Dear Billy
How are you? I hope you are well.
The flowers are blooming,
the plants I can't really tell.
I see by your letter
you have no intent to come home
so i'll take the kid and the house
and make out on my own.
Dear Billy,
I'm trying to say what I feel
but the feelings are wrapped up in pain
I hope you're enjoying whatever it is
you are doing in whoever's name.
Well the night it runs cold
and it chills to the soul
but you wouldn't know, what's the use?
It's all one to me, so go ahead and be free
After all you've got nothing to lose
I still go to school
and the kid she goes too
we're learning to silence the fears.
When no one is here
she calls me 'dear' and I wait for you
what else can i do?
No nothing has changed
it all stays the same.
we all remain ever faithful
but a little confused
except maybe you who threw the harpoon (?)
are you coming home soon?
Dear Billy
Please send my regards to your lady
I wish her well
and i hope that one day we will meet on the far side of hell
well the night's got the moon
and the writer his tune (?)
but i never had nothing except you
on the day that you die
we'll sing lullabies
in the hopes that you got yours too
Ooh, let me be lonely
I'd rather be by myself
Than with you acting holy
I want to be with the one
I want to be
Or else I want to be free
Ooh, let me be lonely
Saving up for a rainy day
Or donate to charity, impossible
Think you'll make history
Improbable, give your love to me
Ooh, let me be wanted
I've a right to tonight to delight
When you got it you flaunt it
And if you're not
What you seem to be then
How come you're coming on strong?
Ooh, let me be wanted
All you do with your time is tease me
Couldn't you find the time to please me?
With your kind, it looks so easy
Shoving the blues away
Ooh, let me be lonely
I'd rather be by myself
Acting holy
I want to be with the one
Ooh, let me be lonely
All you do with your time
Couldn't you find the time?
SOMEONE IS WAITING OVER BY THE WINDOW
JUST BEYOND THE STAIRWELL SOMEONE’SE CRYING
DROWNING IN THE WORDS OF THE PROPHETS
THAT ARE WRITTEN FOR THE DEAD AND THE DYING
SOMEONE’S LYING. NO ONE’S BUYING.
SOMEONE IS DYING. PANIC IN THE STREETS
CAN’T GET NO RELIEF, SOMEONE ESCAPING
WAITING ON A LINE FOR THE HOLY REVOLUTION
PARADING ILLUSION
SOMEONE’S USING. MOST AMUSING
WILL YOU DANCE, WILL YOU DANCE?
SMELL OF CAVIAR AND ROSES
TEACH YOUR CHILDREN ALL THE POSES
HOW FAMILIAR ARE WE ALL…
WILL YOU DANCE, WILL YOU DANCE
LIGHT FANTASTIC IN THE MORNING
HOW ROMANTIC TO BE WHORING
BORING THOUGH IT MAY BE
WHO’LL SURVIVE
IF YOU AND I SHOULD FALL
SOMEONE IS BLEEDING CRIMSON IN THE NIGHT
STRANGERS, IN THE LIGHT A SUDDEN MEETING
GREETING ONE BY ONE EVERY LIFE RUNS
FLASHING BEFORE THOSE DASHING EYES
WILL YOU DANCE, WILL YOU DANCE?
TAKE A CHANCE ON ROMANCE
AND A BIG SURPRISE?
WILL YOU DANCE, WILL YOU DANCE?
TAKE A CHANCE ON ROMANCE
What'cha gonna do when the silence falls?
What'cha gonna do when the silence falls?
Dance alone to the radio,
All dressed up and no place to go?
What'cha gonna do when the silence falls?
What'cha gonna do when the silence calls your name?
What'cha gonna do when the silence calls your name?
Make your speeches to the wind,
Count the votes that might have been?
What'cha gonna do when the silence falls?
See that cloud in the eastern sky?
See that cloud in the eastern sky?
Brighter than the brightest pearl,
Big enough to eat this world.
What'cha gonna do when the well runs dry?
I dreamed the sky was falling.
I heard the planets end.
I heard the voices calling,
"Never again, never again."
What'cha gonna do?
What'cha gonna do-hoo?
You can’t even hear God call,
Well, I was sittin' on the corner,
I was smokin' on the sly.
When along comes a grownup,
From the grownup F.B.I.
He says, "This ain't
Marlboro country, hon.
Where'd you get your cigarettes?
You know you are too young."
Then up stepped three more
Governmental nuts,
Who'd been laying in the gutter,
Disguised as cigarette butts.
Called for the sergeant,
He rolled up in a hearse.
And he called me a lousy,
No-good, juvenile pervert.
He gave me a lecture,
On cancer of the lung.
Said, "Anyone who smokes,
Is a low-down, dirty bum.
Don't let me catch you smokin',
around again," he said.
And he took another drag,
Of his cigarette.
If you think I'm hating grownups,
You're got me all wrong.
They're very nice people,
When they stay where they belong.
But we're the younger generation,
And your rules are giving me fixations.
I've got those younger generation,
Regurgitation blues.
I was going down the corner,
I was going against the light,
Which had just turned green,
Up comes this guy.
Says, "Don't you know,
That's a federal offense?
Seems like kids your age,
Just ain't got no sense.
Don't you know you're risking,
Juvenile arrest?
Committing suicide,
Is punishable by death."
If you think I'm hating grownups,
You're got me all wrong.
They're very nice people,
When they stay where they belong.
But we're the younger generation,
And your rules are giving me fixations.
I've got those younger generation,
You've got me on a string.
And I don't mean a thing to you.
I'm holding on to no one,
I'm a long-time lover,
And my long-time love is gone.
If my man beats me, robs me blind,
Long as he don't leave me, I don't mind.
I would beg and I would crawl,
Though it does no good at all.
My man been gone so long,
And I keep holding on.
And if he needed me, I'd be there.
No matter how he mistreated me,
I don't care.
I would get down on my knees,
I tried so hard to please.
My man been gone for so long,
And I keep holding on.
Empty windows, boarded doorways,
Choose your prison,
When I'm with him.
And I'm a fool for loving you.
And, well, I know,
How the head says, "No."
And the heart says,
"Go down on your knees, woman,
I miss you, jealous lover,
Won't you come on over
To my side of town?
I need you
Like the city needs
The sound of human voices.
I want you
Like the winter wants the springtime.
Lover, without you,
The world stands alone.
Without you,
The past lingers on.
Tomorrow becoming today,
Without you, it's all the same,
Without you.
Outside my window,
Gentle lover,
The birds are singing songs of love.
I need you.
They are calling for
The sound of laughing children.
I want you.
They are singing for your pleasure.
Lover, without you,
The world stands alone.
Without you,
The past lingers on.
Tomorrow becoming today,
Without you, it's all the same.
I see you.
A world without end.
Then I need you,
All over again.
Without you,
The sun doesn't shine.
Tomorrow is blind,
Would you like to learn to sing?
Would you like to sing my song?
Would you like to learn to love me best of all?
Anyone can learn the words and the melody's so plain
This is my song to bring you back again
I'll teach you how to sing and dance
With a song and dance routine
And when the party's over
You can fall in love with me
Would you like to learn to tango?
Do you dance the light fandango?
Teach you how before we're done
Anyone can make it two, any two can turn to one
And the melody's lost before the song's begun
Well we sound so good together and so poorly sung alone
Your harmony's an open breeze into my sheltered home
I can teach you how to sing and dance
With a song and dance routine
And when my party's over
When Angels Cry
(Janis Ian)
Wait Your tired arms must rest
Let this moment pass
Wait until the morning
Close your eyes and you will see
who you used to be
left without a warning
Who knew one so big could grow so small
Lighter than the writing on the wall
When angels cry, can I stand by
When stones weep, can my heart sleep
Wish I'd never heard, wish I'd never heard
Wish I'd never heard
the power of a four letter word
'Cause only love will matter in the end
for a woman or a man
What's the difference now
Here we live with bottles
and needles and truth
Here is your living proof
that death cannot be proud
Some say it's a judgement on us all
I can't believe that God could be that small
When angels cry, can I stand by
When stones weep, can my heart sleep
Wish I'd never heard, wish I'd never heard
Wish I'd never heard
the power of a four letter word
If ever was a rose that longed to bloom
If ever was a heart that longed to fly
If ever was an angel, it was you
So close your eyes and say goodbye
Goodbye
When angels cry, I can't stand by
When stones weep, I can't sleep
Guess I've finally learned
Guess I've finally learned
Yes, I've finally learned
that love is just a four letter word
I REMEMBER PHOTOGRAPHS
WATERCOLORS OF THE PAST
HE TURNED AND SAID, YOU ASK MUCH OF ME
THEN, WHEN WE'D MADE OUR PEACE
WE LAY BETWEEN THE SHEETS
HE TURNED AND SAID, I SET YOU FREE
GO ON, BE A HERO, BE A PHOTOGRAPH
MAKE YOUR OWN MYTHS
CHRIST, I HOPE THEY LAST
LONGER THAN MINE
WIDER THAN THE SKY
WE MEASURE TIME BY
GO ON, BE A HERO, I SET YOU FREE
YOUR STAGEHAND LOVERS HAVE CONQUERED ME
THEY'LL SEND YOU CARNATIONS
WHILE SMILING FACES LOOK ON AND APPLAUD
GO ON, GO ON, GO 'WAY FROM ME
I SAID, DO YOU WISH ME DEAD
LIP SERVICE TO BOOKS YOU'VE READ
ARTICLES ON HOW TO BED A BIRD IN FLIGHT
YOU CALLED IT LOVE
I CALLED IT GREED
YOU SAY, YOU TAKE WHAT YOU WANT
I SAY, YOU GET WHAT YOU NEED
GO ON, BE A HERO, BE A MAN
MAKE YOUR OWN DESTINY IF YOU CAN
GO FIND A FENCE, LOCATE A SHELL
AND HIDE YOURSELF
GO ON, GO TO HELL, GO AWAY FROM ME
I NEED NO CHARITY
HE SAID, COME UNTO ME, I AM BEAUTY, I AM THE LIGHT
COME UNTO ME. HOLD THE DARKNESS AND STAY THE NIGHT
FOR I AM WONDER, I AM THE HEART'S DELIGHT
TOMORROW WE'LL FIGHT
COME ON COME ON, COME NEAR TO ME
COME BE MY FANTASY
WE'LL TALK IT OVER AGAIN SOMETIME
I'LL SEND YOU SOME FLOWERS
AND CHANGE YOUR MIND
BUT FOR TONIGHT, TURN OUT THE LIGHT
HOLD ME, COME ON, COME ON
AND SET ME FREE
An' don't go out in the street, little girl,
An' don't go out into town.
Now, you don't know who you'll meet, little girl,
There are bad men around.
Ah-ho, your mother, she's in love with you.
And she tells you, you oughtn't go with guys.
So go to bed at ten, let your mama tuck you in,
And turn on your Mickey Mouse night-light.
Then you make it with your mind.
Don't go out into town, little girl.
Stay safe in your house, little girl.
Your mother's wails and the inquirous tales,
Keep you, oooo, hidin', denyin'.
Don't go into the park, little girl,
You know those men are all the same.
Stay inside, alone, after dark, little girl,
Boy want's just one thing, mmm-mmm.
Don't talk about sex, you might get hexed,
God'll punish you for your dirty mind.
Now, there's no escapin' and you'd enjoy a rapin'
Just to find out the facts of life.
Mama says, "Maintain your pride."
Don't go out into town, little girl.
Stay safe in the house, little girl.
Your mother's wails and the daily, news tales,
Keep you, oooo, hidin', denyin'.
Don't go into your mind, little girl,
You know the windows, they're only made of glass.
Don't let me catch you tryin' to pry, little girl,
The mirrors of illusion tumble fast.
Ah-ho, you're too far gone for anyone,
Now, I'd like to help but I can only sigh,
"You'd best maintain your mama's pride."
You lost yours the time you obeyed,
When she said, "Don't fraternize."
No place to hide.
Don't go out into town, little girl.
Stay safe in your house, little girl.
When your mother's a-gone, you continue to run,
It’s a miracle of nature
just to be alive tonight
awake in your arms
the world and it’s charms
lit up by candle light
It’s a miracle of feeling
to love despite the fear
so please don’tforget
I’ve had no regrets
since you found me here
Through the years we’ve been happy
Through the years we’ve been sad
and sometimes, feeling lucky
was the only luck we had
but we always found some laughter
in the tears
through the years
It’s a never-ending wonder
that other arms are cold
when every night
I’m warmed by the light
of your spindthrift soul
Shining like a beacon
lit up aganst the dark
What do people do
when they don’t have you
alive in their heart?
Through the years we’ve been happy
Through the years we’ve been sad
and sometimes, feeling lucky
was the only luck we had
but we always found some laughter
in the tears
through the years
What do people do
who haven’t got you
to lighten the tears?
I felt a rumble in my heart,
Over the mountains,
As the engine ate the spark,
Spitting out the miles.
Times when I tried to jump the track,
Weight of the world upon my back.
Still, after all is said and done,
This train still runs.
It doesn't matter where it's gone,
This train still runs.
And though the baggage weighs a ton,
We carry on.
Nothing is forever young and I'm not done.
This train still runs.
I had a friend I left behind,
Back at the station,
We used to burn the power lines,
Racing with the wind.
But time has the manners of a thief.
Young love turns bittersweet.
Still we keep the lantern hung.
This train still runs.
It doesn't matter where it's gone,
This train still runs.
And though the baggage weighs a ton,
We carry on.
No one is forever young and we're not done.
This train still runs.
[Short instrumental break.]
Got a ticket in my pocket and I'm ready to ride.
Got a motor rolling over to an easy glide.
I'm gonna travel on the gravel to the other side,
Sure as a baby love the teat,
Sure as a high heel on concrete,
Sure as the songs I've left unsung,
This train will run.
It doesn't matter where it's gone,
This train will run.
And we will carry on.
Nothing is forever young, I'm not done.
Here I am dressed for the ball
Does he still like me?
