B. R. Hornsby/John Hornsby
Here I am
I'm in a gaseous haze
Ten lanes and tall boys
Going both ways
El dorado riding on the fringe
Aztec princess take revenge
This ain't my style, this ain't my home
I'm going where it's safe to roam
Take me all the way back
To the wild frontier
Well I'm counting the miles
Seeing her smile in the wild frontier
Electric sun
Electric hair
Leather skin
Leather underwear
She said hey
I'm getting in the biz
Come on over
I'll show you where some action is
This ain't my style, this ain't my home
I'm going where it's safe to roam
Take me all the way back
To the wild frontier
Well I'm counting the miles
Way out here, working on the docks
Everyone sees the long day through
Well what would I do without the nights?
And the phone and the chance just to talk to you
Oh what would I do now, hey, just to talk to you?
A thousand miles away
What I wouldn't give for only one night
A little relief in sight or someday
When times weren't so tight
When the day goes down on the water town
When the sun sinks low all around
That's when I know I, I need you now
Yes you're what I miss, every little kiss
Every little one, every little one
Everybody here's a number, not a name
But I guess that's all right with me
As I sit alone after a long day
In the absence of company
Oh I let my mind wander, hey yea
A thousand miles away
What I wouldn't give for only one night
A little relief in sight or someday
When times weren't so tight
When the day goes down on the water town
When the sun sinks low all around
That's when I know I, I need you now
Yes you're what I miss, every little kiss
Every little one, every little one, hey yea
Hey hey
What I wouldn't give for only one night
A little relief in sight or someday
When times weren't so tight
When the day goes down on the water town
When the sun sinks low all around
That's when I know I, I need you now
Yes you're what I miss, every little kiss
B. R. Hornsby/John Hornsby
There's a place
A local roadside shack
A poor man's Paris with a parking lot in the back
There's a girl there
She knows how to unwind
She don't talk much but she knows just how to act
I said - Don't tell me she don't love me
The money's just a mere formality
Every day, Every night
Somethings going on, something's going on
Down the road over yonder
Any place, any time when I'm fading
My love lies waiting
Down the road tonight
When I was younger
All the older boys
Would drive me way out past the county fair
They'd laugh and point out
This roadside trailer
And say something wild's going on over there
They said - What they're doing
Don't mean nothing to you now
But someday it'll mean everything
There were movies in the parlor
They were dealing one-eyed jacks
And when I said I loved her
B. R. Hornsby
Down in the southwest Virginia town of Richlands
I fell in love with an Appalachian girl
She lived in a long line of little row houses
On the side of an old strip mining hill
She walked along on the jagged ridge
And looked as far as she could see
But the hills out there so up and down
You only see as far as the next big ridge
Everytime I see her face
On the street in the hollow of on the hill
Another time and another place
I feel her in my heart still
Everytime I see her face
On the street in the hollow in the bend
I see her in my mind and then
I go down the road not taken...again
Oh the coal dust sttles on the window display
They have to change it about every other day
Some things never change way out here
An outsider could always remain that way
She walked along on the jagged ridge
She told me she was thinking of me
But every time I tried to take her away
She alway ran back to the rocks and the trees
Everytime I see her face
On the street in the hollow of on the hill
Another time and another place
I feel her in my heart still
Everytime I see her face
On the street in the hollow in the bend
I see her in my mind and then
I go down the road not taken...again
Oh I went back there after many years
So curious and so secretly
As I looked on I held back a tear
The road not taken overcoming me
Oh I saw her she was sitting there
Older, thinner on the front porch
It seemed the light a little brighter there
Or maybe I still carried the forgotten torch
Everytime I see her face
On the street in the hollow of on the hill
Another time and another place
I feel her in my heart still
Everytime I see her face
On the street in the hollow in the bend
I see her in my mind and then
B. R. Hornsby/John Hornsby
Walking on the sidewalk, roundball under my arm
Everybody knows how you play is who you are
Walking down the road, looking for a game or two
The real moves come through, no matter what they're gonna do
It's down to you
Take me to the old playground
Where the old ones rule, and the young ones do their time
Take me to the old playground
Where the talk is cheap
And the restless stalk the baseline
The old sage frowns, he says just pass it on around
But all-world junior's pulling up from downtown
For some it's a way out, for some it's a way in
Most of us don't even care
We're just looking for another gym to get in
Take me to the old playground
Where the old ones rule, and the young ones do their time
Take me to the old playground
Where some play from dreams
And the rest just play for pride
The old man said stop running with those boys
But they know what to do and their folks don't mind the noise
Say hey now, everybody's gonna get along
Just call your own foul when you break the rules
If you make it, take it, so make your move
Take me to the old playground
Where the old ones rule, and the young ones do their time
Take me to the old playground
Where the talk is cheap
B. R. Hornsby/John Hornsby
There's a man workin' in a field
See's the rain and it's burning
He's saying this can't be real
As he sees the color of the fields turning
Far away the men too busy getting rich to care
Close their eyes and let it all out into the air
Hoping nobody else would care
Look out any window
Look out any open door
Look out any window
See what's going on in the world around you
There's a man working on a boat
Pulling lines from the water
Just trying to stay afloat
Filling the nets is getting harder
Far away they bend the rules so secretly
Close their eyes and let it all out into the sea
Hoping nobady else would see
Look out any window
Look out any open door
Look out any window
See what's going on in the air around you
Far away too many leaders let them get their way
Close their eyes and let it all out into the bay
Say they'll clear it up another day
Look out any window
Look out any open door
Look out any window
See what's going on in the air around you
Look out, look out for the big boys
telling you everything they're gonna do
Look out, look out for the fat cat builder man
turning this into a wasteland
Look out, look out for the back room boys
that say the smokw is gonna blow away
Look out, look out for the men who say it's okay
B. R. Hornsby/John Hornsby
I met a fan dancer down in southside Birmingham
She was running from a fat man selling salvation in his hand
She said he's tryin' to save me
But I'm doin' alright, the best that i can
Just a pair of fallen angels tryin' to get through the night
Step by step, one by one, higher and higher
Step by step, one by one, climbing Jacob's ladder
Comin' over the airwaves the man says I'm overdue
Sing a song, send money, join the chosen few
But mister I'm not in a hurry, and I don't want to be like you
All I want from tomorrow is to get it better than today
Step by step, one by one, higher and higher
Step by step, one by one, climbing Jacob's ladder
All I want from tomorrow is to get it better than today
Step by step, one by one, higher and higher
B. R. Hornsby
Parking lot's full, the crowd's here
All to see and hear the food and beverage seer
Bumpin' time, everyone side to side
Left allemand and do-pah-so time
Here she comes, coming round the bend
Been to the bathroom and she's going back again
Just to give a good cold shoulder next time
Been around town and we're going again
Hallelujah when you get to the end
Summer's come now don't you feel the sting
All going down looking for the tango king
Look at Pete, he's a lounge hand
All want to stand where he stands
Spin that girl neath the colored ball
Fancy plaid man's the envy of all
Been around town and we're going again
Hallelujah when you get to the end
Summer's come now don't you feel the sting
All going down looking for the tango king
All the sounds, and the truth is found with a
drink in hand
Kings of lounge, and button-downs are coming
back again
Coming back again
Been around town and we're going again
Hallelujah when you get to the end
Walk on cut glass wouldn't feel a thing
