Tillis, Mel Filmography

• Underground Entertainment: The Movie (2010)
• Country's Greatest Stars Live: Vol. 1 (2010)
• The Real Patsy Cline (2009)
• Palo Pinto Gold (2009)
• Huntin' Buddies (2008)
• Huntin' Buddies (2008)
• Beer for My Horses (2008)
• 41st Annual Country Music Association Awards (2007)
• Tootsie's Orchid Lounge: Where the Music Began (2005)
• Spit It Out (2004)
• Bandit: Bandit Goes Country (1994)
• Opryland's Country Christmas (1994)
• A Day in the Life of Country Music (1993)
• The Child Help Benefit Special (1987)
• Uphill All the Way (1986)
• 20th Annual Music City News Awards (1986)
• Uphill All the Way (1986)
• Cannonball Run II (1984)
• Country Gold (1982)
• Country Comes Home (1982)
• The Best Little Special in Texas (1982)
• Stockers (1981)
• The Cannonball Run (1981)
• All-Star Inaugural Gala (1981)
• Smokey and the Bandit II (1980)
• Murder in Music City (1979)
• The Villain (1979)
• Skinflint: A Country Christmas Carol (1979)
• Country Superstars of the 70s (1979)
• Lucy Comes to Nashville (1978)
• 12th Annual Country Music Association Awards (1978)
• 12th Annual Music City News Awards (1978)
• 50 Years of Country Music (1978)
• Every Which Way But Loose (1978)
• The Beatles Forever (1977)
• 10th Annual Country Music Association Awards (1976)
• W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings (1975)
• Burt Reynolds' Late Show (1973)
• Harper Valley, U.S.A. (1969)
• Cottonpickin' Chickenpickers (1967)

• Lyrics: play full screen play karaoke
• Wine Me Up - Mel Tillis
• Who's Julie - Mel Tillis
• What's The Use In Just Me Trying - Mel Tillis
• Good Deal Lucille - Mel Tillis
• Fooled Around And Fell In Love - Mel Tillis
• Where Love Has Died - Mel Tillis
• Night Train To Memphis - Mel Tillis
• Little Ole Wine Drinker Me - Mel Tillis
• Life's Little Suprises - Mel Tillis
• Games People Play - Mel Tillis
• Daddy Sang Bass - Mel Tillis
• Am I Locking Someone In - Mel Tillis
• She'll Be Hanging Round Somewhere - Mel Tillis
• Violet And A Rose - Mel Tillis
• Unmitigated Gal - Mel Tillis
• Tom Dooley - Mel Tillis
• Thousand Miles Ago - Mel Tillis
• Yours Love - Mel Tillis
• Your Kind Of Living - Mel Tillis
• You Name It - Mel Tillis
• These Lonely Hands Of Mine - Mel Tillis
• Water The Family Tree - Mel Tillis
• Sweet Thang - Mel Tillis
• Sweet Mary And The Miles In Between - Mel Tillis
• Stateside - Mel Tillis
• Shine Shine Shine - Mel Tillis
• Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town - Mel Tillis
• Poison Love - Mel Tillis
• Please Let Me Have You - Mel Tillis
• Pick Me Up On Your Way Down - Mel Tillis
• One More Time - Mel Tillis
• Old Gang's Gone - Mel Tillis
• Normally Norma Loves Me - Mel Tillis
• No Love Have I - Mel Tillis
• My Special Angel - Mel Tillis
• My Ramblin' Boy - Mel Tillis
• Missing You - Mel Tillis
• Mental Revenge - Mel Tillis
• Mary Don't You Weep - Mel Tillis
• Lonely Street - Mel Tillis
• Lonely Girl - Mel Tillis
• Living And Learning - Mel Tillis
• Lingering Memories - Mel Tillis
• Life Turned Her That Way - Mel Tillis
• Let Me Talk To You - Mel Tillis
• If I Lost Your Love - Mel Tillis
• If I Could Only Start Over - Mel Tillis
• I'm Tired - Mel Tillis
• Holiday For Love - Mel Tillis
• Guide Me Home My Georgia Moon - Mel Tillis
• I Could Never Be Ashamed Of You - Mel Tillis
• I Aint Never - Mel Tillis
• Honky Tonkin' - Mel Tillis
• Give Me One More Day - Mel Tillis
• Emotions - Mel Tillis
• Down Came The World - Mel Tillis
• Destroyed By Man - Mel Tillis
• Buried Alive - Mel Tillis
• Cover Mama's Flowers - Mel Tillis
• Commercial Affection - Mel Tillis
• Come On And Sing - Mel Tillis
• Burning Memories - Mel Tillis
• Branded Man - Mel Tillis
• Before I Met You - Mel Tillis
• Back To Life - Mel Tillis
• At The Sight Of You - Mel Tillis
• Anything's Better Than Nothing - Mel Tillis
• All I Ever Wanted To Do - Mel Tillis
• After the Fire Is Gone - Mel Tillis
• Detroit City - Mel Tillis
• Crazy Arms - Mel Tillis
• Cling To Me - Mel Tillis
• Heart Over Mind - Mel Tillis
• Worried Man Blues - Mel Tillis
• World (what Have I Done) - Mel Tillis
• Woman In The Back Of My Mind - Mel Tillis
• Tupelo County Jail - Mel Tillis
• Then It Will All Be Over - Mel Tillis
• That's Where My Money Goes - Mel Tillis
• That's Not Home - Mel Tillis
• Ten Thousand Drums - Mel Tillis
• Stomp Them Grapes - Mel Tillis
• Heaven Everyday - Mel Tillis
• Stand Beside Me Behind Me - Mel Tillis
• Sorrow Overtakes The Wine - Mel Tillis
• Son Of A Bum - Mel Tillis
• Something Special - Mel Tillis
• Hearts Of Stone - Mel Tillis
• On The Way Lord - Mel Tillis
• Old Faithful - Mel Tillis
• New Patches - Mel Tillis
• Neon Rose - Mel Tillis
• Mr. Dropout - Mel Tillis
• Memories Made This House - Mel Tillis
• Heartaches By The Number - Mel Tillis
• I Thought About You - Mel Tillis
• I Love You Drops - Mel Tillis
• I Lived So Fast And Hard - Mel Tillis
• I Haven't Seen Mary In Years - Mel Tillis
• I Got The Hoss - Mel Tillis
• How Come Your Dog Don't Bite Nobody But Me - Mel Tillis
• Bop-a-lena - Mel Tillis
• Ballad of Forty Dollars - Mel Tillis
• Arms Of A Fool - Mel Tillis
• Another Bridge To Burn - Mel Tillis
• Alone With You - Mel Tillis
• Above Suspicion - Mel Tillis
• Your Mother's Eyes - Mel Tillis
• Wine - Mel Tillis
• What Did I Promise Her Last Night - Mel Tillis
• Walking On New Grass - Mel Tillis
• Twelve Long Stem Roses - Mel Tillis
• Too Lonely Too Long - Mel Tillis
• Take My Hand - Mel Tillis
• Sweetest Mistake - Mel Tillis
• Survival Of The Fittest - Mel Tillis
• Stay A Little Longer - Mel Tillis
• Southern Rains - Mel Tillis
• Sawmill - Mel Tillis
• One More Drink - Mel Tillis
• Margie's At The Lincoln Park Inn - Mel Tillis
• I Washed My Face In The Morning Dew - Mel Tillis
• Home Is Where The Hurt Is - Mel Tillis
• Goodbye Wheeling - Mel Tillis
• Carroll County Accident - Mel Tillis
• Brooklyn Bridge - Mel Tillis
• All The Time - Mel Tillis
• All Right (i'll Sign The Papers) - Mel Tillis

I'm the center of attention in this barroom
Cause I've got a biggest heartache of the year
And each night those swinging doors reach out for me and draw me in
Cause they know each night that I'll come back to wine me up again
Wine me up turn me on and watch me cry for you
Cause lately drinking warm red wine is all I want to do
And I never know how title wine me up till I walk in
But I don't care cause I'll be back to wine me up again
[ fiddle - steel ]
I'd like to thank to men that raised the grapes way out in California
And I'm hoping this will be their biggest year
Cause scarlet water's all that's left to keep me hanging on
And that's why I'll try to wine me up each day and night she's gone

Cross the table over coffee just this morning
My woman caught me by surprice without a warning
She said honey you talked in your sleep and then she began to weep
And she said tell me now and tell me truly who's Julie
[ strings ]
With a blank look on my face I searched my mind
For an answer or excuse of some kind
But the words wouldn't come and my mind was blank slowly my head just sank
When she said honey you know I love you truly but who's Julie
Oh Julie what's this hold you've got on me
On my mind in my dreams you know you shouldn't be there Julie
[ choir ]
I'd like to say Julie's just a friend of mine
But I know that would not satisfy your mind
You see Julie gave me something you did not she remembered what you forgot
And honey I'm sorry I have to tell you so cruely

I tried so hard to make you love me and all alone your love's been dying
I'll let you go because there's nothing I can do what's the use in just me trying
I'd give the world just to hold you if you could say you love me without lying
I know there's no chance for us to ever love again what's the use in just me trying
Goodbye may God will walk with you I'll still love you when I'll lay dying
My world will end with the closing of the door what's the use in just me trying
[ steel ]
I'd give the world...

