Rock of ages cleft for me let me hide myself in Thee
Let the water and the blood from Thy wounded side which fload
Thee of sin the double cure save from raft and make me pure
[ strings ]
Let me hime myself in Thee
[ strings ]
In my hand no prize I bring simply to Thy cross I cling
[ strings ]
While I draw this pleading breath when my eyes shall close in death
Lord when I rise to world unknown and behold the on Thy throne
Rock of ages cleft for me let me hime myself in Thee
[Chorus: ]
Do Lord, O, Do Lord, O do remember me,
Do Lord, O, Do Lord, O do remember me,
Do Lord, O, Do Lord, O do remember me,
Way beyond the blue.
I've got a home in glory land that out-shines the sun.
I've got a home in glory land that out-shines the sun.
I've got a home in glory land that out-shines the sun.
Way beyond the blue.
[Chorus]
I took Jesus as my Savior, You take Him too.
I took Jesus as my Savior, You take Him too.
I took Jesus as my Savior, You take Him too.
Way beyond the blue.
John Henry's Pappy woke him up one midnight
He said before the sheriff comes I wanna tell you, listen boy,
said learn to hoist a jack, and learn to lay a track, learn to pick and shovel too, and take my hammer, it'll do anything you tell it to
John Henry's mammy had about a dozen babies, John Henry's pappy broke jail a dozen times
the babies all got sick and when the doctor wanted money, he said I’ll pay you quarter at a time, startin’ tomorrow, that’s the pay for a steel driver on this line
Then the section foreman said hey hammer swinger, I see you brought you own hammer boy, but what else can all those muscles do?
and he said, I can hoist a jack, I can lay a track, I can pick a shovel too
and he said “can you swing that hammer ?”
I can I’ll do anything you hire me to
now ain’t you something so high and mighty with your muscles, just go ahead pick up that hammer and show me what you can do
he said get a rusty spike and swing it down three times, I’ll pay you a nickel a day for every inch you sink it to, go on and do what you say you can do
With a steep nose hammer on a four foot switch channel, John Henry raised it back till it touched his heels, then the spike went through the cross tie and it split it half in two, 35 cents a day for driving steel,
(he said sweat boy, sweat, you owe me two more swings)
I was born for driving steel
Well John Henry hammered in the mountain, he'd give a grunt and he'd give groan with every swing, the women folks for miles around, heard him and come down, to watch him make the cold steel ring, lord what a swinger, just listen to that cold steel ring,
but the bad boss come up laughing at John Henry, said you full of vinegar now, but you bout through, were gonna get a steam drill to do your share of driven, then what’s all them muscles gonna do, huh John Henry, gonna take a little bit of vinegar out of you
John Henry said I feed four little brothers, and my baby sister’s walking on her knees, did the lord say that machines ought to take the place of living, and what’s a substitute for bread and beans, I ain’t seen it, do engines get rewarded for their steam
John Henry hid in a coal mine for his dinner now, had thirty minutes to rest before the bell, the mine boss hollered get up whoever you are and get a pick ax, give me enough coal to start another hell, and keep it burning, mine me enough to start another hell
John Henry said to his captain, a man ain’t nothin’ but a man, but if you bring that steam drill round, I’ll beat it fair and honest, I’ll die with my hammer in my hand, but I’ll be laughing, because you cant replace a steel drivin’ man
There was a big crowd of people at the mountain, John Henry said to the steam drill how is you, pardon me mister steam drill, I suppose you didn’t hear me, I said how you, well can you turn a jack, can you lay a track, can you pick and shovel too, listen this hammer swingers talkin’ to you
2000 people hollered go John Henry, then somebody hollered the mountains caving in, John Henry told the captain, tell the kind folks not to worry, that ain’t nothin’ but my hammer suckin’ wind, keeps me breathing, a steel drivers muscle I intend,
Captain tell the people move back further, I’m at the finish line and I ain’t no drill, she’s so far behind you ain’t got the brains to quit it, when she blows up she'll scatter cross the hills, lord lordy, when she blows up she'll scatter cross the hills
Well John Henry had a little woman, I believe the lady's name was Polly Ann, yeah that was his good woman, John Henry threw his hammer over his shoulder and went on home, he laid down to rest his weary back and early next morning he said come here Polly Ann come here sugar, ya know I believe this is the first time i ever watched the sun come up that i couldn’t come up with it