B. R. Hornsby
So nice to be here
With all you good people
Is anybody listening
To what we're doing tonight
Could you give us a chance
While you hit the sauce
Might try a little flash up here
Just to get oursleves across
Hit it
Let the spirit linger
Get up
And do the spider fingers
I could show you on a table
I could show you on a chair
I's best shown on the black and whites
I know I could take you there
It's just a little hand trick
A little prestidigitation
Better get out your Hanon
Practice and repitition
We better do something
Before they tell us to get lost
Sometimes you've just got to repeat yourself
Just to get your point across
Hit it, let the spirit linger
Get up, do the spider fingers
A little spider tongue
How long will we be here
Well babe I just don't know
Depends on fate, the luck of the draw
Or maybe a little flashy show
Hit it
Let the spirit linger
Get up
B.R. Hornsby
We've lived around here most all of our lives
Did most anything we wanted to do
We will celebrate every 4th of July
Just a little tamer than most of the rest of us do
Don't light a match, don't play with fire
Pull down easy on the gas lighter
There's a shelter down at the veteran's hall
Living in the shadow of the hot house ball
We can dance in the streets any night or day
The big ball men built such a nice old park
One day we'll celebrate every halloween
Our faces as masks everyone glow in the dark
Don't light a match, don't play with fire
Step real lightly round the barb wire
Keep the noise down to hear the meltdown call
Living in the shadow of the hot house ball
Temper's hot, better pray for rain
Better watch out now for the gamma rays
Party time at the government gate
Don't light a match, don't play with fire
Pull down easy on the gas lighter
There's a shelter down at the veteran's hall
B. R. Hornsby
Cocked and ready oh here I stand
Anticipating the laying on of hands
Might be frivolous, may be profound
But it feels like deliverance going down
Hey now, come on around
The big rumble is coming down
Go tell it on the mountainside
Over the hills and across the sky
Hey now, watch out, run
Big rumble is about to come
Go tell it to the people there
Over the hills and everywhere
The young girls screaming as the gym rat speaks
Might see some walk-on on a shooting streak
Big snake charmers and medicine men
Some like Daniels in the lion's den
Hey now, come on around
The big rumble is coming down
Go tell it on the mountainside
Over the hills and across the sky
Hey now, watch out, run
Big rumble is about to come
Go tell it to the people there
Over the hills and everywhere
A man with a ball as a saviour too
A strange conception of the holy truth
The biggest and the baddest of Moses too
Works for some, maybe me and you
Hey now, come on around
The big rumble is coming down
Go tell it on the mountainside
Over the hills and across the sky
Hey now, watch out, run
Big rumble is about to come
Go tell it to the people there
Over the hills and everywhere
B. R. Hornsby
I've been riding around with the top down
Like I always do
My love at my side, but only this time
My friends say something's changed you
They said you're running with the wrong set
The girl is someone you should never have met
Let her go on her own, son
Everyon else has just come undone
The old town fathers are up in arms
The city council is very alarmed
Cousins and uncles are having fits
Predictors of doom think this is it
Everybody else is just hanging around
And me and my baby we're the talk of the town
The statue there in the town square
Seems to stare at me
Walking around with my head down
They say can't we make you see
Said son, you know we're really color blind
But everybody else seems to really mind
Lose her now, I think you'll find
Everything else will just fall in line
The old town fathers are up in arms
The city council is very alarmed
Cousins and uncles are having fits
Predictors of doom think this is it
Everyone else is just thinking out loud
And me and my baby we're the talk of the town
We're probably not the first
Surely not the last
Shouldn't throw stones out from your house of glass
Round here lots of crackers and cheese
Stay away from those my daddy said to me
You'll get in trouble if you mess with these
The old town fathers are up in arms
The city council is very alarmed
Cousins and uncles are having fits
Predictors of doom think this is it
Everybody else is just hanging around
B. R. Hornsby
Well he came to town with a strong pull
Would flash his moves for the worshipful
Shoulder moves from side to side
Go over your head and dot your eyes
Every night about a quarter to ten
>From the middle of June to the summer's end
People would gather from miles around
To see the mighty Rainbow knock 'em down
He'd pull up from around the back
Folk's say, "There's Rainbow's Cadillac"
Fancy shirts and shorts of plaid
Coat of more colors than Joseph had
Every night about a quarter to ten
>From the middle of June to the summer's end
People would gather from miles around
To see the mighty Rainbow knock 'em down
Take a quarter from the collection plate
Every night he would dominate
Jump to the top and pick off a dime
Throw it down at the proper time
Every night about a quarter to ten
>From the middle of June to the summer's end
People would gather from miles around
B. R. Hornsby
Close your eyes and slip away
To the dream of your fancy
Close your eyes and float downstream
To where the marsh grass dances
Take you down where the air is thick
Try to make you shake and shiver
Make you see there will be no tricks
There will be no tricks tonight
Ther will be some tricks tonight
We could go down to the harbor lights
Lay out on the sand on the shore
Let me take you down to the docks at night
Whatever you do I'll do more
Take some hours and waste them away
Let your mind flow freely
Take some time and forget about time
You may find a little feeling
I can see you shining with sweat
Like to make you shake and shiver
We could feel the air so wet
We could feel it all tonight
We could feel it all tonight
We could go down to the harbor lights
Lay out on the sand on the shore
Let me take you down to the docks at night
Whatever you do I'll do more
Take you down where the air is thick
Like to make you shake and shiver
What I'll show you've probably seen
Why not come on again
Why not come see it again
We could go down to the harbor lights
Lay out on the sand on the shore
Let me take you down to the docks at night
B. R. Hornsby
When the night lies so still
Before I go to sleep
I come by, I come by
Just to look at you
In the dim light I say
That in my own small way
I will try, I will try
To help you through
There'll be blue skies falling
There'll be sad scenes and bad dreams
In a world so uncertain
Through the clouds it's hard to see
I will grab you and lift you
As you hold on tight and sway
We'll go walking
Across the fields of gray
There's a place I can go
When the world gets me down
When nothing, when nothing
Goes quite right it seems
As I look there I know
Fortune smiles on me so
But who knows, no one knows
About tomorrow
There'll be blue skies falling
There'll be sad scenes and bad dreams
In a world so uncertain
Through the clouds it's hard to see
I will grab you and lift you
As you hold on tight and sway
We'll go walking
Across the fields of gray
When I was younger I saw things in black and white
Now all I see is a sad, hazy gray
Sometimes I see a narrow flash of light
Sometimes I look and you show me the way
No matter what else happens
What the future will be
In a world so uncertain
Through the clouds it's hard to see
I will grab you and carry you
Calm your fears if you're afraid
We'll go walking
B. R. Hornsby
You lie over there in a bed with iron rails
Like a frightened child in the cold light, so frail
Things were going so well,just rolling along
Now, just when you think you got it all made,
You think it's all gone
China Doll, I've got something for you
A few good words, a hand to help you get through
May not be much, but now it's all that I can do
Lay down your weary head
Do whatever you gotta do
Put on your strong face when they're in the room
Can't show signs of weakness; an unspoken rule
Put on your strong face, act like nothing's wrong
We can be so helpless, helpless and so strong
China Doll, I've got something for you
A few good words, a hand to help you get through
May not be much, but now it's all that I can do
To ease your worried mind
Do something to get through
We bend and break, so fragile, it's true
I say everything'll be alright but I don't have a clue
They say faith is a crutch, well whatever works for you
In a world where you never know
I'll be there for you,
I'll be there for you...
