Nobody knows the man that I keep hid
Nobody knows the man that I keep hid
He's raised my face like a pirate's flag
Of any nations tattered rag
Nobody knows the man that I keep hid
Somebody used my mouth and laughed out loud
Somebody used my mouth and laughed out loud
Spoken ways that were strange to you
Whispered things that even money won't do
Nobody knows the man that I keep hid
Something startled you late last night
Something startled you late last night
A ghost from my dream leaning paon
Moving you left a vapor trail
Nobody knows the man that I keep hid
You say you've changed but still you won't
I say I've changed and prove I don't
Somebody made my heart a silver spoon
Somebody made my heart a silver spoon
That eats away at love and pride
Like hunger down a mountainside
Nobody knows the man that I keep hid
What does this look like to you?
A mark so fine you barely see
You have one just like it too
A twisting vine, a mark so fine
'Cause I love you with all I am
And you love me because you are
As fearless as a twisting vine
A mark so fine but still a scar
Fear plays dumb then eats the soul
Like a vagabond with a fishing pole
He whistles but he cannot sing
It's an awful tune but very soon
I find that I am whistling too
And your window is like a star
That I sit beneath like a vagabond
Who wears his fear just like a scar
The blade of our outrageous fortune
Like a parade, it cuts a path
Light shows on our foolish way
And darkness on our aftermath
If I love you to save myself
And you love me because we are
So fool to think that our parade
Could leave a path but not a scar
And I love you with all I am
And you love me with what you are
As pretty as a twisting vine
Here¡¯s that rainy day
That you said was bound to come,
Funny¡ªnow you took my hat
I can still feel it like it¡¯s on;
O baby I wonder how
You ever learned to play so rough,
You left me with everything
Knowing it would never be enough
Now I remember¡ªyou told me so,
You¡¯re so rough and tumble, and now I know
I had a dream of you
And I¡¯ll tell you what I can
Your face was a brilliant mask
--it came off in my hand;
O baby I wonder how
You ever learned to play so rough
You left me with everything
Knowing it would never be enough
Now I remember¡ª
I take my coffee now
At the window by the stove,
The afternoon is dark
As the shadows grow;
O baby I wonder how
You ever got so tough,
To leave me with everything
Knowing it would never be enough
Now I remember--
[Instrumental]
Holy cow, look what you¡¯ve done
You¡¯ve got me now so I can¡¯t speak;
I wonder how you turned out the stars
I hear your laugh
Like falling railway cars,
Far and away, peaking through the bars
Safe behind your own lock and key
--safe for now from me
God only knows how I love you
But God and His ghost
And His roadhouse crew
Ran me out of town on a silver rail
Free at last and begging Him for jail
I never could sleep well
out on the water
But I'm too heartsick to be awake
for any chatter
Days of falling gray I see
Have risen to my knees
And the smell of rotting clothes
Has set into the ladder
The air has kept us drunk enough
And the dancing pennywhistle
Has filled us with unspoken fear
That our course has been a certain
But if we live to touch the sand
We won't care if we don't understand
And none of us would dare admit
That this has not been worth it
I bring no name with me
And the burden is my jewel
That I lay upon the wall
The gate of the city
And if I finally walk on through
I'll leave it open for you
But don't ask for kindness or silver
I won't have any
So I hold myself in place
My foot against the braces
Rest my head upon my chest
Holding each arm with the other
And if I dream of better times
- Ahead of me or left behind -
I'll curse the drink that gives me hope
I might just change my mind
Sometimes you can never tell
Where a story will unwind
How deep is the shallow ground
Sometimes you would never guess
Who's all talk and who just might
Find a way or lose themselves
On the king's highway tonight
I am just like many more
Who lie in bed, still and numb
Waking up and I can see
Just how dark it has become
Who knows no better angels now
Who knows none but earthly light
Who is waiting for a stranger
On the king's highway tonight
It wasn't how I had it planned
When it finally came around
I took a man with my own hands
But I held him close when he went down
He hadn't time to be afraid
His look was only of surprise
Staring up from where he lay
On the king's highway tonight
I took the little that he had
Only as an afterthought
He wouldn't have to feel so bad
To think I killed him just because
He was passing through this town
Only 'cause he looked about right
He stopped when I flagged him down
On the king's highway tonight
I might just change my mind
I like when I can stand up here
When the night is cool and clear
And everything is at my feet
Nothing in my head
Words they seem so thick and slow
You can kill them all before they go
Watch them tumble down and spin
And leave them there for dead
And shine, shine
It almost shines like
You were here with me
Below me bandits make a beach
And they open mussels with their teeth
And try to find a little shade
To make 'em find their way
For all it took, it's my belief
We shouldn't waste one moment's (?)
I mean, what else we gonna leave our kids
When we're gone someday?