Will he call?
Tonight’s the night
Will he remember my name
I’ve written his all over the sky
Tonight’s the night
I’m gonna make him mine.
And the lights
Will go swirling
‘round and ‘round
And the bells will ring on high
And I’ll laugh until
I cry the night away
This night
Will be mine forever now
‘Cause forever is his name
And the lights will keep swirling
And burning up the day
Tonight’s the night
Here I am dancing at last
Holding my own
Even when the band plays fast
Tonight’s the night
What if the band plays too slow?
Will he forget me
And leave me stranded?
How do you know
Just how far to go
And the lights
Will go swirling
‘round and ‘round
And the bells will ring on high
And I’ll laugh until
I cry the night away
This night
Will be mine forever now
‘Cause forever is his name
And the lights will keep swirling
And burning up the day
Tonight’s the night
(I think he loves me
Yes I think he loves me
I think he loves me.)
(I think he loves me
Yes I think he loves me
I think he loves me.)
Here I am ready for bed
Do I like pretty or
just well fed?
Tonight’s the night
What if I look like a fool?
Maybe I just better wait and see
What he’s gonna do
Maybe he’s scared too.
And the lights
Will go swirling
‘round and ‘round
And the bells they ring on high
And I’ll laugh until
I cry the night away
This night
Will be mine forever now
‘Cause forever is his name
And the lights keep on swirling
And burning up the day
Tonight’s the night
(I think he loves me
Yes I think he loves me
I think he loves me.)
(I think he loves me
Yes I think he loves me
I think he loves me.)
(I think he loves me
Yes I think he loves me
I think he loves me.)
(I think he loves me
Yes I think he loves me
I gave a party
I said you could come
You showed up at my door
with all your leathers on
I said this must be wrong
It can't be right
How can you make love to me
dressed up for a fight?
Pick me up off the floor
No more -- 'cause you surely can't be mine.
Religion came
almost overnight
You were the high priest
I was the sacrifice
I said this must be wrong
This can't be right
Take off your stupid robe
and put down your knife
These ropes are getting tight
All right--you surely can't be mine
I come home half dead
Late on a Saturday night
You stand on the bed and you
tell me you're learning to fly
I said take off your boots
Take off your cape
Throw away your long johns
I ain't no Lois Lane
Before I get my kryp tonite
All right--'cause you surely can't be mine
I was ready for love
Big brass bed and all
I was ready for love
You said let's talk about the war
I said What war? What war?
Take off your clothes
and don't you worry me no more
I ain't no fly by night
In the tangles of my mind,
And the haze of mornin' wine,
As the swollen evening sun,
Turns to a mourning shroud.
And the purple grains of sand,
Whisper through my hourglass hands,
Convincing me I've little time for sleeping.
And the sullen light of morning time,
Will come again, return my pain,
Take away my only escape.
Keeper, take me for a ride,
The evening's daylight stands outside,
Upon two-legged thoughts
Of candles burning.
As the stardust in my eyes,
Turns to earth dust - halts my cry,
And life's a masochistic dream of learning.
Then the sullen light of morning time,
Will come again, return my pain,
Take away my only escape.
Lock the canons of my mind,
And sleep on forever, lie.
As reality draws near to me,
I run screaming.
And the purple grains of man,
Whisper through my hourglass hands,
Convincing me to spend my time in dreaming.
And the sullen light of morning time,
Will come again, return my pain,
I love the light
I love the changing season
I love without much thought to reason
I’d give it all if I could make you see
I love the man that you were meant to be
I love the man you are in me.
I love the man who waits beside you
I love the man who hides behind you
I love the shadow
Though it disappears
I love the afterglow
Reflected through the tears
I love the shadow in my tears.
I love the dreams you can remember.
Lost in the early waking hours.
I love the season of forever.
I’ll live without the light of laughter.
I’ll live without an everafter.
I’d give it all
If I could make you see
I need the man that you were meant to be.
Come good people and gather round
Step out of the water before you drown
Tide is coming swift and deep
Gonna knock you off your feet
There's a tide of greed that knows no shame
and a tide of money that holds no stain
A tide of men who worship pride
and will not be denied
While politicians lie and cheat
to get to higher ground
we follow them like sheep
and salute them as we drown
but no man will be king
when all men wear the crown
and there will be a reckoning
from deep inside the rising tide
as we tear down the walls
of the Great Divide
Come good people and gather here
You who still hold freedom dear
Step across the waters
Bring your sons and daughters
Some will sink and some will swim
Some will walk on the water again
Some will rise and some will fall
Each one will hear the call
While churches counsel patience
and heavenly reward
they sub-divide our nations
by the shield and by the sword
and every congregation
has a pipeline to the lord
but there will be no salvation
and no place to hide for those who lied
and buried us alive to build the walls
of the Great Divide
And oh, when the poorest of the poor
come knocking at the door
they will not be denied
And oh, when those who took too much
are stripped of it and judged
then mercy will provide for the rising tide
So come good people and gather ‘round
Come and stand on common ground
Raise your voices up and sing
Let's make the heavens ring
And you whose silence costs your soul
Learn to speak or dig your hole
Tomorrow's here and it won't wait
No time to hesitate
The tide's already risen
The deluge is at hand
Don't sit there by the ocean
while it sucks away the sand
cause you'll be left with nothing
but the memory of land
while we sit high above the tide
and watch the walls begin to fall
as one by one our children wave goodbye
Jesse, come home
There’s a hole in the bed
Where we slept
Now it’s growing cold
Hey Jesse, your face
In the place where we lay
By the heart, all apart
It hangs on my heart.
And I’m leaving the light
On the stairs.
No, I’m not scared
I wait for you.
Hey Jesse, I’m lonely
Come home.
Jesse, the floors
And the boards
Recalling your steps
And I remember too
All the pictures are fading
And shaded in grey
But I still set a place
On the table at noon.
And I’m leaving the light
On the stairs.
No, I’m not scared
I wait for you.
Hey Jesse, I’m lonely
Come home.
Jesse, the spread on the bed
Is like when you left
I’ve kept it up for you.
And all the blues and the greens
Have been recently cleaned
And they’re seemingly new
Hey Jes, me and you.
We’ll swallow the light
On the stairs
We’ll do up my hair
And sleep unaware.
Hey Jesse, I’m lonely
I don't want to ride the milk train anymore
I'll go to bed at nine and awaken with the dawn
And lunch at half past noon, dinner prompt at five
The comfort of a few old friends long past their prime
Pass the tea and sympathy for the good old days long gone
We'll drink a toast to those who most believe in what they've won
It's a long, long time 'til morning plays wasted on the dawn
And I'll not write another line, for my true love is gone
When the guests have gone, I'll tidy up the rooms
I'll turn the covers down and gazing at the moon
I'll pray to go quite mad and live in long ago
When you and I were one, so very long ago
Pass the tea and sympathy for the good old days long gone
Let's drink a toast to those who most believe in what they've won
It's a long, long time 'til morning plays wasted on the dawn
I'll not write another line, for my true love is gone
When I have no dreams to give you anymore
I'll light a blazing fire and wait within the door
And throw my life away, "I wonder why?" they all will say
And now I lay me down to sleep, forever and a day
Pass the tea and sympathy, for the good old days are dead
Let's drink a toast to those who best survived the life they've led
It's a long, long time 'til morning, so build your fires high
Blue sky morning, red sky night
Sailor take warning when the eagle takes flight
If I had wings I would delight and fly away
Black cloud riding on the cotton fields back home
Every man's an island in the desert of his soul
Take to the sky, there's nowhere else to go
And fly away
I can remember all the days of my life
Cold, dark September
When the eagle took flight
I had to stay, I had to stay
I cried a river to the empty sky
Someone deliver me by and by
I'll fly away, l?ll fly away
It don't take nothing to be lonely
It comes too easy to be holy
It does nothing for the soul
But tear holes in tomorrow
Somebody, somebody said I don't want to be
Nobody said I don't want to see
Nobody said I don't want to need
Nobody said nothing at all
Sitting and waiting for the axe to fall
Sun come raining, lighten up the day
I ain't complaining I got nothing to say
I'll fly away, I'll fly away
If I had the courage to be flying blind
I'd fly too high to buy my way home
Somebody wants somebody to be lonely
And nobody settling only for love
How much time can you borrow?
Making it easy to lie, faking it on the sly
Shaking and stammering
Taking it up to the sky
Hammering nails in tomorrow
Sun come raining lighten up the sky
I ain't complaining, I get no reply
I'll fly away, I'll fly away
When I get the courage to be flying blind
This town isn't big enough for my dreams
This place is just about to break at the seams
Baby, baby, you and I need just a little bigger piece of the sky
Big hopes, big dreams, baby can you set me free?
Take me walking in the rain
Take me dancing in the waves, baby
Let 'em wipe away the tears, wash away the years
Take me walking in the rain
Take me right here where I stand
Let me feel your heart on mine
Life'll never be the same, we've got everything to gain
Take me walking in the rain
This life may be good enough for the rest
But this heart is just about to break through my chest
I remember every rule I've heard and I'm strangling on every word
I can't say they're wrong but baby, how can I go on?
Take me walking in the rain
Take me dancing in the waves, baby
Let 'em wipe away the tears, wash away the years
Take me walking in the rain
Take me right here where I stand
Let me feel your heart on mine
I don't want somebody new, I just want the rest of you
Take me walking in the rain
I want to lie by your side,
And watch the tide run over.
Lay your head upon my shoulder.
I want to lie by the bed,
And send my head out reelin'.
Honey, lay this feelin' down,
I'm ready to ride.
Wo-ah, sweet sympathy,
Won't you pit me tonight?
Yes, I got to hurry to the surry,
Get the saddle on tight.
Honey, won't you let me?
Honey, just allow me.
Honey, won't you pleasure me right?
Sweet sympathy,
Won't you carry me tonight?
I want to lay myself down,
And take a sweet, soft shelter.
Still my waters here forever.
I want to lay my body down.
I want to lay my body down.
Honey, lay me lightly down,
I'm ready to ride.
Can we get together?
Can we get together?
Can we get together right now?
Well, you give me the music,
And you know how to use it.
Drive me out of my shoes.
I got the blues tonight.
I've got sweet tittillation.
Honey, won't you pleasure me right.
Sweet sympathy,
Won't you carry me tonight?
Wo-ah, sweet sympathy,
Won't you pity me tonight?
Yes, I got to hurry to the surry,
Get the saddle on tight.
Honey, won't you let me?
Honey, just allow me.
Honey, won't you pleasure me right?
Sweet sympathy,
She is too old to care
Why not just leave her there?
We'll see her once a week
If we have the time, we'll speak
This is the sunset of your life
The old ones like to claw and clutch
Be careful not to offer much
They understand the fist and crutch
Their skin like leather to the touch
This is the sunset of your life
The empty mile, the frozen face
The drooling child humiliates
If I were you, I think I'd die
Here in the sunset of my life
The long and lonely night has just begun
This withered witch cannot be you
JENNY DON’T WASTE NO TIME
MORNING’S DRAWING NIGH
SPIRIT NEEDS TO FLY
DID I SEE YOU WEAVING
WIDE CIRCLES ‘ROUND THE SUN
LIKE A SILO SLEEPING
WHEN THE HAYING’S DONE
COULD HAVE BEEN MOST ANYONE
LIKE THE EARTH
AROUND THE SUN
AND OH, THOSE CITY LIGHTS
OUTSHINE THE STARS AT NIGHT
THOUGH THEY’RE HALF AS BRIGHT
OH, THAT AWFUL FIGHT
TO KEEP THE SPIRIT BRIGHT
WHEN THE PLANET’S TAKING FLIGHT
INSTRUMENTAL
OH, THOSE CITY LIGHTS
OUTSHINE THE STARS AT NIGHT
OH, THAT AWFUL FIGHT
TO KEEP THE SPIRIT BRIGHT
I was never one for singing what I really feel
Except tonight, I'm bringing everything I know that's
real
Stars, they come and go
They come fast or slow
They go like the last light of the sun
All in a blaze
And all you see is glory
Even it gets lonely there
when there's no one here to share
We can shake it away if you'll hear a story
People lust for fame
Like athletes in a game
We break our collarbones and come up swinging
Some of us are downed
Some of us are crowned
And some are lost and never found
But most have seen it all
They live their lives in sad cafes and music halls
They always come up singing
Some make it when they're young
Before the world has done its dirty job
And later on, someone will say
"You've had your day. Now you must make way."
But they'll never know the pain
Of living with a name you never owned
Or the many years forgetting
What you know too well
That the ones who gave the crown have been let down
You try to make amends without defending
Perhaps pretending you never saw the eyes
Of grown men of twenty five
That followed as you walked and asked for autographs
Or kissed you on the cheek and you never can believe
They really loved you
Some make it when they're old
(Perhaps they have a soul they're not afraid to bare
Or perhaps there's nothing there)
Some women have a body men will want to see,
So they put it on display
Some people play a fine guitar
I could listen to them play all day
Some ladies really move across a stage
And gee, they sure can dance
I guess I could learn how
If I gave it half a chance
But I always feel so funny
When my body tries to soar
And I seem to always worry
About missing the next chord
I guess there isn't anything to put up on display
Except the tunes and whatever else I say
Anyway, that isn't really what I meant to say
I meant to tell a story
I live from day to day
Stars, they come and go
They're coming fast and they come slow
They go like the last light of the sun
All in a blaze
And all you see is glory
But those who've seen it all
Who live their lives in sad cafes and music halls
We always have a story
So if you don't lose patience with my fumbling around,
I'll come up singing for you
Some people's lives run down like clocks
One day they stop and that's all they've got
Some lives wear out like old tennis shoes
No one can use, well, it's sad but it's true
Didn't anybody tell them?
Didn't anybody see?
Didn't anybody love them
Like you love me?
Some people's lives fade like their dreams
Too tired to rise, too tired to sleep
Some people laugh when they need to cry
And they never know why
Didn't anybody tell them
That's not how it has to be?