Take my hammer Polly Ann and go to that rail road, swing that hammer like you seen me do it, and when your swinging with the lead men, they’ll all know they'll all know your John Henry's woman, but tell them that’s not all I can do, tell ‘em I can hoist a jack, and I can lay a track, I can pick and shovel too, ain’t no machine can, that’s been proved to you
I can see now that you've stacked the cards so I leave you with my best regards
When you play to feel with nothing left to show look for me you won't have far to go
Love's a gamble and I'm a gamblin' man I've done everything to make you understand
But the odds are high and luck is running low look for me you won't have far to go
You won't have far to go if you want me cause I'm gonna stick close to you
And I'm not the kind to say I told you so look for me you won't have far to go
[ guitar ]
I am a lineman for the county
And I drive the main road
Searching in the sun
For another overload
I hear you singing in the wires
I can hear you through the whine
And the Wichita lineman
Is still on the line
I know I need a small vacation
But it don’t look like rain
And if it snows
That stretch down south
Won’t ever stand the strain
And I need you more than want you
And I want you for all time
And the Wichita lineman
Is still on the line
And I need you more than want you
And I want you for all time
And the Wichita lineman
Were you there when they crucified my Lord
Oh were you there when they crucified my Lord
(Oooh sometimes it causes me to tremble) tremble
Were you there when they crucified my Lord
Were you there when they nailed him to the cross
Were you there when they nailed him to the cross
(Oooh sometimes it causes me to tremble) tremble
Were you there when they nailed him to the cross
[ ac.guitar ]
(Were you there when they laid him in the tomb
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb
Oooh sometimes it causes me to tremble) tremble
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb
Well were you there when the stone was rolled away
Were you there when the stone was rolled away
(Oooh sometimes it causes me to tremble) tremble
So here is the stable and there is the manger
The new Saviour sleeps on his first earthly night
The wise men brought riches but we brought a candle
It's all that we have but it gives a good light
We are the shepherds we walked cross the mountains
We left our flocks when the new star appeard
Oh the beautiful singin' of heavenly choir
We had to come see him we had to come here
We beg you forgive us for such a small offering
But our sheep are out there with wolves in the night
We bring you this candle it's all we have with us
But with it the new Saviour has his first light
We are the shepherds...
We thank Thee kind Joseph for bidding us enter
Please take our gift for the new babe to thine
'Tis only one candle but it is our symbol
Of how we believe that his great life will shine
Trouble in mind, I'm blue
But I won't be blue always,
'Cause that sun is gonna shine in my back door someday
I'm going down to the river
I'm going top take me a rocking chair
and if the blues don't leave me, I rock on away from here
Trouble in mind, I'm blue
But I won't be blue always,
'Cause that sun is gonna shine in my back door someday
Trouble in mind, that's true
I have almost lost my mind
Life ain't worth living, I feel like I could die
Trouble in mind, I'm blue
My poor heart is healing slow
I've never had such trouble in my whole life before
I'm gonna lay my head on some lonesome railroad line
and let that 2:19 special ease my troubled mind
Trouble in mind, I'm blue,
But I won't be blue always
I have been ungrateful, I've been unwise.
Restless from the cradle, now I realize.
It's so hard to see the rainbow through glasses dark as these. Maybe I'll be able from now on, on my knees.
[chorus]
Oh I am weak. Oh I know I am vain.
Take this weight from me, Let my spirit be unchained.
Old man swearin' at the sidewalk, I'm overcome.
Seems that we've both forgotten, forgotten to go home.
Oh have I seen an angel, or have I seen a ghost? Where's that Rock of Ages when I need it most?
Troublesome waters much blacker than night
Are hiding from view of the harbor's bright lights
Tossed in the turmoil of life's stormy sea I cry to my Saviour have mercy on me
Then gently I'm feeling the touch of his hands guiding my boat in safely to land
Leading the way to heaven's bright shore
Troublesome waters I'm fearing no more
[ ac.guitar ]
Troublesome waters around me do roll they're rocking my boat and racking my soul
Loved ones are drifting and living in sin the treacherous whirlpools are pulling them in
Then gently I'm feeling...