And shine, shine
It almost shines like
You were here with me
Now the trees all rage and come to life
The day gives off (?) but it takes a wife
Who carries on behind his back
Lets the rabble through
Time has run away with us
And it laughs at all the tears and fuss
Best go with god and let me trust
The ghost in here was you
And shine, shine
It almost shines like
Here comes the night, there go your knees, reaching for
the floor.
You say I'll stand guard down here, she stands in the
door,
With a pony on the tether pulling cold and sugarcane.
There go your knees.
And there she goes.
She's a-hauling cane like it was gold.
And when she calls upon the dead,
To stand up in her place,
They'll raise the roof up overhead,
And speak out from her face.
And fish jump in her boat all day,
And flog your feet like steel.
There go the dead.
Out through the roof.
She speaks your name,
Like it was proof.
The carnies kick the gravel,
And they wait for you in town,
They pull back on the lever,
And they bring the truck around.
But her fingers on her lips
Are like a penny for a fuse.
And it would take,
All the world to go,
The town will burn,
Aaaah come sit beside me
That'll do for now
The night has come and left me
Just the light that you allow
Come speak my name
Fill my head with oh such foolish dreams
My flesh and blood
Is no more real to me
Than what it seems
My love for you is burning
Like a sparkle on a fuse
I feel your mark upon me now
As surely as the hand that leaves the bruise
Life is for the living
And life comes hard for some
The rest of us were flesh and blood
Make it hard all on our own
All I ever wanted
Was the freedom to refuse
Or something of my own to love enough
To hate to lose
The fever in my brain
Is leaving smoke behind my eyes
When the part of me that wants to change
Fights the part of me that tries
Come see the gold light
Cause I turned the gold light on.
Sometimes God knows
You've got to learn to shine shine shine shine all on your own
I I I I I stepped out of darkness
And for a moment
I'm only living by your kiss your kiss your kiss your kiss your lips your kiss
your kiss
And now, just for now our flesh and blood's more real than this
More real than this (X2)
More more more more more more more more more more more more real than this
Flesh and blood is more real than this
More real than this (X2)
Flesh and blood (X2)
More real than this
More real
FLAG
Take that noise out in the street,
This rubble out from under my feet.
No rest for the weary in here,
And make a fuss, you're a volunteer.
These days, they lord above me
Growing mean as they grow shorter,
Like a flag on a closing border now?
Closing right behind you
In a crowd come off the hill,
Full of bloodlust and good will,
We carried pride above our heads
Like a flag we could cheer to wake the dead.
And when we could go no further,
And were drowning on a desert,
We raised our flag to follow the breath of God?
But it was blowing every which way
I loved you long before I knew
Love is something one decides to do.
My vanity and fear conspired belief
That love's just a mirror for a thief.
So when you held me tight against you
And I mistook your heart for thunder,
And like a flag, hid behind and under you?
Who could blame me?
When you held me tight against you
I mistook your heart for thunder,
Like a flag, I hid behind it
Like a flag, I'm hiding under you
Now I hang my clothes out to dry
Like waves of surrender, they fly.
The whore of this world looks old and played
Still she peeks from the alley like a waiting bride's
maid.
Laugh or bleed, as you need to
Who of us doesn't know already?
Had enough....
Hey look a live, I'm coming down
There's no one, could stop me now
no riders please, no riding free
Just save your skin, one for me.
I know not this, so close how can you miss
Had enough....
For the one and only Mona, I keep a place
Deep down in my coat and hid be hind my face.
Her tongue's fat as a thumb, her heart's a dime
Pick your posion, leave me mine.
I know not this, so close how could you miss
How could you miss...
Had enought....
I still remember when your shoes were new
When I could hold a spoon the way some people do
If this is our finish, lets begin
Gabmble I would lose, guess I'd win.
I know not this, so close how could you miss
I know not this, so close how could you miss
How could you miss...
Had enought....