Didn't anybody love them
Like you love me?
Some people ask if the tears have to fall
Then why take your chances? Why bother at all?
And some people's lives are as cold as their lips
They just need to be kissed
Doesn't anybody tell them?
Doesn't anybody see?
Doesn't anybody love them
Like you love me?
Come to my door, baby,
Face is clean and shining black as night.
My mother went to answer you know
That you looked so fine.
Now I could understand your tears and your shame,
She called you "boy" instead of your name.
When she wouldn't let you inside,
When she turned and said
"But honey, he's not our kind."
She says
I can't see you any more, baby,
Can't see you anymore.
Walk me down to school, baby,
Everybody's acting deaf and dumb.
Until they turn and say, "Why don't you stick to your
own kind."
My teachers all laugh, the smirking stares,
Cutting deep down in our affairs.
Preachers of equality,
Think they believe it, then why won't they just let us
They say I can't see you anymore baby,
Can't see you anymore.
One of these days I'm gonna stop my listening
Gonna raise my head up high.
One of these days I'm gonna raise up my glistening
wings and fly.
But that day will have to wait for a while.
Baby I'm only society's child.
When we're older things may change,
But for now this is the way, they must remain.
I say I can't see you anymore baby,
Can't see you anymore.
Slow dance romance, put your arm around me
You make me feel so old
Take me to the drive-in movie
Won't you move me now before I get too cold?
Popcorn serenader
Won't you take her down easy?
You make her feel like gold
Midnight crusader
When you take her easily
Make her feel like gold
Boom town, hoe down
Run across the track
Don't look back
Just lay low
Party pants running
Romance interference
Got to make appearance
Sooner or later I'm told
Slow dance promenader
Want to make her feel easy
Make her feel like gold
Midnight crusader
When you take it easy
Make it feel like gold
What a line
Was a long time
Wasn't moonshine, wasn't
Whiskey, wasn't even
Party glow, got no looks
Wasn't half-hooked
Must've been some kind of book
They took that, showed 'em where to go
Midnight persuader
Got to break this town down slow
Moonlight serenader
When you make it easy
Well, I'm still in love
Though I don't care to let you know
There's something there honey it doesn't show
But when you're near silly habits mean a lot
I've been alone now for quite some time, it's true
But every night when I come home, I'm coming home to you
I listen for your footsteps
Sometimes I even knock, silly habits mean a lot
I've been parading and I've led a lot astray
Why bother waiting? Honey you can have it all today
You may remember I like my coffee hot
Silly habits mean a lot
So you go your way and I'll go mine
Maybe someday our paths will re-entwine
I used to say, "I love you" one day I forgot
Don't let the sun go down on me
I do not want to be alone tonight
We'll be right, you'll see
Night is a shadow on the soul
And if you want to set me wholly free
Stay by me tonight
I've been afraid of love
Knowing I need you to stay
I've been ashamed to love
Knowing you're leaving me
Day after day
I'm begging you, pleading
I like you best
When night runs a shadow on the soul
No more empty hands to hold
Don't let the evening sun go down
I haven't found a way
To trade the night
Sheer delight
Burning bright
Candlelight
Lay me down - astound me
Not a sound- surround me
Skies unbound, I'm unwound
Lay me down
I've been afraid to love
This is no time to hesitate
I've been ashamed to love
But lay me down, I just can't wait
I like you best
When night is a pleasure you can give
Lay me down - now I know how to
Lay me down - now I know how to
Lay me down
Where have you been that made you weep
And left these stains upon your cheek
What did you see while you were gone
That haunts your eyes this sunny dawn
They herded us like so much meat
Up from the sewers to the street
Where concrete canyons stretched their walls
So high it made us want to crawl
Past proverbs writ on subway cars
And in-between the window bars
We walked until the pavement bled
And not a curse was left unsaid
Into a place that knows no spring
Where only steel and silver sing
They made us dance until we dropped
And the music of the jackhammers stopped
I caught a cinder in my eye
Searching for a patch of sky
But the shadows drizzled down like in Pompeii
That's how I spent my yesterday
Searching for America
In the rivets and the rust
Searching for America
Finding only dust
What did you see that made you cry
And left these trackmarks on your eye
What did you find while you were there
That sucks the light out of the morning air
They gave us each a cropper's shack
And land so hard it broke our back
Then fed us 'til our bellies burst
On promises that died at birth
So I lay the baby out each dawn
In-between the tender corn
With sunrise for her bonnet
And flies her only blanket
We harvested until we bled
'Til every single root ran red
And when the work was finally done
They gave our names to immigration
I did not know how bad it hurt
Until I lay there eating dirt
And the cold seeped in between my bones
That's where I was when I left home
Searching for America
All her dreams and hopes
Searching for America
Finding only ghosts
Who are these people you have seen
To dream this dark and distant dream
To tell the stories you have told
To leave these bruises on your soul
They are the flesh, they are the bone
They are the very cornerstone
They leave their mansions and their shacks
To hide here in-between the cracks
Their hope is tattooed on my lips
Bleeding from my fingertips
They are crawling toward the promised land
Hand over hand
To walk until they run no more
And wash up on some distant shore
Where truth is not the enemy
And whatever does not kill us, sets us free
Somewhere out there
Are millions just like me
Homesick for Eden
Heartsick at the memory
Searching for America
In every stick and stone
Searching for America
Going home
Searching for America
In the heart of the city
Is the beat of a soul?
And it stares out the window
As the cars come and go
And it hungers for heroes
And it dreams of open skies
And there?s no expectation
That the sun will rise
You better save somebody
Save somebody
Before the moment slips away
You better save somebody
Who?ll be lonely?
When you walk away
There?s a crack in the heavens
And a tear in the sky
It cuts through the shadows
Living in her eyes
And the gates of the city
Are closed until dawn
When the ghosts of midnight
Have come and gone
And the hearts of the weary carry on
You better save somebody
Save somebody
Before the moment slips away
You better save somebody
Who?ll be lonely?
When you walk away
And I?m thinking of your silence
How the memory lingers on
And I wonder do you miss me
Now that I am gone, now that I am gone
You better save somebody
Save somebody
Before the moment slips away
You better save somebody
Who?ll be lonely?
She never had too much of money
Friendly strangers were all she knew
Nobody ever came to call but you
I would not say she isn't happy
though the eyes of a fool will make her blue
Nobody's ever seen the tears it's true
I guess nobody wanted to
We'll have a celebration
Ice cream and candy cakes
She's very young to go so far away
And then there'll be the papers
Black and white to say we're through
Nobody every loved me quite like you
I guess nobody wanted to
And there'll be roses in the springtime
still I guess there will
I wish her roses and song
And she'll be older
as years go by, and how they fly
Will she be lonely without me along?
She doesn't make friends easily
She's only known a few
The incidental stranger passing through
On Sundays and holidays
I'll take her far away
We never tried to save the love we knew
HIDE ME IN YOUR HOLLOWS
TASTE THE SALT THAT CLINGS TO ME
SHIPWRECKED IN YOUR SHALLOWS
SCENTED BY THE SEA
HIDE ME IN THE WISDOM OF YOUR THIGHS
RIDE ME LIKE A WAVE
CHART MY SECRET PLACES
NAVIGATE MY SHORES
MAP THE OCEAN’S TRACES
LICK THEM FROM MYPORES
DRY ME WITH DELUSION AND DESIRE
RIDEME LIKE A WAVE
COVER ME IN SPRAY
PROMISE YOU WILL STAY
I REMEMBER MORNINGS
WAKING BY YOUR SIDE
YOUR SCENT ON THE PILLOW
FEVER IN YOUR EYES
CAST UPON THE WATERS
SHIPLESS, I SURRENDER
LEAD ME TO YOUR HARBOR
COVER ME IN SPLENDOR
DROWN ME IN DELUSION AND DESIRE
RIDE ME LIKE A WAVE
OTHER SEAS MAY CALL YOU
OTHER SHORES WILL SHINE
TEMPT YOU WITH THEIR TREASURES
WATER INTO WINE
STILL THE SAFEST HARBOR WILL BE MINE
RIDE ME LIKE A WAVE
Oh, the pretty little girl on Easter's Day,
By a bright center fountain, consented to play.
Held an Easter star very close to her heart.
Stepping back from the fountain so as not to be
Harmed by the spray. There she did play.
Told a toy rabbit to smile for a poor man's child.
Can also be loved by a rain from above this main spray.
And the soldiers on leave from the ship, Genevieve,
With their all-shining buttons and newly pressed
sleeves.
Taking pictures that day of the Easter Parade.
They stood watching the clowns who were
Gathered about pretty girls.
Now watching them swirl. Told one another to laugh.
May they live to forget all the memories of debts.
Swirling leaves seen from the ship, Genevieve.
Nobody sees but Queen Merka and me.
And she's sitting beneath a tree.
Eighty-sixth street, eleven P.M.
In the evenin' tide.
And the little, girl hippie, the queen of virginity,
Says, for her lover, she has an affinity.
Her hair swings with ease, it trips in the breeze.
She comes to the fountain and says, "If you'd, please,
Move around. I should like to sit down."
Painting her mind with a flask, readjusting her mask.
She's a virgin queen who's done everything and a bit
more.
And the great stone Tash [2] heeder the childless,
white feeder.
He walks with his boyfriend on into the spray.
Saying, "I love you, babe."
Walking down towards the pavement and locking,
embracing,
As though to say, "I don't care." I love him more than
her.
He makes his way down to the center of town,
Where a fountain of lore repeats words of his thoughts,
Showing love is not wrong.
Nobody sees but Queen Merka and me.
And she's sitting beneath a tree.
Eighty-sixth street, eleven P.M.
In the evenin' tide.
And the dirty, old man, he whiles out the day.
He's a permanent fixture, a sidewalk display.
He's got very strange habits, like making passes,
And he smiles with his dentures as the fountain spray
Passes his crown. It's all part of the merry-go-'round.
Thinks of them that's behind, sort of wishing that life
Would be a bit more fair, as he's losing his hair.
There goes his sex appleal. And what of the fountain?
Oh, it overflows. Drowning all the people,
In their best Easter clothes.
Laughingly, knowingly, it's unifying,
All of the people assured they were dying, tethered.
Found my water together. The city's together at last
But the moment is past. They all walk away,
Far from the spray. Going their separate ways.
Nobody sees but Queen Merka and me.
And she's sitting beneath a tree.
Eighty-sixth street, eleven P.M.
Standin' on the corner waitin' for who to come by?
You laugh only to cry and aid the blind.
Let's go girl. If mother only knew,
You lived through all the books she hid.
"Them that can't do, teach," your pimp has said.
And you're a pro, girl.
Now if flesh were the only thing you sold, might be
alright.
But for just five pounds you also sell a smile.
Mothers warn their kids, "Watch out for this."
Red lights change slow.
Pro-girl, you know, girl,
Sell your soul for a sum,
And it's taken by a John.
Bargain well, girl.
Now you want a life of lovin' and it can be bought,
Although, some of the best things in life are free.
Don't blow it girl.
Mothers would but daren't be you and keep it locked in
guns.
They say, "Somethin' must be done!" but send their
sons.
So, show it girl.
The headlines scream about your life and they pretend
to see you,
Make you lie about the why of what you are.
Don't scream, you serve them all, have a ball.
Writers dream but only you know.
Pro-girl, you know, girl,
Sell your soul for a sum,
And it's taken by a John.
Bargain well, girl.
And you're lookin' for a man who won't wanna buy your
time.
You're searchin' down an alleyway, a garbage can.
Forget it, babe.
It hurts to say you work your way on through the
streets of hell.
Only lookin' for yourself to put upon a shelf.
Don't let it, babe.
You find a guy, a god, and it must be love this time.
Laying at your side, his shadow splits the night.
Then wakin' in the mornin', god turns on his side,
"How much do you get?"
Pro-girl, you know, girl,
Sell your soul for a sum,
You've been taken by a John.
You bargained well, girl.
What more do you have to sell?
She came from Dakota
Though some say she hailed from the South
He tried to believe but each time she would leave
With the venom that dripped from her mouth
Like some angel of old
Bent on saving the soul
Drugged to the knees he would pray
To some rude Russian icon
That twined like a python
And blinded the sun, night, and day
He'd say
Please bring me peace
You say you'll stay
Just to leave me whole
All of my soul your passion play
Though she lies to amuse
She lies to confuse
Passion with vision and pain
He lies for possession and time
Though there's no time to gain
Squandering feeling
Constantly stealing away
From the sound of her name
Is like thunder and lightning
Hiding the sound of the rain
>And he'd say
[CHORUS]
So he searches for truth
In the beauty that once was her name
Senselessly trusting in time to remind her
Blind, she came
Suddenly rootless
Fashionably useless
Magically fruitless and time
Like some Sunday scholar
Who lives off the squalor
Of yesterday's knowledge and fame
And he'd say
[CHORUS]
Well some overdose
And some wrap like a rose
'Round the slick perfumed nose
of high noon
Burning their lips
As they stoop low to kiss
Some rich man's excuse for the moon
I must have been lucky --
Got out with my body intact
And tomorrow in tune
But it's this sense of time
That wraps like a vine
'Round the neck of the sun and the moon
Party lights
Is there anybody here tonight?
Doesn?t anybody have a light?
I invite your party life
Party lights
Champagne and Caviar
Cocaine and Shalimar
Don?t push too far, your party lights
People tell me that I'm fading fast
I can?t last the whole night through
Everybody, now it?s closing time
I can?t find my way to you
Don?t lose your head
Remember all those things
Your mama said
But every vampire here appears well-fed
You look half-dead, they like you, kid
Party games
Somebody pinned a needle in me
And I went insane
Walking on the edge of the line
In the driving rain
I felt no pain it?s a hell of a game
People tell me there?s an end to this
But one last kiss turns into two
Everybody can?t leave now
I don?t know how to make it through
Heady wine you?re moving too slow for me
Can?t keep time
Watching the silent movie for a sign
In my prime heady wine
You move too slow, I'm drowning
Don?t let go I'm drowning
And I can?t say no keep it low
It?s a hell of a show
People tell me that I'm fading fast
I can?t last the whole night through
Everybody, now it?s closing time
Would you really come and live with me?
