN'T NO FUN IN THIS TOWN
(Tom T. Hall)
« © '66 Newkeys Music »
I woke up this morning feeling bad thinking of the good times that I've had
This town has got a lot of swinging doors but there ain't no fun in this town anymore
No there ain't no fun in this town anymore my mind is weary and my heart is sore
I will admit that I've had fun before but there ain't no fun in Houston anymore
This town is holding memories of mine about the girl who left me here behind
But memories are not worth staying for and there ain't no fun in this town anymore
There ain't no fun in this town anymore my mind is weary and my heart is sore
I will admit that I've had fun before but there ain't no fun in Detroit anymore
If anybody asks you why I'm gone just tell 'em that I stayed around too long
They can give what I got coming to the poor
Cause there ain't no fun in this town anymore
No there ain't no fun in this town anymore my mind is weary and my heart is sore
I will admit that I've had fun before but there ain't no fun in Nashville anymore
You speak and the words flow like honey your kiss holds a promise so sweet
But all of these things that you tell me you tell to each new love you meet
Candy coated kisses sugar coated lies
Oh how I want to believe them but only a fool would try
You smile and my whole world turns sunny you know just the right things to say
Your words paint such beautiful pictures pictures that soon fade away
How many hearts have you broken how many lips have you kissed
I don't wanna know so don't tell me just add my name to your list
Candy coated kisses...
Here I am a livin' fast smokin' Lucky's and talkin' trash
Hangin' out on a barroom stool actin' like a fool
Out of work and out of luck stay out late and I drink too much
You see my face all over town I ought to settle down
Yes I guess I must confess look at me my life's a mess
Just like a rockin' chair I can't seem to get nowhere
All my friends are married now guess I missed the boat somehow
They all moved away last year but I'm still here
Talkin' big and wastin' time I tell the girls I'm 29
But lately I think it shows I'm gettin' old
Yes I guess I must confess...
[ guitar ]
Yes I guess I must confess..
Let me carry that old suitcase hon
And here's my hat to shade your pretty head from the sun
Let's keep moving down the road that has no end it seems
For a long time we've been dreaming California dreams
Where the sands're gold and blue the sea money grows from every tree
It's always there for you and me California dreams
This old road gets longer every mile
And honey I know this is no place for a woman with child
But soon we'll have someone to share our plans and our schemes
And our baby will be a part of California dreams
I should have known this would be too much for you
But I thank you honey for lovin' me enough to come along cause your love is so true
And it just won't be the same when I'll reach California's shining sea
Cause without you there beside me there's just no California dreams
Where the sands're gold...
'Neath your feet you feel the world is shaking
And your dreams slowly sifting thro' your hand
But there's a place you'll never be forsaken
I'm a warm fire burning, not a candle in the wind.
Life can be a silver river winding
With the dark side awaiting 'round the bend
But for you, a light is always shining
'Cause I'm a warm fire burning, not a candle in the wind.
Chorus:
And I'll be waiting here with arms that ache to hold you
Till forever turns around and starts again
Should you need someone who'll never harm you
I'm a warm fire burning, not a candle in the wind.
Chorus:
And I'll be waiting here with arms that ache to hold you
Till forever turns around and starts again
Should you need someone who'll never harm you
Bye bye love bye bye happiness hello loneliness I think I'm gonna cry
Bye bye love bye bye sweet caress hello emptiness I feel like I could die
Bye bye my love goodbye
There goes my baby with someone new he sure feel happy I sure look blue
He was my baby till she walked in goodbye to romance that might have been
Bye bye love...
I'm through with romance I'm through with love
I'm through with counting the stars above
I guess the reason why I'm so free is both my babies walked out on me
Bye bye love...