There's a song we used to know
A kind of weary blues
Some broke tune from long ago
Some of us still like to use
It hangs up high in the rafters
Like smoke it has no form
Keep it all hid like laughter
And sing out death, death to the storm
Death to the storm
Death to the storm
Death to the storm
Death to the storm
We keep it all hid like laughter
And sing out death, death to the storm
I've caught my rage in the making
Alive here in my hand
But it bent the rod to the breaking
And still I'm a hungry, hungry man
The trouble is so underrated
I've been battered, rusted, whored
Calling all the great ill fated
Who bring death, death to the storm
Death to the storm
Death to the storm
Death to the storm
Death to the storm
We call upon the great ill fated
Who bring death, death to the storm
A line of cars is rolling westbound
A dark river just begun
The tramps are huddled in their best now
Like a funeral in the sun
A man waits on orange crates
His meager eyes go soft and warm
As women wade the deep parade
Cheering death, death to the storm
Death to the storm
Death to the storm
Death to the storm
Death to the storm
As women wade the deep parade
Just think what a day's rain can do
A bridge once between us is lost
I set it to sway
And now here I stay
Till it's cold enough to cross
I stand on the bank watching on
You wade in the flood and I'm lost
You're calling my name
But I wait just the same
Till it's cold enough to cross
Just think what I know time will tell
What keeps me from you so lost
It's not the water you wade
But that I wait afraid
I want my story straight
But all the others bend
From wondrous to strange
To beauty at the end
I move along
A swaying wire
Your talking drums
A perfect choir to my disarray
I'm going to climb that hill and louk out across
Climb that hill and look out across
Climb that hill and look out across
A long ways off from here
I'm going to dig my well from the bottom to the top
Dig my well from the bottom to the top
Dig my well from the bottom to the top
A long ways off from here
I'm gonna change my name 'til it rings a bel
Change my name 'til it rings a bel
Change my name 'til it rings a bel
A long ways off from here
I'm gonna leave my shame where I make my bed
Leave my shame where I make my bed
Leave my shame where I make my bed
Keep it like a pillow underneath my head
I'm gonna carry your letter close by my side
Carry your letter close by my side
Carry your letter close by my side
A long ways off from here
And when the story gets better I'm gonna climb inside
When the story gets better I'm gonna climb inside
When the story gets better I'm gonna climb inside
I see in you an animal trace
That's quick in your blood and deep in your face,
Mine has been tamed; I'm shamed to pretend
When I'm this close to your animal skin
I remember when love was something I craved
But I settled for less and the comfort it gave,
For living is hard when real love begins
And it leaves heavy lines on your animal skin
Oh, let your arms make a deep night for me
Enclosing my world so I cannot see,
I'll rise with your breath and fall back again
Cause you bring me close to my animal skin
You bring me back to where I'd once been
If I know my angels, I know what they'd say
Be still my little butcher boy, you'll give us all away
Be still you wretched little freak, give us room to move
Give us milk, you little pig, we'll tell you when we're through
My love is like a mountain, her mouth is like a mine
Incubating diamonds, as we rise and shine, shine
Rolling over granite, there's a smell like cloves and clay
And if I know my angels, they'll take it all away
Can you get it?
Now I've sold my bread, to keep my spirits high
To keep some taste on my tongue, and my feelings dry
They'll have their fun and leave me, I'm like a stone without a weight
But if I know my angels, I'll fall just like a cane
YOUR SIDE OF MY WORLD.
Thought that bell was in my dream,
All in my head,
Until the trucks were in the yard
And the fire was in my bed.
Oh, can you hear the ringing bell,
Telling time like time was to tell?
Can you see the smoke rise and curl
All the way from your side of my world?
Hush your talk, here comes the boss
Down off of his perch.
He walks the floor in cream-white shoes
Like we were piggin' iron in church.
Oh, can you hear the furnace hum
Above the shouts and all the chewing gum?
Hear the union priest lead the factory choirgirls
Singing out to your side of my world?
I could dance when I was young
And I was pretty good,
I'd do all the tricks and such
But back then everybody could.
I should have seen how this would be,
But nothing's true till I've seen it on TV.
Yet there you were, in your high heels and curls
Coming in as big as life, from your side of my world.
Let's pretend we've never loved
Let's pretend our hands are clean,
Free of all the spit and shine
And the smell of gasoline.
Cause here come the planes and the tambourines,
The funeral march, and the beauty queens,
The circus freaks selling lemonade
From the back of an open-air motorcade.