We can watch TV when the nights are cold,
And it's hard to sleep.
When I'm hungry, when I'm old,
When I'm angry, When I'm cold,
Honey, I don't know.
Wo;; you really come and take my cares away?
Set me down in an easy chair and stay a while?
Child, that's a righteous thing you do.
To make somebody just this happy.
Like you done me to.
I can see the years go down,
You and me, we'll paint the town.
Lord, if my mama and my papa could see me now.
I'm great at building castles in the air.
And living there for days, you'd be amazed.
I live in dreams and when I can,
I go to sleep and there I am and there you are.
But when I'm hungry for the taste
Of loving you and your embrace,
It's hard to wait.
'Cause I've been waiting here so long a time.
But if you say it's right, then, honey, I don't mind.
We got all the years ahead.
Time for everything we said.
Lord, if my mama and my papa could see me now.
I'd be happy living in a shack,
With all the plumbing in the back.
But you might not, you know,
So maybe we better have a home.
I'd be glad on a farm with a million dogs.
Or a cave with bats.
But you wouldn't like that.
Maybe we gotta have a home.
Ho, will you really come and live with me?
I'd be so proud.
In loving you, I'm loving me.
I make it funny and I make you laugh.
'Cause it makes it easy getting past
All the being scared.
I can see the years go 'round.
You and me, we'll paint the town.
Lord, if my mom and my pop could see me now.
The days are okay
I watch the TV in the afternoon
If I get lonely
The sound of other voices
Other rooms are near to me, I'm not afraid
The operator
She tells the time, it's good for a laugh
There's always radio
And for a dime I can talk to God
Dial-a-prayer
Are you there?
Do you care?
Are you there?
And in the winter extra blankets for the cold
Fix the heater, getting old
I am wiser now, you know, and still as big a fool
Concerning you
I met your friend
She's very nice, what can I say?
It was an accident
I never dreamed we'd meet again this way
You're looking well, I'm not afraid
You have a lovely home
Just like a picture, no, I live alone
I found it easier
You must remember how I never liked
The party life
Up all night
Lovely wife
You have a lovely wife
And in the winter extra blankets for the cold
Fix the heater, getting old
You are with her now, I know
I'm leaving on a boat for beyond the other side of the ocean
I bet you in the morning, you won't even know I'm gone
'Cause I'm tired of living here in the middle of a mixed emotion
I might as well be living on the other side of the sun
Leaving with the feeling I don't know how I'm dealing with loving you
Though once I knew the special way and what to do
To make you stay forever and ever
Even as I'm leaving, I'll never stop believing you are the one
Who can make me laugh and can bring me back
From beyond the other side of the sun
I'm rolling down the river I hope I can deliver the morning
I'm wishing on a star for the sun to come out and play
Ain't it funny, when it's over you really don't remember the warning
You might as well be living out beyond the milky way
Leaving with the feeling I don't know how I'm dealing with loving you
Though once I knew the special way and what to do
To make you stay forever and ever
Even as I'm leaving, I'll never stop believing you are the one
Who can make me laugh and can bring me back
From beyond the other side of the sun
Leaving with the feeling I don't know how I'm dealing with loving you
Though once I knew the special way and what to do
To make you stay forever and ever
Even as I'm leaving I'll never stop believing you are the one
Who can make me laugh and can bring me back
From beyond the other side of the sun
[Spoken:]
That's why this song needed to be written, and this is
how it goes:
[Sung:]
They say there was a fire on the night it died.
All I am is gone, still the soul holds on.
They tell me I'm a hero on the other side.
Oh, but all that I remember is the children were in
danger,
On the other side.
Children laugh and sing on the other side.
The angels earn their wings on the other side (side,
side).
On the other side.
They tell me you were with me when the building fell.
Strange to have you near after all these years.
You say I couldn't possibly have done it by myself.
Did you see our photgraphs, as they crumbled into ash?
On the other side.
Children laugh and sing on the other side.
The angels earn their wings on the other side (side,
side).
On the other side (side, side).
And I, who never could believe, never saw the need,
Wanted just to see your face again.
Had nothing to hold on to. Now I found you.
On the other side.
Children laugh and sing on the other side.
The angels earn their wings on the other side (side,
side).
On the other side (side, side).
On the other side.
Dona nobis pacem
Dona nobis pacem
Dona nobis pacem (give us peace)
Kyrie
I WOUND UP TALKING WITH YOUR WIFE
SHE SAYS YOU'VE GOT ANOTHER LIFE
THOUGHT YOU'D FINALLY SETTLED DOWN
BUT YOU KEEP ON GOING 'ROUND TO THE DARK SIDE OF TOWN
SHE SAYS YOU PROMISE NOT TO STRAY
THEN YOU MAKE YOUR GETAWAY
AND SHE PRAYS FOR IT TO PASS, AND YOU SAY THAT IT WON'T
LAST
BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING NOWHERE FAST
ON THE DARK SIDE OF TOWN, WHERE NEW LOVERS MEET
AT THE OLD LOST AND FOUND ON THE EDGE OF THE STREET
AND THE NOON SHADOWS HIDE FROM THE FIRES OUTSIDE
ON THE DARK SIDE OF TOWN, WHERE SOME WOMAN WAITS
TO WORSHIP YOUR CROWN, TO BURN AT YOUR STAKE
I LAY MYSELF DOWN ON THE DARK SIDE OF TOWN
SHE SAYS YOU FILL HER WITH DESIRE
BUT WHEN YOU WANT HER, YOU'RE A LIAR
SHE CAN TASTE IT ON YOUR BREATH
CUTTING THROUGH THE CIGARETTE
SHE CAN SMELL IT ON YOUR SWEAT
YOU'VE BEEN TAKING OFF YOUR RING
WOMEN SEE THESE LITTLE THINGS
YOU MIGHT THINK IT DOESN'T SHOW
BUT IT SHOWS HOW FAR YOU'LL GO
TO FEED THE FIRE DOWN BELOW
ON THE DARK SIDE OF TOWN, WHERE NEW LOVERS MEET
AT THE OLD LOST AND FOUND ON THE EDGE OF THE STREET
AND THE NOON SHADOWS HIDE FROM THE FIRE OUTSIDE
ON THE DARK SIDE OF TOWN, WHERE SOME WOMAN WAITS
TO WORSHIP YOUR CROWN, TO BURN AT YOUR STAKE
I LAY MYSELF DOWN ON THE DARK SIDE OF TOWN
I SAID --I KNOW THAT WOMAN WELL
AND I WILL SEE HER SOUL IN HELL
BEFORE I LET HER CARRY ON 'TIL ALL YOUR HOPE IS GONE
MAN, YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN HER SMILE
LIKE SHE'D KNOWN IT ALL THE WHILE
AND SHE SAID - THANK YOU FROM ME AND CHILD
THANK YOU FROM ME AND MY CHILD
ON THE DARK SIDE OF TOWN, WHERE NEW LOVERS MEET
AT THE OLD LOST AND FOUND ON THE EDGE OF THE STREET
AND THE NOON SHADOWS HIDE FROM THE FIRE OUTSIDE
ON THE DARK SIDE OF TOWN, WHERE SOME WOMAN WAITS
[Spoken:]
I'd like to say before singing this controversial song,
take 32,
that this isn't about anybody's God in specific; on
account of
some of my best friends are gods. This is about New
Christ
Cardiac Hero, who was the latest hero and the latest
leader of
the younger generation.
[Sung:]
Yesterday's preacher, today's bikini beacher,
They've stolen your clerical robes and your Bible's
been thrown.
Your virgin red crown of thorns has turned to ivory
horns.
And your corner throne, it has become a coroner's
stone.
Your crucifix you prayed on turned to jail-house bars.
Silver chain you left out in the rain to glow with
dust,
An' turned to seaweed tangled in your heart.
Now how does it feel to pull out the nails?
And find you still can walk?
Oh, you can't feel at all,
From your self-imposed rack on the wall.
The tighter you drive the nails,
The harder you'll fall.
So come on down, come on off it, sir,
You're gonna get hurt.
Oh, the holy water you bathe in mingles with the sewer.
All your disciples have reclaimed their rifles and
taken the cure.
Your lectures of ways are only today's poolroom jokes,
Remaining scrawled on the walls of tenement halls and
bathroom bowls.
As jingle bells cry, "Pay us well or you'll go to
hell."
Freedom's chains, they bind your pain and tie you well.
But how could you know the gallows you hold weighs you
down?
Now isn't it boss you don't need a cross to get around.
Oh, you can't feel at all,
From your self-imposed rack on the wall.
The tighter you drive the nails,
The harder you'll fall.
So come on down, come on off it, sir,
You're gonna get hurt.
Oh your eyes that cried for mankind's pride are covered
with shades,
As the children of God trample unshod past your mindly
grave.
New Christ, hipster cardiac hero of 2000 years past
your mind,
He spits at your feet crying, "We have no need of a
god,
Each of us is his own."
Yesterday's preacher, today's bikini beacher,
They've stolen your clerical robes and your Bible's
been thrown.
Oh, you must have a cross but they've taken you,
God, and shot you filled with dead.
So following new Christ, pick up on a cycle instead.
Oh, you can't feel at all,
From your self-imposed rack on the wall.
The tighter you drive the nails,
The harder you'll fall.
So come on down, come on off it, sir,
OH MARIA
YOUR EYES ARE LIKE A DEMON LOVER’S CHILD
AND LIPS OF VELVET ISSUE INVITATION
EVERY TIME YOU SMILE
YOU SUCKED ME IN, I MUST ADMIT
THAT I WAS WAITING FOR A SIGN
WON’T YOU LEAVE ME ON THE CORNER
BY THE LIGHT
BECAUSE I’M STEPPING OUT TONIGHT
OH MARIA
I ENVY ANY MANY WHO KNOWS YOUR NAME
THOUGH ONCE I KNEW YOU WELL
I’M NOT ASHAMED TO BE THE ONE
WHO DRAGS YOU DOWN
YOUR LIFE IS LIKE A MOVIE
LIKE A STORY PASTED UP ON SUBWAY WALLS
WON’T YOU LEAVE ME SOMETHING SACRED
WHEN YOU FALL
UNLESS THERE’S NOTHING LEFT AT ALL
YOUR LIPS ARE LIKE A FADED SPANISH ROSE
AND EVERY MOMENT STRIKES A POSE
ON EVERY TECHNICOLOR CLOSE
AND OTHER WOMEN SHOW THEIR TEETH
AND SCHOOLBOY HUSBANDS BEG RELIEF
AND EMPTY LOVERS SEARCH THE STREET
MARIA
CONVINCE ME IN THE NIGHT YOU KNOW THE WAY
THOUGH EVERY LOVER BRINGS ANOTHER
SCREAMING TO THE LIGHT OF DAY
WON’T YOU LEAVE ME BY THE LAMP POST
IN THE HAZE OF YOUR PERFUME
NIGHT FADES AWAY
WON’T YOU LEAVE ME BY THE LAMP POST
IN THE HAZE OF YOUR PERFUME
When all my dreams have been shattered,
And the fabric of life comes undone.
When it seems like nothing matters,
And all of my good times have gone.
There's a place that I've kept sheltered,
From the sight of my sorrow and shame.
Though it's years since I beheld her,
She still calls my name.
((I'll go home, I'll go home,))
((Where the wild shadows roam.))
((And the dawn over mountaintops spills,))
((Where the deer pause in flight.))
((On the edge of the night,))
((I'll go home to my Tennessee Hills.))
((I'll go home to my Tennessee Hills.))
When all my vows have been broken,
And my wild heart can't be tamed.
When I've loved and lost once too often,
And failure is my middle name.
There's a place that holds forgiveness,
And the promise of peace in despair.
((When I'm down to my last witness,))
((I'll be going there.))
((I'll go home, I'll go home,))
((Where the wild shadows roam.))
((And the dawn over mountaintops spills,))
((Where the deer pause in flight.))
((On the edge of the night,))
((I'll go home to my Tennessee Hills.))
[Instrumental break.]
((I'll go home, I'll go home,))
((Where the wild shadows roam.))
((And the dawn over mountaintops spills,))
((Where the deer pause in flight.))
((On the edge of the night,))
((I'll go home to my Tennessee Hills.))
((I'll go home to my Tennessee,))
IF I HAD A MOCKINGBIRD
FOR EVERY TEAR I’VE SHED
THE SKIES WOULD RAIN WITH LAUGHTER
EVERY TIME I RAISED MY HEAD
AND EVERY DROP WOULD BE A TEAR
THAT FELL UPON THE GROUND
UNTIL THE WATERS ROSE SO HIGH
THAT I MUST SURELY DROWN
AND IT’S COLD, COLD, COLD
AND NO HINT OF SPRING
YES IT’S COLD, COLD, COLD
WHEN THE MOCKINGBIRDS SING
WHEN I USED TO WALK THIS EARTH
BENEATH THE HARVEST MOON
ALL THE HEAVENS ROSE ABOVE ME
SILENT AS A TOMB
NOW THE SKIES ARE FILLED WITH NOISE
THE MOONLIGHT WEARS A SHROUD
BLACK ENOUGH TO BURY
EVERY BROKEN UGLY VOW
AND IT’S COLD, COLD, COLD
AND NO HINT OF SPRING
YES IT’S COLD, COLD, COLD
WHEN THE MOCKINGBIRDS SING
IF I HAD A MOCKINGBIRD
FOR EVERY LIE I FOUND
THE SKY WOULD FILL WITH LAUGHTER
‘TIL IT SHATTERED FROM THE SOUND
AND EVERY PIECE THAT FELL TO EARTH
WOULD LAND WITH SUCH A SPARK
THAT FINALLY THERE’D BE FLAME ENOUGH
TO WARM MY BROKEN HEART
AND IT’S COLD, COLD, COLD
AND NO HINT OF SPRING
YES IT’S COLD, COLD, COLD
Maria lives on Miracle Row
She tells fortunes, you know
At a dollar a throw
Every pimp and every gigolo
Has made love in the afternoon
To the lady by the windowsill
Five healthy children
And a home of your own
Back on Miracle Row
They all will follow the show
Soap operas in the afternoon
And the old ladies swear
At the sun like a sauna
On the tenement stair
All the boys play the conga
There?s a chill in the air
And yes, they?re gonna break out of here
TV in the summer heat
Talk show hard to beat
'Til she hits the street
Ripping pavement underneath her heels
With the poetry of motion in chains
And the lady by the windowpane
Five healthy children
And a home of your own
Back on Miracle Row
They all will follow the show
Love interest in the afternoon
And the old man swoon
And the sun gets hotter
Someone mumbles a tune
And the young men spot her
Running up to the room
And yes, they've gotta get out of here soon
Five healthy children
And a home of your own
Back on Miracle Row
They all will count on the show
Soap opera in the afternoon
The old ladies swear
At the boys playing the conga
On the tenement stair
And the sun is like a sauna
There?s a chill in the air
And yes, they?re gonna break out of here
Oh Maria, your eyes are like
A [unverified] lover's child
And lips of velvet who held an invitation
Every time you smiled
You sucked me in, I must admit
That I was waiting for a sign
Won't you, leave me on the corner by the light?