[ ac.guitar ]
When troublesome waters are rolling so high I'll lift up my voice and to heaven I'll cry
My Lord I am trusting give guidance to me and steady my boat on life's troubled sea
Time has passed I've forgotten mother nature does wonderful things
I thought nothing could stop me from loving you but time changes everything
You can change the name of an old song rearrange it and make it swing
I thought nothing could stop me from loving you but time changes everything
[ fiddle - steel ]
Goodbye goodluck may God bless you Idon't say I won't love again
These things shall pass and some great morning
We'll look back and smile at heartaches we have known
So don't forget when shadows gather
The Lord our God is still the King upon his throne
A rose looks grey at midnight but the flame is just asleep
And steel is strong because it knew the hammer and white heat
These things shall pass and life be sweeter
When love and faith are strong they cannot long endure
These things shall pass so don't you worry
The darkest time is just one hour before dawn
So hold up high and face your troubles
And don't dispare if you must face them all alone
A rose looks grey at midnight...
Bad luck wind been blowing at my back
I was born to bring trouble to wherever
I'm at Got the number thirteen tattooed on my neck
When the ink starts to itch, then the black will turn to red
I was born in the soul of misery
Never had me a name
They just gave me the number when I was young
Got a long line of heartache
I carry it well
The list of lives
I've broken reach from here to hell
Back luck been blowing at my back
I pray you don't look at me, I pray I don't look back
I was born in the soul of misery
Never had me a name
They just gave me the number when I was young
I was born in the soul of misery
Never had me a name
They just gave me the number when I was young
These hands aren't the hands of a gentleman these hands are calloused and old
These hands raised a family these hands built a home
Now these hands raised to praise the Lord
These hands won the heart of my loved one and with hers they were never alone
If these hands filled their task then what more could you ask
For these fingers have worked to the bone
[ organ ]
Now don't try to judge me by what you'd like me be
For my life hasn't been a success
Some people have power but still they grieve
While these hands brought me happiness
Now I'm tired and I'm old and I haven't much gold
Maybe things ain't been all that I planned
Lord above hear my plea when it's time to judge me
You're gonna break another heart
You're gonna tell another lie
Well here I am and there you go, you're gone again
I know you're gonna be the way you've always been
Breakin' hearts and tellin' lies is all you know
Another guy gives you the eye and there you go
There you go, you're gone again
I should've known, I couldn't win
There you go, you're by his side
You're gonna break another heart
You're gonna tell another lie
Because I love you so I take much more than I should take
I want you even though I know my heart is gonna break
You build me up and for a while I'm all a-glow
Then your fickle heart sees someone else and there you go
Thre you go, you're gone again
I should've known, I couldn't win
There you go, you're by his side
You're gonna break another heart
You're gonna tell another lie
There's a lot of strange men in cell block ten
But the strangest of em' all
Was a friend of mine who spent his time
Starin' at the wall...
Starin' at the wall...
In his hand was a note that his gal had wrote
Proving crime don't pay
Was the very same gal he robbed and stole for
namin' her wedding day ,namin' her wedding day...
As he looked at the wall
So strong and tall
I heard him softly curse
Nobody at all ever climbed that wall
But I'm gonna be the first...
I'm gonna be the first...
Then the warden walked by and said son don't try
I'd hate to see you fall
Cause there is no doubt they'll carry you out
If you ever touch that wall...
If you ever touch that wall...
Well a years gone by since he made his try
But I can still recall
How hard he tried and the way he died
But he never made that wall...
He never made that wall...
Well there's never been a man who shook this can
But I knew a man who tried
Newspapers called it a jailbreak plan
But I know it was suicide...
Ii Ii ou Ii Ii Ii ou Ii Ii ou
Oh wagon trains rollin' along they fade from my visions and in time will be gone
I see an eagle in space my people will follow oh oh a vanishing race
Ii Ii ou Ii Ii Ii ou Ii Ii ou
An Indian brave rolled along one day on a lonely mountain trail
And he gazed below with a heart of woe where the prairie schooners sail
A vision formed like a mortal storm in the dust of the wagon train
A vanishing race appeared in space and he sang his sad refrain
Ii Ii ou Ii Ii Ii ou Ii Ii ou
Oh wagon trains rollin' along...