Here come the heart machines and the baby shoes,
The ship-to-shore relay of the sporting news,
That mail-order brides --fake tits and pearls
I know that fan is moving air
I can see it in your hair
but I can't bear to breathe it in somehow
I'll rise and fall with you cause you can't fail me now
Salt is sweet upon my mouth
and dark throws *sparks* against my house
the state of love is a smudge upon my brow
but you see through me and you can't fail me now
when you see right through me you can't fail me now
I've bit off more than i can chew
its something that i tend to do
when fewer words are what we need and how
I bite my tongue and you can't fail me now
I rant and rail but you can't fail me now
solo
Bridge:
I've lost the thread among the vines
and hung myself in storylines that tell the tales I
never would allow
God knows the name of every bird that fills my mind
like angry words
but you know all my secret heart avows
We're taught to love the worst of us
and mercy more than life but trust me
mercy's just a warning shot across the bow
I live for yours and you can't fail me now
I live for your mercy
you can't fail me now
Here you go
If you fear the angels above while you sleep
Then I'll be the blood, you paint on your door
Your dream is a worry that nothing will keep
But time is a story and there will be more
Your dream is a worry that nothing will keep
But time is a story and there will be more
And death in disgrace can seduce anyone
That needs to believe there?s judgment at hand
Or God may be kind and see you like a son
But time is a lion when you are a lamb
Or God may be kind and see you like a son
But time is a lion when you are a lamb
The years see the best of intentions and greed
They come without shame, they'll leave you with some
Men become old when their hurt becomes need
But time is a lover and your time is young
Men become old when their hurt becomes need
But time is a lover and your time is young
The sun is a soldier, out crawling the hills
Setting fire to every house that?s in view
Lighting the ruin of my hope and my will
Till I?m like a shadow and I?m falling on you
Crawling on you, oh, you know how I do
So sleep here with me and I?ll keep you close
For now while I try to live up to you
You can?t see the challenge of this I suppose
But time is a dare and I?m trying to
You can?t see the challenge of this I suppose
But time is a dare and I?m trying to
Time is a dare and I?m trying to
Time is a dare and I?m trying to
I've seen the best
And the worst you can be
And all while you're getting
The better of me
You're fragile but wicked
And fleeting as breath
And you move up behind me
And scare me to death
You're fragile but wicked
And fleeting as breath
And you move up behind me
And scare me to death
At war between
All good intentions and greed
My love is the kind
Where want becomes need
Where lust takes the toll
Of a quick stolen breath
You stir within me
And scare me to death
Where lust takes the toll
Of a quick stolen breath
You stir within me
And scare me to death
A dose now
Of either heart or of mind
Can be lethal, it seems
If they're not combined
They show but contempt
When considered as two
And pretend that each
Is the other to you
Now you spit in your hands
And haul on the rope
And fill up my cup
With the worst kind of hope
You lift me with words
I haven't found yet
I fall like your shadow
And you scare me to death
You sleep here beside me
And scare me to death
You sleep here beside me
I saw Willie Mays
At a Scotsdale Home Depot
Looking at Garage Door Springs
At the the far end of the 14th row
His wife stood there beside him
She was quiet and they both were proud
I gave them room but was close enough
That I heard him when he said out loud
This was my country
And this was my song
Somewhere in the middle there
Though it started badly and it's ending wrong
This was my country
This frightful and this angry land
But it's my right if the worst of it might still
Somehow make me a better man
The sun is unforgiving
And there's nobody who would choose this town
But we've squandered so much of our goodwill
That there's nowhere else will have us now
We're pushing line at the picture show
For cool air and a chance to see
A vision of ourselves portrayed
As younger and braver and humble and free
This was our country
This was our song
Somewhere in the middle there
Though it started badly and it's ending wrong
This was our country
This frightful and this angry land
But it's my right if the worst of it might still
Somehow make me a better man
I've started something I can't finish
And I barely leave the house, it's true
I keep a wrap on my sores and joints
But yes, I've had my blessings too
I've got my mother's pretty feet
And the factory keeps my house in shape
My children, they've both been paroled
And we get by on the piece we've made
I feel safe, so far from heaven
From towers and their ocean views
From here I see a future coming across
What soon will be beaches too
But that was him, I'm almost sure
The greatest centerfielder of all time
Stooped by the burden of endless dreams
His and yours and mine
He hooked each spring beneath his foot
He leaned over then he stood upright
Testing each against his weight
For one that had some play and some fight
He's just like us, I wanna tell him
And our needs are small enough
Something to slow a heavy door
Something to help us raise one up
And this was my country
This was my song
Somewhere in the middle there
Though it started badly and it's ending wrong
Well, this was God's country
This frightful and this angry land
But if it's his will, the worst of it might still
Somehow make me a better man
If it's his will, the worst of it might still
I know she's right behind me now
Without looking back
I know she will untie me
How, then, will I pay for that?
And like she was the railroad
Like she was the lost world
Like she was the big hand
Turning back the sea
Like she was the raging
Flower in the brickyard
Like she was the only thing holding on to me
There is no revolution
Without boots and song
Her foot falls like a banner day
And I will sing along
Like she was the anvil
Like she was the fire bell
Like she was the fever
I wear like a crown
Like she was the bomb scare
Threatening with heaven
Like she was the only thing holds me to the ground
(Ha!)
She's pretending to be wide awake
To be listening to me
Promises a love to last at least for now
Without a moment's peace
Like she was the tightrope
Like she was the last hope
Like she was Roosevelt's funeral in the street
Like she was the wildest
Voice out of the jungle
Like she was the only thing calling out to me
And Like she was the railroad
Like she was the lost world
Like she was the big hand
Turning back the sea
Like she was the raging
Flower in the brickyard
Like she was the holding on to me
Like she was the holding on to me
Like she was the holding on to me
Like she was the holding on to me
I can't stay here in my room
I can't hold my own against the heavy
Lean of your perfume;
That tries to keep your pillow down and low
Across my face
As if what lingers here of you could
Take my breath yet still be my saving grace
Lover, if you rise
Lover, if you go
Lover, if you rise
Lover, if you go
There are plenty who would just as soon settle
All their debt with blood,
Beneath a whoring moon that answers every
prayer for rain with flood;
And there will always be one more ready
Savior standing tall
Waving from the tower that looks from here
Like it will sway and fall
Lover, if you rise?
