(Arthur Leo Owens - Judy Vowell)
An early mornin' kiss with a touch of tenderness
Is the way that you used to start my day
But your forgetfulness fills me with an emptiness
That makes me wonder why you've changed your ways.
You'll never know how lonesome it's been
Waiting for you to be your old self again
Our sweet and tender times have completely slipped your mind
Cause you can't find one memory to forget
Baby you couldn't feel this way about all our yesterdays
If you could just remember what I can't forget.
--- Guitar - fiddle - steel Instrumental ---
I still remember when every night used to begin
With love when love was more than just a word
Before this hopelessness took the place of happiness
When don't touch me were words I never heard.
You'll never know how lonesome it's been
Waiting for you to be your old self again
Our sweet and tender times have completely slipped your mind
Cause you can't find one memory to forget
Baby you couldn't feel this way about all our yesterdays
If you could just remember what I can't forget...
(Jim Glaser - Jimmy Payne)
When I think of the dreams I've let slip through my hands
And the years that I've wasted Lord I've cried from my shame
But when I feel the glow of your love then I know
That I've done at least one thing that was good in my life.
Yes, I've done at least one thing that was good in my life
And with you I have one dream that will live through the night
And each day I will know as I watch our love grow
That I've done at least one thing that was good in my life.
When I think of the dreams I've let slip through my hands
And the years that I've wasted Lord I've cried from my shame
But then when I feel the glow of your sweet love then I know
That I've done at least one thing that was good in my life.
Yes, I've done at least one thing that was good in my life
And with you I have one dream that will live through the night
And each day I will know as I watch our love grow
That I've done at least one thing that was good in my life...
I wanted the gold, and I sought it,
I scrabbled and mucked like a slave.
Was it famine or scurvy -- I fought it;
I hurled my youth into a grave.
I wanted the gold, and I got it --
Came out with a fortune last fall, --
Yet somehow life's not what I thought it,
And somehow the gold isn't all.
No! There's the land. (Have you seen it?)
It's the cussedest land that I know,
From the big, dizzy mountains that screen it
To the deep, deathlike valleys below.
Some say God was tired when He made it;
Some say it's a fine land to shun;
Maybe; but there's some as would trade it
For no land on earth -- and I'm one.
You come to get rich (damned good reason);
You feel like an exile at first;
You hate it like hell for a season,
And then you are worse than the worst.
It grips you like some kinds of sinning;
It twists you from foe to a friend;
It seems it's been since the beginning;
It seems it will be to the end.
I've stood in some mighty-mouthed hollow
That's plumb-full of hush to the brim;
I've watched the big, husky sun wallow
In crimson and gold, and grow dim,
Till the moon set the pearly peaks gleaming,
And the stars tumbled out, neck and crop;
And I've thought that I surely was dreaming,
With the peace o' the world piled on top.
The summer -- no sweeter was ever;
The sunshiny woods all athrill;
The grayling aleap in the river,
The bighorn asleep on the hill.
The strong life that never knows harness;
The wilds where the caribou call;
The freshness, the freedom, the farness --
O God! how I'm stuck on it all.
The winter! the brightness that blinds you,
The white land locked tight as a drum,
The cold fear that follows and finds you,
The silence that bludgeons you dumb.
The snows that are older than history,
The woods where the weird shadows slant;
The stillness, the moonlight, the mystery,
I've bade 'em good-by -- but I can't.
There's a land where the mountains are nameless,
And the rivers all run God knows where;
There are lives that are erring and aimless,
And deaths that just hang by a hair;
There are hardships that nobody reckons;
There are valleys unpeopled and still;
There's a land -- oh, it beckons and beckons,
And I want to go back -- and I will.
They're making my money diminish;
I'm sick of the taste of champagne.
Thank God! when I'm skinned to a finish
I'll pike to the Yukon again.
I'll fight -- and you bet it's no sham-fight;
It's hell! -- but I've been there before;
And it's better than this by a damnsite --
So me for the Yukon once more.