Oh now great spirits on high please spare them the sorrow you show to my eye oh oh
Now my blankets are roll and I ride to the valley of the brave Navajo oh oh
Ii Ii ou Ii Ii Ii ou Ii Ii ou
And I ride to the valley of the brave Navajo oh oh
Oh oh a vanishing Navajo oh the vanishing Navajo
I was born the running kind
With leaving always on my mind
Home was never home to me
At anytime
Every front door found me hoping
I would find the back door open
There just had to be an exit for the running kind
Within me there's a prison
Surrounding me alone
As real as any dungeon
With its wall of stone
I know running's not the answer
Though, running's been my nature
And a thing in me that keeps me moving on
I was born the running kind
With leaving always on my mind
Home was never home to me
At anytime
Every front door found me hoping
I would find the back door open
There just had to be an exit for the running kind
I was born the running kind
With leaving always on my mind
Home was never home to me
At anytime
Every front door found me hoping
I would find the back door open
So blue Lonesome too But still true
Rosie haunts me Makes me think of you
You're the one rose that's left in my heart, dear I love you, adore you, I do
Each night in dreamland we wander along
Telling love stories anew
When from a blue sky a black cloud came rolling
Breaking my heart in two
Oh we ought not to part
I have said from the start
You're the one rose that's left in my heart
Oh we ought not to part
I have said from the start
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross the emblem of suffering and shame
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a word of lost sinners was slain
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross till my trophies at last I lay down
I will cling to the old rugged cross and exchange it some day for a crown
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true it's shame and reproach gladly bear
Then he'll call me some day to my home far away where his glory forever I'll share
So I'll cherish...
Mhm mhm when you left I shed a million teardrops over you
But that's all over my crying days are through
When you left my heart was cold and every day was blue
But that's all over I've found somebody new
Someone that can make me happy make me wanna smile
Someone I'm gonna have around me for a long long while
Someday we may meet again but I won't fall for you
That's all over I've found somebody new mhm mhm
[ guitar ]
Someone that can make me happy...
Will we get cold and hungry
Will times be very bad?
When we're needin' bread and meat
Where we gonna get it, Dad?
We'll get it from the man
In the house on the hill
Yes we will from the man on the hill
Ploughin' time is over
Still the fields are bare
How we gonna make a livin'
With twenty acres to share?
I'll beg for more land
From the man on the hill
Yes I will, I'll ask the man on the hill
I ain't got no Sunday shoes
That I can wear to town
Papa reckon the boss has got
A pair of hand-me-downs
I'll go and ask the man
In the house on the hill
Yes I will, I'll ask the man on the hill
Maybe he will help us
Maybe we'll get by
But who's gonna pay the dyin' bills
If we all should die
We'll leave it to the man
In the sky when we die
(Jean Ritchie)
When I was a curly headed baby
My daddy sat me down on his knee
He said, "son, go to school and get your letters,
Don't you be a dusty coal miner, boy, like me."
[Chorus:]
I was born and raised at the mouth of hazard hollow
The coal cars rolled and rumbled past my door
But now they stand in a rusty row all empty
Because the l & n don't stop here anymore
I used to think my daddy was a black man
With script enough to buy the company store
But now he goes to town with empty pockets
And his face is white as a February snow
[Chorus]
I never thought I'd learn to love the coal dust
I never thought I'd pray to hear that whistle roar
Oh, god, I wish the grass would turn to money
And those green backs would fill my pockets once more
[Chorus]
Last night I dreamed I went down to the office
To get my pay like a had done before
But them ol' kudzu vines were coverin' the door
And there were leaves and grass growin' right up through the floor
What a beautiful thought I am thinking
Concerning the great speckled bird
And to know that my name is recorded
On the pages of God's holy word
Desiring to lower her standards
They watch every move that she makes
They long to find fault with her teaching
But really she makes no mistakes
I am glad I have learned of her meekness
I am glad that my name is on her book
For I want to be one never fearing
The face of my Saviour to look
And when He come up descending from Heaven
On a cloud like He said in His word
I'll be joyfully carried to meet Him
[Chorus:]
They wouldn't bend
They held on to the will of God so we are told
They wouldn't bow
They would not bow their knees to Idols made of gold
They wouldn't burn
They were protected by the Fourth Man in the fire
They wouldn't bend
They wouldn't bow, they wouldn't burn.
Now the prophet Daniel tells about
Three men who walked with God
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
Before the wicked king they stood
And the king commanded them bound and thrown
Into the fiery furnace that day
But the fire was so hot that the men were slain
That forced them on their way.
[Chorus]
Now when the three were cast in and the king rose up
To witness this awful fate
He began to tremble at what he saw
In astonished tones he spake
Did we not cast three men bound
Into the midst of the fire
Well, Lo, I see four men unhurt
Well now I looked over Jordan and what did I see comin' for to carry me home
There was a band of angels a comin' after me comin' for to carry me home
Swing low sweet chariot comin' for to carry me home
Swing low sweet chariot comin' for to carry me home
Well I'm sometimes up and I'm sometimes down comin' for to carry me home
But I know my soul is heavenly bound comin' for to carry me home
Swing low sweet chariot...