They say there he sits in his big white wicker rocker
Eatin' candy coated cashews sippin' orange lemonade
While a sweet young thing fans the flies from off his eyebrows
He's dozin' in the green catalpa shade
Lord they say that Jesse Langtree's got it made
A little bit south of the Okechobee there's a story that the swamp folks tell
About a mean old man named Jesse Langtree
And a sweet young maid and a bottomless well
That water's cold but that don't matter how deep it is no one can tell
Just drop a stone you'll never hear it splatter
It just falls down down forever in the bottomless well
Through fifteen miles of snakes and gators
With the raging fever and the trembling chills
I wandered lost through the Okechobee
And there I seen 'em sittin' there by the bottomless well
Yeah now there he sits...
(Oh let's hear it for Jesse now hey Jesse)
I asked her for a drink of water and as Jesse slept me and her we talked a spell
She said that she was his wife and daughter Lord Lord
But his heart was cold cold and dark as the bottomless well
And as he slept I bent to kiss her I heard a loud and jealous yell
Felt my head explode in darkness two big hairy arms picked me up
And dragged me to the bottomless well
I woke up in fear and trembling I was staring down into the jaws of hell
As he held me high above his shoulders
A gonna throw me down down down to the bottomless well
Now here I sit in Jesse's big white wicker rocker
Eatin' his candy coated cashews sippin' his orange lemonade
While that sweet young thing fans the flies from off my eyebrows
I'm dozin' in the green catalpa shade
Enjoying things that Jesse Langtree made oh God bless you Jesse
Now some folks say that sweet thing pushed him but I was there and I'd swear he fell
But it ain't murder cause he ain't dead cause he's still a fallin'
Goin' down down forever in the bottomless well
Bottles and boxes and ten miles a day he walks slowly making his rounds
Picking up bottles and boxes and papers and anything else we'd throw down
He's hump-backed and wrinkled but unlike Van Winkel he doesn't sleep his life away
And he speaks so seldom that some of us wonder just what the old man has to say
Some folks laugh at him but he doesn't notice he goes right on bout his day
Picking up bottles and boxes and papers and pieces of life thrown away
[ piano ]
Too big and tattered the clothes that he's gathered from boxes thrown into the street
He hides from the rain under store building ownings and stays in a shade in the heat
Sisters and mothers and daddys and brothers he has none as far as I know
Just bottles and boxes they're his little Fort Knoxes
But to us they're just somethin' to throw
Some folks laugh at him...
[ piano ]
Bottles and boxes and ten miles a day he walks slowly making his rounds
They say for every boy there's a girl and she's waitin' somewhere in this world
It's all been planned to someone up above and I know it's written in the book of love
Written there for all the world to see written there to last eternally
Night and day it's you I'm dreaming of and I know our names are in that book of love
Now I love you since the day we met really love you without a reason or regret
Night and day it's you I'm dreaming of and I know our names are in that book of love
[ strings ]
Night and day it's you I'm dreaming of and I know our names are in that book of love
In the spring of my life she came to me
She brought sunshine where winter winds had blown
Then I took her for my wife in the spring of my life
And she brought me a joy I never known
And the years they went by in the spring of my life
And in summer she blessed me with a child
Love continued to grow in the summer of my life
And in every morning sun I saw her smile
In the autumn of my years I noticed the tears
And I knew that our lives was in the past
Though I've tried to pretend I knew it was the end
For the autumn of my life had come at last
Now just what do you say to a child only ten
How do you tell him that his daddy's goin' away
I wonder do I tell him that I reached the autumn of my life
And that perhaps he'll understand some cold winter's day
Now the rose can't be found on the snow covered ground
And the sun cannot shine through cloudy skies
But I'm richer you see for the years she gave to me
(I sit here and look at you, lonely room it's sad for lovers change their ways
Just like me you miss the love we once knew she's left me in the world of blue
Lonely room of too many mem'ries lonely room reminds me that she's gone
Blue is my lonely room
[ guitar ]
Lonely room of too many mem'ries...