China Doll, I've got something for you
A few good words, a hand to help you get through
May not be much, but now it's all that I can do
Lay down your weary head
B. R. Hornsby
Riding in the early evening I'd say
I know of a certain tree
I always asked if you wanted to go
You'd just sit there silently
Now you say come on let's go
You know where you want to be
As I watch you tan in the waters so brown
Desire gets the best of modesty
Walk me down the side of the water
Lay your weary head on me
Lay your clothes up on the table
Wrap your worries round the red cedar tree
It's a special night
Looks like a special night
There'll be some changes made on the water tonight
Go in a boy and come out a man
Looking out at the water
You say "What do you think?"
Indecision in my face and arms
You say you either swim or you sink
Sliding off sliding on down
Wetness in the evening mist
No ride in the countryside
Ever compared to this
Walk me down the side of the water
Lay your weary head on me
Lay your clothes up on the table
Wrap your worries round the red cedar tree
It's a special night
Looks like a special night
There'll be some changes made on the water tonight
B. R. Hornsby/John Hornsby
There were people living in a green valley
Found a way to make a lot of money
Made the green turn gradually gray
They figured they could do whatever they wanted
Everything would be alright
But scars don't always heal away
And the sons and the daughters got diamonds and gold
But they were given a land where
Strong roots never take hold
Good seed don't grow
On the barren ground
Good things don't come along
As you just sit dreaming on
Good seed don't grow
On the barren ground
Say everything fades away
There you are still around
What'll you do where will you go
Ther was a ship along the coast
Carrying a load of black money
In the sound near the northern lights
When the ship set sail
The crew looked for guidance
In the bottom of an empty glass
Then the captain said "pour me another rye"
Then the water turned black as that cold winter's night
Good seed don't grow
On the barren ground
Good things don't come along
As you just sit dreaming on
Good seed don't grow
On the barren ground
Say everything fades away
There you are still around
B. R. Hornsby/John Hornsby
She moved back around here thirty-five weeks ago today
Oh down the lane
At night she walks on the banks and remembers how she
Dreamed of rowing away
And how she left one day
She left with a driven look in her eyes
Came back around with it still inside
They said give it some time and you'll forget about it too
We know they always do
Well I know
Some fine day
You will find your way Across the river
Row down slow
There's a long way to go
Across the river
She was proud and so strong
And she tried not to listen to idle talk
Downtown where she walked
They sit around and they say
That she came back with her tail between her legs
Like they always said she would
Well I hear it's better on the other side
They say you'll never do it so don't even try
Well you may be beaten downwith your closed mind
But don't try and make it mine
Well I know
Some fine day
You will find your way Across the river
Row down slow
There's a long way to go
Across the river
"Your wild days are through" is what they said
I dreamed she came, when I was down and
I walked where she led
Standing on the shore
She looks to the west with a look of longing
To where the grass seems greener
There's a hard and distant prize
It probably won't happen but I think I'll try
Well even if it doesn't happen for me
It still beats hanging around here
Well I know
Some fine day
You will find your way Across the river
Row down slow
There's a long way to go
B. R. Hornsby
My name is Vernon James and I live to the south of town
I work my window watching the women go round and round
Some people come here for love
Some people come for fantasy
When two in the morning comes round
My baby comes around for me
Someone come, come my someone
Take the clouds from my eyes, my one
I know that sometime soon
One day we'll walk in the sun
I'm taking tickets and watching
the men always looking down
Sometimes I feel like an animal in
the zoo staring out
No one looks me in the eye
They save it for the girls inside
I don't care much what they see
I know she saves it all for me
Someone come, come my someone
Take the clouds from my eyes, my one
I know that sometime soon
One day we'll walk in the sun
Some people come here for love
Some come for curiosity
I know there will be a day
I know we'll figure out a way
Someone come, come my someone
Take the clouds from my eyes, my one
I know that sometime soon
B. R. Hornsby/John Hornsby
About this time of evening, out by the bay
They turn the roadlights on the bridge
A diesel rolls in silhouette, eastbound
Lovers glad the sun has set
I'm staring into the twilight
Wishing I could find someone tonight
I know she's out there somewhere
On the western skyline
Lonely women say a prayer
On the western skyline
The rooftops sag on second street
Bachelor's quarters, too much fun,
not enough fun
The kite's still hanging on the wire
Waiting on the wind
Too many dreams, not enough hope
Voices on my radio
Telling me where I should go
I know she's out there somewhere
On the western skyline
Lonely women say a prayer
On the western skyline
They'll set up on the bandstand
When the sailors hear the whistle blow
Underneath the streetlight
Violence in the afterglow
Give me a shiny Cadillac
Close your eyes past that city limits sign
He's got the admiral's daughter in the back
Trying to cross her battle line
As I'm staring into the twilight
Wishing I could be with her tonight
I know she's out there somewhere
On the western skyline
Lonely women say a prayer
B.R. Hornsby/John Hornsby
Zappo Music/Basically Gasp Music (ASCAP)
Sit there with a blank expression
Say you can't go on anymore
It's not like me to come out and help you
Mabye I've been down this road before
Been living in the shadows
Now you come out slow
Now you're in the saddle
Got to ride a long
Now you're dream was shattered
These days are through
Maybe something mattered
It's not just for you
Some are gonna go for broke
Some are gonna lay down
I've been too long standing still
All I know is whenever you need me
You reach out and set me in motion
Looking out on that long valley
Telling me I've come so far
You're the reason I finally got there
You're the reason it's been so hard
Been living in the shadows
Now you hear the call
Now you're in the saddle
You got to ride or fall
Now you push a little harder
Like I showed you to
There's a day you'll be calling
And I'll look you to you
Some are gonna go for broke
Some will lay down
I've been too long
Standing still
All I know is whenver you need me ( 2nd rep-I'll pick you up whenever you stumble)
You just reach out and set me in motion
B. R. Hornsby/John Hornsby
It came on fast when I heard the blast
And the main generator gave a giant gasp
It was round about midnight, about half past
And the city went black as coal so fast
Oh, what a time
Everybody was fazing, hazing
Oh, what a time
It was time to be amazing
Time to lose all reason or rhyme
What a time
It was bad to worse, as the landlord cursed
And the water tank in the backyard burst
We were slipping and sliding and killing thirst
And we couldn't see a soul doing it in the dirt
Oh, what a time
Everybody was praising, raising
Oh, what a time
It was time to be amazing
Time to lose all reason or rhyme
What a time
A thousand people singing in the dark
Couldn't see a thing
A thousand people singing in the dark
Oh, what a time
Everybody was razing, grazing
Oh, what a time
It was time to be amazing
Time to lose all reason or rhyme
B. R. Hornsby
Well I saw her one day
At the corner cafe
Everybody there knew she's a wonder
I sat there all night
Too shy to say
Honey you could keep me from going under
Oh my my when she walks on by
It's hard not to get lost in the view
How can you know if the feelings a lie