Well now if you get there before I do comin' for to carry me home
Tell all of my friends that I'm a comin' too comin' for to carry me home
Swing low sweet chariot...
I live in the cemetery
'Old Caretaker' they call me
In the wintertime I rake the leaves
And in the summer I cut the weeds
When a funeral comes
The people cry and pray
They bury their dead
Then they all go away
And here I work
And I somehow hide
From a world that rushes
By outside
But each night
When I rest my head
I'm contented
As the peaceful death
But who's gonna cry
When old John dies?
Who's gonna cry
When old John dies?
Once I was a young man
Dashing with the girls
Now no one wants an old man
When I lost my handsome curls
But I wanna say
When my time comes
Lay me facin'
The rising sun
Put me in a corner
Where I buried my pup
Tell the preacher to pray
Then cover me up
Don't lay flowers
Where my head should be
Maybe God would
Let some grow for me
And all the little children
That I love like my own
Will they be sorry
That Old John's gone?
Who's gonna cry
When Old John dies?
Who's gonna cry
I’m not a savior, and I’m not a saint.
The man with the answers I certainly ain’t.
I wouldn’t tell you what’s right or what’s wrong.
I’m just a singer of songs.
But I can take you for a walk along a little country stream.
I can make you see through lovers’ eyes and understand their dreams.
I can help you hear a baby’s laugh and feel the joy it brings.
Yes, I can do it with the songs I sing.
I’m not a prophet, and I’m not a priest.
I’m not a wise man who’s come from the East.
I wouldn’t tell you what’s right or what’s wrong.
I’m just a singer of songs.
But I can take you to a city where a man was crucified.
I can tell you how He lived, and I can tell you why He died.
I can help proclaim the glory of this mighty king of kings.
Yes, I can do it with the songs I sing.
I’m not a great man. I don’t claim to be.
But when I meet my Maker and He questions me,
I won’t hang my head. I will stand proud and strong
and say, “I was a singer. Lord, I was a singer.
You take this hammer take it to the capt hey take this hammer take it to the capt
Take this hammer take it to the capt you can tell him I'm gone tell him I'm gone
Cause I ain't gonna take no more kicks and whippings
No I ain't gonna take no kicks and whipping
I ain't gonna take no more no more this kicks and whippings
You can tell him I'm gone gone gone you can tell him I'm gone
Captain call me a hard headed devil well the captain call me a hard headed devil
Well the captain call me you hard headed devil
And that ain't my name that ain't my name
Well the Captain got a big gun bout a 99 calibre
Uuh Captain got a big gun bout a 99 calibre
Well the captain got a big gun bout a 99 calibre
He gonna shoot me down if he ever catches me gonna shoot me down
But you tell him that I went where the great goose goes
Tell him that I'm gone where the great goose goes
Tell him I'm gone tell him I'm gone just tell him I'm gone
On your knees you are taller than trees you can look over heartaches and pain
When my faith is gone to my knees I will go growing stronger and taller than trees
One night it was a long time ago now I knelt at my mother's knee
And she said son lift up your eyes to him in the skies
And you'll grow like the mighty oaks
But you son created in image of God can become taller than the tallest trees
And this was the answer I felt as down at her knees I knelt
On your knees you're taller than trees
You can look over all your heartaches and son you can look over all of your pains
To love you so and still not have you will destroy me in time
So I'm goin' away where nobody knows me and get you off of my mind
I've packed my things a dozen times but unpack is all I do
Yes I'm still in town still around and still in love with you
I made it to the edge of town and turned around
I made it to the bridge downtown byt my nerve let me down
I tried to go but how can I leave when all roads lead to you
Yes I'm still in town still around and still in love with you
[ piano - steel ]
Ride this train up and down and across a strange wonderful land
It's almost like a fairyland when you to think about it
You go through places with names like Tuscaloosa Kokomo Muskogee Oshkosh Saginaw
Eureka Bandera Battle Creek Sioux City Chattanooga
Hattiesburg Lynchburg and Baltinare Arkansas
You see I'm a million different people from all over the world
And I've been coming to this country for hundreds of years
This was the Promised Land for me
But let's not forget that when I came here
There were already millions of people living in teepees along the rivers
And hunting deer and buffalo for food and shelter
And it's with a little regret that I think of how I pushed them back
And crowded them out to claim this land for myself or for another country
But the Indians' hearts must have been full of music
For they left names with me that seem to sing