I've cut back your roses just to give myself a day
Free of vulgar beauties that I know
Will fade away;
The scene is like a circus chasing winners
Out of town,
Leaving here a wet street of mirror, and I won't dare
Look down
Lover, if you rise?
In my room, things can change any hour
That I'm gone
Something will be on a shelf that I know I left
Scattered and undone;
One small thing will be gone, or will be moved just
The smallest thing, after you, will be changed
I know, I know, I know
I will come back for my things
then I'll go the way I came
back down your crooked steps, two at a time
And to the morning sun
I will call as I run
as if it waited for me now to shine
This is my good fortune now at last
this is all I never knew to ask of you
to leave me with no love I might return.
I know where I could go
and work awhile, you never know
the change might be enough to set me free
I could leave tonight
and discover I was right
but now freer than I ever chose to be
This is my good fortune now at last
this is all I never knew to ask of you
to leave me with no love I might return.
I climb right in beside
the first offer of a ride
that's warmer than all that I leave behind
I shake my collar free
and hold myself against my knee
and pray tonight's the peaceful, dreamless kid.
This is my good fortune now at last
this is all I never knew to ask of you
Darkness settles on the ground
Leaves the day stumbling blind
Coming to a quiet close
And maybe just in time
We almost lost the heart to know
How to keep our best in mind
We almost lost the heart to know
How to keep our best in mind
Time has turned an angry face
Throws a dark eye back to sea
What will pass for mercy now
We practice unforgivingly
As if might and will make right
Or either one will make us free
As if might and will make right
Or either one will make us free
Lovers laugh and cross this way
Weaving out and into the street
It seems we never were so young
Or it was never quite so sweet
But the world is always beautiful
When it’s seen in full retreat
The worst of life is beautiful
As it slips away in full retreat
God only knows that we can we do
No more or less than he’ll allow
God only knows that we mean well
God knows that we just don’t know how
But I’ll try to be your light in love
And pray that is enough for now
I’ll try to be your light in love
And pray that is enough for now
I’ll pray that is enough for now
I’ll pray that is enough for now
I’ll pray that is enough for now
A cut-out picture of a sugar tart
With olive skin, a purple heart,
Concrete shoes, and it's just the start
Of bigger things unseen.
Heroes of our glory days
Ride upon the hip-hoorays
Of hometown girls who've been displayed
In dirty magazines.
"And what am I supposed to do with you?"
Just tell me everything I've heard before
Like it was news
The miners strike, hold out for love
We bust their heads, push and shove,
By helmet light, we rise above
And say, "look out below!"
They're such a grim, romantic crew,
Swear they won't forget but do,
It leaves them free to cry anew
At every song we know.
"And what am I supposed to do with you?"
Just tell me everything I want to hear
Like it was true
Sometimes I wish that I was king
And held the end of every string,
The fear, the prize, the mortal sting
Of what will come of this.
For now I'll let all chance unwind
To keep our secret hearts entwined,
And if I choose to see this as a ign
It surely is.
"And what am I supposed to do with you?"
Just tell me everything I've heard before
The carriage horses stamp and fume
Until all color's gone
They leave the street in black and white
And bring the eventing coming on
Lovers tug their way out of gloves
Out of shoes, and gray chiffon
The driver pulls his blanket high
And pretends to look beyond
Oh, pray for you, pray for me
Sing it like a song
Life is sort but by the grace of God
This night is long
Girls crowd into bathroom stalls
The boys smoke in their cars
The general, he's in civilian clothes
Standing at the bar
He waves at the deaf flower lady
"Come sit by me, sweetheart"
He draws a napkin battle plan
Says, "This is where we start"
Oh, pray for you, pray for me
Sing it like a song
Life is sort but by the grace of God
This night is long
There are no more hummingbirds
Like there used to be
They're fat and slow and careless now
They've turned blue and mean
And the parrots sound like monkeys
Screamin' from the trees
As the decent people
Fumble for their keys
We used to spend the night in town
Down by City Hall
And the water works of Irish Beach
Just below the falls
We'd walk down to the Park Hotel
Past the Baptist Veteran's Mall
Back then, a man in uniform
Might mean anything at all
Oh, pray for you, pray for me
Sing it like a song
Life is short but by the grace or cruel
How beautiful you've made yourself
How cruel you've become
How so much like another
That it's no surprise
That I don't recognize you now so
Beautiful and cruel
You're the meanest flower
You raise me off the ground
To see how far there is to fall
As if I don't remember
How we passed the time
As if I don't remember how
Your face fell into mine
Oh, you're the meanest flower
Notice how I vanish
And your world remains
You show your head above it
For spite, nothing more
Like you thought just living
Was somehow its own reward
The ground wants you back,
The ground wants you badly,
The ground wants you still
Like some lover, so madly.