Because I?m stepping out tonight
Oh Maria, I envy any man who knows your name
The ones I knew you, well, I?m not ashamed
To be the one who drags you down, your life is like a movie
Like a star it's pasted up in subway walls
Won?t you leave me something sacred when you fall?
Unless there?s nothing left at all
Your lips are like a faded Spanish rose
And every movement strikes a pose
On every technical enclose
And other women show their teeth
And schoolboy husbands pack and leave
And empty lovers search the streets
Maria, convince me in the night she know the way
Though every lover brings another scream into the light of day
Won?t you leave me by the lamppost
In the haze of your perfume night fades away?
Won?t you leave me by the lamppost
Janis Ian Memphis Lyrics:
[Ian:]
We were standing by the river,
Staring into town.
All the world was on his shoulders,
The tears were raining down.
All along the southern skyline,
City lights begin to loom.
[Nelson:]
He said, "If you only knew her,
The way that I do, sir,
You would be crying too."
[Both:]
If you could see Memphis,
[Nelson:]
The way that I do,
[Both:]
She would look different to you.
[Nelson:]
Queen of the delta,
[Both:]
Tip your tiara,
Memphis, the belle of the blues.
[Nelson:]
Streets were filled with cotton.
And music filled the air.
All the paddle boats came rollin',
From east of everywhere.
Now the streets are filled with silence,
And songs no one can hear.
But her memory lingers,
It slips through my fingers,
[Both:]
And into this river of tears.
[Both:]
If you could see Memphis,
The way that I do,
She would look different to you.
[Nelson:]
Queen of the delta,
[Both:]
Tip your tiara,
Memphis, the belle of the blues.
[Instrumental break featuring Chet Atkins on guitar.]
[Both:]
So roll on, roll on.
[Nelson:]
My sweet magnolia,
[Both:]
Roll on.
Now the memory lingers,
It slips to my fingers.
[Nelson:]
And into this,
[Both:]
River of tears.
[Both:]
If you could see Memphis,
The way that I do,
She would look different to you.
[Nelson:]
Queen of the delta,
[Both:]
Tip your tiara.
[Ian:]
Memphis the belle of the blue-hoo-hoo-oos.
[Nelson:]
DARK NIGHT BUT THERE’S PLENTY TO BELIEVE IN
WHY’D YOU HAVE TO LET HER TOUCH YOUR FEELINGS?
I ALWAYS GAVE YOU EVERYTHING THAT YOU NEEDED
ALL YOU HAD TO DO WAS ASK, BUT YOU JUST GOT GREEDY
NOW THE ONLY TIME WE TALK
IS WHEN WE TALK ALONE
TO THE VOICES THAT YOU LEAVE
ON YOUR MECHANICAL TELEPHONE
SOMETIMES I CALL JUST TO HEAR YOUR VOICE
SET FREE OF THE TALONS AND CLAWS
BUT THE MEMORY I KEEP
DOESN’T REALLY LET ME LEAVE ANY WORD AT ALL
YOU ALWAYS LIKED ANY WOMAN WHO WAS EASY
HOPE YOU’VE MET YOUR MATCH
BUT CAN SHE BEAT ME?
YOU ALWAYS SAID I’D BE THE FIRST TO WALK
YOU SAY I’M ALWAYS THE FIRST TO TALK
BUT CAN SHE FREE ME
NOW WE RARELY TALK ALONE
WE USUALLY SPEAK IN GROUPS
TO THE PEOPLE YOU INVITE FOR THE THEATER
AND A BITE WHO ARE USED TO YOU
THEY LIKE TO LISTEN TO THEIR OWN MOUTHS MOVE
THEY LIKE TO WATCH YOUR JAW DROP, TOO
BUT THE WITTICISMS FADE WHEN THE COVERS
ARE UNMADE AND I’M SO FAR AWAY
I BET YOU THOUGHT I’D BE AN EASY LAY
I BET YOU THOUGHT I LIVED ALONE
HUNGRY FOR THE VISION AND THE AFTERPLAY
I’VE HAD BETTER TIMES ALONE
NOW WE RARELY TALK OF LOVE
WE ONLY SPEAK OF NEED
AND THE SACRIFICE OF LIFE TO THE ALTAR
AND THE KNIFE ON OUR MOUND OF GREED
I RARELY CALL JUST TO HEAR YOUR VOICE
SET FREE OF THE PILLARS AND STONE
BUT FOR THE COMPANY I KEEP WHEN I SPEAK
TO YOUR MECHANICAL TELEPHONE
IT’S THE COMPANY I KEEP WHEN I SPEAK
YOUR MECHANICAL TELEPHONE
Lay down now and slumber
Mama's boy is torn asunder
All the fields have gone grey
All the leaves are gone brown
Let me tell you a story
Lay down, I know you're weary
While the stars in the sky
While the moon's on the rise
Lay down and don't you wake 'til mornin'
Close your eyes and helpless through the night
Lay down and dream of love and glory
This is a lover's lullaby
Once was a magician
Fair he was, and handsome
And he brought to the table
All the fool's gold and wine
Well, he promised us three favours
Said he was a savior
We drank all his glory
And we borrowed all his time
Lay down and don't you wake 'til mornin'
Close your eyes and helpless through the night
Lay down and dream of love and glory
This is a lover's lullaby
Bye, my love sleep tight my love
Softly fade away
The moon was made of old green cheese
To keep the night away
Softly now, close your eyes
Lightly will you fade
The moon was made for wakeful boys
To keep the night away
Lay down and don't you wake 'til mornin'
Close your eyes all through the night
Lay down in all your glory
This is a lullaby
Lay down and don't you wake 'til mornin'
Close your eyes all through the night
Lay down in all your glory
I walk in a gutter, love, all up and down.
Little drop of water's all it takes to bring me down.
Now, I might not be here next time you look around,
So be kind to the swallow hov'ring at your brow.
If my enemies don't get me, my friends'll know how.
Hey, love, be kind, I'm too old to die,
And I'm too young to cry.
Lover, lover, lover, lover, lover be kind.
Why did you give me your feelings if you didn't want
the same?
Forgive me if I'm feeble, but I'm rather new at your
game.
Now you ask for my number to call to play.
You'll have to buy me a phone, an' write down the
number, babe.
I won't be responsible for letting you in again.
Hey, love, be kind, I'm too old to die,
And I'm too young to cry.
Lover, lover, lover, lover, love, lover be kind.
Is that a joke for the insane? You called and you ask
how I am?
I've put my bubble gum away, I changed to a rhyme.
I've got my bell around my neck in case I go blind.
Don't worry, I'll get my head out from your twine,
If you'll please get your cut throat off of my knife.
Hey, love, be kind, too old to die,
And I'm too young to cry.
Lover, lover, lover, lover, lover be kind.
LOVE IS BLIND
LOVE IS ONLY SORROW
LOVE IS NO TOMORROW
SINCE YOU WENT AWAY
LOVE IS BLIND
HOW WELL I REMEMBER
IN THE HEAT OF SUMMER PLEASURE
WINTER FADES
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE
BEFORE I CANT REMEMBER
MEMORIES I SHOULD FORGET
IVE BEEN BURNING
SINCE THE DAY WE MET
LOVE IS BLIND
LOVE IS WITHOUT A MERCY
LOVE IS "NOW YOUVE HURT ME
"NOW YOUVE GONE AWAY"
LOVE IS BLIND
LOVE IS NO HORIZON
AND IM SLOWLY DYING
HERE IN YESTERDAY
IN THE MORNING
WAKEN TO THE SOUND OF WEEPING
SOMEONE ELSE SHOULD WEEP FOR ME
NOW ITS OVER
LOVER, LET ME BE
LOVE IS BLIND
LOVE IS YOUR CARESS
LOVE IS TENDERNESS
AND MOMENTARY PAIN
LOVE IS BLIND
HOW WELL I REMEMBER
IN THE HEAT OF SUMMER PLEASURE
You get your love from dogs and cats
You find in the neighborhood.
And animal love is good.
You haven't got a girl,
You're scared of the world.
No, you don't want a lover,
You want a mother.
Yes, you read all the overground books,
You have quite an intellectual look.
But are you an artist? Are you a book?
Or just a cover? Ah, lonely one,
You make me feel I'm the only one
To know that you're not real, lonely one.
Turn down thumbs on the world.
So you say you're an artist with a tormented soul.
Your heroes have left for the Hollywood Bowl.
Sour grapes come here.
You say you never really cared.
Ah, don't you see you're just like him and me.
Ah, but you're a pillar of society.
And you are good.
Do all that Big Brother says you should.
And all of your friends, they need a boss.
Somebody to help them onto the cross.
Now, don't you like being somebody's punishment?
It makes you feel needed. Ah, lonely one,
You make me feel I'm the only one
To know that you're not real, lonely one.
Turn down thumbs on the world.
And though you're alone you say it will pass,
Ah, you have your books, your diamonds,
All of your grass.
It wouldn't be so bad if that weren't all you had.
You've never seen the lady laugh.
Lonely one, don't you wish you had
Been a four-star general just like Captain America?
You got to bed each night,
Your arms wrapped 'round a pillow.
Dreaming of becoming tomorrow's superhero.
Rose-colored glasses, I wish you had 'em.
At least you would see me. Ah, lonely one,
You make me feel I'm the only one
To know that you're not real, lonely one.
I hear your voice in every corridor
I see your face in every picture frame
I feel your eyes in every starry sky
Lover, am I coming home again?
Now am I humble, who once was proud
Now am I silent, who once was loud
Now am I waiting for the sound of your saying
Lover, am I coming home again?
When you're gone the sun don't shine
Light a light, light a light for me
Bring me back home again
And how we loved 'til the years were days
How we laughed all our tears away
And now the time begins to fade
Lover, am I coming home again?
There's a wisdom in the teachings of the old familiar songs
And a sorrow in repeating all the old familiar wrongs
And a lesson to be learned though I've known all day long
Lover, am I coming home again?
Light a light, light a light for me
Light a light, light a light for me
Light a light, light a light for me
Bring me back home again
When all of your friends,
Say you must make amends,
Before they'll let you dance,
And they threaten to ignore you.
And your best friend, your father,
Looks at you wond'ring,
Who the hell asked for you?
All the plays you used to say just bore you.
All the presents they bring,
The praise they sing,
Oh, makes a whore of you.
Go on, let the hurtin' creep on through.
Don't let it bother you.
Don't let it blow your mind.
It's only a sign of the changin' times.
And when all of the guys,
Who said they'd stand by you,
Lie for you, die for you.
Maybe even shut their eyes,
And cry for you.
And now you see the tears they bring,
Were just bribes for you.
For they'll bring you up,
An' they'll string you up,
Cryin', "Baby blue,
Let the curtain creep on through."
Don't let it bother you.
Don't let it blow your mind.
It's only a sign of the changin' times.
They want you to stay,
The same way you were,
When they first saw you.
They'll ask for love, you go above,
And they'll do you up complainin'
That they're bored with you.
It's only a time,
For a change in your mind,
Leaves me high to what you do.
And when all the hippie things,
That you used to do, only bother you,
Only serve to amuse your laughing eyes.
Try and explain that it's only the pain,
Of a change in your mind.
When all those who warn,
Don't you find lies they categorize,
Cut you down to size?
They say, "Hey, you're hung up."
You know they're just strung up,
In a web of their kind.
And you let it get you uptight.
Don't let it bother you.
Don't let it blow your mind.
It's only a sign, don't be behind.
I'll cry tonight, night is the enemy
Poisons the memory, martyrs it secretly
Midnight comes too fast, it comes too silently
The moon has no mercy now to live anymore
One day the rains will come
And wash away the tears
Sunlight will fade the years
Midnight comes too fast
And I don't want the night to last
Shadows on the glass, faces in window panes
Old lace and picture frames rattle their ancient chains
Midnight will surprise moonlight at the door
The night has a thousand eyes
And I don't know why to live any more
They told me how you loved me
When I finally got the bravery
To look beyond these prison walls
And shadows hanging over me
I cannot find a way to be
A lover for your life, although
They tell me it comes easily
I somehow cannot let the seasons pass
Without demanding that they last
And though I know forever well
I also know my private hell
Silent voices in the night
They are crying sacrifice
One day the rains will come
And wash away the years
Sunlight will fade the tears
Midnight comes too fast
Look at me
I would like to dance
but I haven't the clothes
for romance
swo I'll stay with
the boys in the band
I would like to be cool
like the ladies
who drool as they advance
but I can't get my feet
to go where I lead
with my toes
At the debutante's ball
everybody does all
they can do to enhance
every corset in town
in a gown made
specially in France
And the men here
can tell at a glance
I would like to maintain
but it sure seems a shame
to sit on my hands
And I only got into the swim
by the seat of my pants
Not another woman in the world
who could make a living
pitching the light fandango
dancing on the streets
of the city
Look at me, playing
freelance at the ball
Catch my entrance to the hall
far from the gilded lily
Look at me
Would you like to dance
I've a book illustrating
the stance
And I can't get my head
to go where I lead
with my toes
Blue sky by the ocean
I got a bluebird singing freedom
And I'm happy to be living
I believe I'm myself again
No tears to cry him
No desire to linger here
Beside him, without him
I believe I'm myself again
I got a whippoorwill, he sing the blues
I got honey bees and roses, too
But they don't sting, the way you do
I believe I'm myself again
Thanks to all the friends who stood by me
When we were standing still
Now I've got perspective on the situation
And it makes me ill
How could I have loved you for so long?