There's gold, and it's haunting and haunting;
It's luring me on as of old;
Yet it isn't the gold that I'm wanting
So much as just finding the gold.
It's the great, big, broad land 'way up yonder,
It's the forests where silence has lease;
It's the beauty that thrills me with wonder,
It's the stillness that fills me with peace.
A bunch of the boys were whooping it up in the Malamute saloon;
The kid that handles the music-box was hitting a jag-time tune;
Back of the bar, in a solo game, sat Dangerous Dan McGrew,
And watching his luck was his light-o'-love, the lady that's known as Lou.
When out of the night, which was fifty below, and into the din and the glare,
There stumbled a miner fresh from the creeks, dog-dirty, and loaded for bear.
He looked like a man with a foot in the grave and scarcely the strength of a louse,
Yet he tilted a poke of dust on the bar, and he called for drinks for the house.
There was none could place the stranger's face, though we searched ourselves for a clue;
But we drank his health, and the last to drink was Dangerous Dan McGrew.
There's men that somehow just grip your eyes, and hold them hard like a spell;
And such was he, and he looked to me like a man who had lived in hell;
With a face most hair, and the dreary stare of a dog whose day is done,
As he watered the green stuff in his glass, and the drops fell one by one.
Then I got to figgering who he was, and wondering what he'd do,
And I turned my head -- and there watching him was the lady that's known as Lou.
His eyes went rubbering round the room, and he seemed in a kind of daze,
Till at last that old piano fell in the way of his wandering gaze.
The rag-time kid was having a drink; there was no one else on the stool,
So the stranger stumbles across the room, and flops down there like a fool.
In a buckskin shirt that was glazed with dirt he sat, and I saw him sway;
Then he clutched the keys with his talon hands -- my God! but that man could play.
Were you ever out in the Great Alone, when the moon was awful clear,
And the icy mountains hemmed you in with a silence you most could HEAR;
With only the howl of a timber wolf, and you camped there in the cold,
A half-dead thing in a stark, dead world, clean mad for the muck called gold;
While high overhead, green, yellow and red, the North Lights swept in bars? --
Then you've a haunch what the music meant . . . hunger and night and the stars.
And hunger not of the belly kind, that's banished with bacon and beans,
But the gnawing hunger of lonely men for a home and all that it means;
For a fireside far from the cares that are, four walls and a roof above;
But oh! so cramful of cosy joy, and crowned with a woman's love --
A woman dearer than all the world, and true as Heaven is true --
(God! how ghastly she looks through her rouge, -- the lady that's known as Lou.)
Then on a sudden the music changed, so soft that you scarce could hear;
But you felt that your life had been looted clean of all that it once held dear;
That someone had stolen the woman you loved; that her love was a devil's lie;
That your guts were gone, and the best for you was to crawl away and die.
'Twas the crowning cry of a heart's despair, and it thrilled you through and through --
"I guess I'll make it a spread misere," said Dangerous Dan McGrew.
The music almost died away . . . then it burst like a pent-up flood;
And it seemed to say, "Repay, repay," and my eyes were blind with blood.
The thought came back of an ancient wrong, and it stung like a frozen lash,
And the lust awoke to kill, to kill . . . then the music stopped with a crash,
And the stranger turned, and his eyes they burned in a most peculiar way;
In a buckskin shirt that was glazed with dirt he sat, and I saw him sway;
Then his lips went in in a kind of grin, and he spoke, and his voice was calm,
And "Boys," says he, "you don't know me, and none of you care a damn;
But I want to state, and my words are straight, and I'll bet my poke they're true,
That one of you is a hound of hell . . . and that one is Dan McGrew."
Then I ducked my head, and the lights went out, and two guns blazed in the dark,
And a woman screamed, and the lights went up, and two men lay stiff and stark.
Pitched on his head, and pumped full of lead, was Dangerous Dan McGrew,
While the man from the creeks lay clutched to the breast of the lady that's known as Lou.
These are the simple facts of the case, and I guess I ought to know.