GOOD DEAL LUCILLE
Writers Al Terry, J.D. Miller, Charles Theriot
Copyright 1954
Goodbye Lou cherche vous another man
Say “l'amour, portoujour” if you can
You're high class, you've got a past
Now you're a wheel ho ho, good deal Lucille
Go your way, leave today, that's your plan
Leave me here, cherche vous another man
Paint the town, sorrows drown, that's how I feel
Ho ho, good deal Lucille
Parlez vous, here's to you, it's your game
If I'm here or I'm gone, it's all the same
Call the tune, stack the cards, this is your deal
Ho ho, good deal Lucille.
Au revoir, so long and goodbye
C'est la vie, woe is me, oh my
Paint the town, sorrows drown, that's how I feel

FOOLED AROUND AND FELL IN LOVE
WRITER ELVIN BISHOP
I must have been through about a million girls I'd love 'em then I'd leave 'em alone I didn't care how much they cried, no sir Their tears left me cold as a stone But then I fooled around and fell in love I fooled around and fell in love, yes I did I fooled around and fell in love, I fooled around and fell in love It used to be when I'd see a girl that I liked I'd get out my book and write down her name But when the grass got a little greener over on the other side I'd just tear out that page I fooled around and fell in love I fooled around and fell in love, since I met you baby I fooled around and fell in love, I fooled around and fell in love Free, on my own is the way I used to be Ah, but since I met you baby, love's got a hold on me It's got a hold on me now, I can't let go of you baby I fooled around and fell in love I fooled around and fell in love, oh yes I did I fooled around, fooled around, fooled around, fooled around, fooled around, fooled around, fell in love Fooled around, fooled around, fooled around, fooled around, fooled around, fooled around, fell in love I fooled around, fell in love I fell in love, I fell in love, yes I did

If my years were less if my shoes were new I'd pack my things and I'd leave you
Hitch myself to some westbound train you'd never see me again
If I could dream as I once could I'd be gone it'd be good
I don't want to live haven't never try in some old house where love has died
We once had love but it's gone now don't know when don't know how
We're two strangers under one roof no need to love that's the truth
Love has gone there's nothing left I wanna leave I can't help myself
Don't want to live haven't never try in some old house where love has died
[ ac.guitar ]
Too many ghosts walk the floor ghosts of the love that ain't no more
I'd like to have what we once had ain't no way and that's too bad
You're too much a part of me for me ever to be free
So we'll keep a living and need to try in some old house where love has died
Some old house where love has died some old house where love has died

Take that night train to Memphis take that night train to Memphis
And when you arrive at the station
I'll be right there to meet you I'll be right there to greed you
So don't turn down my invitation
Hallelujah hallelujah I'll be shoutin' hallelujah all the day
Oh we'll have a jubilee down in Memphis Tennessee
And we'll shout hallelujah all the day
Take that night train to Memphis take that night train to Memphis
You know how I'm longing to see you
Leave that 3-50-7 and arive at eleven then I'll be shoutin' hallelujah
Hallelujah hallelujah...
[ guitar - trumpet ]
Take that night train to Memphis take that night train to Memphis
Tell that engineer to pull a trottle open
Keep that engine stack a smokin' I'm not kiddin' I'm not jokin'
And I'll soon be with my girl I'm hopin'

I'm prayin' for rain in California so the grapes can grow and they can make more wine
And I'm a sittin' in a honky in Chicago with a broken heart and a woman on my mind
I match the man behind the bar about the jukebox
And the music takes me back to Tennessee
When they ask who's the fool in the corner crying I say little ole wine drinker me
[ piano ]
I came here last week from down in Nashville cause my baby left for Florida on a train
I thought I'd get a mill job and just forget her
But in Chicago a broken heart is still the same
I match the man behind the bar...

Woke up this morning, found you were gone;
sitt'n here wondering where you are.
Looked in the closet and under the stove;
checked the garage and trunk of the car.
And I know, any day now;
you'll be back,
you'll jump from hiding,
and then you'll attack;
You'll laugh and you'll,
scare the heck out of me;
Oh how you love;
Life's little surprises.
oh how you love to make me go;
"wheeeeeeee!!!!"
Woke up this morning, found you were gone;
sitt'n here wondering where you are.
checked under the bed as quite as a mouse;
checked all over this whole friggin' house.
And I know, any day now;
you'll be back,
you'll jump from hiding,
and then you'll attack;
You'll laugh and you'll,
scare the heck out of me;
Oh how you love;
Life's little surprises.
oh how you love to make me go;

Oh, the games people now, every night and every day now
Never meaning what they say now, never saying what they mean
Oh, they wile away the hours in their ivory towers
Till they're covered up with flowers in the back of a black limousine
Lotten da, la da da da, lotten da, la a da da dee
Talkin' 'bout you and me and the games people play
Oh, we make one another cry, break a heart then we say goodbye
Cross our hearts and we hope to die that the other one's to blame
People walking up to ya singing, "Glory Hallelujah"
And they're tryin' to sock it to ya in the name of the Lord
Lotten da, la da da da, lotten da, la a da da dee
Talkin' 'bout you and me and the games people play
Oh, look around and tell me what you see, what's happening to you and me
God grant me the serenity to remember who I am
Some give up their sanity for their pride and their vanity
Turn their back on humanity and they don't give a da da da da
Lotten da, la da da da, lotten da, la a da da dee

I remember when I was a lad times were hard and times were bad
But there's a silver lining behind every cloud
Just poor people that's all we were tryin' to make a livin' out of black land dirt
We'd get together in a family circle sing out loud
(Daddy sang bass mama sang tenor)
Me and little brother would join right in there singin' seems to help a troubled soul
One of these days and it won't be long I'll rejoin them in a song
I'm gonna join the family circle at the throne
No the circle won't be broken by and by Lord by and by
(Daddy sang bass mama sang tenor)
Me and little brother would join right in there in the sky Lord in the sky
[ guitar ]
Npw I remember after work mama would call in all of us
You could hear us singin' for a country mile
Now little brother has done gone on I'll rejoin him in a song
We'll be together again up yonder in a while
(Daddy sang bass...

When you left I changed the locks on all the doors
And I swore I'd never let you in no more
But I feel your presence here just like a ghost
Each time I lock the door is when I feel it most
Am I locking someone out or someone in I've got a feeling you're in the house again
Oh I wish I knew what this was all about am I locking someone in or someone out
[ steel ]
I just watch TV till league goes off each night
Then I lock the door and turn out all the lights
That's when you walk here and I just stand and stare
I flip back all the locks and find there's no one there
Am I locking someone out...

Pour me hard liquor over soft music at a table with only one chair
From the first lonely song till the last drop is gone she'll be hanging round somewhere
She may appear like an angel through a smoky crowd
Or fall in a teardrop I can't hold back now
Pour me hard liquor over soft music and she'll be hanging round somewhere
[ fiddle - guitar ]
She may dance softly in the candle light reflecting her old mem'ries everywhere
You may find me glancing in a sparkling wine but she'll be hanging round somewhere
Pour me hard liquor...

A violet fell in love with a rose and started it flashing from its head to its toe
Then one day the rose was kissed by the dew
A new love was born and the violet turned blue
Roses are red violets are blue I'm sending red red roses to you
If you care to send some flowers to me then send me some violets I'm blue as can be
[ fiddle ]
I wanted my love to bouquet with you but just like the rose you've proven untrue
A flower that's wild they say has no home and just like the violet I'm left all alone

Well how can you have the unmitigated gal to come back now expecting me to fall
Right down on my knees and kiss your feet yeah feet
Feet that one day went a walkin' out on me with a fast talkin'
Slob you hardly knew his name your mind is de-arranged
And where did you get the backbone and grit to come back now expecting me to fit
Right back into plans that we once made
Plans that now are gone forever to return never ever I don't want you anymore
So get away from my door
And let me live live live and let me live live live don't come messing up my life again
How can you have the courage and the nerve
To come back now expecting me to love you after the way that you've done me
Guess you think that I'm a fool but you're the one that's blew their cool
I don't need you anymore so get away from my door
And let me live live live and let me live live live live live live live live live

Hang down your head Tom Dooley hang down your head and cry
Hang down your head Tom Dooley poor boy you're bound to die
I met her on the mountain there I took her life
Met her on the mountain and stubbed her with my knife
Oh boys now hang down your head Tom Dooley...
This time tomorrow reckon where I'll be
Hadn't've been for that Greysome I'd've been in Tennessee
Oh boys now hang down your head Tom Dooley...
[ harmonica ]
This time tomorrow reckon where I'll be
Down in some lonesome valley a swinging from a wide oak tree
Oh boys now hang down your head Tom Dooley...

There's a thoudand miles in back of me and many more to go
Ridin' on a freight train feeling mighty low
I keep a wonderin' why she quit me but I guess I'll never know
Yes she used to be my baby a thousand miles ago
A thousand miles ago I started feeling bad
Cause I just lost the future I thought I really had
I know I shouldn't feel this way cause I still love her so
And I can't keep from thinking about a thousand miles ago
[ guitar ]
I know I've held her in my arms a thousand times or more
Promised her a world of love till I learned the score
That's why I'm feeling lonesome that's why I'm feeling low
She used to be my baby a thousand miles ago
A thousand miles ago...

May the fruit of my toil be yours love may the food from my soil be yours love
And from this moment on may a love that is strong and lives on and on be yours love
May the sons that I raise be yours love may the comforts I praise be yours love
If I ever get weak may the love words I speak and the arms that I seek be yours love
May the Lord's shining grace be yours love may the happiest face be yours love
May the last fingertips that touch these two lips as life from me slips be yours love
[ piano ]

Your kind of living has got me to wishing that I had never even heard your name
While my name you're wearing with barroom trash a sharing
Dragging it down down down just as low as you can
Your kind of living has got me to giving consideration to leavin' this old town
Your kind of living I want to leave behind while I've still got my right mind
[ piano + guitar ]
Your barroom friends can't help what's left of the woman I once loved
Behind my back I'm a leaving all the troubles you're giving
Cause I'm tired tired tired of your kind of living

I've been a saint I've been a sinner I've been a loser I've been a winner
You name it and I claim it that's me
I've been up I've been down I've been stranded many of town
Oh you name it honey I'm gonna claim it that's me
Now if there's a situation I ain't been in I wish you tell me where I failed
I've been everywhere and I've done everything includin' keepin' to a bar or a jail
I've had friends I've had most a little happiness and a whole lotta woes
Oh you name it and I'm gonna claim it that's me
[ steel - guitar ]
Now if there's a situation...

Any girl who hangs out in a honky tonk who smokes my cigarettes and drinks my wine
Some call her a bad girl but to me she means the world
Cause she's holding these lonely hands of mine
She listens while I cry on her shoulder she runs her slender fingers through my hair
Other men may hold her tight but right now tonight
She's holding these lonely hands of mine
She's holding the hands that once held you so tight
She smiles each time I call her by name
She listens to my same sad story every night
She says I'm right and she gives you the blame
Any girl who hangs out...