I know I enjoyed you
But how could I have liked you
So thank you, God bless you
Sleep well tonight,you made me cry
But I'm better without you
HYMN
(Janis Ian)
WHEN WE GROW OLD
AND LOVE GROWS COLD
AND TIME RUNS DOWN
LIKE A RIVER
THAT CALLS US HOME
THEEYES GROW DIM
THE LIGHT GROWN THIN
AND TIME WILL
END HERE FOREVER
LONG TIME GONE
THEN TIME AND THE RIVER
MUST STOP IN THEIR TRACKS
OR ROLL ON FOREVER
THERE’S NO TURNING BACK
I’VE WAITING TOO LONG
TO BE LEFT HERE LIKE THIS
LONG TIME GONE
THEN WEEP NO MORE
THE HEART IS PURE
THESE HANDS ARE SURE
LIKE A RIVER
THAT CLINGS TO SHORE
THE LOVE WE LEARN
THE LOVE WE BURN
A LOVE THAT BURNS
IN THE DARKNESS
WILL WEEP NO MORE
Bright lights and promises
A pocket full of dreams
That's what they pay me to be
Gold lame' and diamonds
I'm a hometown queen
Honey, would you sing it just for me?
When I was good, then I was bad
I never thought I'd end up this way
With no dreams to hide me
Bright lights to guide me
How long does it take to make the grade?
Everywhere I hear a ringing in my ears
Drummer, let the music play
Give me small town blues
Make it loud, make it do
Listen to the music sway
Bar rails and cocktails, have you got a light?
In that what it pays to keep in sight
Overused and much abused promises of delight
Honey, would you care to spend the night?
Take a little time, some memories and wine
Loosen up the sucker by the bar
And if he wants to hold you
If he wants to know you
Honey, that's what you're here for
Until all I see
Is them reaching out for me?
Drummer, play that old time melody
Bright lights and promises, that's all it's for
Leave and enter by the service door
Now I'm gold lame' and diamonds
Even if my gold is worn
THEY SAY THAT YOU CAN CHOOSE YOUR FRIENDS
BUT YOU CAN'T CHOOSE YOUR FAMILY
AND IT'S A LUCKY MAN WHO ENDS UP IN GOOD COMPANY
I'VE DONE MY SHARE OF LOOKING BACK
REGRET'S MY MIDDLE NAME
BUT THE TIME GOES BY SO FAST
YOU TURN AROUND, TOMORROW'S PASSED
AND THE ONES YOU LOVE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME
SO WHY DON'T YOU HONOR YOUR FATHER
HONOR YOUR MOTHER
HONOR YOURSELF ABOVE ALL
HONOR THE GIFTS
YOU BRING ONE ANOTHER
EACH TIME YOU RISE OR YOU FALL
HONOR THEM ALL
THERE'S NOT A FAMILY ON THIS EARTH
DOESN'T SLING A LITTLE MUD
HANDS GET WEARY, HEARTS GET HURT
WE BOW TO THE FLESH AND BLOOD
OH, PEOPLE CAN BE CRUEL SOMETIMES
IT LEAVES A LASTING SCAR
BUT WHEN YOU PUT IT TO THE TEST
YOU USUALLY FIND THEY'VE DONE THEIR BEST
AND AS BAD AS THAT MAY BE
IT'S TURNED YOU INTO WHO YOU ARE
SO WHY DON'T YOU HONOR YOUR FATHER
HONOR YOUR MOTHER
HONOR YOURSELF ABOVE ALL
HONOR THE GIFTS
YOU BRING ONE ANOTHER
EACH TIME YOU RISE OR YOU FALL
HONOR THEM ALL
I HAVE THREE NEPHEWS, ALL MY CHILDREN
AND MY MEMORIES
IF THERE'S ONE THING I WOULD ASK
IT'S THAT THEY KEEP ALIVE THE PAST
SO THE FUTURE DOESN'T HAVE TO END WITH ME
I WANT THEM TO HONOR THEIR FATHER
HONOR THEIR MOTHER
HONOR THEMSELVES ABOVE ALL
HONOR THE GIFTS
THEY BRING ONE ANOTHER
EACH TIME THEY RISE OR THEY FALL
HONOR THEM ALL
Big brother called me yesterday,
On the transatlantic phone.
He said, "You should come home.
They say it's much too dangerous,
To live outside alone,
Among the briars and the primrose."
And everybody's looking to the rain,
Santo Domini.
All the children are in flames,
Here in Spain.
The President is constantly,
Yelling on the phone.
He wants you to come home.
The Law Enforcement Justice League,
Will tell you where to go,
Among the briars and the primrose.
And everybody's looking out to the rain,
Santo Domini.
All the children are in Spain,
Here in Spain.
They say the country is a testament to the free.
Romeo and Juliet couldn't find a place to sleep,
No, no, no, no, no.
The child of my father called me yesterday,
On the transatlantic phone.
You gotta, gotta come home.
Gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta come home.
And everybody's looking out to the rain,
Santo Domini.
All the children are in flames,
And the children are in vain,
All the children are inflamed,
Touch in the tenderest night,
Before the feelings take flight.
Touch and you make everything new,
Everything bright, shiny and true.
Before the dawn and the light,
Here comes the night.
Here in the heart, I still breathe,
Longing a part of me I can't see.
And if the heart cannot redeem,
One soul apart, one separate dream.
Before the dawn and the light,
Here comes the night.
Here we are waiting (waiting),
And longing (longing),
Crying out, I am more than just a man,
Building castles in the sand.
All of us needing and leaving,
Long before the break of day.
So little time to say,
Well, I am, I know the way.
And I wanna be somebody who can see forever.
Wanna be somebody who can see forever.
Here in the heart I still dream.
Here in the heart of life I seem,
Somebody light, (somebody),
Somebody new, (somebody),
Somebody bright, (who can see),
Shiny and true.
(Somebody light,) wanna be,
(Somebody new,) somebody,
(Somebody bright,) who can see,
(Shiny and true,) forever.
(Somebody light,) wanna be,
(Somebody new,) somebody,
(Somebody bright,) who can see,
(Shiny and true,) forever.
Before the dawn and the light,
Here comes the night.
Before the dawn and the light,
He's a rainbow, he's a rainbow,
He's a rainbow searching for the sun.
Let him find you, let him guide you,
He's a rainbow searching for the sun.
In my life there've been many cast aside,
When the evening spread her light
Upon the table.
Infinity, he reaches out to shelter me.
He's a rainbow, he's a rainbow-woh-oh-oh,
A rainbow searching for the sun.
Oh, so let him find you and let him guide you,
He's a rainbow looking for the sun.
Come into my, my, my life,
Many've gone astray.
You know we took these away,
When we were able.
And lonely's here,
She has lost her mystery.
So bring me home.
He's a rainbow and he's a rainbow,
And he's a rainbow looking for the sun.
So let him find and let him guide,
'Cause he's a rainbow looking for the sun.
Looking for the sun.
When I was just the age of five,
My world had just come alive.
Wond'rous things to be seen and be done,
All that I could think of was fun.
With hair of spun gold, lips of ruby red,
And eyes as deep as the deepest sea.
And when I was just the age of ten,
My life, it did change again.
I threw away all my childish toys,
And worked on getting noticed by the boys.
And when I was just thirteen years of age,
Goin' steady was all the rage.
My mama picked me out the cutest boy,
My little, leather-jacketed toy.
Until spun gold turned to black as night,
Lips of ruby red were turned to pale pink.
And when I was fifteen years of age,
He had my hand in marriage.
And when fifteen years of age,
In my arms I held my babe.
And now I'm twenty-one,
Now I feel my life's over and done.
And I'm lookin' down on my little child,
Wond'rin', wond'rin', if she'll be so wild.
She's got hair of spun gold, lips of ruby red.
And eyes as deep as the deepest sea.
And I'm lookin' down on my child,
I swear she'll have the time.
There'll be time to love, there'll be time to learn.
For childish memories she won't yearn.
They'll be time to laugh, we'll find time to play,
She won't have to throw her toys away.
Come into my solitude
Though I weary be
Come into my tenderness
Dream along with me
Listen to the whispers sing
Listen to the singers shout
Come into my solitude
Me and my big mouth
Thoughts unspoken, thoughts unsaid
Lies of hearth and home
Children broken on the bed
And left to lie alone
Things you talk around
Scum you chock on down
Come into my solitude
Step on sacred ground
We were speaking
Of values and violence
Breaking silence
Fathers who are lovers
To the daughters that they own
Mothers who don't leave a child
In a single safety zone
People so unhinged
That death is much to kind
Come into my solitude
Step over that line
(Thought I was the only one)
Thought I was the only one
Thought I was the only
(Thought I was the only)
Thought I was the only, only one
(Thought I was the only)
We were speaking
Of values and violence
Breaking silence
Come into my solitude
Welcome to the wheel
Come into this wonderland
Of wounds that will not heal
Walls that do not speak
Steps that do not sound
Come into my solitude
Back in nineteen-sixty-three,
We walked a fine line.
We were takin' to the streets,
Skatin' on a thin dime.
We were searchin' after truth and beauty,
Now they turn it into late-night movies.
How can I explain,
That it's not the same?
Guess you had to be there, to be where
Love belonged to everyone.
Flowers in the long hair, we stood there,
Singing, "We shall overcome."
Knowing the eyes of the world were on us.
Knowing the whole world cared.
Guess you had to be there,
In the summer of our youth.
We came together,
And we knew that our truth,
It would live forever.
We were gonna make the whole world honest,
When a bullet got the bravest of us.
Somehow nothin' else was sacred,
And we all stood naked.
Guess you hat to be there, to be where
Love belonged to everyone.
Flowers in the long hair, we stood there,
Singing, "We shall overcome."
Knowing the eyes of the world were on us.
Knowing the whole world cared.
Guess you had to be there.
Now we listen to the news,
And it seems all hope is gone.
Everybody feelin' used,
And there's nowhere left to run.
Sometimes it feels like the memory,
Is all that's left of our used-to-be.
But what can never be denied,
Is the way we changed inside.
I guess you had to be there, to be where
Love belonged to everyone.
Flowers in the long hair, we stood there,
Singing, "We shall overcome."
Knowing the eyes of the world were on us.
Knowing the whole world cared.
Guess you hat to be there, to be where
Love belonged to everyone.
Flowers in the long hair, we stood there,
Singing, "We shall overcome."
Knowing the eyes of the world were on us.
Knowing the whole world cared.
Don't sing me love songs.
You know they make me cry.
Don't bring me any promises.
You've none I want to buy.
Don't send me any letters.
You know I never learned to read.
Leave them on the doorstep,
Sit back and watch me bleed.
Bleeding for the sailors,
Who never caught the tide.
And the wind goes on forever,
Tomorrow never dies.
And I wave goodbye to morning,
And stake my life on land.
I was sitting on the doorstop,
Watching Satan have his day.
It was half past morning
'Fore I tore myself away.
I've never looked beyond the mirrors
Of our used-to-be.
The gilded edges shadow sketches
In the light of memory.
And I found the paint by number,
With your name across the top.
And the room began to dance,
To the spinning of the clock.
And I waved goodbye to morning,
But I left the door unlocked.
Well, the tears flow like wine,
And the salt makes you blind.
So you beg a little time,
'Cause you're choking on the vine.
But the words begin to pour,
And it feels just like war.
And your face is on the floor,
And you cannot find the door.
And I think I found the answer,
Where you left it on the shelf.
But it's too late to wonder
If I left it there myself.
And the room begins to rock,
And the walls begin to steam.
And the clock won't stop,
And I'm living in between.
And I wave goodbye to morning,
Ginny the flying girl, wanted to see the world
Her parents were poor and they couldn't afford
To send her away for a whirl
She waited until they slept and into the night she
crept
With only the stars and the cold light of Mars
Ginny took off like a jet
She rode through the sky like an elephant's eye
Like the stars in a thundering herd
And when she came down
All the world had turned 'round
All that the groundpeople heard
Was 'oh, for the life of a bird'
She lived in a tiny room
Surrounded by huge balloons
The covers would fly past her magical eye
And the pillows soluted the moon
At night when the lights went out
She'd take to the sky and shout
'Hey Milky Way, lead me on 'til the day
'Says hello to the night's turnabout'
She rode through the sky like an elephant's eye
Like the stars in a thundering herd
And when she came down
All the world had turned 'round
All that the groundpeople heard
Was 'oh, for the life of a bird'
Whenever the world won't bend
Whenever I need a friend
I just close my eyes and I reach for the sky
And I know I can make it again
Whenever my dreams run dry
Just when I need to cry
Whenever it all looks too big, or too tall
I remember that I can fly
She rode through the sky like an elephant's eye
Like the stars in a thundering herd
And when she came down
All the world had turned 'round
All that the groundpeople heard
Was 'oh, for the life of a bird'
Oh, for the life of a bird
Borrowed things on guarded lines
Sign the past away
This is yours and that is mine
So the people say
How can you move so quickly?
How can you heal so fast?
And what will I do with my mornings?
And what will I do with my nights?