When love comes out of the blue
North, south, east, west
Up, down, all around and all the rest
I'll go anywhere she wants me to go
Of all the girls I've loved she's the best
(She's the one)
Till the dreaming's done
Well I left in the springtime long, long ago
Funny but I never got to know her
Some people tell me she stayed alone
And if things were different
I'd go and show her
But oh my my when she walks on by
It's hard not to get lost in the view
How can you know if it's truth or a lie
When love comes out of the blue
North, south, east, west
Uptown, downbound, and all the rest
I'll go anywhere she wants me to go
Of all the girls I've loved she's the best
(She's the one)
Till the dreaming's done
Oh my my when she walks on by
It's hard not to get lost in the view
How can you know if the feelings a lie
When love comes out of the blue
North, south, east, west
Uptown, downtown and all the rest
I'll go anywhere she wants me to go
Of all the girls I've loved she's the best
B. R. Hornsby
Well I'm walking on the floor
Hanging right round the door
Hoping you will come through
Wanting you to, sweat on my brow
I'm no saint
Nothing left but a bad excuse
The heat makes you do things
You might just not do
In your right mind
But you'll do what you do
You can be sure I'll be there
It's gonna take these arms of mine
All that they've got to hold onto you
All that I know is these arms of mine
Are willing to try to keep hold of you
Gonna take a whole, whole, whole lot
A whole, whole, whole lot
Well I'm walking the line
Between wrong and right
I could go either way
But now you don't want me to stay
You're so tired of waiting
Well I'm no saint
Tried to have my cake and eat it too
But nobody does what you do
Now another wins and I lose
I might deserve to
Now you'll do what you do
Might be too late but I'll tell you
It's gonna take these arms of mine
All that they've got to hold onto you
All that I know is these arms of mine
Are willing to try to keep hold of you
Gonna hold, hold, hold on
Standing in line marking time--
Waiting for the welfare dime
'Cause they can't buy a job
The man in the silk suit hurries by
As he catches the poor old ladies' eyes
Just for fun he says "Get a job"
That's just the way it is
Some things will never change
That's just the way it is
But don't you believe them
They say hey little boy you can't go
Where the others go
'Cause you don't look like they do
Said hey old man how can you stand
To think that way
Did you really think about it
Before you made the rules
He said, Son
That's just the way it is
Some things will never change
That's just the way it is
But don't you believe them
Well they passed a law in '64
To give those who ain't got a little more
But it only goes so far
Because the law don't change another's mind
When all it sees at the hiring time
Is the line on the color bar
That's just the way it is
Some things will never change
That's just the way it is
B. R. Hornsby/John Hornsby
Sometimes I lead sometimes I follow
This time I'll go where she wants me to go
She said maybe today maybe tomorrow
Go deep in the woods down the low valley road
While no one was lookin on the old plantation
He took her all the way down the long valley road
They sent her away not too much later
And left him walking down the old valley road
Walk on, walk on alone
Walk on, walk on, walk on alone
Out in the hall they were talking in a whisper
Everybody noticed she was gone awhile
Somebody said she's gone to her sister's
But everybody knew what they were talking about
While no one was lookin on the old plantation
He showed her what they do down the long valley road
She came back around like nothing really happened
And left him standing on the old valley road
Walk on, walk on alone
Walk on, walk on, walk on alone
Standing like a stone on the old plantation
The rich old man would have never let him in
Good enough to hire not good enough to marry
When it all happens nobody wins
Walk on, walk on alone
B. R. Hornsby
Someone's dancing on the table
Someone's got an old book in the back
Some old jocks are sitting round their neighbors
Exaggerating their stats
Again
There's Mr. D.E. in the corner
Dancing with Miss Virginia former
I didn't think I'd really have a good time
But i don't remember you looking so fine
It's been a long dark night alright
I've been running on a low love light
Maybe the longest night
Maybe it's over, over tonight
Most everyone all around
Most have an intersting story
Even those who don't have much to say
Even interest me when they're just boring to him
And then there's Mr. B.M.O.C.
Talking so loud to Mr. P.E.
Someone said that his best days are past
But I know this first chance won't be the last
It's been a long dark night alright
I've been running on a low love light
Maybe the longest night
Maybe it's over, over tonight
Hey now Mr. D.J.
Keep those good songs coming
Cause I'm having such a good time tonight
Moving making up for so much long lost time
Not much going since the old days
One long solo ride
I came here just to live in the past
But maybe I'm seeing the future at last
It's been a long dark night alright
I've been running on a low love light
Maybe the longest night
B. R. Hornsby
I heard you say that tonight's the night
You say there's a party going on
I'm in the door lik an old 78 side
And I hear 'em out hitting on a Coleman song
My friend John with a mirror and spoon
Got a belt and a mainline scene
A couple getting off in the back room
Someone's collecting money for the friend in need
Sounds like a good time, a ball to me
Sounds like a place I'd like to be
Theres a little crowd you're gonna want to meet
Oh they got a thing going on swing street
Nice old man in the corner booth
Making time with Jive-time Stu
She makes her sting 'neath the table blue
Says she's an actor but she's hooking
as a sideline too
Oh sounds like a good time, a ball to me
Sounds like a place I'd like to be
Everybody rolls when it's time to meet
Oh they got a thing going on swing street
Got a good thing going down swing street
You say there's nothing but bums around here
Listen to the sound of the cymbal so clear
Cutting contest on the stand
Somebody's trying to blow you away
What makes him swing harder than you do
Oh better hit the woodshed for ninety days
Oh sounds like a good time, a ball to me
Sounds like a place I'd like to be
Theres a little crowd you're gonna want to meet
Oh they got a thing going on swing street
Got a good thing going down swing street
Got a good thing going down swing street
Got a thing going on on swing street
Got a thing going on
B. R. Hornsby
Hey Now, where are you going
Where are you going to my friend
Said I'm going out to find
The pastures of plenty
I believe they're out there somewhere
Did you hear about the girl
Alone in the world
Thought she was losing her mind
She found it in the discarded refuse pile
Down near the railroad line
A book of sonnets torn and tattered
A few remained intact
One held the key, she said to me
To getting some feeling back
Sometimes my head turns round and round
Sometimes you talk but I can't hear a sound
Sometimes I look down, find my feet off the ground
I feel that I'm somewhere else bound
Hey Now, where are you going
Where are you going to my friend
Said I'm going out to find
The pastures of plenty
I believe they're out there somewhere
She looked down the railroad trackLined with trees on each side
She prayed for the strength to run to the boxcar
To pull herself up for the ride
You invite me to your house - you're so sincere
We sit so close for a while
You reach out for me in the low light so clear
But you look like you're frowning when you smile
Hanging around just to see what could happen
Hanging on by oh, the thinnest thread
Sometimes I see the faintest glimpse
Sometimes I feel I'd be better off in bed
Hey Now, where are you going
Where are you going to my friend
Said I'm going out to find
The pastures of plenty
B. R. Hornsby
Train rolls by about 3 a.m.