It pulls at your feet,
Gets into your nose,
Onto your bed
And under your clothes,
Loves you madly
So madly,
Madly,
Loves you madly
The sun wants you deep
The sun has a need
To take you in then
Spit you out like a seed.
The sun has a plan
You know nothing about,
In the dark when the light
Of your heart has gone out,
Loves you madly?
This floor has a lean
It gives to the side,
Where marbles and water
Roll and collide.
In the fashion of something
You think couldn't fall,
The floor tricks your step,
Throws you to the wall,
Loves you madly?
O, God loves a sinner
God loves a crook,
God loves you frail
And splayed out like a book.
God loves you bent
And weak at the knee,
When the lesser of you
Gets the better of me
Holy cow, look what you've done
You've got me now so I can't speak
I wonder how you turned out the stars
I hear your laugh
Like falling railway cars
Far and away, peeking through the bars
Safe behind your own lock and key
Safe for now from me
God only knows how I love you
But God and His ghost and His roadhouse crew
Ran me out of town on a silver rail
Dear Marion, as I write this down
Dear Marion, I just make the bed then I need
To go lie down
But baby knows that I love to cry
Over every little thing
I just sweep the yard and wait
For the whole world to change
Any minute now
From across the room she mouths words
So I can see
From the mountain comes a soul
And the stones grow up like trees
Frm the mountain comes a soul
And the stones grow up like trees
All blues hail Mary with her roses
But you're their masterpiece
Cut away each blade of grass
Our feet cannot tramp down
The limb of every hanging tree
The time's left hanging round
All blues sing that love is light not glory
A story not a crown
I won't be death's sad trophy now while I still lie awake
I won't be death's sad trophy now while I still lie awake
All blues say that love and death and you
Are chances yet to take
How dark this bit of light so late
That falls across your breast
How dark this bit of light so late
That falls across your breast
All blues and grace by God
What can I write home about?
The water's cold, the pilot's out.
I keep my children out of sight
And my man never came home last night
What will I learn to tell myself?
We're supposed to want for nothing else;
Just show the world a stoic light
But my man never came home last night
This is what we make of this--
The walls all smell like blood and piss.
And every book that comes our way
We burn to keep the dogs away
We'll tell this story later on
And tell of how it made us strong.
By then we'll know that we were right
But my man never came home last night
What will I learn to tell myself?
We're supposed to want for nothing else,
Just show the world a stoic light
I waved to you as my boat was leaving
Hats flew up and everybody cheered,
But you turned as I guess someone spoke to you,
And in a sea of arms you disappeared.
I lived the life of a ragged soldier
The secretary to a rebel king,
He kept us drunk and hungry in a jungle
Tangled in the lilies of his scheme.
We gambled and we fought with one another
We had no code to give us unity,
Most died among us without God or honor
As blood became our faith and currency.
And all the while I kept your name beside me
I wrote it, but refused it on my tongue,
Believing you a song still there inside me
I feared your loss if ever it were sung.
I found myself at last upon a shoreline
I booked my passage home and stood in tears,
With a bag of apples and a forged passport
-The first I'd seen my face in seven years...
Now I wonder at the day when I might find you,
Appear among the living at your door,
Will you have a husband and some children?
Will we share a secret anymore?
Life is brutal to the weak and sober
Its powers of persuasion dark and grave,
lt pushes its way up to the railing
I want too much and I want you
When I hope I woke, I want too much
When you try to save yourself
And I hope you don't, I want too much
In dreams I fly above the barn
With goats and violins, I want too much
The palest girl raises her arms
Waving from the fence, I want too much
And even now, even now, even now
I want no more and I want too much
I want the lost forgotten miles
To swallow up your street, I want too much
Raining smoke and dandelions
And silver at my feet, I want too much
But I want the phantom at the door
To put his hand in mine and I want too much
I want you to pull me down
And cover me with vines, I want too much
And even now, even now, even now
I want no more and I want too much
I want too much
Your kiss left me a bloodied mess
And a trail behind, I want too much
And if you fall then I confess
Better you this time and I want too much
And even now, even now, even now
I want no more, I want no more
And even now, even now
I want no more and I want too much
I want too much
I want too much
The floor will have its way it seems
It fights me like a trampoline
It won't let me on the ground
So this time I'm not coming down
No, this time I'm not coming down
I've been talking in my sleep
You once kissed me, now you hear me speak
You loved me just so goodly
Every bit of life wrung out of me
And this time I'm not coming down
No, this time I'm not coming down
Trampoline
Trampoline
The whole platoon is overfed
And we're in this thing over our heads
My mind has never been so clear
But I stutter like an auctioneer
As the night has come alive with griefs
That hew and holler, spit and scream
Everyone of them is sick with lust
But everyone of them will outlive us
And this time I'm not coming down
No, this time I'm not coming down
Trampoline
Trampoline
And if I really thought I could
I'd give up your ghost for good
But I'm not sure it isn't you
That keeps my ghost from leaving too
But I don't miss you half as much
As who you made me think I was
When I could see myself the way you do
And I could almost see myself in you
I could almost see myself in you
And this time I'm not coming down
No, this time I'm not coming down
No, this time I'm not coming down
Trampoline
Trampoline
Trampoline
Trampoline
You wild beasts and you creeping things
Get down in your place,
Down with all the absolutes
And God's awful grace.