Mama's workin' now I'm playing games it's sunny outside but I don't care if it rains
Cause soon she'll be back home where I want her to be
And it's hard to add one and one and make it three
Daddy went away some time ago and though it seems so long I love him so
Mama said that daddy won't be back soon
And I'm a gettin' new shoes when they fix mama's hair at noon
Mom try so hard that I can see with half full heart she waters the family tree
[ steel ]
Now here I stand my face pressed to the glass
As thoughts of tender years with mom go past
A cry rings in my heart the world's a lie as I stand and worship my first born tonight
Mom tried so hard now accept to me
And with the lovin' heart we water the family tree
Now it stands real tall and straight for all to see
And the leaves of love grow big on the family tree

I slipped out of the house about sundown while mama was a washing her hair
And you can bet your bottom dollar she'll come looking for me
When she finds that I'm not there
And if she catches her sweet thang out runnin' around
I know there'll be the debit to pay
She'll come blowing like a cyclone through that door
And I can hear exactly what she'll say
Well has anybody here seen sweet thang I got a notion he'll be headed this way
Cause when my sweet thang's out tomocattin' around
He finds a sandbox like this to play
I wanna tell all you barroom hosses if my sweet thang does have a bite
You'd better take my advice and if you'll blink more than twice
You'd better have something in your eyes
[ guitar ]
I gave my baby all my money on payday except a little that she don't know that I got
Cause there's a cute little waitress at the corner cafe
And she likes those sugar boys quite a lot
While we were sittin' in this back booth a havin' a talk
She was believin' in every word that I said
When the door blew open and mama walked in yelling loud enough to wake the dead

Standing alone at an old country crossroad
Wondering which way will lead me to home
Ever so weary from chasing a dream
Thinking of Mary sweet Mary and the miles in between
Crossroads around me tell me you found me
Found me to lead me to the end of my dreams
Three roads would lead me from the one who may need me
But the other to Mary sweet Mary and the miles in between
[ fiddle ]
One lonely night I left out of anger drifting and wasting life's precious hours
But only last night I dreamed that a stranger
Is gathering for Mary sweet Mary beautiful flower

Well the Japany's moon is bright tonight and Tokio is full of life
Busy people everywhere but busy people just don't care
I wanna go stateside oh Lord I wanna go stateside
In and out the honky tonks but nothing's there I really want
Sat awhile and look around get up and leave and walk the town
I wanna go stateside oh Lord I wanna go stateside
[ choir ]
The giashy girls don't understand the lonely life of a service man
When his heart is far away to a girl in the USA
I wanna go stateside oh Lord I wanna go stateside
I've heard say a man don't cry but I can't keep my blue eyes dry
I've been away about two years I know I've cried a million tears

Grab you stuff and let's go;
it's Saturday night,
time to bowl!
Put the pins in a row;
I'll bowl a strike,
before I get old!
Two a.m. down at the alley,
Three beers in my tummy,
four old ladies named Sally,
five dollars says I'll
ba-ba-ba-bang one!!!
Shine, shine, shine;
up your balls
Shine your bowling balls!
Shine, shine, shine;
up your balls
Shine up your dirty balls!
Playing pin ball won a free game;
celebrated with a beer.
Winked at old Sally next to me,
patted her on the rear,
Two a.m. down at the alley,
Three beers in my tummy,
french kissing an old lady named Sally,
five dollars says I'll
ba-ba-ba-bang her!!!
Shine, shine, shine;
up your balls
Shine your bowling balls!
Shine, shine, shine;
up your balls

You've painted up your lips and rolled, and curled your tinted hair
Ruby are you contemplating going out somewhere?
The shadow on the wall tells me the sun is going down
Oh Ruby, don't take your love to town
It wasn't me that started this whole crazy Asian war
But I was proud to go and do my patriotic chore
Yes, it's true that I'm not the man I used to be
Oh Ruby, I still need some company
It's hard to love a man whose legs are bent and paralyzed
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
She's leaving now 'cause I just heard the slamming of the door
The way I know I've heard it slam one hundred times before
And if I could move I'd get my gun and put her in the ground
Oh Ruby, don't take your love to town

All your poison love has stained the life blood in my heart and soul dear
And I know my life will never be the same
All my pleas and prayers have been in vain for you and you alone dear
And you know that you are guilty of a shame
Into each life a love is born for one and one alone dear
The love I chose was surely not for me
All your poison love has stained the life blood in my heart and soul dear
And I know our love was never meant to be
[ dobro - trumpet ]
But still my heart cries out for you and you alone my darling
And fate will never ever let me go
All my pleas and prayers have been in vain for you and you alone dear

You tell me pretendin' that it's only a game
Say that I never loved you or that you have my name
But no matter what happens I can't lie to my heart
I die just a little everyday we're apart
Why should I pretended in this land that's so free
All that matters is having your love here with me
So let the trees have the leaves dear and the sea have its blue
And my darling please let me oh please let me have you
[ steel ]
God made all the treasures on the land and on sea
He made all the love songs for the lovers as we
He made all the roses all the flowers with dew

You were mine for just a while now you're puttin' on the style
And you've never once looked back at your home across the track
You're the gossip of the town but my heart can still be found
Where you tossed it on the ground, pick me up on your way down
Pick me up on your way down when you're blue and all alone
When their glamor starts to bore you come on back where you belong
You may be their pride and joy but they'll find another toy
Then they'll take away your crown pick me up on your way down
They have changed your attitude, now you're haughty and so rude
Your new friends can take the blame underneath, you're still the same
When you've learned these things are true I'll be waiting here for you
As you tumble to the ground pick me up on your way down

I wonder what the power is that you hold over me
I never get to love you long, just your memory
And I make a vow each time you leave that this will draw the line
Then you come back and just like now I'm falling one more time
One more time my lips may kiss you
One more time my arms will miss you
But it won't belong until you're gone with a memory left behind
And I just know that when you go I'll be lonely, one more time
Your nearness makes me weaken and I give into you
And I'm doing all the things, I said that I wouldn't do
And I make a vow each time you leave that this will draw the line

The old gang's gone I'm the only one that's left
And I guess that it's about time I moved on out myself
Cause there ain't no use in hanging round a town that's grown so cold
With its used-to-be's and its memories it makes a man feel old
My friends have wed and some are dead and some are far away
From the one horse town that we ran around and the dreams of yesterday
The old gang's gone...
Johnny Green's in Jacksonville he's a doctor now you know
Shaky Sam's in VietNam he volunteered to go
Sandie lives in Tennessee and Mary's moved to Maine
And I don't guess that I'll ever see the likes of them again
The old gang's gone...

Normally Norma's kissing me just about this time every morning
With the wink in her eye she whispers goodbye
Then she tells me somethin' sweet and knocks me off of my feet
And normally Norma thinks of me as just as the swellest guy in the world
Oh but normally Norma loves me
One word led to another over a harmless joke
Then Norma went home to her mother I guess her little heart was broke
Oh oh normally Norma's waitin' on me every evening when the sun goes down
When I get home from work with my dirty old shirt
She pulls off my shoes and it's a goodbye blues
Cause normally Norma tenderly cuddles up to me but normally Norma loves me
[ piano ]
Now one word led to another...

Honey bee loves the honey chickadee loves the sky
Everybody loves somebody but no love have I no love have I
Standing on the corner lovers pass me by
How my heart is crying cause no love have I no love have I
Every night in my prayers I pray for some lost love to come my way
Then we'll spend our lonely hours making love in an ivory tower
Lonely is the city when the moon lights up the sky
But what good is that moonlight if no love have I no love have I

You are my special angel sent from up above
The Lord smiled down on me and sent an angel to love
You are my special angel right from paradise
I know that you're an angel heaven is in your eyes
The smile from your lips brings the summer sunshine
The tears from your eyes brings the rain
I feel your touch your warm embrace and I'm in heaven again
You are my special angel through eternity

He was a man and a friend always he stuck with me in the hard old days
He never cared if I had no dough we rambled round in the rain and snow
And here's to you my ramblin' boy may all your ramblin' bring you joy
And here's to you my ramblin' boy may all your ramblin' bring you joy
In Tulsa town we chanced to straight we thought we'd try to work one day
The boss said he had a room for one said my old pal we'd rather bum
And here's to you my ramblin' boy...
[ harmonica ]
Then late one night in a jungle camp the weather it was cold and damp
And he got the chills and got them bad they took the only friend I had
And here's to you my ramblin' boy...

Missing you can't help but wish that you were in my arms tonight making love to me
Kissing you that's all I want to do it never seems just right now that we are apart
I always spend my time just writing lines to you
Can't wait for you to write saying you love me too
Missing you can't help but wish that you were in my arms tonight making love to me
[ steel ]

Well I hope the friend you've thrown yourself with
Gets drunk and loses his job
And that the road you're walking on
Gets cold rocky and hard
I couldn't make you love me
You only made me blue
So all in all if the curtain should fall
I hope that it falls on you
I will have sweet, sweet, sweet mental revenge
I will have sweet, sweet, sweet mental revenge
Well I hope the train from Caribou Maine
Runs over your sweet love affair
You walk the floor from door to door
And pull out your peroxide hair
You never was my woman
'Cause you were never true
So all in all if the curtain should fall
I hope that it falls on you
I will have sweet, sweet, sweet mental revenge

Oh Mary don't you weep for me oh Mary just await for me
The war's gonna soon be over oh Mary don't you weep
Jimmy sent a letter to his bride back home for three long years he's been gone
He left her crying on her wedding day
And went to fight the battle of the Blue and Gray
Oh Mary don't you weep for me...
Mary's young heart was filled with joy when she got the letter from her soldier boy
His words of love made her heart beat fast but little did she know it would be the last
Oh Mary don't you weep for me...
On that same day Atlanta burned down her soldier boy he fell to the ground
Now Mary sits alone by the candle light and reads his letter over every night
Oh Mary don't you weep for me...
Oh Mary don't you weep for me...

Don't know what I'm gonna do since my baby said we're through
I've really got a case of blue oh I walk the Lonely Street
Ever since she said goodbye all I do is sit and cry
And that's the only reason why oh I walk the Lonely Street
Well she would give a little I take a lot I really long to have her near
And it's the truth bilievet it or not I hate to see a love disappear
Don't know what I'm gonna do...
[ guitar ]
Well she would give a little...