Names like Mohawk Mandan Kickapoo Cree Yacoma Seminole Crow Shawnee
Choctaw Delaware Fox Paiute Winnebago Cheyenne Blackfoot
Navajo Ute Comanche Quapaw Creek Apache Sioux Chippewa
Ardua Hupa Shoshone Mow Hicano Sage Menomini
Shinouk Arapaho Nez Perce Iroquois Pony Cutenai
Flathead Chickasaw Pueblo Yuma Pima Pomo Caddo
Well a lot of them are still with me and I'm glad
It's for sure their names will always be with me
But let's look a little at the heart and muscle of this land
Few things you don't read in books things that aren't taught in school
Now you take this little town we're goin' through here this is Beach Creek Kentucky
And right down there in the valley that's where our house used to be
It was a little shotgun shack with a spring out back
And a smokehouse and another little bitty house and that's about all
My pa was a coalminer like most everybody in Mulengerg County
Worked in the mines all his life
I guess he didn't have much ambition to do anything else
Cause they say coalmining kinda gets in your blood
Matter of fact pa said if they ever drained the blood out of him
It would be blacker than black strap moulesen
When I was a kid I used to sit at the fireplace there with mom
And wait on pa to get in from the mine
And we'd sure get anxious if he was ever late
Ma would rock back and forth and watch the clock listin' for pa to hit the front porch
Then he'd come in nothin' clean but the whites of his eyes
And he'd reach for that lie-soap and starts scrubbin'
And I'd stand back and watch him and say to myself
Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling calling for you and for me
See on the portal he's waiting and watching watching for you and for me
Come home come home ya who are weary come home
Earnestly tenderly Jesus is calling calling oh sinner come home
[ horns ]
Oh for the wonderful love he has promised promised for you and for me
Though we have sinn'd he has mercy and pardon pardon for you and for me
I do my best to hide this lowdown feelin'
I try to make believe there's nothing wrong
But they're always asking me about you darling
And it hurts me so to tell 'em that you're gone
If they ask me I guess I'd be denyin'
that I've been unhappy all alone
But if they heard my heart they'd hear it cryin'
Where's my darling, when's she coming home
I ask myself a million times what's right for me to do
To try to lose my blues alone or hang around for you
But I make it pretty good until that moon comes shining through
And that I get so doggone lonesome
Time stands still when you're a waitin'
sometimes I think my heart is stoppin' too
One lonely hour seems forever
sixty minutes more to wait for you
But I guess I'll keep waitin' till you're with me cause I believe that loving you is right
But I don't care if the sun don't rise tomorrow if I can't have you with me tonight
Well I know I'll keep on loving you
cause true love can't be killed
I ought to get you off of my mind
but I guess I never will
I could have a dozen others
but I know I'd love you still
The years have been many the years have been long
But at last I'm returning to daddy and home
He's looking my way though he hardly can see
God bless my old daddy he recognize me
There's snow in his hair and I helped to put it there a halo of worry and care
As my daddy grows old he's more precious than gold
For I cherish the snow in his hair
[ guitar ]
His shoulders were bent with the weight of the years
I scarcely could hold back the flood tide of tears
He walked with a cane as he hurried along coming to meet me to welcome me home
I ride an old paint he's on the worry side
And I'm a saddle tramp about to cross the great divide
Where there's grass in the coolies and water in the drawl
And the forty pound saddle won't make us both raw
Slow rider, slow rider move on a little more
The sky boss is waitin' at the big ranch house door
I can't help but missin' the daughters that I had
One went to Denver the other went bad
My young wife died in a poolroom fight
But I try to keep singin' from morning till night
Slow rider, slow rider move on a little more
The sky boss is waitin' at the big ranch house door
Whenever I die take my saddle from the wall
Strap it on snuffy lead him out of the stall
Throw me on his back and turn him toward the west
He knows how to take me to the spot I love best
Slow rider, slow rider move on a little more
(Silent night holy night)
Silent night holy night all is calm all is bright
Round young virgin mother and child holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night holy night all is dark save the light
See the eastern wise men bring gifts and homage to our King
Christ the Saviour is born Jesus the Saviour is born
Silent night (holy night) all is calm all is bright
Poorest dreams from heaven afar heavenly host sing hallelujah
(Christ the Savious is born Jesus the Saviour is born)