They say that the stranger was crazed with "hooch", and I'm not denying it's so.
I'm not so wise as the lawyer guys, but strictly between us two --
The woman that kissed him and -- pinched his poke -- was the lady that's known as Lou.
(Hank Snow)
Now if you wanna get in trouble I'll tell you how to do it
You get a guitar and then you're into it
You play all day and you play all night
And folks say he'll never learn to play that thing right
Always griping won't let you practice.
I bought my guitar some time ago
And the man said I'd learn in a week or so
He gave me a book and a pick or two
And said now Hank it's up to you the dirty dog
Cost me four ninety-five too wish I could find him now.
--- Instrumental ---
Well, never the less I'd spent my dough
And I couldn't let it go to waste you know
So I took that book, guitar and all
And I went back home where the trees were tall
Way down in Tennessee a good place to be when you got a guitar.
Then for weeks and weeks I labored hard
Tryin' to learn a few main chords
The book said it's easy as ABC
But brother my fingers they was killin' me
Got sore right on the end couldn't press down the strings
Felt disgusted.
--- Instrumental ---
But I kept on a playin' with all my might
I could see ma's hair was a turnin' white
Her face was lined with discontent
And she said her patience was almost spent
Felt nervous ears ringin'
Wanted to scream or scram I don't know which.
Now my sister she took it the worst of all
'Cause she got married that comin' fall
She said for love but I have my doubts
I think the guitar just chased her out
But she wouldn't admit it game girl like
Just couldn't take it that's all.
--- Instrumental ---
Now my old man he took it a different way
He said you may turn your ma's hair gray
And drive your sister away from home
But son either you or I's gonna start to roam
And I'm not leavin' never intend to now you figure it out for yourself.
So the very next day when my clothes was all packed
I swing my guitar across my back
And I caught myself a long freight train
To search the world for my share of fame
But all I found was hardships heartaches handouts.
--- Instrumental ---
Fellas you'd better leave them guitars alone...
Written by Blaine Smith and Reg Cooper
Recorded by Hank Snow
Walkin' with my honey down by the water green green green
Spring is in the air but we're doin' what we order
I'm just a poor boy she's the banker's daughter green green green
Nights are warm and sun is in the valley green green green
Nights are warm and sun is in the valley
Warm and sweet were kisses from my Sally green gren green
Love made us warm and we really shouldn't tarry green green green
Love made us warm and we really shouldn't tarry
Cause she's only seventeen and not allow to marry green green green
I went to the banker ask him for his daughter green green green
I went to the banker ask him for his daughter
He flew into a rage and he said I couldn't court her green green green
The leaves're fallin' and where is my honey gold gold gold
The leaves're fallin' and where is my honey
Curse on that banker and curse on his money gold gold gold
Snow is fallin' on the sun and valley gone gone gone
Snow is fallin' on the sun and valley I'm worried and sick for my darlin' Sally gone gone gone
They pull her body from the freeing water cold cold cold
They pull her body from the freeing water
There beneath the tree lay our baby daughter cold cold cold
Diggin' two graves down by the water green green green
Diggin' two graves down by the water
One for my true love one for baby daughter green green green
Written by Ray Griff
Recorded by Hank Snow
The seasons come and go but in my heart I know
Whether it rain or snow our dream's all fair
The seasons drift on by like clouds across the sky
But we both realize that shadows pass
I would never change or try to rearange a thing about you dear
I'll love you just the way you are through all the coming years
The seasons play their parts and each one leaves its mark
But I know in my heart our love will last
I would never change...
Words & Music by Erwin King
Recorded by Hank Snow
Why do you punish me for loving you,
You’re counting my mistakes, how about yours?
Why do you sentence me to nights of tears?
Convicting all these dreams I’ve dreamed for years?
My heart cries out behind these prison bars,
It pleads to you for your true love to set it free.
Why do you punish me? Is love a crime?
If so I’ll spend a lifetime loving, serving time.