Tell me what you see in her that used to be in me
Why is it the simple truths are hardest to believe?
How can I start all over?
Knowing we'll just be friends
And what will I do with my mornings?
And what will I do with my nights?
You want answers that I can't give
You want words I don't know
Ask me when I'm through getting over you
Mmmmm oooh
After this day is over
How will my dreams go on?
And what will I do with my mornings?
Tell me what will I do with my nights?
You want answers that I can't give
You want words I don't know
Ask me when I'm through getting over you
IF I HAD BOOTS LIKE EMMY LOU'S
I'D BE A COUNTRY STAR
WITH RHINESTONES ON MY BVD'S
AND A HUMMINGBIRD GUITAR
I'D BUY MYSELF THE BIGGEST BUS
THAT EVER GRACED THE TRACK
WITH A LOVESEAT FOR THE TWO OF US
AND A SWIMMING POOL IN BACK
IF I HAD BOOTS LIKE EMMY LOU'S
I'D WEAR MY HAIR LIKE LORETTA USED TO DO
I'D SING LIKE PATSY CLINE
AND KITTY WELLS COMBINED
IF I HAD BOOTS LIKE EMMY LOU'S
I'D NEVER NEED A SHINE
IF I HAD BOOTS LIKE EMMY LOU'S
I'D BE SO VERY RICH
I'D HIRE A DOG TO SCRATCH ME
EVERY TIME I GOT AN ITCH
I'D BUY A THOUSAND CADILLACS
WITH LONGHORNS ON THE FRONT
DRIVE ONE 'TIL THE ASHTRAY FILLED
THEN HAUL IT TO THE DUMP
IF I HAD BOOTS LIKE EMMY LOU'S
I'D WEAR MY HAIR LIKE LORETTA USED TO DO
I'D SING LIKE PATSY CLINE
AND KITTY WELLS COMBINED
IF I HAD BOOTS LIKE EMMY LOU'S
I'D NEVER NEED A SHINE
I'D BUY MY CLOTHES FROM NUDIE
HAVE FINGERNAILS LIKE TAMMY
I'D TEASE MY HAIR LIKE DOLLY
AND MEASURE TEN FEET TALL
I'D TEACH THOSE BOOTS TO SING
PLAY FIDDLE ON ONE STRING
IF I HAD BOOTS LIKE EMMY LOU'S
I'D NEVER NEED A RING
IF I HAD BOOTS LIKE EMMY LOU'S
I'D DIE WITHOUT A CARE
FLY STRAIGHT UP TO HEAVEN'S GATE
AND PUSH MY WAY IN THERE
AND WHEN SAINT PETER ASKED ME
WHAT I'D DONE TO BE SO BOLD
I'D POINT DOWN TO MY BOOTS AND SAY
"THEY'RE RECENTLY RESOLED
SO FIT ME FOR A ROBE
WINGS AND HALO TOO
BUT I CANNOT STAY IF YOU TAKE AWAY
MY BOOTS LIKE EMMY LOU'S
IF I HAD BOOTS LIKE EMMY LOU'S
I'D WEAR MY HAIR LIKE LORETTA USED TO DO
I'D SING LIKE PATSY CLINE
AND KITTY WELLS COMBINED
IF I HAD BOOTS LIKE EMMY LOU'S
I'm leaving by night, I'm leaving alone
I'm leaving it lie when you waken I'll be gone
I would not beg for me as I would not beg for you
Though I'd like to be the one to see you through
Every step you have taken disappears with the tide
You're torn up and shaken with changing your mind
You haven't got the grace to say you'll finally decide
And you haven't got the strength to stay and fight
Those people who surround you
Only want to see you weak enough to crawl
They'll lie for you, decide for you
And buy up all your rights and all your wrongs
And they'll try to stop your singing in the middle of your song
For they do not want you free and they do not make you strong
But only drag you down in the hole they're coming from
They say you are foolish in wanting the sun
Say you are selfish in learning to run
And they'll tell you that the darkness is a blessing in disguise
For you never have to notice if you're sighted or you're blind
And they'll do their best to keep you from the light
You're more than beginning, you're learning to fly
You feel like you're falling but it passes in time
I hate to see a friend go down in flames without a song
So I'm waiting by the doorway but I will not linger long
And I'm leaving by night, I'm leaving alone
I'm leaving it lie, when you waken I'll be gone
I would not beg for me as I could not beg for you
Put your ear to the ground, there’s a buzz
about a new type of song
They call it folk, and what it does
is make you want to sing along
We can try our hand at Kumbaya
Michael Row the Boat Ashore
You don’t even have to burn your bra
to fit in with this décor
‘cause folk is the new black
Cheaper than crack, and you don’t have to cook
Download it and see
The first time is free, then you’ll be hooked
You can be politically correct
You don’t even have to risk your neck
Better than crack - folk is the new black
All the ladies on fifth avenue
are wearing dungarees
You can tell which ones are new
‘cause they’re starched and creased
We’ll be starting our campaign real soon
“Folk is for Fun” say the ads
Pete Seeger’s is the voice we’ll use
even though he’s just a fad
cause folk is the new black
Cheaper than crack, and you don’t have to cook
Download it and see
The first time is free, then you’ll be hooked
All your friends will think you have real talent
when you’ve memorized all of Barbara Allen
Better than crack - folk is the new black
Folk is the new black
Cheaper than crack and you don’t have to cook
Download it and see
First time is free, then you’ll be hooked
We’ll be singing hootenanny songs
long after rock and roll is gone
Anonymous, autonomous
Will likely get the best of us yet
Before you disappear
If you can lend me half an ear I?ll regret
If I treat you like a number
It?s because I can?t remember your name
So have another cigarette
And help me to forget what I came
You run too fast, fly too high
Run too fast and fly too high
On dark and lonely nights I?m only
Right when things are bright on the floor
Dancing and romancing
Gallivanting with a handsome I score
And if you don?t believe me, you should
See me when I?m ready to roar
?Cause I?ll lose my concentration
With a new infatuation, I?m sure
You run too fast, fly too high
You run too fast, fly too high
We got no past, no goodbye
You run to fast and you fly too high
Would you believe
I was once gonna be somebody? Yeah
I packed up my bags and I
Took what I had to the city, yeah yeah
Man, I was rough
To find the best I could be
Waiting for the limit
On a color TV
Now I?ve made it this far
Got a room on the park and a view
And you
Fly too high
You run too fast, fly too high
Run too fast, fly too high
We got no past, no goodbye
Run to fast and you fly too
Hanging around on the infield, what do you steal
But another feel at the top?
Making believe in the long run, when a shotgun
Is the way to get out of the shop
Hang tail in a new jail, you can go bail
You can dance until you drop
?Cause there?s no fool like an old fool in a new school
You just can?t stop
You run too fast, fly too high
Run too fast, fly too high
Got no past, no goodbye
It's easy to see
We've wasted our time
And now you believe it's the end of the line
I've know all along
That the truth must be told
But I never expected to hear it so cold
No time like today
For yesterday's dreams
When all our parades come apart at their seems
But every dark corner is another man's dream
Do you know what I mean
Do you know what you mean to me
Don't leave tonight
I need tomorrow
We'll put up a fight
To make our love right
Don't leave tonight
Now we've agreed that the laughter and tears
Only relieved the weight of our years
Now that the sunrise is cold-hearted clear
How close the night when the morning draws near
Yesterday's sorrows
Yesterday's dreams
All our tomorrow's how brightly they seem
Do you know what I mean
Do you know what you mean to me
Don't leave tonight
I need tomorrow
We'll put up a fight
To make our love right
Don't leave tonight
Don't leave tonight
I need tomorrow
We'll put up a fight
Gonna make our love right
Do you wanna dance?
Do you just wanna know me?
Do you wanna feel me
In your arms tonight?
Do you want to hold me?
'Cause I wanna wing across
The dance hall floor.
What more can you show me?
Do you wanna dance?
Do you just wanna throw me?
Do you wanna listen
To the music play
All night long?
Do you want to lead me?
Do you wanna sing
Every word to the song?
Do you really need me?
'Cause I want to feel
That heartbeat horn
Blowing cool and breezy.
Don't make me wait too long,
I just get greedy.
[Instrumental break.]
Dance with me now till dawn,
You won't be lonely.
I've got a fever on,
But we'll take it slowly.
I wanna dance along
The night until it's gone.
I want you only.
So do you wanna dance?
Do you just wanna throw me?
Do you wanna dance
The night away?
Who will die by fire?
Who will seek the flame?
Whose heart's desire has the most to gain?
Who will beg for mercy?
Who will bow their head?
Who will suffer gladly?
Who will welcome death?
Who will play the hero?
Who will turn and run
Who will always follow someone else's drum?
Who will die of beauty?
Who will die of hope?
Who will tell it truly?
Who will leave it cloaked?
Dead men walking in the night
Dead men talking in my ear
I am afraid to ask too much and disappear
When they are near
Who will call me lover?
Who will call me friend?
Who'll be my brother?
Who will just pretend?
Who will I surrender?
Who will I defend?
Will I be remembered?
Will I rise again?
Dead men walking in the world tonight
Dead men talking in my ear
I am afraid to ask too much and disappear
When they are near
Carve my name upon your heart
Let it leave an everlasting scar
A shooting star
Dead men walking in the world tonight
Dead men talking in my ear
I am afraid to ask too much and disappear
Dead men walking in the world tonight
Dead men talking in my ear
I am afraid to ask too much when they are near
Dead men walking in the world tonight
Dead men talking in my ear
ON DAYS LIKE THESE
WHEN THE RAIN WON’T FALL
AND THE SKY IS SO DRY
THAT EVEN BIRDS CAN’T CALL
I CAN FEEL YOUR TEARS
DISAPPEARING IN THE AIR
CARRIED ON THE BREEZE
ON DAYS LIKE THESE
IT’S YEARS LIKE THESE
THAT MAKE A YOUNG MAN OLD
BEND HIS BACK AGAINST THE PROMISES
THAT LIFE SHOULD HOLD
THEY CAN MAKE HIM WISE
THEY CAN DRIVE HIM TO HIS KNEES
NOTHING COMES FOR FREE
ON DAYS LIKE THESE
BUT YOU CAN’T REAP WHAT YOU DON’T SOW
AND YOU CAN’T PLANT IN FALLOW GROUND
SO LET US FILL THIS EMPTY EARTH WITH HOPE
UNTIL THE RAINS COME DOWN
IN LIVES LIKE THESE
WHERE EVERY MOMENT COUNTS
I ADD UP ALL THE THINGS
THAT I CAN LIVE WITHOUT
WHEN THE ONE THING LEFT
IS THE BLESSING OF MY DREAMS
I CAN MAKE MY PEACE
WITH DAYS LIKE THESE
I CAN MAKE MY PEACE
And when the war was over
I went dancing in the streets
with the corpse of my dead brother
to the sacrificial beat
And the Boy Scouts and the Legionnaires
come home from overseas
singing Glory Hallelujah!
to the swank Gestapo beat
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
I've never been
In the whole of my life
an intelligent sacrifice
Hallelujah,Hallelujah
Give me a reason
to go on believing
and I'm ready
to pay the price
I heard of a plan
in the president's mansion
high up in the sky
And it called for a sacrifice
and my brother paid the price
Sent him home in a bag,
The American flag
was draped around the box
And the coffin lid was locked
And the note said thanks a lot
Come and dance with me
Come and dance with me
I'm home from overseas
I'm a corpse up to my knees
Celebrate the victory
Do you want to dance
and hold me tight?
I'm feeling most diseased
And I need your company
Come and dance, come and dance
Come and dance
Come and dance
I'm home from overseas
And I need your company
Celebrate the victory
Would you like to dance
and hold me tight
I'm feeling most diseased
But I'm easier to please
I haven't been loved by a man in quite a while
You know it ain't easy making me smile
Friends have their lovers, men on a string
There must be something terribly wrong with me
Sometimes I feel like I haven't learned anything
How do you do? Would you like to be friends?
No, I just want a bed for the night
Someone to tell me they care
You can fake it, that's all right
In the morning I won't be here
It's a sacrificial alter and I'm laying down my head
And I'm telling you upfront I haven't much to give
Is that how it's done or shall I sing and dance?
Give me a chance
How do you do? Do you want to be friends?
Yes, that might be very nice, maybe we'll fall in love
Everybody has it's price
Mine is yours for free if you'll be in love with me
I haven't been loved by a man in quite a while
You know it ain't easy making me smile
All my friends have their lovers, they've got men on a string
There must be something terribly wrong with me
Can you reach me?
Would you teach me to be free?
Is it such an easy thing,
To be a friend?
Can you reach me?
Would you teach me to be free?
Have you got a helping hand to lend?
It's okay, I know you're trying to wait,
Hoping time will hesitate,
As you sit down on the phone.
Oh, but it's too late,
And your hands begin to shake,
You try to make it and break it all alone.
And I know I can please you,
I'll only try to reach out to you.
Can you reach me?
Would you teach me to be free?
Is it such an easy thing,
To be a friend?
Oh, can you reach me?
Would you teach me to be free?
Have you got a helping hand to lend?
Because, my friend,
Seems like everything depends,
On my timing of my bending tables,
Waiting for a song.
Yes and then,
Seems like everybody depends,
On the lending of a hand.
And I go 'round, 'round 'n' 'round.
I'll be bound.
I got nothin' to give,
But, God, I'm gonna live.
I'm gonna live.
I'm gonna live.
Would you reach me?
Would you teach me to be free?
Is it such an easy thing?
Be my friend,
My friend, oh, be my friend.
Oh, tell me would you reach me?
Tell me, tell me, is it easy
Could you please me?
Could you release me?
Oh, would you reach me?
Tell me, tell me, is it easy?
Would you tease me?
Would you believe in me?
Tell me, could you reach me?
Tell me, tell me, is it easy?
Would you tease me?
Release me.