Who wants to see this coming?
Who wants to think you do?
Better to be blind when I'm
Falling for you
Go and tell old Pharaoh
His time has come about,
His pretty houseboys laugh and sing
As they're filing out.
They set fire behind them
I see it burning into view,
High upon the mountain where I'm
Falling for you
All manner of abandon
Is just the thing we need,
Get ready for the country, boys,
The town has gone to seed.
The telephone line is sagging
With word coming through:
Put your head between your knees, I'm
Falling for you
I can quit this anytime,
It's just to help me sleep,
It stops the tiny voices
And strange hours that they keep.
Who wants to hear them bleating on,
And have to answer too?
Better to be dumb when I'm
Falling for you
So you ladies and you gentlemen--
Pull your bloomers on,
Swing up on the highest beam
And let the floods come on.
Who wants to be there wondering,
When the Wonders rage on through?
Better to say never when I'm
Oh this is my favorite cage
It grows up around me like silver strands
Of briar and roses, wisdom and rage
To cradle my heart like a bird in your hand
Of briar and roses, wisdom and rage
This is my favorite cage
It grows up around me like silver strands
And cradles my heart like a bird in your hand
This is a beautiful war to be sure
A surrendering hero's name will be sung
Or scratched in the sand like some secret cure
When all else has failed and the battle feared won
Scratched in the sand like some secret cure
This is a beautiful war to be sure
A surrendering hero's name will be sung
When all else has failed and the battle feared won
This is a star more perfect than peace
A flash in the dark setting fire to trees
Wresting my faith down out of the eaves
Bending my will back up on its knees
This is loveliest tumble from grace
Into the arms of what is unbound
From gravity's rule by a glimpse of your face
It sets to falling what will never touch ground
From gravity's rule by a glimpse of your face
This is loveliest tumble from grace
Into the arms of what is unbound
On the afternoon that the revolution began
I was in a hotel pool with another kid and an Australian
businessman
And nothing there would make you say
After so much talk, today would be the day
Nothing but an upset tray left by the pool
This afternoon
An orange cup was thrown from an upstairs room
A cherry bomb of giddy lust, I guess, from a bride and
groom
And nothing there would make you say
After all this talk, today would be the day
Nothing but an orange cup from an upstairs room
This afternoon
Well I've spent every long summer just this way
Since my mother started making up their beds and learning
to look the other way
So what's one more drunk businessman comin' on to me in
the shallow end
Nothing there would make you say
After so much talk, today would be the day
What's another slogan mean scrawled across my TV screen
What's another bride and groom locked up in a fancy room
What's one more drunk businessman comin' on to me in the
shallows
Don't tell me to stop
Tell the rain not to drop
Tell the wind not to blow
'Cause he said so
Tell me love isn't true
It's just something we do
Tell me everything I'm not
Don't tell me to stop
Tell the sun not to shine
Not to get up this time
Let it fall by the way
Leave me where I lay
Tell the leaves not to turn
Don't tell me, I'll learn
Take the black off a crow
But don't tell me to go
Tell the bed not to lay
Like the mouth of a grave
Not to stare up at me
Like a calf on its knees
Tell me love isn't true
It's just something we do
Tell me everything I'm not
But don't tell me to stop
Tell me everything I'm not
I've been having wicked thoughts
Terribly wicked, selfish and cruel
Imagining I stood high on a ledge
And fell just out of the reach of you
Just then, we are together alone
As I fall, you look up
Looking for all the world like for once
It was you, not me, who had been struck
Should I love you more than I do?
Or pray to love you less?
Or learn to live with the little you give
Believing it all for the best?
Will I ever see your heart?
Open wide and your eyes shut
Looking for all the world like for once
It was you, not me, who had been struck
The trees are angry, toss in the wind
Devour small planes going by
Dropping wreckage, bags and gloves
Down around us where we lie
I hear your uneasy breath
As you stir but don't wake up
Looking for all the world like for once
Please don't speak another truth out loud
Whatever else you do,
I only want you keep me lost in your cloud
And I'll do the same for you.