Do you remember me lonely girl in your guilty memory
My love you traded for the night world where all your dreams met with tragedy
Now do you remember how I love you so
On my knees I cry and I beg you please don't go
Now it's too late for us lonely girl and I'm sorry I ran in to you
But the love you traded for the night world found happiness with somebody new
[ fiddle ]

Now life is filled with ups and downs and we both had our share
And everytime I slip and fall you're still there to care
(Together we can stand against the world as it goes turning
And we'll go on through life together living and learning)
Let's call all the fun we've had living living
Let's call all mistakes we've made learning learning
Reach out together and the love light's still burning
And we'll go on through life together living and learning
[ fiddle ]
Well everytime old trouble comes a knocking on our door
We stand and face it hand in hand like everytime before
(We'll keep holdin' on and face each new day that comes dawning
And we'll go on through life together living and learning)
Let's call all the fun...

If mem'ries were gathered like flowers each day I would pick a bouquet
To last through these long lonely hours but mem'ries aren't gathered that way
For mem'ries don't grow like the roses when kissed by the sunshine and dew
And mem'ries aren't carefully chosen they've bloomed from the love that once grew
There's mem'ries as sweet as the roses and sad as the violets of blue
But the lingering lingering mem'ries are the mem'ries that I have of you
[ fiddle - steel ]
That mem'ries would wither like flowers fall to the earth and decay
Each day I would pray for the showers to wash all my mem'ries away
There's mem'ries as sweet...

If she seems cold and bitter I beg of you
Just stop and consider all she's gone through
Don't be quick to condemn her for things she might say
Just remember life turned her that way
She's been stepped on and walked on so many times
And I hate to admit it but that last footprint's mine
She was crying when I met her, she cries harder today
So don't blame her, life turned her that way

Just one more dance just one more chance so I can talk to you
Don't live too fast forget the past and I will try to prove
I would do anything you want me to
Don't run around don't turn me down let me talk to you
Don't go too far with that crowd at the bar
That's not the way to win please fall in love again
Give me your heart so I can start to build our life anew
I know you've paid so if you're afraid let me talk to you
[ steel ]

If I lost your love oh how I'd cry I'd wish I could die if I lost your love
You are to me a sweet dream come true don't know what I'd do if I lost your love
I'm sure that my heart would break if you said
It's best that we'll part cause our love is dead
I live each day only for you don't know what I'd do if I lost your love

Now if I could only start over and have a new life to begin
I wouldn't live like a rover and drift like a leaf in the wind
Cause I'm dreaming tonight of old sweethearts and believe me I've had quite a few
But I never dreamed of old sweethearts the way that I dream about you
[ fiddle - dobro ]
Yes I let you slip through my fingers while foolishly searching around
But if I could only start over I know you could settle me down
Cause I'm dreaming tonight...

Standin' on the corner of a busy street
I'm lookin' for your face in every crowd I see
Checking every honky tonk in this town
Tryin' to find the places that you hang around
Oh Lord, I'm tired, tired of living this a way
Now I've been waitin' on you baby, night and day
A wonderin' if your love will ever come my way
But time's runnin' out and I'm a slowin' down
Tired of being just another hang around
Oh Lord I'm tired tired of living this a way
Well, there ain't no happiness in anything I do
I found myself so lonely when I'm not with you
What makes you just a kinda girl a guy will love
You've got so many others that you're thinking of
Oh Lord, I'm tired, tired of living this a way

I'd like to make everyday with you a holiday for love
Every hour of the day you're all I'm a thinkin' of
All week along when you're gone I sit around so blue
I just can't wait on Saturday that's my holiday with you
Monday Tuesday Wednesday wonder if you miss me too
Thursday Friday Saturday makin' plans just to be with you
Oh I'm a gonna be so sweet to you neath the moon above
And I'd like to make everyday with you a holiday for love
[ guitar - piano ]
Monday Tuesday Wednesday...

Guide me home my Georgia moon
Well I left my home in Georgia cought the lights of New York town
But my pockets soon were empty now my luck it sure is down
I'm looking at that southern moon through the glow of neon lights
If that Georgia moon will guide me then I'm on my way tonight
Guide me home my Georgia moon to the one that I love so
Cause from her arms I won't be leaving soon guide me home my Georgia moon
[ steel ]
Well it's a long long way to Georgia just a few steps at a time
But I'm walking on down that highway towards the Mason and Dixon Line
My stomach sure is empty it ain't had a thing in days
But the Georgia moon keeps shining and I'll be there in a day
Guide me home...

Everybody says you let me down
I should be ashamed to take you 'round
Makes no difference what you used to do, darling
I could never be ashamed of you
Maybe you were reckless yesterday
But together we can find a brighter way
In my heart, I know that you'll come true, darling
I could never be ashamed of you
All the happiness I've ever known
Came the day you said you'd be my own
And it matters not what we go through, darling
I could never be ashamed of you
Maybe you've been cheated in the past
And perhaps those memories will always last
Even though you prove to be untrue, darling

Well I ain't never, I ain't never
Seen nobody like you no, no, no
Never have I ever seen nobody like you
Lord you call me up and say, "Meet me at nine"
I have to hurry hurry but I'm there on time
I walk right up and I knock on your door
The landlord says, "She ain't a here no more"
I ain't never, oh darling seen nobody like you
But I love you yeah I love you girl
I love you just the same
When you tell me sweet things that you don't mean
You've got me living in a hunted dream
You make me do things I don't wanna do
My friends ask me Tillis what's wrong with you
I ain't never, oh darling seen nobody like you
But I love you yeah I love you girl
I love you just the same

Well if you're sad and lonely and got no place to go
Call me up sweet mama and bring along some dough
And we'll go honky tonkin' honky tonkin' we'll go honky tonkin' honey baby
We'll go honky tonkin' round this town
[ steel - dobro ]
Well if you and your sweet daddy have a falling out
Call me up sweet mama and we'll go stepping out
And we'll go honky tonkin'...
[ steel - dobro ]
Well we're goin' to the city to the city fair
If you come to the city honey you gonna find me there
And we'll go honky tonkin'...

I know I promised months ago that I divorce my wife
And you say you're tired of living in this sin
But please be patient and don't leave I'm just too ashamed to face it
For you she stood by me through thick and thin
Just give me one more day and then I'll tell her
That the home she helped me built I tear apart
Just give me one more day and then I'll tell her cause today I haven't got a heart
[ steel ]
She should have been the first to know about our love affair
But I just couldn't bear to see her tears
Her love's been built around me and my happiness
Now a fool like me will make it wasted years
Just give me one more day...

Emetions what are you doin' oh don't you know you'll be my ruin
You've got me crying crying again when will you let this heartache end
Emotions you get me upset make me remember what I won't to forget
I've been so lonely lonely too long emotions please leave me alone
You worry my days you torture my nights never a dream turns out right
Emotions give me a break let me forget that I made a mistake
Oh can't you see what you're doing to me emotions please set me free
You worry my days...

Down down down came the world I went round round round round in a whirl
I built every dream around one girl then down down down came the world
She must have loved a little just to keep me hanging on
How could lips that kiss so sweet lie and be so wrong
Our love was just a pattern of the perfect boy and girl
Then down down down came the world
Down down down came the world...

There's a girl in a barroom we all know her well
Her name it's the story that some may like to tell
She may be young and pretty with lips red as wine
A girl whose eyes reflect the years no makeup can't hide
In her world walk the lonely the rejected and condemn
It's a world that once sent her there's no turning back again
Like a rose that lies brushed and crumbled on the sand
She was created by heaven now destroyed by man
Destroyed by man and the love that she gave
Lost unless heaven canceled worthy the same
Men don't respect her still they hold her hand

When she left I locked the door and pulled the shades
Now I'm living in a six room grave
All my reasons for living have died so I'm living buried alive
I just exist with nothing but sorrow I don't know if it's today or tomorrow
I'm through living with the world outside so I'm living buried alive
I just can't believe she's gone I've been too weak to cry
Now I sit and wait for teardops to fill my lonely eyes
My headstone is just a mailbox on the street
And the flowers she planted make it complete
Now this home is like a grave inside so I'm living buried alive
[ steel ]

It's been many years now since mom passed away
But there's lots of sweet mem'ries that I have today
And when I see autumn and leaves turning brown
I feel like mama is somewhere around
Don't forget to cover my flowers I still hear my sweet mother say
Be sure to cover my flowers or my flowers will wither away
Yes I remember though it's been so long
My heart feels so heavy and life seems so wrong
I'd give all my treasures and things I might own
To go back to mama's old country home
Don't forget to cover...
[ fiddle - steel ]
As I wait in this jungle in this foreign land of people so indifferent to God and to men
It's kill or be killed and I wonder today
If the ones that I'm fighting thinks of mama this way
Don't forget to cover...

I was lonely I guess, the night that we met
In a tavern down on old Broadway
And there were tears in her eyes
And she whispered a sigh
Stranger, please take me out of here
But it was only commercial affection
'Cause a fool and his money will part
Yes it was only commercial affection
But she walked away with my heart
I stood in disbelief as she hurried off
To meet another fool down on Broadway
Now many nights have come and gone
Still the echo lingers on
Stranger, please take me out of here
But it was only commercial affection
'Cause a fool and his money will part
Yes it was only commercial affection

Come on and sing girl sing boy sing a happy song
Come on and sing girl sing boy this old world may not last long
Most everybody's doin' too much fighting and there's not enough singing going on
How many people have you ever seen fight while they were singing a song
Come on and sing...
Most everybody's mistreating one another just fight a personal game
But that wouldn't happen to the sisters and the brothers
When they hold back their heads and sing
Come on and sing...
[ ac.guitar ]
Most everybody's doin' too much talking talking and they just get mad
So if all that talking's gonna make you unhappy why don't just seeing be glad

Tonight I'm burning old love letters
Photographs and memories of you
Hoping somehow I'll feel better
And when the smoke is gone I won't want you
Burning mem'ries
(Teardrops fall while I am)
Burning mem'ries
Burning all those memories of you that I can't lose
My heart to you no longer matters
And I can't live on memories
Into the fire those dreams you've shattered
And when the smoke is gone then I'll be free
Burning mem'ries
(Teardrops fall while I am)
Burning all those memories of you that I can't lose
Oh, those burning mem'ries
(Teardrops fall while I am)
Burning mem'ries

I'd like to hold my head up and be proud of who I am
But they won't let my secret go untold
I paid the debt I owed 'em but they're still not satisfied
Now I'm a branded man out in the cold
When they let me out of prison I held my head up high
Determined I would rise above the shame
But no matter where I'm living a black mark follows me
Now I'm branded with a number on my name
I'd like to hold my head up...
[ guitar ]
If I live to be a hundred I guess I'll never clear my name
Cause everybody knows I've been in jail
No matter where I'm living I've got to tell 'em where I been
Or they'll send me back to prison if I fail
I'd like to hold my head up...