Wakes me from a fitful sleep
Got the urge to jump on board
I believe I'm in a little too deep
Walk the train station
Walking through the park
Looking out for something
Still in the dark
One day you'll see something
Oh, with a familiar ring
It'll be just me moving through
On the way to something
It's your life, it's your world
It's your world, and I'm just passing through
It's your life, it's your world
Your life, and I'm just passing through
Tired and confused, yes I am
Don't see much in the future for me
I'm a vagabond and a drifter
Not so hard to be
Walking down the highway
Walking through the park
Looking out for something
Still in the dark
Don't know what to say when I see you smile
So I guess I'll turn my head and go
On the way to another mile
It's your life, it's your world
It's your world, and I'm just passing through
It's your life, it's your world
Your life, and I'm just passing through
Walking down the highway
Walking through the park
Looking out for something
Still in the dark
Want faith in something
So hard to believe
Maybe one night soon
Maybe you could make me see
It's your life, it's your world
It's your world, and I'm just passing through
It's your life, it's your world
Bruce R. Hornsby
Oh I wish I could laugh
When I look way back
To find out who stole all my dreams
Whoa I wish it was easy
To face the fact
There's nobody there but me
Well it's hard not to smile
When I'm back on high ground
I'm wishing someone could see
'Cause when the sun comes up
And my dreams die down
There's nobody there but me
Well it's hard not to smile
When I'm back on high ground
I'm wishing that someone could see
'Cause when the sun comes up
And my dreams die down
There's nobody there but me
Well it feels so good
To be back on dry ground
After drifting so long at sea
'Cause when the rain says run
When it's all said and done
There's nobody there but me
B. R. Hornsby/John Hornsby
They're looking for some hired guns on the Texas border
To shoot 'em all down if they try to cross over the water
And they've got their old white hoods and the same old orders
To keep the dark sons away from their daughters
The nights they came on horses
Are long gone with the wind
Now they're passing out the torches
And they're coming back again
There's a shotgun blast
There's a secret sign
It's not a candle burning and it's not a Sunday night
There's a fire on the cross
There's a fire on the cross tonight
There wasn't any sound but it felt like sudden thunder
Two boards nailed together and burning bright
He was walking by the window when he saw it
Now he wonders
Just what he's got to do to make him see
He just want to be brothers
The nights they came on horses
Are long gone with the wind
Now they're passing out the torches
And they're coming back again
There's a shotgun blast
There's a secret sign
It's not a candle burning and it's not a Sunday night
There's a fire on the cross
B. R. Hornsby
It's been a long time coming, this feeling I've got
That things'll always go your way, such a long shot
Been so deep in the hole, never thought i'd come out
Anything can happen, I know that now
One slip, one fall
A turn of the head can change it all
A step ahead, a step behind
A blink of an eye at the wrong time
North, South, East and West
Spin the wheel and hope for the best
No regrets and it's on we roll
Put it in drive and set the cruise control
Walk tall and away you go
Wheels roll and the whistle will blow
Many miles oh I may roam
Put it in drive and set the cruise control
He was holding on, he trusted me, then he slipped away
He fell hard and now I've just got myself to blame
When he smiled at me finally I came around
you can't worry, you never know so don't beat yourself down
One slip, one fall
A turn of the head can change it all
A step ahead, a step behind
A blink of an eye at the wrong time
North, South, East and West
Spin the wheel and hope for the best
No regrets and it's on we roll
Put it in drive and set the cruise control
Walk tall and away you go
Wheels roll and the whistle will blow
Many miles oh I may roam
Put it in drive and set the cruise control
In my darkest hour, my longest day
Oh my mind was a prison
I could feel it taking me down to stay
Then I said "Forget this", it's out of your hands anyway
North, South, East and West
Spin the wheel and hope for the best
Many miles oh I may roam
Put it in drive and set the cruise control
Wheels roll and the whistle will blow
Walk tall and away you go
No regrets and it's on we roll
Put it in drive and set the cruise control
Put it in drive and set the cruise control
Oh where I go I'll go I just don't know
Pick myself up and roll, roll
Up ahead can't see it all
Bruce R. Hornsby
I'm driving down the highway
Headed to the range
Gonna knock 'em out stong
But I'm feeling no pain
Got an old brown bag
Big stick in the back
Where the grass don't grow
Gonna take a few hacks
There's a place for you if you're just like me
Armchair greens chillin at the TV
Have another cool one
but it won't hurt
Got myself a big stick
swingin in the dirt
Got a two bit job
with a little bit of pay
But I feel no pressure
Couple lessons today
Working on the swing
And talkin' trash
Take another good hit
Try to make it last
There's a place for you
If you're just like me
Armchair boys yelling at the TV
Twenty points in a row
I'm getting shirts
Got myself a big stick swingin' in the dirt
Bet a five dollar nasaw
And all you got's two
Well a five foot gimme
Make a man out of you
Well I got my dreams
And they just don't stop
Well a big man, big shot
Make her on top
Well, there's a place for you if you're just like me
Armchair greens chillin' at the TV
Have another cool one
But it won't hurt
Got myself a big stick
Swingin in the dirt
B. R. Hornsby
Woke up this morning looking at the screen
There's a couple of men talking
I'm not sure what they mean
There's a conversation many men running wild
We learn about the world while they're fighting in the aisles
Here we go
What do you say, what do you know
You've got your life and you watch it away
It's just another day in this old town
So get down
Home Shopping Channel's got us by the eyes
Scrambling to the phones ordering porcelain flies
Talk to the women talk to the wives
Everybody's buying important things for their lives
Here we go
What do you say, what do you know
You've got your life and you watch it away
It's just another day in this old town
So get down
He's a high performance engine with Jesus as the fuel
Old father's handing out forty acres and a mule
Preaching the word of prosperity
Make a little more money they might just put you on t.v.