Silent night holy night wonderous dark lend Thy light
With the angels let us sing hallelujah hail the King
You're the shepherd of my heart so treat it tenderly
It's a heart that needs your everloving care
You're the shepherd of my heart until eternity lead it not into the valley of despair
While it's in your keeping guard it with your love
Shelter it from harm along life's way
You're the shepherd of my heart and darling honestly
It's a heart that will not ever go astray
You're the shepherd of my heart so surely you must know
You have but to speak and my heart will obey
It's at your command my dear because it loves you so
So my darling shepherd guide it where you may
If it be green pastures or a rocky road it will follow you and not ask why
You're the shepherd of my heart until the trumpet blows
After seven years behind these bars together
I'll miss you more than a brother when you go when you go
If only I had not tried to escape
They'd barred me with you I know yes I know
Won't you tell the folks back home I'll soon be coming
And don't let them know I never will be free be free
Sometimes write and tell me how they're doing
And send a picture of mother back to me
Say hello to Dad and shake his poor hardworking hand
And send a picture of mother if you can
I'm happy for you that you got your freedom
But stay with me just another minute or so or so
After all this sweating blood together
Who'll be my fighting partner when you go when you go
The hardest time will be on Sunday morning
Church bells will ring on Heaven Hill Heaven Hill
Please ask Reverend Garrett to pray for me
And send a picture of mother if you will
Say hello to Dad and shake his poor hardworking hand
The seasons come the seasons go we get a little sunshine rain and snow
Just the way that it was planned to be
But there's no seasons in my heart while you play the leading part
Cause the flowers will bloom eternaly
Your leaving will bring autumn sorrow and my tears like withered leaves will fall
But spring could bring some glad tomorrow and darling we could be happy after all
[ piano ]
As it is in nature's plan no season get the upper hand
How I try to keep this fact in mind
The trees are bare the cold wind blows and by experience we should know
Winter comes but the spring is close behind
San Quentin, you've been livin' hell to me
You [Incomprehesible] me since nineteen sixty-three
I've seen 'em come and go and I've seen 'em die
And long ago, I stopped askin' why
San Quentin, I hate every inch of you
You cut me and you scarred me through an' through
And I'll walk out a wiser weaker man
Mister Congressman, you can't understand
San Quentin, what good do you think you do?
Do you think I'll be different when you're through?
You bent my heart and mind and you may my soul
Your stone walls turn my blood a little cold
San Quentin, may you rot and burn in hell
May your walls fall and may I live to tell
May all the world forget you ever stood
And may all the world regret you did no good
The lights In the harbor
Don't shine for me
I'm like a lost ship adrift on the sea
Sea of heartbreak
Lost love and loneliness
Memories of your caress
So divine I wish you were mine
Again my dear
I am on this sea of tears
Sea of heartbreak
How did I lose you
Oh where did I fail
Why did you leave me
Always to sail
Oh what I'd give to sail back to shore
Back to your arms once more
Come to my rescue
Come here to me
Take me and keep me
You wired me awake
And hit me with a hand of broken nails
You tied my lead and pulled my chain
To watch my blood begin to boil
But I'm gonna break
I'm gonna break my
I'm gonna break my rusty cage and run
Too cold to start a fire
I'm burning diesel, burning dinosaur bones
I'll take the river down to still water
And ride a pack of dogs
I'm gonna break
I'm gonna break my
I'm gonna break my rusty cage and run
Hits like a Phillips head Into my brain
It's gonna be too dark
To sleep again Cutting my teeth on bars
And rusty chains,
I'm gonna break my Rusty cage and run
When the forest burns
Along the road Like God's eyes In my headlights
When the dogs are looking
For their bones
And it's raining icepicks
On your steel shore
I'm gonna break
I'm gonna break my
Rowboat Row me to the shore
She don't wanna be my friend no more
She dug a hole in the bottom of my soul
She don't wanna be my friend no more
Pick me up Gimme some food to eat In you . . .
Goin' no place
I'll be home
Talkin' to nobody
You'll be strange
You'll be far away
Big fat moon
And my body's out of tune
With the burnin' waves
Born to be a roughneck I'll never amount to nothin'
Pullin' case and layin' pipe is hard labor
Well I was born in a boomer shack bout a half mile from town
Papa was a driller on a wildcat crew and my mama never was around
I learn to cuss when I was two and fight when I was three
And by the time I was five there was no kid alive could ever get the best of me
Born to be a roughneck...