I thought I had seen pretty girls in my time but that was before I met you
I never saw one that I wanted for mine but that was before I met you
I thought I was swinging the world by the tail I thought I could never be blue
I thought I'd been kissed and I thought I'd been loved but that was before I met you
I wanted to ramble and always be free but that was before I met you
I said that no woman could ever hold me but that was before I met you
I thought I was swinging...
[ steel ]
They tell me I must reap just what I've sown but darling I hope it's not true
For once I made plans about living alone but that was before I met you
I thought I was swinging...

When the years show in our faces from the thoughtless hand of time
And our youth is just a mem'ry to revive
(We'll spend many happy hours thumbing through the past desires
And we'll bring each tender mem'ry back to life)
But every day we live we add a mem'ry and we store it in the corner of our minds
And when life's fire is just a dying ember
We'll bring each tender mem'ry back to life
[ steel ]
When we know our days are numbered that we live on borrowed time
Our hands will search the darkness to entwine
(Then we'll spend our last few hours looking through our treasured mammons
And we'll bring each tender mem'ry back to life)
For every day we live...

I go all to pieces at the sight of of you
I tried to look the other way when you're around
But that takes more strenght than can be found
I just get weak as memories pass through I go all to pieces at the sight of of you
How could anyone control me so completely and make me do the crazy things I do
Little things like forgiving you for being so untrue
I go all to pieces at the sight of of you
[ piano ]
You've hurt me so many times that I've lost track
Yet given half a chance I take you back
You're the master of my life and there's nothing I can do

Friends ask how I'll get along without you they say it's so sad we're apart
(And I have to agree that I don't seem like me I'm having a ball with my heart)
Anything's better than nothing nothing's not too much to lose
Anything's better than nothing nothing's what I've had with you
I've got to admit that it hurt me I don't like to fight or to fuss
(But now you and me are happy we're free everyone's crying but us)
Anything's better than nothing...
[ fiddle ]
It really must be disappointing to see love and dreams turn to smoke
(I can't blame my friends when their teardrops begin
I once thought that love made a home)
Anything's better than nothing...

You think you took her from me but I just gave her to you
I never wanted her much anyway all I ever wanted to do
Was kiss her lips in the early morn hold her hands while the babies were born
Take her off hurt when she got sick get off from work and come home quick
To be at home with her every night to love her for the rest of my life
Give her anything her heart desired make sure that I never get too tired
To let her know I love her so just let her go
I never wanted her much anyway all I ever wanted to do
Was ease her mind when she felt blue never never be untrue
I never wanted her much you can see all I ever wanted to do
Kiss her lips in the early morn...

(Love is where you find it when you find no love at home)
And there's nothing cold as ashes after the fire is gone
The bottle's almost empty the clock just now stuck ten
And I just had to call you to our favorite place again
(We know it's wrong for us to meet but the fire's gone out at home)
And there's nothing cold as ashes after the fire is gone
Love is where you find it...
[ fiddle ]
(Your lips are warm and tender your arms hold me just right
Sweet words of love you remember that the one at home forgot)
Each time we say it's the last time but we keep hanging on
And there's nothing cold as ashes after the fire is gone

I wanna go home I wanna go home oh Lord I wanna go home
Last night I went to sleep in Detroit City
And I dreamed about those cottonfields and home
I dreamed about my mother dear old papa sister and brother
And I dreamed about the girl that's been waiting for so long
I wanna go home I wanna go home oh Lord I wanna go home
[ guitar ]
Now the homefolks think I'm big in Detroit City
From the letters that I write they think I'm just fine
By day I make the cars and by night I'm a makin' the bars
Lord if only they could read between the lines
As you know I rode a long black freight train way up north to Detroit City
But after all these years I find that well I've just been wastin' my time
But you know what I think I'm gonna do folks I'm gonna take my foolish pride
And put it on a Southbound freight and ride

Now blue ain't the world for the way that I feel
And the storm's brewing in this heart of mine
This ain't no crazy dream I know that it's real
You're someone else's love now you're not mine
Crazy arms that reach to hold somebody new
For my yearning heart keeps saying you're not mine
My troubled mind knows soon to another you'll be wed
And that's why I'm lonely all the time
[ fiddle - steel ]
So please take the treasured dreams I had for you and me
And take all the love I thought was mine
Someday my crazy arms may hold somebody new but now I'm so lonely all the time
Crazy arms that reach...

Keep the cold lonely world to my bedroom for a while
Sit here beside my and let me see you smile
For when I'm alone minutes are eternity so for a few fleeting moments cling to me
Cling to me and let the sunshine of your sweet love come in
Before I remember what a fool I have been
Even though we have started a love that just can't be
For a few fleeting moments cling to me
[ guitar ]
Cling to me and let the sunshine...

I love you so much that I can't leave you
Even though my mind tells me I should
But then you make me think you really want me
Then all my thoughts of leaving do no good
You've got me heart over mind, worried all the time
Knowing you will always be the same
You keep hurting me, I know but I just can't let you go
'Cause my heart won't let my love for you change
Now friends tell me they see you out with others
And in my heart I try hard to forget
But you come home and tell me you still love me
And I still hope there's some chance for us yet
You've got me heart over mind

It takes a worried man to sing a worried song
I'm worried now but I won't be worried long
Well this train I ride is twenty one coaches long
This train I ride is twenty one coaches long
This train I ride is twenty one coaches long
The one I love she's on that train and gone
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 to lay me down to sleep
I went across the river to lay me down to sleep
I went across the river to lay me down to sleep
When I woke up there were shackles on my feet
Well it takes a worried man...
Well around my feet were twenty links of chains
Around my feet were twenty links of chains
Around my feet were twenty links of chains on each link was written my name
Well it takes a worried man...
[ guitar ]
I asked the judge what's gonna be my fine I asked the judge what's gonna be my fine
I said old judge what's gonna be my fine twenty one days on the Rocky Island Line
Well it takes a worried man...
I'm worried now but I won't be worried long

World what have I done to make you frown on me to cast me endlessly
Into your variety what have I done what have I done
World what have I done to numb my brain with wine to lose all track of time
To know no peace of mind what have I done what have I done
I can get my head above the water I can get my head above the water
World what have I done to no one be a worth to never have no mirth
To live this hell on earth what have I done what have I done
World what have I done to walk these lonely streets wherever returns debit
Too hungry to eat what have I done what have I done

I see my wife working, ironin' my shirts
And my mind goes to another day
And to another woman who might have been my wife
If things hadn't turned out this way
Lord knows I love her but I often wonder
If fate should pull back the blind
How would my wife feel if she could see
The woman in the back of my mind?
Does she do things fancy, does she have a family?
Is she as happy as I?
Does she spend her afternoons just playing bridge
Or baking her children a pie?
And I often wonder if she thinks of me
When she hears those old church bell's chime
Though it's been long ago at times I miss her so
The woman in the back of my mind
Suddenly I come back to right here and now
And the dream that I've seen come to life
And I hope she's as happy with somebody else
As I am with my loving wife
I might have been wrong but it's been so long
And things work out in time
But I'd like to say I'm sorry some day

Come on and write write write me a letter send that letter by mail
Send that letter in care of the Tupelo County jail
Come on and wish me the best of love dear there's no one to go my bail
There's never been a place so lonely as the Tupelo County jail
Fill that letter full of kisses gonna have me a ball
Cause baby kisses on paper are better than no kisses at all
Come on and write write write me a letter...
[ piano ]
Fill that letter full of kisses...
Come on and write write write me a letter...

(If you're leaving in the morning don't wake me up to say goodbye
I'll be dreaming back of you or so back to our first hello
And don't want to wake up just to cry)
I'll just kiss you for the last time if you're asleep you'll never know
I'll tuck the covers round you tightly tiptoe out so very lightly
Turn the lights out in our world then I'll go
Then it will all be over someone from the past got in our way
Then it will all be over oh but we're waking up to face the day
(Please don't tell me where you're going I may not always be this strong
If too much crying starts coming down I may go running round
To another world where I don't belong)
No I won't wake you just to tell you where I'll be if you don't want to know
Though deep inside I'll be weeping I'll leave you sleeping
Close the door to our world then I'll go

Oh boy that's where my money goes
I've got a gal in Monroeville she won't dance but her sister will
Oh boy that's where my money goes
And I've got a gal out in Florida she won't swing but the show will sway
Oh boy that's where my money goes
Work my fingers to the bone so I can take more dollars home
Workin' over time at the mill turn the pay for my baby's bills
My gal wears fancy clothes red tall shoes and rolldown hose
Oh boy that's where my money goes
[ trumpet ]
My gal drives a limousine and you know who buys the gasoline
Oh boy that's where my money goes
My gal lives like a movie star pink champaigne and caviar
Oh boy that's where my money goes
Work my fingers to the bone...