Words & Music by C.E. Snow
Nights may be long, skies may be gray,
Maybe you're worried and blue.
Fear not noble soldier, you've the whole world to gain,
For someday your dreams will come true.
CHORUS
Your mother is praying for you, son,
Tho' she's hiding each tear with a smile,
Asking the Saviour to guide you,
To watch over you all the while,
Fight and be brave for the morrow will drive the dark clouds from the blue
And remember each night say a prayer son
For the one that is praying for you.
Poetry.
Yes soldier you can afford to be brave
Lift high that old banner and long may she wave
Think of that sweetheart so brave and so true
And then think of your old mother who's praying for you.
She thinks your tops cause you went over there to fight
For Canada and for England and all things thats right
So you've no need to worry son how she is at home
Cause she's too busy filling stamp books and paying for bonds.
Just keep up the courage soldier cause one of these days
You'll set the whole wide world free and then back o'er the waves
You'll come sailing a hero to the one that loves you
To that loving old mother who's been praying for you.
Repeat Chorus
Written by Terry Fell - Bobby Edwards - Fred Henley
Recorded by Hank Snow
(Walking the floor feeling so blue losing sleep over you)
I lay here at night toss and I turn longing you so how my heart yearns
Honey you're the reason I don't sleep at night
Just walking the floor feeling so blue smoke cigarettes drink coffee too
Honey you're the reason I don't sleep at night
I'm betting you're not losing sleep over me
But if I'm wrong don't fail to call come over and keep me company
Sometimes I go for a walk take a look at the moon
Strum my guitar to some old lonesome tune
Honey you're the reason I can't sleep at night
(Walking the floor feeling so blue smoke cigarettes drink coffee too
Strum my guitar look at the moon losing sleep over you)
Like a bright shootin' star I travel apart tryin' to forget but I haven't yet
In this old world I wandered for a while
From the cold arctic seas to the tropical breeze
Down to old Mexico there's no place I don't know
Baby you're the reason I don't sleep at night
I'm betting you're not losing...
Written by Dave Burgess
Recorded by Hank Snow
Well it's easy for me to be true depend on me
I'll always be faithful to you honey you just wait and see
I'll never have a roving eye my love for you will never die
And honey here's the reason why you're easy to love
You made me happy as I could be I'm satisfied
I hope you're just as happy with me you know how much I've always tried
Here's another thing for you to know my love for you is going grow
And every day I'm going to show you're easy to love
It makes me oh so proud just to be with you
And it's a mighty good feeling to know you feel the same way too
Well you've answered every one of my dreams they've all come true
The world's a better place it seems every since I met you
And here's the last thing I'd like to say thanks so much for lovin' me this way
And promise me you'll always say so easy to love
And here's the last thing...
You're easy to love so easy to love
Words & Music by Jim Glaser
Recorded by Hank Snow
You say you decided to leave me for him,
Perhaps I could stop you, but chances are slim;
I just can't believe that it's over so fast,
You take the future, and I'll take the past.
You take the future and don't look for me,
I'll be behind you with old memories.
Hold on to your happiness and make it last,
You take the future, and I'll take the past.
[Repeat second verse]
Words & Music by C.E. "Hank" Snow
Last night by my window so lonely,
As I mentioned your name in my prayers,
It seemed I could hear your voice calling
From far out on that ocean of stars.
You whispered my name and I saw you
Descending to me from on high.
I had fallen asleep and was dreaming,
Then awoke, hung my troubled head and cried.
CHORUS
You played love on the strings of my heart dear,
When you whispered "I love only you, just you",
But you broke ev'ry promise little darling,
Now the strings on my heart are broken too.
Oh why did you have to deceive me,
Oh why did you prove so untrue, I'm blue,
Ev'ry string on my heart you have broken,
And darling my heart is broken too.
Then I dreamed of a golden tomorrow,
Of a life filled with treasures for you, just you,
As the moon kissed the gold in your curls dear,
You told me you'd always be true.