[ banjo ]
Well I started workin' like a regular man when I was just about knee high
Skinning the knuckles with my two bare hands but they never heard me cry
I remember walkin' down the road and hearin' somebody say
He was born to live a rougneck's life and he's never gonna change his ways
Born to be a roughneck...
A burnin' hot sun a cryin' for water black wings circle the sky
Stumblin' and fallin' somebody's callin' you're lost on the desert to die
I had to give up and they took me to jail but I hid all the money I got
Way out on the desert where no one could get it and I left a mark at the spot
Then I got away and I ran for the desert the devil had taken control
I needed water but he said I'd make it near the money is a big waterhole
A burnin' hot sun...
[ ac.guitar ]
Just up ahead is where I left my mark or it may be to the left or the right
I've been runnin' all day and they'll catch up tomorrow I've got to find it tonight
Then up jumped the devil and ran away laughin' he drank all the waterholes dry
He moved my mark till I'm running in circles and lost on the desert to die
A burnin' hot sun...
Love is a burning thing
And it makes a fiery ring
Bound by wild desire
I fell into a ring of fire
I fell into a burning ring of fire
I went down, down, down and the flames went higher
And it burns, burns, burns, the ring of fire
The ring of fire
I fell into a burning ring of fire
I went down, down, down and the flames went higher
And it burns, burns, burns, the ring of fire
The ring of fire
The taste of love is sweet
When hearts like ours meet
I fell for you like a child
Oh, but the fire went wild
I fell into a burning ring of fire
I went down, down, down and the flames went higher
And it burns, burns, burns, the ring of fire
The ring of fire
I fell into a burning ring of fire
I went down, down, down and the flames went higher
And it burns, burns, burns, the ring of fire
The ring of fire
And it burns, burns, burns, the ring of fire
The ring of fire
The ring of fire
The ring of fire
Ride this train to Dyess Arkansas see this cottonland
Some of us are so poor now you'd have to sell 'em a sack of fertilizer
To raise an umbrella
They grade the cotton according to the length and strength of the fibre
And they been raisin' a lot of fair to middlin' grade here which ain't good
But there was a time
Yeah there was a time when the cotton grew tall
Not far from here I had the finest plantation you ever saw
About 600 acres of the finest cottonland in the country
Now I believe this was about 1855 and I had a bumper crop that year
I had the best bunch of slaves you ever saw and I treated 'em right
Well a lot of em even stayed with me after the war
But gettin' back to what I was gonna tell you
See I have a rule that all the slaves got to be back in out of the fields
And accounted for by sundown every day
And one day when they came in there was one short
Well I found out right away that it was old uncle Moses that was missin'
And figured that somethin' might have happened to him old as he was
So I went out into the cottonfield to look for him
Well uncle Moses was way down at the end of the road sittin' on his cottonsack
Well I walked up and said Uncle Moses don't you know the rule
That you're supposed to be punished if you're not back in and accounted for by dark
And he said Boss Jack I know that sir
But I was pickin' along on my road
And all of a sudden somethin' seemed to come over me
And the finest words started comin' through my head and the finest music
So I rememorized them words and that music till I had it all in my head
Now that I got the song all through I guess Boss Jack
I was ready to take my punishment
Well I didn't hardly know what to say
But I asked Uncle Moses to sing that song for me
And he stood up there and for the first time he sang Swing Low Sweet Chariot
Well after that I kinda laid old Uncle Moses off and let him peddle around the house
And every night at dark you could hear him sing
I am a pilgrim and a stranger
Travelling through this wearisome land
I've got a home in that yonder city, good lord
And it's not, not made by hand
I've got a mother, sister and a brother
Who have gone this way before
I am determined to go and see them, good lord
For they're on that other shore
I'm goin' down to the river of jordan
Just to bathe my wearisome soul
If I can just touch the hem of his garment, good lord
Then I know he'd take me home
I am a pilgrim and a stranger
Travelling through this wearisome land
I've got a home in that yonder city, good lord
There are some things I may not know
There are some places I can't go
But I am sure of this one thing
My God is real for I can feel Him in my soul
My God is real, real in my soul
My God is real for He has washed and made me whole
His love for me is like pure gold
My God is real for I can feel Him in my soul
Some folks may doubt, some folks may scorn
Well, they can all go on, just leave me alone
But ask for me, I'll take God's part
My God is real for I can feel Him in my heart
My God is real, real in my soul
My God is real for He has washed and made me whole
His love for me is like pure gold