Maybe tomorrow I won't come home maybe you won't even care
At seven you'll throw a kiss toward the door and smile at my empty chair
For there's nothing here for a man to cling to nothing to keep me at home
Only a girl that's a stranger to me breathing on flames that're gone
Home isn't where I hang up my hat every night
And home isn't anything like cold arms holding me tight that's not right
And home isn't some place to go just to feel all alone that's not home
Maybe you might never see me again maybe that's the best way
I'll join myself to some south blowing wind leave here and find my own way

TEN THOUSAND DRUMS
(Mel Tillis - Carl Smith)
« © '52 Cedarwood Publishing »
Waitin' waitin' for the redcoats to come
But all I hear in my frozen ears is ten thousand drums
Ten thousand drums
Johnny Johnny don't be afraid
We can whip those redcoats settin' in the shade
Settin' in the shade
We've got the best of all the rest of Genereal Washington
And when we meet those redcoats watch them redcoats run
Goin' down their drum goin' down their drum
Listen listen Johnny better get your gun
Cause there ain't puttin' soldiers behind ten thousand drums
Behind ten thousand drums
Runnin' runnin' Johnny watch them run
We finally whip those redcoats finally stop those drums
We stop ten thousand drums
We're the best of all the rest such Yankee son of a gun
We can tell our mommies how we made them run goin' down thir drum
Goin' down their drum goin' down their drum

Stomp, stomp them grapes and make that wine
Put it in a bottle, boys, and ship it on down the line
Well, I got up this morning and made it downtown
Started mighty early just makin' my rounds
Well, I had me a woman she left me alone
I got to lose these blues before I take myself back home
So stomp, stomp them grapes and make that wine
Put it in a bottle, boys, and ship it on down the line
I said stomp, stomp them grapes and make that wine
'Cause there's a trouble man in trouble with a woman on his mind
Yesterday she loved me, today it's history
Why she should want to leave me is a deep dark mystery
I may not find the answer but I find me a jug
'Cause I'm gonna do some drinkin', boys, it's really got me fog
So stomp, stomp them grapes and make that wine
Put it in a bottle, boys, and ship it on down the line
I said stomp, stomp them grapes and make that wine

If an angel wears a housewife's dress
And fills a home with happiness
One wakes me gently every morning
And serves my coffee with a kiss
My life is heaven everyday
Because of all the love you give
Your smile drives all my cares away
And makes life heaven everyday
If heaven is all they say
I know for certain I've found mine
Your tender touch and understanding
Makes my life heaven all the time
My life is heaven everyday
Because of all the love you give
Your smile drives all my cares away

STAND BESIDE ME BEHIND ME
WITH SHERRY BRYCE
(Paul Craft)
« © '71 Acuff-Rose Music »
Stand beside me behind me so loneliness can't find me
I need your love to make it from now on
Stand before me and with me so sorrow's hand can't touch me
Without your love I know I won't last long
I'm reaching out my soul to you my heart my hand my all for you
My only prayer is just that you will always reach for me
Stand beside me behind me so loneliness can't find me
Without your love I know I won't last long

They say my tears come from the bottle that stands beside me all the time
But I wonder if they know the sorrow that always overtakes the wine
I drink to find forgetful valleys where I can leave old memories behind
But always just before I reach them sorrow overtakes the wine
[ steel ]
These tears can find me when I'm sober they're quick to show up anytime
And I always try to drink them under but sorrow overtakes the wine
I drink to find forgetful valleys...

Well I was born in a tumbled down shack one quarter of a mile from a railroad track
Mama was a drifter daddy was a bum and they didn't want a little hobo son
But things do happen and here I am just outside of Birmingham
Train's slowing down and I'm gonna jump up
I'm gonna spread my wings and look all about
Give me the whip of the whippoorwill a whippin' it up on the lonely hill
Give me the sun the stars and the rain sneaky peaky wine in the blood of my veins
Cause I'm a son of a bum I'm a son of a bum
I'm a son of a bum son of a bum bum bum
Free as the breeze and I'm easy to please
Fussin' and a fightin' and a goin' to war people don't know what the livin's for
Money money money that's all folks know they could learn a lesson from a rich hobo
Got no worries and no regrets got no money but I got no debts
Rabbit in the picket and the fish in the brook
And I've got mu supper if I got me a hook
Give me the whip of the whippoorwill...
I'm a son of a bum I'm just easy to please Lord I'm a son of a bum

I've been a lot of places and I've seen a lot of faces
I've crossed a lot of bridges and I've even branded through
But when I look behind me the only thing that blinds me
Is a tear that I cry over you
Cause you are something special to me something special as can be
There'll never be another I could love so tenderly
Cause you're something special to me
[ piano ]
My life is like a highway with many different byways
I've turned a lot of corners haven't missed a lot of signs
I trade all my tomorrows if only I could borrow
Just today I'm through when you were mine
Cause you are something special...

Everybody let's go
Hearts of stone will never never break for the love you give they just won't take
You can ask them please please please please break
And all of your love is there to take
Yes the hearts of stone will cause you pain
Although you love them they'll stop you just the same
But they'll say no no no no no no no no no no no no no
Everybody know I thought you knew hearts're made of stone
[ sax ]
Well you can ask them please...

(Lord they're on their way on their way)
Saw a man an angry man killed his brother with his own hands
Brother laid on the ground sinner man you'd better kneel down
He's on his way Lord on his way on his way Lord on his way
He's on his way Lord on his way oh oh Lord he's on his way (on his way)
So a girl a pretty girl disgusted with her next of world
And over those attractivity forever ends reality
She's on her way Lord...
Two young boys black and white each one thinks his world is right
Fighting for color of skin they'll never know which one will win
They're on their way Lord...

I always called her old faithful she was always there when I came home
And I never thought the day would come she'd leave me
But for me those kind of thinking days are gone
Cause old faithful ain't faithful anymore she's stepping out to even up the score
She's out there where the lights are bright wineing dining every night
And old faithful ain't faithful anymore
[ steel ]
Night after night she sits waitin' just to touch the fool that she loves so
But now for her those waiting days are over
For absence makes the warmest heart grow cold
Cause old faithful ain't faithful...

Now and then an old friend tries to help me
By telling me there's someone that I should meet
Hey, but I don't have the heart to start all over
'Cause my heart is laying at another's feet
You just don't put new patches on old garments
Hey, I don't want no one else on my mind
I just don't need nobody new to cling to, Lord
'Cause I still love someone I've known a long, long time
I have built my world around a memory
And she's the only one that I let in
'Cause every time I've tried to love somebody, Lord
In my mind I'm loving her again
You just don't put new patches on old garments
Hey, and I don't want no one else on my mind
I just don't need nobody new to cling to, Lord
'Cause I still love someone I've known a long, long time

She's a rose where roses never grow
Behind the swinging doors she pours the wine that flows
She keeps on pretending that she's having fun
But it's a blue, blue rose that grows beneath the neon sun
She's my sunshine lady
Maybe just a little bit shady
Someday I'll take her where real rose grow
But until then she'll be my precious, precious neon rose
The world is full of roses that bloom in the spring
But to me there's just one rose that means anything
I guess it's no secret what everybody knows
Just how much I love my precious, precious neon rose
She's a rose where roses never grow
Behind the swinging doors she pours the wine that flows
She keeps on pretending that she's having fun
But it's a blue, blue rose that grows beneath the neon sun
She's my sunshine lady
Maybe just a little bit shady
Someday I'll take her where real flowers grow
But until then she'll be my precious, precious neon rose

MR.. DROPOUT
(Mel Tillis)
« © '66 Cedarwood Publishing »
Well I dropout the school when I was young
I thought living was just all fun
Then I met trouble in every turn
Now I'm one step away from being a bum
Lord I tried everything within my power
But I can't make but just a dollar an hour
You can't make a living on that kind of pay
And it hurts my pride to hear all say
Hey Mr. Dropout what's that you say
Sorry Mr. Dropout we can't use you today
Well I got married bout one year ago
A winter's coming on and the work gets slow
Mary had a baby that got blue eyes
When baby gets hungry baby cries
Lord I tried everything within my power
But I can't make but just a dollar an hour
You can't feed a family with that kind of pay
And it hurts my pride to hear all say
Hey Mr. Dropout what's that you say

Everywhere there's a memory mem'ries made this house
The chairs and the table standing in the corner it seems were always filled
With good food and happy people where laughter used to live
I look at the cast through tear filled eyes at the marks our baby's Nell
Everywhere there's a memory mem'ries made this house
This house would die without the heart we gave it you and I
It came aloud as a love inside me grew stronger as the years went by
The bed's still standing in the same old place haven't changed the way we have
Everywhere there's a memory mem'ries made this house
[ piano ]
You can tell that love lives here and that's why we can't leave
The house is solid but we heard it cryin' when love left you and me
The clothes in the closet so tell the true stories like the linings on the shelf
Everywhere there's a memory mem'ries made this house
Everywhere there's a memory mem'ries made this house

Heartache number one was when you left me
I never knew that I could hurt this way
And heartache number two was when you came back again
You came back and never meant to stay
Now I've got heartaches by the number, troubles by the score
Every day you love me less, each day I love you more
Yes, I've got heartaches by the number, a love that I can't win
But the day that I stop counting that's the day my world will end
Heartache number three was when you called me
And said you were coming back to stay
With hopeful heart I waited for your knock on the door
I waited but you must have lost your way
Now I've got heartaches

I thought about walkin' thought about talkin' thought about singin' singin' the blues
Thought about tryin' once I even thought of dyin'
But baby most of all I thought about you
Thought of just bein' people I'm seein' thought about doin' the things they do
Thought about livin' thought about forgivin' but baby most of all I thought about you
Thought of bein' born thought of bein' warm
Bout all the things a man can go through
Thought of winds a blowin' and rivers overflowin'
But baby most of all I thought about you
Thought of just bein'...