Don't believe a single thing you've heard
Really, I'm as good as gold.
You don't need to sell me with another word
I'm already sold
If I give in to your open arms
Then you can think the worst of me
For pulling out my weakness like a charm
And making sure you'd see.
Love, when it's defeated, just remember--
Can still keep you in its hold.
No need now to tempt me with surrender
I'm already sold
What was that-- A lonesome battle cry?
Sweeping in upon us from the rear?
Like a child, I hide my eyes
And think I've disappeared.
Mercy, hope, faith and love and treason
Are trump as long as darkness holds,
I don't need to see the sun, there's no reason--
Have you seen enough?
Then go and see.
Have you seen enough?
You might as well.
Leave the sun, it's dreary face.
Leave me something in your place.
And so it was you, lying down.
This close to me, turning your back.
And all it would take, for you to be free,
Was never enough, but too much for me.
I love you.
With my skin and teeth.
I love you.
Skin and teeth.
I know what to do, I'll show you know.
I know better than you, but it won't help me.
My hair will grow back, intermittently.
And my clothes will dry like blood on my teeth.
I love you.
With my skin and teeth.
I love you.
Skin and teeth.
Skin and teeth.
Here's that rainy day
That you said was bound to come
Funny, now you took my hat
I can still feel it like it's on
Oh baby, I wonder how
You ever learned to play so rough
You left me with everything
Knowing it would never be enough
Now I remember you told me so
You're so rough and tumble and now I know
I had a dream of you
And I'll tell you what I can
Your face was a brilliant mask
It came off in my hand
Oh baby, I wonder how
You ever learned to play so rough
You left me with everything
Knowing it would never be enough
Now I remember
I take my coffee now
At the window by the stove
The afternoon is dark
As the shadows grow
Oh baby, I wonder how
You ever got so tough
To leave me with everything
Knowing it would never be enough
Sometimes I think
I've almost fooled myself
Sometimes I think
I've almost fooled myself
Spreading out my wings
Above us like a tree
Laughing now, out loud
Almost like I was free
I look at you as the thing
I wanted most
You look at me
And it's like you've seen a ghost
I wear the face
Of all this has cost
Everything you tried to keep away from me
Everything I took from you and lost
Lights shine above me
They're like your eyes above the street
Lights shine below me
They're like stars beneath my feet
I stood on your shoulders
And I walked on my hands
You watched me while I tried to fall
You can't bear to watch me land
Take me away
Carry me like a dove
Take me away
Carry me like a dove
Love me like you're lying
Let me feel you near
Remember me for trying
Where's my sock?
Where's my other shoe?
I didn't know what time it was
When I came to
The only light in here
Is my flickering TV
Watching back at me
Oh, my love is here to stay
Saints alive
And all the saints be praised
I see them all around me now
They've been called and raised
Their jaws gone slack
Their yellow nails long and curling back
To scratch the phantom of ache
Of our lost days
Oh, my love is here to stay
I came home this morning
I was dead on my feet
Drunk on the victory
Of my own defeat
Now I'm reeling on the ceiling
But what yard bird law is this
When a heart in chains is what remains
The prelude to a kiss?
God is in the details
Of the smoke in the air
The devil, he's a pauper prince
Nesting in your hair
The things we put together
The world will ear a part
But I've beat them to the start
Alone the way
I'll keep your monkey
I'll treat him good
I'll talk to him
Like he talks to you
I'll cut your corn
And I'll keep it dry
And maybe someday, someday, someday maybe
You'll come back to me
Maybe someday, someday, maybe someday
You'll come back
I'll dress myself
In your finest things
I'll chew my lip
To keep it soft
I'll try forgetting
So I won't forget
And maybe someday, someday, someday maybe
You'll come back to me
Maybe someday, someday, maybe someday
You'll come back
Here comes the rapture
Of song and story
Looking just like
The icecapades
I'll play the harlot
When they make the movie
And maybe someday, someday, someday maybe
You'll come back to me
Maybe someday, someday, someday maybe
You'll come back to me
Maybe someday, someday, someday maybe
You'll come back to me
Maybe someday, someday, maybe someday
Oh, my dear,
I've swallowed the moon,
And left it dark like a ring
Burned on a spoon.
But now all the stars
They fall around you,
And land at your feet
To light up the room
The sign of the times,
The rules of the road,
And our coat of arms all scream
That mercy gets old.
But your secret heart,
As still as a bloom,
Waits at the door
To light up the room
Your bed is a drift,
It's come loose from the floor,
The dead float up like dreams
I push them back with my arm like an oar.
But your face is alive
Like a nickel cartoon,
Shown on the wall
To light up the room
The siren on top
Of the library wall,
The stairs that give way
At the end of the hall;
The pawnshop pavilion,
The newspaper saloon,
All burn in your wake
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