Here we go
What do you say, what do you know
You've got your life and you watch it away
Ain't no big thing it's just another day
Ain't no big thing so let it ring
Let it ring George
Turn off the lights honey then turn off the set
Life around here don't make a lot of damn sense
As I closed my eyes I saw in my mind
Somebody selling me a nickle for a dime
Here we go
What do you say, what do you know
You've got your life and you watch it away
It's just another day in this old town
So get down, ain't no big thing so let it ring
In this old town so get down
It's another day so go ahead
Go ahead
B. R. Hornsby
She walked into town in a long white gown
And the band played on with no one around
And the rice was gone oh hours ago
And the white wheeled limosine's standing alone
Well they met at the club where the brasses blow
Where the wine did flow oh he moved so slow
But finally one night as the wind stood still
He got up the nerve and she said "I will"
The day did come and the groomsmen arrived
Came a little early to go over their lines
As they walked to the church on the cobblestones
Was heard in the bushes a moan and a groan
Well she walked into town in a long white gown
And the band played on with no one around
And the rice was gone oh hours ago
And the white wheeled limosine's standing alone
She didn't want to think that she lived a lie
There was always talk of a wandering eye
He'd come to the club and he'd look all around
It took a fair minded man not to wonder aloud
Well she walked into town in a long white gown
And the band played on with no one around
And the rice was gone oh hours ago
And the white wheeled limosine's standing alone
B. R. Hornsby/John Hornsby
Sometimes I get lucky
Most times I come up short
Got to pull up the lines
Got to move around the bend
They say it's a dying breed
They say it's going to disappear
Nothing I can do, oh but pull up the load again
The tide will rise
And the tide will fall
We'll be out on the water
Before the break of dawn
The tide will rise
And the tide will fall
Oh, we'll be working on the water
When the long, long day is gone
Full moon it was always best
Keep a little and you sell the rest
Living on hope that the seed is sown again
Red sky in the evening
Better times are coming up they say
Well, why do I feel like it's all coming to an end
The tide will rise
And the tide will fall
We'll be out on the water
Before the break of dawn
The tide will rise
And the tide will fall
Oh, we'll be working on the water
When the long, long day is gone
When the seed is broken
Nothing left to grow on
When you lose the seed
It's hard to bring it on back
Never bowed to no one
Always went my own way
Broke down, run around, but I won't run away
And the tide will rise
The tide will rise
And the tide will fall
We'll be out on the water
Before the break of dawn
The tide will rise
And the tide will fall
Oh, we'll be working on the water
B. R. Hornsby
What's the long face, whats all the crying for
Didn't you expect it when you opened your door
To the man with the long coat and the long list of victims
Everybody watching knows he's the one keeping score
>From where she sits, everyone stands in judgement
People watching as the curtain falls down
See the lights do a long slow fade...
The show goes on, and the sad-eyed sisters go walking on
Everyone watching all along
The show goes on, as the autumn's coming
and the summer's all gone
Still without you, the show goes on
Some say she's alright, some say she'll never learn
Some rush into things, some stand and wait their turn
I've been here all along standing here all this time
But you never noticed, just let the same tired flames burn
>From where she sits, everyone stands in judgement
People watching as the curtain falls down
See the lights do a long slow fade
The show goes on, and the sad-eyed sisters go walking on
Everyone watching all along
The show goes on, as the autumn's coming
and the summer's all gone
Still without you, the show goes on
Time is passing,slowly passing you by
You better try to find it before it passes you by
As I watch you walking to another cold dawn
And you keep on walking
And they keep on talking
Talking all along
>From where she sits, everyone stands in judgement
People watching as the curtain falls down
See the lights do a long slow fade
The show goes on, and the sad-eyed sisters go walking on
Everyone watching all along
The show goes on, as the autumn's coming
and the summer's all gone
B. R. Hornsby/John Hornsby
The rain held back again
Haven't felt a drop since you went away
Outside of town, the hills are brown
I guess way out there you'd call 'em golden
Lines outside the welfare store
The clock is stopped at the bank next door
They yelled like hell when the boys left home
Now just like you they're all gone
The river runs low tonight
Eyes are closed on the waterline
The river runs low tonight
And you're always drifting through my mind
The river runs low tonight
And nobody waits for the tides to rise
But I'm gonna wait till you make
The river run high
The old man's gettin' on
Keeps the morning paper in his overcoat
It keeps him warm in the cold storm
And he told me today I look a little lonely
Up in the air they're heading south
The sky is light to the west of town
With a little cash I could get around
You know I'd come out there and find you
The river runs low tonight
Eyes are closed on the waterline
The river runs low tonight
And you're always drifting through my mind
The river runs low tonight
And nobody waits for the tides to rise
But I'm gonna wait till you make
The river run high
Up in the air they're heading south
The sky is light to the west of town
With a little cash I could get around
You know I'd come out there and find you
The river runs low tonight
Eyes are closed on the waterline
The river runs low tonight
And you're always drifting through my mind
The river runs low tonight
And nobody waits for the tides to rise
But I'm gonna wait till you make
B. R. Hornsby/John Hornsby
Four walls I built one winter
She came to share my name
For years we lived as lovers on the open plains
Far off the heat wave shimmers
Pipelines and the gasoline
One day it all came running like a bad dream
Fire, smoke-filled lungs
I hope I'll be standing when the day is done
We're
Staring out at the red plains
And we're hiding out from the smoke and the rage
A lifetime living on the red plains
Watching out as it all goes up in flames
Get up on Sunday morning
Repent for Friday night
Don't let 'em tell you it's gonna be a fair fight
I gave her clothes and a diamond
She loved the things that shine
But one day the gold and the silver get left behind
Fire, smoke-filled rooms
I hope I'll be standing when the day is through
Staring out at the red plains
And we're hiding out from the smoke and the rage
A lifetime living on the red plains
B. R. Hornsby/Hohn Hornsby
It's a hazy winter's day
And I'm staring out on the southland
In the twilight distance on the bay
My mind sees you running through the marshland
All these years I've been waiting for you
Through the high tides and the low tides too
But if I stop now how could I ever be with you?
It's a long race
If I try I will surely finish
It's a long race
If I try I will surely win it
Some day some night with you
There's a village on the lower Eastern Shore
Where the watermen's boats are anchored
And they work so hard all day long
Showing me what you want to go after
All these years I've been pushing so hard
Through the high times and the low times too
But if I stop now
How could I know what I could do?