It's hard to believe that she's really gone I'm hoping and dreaming too
It seems such a shame that she's gone from me cause my love for her is still true
Mhmmm hmm hmm
How many roads must a man walk down before you can call him a man
And how many seas must a white dove sail before she can sleep in the sand
And how many times must the cannonballs fly before they're forever banned
The answer my friend is blowin' in the wind the answer is blowin' in the wind
How many times must a man look up before he can see the sky
Yes and how many ears must one man have before he can hear people cry
And how many deaths will it take till he knows that too many people have died
The answer my friend is blowin' in the wind the answer is blowin' in the wind
[ ac.guitar ]
How many years can a mountain exist before it is washed to the sea
Yes and how many years can some people exist before they're allowed to be free
And how many times can a man turn his head pretendin' he just doesn't see
The answer my friend is blowin' in the wind the answer is blowin' in the wind
I had a bird he flew away
And I guess he's gone to stay
But I see him winging on his way
My flyaway bird named Yesterday
He's over the place of my birth
He's circling a spot that I know
He's hangin' around the saw mill town
Where the gentle summer breeze blow
I had a bird he flew away
And I guess he's gone to stay
But I see him winging on his way
My flyaway bird named Yesterday
He's riding on a train
He's down at the old swimmin' hole
He'll fly till he finds
That old gang of mine
Then he'll search for a tree
A big tall oak tree
Then he'll look from his perch
At the old country church
I had a bird he flew away
And I guess he's gone to stay
But I see him winging on his way
Hoddy Holly was a cajun in the town that I was raised in
She was something most amazin' to my inexperienced eyes
But the fact was clearly stated she and Big Dupree was mated
And a dreadful fate awaited anyone who touched his bride
Cause he said it loud and clear for all the town to hear
And he nailed it up for all the town to see
That the man who puts his hand upon the hand of Hoddy Holly
Will feel the heavy hand of Big Dupree
But that dangerous situation worked on my imagination
And passin' up temptation ain't the thing that I do best
And you know the way things happened one night Dupree was out trappin'
And I spent the evening nappin' with her head upon my chest
Then the roar come from a door six foot four maybe more
He stood standin' there and starin' right at me
He said boy you put your hand upon the hand of Hoddy Holly
Now you'll feel the heavy hand of Big Dupree
Then crazed by ragin' passion he come dashin' smashin' crashin'
And I felt his blade come slashin' through my shrieks and screams and groans
And there just ain't nothin' worse than what he done to my person
And I spend these evenings a cursin' him in slightly higher tones
Cause he said it loud and clear...
She was young and she was pretty a victim of a rich man's whim
When she met a wealthy gentleman Big Ben Colson and she had a child by him
Well he promised her a wedding that would give their child a name
But she waited at the altar till the sunset but her Big Ben never came
But she's not a bad girl didn't mean no wrong
She just loved the wrong man much too strong
Now he sits with the dignitaries and the wealthy ladies all love his charms
While she sits in a lonely shack in Alabama with his baby in her arms
[ Bobby ]
I guess I'd better try again to straighten up my tie again before I leave
[ Skeeter ]
The party's over the laughter's died there's no one in this room but you and me
[ Bobby ]
Though your lips are honey sweet and you're so close that I can feel your heartbeat
[ Both ]
Tears would fill somebody's eyes if we don't make it home before the sunrise
We could make excuses blame it on late hours and the wine
Anything we say or do won't keep the sun from comin' up on time
[ Bobby ]
So I guess I'd better turn and go there's one thing that you should know
Babe you're the one
[ Skeeter ]
It's not that I don't want you too cause you know that you could stay until the dawn
[ Both ]
When daylight is breaking we're not home whenever day awakens
Tears would fill somebody's eyes if we don't make it home before the sunrise
I drive all day at hauling freight until I get my fill
And after five I'm always found at Dottie's Bar and Grill
I talked with all the local crowd a couple hours more
Then head for home where she is always waiting at the door
When I got home this evening about a half past ten
And found she wasn't waiting so I let myself on in
I headed for the icebox to get myself a beer
And found that little note that said my baby wasn't there
There was a bathroom tissue paper letter hanging on the wall
She said I just can't take no more and you can have it all
I'm taking what good sense I've got and leaving you behind
And you can take this letter and wipe me from your mind
Will you be there in the courtyard Barbara Joe
Will your honor be avenged with justice done
When they cover my head over Barbara Joe
Will you hide your face in shame for what you done
You were always wild and reckless Barbara dear
But I worshipped you my love was like a fire
And your wedding was the high spot of the social year
But your marriage left so much to be desired
Say that you were willing Barbara Joe the face you're saving gives away your sin
All your husband's money can't restore this cry
Say that you were willing don't let me die
[ ac.guitar ]
When the phone rang in the middle of the night
Your tender voice was shaking with alarm
So without a thought I hurried to your side
Only thinking to protect you from all harm
You threw your arms around me it was like a dream
And what we knew was bound to happen dear
And the doorway framed your husband and I heard you scream
And unless you speak tomorrow I'll be dead
So say that you were willing...