Let me go on
never known your name
how can you be strong
everyone can see
she's insane
All my life I've waited
for someone to take the pain
all my life, I've waited
and now you're gone
even the sun's calling your name
See, in the city
the lights they shine pretty
in afterglow scented by rain
little old ladies
asleep in the cradling womb
surrounded by pain
God, the pain
Let me go on
never known your name
how can you be strong
even I can see
you're in pain
All my life I've waited
for someone to fill my head
all my life I've waited
for someone who'll fill my bed
and now you're gone
There's never much to say between the moments of
Our games and repartee
There's never much to read between the lines of
What we need and what we'll take
There's never much to talk about or say aloud
But say it anyway
Of holidays and yesterdays, and broken dreams
That somehow slipped away
In books and magazines of how to be and what to see
While you are being
Before and after photographs teach how to pass
From reaching to believing
We live beyond our means on other people's dreams
And that's succeeding
Between the lines of photographs I've seen the past
It isn't pleasing
So strike another match we'll have another cup of wine
And dance until the evening's dead of too much song and time
There's never much to talk about or read between the lines
Of what we dream about when we're apart
And no one's looking on to say you're mine
It was a good year then, it was a good year then, we all remember
The time you threw the looking glass and seemed a fool or very clever
Don't spoil it all, I can't recall a time when you were
Struck without an answer
We'll live a quiet peaceful time between the lines and go together
And I'm striking up the band to play our last hurrah
We'll dance until we've killed another evening off
Don't think of anyone but me, I'll have no lovers on the side
Tonight is all we've ever dreamed about for once let's get it right
We'll go down flying in the end
Through another bottle in between the lines
I'll go down like a ship of state
I’M THE BELLE OF THE BLUES, AND IT’S EASY TO SEE
IF I WIN OR I LOSE, IT’S ALL ONE TO ME
I WAS BORN ON A SHELF IN THE RARE BOOKS LIBRARY
I RESIDE BY MYSELF WITH MY BOOKS AND MY T.V.
I’M AN OLD AGE PENSION FOR THE FOSSILIZED ROUTINE
ANYBODY FOR NOSTALGIA, PUT A RECORD ON AND SEE
HERE’S A MEMORY OF OLDEN DAYS
AND A HEARTBREAK GROWN COLD
ALL THAT GLITTERS ISN’T GOLD
YOU GET NO LOVE FOR FREE
YOU LIVE AND YOU DIE
AND I’LL PROBABLY THROW IT AWAY
BUT IN THE END IT’S MINE
AND NOBODY HAS A RIGHT TO SAY
“GO DOWN LIGHTLY - GO DOWN SILENTLY”
I’LL GO DOWN SCREAMING
“GIVE IT BACK - IT BELONGS TO ME”
I’M THE BELLE OF THE BLUES - I’M USED TO MINGLING
WITH THE CREME DE LA CRÈME OF HIGHER SOCIETY
I PROMISE THEM ROSES, AND AN EIGHT-BY-TEN OF ME
BUT WHEN THE PARTY’S OVER
THEY’RE ALL TO GLAD TO LEAVE
THEIR CHILDREN SING OF SORROW
IT’S THE SAME OLD ROUTINE
THEY’VE BEGGED AND THEY’VE BORROWED
SOMEONE ELSE’S MISERY
IT’S AN EASY ACT TO FOLLOW
AT LEAST, AN EASY ONE FOR ME
GIVE ME MY TOMORROWS
YOU CAN HAVE MY MEMORIES
SOUVENIRS FROM AN OLD-FASHIONED SCHOOL
PLAYS COQUETTE ON THE PILLOW
LIKE AN OLD-FASHIONED FOOL
GO DOWN LIGHTLY
GO DOWN SILENTLY
YOU GO DOWN LONELY
Come to my door, baby, face is clean and shining, black
as night.
My mother went to answer, you know that you looked so
fine.
Now, I could understand your tears and your shame,
She called you, "boy," instead of your name.
When she wouldn't let you inside, when she turned and
said,
"But, honey, he's not our kind."
She says I can't see you anymore, baby, can't see you
anymore.
Walk me down to school, baby, everybody's acting deaf
and blind.
Until they turn and say, "Why don't you stick to your
own kind."
My teachers all laugh, their smirking stares,
Cutting deep down in our affairs.
Preachers of equality, think they believe it, hen why
won't they just let us be?
They say I can't see you anymore, baby, can't see you
anymore.
One of these days I'm gonna stop my listening, gonna
raise my head up high.
One of these days I'm gonna raise up my glistenin'
wings an' fly.
But that day will have to wait for a while, baby, I'm
only society's child.
When we're older things may change,
But for now, this is the way they must remain.
I say, "I can't see you anymore, baby, can't see you
anymore.
I leaned the truth at seventeen
That love was meant for beauty queens
And high school girls with clear-skinned smiles
Who married young and then retired
The valentines I never knew
The Friday night charades of youth
Were spent on one more beautiful
At seventeen I learned the truth
And those of us with ravaged faces
Lacking in the social graces
Desperately remained at home
Inventing lovers on the phone
Who called to say, "Come dance with me"
And murmured vague obscenities
It isn't all it seems at seventeen
A brown-eyed girl in hand-me-downs
Whose name I never could pronounce
Said, "Pity, please, the ones who serve
'Cause they only get what they deserve"
And the rich relationed hometown queen
Marries into what she needs
With a guarantee of company
And haven for the elderly
So remember those who win the game
Lose the love they sought to gain
In debentures of quality and dubious integrity
Their small town eyes will gape at you
In dull surprise when payment due
Exceeds accounts received at seventeen
To those of us who knew the pain
Of valentines that never came
And those whose names were never called
When choosing sides for basketball
It was long ago and far away
The world was younger than today
When dreams were all they gave for free
To ugly duckling girls like me
We all play the game and when we dare
To cheat ourselves at solitaire
Inventing lovers on the phone
Repenting other lives unknown
They call and say, "Come on, dance with me"
And murmur vague obscenities
ALL THOSE BROKEN PROMISES
ALL THOSE SHATTERED DREAMS
ALL THIS ACHE AND LONELINESS
THAT HIDES INSIDE OF ME
I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR SO LONG
I'VE FORGOTTEN WHAT IT'S LIKE
TO FEEL SOMEBODY'S ARMS AROUND MY LIFE
ALL THIS LONGING
ALL THIS YEARNING
ALL THIS HOPELESS
TWISTING AND TURNING
I'VE BEEN LONELY FOR SO LONG
I'VE FORGOTTEN WHAT IT'S LIKE
TO FEEL SOMEBODY'S ARMS AROUND MY LIFE
I KNOW YOU'RE OUT THERE, SOMEWHERE
UNDERNEATH THE STARS
AND WHEN YOU FINALLY FIND ME
I'LL KNOW WHO YOU ARE
STAR LIGHT, STAR BRIGHT
HAVEN'T I THE RIGHT
TO FEEL SOMEBODY'S ARMS AROUND MY LIFE
ALL THE BROKEN PROMISES
ALL THE SHATTERED DREAMS
ALL THIS ACHING LONELINESS
WILL FINALLY BE SET FREE
I HAVE WAITED FOR SO LONG
TO REMEMBER WHAT IT'S LIKE
Applause, applause.
Give the singer a chance.
Treat her right,
Be polite.
Maybe she will dance.
Applause, applause.
Give the singer a break.
How much can you give?
How much can you take?
Give the singer a chance.
Wanna give the singer a chance.
Anything to buy your soul,
And maybe she will dance.
Applause, applause.
She'll stand upon her head,
Applause, applause.
She'll take you to her bed,
And share with you the memories
Of dreams she can't forget.
Applause, applause.
Let's give the prize
To the little lady
With the stars in her eyes.
And I'll sell my soul for a song.
Pay the price and carry on.
And share with you the memories
Of dreams I can't forget,
Of lovers I have met.
Applause, applause.
Let's give the prize
To the little lady
With the stars in her eyes.
Applause, applause.
Give the singer a chance.
Treat her right.
Be polite,
Maybe she will dance.
Applaud, applaud.
Give that singer a break.
How much can you give?
How much would it take?
Aw, give the singer a chance.
Give the singer a chance.
Anything to buy your soul,
And maybe she will dance.
Oh, maybe she will dance.
Maybe she will dance.
JUST THE PATTERN OF SUNLIGHT ON A BUILDING
JUST A FLASH IN A WINDOW I WAS PASSING
JUST A FRAME IN A MOVIE I REMEMBER
AMSTERDAM
JUST THE SOUND OF A WHEEL IN THE GRAVEL
JUST THE CLICK OF A HEEL IN THE PAVEMENT
JUST A MOMENT LIKE ANY OTHER MOMENT
AMSTERDAM
I REMEMBER YOUR LIPS
I REMEMBER YOUR EYES
AND THE TASTE OF THE KISS
AND YOUR GRACEFUL GOODBYE
YOU LIED… GOODBYE
JUST THE SCENT OF PERFUME ON THE LINEN
JUST THE PRINT OF A PALM ON THE PILLOW
JUST THE HINT OF THE MOON FROM THE WINDOW
AMSTERDAM
JUST A GHOST IN THE STEAM ON THE MIRROR
JUST A SHADOW OF MOTION IN THE WATER
JUST A NEED TO LOOK OVER MY SHOULDER
AMSTERDAM
I REMEMBER YOUR LIPS
I REMEMBER YOUR EYES
AND THE TASTE OF THE KISS
AND YOUR GRACEFUL GOODBYE
YOU LIED… GOODBYE
JUST TWO LOVERS ASLEEP IN THE SILENCE
AS I WALK FROM THE DOOR
JUST THE WEIGHT OF A HEART
AS IT’S FALLING NOTHING MORE
I REMEMBER YOUR LIPS
I REMEMBER YOUR EYES
AND THE TASTE OF THE KISS
AND YOUR GRACEFUL GOODBYE YOU LIED…
I AM MASTER AND SLAVE
I AM SUNLIGHT AND SHADOW
I AM ALL ROADS TO THE RIVER
I AM LOST, I AM SAVED
I AM BELOVED AND BETRAYED
ALL ROADS TO THE RIVER
AND THE RIVER RUNS WIDE
THE RIVER RUNS DEEP
I SPIT IN THE EYE OF SAFE COMPANY
WHEN I DIVE RIGHT DOWN
TO THE UNDERTOW
THE DEEPER I DROWN,
THE HIGHER I GO
I AM WHISPERING DREAMS
I AM HOWLING REVOLUTIONS
ALL ROADS TO THE RIVER
I AM VALENTINE SWEET
I AM EVERY MOTHER’S NIGHTMARE
I AM ALL ROADS TO THE RIVER
THE RIVER RUNS WIDE
THE RIVER RUNS DEEP
I SPIT IN THE EYE OF SAFE COMPANY
WHEN I DIVE RIGHT DOWN
TO THE UNDERTOW
THE DEEPER I DROWN,
THE HIGHER I GO
I DREAM OF STILL WATERS
SILENT AND CLEAR
BUT I RUN FOR THE THUNDER
THAT’LL DROWN MY FEAR
(GUITAR SOLO)
THE RIVER RUNS WIDE
THE RIVER RUNS DEEP
I SPIT IN THE EYE OF SAFE COMPANY
WHEN I DIVE RIGHT DOWN
TO THE UNDERTOW
THE DEEPER I DROWN,
Sometimes it’s all too much
To say aloud
The sound’s a shroud
The meanings crowd
Sometimes the words
Are painful to the ear
They disappear when
nothing’s clear.
And that’s left
To see are aftertones
I take them home
We live alone
But I remember
Chains of melody
It pleases me- -
This song’s for free.
Within the memories
Or our life gone by
Afraid to die
We learn to lie
And measure out the time
In coffee spoons
In fading suns
And dying moons.
‘Til all that’s left
To see are aftertones
And no one knows
Where meaning goes
But I remember
Chains of melody
It pleases me- -
This song’s for free.
And ooo, I like the sound
Of harmony
From time to time
I really do believe
In some kind of tomorrow
Waterfalls cascading downa summer wind of golden brown
The leaves are flying in the air and in the sky your
tangled hair
Petals wear on moonlit nights, they’re all the same on
sunbeam lights
Watch the sky as it turns blue. Night is slow to rush
on you
a song for all the seasons of your mind
Avalanches burying and all the doctors hurrying
Mental institutions and the pain of retribution
All the muddy ponds and dirty sewers feed your mind
upon a skewer
Put you up and pull you down. Rusty nails turn fingers
brown
A song for all the seasons of your mind
Laughter flows among the trees. A golden green hilarity
Your eyes are aching from the sun and though the
evening’s just begun
you don’t know why you’re laughing so. There is no
cause for it to show
but just the same, fall to the floor of all the good
times you recall
A song for all the seasons of your mind
Running through a blackened dream, waken with a
nightmare scream
See your clothing come alive. Earthquakes cause your
mind to slide
Try to find where peace is gone. Like turning live a
rubber swan
Floating down an endless stream, forgetting mental
poverty
A song for all the seasons of your mind
Happiness at loving one. Your game of grace for sad
eyed swans
and quietly beneath the tree , loving all his mystery
The grass is still, it comes alive. Beneath your naked
foot it writhes
Feel the life within you grow like beauty on a newborn
rose
A song for all the reasons of your mind
Emptiness at losing him. The memory of all you’ve been
The grass is sharp to walk upon, the petals black, the
trees are gone
Like frightened dogs before the war, you dream you
search for just one more
as one becomes another one , you wonder where the day
has gone
A song for all the seasons of your mind
On the silent evening breeze , knowledge comes so
quietly
Clear blue water from above, an avalanche can teach you
love
The leaves that swirl about your eyes may wear an
unforeseen disguise
But when your clothing comes alive, you can be sure
it’s you inside
![Janis Ian. At Seventeen. Vicar Street Live 2012 [ HD ]](http://web.archive.org./web/20130412024926im_/http://i.ytimg.com/vi/3TtWhOauvOU/default.jpg "Janis Ian. At Seventeen. Vicar Street Live 2012 [ HD ]")