They're not teardrops just sincere drops they're I love you drops cause 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 I miss you drops hurry home drops you've been gone so long drops
They're not teardrops just sincere drops that say I'm lonesome and I love you
Never knew this heart could hurt the way it hurts for you
Never lived so many lifetimes in a week
Why don't you come back to me the way you said you would
And kiss these softly little crystals off my cheek

Well I was raised on corn bread and gravy
I slept in a cardboard box till I was nearly three
I bathed myself in muddy river runnin' by our shack
By the time that I had reached thirteen I'd been through hell and back
And I've been thrown from pillar to post I've been banged around and scarred
I've done so much I've seen so much I've lived so fast and hard
Lived so fast and hard
Now mama died when I was young and I never knew my dad
I never had the love and care that other children had
I spent five years in an orphan's home but I ran off one day
And I hoboed on an old freight train to San Francisco Bay
I've fought in the war I've been in jail there ain't much I ain't done
I'd lived as much as any man fore I was twenty one I was twenty one
[ fiddle ]

While walking one day in the country I saw a gathering crowd
And as my footsteps threw me closer I smell a sweet fragrance of flowers
That looked like a family reunion and my eyes not counted the tears
And the no man said by the graveside I haven't seen Mary in years
Hold my hand and leave me leave me away from here
I just brought these flowers for Mary I haven't seen Mary in years
When Mary and I were first married we had such plans for our child
But for no reason I started rambling and like the four winds I just ran wild
If I could just live my life over I would bring Mary such cheers
Now she's gone where she'll never need me I haven't seen Mary in years
Hold my hand and leave me...
Then the old man left the graveyard and I walked along by his side
I called out his name but through all his shame his son he did not rocognize
Hold my hand and leave me leave me away from here

Hey baby, let me see your brand new saddle
Let's that pretty thing up on my horse
Let's get it on real tight now
'Cause we don't want you falling off
Well, I got the horse and you got the saddle
We like to ride side by side
Aw, I got the horse and she got the saddle
Together we're gonna ride, ride, ride
In the moonlight by the river
By the honeysuckle vine
We'll be riding, peeping and hiding
Till we see the morning light
Well, I got the horse and you got the saddle
We like to ride side by side
Aw, I got the horse and she got the saddle
Together we're gonna ride, ride, ride
Hey, baby, let's stop for a little while
I need to give my old horse a rest
And you know there ain't no use
In us trying to wear out your new saddle
Hear the crickets singing softly
Never heard a sweeter sound
And you know crickets do their singing
By just rubbing their legs around
Well, I got the horse and you got the saddle
We like to ride side by side
Aw, I got the horse and she got the saddle
Together we're gonna ride, ride, ride
Well, I got the horse and you got the saddle
We like to ride side by side
Aw, I got the horse and she got the saddle

HOW COME YOUR DOG DON'T BITE NOBODY BUT ME
WITH WEBB PIERCE
Writer Webb Pierce
Well you tell me that you love me you make me feel so good
But I don't feel that you're treating me the best way that you could
Well I gave you all my money then you tell me to come around
But all that's waiting for me at your door is your overgrown bloodhound
If you love me baby there's just one thing I can see
How come your dog don't bite nobody but me
Well he never bites the postman he licks the milkman's hand
But every time I come around he thinks I'm the booger man
You say you need my loving but I can't believe it's true
Or else you wouldn't let that dog molest me the way you do
Well if you love me baby there's just one thing I can see

BOP-A-LENA
WRITERS MEL TILLIS, WEBB PIERCE
RECORDED BY RONNIE SELF
Oop-scooby-dooby-lena, go-gal-go
bop-a-lena, bop-a-lena, she's my gal
Oh, bop-a-lena, bop-a-lena, yeah she's my gal
She's my gal and I love her so
Oop-scooby-dooby-lena, go-gal-go
Well the school bells are ringin', everybody went out
Goin' to the shag, gonna shake it all about
Bop-a-lena lookin' like a rose in the wild
Man I dig that freek juvenile
When she gets a-goin' she's a real cool chick
She do the bop like a pogostick
Bop-a-lena, bop-a-lena, she's my gal
Oh bop-a-lena, bop-a-lena, yeah she's my gal
She's my gal and I love her so
Oop-scooby-dooby-lena, go-gal-go
I got my pattern-leather shoes on my hounddog feet
Me and bop-a-lena gonna walk the beat
To the whole jukebox in the be-bop shag
When we get a-goin', gonna ball a jack
Bop-a-lena got two feet that talk
Look at her go on a camelwalk
Bop-a-lena, bop-a-lena, she's my gal
Oh bop-a-lena, bop-a-lena, yeah she's my gal
She's my gal and I love her so

The man who preached the funeral said it really was a simple way to die
He laied to rest one afternoon and never opened up his eyes
They hired me and Fred and Joe to dig the grave and carry up some chairs
It took us seven hours and I guess we must've drunk a case of beer
I guess I oughta go and watch them put him down but I don't own the suit
And anyway when they start talkin' about the fire and hell well I get spooked
So I'll just sit here in my truck and act like I don't know him when they pass
Anyway when they're all through I've got to go to work and mow the grass
Here they come and who's that ridin' in that big ole shiny limousine
Look at all that chrome I do believe that's the sharpest thing I've seen
That must belong to his rich Uncle someone said he owned a big ole farm
When they get parked I'll mosey down and look it over that won't do no harm
Well that must be the widow in the car and would you take a look at that
That sure is a pretty dress you know some women do look good in black
He's not even in the ground and they say that his track is up for sale
They say she took it pretty hard but you can't tell too much behind a veil
Listen ain't that pretty when the bugler plays the military taps
I think that when you's in the war they always hired and played a song like that
Well here I am and there they go and I guess you'd just call it my bad luck

So many times you told me that you loved me
And just as many times I found that it?s not true
So if you had your fun and you still need someone
Come on home to the arms of a fool
My foolish eyes still cry when my ears believe a lies
And my foolish heart keeps saying I love you
So if your new flame dies and you?re still burning with desire
Come on home to the arms of a fool
And now even if I?m standing in for someone
It?s all right 'cause I?m standing next to you
You?ll find an open door and I?ll take you back once more
Come on home to the arms of a fool
My foolish eyes still cry when my ears believe a lies
And my foolish heart keeps saying I love you
So if your new flame dies and you?re still burning with desire
Come on home to the arms of a fool

I've had to burn most every bridge I've crossed
It seems like everyone I've loved I've lost
When I met you I thought my luck had turned
But our love's just another bridge to burn
I'll soon light the match and move on I've already lingered much too long
Now I'm so hurt and you're so unconcerned and our love's just another bridge to burn
[ steel ]
Sometimes one must love enough for two and that's how it's been with me and you
I'll see your face no matter where I'll turn and our love's just another bridge to burn

How I'd love to be around you when the lonely night surrounds you
How I'd love to be alone with you
What I'd give to have the power to read your mind one hour
How I'd love to be alone with you
Just to be with you one night you and me alone
Kiss your lips and hold you tight and have you for my own
This would be a joy unending could be a real beginning
How I'd love to be alone with you
[ guitar - steel ]
How I'd love to be around you when the lonely night surrounds you
How I'd love to be alone with you
If I only knew for certain I'd cut out all my flirtin' how I'd love to be alone with you
Just to be with you one night you and me alone
Kiss your lips and hold you tight and have you for my own
Won't you try to be my baby just for once and then well maybe

[ with Sue York ]
We're above suspicion both you and I
They say that I'm a good girl and that I'm a good guy
We belong to others but the power of love
Is just too strong for right or wrong even when you're above suspicion
Above suspicion but that's what happens when you're tied to those who never care
[ ac.guitar ]
We're above suspicion someday we'll know
I couldn't be a good girl I couldn't be a good Joe
When two hearts beat togehter then the powers of love

My children come sit here and hold to daddy's hands
For I must tell you something that I don't understand
Lately we've been living in the shadows of surprise
Since I'm not the only man in your mother's eyes
I can't say it's my fault and I won't say it's hers
Cause I might have neglected when her need for me occures
But we're still a family and must realize
That I'm not the only man in your mother's eyes
No I'm not the only man in her eyes anymore
And soon she'll be leaving walking out the door
And things won't be easy with her not around
And the shame that's now with us will be hard to live down
So children bear with me promise daddy you'll try
Since I'm not the only man in your mother's eyes

Wine pretty red wine pretty red wine pretty red wine pretty red wine
It cost me my family cost me my home and gave me a dark dirty street to roam
Made me a drifter made me a bum a lookin' for a hand out a lookin' for a chum
To get wine pretty red wine pretty red wine pretty red wine pretty red wine
[ steel ]
Wine pretty red wine pretty red wine pretty red wine pretty red wine
It's cold in the country cold in the town
It's cold anywhere when you sleep on the ground
I lost all my courage lost all my pride where oh Lord can a wino hide

There she lies still sleeping d
Dreaming the whole world is in her hands
What she thought was love last night
Was just the wine and the weakness in a man
But now the passion's gone and all that's left
Is cold gray facts and cold gray morning light
As I promptly close the door I wonder
What did I promise her last night
I guess I should have wakened her
And told her that I must be moving on
But I told myself the truth might hurt her
Worse than waking up to find me gone
But my conscience knows the truth
And it's so hard to convince myself I'm right
And as I slowly drive away
I wonder what did I promise her last night
I guess by now she's waking up
And packing up her things and heading home
With memories of a temporary love
She wishes never came along
How many one-night stands must she go through
Before she finds a love that right?
And as I'm driving down the road I wonder
What did I promise her last night
I guess by now she's waking up
And packing up her things and heading home
With memories of a temporary love
She wishes never came along
How many one-night stands must she go through
Before she finds a love that right?
And as I'm driving down the road I wonder

I'm like a cloud driftin' from town to town and each new love just helps me on my way
No one woman's ever gonna tie me down
When one gets too close I just back up and say
Well I gotta be walkin' on new grass singin' a new song
Tomorrow there's no telling where I'll be
But I'll be walkin' on new grass singin' a new song
The next time up the road keeps a callin' me
I'm warning you don't fall in love with me I don't plan on a being here too long
You're just a leaf caught in a playfull breeze
I'll carry you a while then be movin' on
Cause I gotta be walkin' on...
[ horns ]
I won't take roots I never stay that long and a bad seed just won't grow anyway
This rollin' stone don't want to gather no moss
So when the grass starts to grow then I'll be on my way
Cause I gotta be walkin' on...

As I walked through my garden today picking flowers for a pretty bouquet
Never many shades of blue white lilies and violets too
But I've picked these long stem roses just for you
I'm sending roses twelve long stem roses will you not let them wither and die
I've picked them just for you so I'm sending my love to
I hope these long stem roses cheer you when you cry
I could send just any rose you've had them all before
But somehow in a different way long stem roses mean more
So I'm sending roses...
I'm sending roses...