But the dawn broke your vows little darling,
I know I can never have you, we're thru',
For that old rising sun then awoke me
So weary in my mind and still blue.
CHORUS
On a dark stormy night
Not a star was in sight,
The North wind came howlin' down the line,
Stood a brave engineer
With his sweetheart so dear
His orders - to pull ol' No. 9.
As she kissed him goodbye with a tear in her eye,
The joy in her heart she could not hide...
And the whole world seemed right
As he left her that night,
For tomorrow she'd be his loving bride.
And the wheels hummed a song
As the train moved along
And the black smoke came pourin' from the stack
And the headlight agleam seemed to brighten his dream
For tomorrow he'd be a-comin' back.
As he turned 'round the hill his brave heart stood still
For a headlight was shinin' on his face.
And he whispered a prayer as he threw on the air
He knew this would be his final brake.
In the wreckage he was found lyin' there on the ground,
He begged them to raise his weary head.
As his breath slowly went, here's the message that he sent to his sweetheart that he had planned to wed:
'There's a little white house I bought for our own,
Where I knew we'd be happy you and I.
And dear I know you've been true, I'll leave it to you;
Until we meet in the Golden Gates, goodbye...
yes until we meet in the Golden Gates, goodbye...
yeah until we meet in the Golden Gates, goodbye...'
Mmmm-mmmm-mmm-mmm
Mmmm-mmmm-mmm
Oh, why did you give me your love, dear
When it lasted only a day
Why did you teach me to love you
Only to turn me away
You promised that you would be true
Your promise was all in vain
But my heart keeps calling for you, dear
Like the flowers call for the rain
You may be sorry some day, dear
That you have broken my heart
That you have passed me away, dear
And fooled me from the start
Now this is my last appeal, dear
I've only a word to say
Oh, why did you give me your love, dear
When it lasted only a day
Words & Music by Cy Coben
Recorded by Hank Snow
Would you mind if I tell you that I go for you?
Would you mind if my heart is beating so for you?
Yes, if you should find I’m the lovin’ kind,
Would you mind, would you mind, would you mind?
Would you care if I kinda sorta held your hand?
Would you care if I kissed you like a regular man?
Yes, if you should find that I’m so inclined,
Would you mind, would you mind, would you mind?
Would you think it funny if I call you honey?
If I move up closer would you tell me, no, sir?
If I hug and squeeze you, tell me, would it please you?
How I wish I knew, so I’m askin’ you.
Would you mind if I put my arms around you, dear?
Would you mind if I’m makin’ you my life’s career?
If I brag a lot ‘bout the prize I’ve got,
Would you mind, would you mind, would you mind?
Would you mind if I take you home to meet my folks?
Would you mind laughin’ at my Daddy’s same old jokes?
And if Ma says, "Son, you have found the one,"
Would you mind, would you mind, would you mind?
Would you care if I got my camera and took
A picture of you for my picture book?
If I wanna show the guys who I idolize,
Would you mind, would you mind, would you mind?
Would you be down-hearted if I up and started
with some big romancin’, lots of dates and dancin’?
If I kinda mention that it’s my intention
To be goin’ steady would you be ready?
Would you mind if I tell you you’re the cutest thing?
Would you mind goin’ shoppin’ for a wedding ring?
On our wedding day if I shout hooray,
Would you mind, would you mind, would you mind?
Written by Kris Kristofferson
Recorded by Hank Snow
Why me Lord what have I ever done to deserve even one of the pleasures I've known
Tell me Lord what did I ever do that was worth loving you
Or the kindness you've shown
Lord help me Jesus I've wasted it so help me Jesus I know what I am
But now that I know that I've needed you so help me Jesus my soul's in your hand
Please try me Lord if you think there's any way
That I can try to repay for all the wonderful things that I've taken from you
And maybe that Lord yes maybe I can show someone else
Oh what I've been through myself on my way back to you
Lord help me Jesus...