Open the gates up hey screw did you miss me Jimmy I see that you found a new friend
Warden come down here and kiss me hello cause I'm back home in Huntsville again
This suit that I'm wearing cost two hundred dollars
But I got it free with a three dollar knife
I got tailor made shirts with them long pointy collars
And all it's gonna cost is ten years of my life
So open the gates up...
I've been rousted and turned out at three in the morning
I've been roughed up and shook down and stood on my ear
I've tried to find work but they called me a jailbird
So I went for the bundle and I've wound up back here
So open the gates up...
I found me a woman as warm as the sunshine took her a year to slip out of her dress
She talk about havin' a little rose covered cottage
But roses cost money and you know the rest
So open the gates up...
Another love has ended (another love has ended)
Like so many in the past (a million loves in the past)
And people now are saying ( everybody's saying)
I just knew it couldn't last (it just couldn't last)
Another fool is suffering (another fool, another fool)
In a world of despair ( and it's so lonely there)
Trying not to show (don't let people know)
How much he really cared (he really, really cares)
Another promise spoken (an empty promise spoken)
To love forever more (I'll love you forevermore)
And then my heart was broken (another heart was broken)
Like so many hearts before (a million hearts before)
The hand of fate descended
Another love has ended
When a new love started for you
Another promise spoken (an empty promise spoken)
To love forever more (I'll love you forever)
And then my heart was broken (another heart was broken)
Like so many hearts before (a million hearts before)
The hand of fate descended
Another love has ended
When a new love started for you
All the good times are past and gone all the good times are past and gone
All the good times are past and gone what's left for a poor boy to do
I can still see my mama bend over that ol' washpot
And it's so doggone cold you could nearly freeze on the spot
My pa eatin' them flapjacks and yellin' for more
And the kids makin' tracks across mama's clean floor
But all them good times are past and gone now all the good times are gone
Well you could look for miles down a winding railroad track
And see train a leavin' and hear one comin' back
And with a cloud of blue up over your head
It's like something from a storybook that you once read
But all them good times are past and gone now all the good times are gone
All the good times are past and gone what's left for a poor boy to do
And go down on that river when the big boats make their run
And the canepoles grow so thick they block up the sun
Just smell that coffee boilin' in an old tin can
And that hot grease poppin' in the fryin' pan
But all them good times are past and gone now all them good times are gone
Alimony alimony work till my fingers are bloody and boney
Me oh my oh goodness sake I'm paying for my mistake
Ali-money I call it ali-money you married men may think it's funny
Till one fine day you'll wake and find you're paying for your mistake
Every Friday when I get my pay I put it in an envelope and mail it away
Same old song with a little more blues in it
I'm paying for it while someone else's usin' it
Alimony alimony I thought I bought steak and it was all baloney
Me oh my oh goodness sake I'm paying for my mistake
[ guitar ]
Alimony alimony...