It's a long race
If I try I will surely finish
It's a long race
If I try I will surely win it
Remember when the days were long
And rolled beneath a deep blue sky
Didn't have a care in the world
With mommy and daddy standin' by
But "happily ever after" fails
And we've been poisoned by these fairy tales
The lawyer dwell on small details
Since daddy had to fly
But I know a place where we can go
That's still untouched by men
We'll sit and watch the clouds roll by
And the tall grass wave in th4e wind
You can lay your head back on the ground
And let your hair fall all around me
Offer up your best defense
But this is the end
This is the ned of the innocence
O'beautiful, for spacious skies
But now those skies are threatening
They're beating plowshares into swords
For this tired old man that we elected king
Armchair warriors often fail
And we've been poisoned by these fairy tales
The lawyers clean up all details
Since daddy had to lie
Bt I know a place where we can go
And was a away this sin
We'll sit and watch the clouds roll by
And the tall grass wave in the wind
Just lay your head back on the ground
And let your hair spill all around me
Offer up your best defense
But this is the end
This is the end of the innocnece
Who knows how long this will last
Now we've come so far, so fast
But, somewhere back there in the dust
That same small town in each of us
I need to remember this
So baby give me just one kiss
And let me take a long last look
Before we say goodbye
Just lay your head back on the ground
And let your hair fall all around me
Offer up your best defense
But this is the end
B. R. Hornsby
The scene is set, everybody's in place
Two chairs filled for every five gone to waste
Pantsuit girl gives me a nasty gaze
She says play that on your own time
Walk to the bandstand blow my horn
Nobody knows what we're really here for
Let's take it out hard till they show us the door
It's us against them tonight
Play the changes
Make the changes
Hear the changes
Take it out hard till they show us the door
A girl with a nose ring said to me
She said where's the joy in your delivery
I said maybe there's not supposed to be
Any real joy at all here
She sat there with that plaster smile
As we sit jiving but in a little while
Holding her hair she joined the single file
And walked on down the hall
Play the changes
Make the changes
Hear the changes
Us against them tonight
The owner says he thinks we need some work
Got a place for you, got some roadwork
Laying asphalt on the interstate
Nobody cares and why should they
A white girl in a dashiki says you're all the rage
My friends and I think you're quite the sage
Wear a kofu and a finger guage
To see which way the wind blows today
Play the changes
Make the changes
Hear the changes
To see which way the wind blows today
Old friend Dave with the silver spoon
Says why don't you play those good old tunes
Give it up now you could fill the room
I say there's nothing like a good Trane tune
Changes
These things called changes
B. R. Hornsby/John Hornsby
Well she was so fine
On the first impression
I was taken, taken in by the view
With eyes so soft
And a face so smooth
I found her selling in a fashion booth
All that I said was "Do you sell suits?"
She said you're a scream and your accent's so cute
Her mother had to meet me, it all sounded funny
But then my friends told me well the girls got money
It's alright, It's okay
Hey don't you worry about a thing
You're the king today but there's a price you may pay
If you take your seat in the royal suite
You might get stranded on easy street
Well she said she was
A good time girl
Laughing laughing a bit too loud
Such a face
The specialist creates
She gets the benefit of the doubt
I know that she wanted more than I could give
But I just had to see how the other half lived
She showed me her friends, she showed me her throne
I didn't sell my soul I just took out a loan
It's alright, It's okay
Hey don't you worry about a thing
You're the king today but there's a price you may pay
If you take your seat in the royal suite
You might get stranded on easy street
She runs to her mother the social x-ray star
She put me at the wheel of her father's new car
She loved how her touch made me want to drive farther
She loved how her money meant she'd tell me how far
It's alright, It's okay
Hey don't you worry about a thing
You're the king today but there's a price you may pay
If you take your seat in the royal suite
B. R. Hornsby
And he stands at the banquet room bar
Looking over the crowd
The reunion band playing too loud
And he sees his fellow old star
Looks him up and down
Sees a little of himself in his frown
The stander on the mountain
Looking for the fountain to drink some, to think some
About the old days
King of the mountain
Nothing could be found of the old ways, the old days
When he was the one
And the stander on the mountain runs
Let us sit and talk of old times
That's what we're supposed to do
And you don't look a day over thirty-two
Yes we were so funny and wild
There's an old friend of mine
Says I'm looking back most all the time
And the stander on the mountain
Listens to the sound of the city streets, the lonely heat
The town he once owned
King of the mountain
Nothing could be found of the old ways, the old days
When he was the one
And the stander on the mountain runs
King of the hill runs away
Oh she's knocking on your door tonight
Oh she wants to see if she remembers right
Say won't you come outside tonight
Alright
They drive to the lookout on the hill
And when it was over
They sat there and looked back
Tomorrow was way in the distance
Tomorrow was a long time away
Nobody thought much about it
And there's nothing wrong if we live for today
I recall when you filled it on up
And you bowed to the crowd
The girls in the short skirts screaming loud
The stander on the mountain
Looking for the fountain to drink some, to think some
About the old days
Big man around town
Nothing could be found of the old ways, the old days
When he was the one
The song came and went like the times that we spent
Hiding out from the rain under the carnival tent
I laughed and she'd smile, it would last for awhile
You don't know what you got till you lose it all again
Listen to the mandolin rain, listen to the music on the lake
Listen to my heart break every time she runs away
Listen to the banjo wind, sad song drifting low
Listen to the tears roll down my face as she turns to go
A cool evening dance listening to the bluegrass band
Takes the chill from the air till they play the last song
I'll do my time, oh keeping you off my mind
But there's moments that I find, I'm not feeling so strong
Listen to the mandolin rain, listen to the music on the lake
Listen to my heart break every time she runs away
Listen to the banjo wind, sad song drifting low
Listen to the tears roll down my face as she turns to go
Running down by the lake shore
She did love the sound of a summer storm
It played on the lake like a mandolin
Now it's washing her away once again, again
Whoa oh oh
Yeah, listen to
Do, do, do
The boat's steaming in, I watch the side wheel spin
And I think about her when I hear that whistle blow
I can't change my mind, oh I knew all the time
That she'd go, but that's a choice I made long ago
Listen to the mandolin rain, listen to the music on the lake
Listen to my heart break every time she runs away
Listen to the banjo wind, sad song drifting low
Listen to the tears roll down my face as she turns to go, as she turns to go
Listen to the, listen to the mandolin rain
Listen to the tears roll down my face as she turns to go
Listen to the tears roll down my face as she turns to go
B. R. Hornsby
There was a man of confused and sad nature
Thought no one loved him that was not true
He said he was a lost soul didn't fit in anywhere
Didn't know where to turn or who to turn to
There's a lost soul coming down the road
Somewhere between two worlds
With an oar in his hands and a song on your lips
We'll row the boat to the far shore
Row the boat of the loved lost soul
Ever since oh I can remember
We all tried to ease the pain
Took him in when he needed some shelter
Tried to make him feel he was one of us again
There was one day oh I can remember
He sat alone with a pencil in his hand
All day long he drew careful on the paper
In the end just a picture of a man
Of the lost soul coming down the road
Somewhere between two worlds
With an oar in his hands and a song on your lips
We'll row the boat to the far shore
Row the boat of love lost soul
Oh dear Mary do you remember
The day we went walking downtown
As I recall it was in early December
After school had just let out
When I see you on the street in the twilight
I may tip my hat and keep my head down
You show me love but maybe I don't deserve it
I've been called but not been found
There's a lost soul coming down the road
Somewhere between two worlds
With an oar in his hands and a song on your lips
We'll row the boat to the far shore
B. R. Hornsby
Is he sane or insane
That's all they want to know
Is he crazy or strange then
If so I want to go
I've seen him leave at night
Followed him so far
Drove out about thirteen miles
Then he pulled in to a shothouse bar
For a...
Long Tall Tool One
Don't know just what's going down
Long Tall Cool One
Looks like a new friend I've found
Walking in the shadows
Now I want back in the light
As I make the drop I've got some
Second thoughts tonight
You see I walked right in, sat right down
Offered him a light
Big talk for about thirteen hours
He said can you help me with a job tonight,
For a...