Go on look down your righteous nose at me
But you've made me everything that I've turned out to be
In very few words I can tell you where everything went wrong
Two arms two lips too lonely too long
Two arms that almost died from loneliness
Two lips that cried from hunger for your kiss
For too many ompty nights I laid awake till dawn two arms two lips too lonely too long
[ fiddle - steel ]
You'll never know how much it hurts to know you've never tried
To wake all over for your touch and then be denied
With other arms were offered me it was easy to go wrong
Two arms two lips too lonely too long
Two arms that almost died...

Take my hand and walk with me
Along life's road in harmony
My body's warm my heart is free
Take my hand and walk with me
Take the love I offer you
All I want is your love to
Happiness is all I see
Take my hand and walk with me
You're the reason that I live
I have so much love to give
I'll feel this eternally
Take my hand and walk with me
Take the love I offer you
All I want is your love to
Happiness is all I see

You're the sweetest mistake I ever made
I've heard it said your life is strewn with broken hearts
Of fools like me who make mistakes and aren't very smart
But I took the chance and threw my life away
For you're the sweetest mistake I ever made
You're the sweetest mistake I ever made the price of loving you I'll gladly pay
The decent life I lived before you came I'll gladly trade
For the sweetest mistake I ever made
[ guitar + fiddle ]
There's been many times that you have made me cry
But still you took the cold out of my empty lonely life
But the things most people treasure I would give away
For the sweetest mistake I ever made
You're the sweetest mistake...

Infant turtles racing to the sea seagulls screeching crying hungr'ly
Twisting kicking jerking in their craws oh wonder why God made these kind of laws
Preachers preaching loudly on the streets
While deaf and dumb men cannot hear or speak
Twisted legs can't chase a bouncing ball
Oh wonder why God made these kind of laws
[ ac.guitar ]
Now the Carney's barking to the crowd let's go
While the Geek's a waitin' to do his sickenin' show
Freaks a standing round some fat some tall
Oh wonder why God made these kind of laws
Now Moses teaches us Thou shall not kill still cannons burst aloud on foreign hills
The strong will stand the weak will surely fall

Songwriters: Duncan, Tommy; Willis, Bob
Well, you've all seen my little blue-eyed Sally
She lives a-way down on Shinbone Alley
The number on the gate and the number on the door
The next house over is the grocery store
Stay all night, stay a little longer
Dance all night, dance a little longer
Pull off your coat, throw it in the corner
Don't see why you don't stay a little longer
Well, sittin' on the window talkin' to my love
A slop bucket fell from the window up above
Mule and the grasshopper eatin' ice-cream
The mule got sick, and we laid him o'er the beam
Stay all night, stay a little longer
Dance all night, dance a little longer
Pull off your coat, throw it in the corner
Don't see why you don't stay a little longer
Well, you can't go home if you're goin' by the mill
The bridge washed out at the bottom of the hill
Big creek's up, and the little creek's left
Plow my corn with a double shovel
Stay all night, stay a little longer
Dance all night, dance a little longer
Pull off your coat, throw it in the corner
Don't see why you don't stay a little longer
Stay all night, stay a little longer
Dance all night, dance a little longer
Pull off your coat, put it in the corner

Sometimes my soul gets weary and my mind begins to wonder
And like that old train 'The Hummingbird' it goes to Alabama
They say home is where the heart is and mine is down in Dixie
And when you go down to Dixie you're heading for higher ground
(Southern rain)
Blowing from the coast of Mississippi
(Southern rain)
I fell better when those southern waters hit me
I can't get into Jordan seven times to easy the pain
But I can pray for help and hope for southern rain
(Southern rain)
Like the sunshine it's a blessing sent from heaven
(Southern rain)
They can wash away your cares if you let them
You may not believe my story and you may think I'm insane
But they're the closest thing to home those southern rains
Austick is a peeling that a body can't get over
There's no such thing as healing and it won't go away with time
When were young we want to get away when we're old we want to go back
And we spend our lives replacing all the things we leave behind
(Southern rain)
Blowing from the coast of Mississippi
(Southern rain)
I fell better when those southern waters hit me
I can't get into Jordan seven times to easy the pain
But I can pray for help and hope for southern rain
(Southern rain)
Like the sunshine it's a blessing sent from heaven
(Southern rain)
They can wash away your cares if you let them
You may not believe my story and you may think I'm insane

Well, once I was a slave at the sawmill
Talk about a poor boy, talk about a poor boy
Never saw a dollar bill
Well, my work was so hard at the sawmill
Think about a poor boy, think about a poor boy
When you go to write your will
Well, seen my teardrops falling down
My wife left this sawmill town
She said, sawmill life had many sins
'Cause the gravy was too thin
I can't work no more at the sawmill
Mercy on a poor boy, mercy on a poor boy
Let me have a dollar bill
If you bring your wife to the sawmill
Well, how you gonna please her, how you gonna please her
When she wants a dollar bill
They're not satisfied at the sawmill
Women like a dollar, women like a dollar
Yes, and women always will
Seen my teardrops falling down
My wife left this sawmill town
She said the sawmill life had many sins, Lord
'Cause the gravy was too thin
I can't work no more at the sawmill
Mercy on a poor boy, mercy on a poor boy
Let me have a dollar bill
Mercy on a poor boy, mercy on a poor boy

See that house across the street from this barroom, bottle
The people who live in it, I love so
So I come here every night and I pray that I'll see them
Think I'll have one more drink and then I'll go
There's the lights in her bedroom tonight, bottle
Just like me, she's lonely, I know
Just to hold her in my arms, posses all her charms
Think I'll have one more drink and then I'll go
Yes, my children're already sleeping, bottle
And how much I miss them they'll never know
But the judge won't let me see them
That they think that I don't love them
Think I'll have one more drink and then I'll go
Oh, she blames all our troubles on you, bottle
But anyone can see that isn't so, I can take you or leave you
Heaven knows that I don't need you
Think I'll have one more drink and then I'll go

My name's in the paper where I took the boy scouts to hike
My hands're 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's at the Lincoln Park Inn
And I know why she's there I've been there before
But I made her a promise that I wouldn't cheat anymore
I tried to ignore it but I know she's in there my friend
My mind's on a number and Margie's at the Lincoln Park Inn
Next Sunday it's my turn to speak to the young people's class
And they expect answers to all of the questions they ask
Oh what would they say if I spoke on a modern day sin
And all of the Margies at all of the Lincoln Park Inns
The bike is all fixed and my little boy's in bed asleep
And his little 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's at the Lincoln Park Inn

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 I was ever in they were laughing at a poor crippled man
Begging for nickels and dimes on the street and I just didn't understand
So I washed my face...
The third strange town I was ever in seemed settled peaceful and nice
The rich got richer and the poor got poorer and to me that didn't seem right
So I washed my face...
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

[ with Sue York ]
We're well known in every honky tonk in town
Not a night goes by that we don't make the rounds
People wonder why we choose to live this way
Why don't they ever stay at home I hear them say
But home is where our hurt is cause love doesn't live there anymore
Yes home is where our hurt is that's why we don't stay at home much anymore
[ steel ]
What was once our happy home has come to be a place to fuss and fight and disagree
Our lonely house with wall to wall regret
And these bright lights somehow help us to forget

Well, I've been reeling around Wheeling
West Virginia just a little too long
Well, I gotta be leaving 'cause one deceiving
Free wheeling woman done me wrong
And it's goodbye wheeling West Virginia
No, I don't guess I'll settle down
Since she don't need me, Lord I can't see me
Any longer hanging round this old town
'Cause I've got a feeling that I've been concealing
Many thoughts about traveling on 'cause things ain't grooving
So I'd better be a moving when you wake up in the morning
Big Wheeling, I'm gonna be gone, gone, gone
Well, it's goodbye Wheeling West Virginia
No, I don't guess I'll settle down
Since she don't need me, Lord I can't see me
Any longer hanging round this old town
Goodbye, Wheeling, I said, "Goodbye, Wheeling

Carroll County's pointed out as kinda square
The biggest thing that happens is the county fair
I guess that's why it seemes like such a big event
What we all call the Carroll County accident
The wreck was on the highway just inside the line
Walter Browning lost his life and for a while
It seemed that Mary Ellen Jones would surely die
But she lived long enough for her to testify
Now Walter Browning was a happy married man
He wore a golden wedding ring upon his hand
But it was gone nobody knew just where it went
He lost it in the Carroll County accident
Mary Ellen testified he flagged her down
Said he was sick and could she drive him into town
And no one even doubted what she said was true
Cause she was well respected in the county too
I went down to see the wreck like all the rest
The bloody seats the broken glass the tangled mess
But I found something no one else had even seen
Behind the dash in Mary's crumpled up machine
A little matchbox circled by a rubber band
And inside the ring from Walter Browning's hand
It took a while to figure out just what it meant
The truth about the Carroll County accident
By dark of night I dropped the ring into a well
And took a sacred oath that I would never tell
The truth about the Carroll County accident
Cause the county ordered dead a marble monument

Well I had me a girl with the golden curles she vowed to treat me right
But here I am and I'm all alone on the Brooklyn Bridge tonight
On the Brooklyn Bridge tonight
A thousand thoughts run through my mind as I watch the city lights
My love is gone I'm all alone on the Brooklyn Bridge tonight
On the Brooklyn Bridge tonight
Well it really has been a blue blue day and the water is cold in East River Bay
Water is cold in East River Bay
[ guitar ]
Standing by the long steal rail looking far below
I've heard the voice that seemed to say darling please don't go
(Darling please don't go)
So I hurried home and waitin' for me standin' by the door
I saw the girl with the golden curles said I'll never leave you no more
I'll never leave you no more
Well it must have been my lucky day cause the water looked cold in East River Bay

All the time yes darling all the time tenderly constantly I'll love you
Every day I'll prove it every day in happiness or loneliness I'll love you
Other arms may tempt me but don't let that worry you
For even when they tempt me I'll never be untrue
All the time yes darling all the time through the years smiles or tears I'll love you

I've tried so hard to keep our home alive but you don't even care that I'm around
You tell me that somehow our love has died
And you'd rather be set free than be tied down
All right I'll sign the papers even though you know I love you so
All right I'll sign the papers but oh how it hurts to see you go
[ fiddle ]
I've laid awake at nights when you were gone
And thought of all the things that I could do
To try and make you happy when you come home
But the more I try the more you make me blue