Oh, the sound of the thing is not a ring
It's more like a pleasant purr
And the only sound I hear at night
Is the sound of my purring air-conditioner
The air is pure and dehumidified
Thermostatically controlled
Now I have no desire to perspire
And that's how progress goes
But the sound of their singing thrilled me
As distantly but clearly it rang
Though I never saw their faces
And never knew their names
And the gentle breeze brought sweet dreams
Of sweethearts that I never saw
Who sang, 'You Are My Sunshine'
I'm calling from the station and I haven't got much time to let you know
Got a ticket for Missouri and there's things I need to say before I go
If I could I'd have you meet me but I don't see how I can
I don't have enough to pay your fare
There's a factory in Columbus hirin' now I understand
And they're looking for an able bodied man
Baby you should get some money in the letter that I mailed two days ago
But when I wrote the letter saying you could come to me I didn't know
That I was goin' to lose my job in such a little while
Now I guess we'll have to change our plan
They may not hire me in Columbus but I'm pretty sure they will
Cause they're looking for an able bodied man
If I had more education now I'd a' made a better life for me and you
But just simple manual labor is the only kind of work that I can do
The bus is loadin' for Missouri so I guess I'd better go
Hon I'll call you up as soon as I can
I'll be sending you a ticket cause I know I'll get a job
If they're looking for an able bodied man
I'll be sending you a ticket cause I know I'll get a job
Abilene, Abilene prettiest town I've ever seen
Women there don't treat you, mean in Abilene my Abilene
Crowded cities ain't nothing free nothing in this town for me
How I wish that I could be in Abilene my Abilene, Abilene, Abilene
I sit alone most every night watch those trains pull out of sight
How I wish they were carryin' me back to Abilene
Sweet Abilene, Abilene, Abilene
Here am I a beggar
I never thought it would turn out like this
I'd be begging for your kiss
But I must have your love
Here am I a beggar
I've reached the point of no return
I've gone too far where you're concerned
And I need your love
Here am I a beggar
Without your love I'm poor
But wealthy I would be
If you would eat my humble plea
And give your heart to me
Cause I must have your love
Here am I a beggar
Here am I a beggar
Without your love I'm poor
But wealthy I would be
If you would eat my humble plea
And give your heart to me
Cause I must have your love
Here am I a beggar
I'm 500 miles away from home
Teardrops fell on mama's note
When I read the thing she wrote
She said, "We miss you son
We love you, come on home"
Well I didn't have to pack
I had it all right on my back
Now I'm 500 miles away from home
Away from home, away from home
Cold and tired and all alone
Yes I'm 500 miles away from home
I know this is the same road
I took the day I left home
But it sure looks different now
Well I guess I look different too
'Cause time changes everything
I wonder what they'll say
When they see their boy looking this way
Oh I wonder what they'll say when I get home
Can't remember when I ate
It's just thumb and walk and wait
And I'm still 500 miles away from home
If my luck had been just right
I'd be with them all tonight
But I'm still 500 miles away from home
Away from home, away from home
Cold and tired and all alone
Yes I'm still 500 miles away from home
My names in the paper where I took the Boy Scouts to hike
My hands are all dirty from working on my little boy?s bike
The preacher came by and I talked for a minute with him
My wife?s in the kitchen and Margie is at the Lincoln Park Inn
And I know why she?s there I?ve been there before
But I made a promise that I wouldn?t cheat anymore
I try to ignore it but I know she?s in there my friend
My mind?s on a number and Margie is at the Lincoln Park Inn
Next Sunday it?s my turn to speak to the young peoples' class
And they expect answers to all the questions they ask
What would they say if I spoke on a modern day sin?
And all of the Margie?s and all of the Lincoln Park Inns
The bike is all fixed and my little boy?s in bed asleep
His little warm puppy is curled in a ball at my feet
My wife?s baking cookies to feed to the bridge club again
I?m almost out of cigarettes and Margie is at the Lincoln Park Inn