Long Tall Tool One
Don't know just what's going down
Long Tall Cool One
He said something's in it for me right now
I've reached out into the darkness
Jumped up from my bed
Woke up in the middle of the night
Got myself in way over my head
For the...
Long Tall Tool One
Don't know just what's going down
Long Tall Cool One
Looks like a new friend I've found
Long Tall Tool One
But it better never bite me well
Long tall cool one
B.R. Hornsby
A strong man feels weak in the still heat of the day
Nothing is black and white, just a hazy gray
There's a long lonesome sound in the distance calling back to me
You look for some small reward
Everybody wants a little more
You could be the one at my door
Someone I might've seen before
What I come here for
Everything comes and goes
You try to believe but you never know
Anyway the wind blows
Somewhere, sometime
I will walk with you
Long way to go, the road winds on and on
You feel all alone, in the cold light of the dawn
And I know that it's warm by your side, but you're so far away
There's always another wall
Sometimes you feel so small
You could pick me up when I fall
Be the one to help me through it all
Be there when I call
Everything comes and goes
You try to believe but you never know
Anyway the wind blows
Somewhere, sometime
I will walk with you
There's always another wall
Sometimes you feel so small
You could pick me up when I fall
Be the one to help me through it all
Be there when I call
Everything comes and goes
You try to believe but you never know
Anyway the wind blows
Somewhere, sometime
B. R. Hornsby/John Hornsby
It's coming any day said the captain
It's coming any day now cried the priest
The people in high places may defend you
But son you better hope they keep the peace
Can't you hear them calling
Can't you see them shine
The city halls are falling
The defenders drink their wine
And when the party's over
Their stomachs start to sag
Defenders, Defenders of the flag
The congregation's waiting at the altar
They can't find the preacher anywhere
They found him with the new girl from the choir
Where they store the boxes of the book of prayer
If these guys are the good ones
I don't want to know the bad
You wonder how it happened
They just picked it up from dad
While faded old glory is hanging like a rag
Defenders, defenders of the flag
The flag is flying high over the courthouse
The wheels of justice never stood a chance
The judge is down at Charlie's on his lunch hour
Checking out the picture show from France
Carrying a fifth of whiskey
In a dirty paper bag
Threw the ball to home
But they always missed the tag
Faded old glory hanging like a rag
B. R. Hornsby
Deep down in the south county
Over where the paper mill runs
Lived a man, a young country doctor
With the perfect wife and sons
Well he worked his days
And Sundays he'd pray
And nobody knew
Why the wife slowly withered away
I saw the country doctor, to ask him what
was wrong with me
He was caught unaware, accidental and devil may care
Behind the curtain I see, two shadows in front of me
Oh nobody know the trouble I've seen
My guess, there was another woman
And with the kids and the money there was a lot to lose
He said she had an rare affliction
And he was doing all he could do
And we all believed him
Felt so sorry and then
I thought once he was a fine man
Now I don't remember when
I saw the country doctor, to ask him what
was wrong with me
He was caught unaware, accidental and devil may care
Behind the curtain I see, bottles unmarked in front of me
Whoa nobody knows the trouble I've seen
I saw the country doctor, in a place he didn't see me
Way out in the middle of the night where he thought
no one could see
Over there in the parlor room, making eyes,
hands roaming free
Someone soon must know, the trouble I've seen
Did you think about the young ones
One day they'll know it was you
And if they let you off one day
Who then will you turn to
And my wife remembers one thing
She said I remember kind of strangely
At a friends wedding one time
B. R. Hornsby
Some live life with eyes that don't see
They look away at the time of your greatest need
Some talk, some'll just do, some turn their back
Turn around and just walk away I know I've done that
Lonely Days and lonely nights
Easy to be cynical never put yourself on the line
I'd like to reach out well why don't I
Take the load up off your back I'd like to try
Let me carry your water
Let me carry the weight
I will bear your burden
Let me carry the load
Working hard sweating all day in the long hot sun
Feel alone with the heavy load you're not the only one
Bossman say time to jump we say how high
If you need a hand getting off your feet baby I'll try
I want to cover you the the sea on the sand
Easy to be cynical never take a stand
Easy for me not to give a damn
I'll ask you to call for me and I'll give you a hand
Let me carry your water
Let me carry the load
I will shoulder your burden
Let me carry the load
Lonely nights and lonely days
You wait for someone to come along and sweep you away
I'll put myself out there it just might feel good
B. R. Hornsby
Cocked and ready oh here I stand
Anticipating the laying on of hands
Might be frivolous, may be profound
But it feels like deliverance going down
Hey now, come on around
The big rumble is coming down
Go tell it on the mountainside
Over the hills and across the sky
Hey now, watch out, run
Big rumble is about to come
Go tell it to the people there
Over the hills and everywhere
The young girls screaming as the gym rat speaks
Might see some walk-on on a shooting streak
Big snake charmers and medicine men
Some like Daniels in the lion's den
Hey now, come on around
The big rumble is coming down
Go tell it on the mountainside
Over the hills and across the sky
Hey now, watch out, run
Big rumble is about to come
Go tell it to the people there
Over the hills and everywhere
A man with a ball as a saviour too
A strange conception of the holy truth
The biggest and the baddest of Moses too
Works for some, maybe me and you
Hey now, come on around
The big rumble is coming down
Go tell it on the mountainside
Over the hills and across the sky
Hey now, watch out, run
Big rumble is about to come
Go tell it to the people there
B. R. Hornsby/John Hornsby
Van and Willie went out one night
Once they get out on the road
Well then everything is alright
Had to get away from the kids and the wives
Well they ran into some city boys that didn't walk just right
And the line was drawn for another showdown
Like they'd always seen it done
And when the lights came up on the little woods town
Ther was an old man bailing out a son
Going out for a night on the town
Going out to the smoke and trees
Going out for a night on the town
Going out for a look and see
Said do what your daddy told you
Well I just went out and did that
Van and Willie went out one night
There's a green table down at the midway
Where they rack up the balls for the games
And reputations are made
There's a green forest full of oaks and pines
Where they cleared a cleared a space in the middle
Where secret scores are settled
And the claim was made round the table that night
And they rode off through the trees
And the young boys tell how the city boys tried
And how one man fell to his knees
Going out for a night on the town
Going out to the smoke and trees
Going out for a night on the town
Going out for a look and see
Said what made you go and do that
Well we were just having a little fun
Van and Willie went out one night
And the line was drawn for another showdown
Like they'd always seen and done
And one mans night for a drunken old time
Left a scar on on another one
Going out for a night on the town
Going out to the smoke and trees
Going out for a night on the town
Going out for a look and see
Said do what your daddy told you
Well I just went out and did that
![Grateful Dead - Tennessee Jed 1991 [HD]](http://web.archive.org./web/20130129182922im_/http://i.ytimg.com/vi/-JNFp9T_GT4/default.jpg "Grateful Dead - Tennessee Jed 1991 [HD]")
![[icon]](http://web.archive.org./web/20130129182922/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small}