Written by Charles G. Matthews and Gladys Reinhardt
Recorded by Hank Snow
Where the deep blue pearly waters wash upon white silver sands
Where on the brink of love I kissed her and obeyd my heart's command
Where the deep blue pearly waters wash upon white silver sands
We watched the sunset in the evening in a far and distant land
Oh here beneath God's blue heaven there's a place I must go
Where the sunset in the evening is the only love I know
Where the deep blue pearly waters wash upon white silver sands
Where on the brink of love I kissed her and obeyd my heart's command
We watched the sunset in the evening saw the moon yellow and pale
Watched the gaucho ride the pinto out across the pampas trail
Where the deep blue pearly waters wash upon white silver sands
Where on the brink of love I kissed her and obeyd my heart's command
Written by Wiley Walker and Gene Sullivan
Recorded by Hank Snow
Verse 1:
Memories that linger in my heart,
Memories that make my heart grow cold,
Someday we'll live them all again,
When my blue moon again will turn to gold.
Chorus:
When my blue moon turns to gold again,
When the raindrops turn the clouds away,
When my blue moon turns to gold again,
You'll be back here in my arms to stay.
Verse2:
The castles we built in dreams together
Tell the sweetest story ever told,
Someday we'll live them all again
When my blue moon again will turn to gold.
[Chorus]
Verse3:
The lips that used to thrill me so,
Your kisses were meant for only me.
Someday we'll live them all again,
When my golden moon is just a memory.
[Chorus]
When Mexican Joe met Jole Blon
Si, Si, Si, oui, oui, how they carried on
He held her tight and danced all night
And crossed the border at daylight
When Mexican Joe met Jole Blon
Mexican Joe was wild and reckless
He walked into a honky-tonk in Texas
Looking for some real romance and pettin'
On a barroom stool alone this doll was settin'
He walked up to the bar and said, I think I'll have a drink
Three fingers of tequila will clear my head, I think
Well, she looked around and caught his eye
And Joe said, I, yi, yi, yi, yi
When Mexican Joe met Jole Blon
Joe said, Lovely señorita
Let's go out and paint the town
So he danced her and romanced her
And he showed that gal around
Jole Blon said, I'm so hungry
And she breathed a little sigh
So he fed her filet gumbo, enchiladas, on the side
Then he held her close and whispered
Will you be mine for life
She said, Oui, monsieur, but tell me
What'll we do about your wife
But he shouted, Ah, Caramba
I think I'd better go
So he swam he swam across the river
And went back to Mexico
(Repeat 1st verse)
Words & Music by Hank Snow
You said goodbye and left me broken hearted,
You little knew the pain 'twould cause to me,
Those days we shared, sweetheart can never be forgotten,
'Twas Wasted Love but sweet the memory.
CHORUS
Wasted Love and dreams of you.
A broken heart, and oh, so blue.
I gave my all, you gave me heartaches,
'Twas Wasted Love, but sweet the memory.
I should have known it from the start, my darling
But loveis blind, and so I did not see,
I freely gave to you my only heart and soul, dear,
'Twas Wasted Love but sweet the memory.
CHORUS
I thought some day my dreams would all come true, dear,
We'd be together as in the used to be,
But it's too late my ev'ry hope must be forgotten,
'Twas Wasted Love but sweet the memory.
CHORUS
Written by Tillman Franks
Recorded by Hank Snow
(When it's springtime in Alaska it's forty below)
I mushed from Port Barren through a blizzard of snow
Been out prospecting for two years or so
Pulled into Fairbanks the city was a boon
So I took a little stroll to the Red Dog Saloon
As I walked in the door the music was clear
The prettiest voice I had heard in two years
The song she was singin' made a man's blood run cold
When it's springtime in Alaska it's forty below
(When it's springtime in Alaska it's forty below)
It was red headed Luie who was singin' so sweet
I reached down and took the snowpacks off my feet
I reached toward the gal who was singin' the tune
We did the Escimo hop all around the saloon
Where the cariboo crawl and the grizzly bear hug we did our dance on a Kodiac rug
The song she kept singing made a man's blood run cold
When it's springtime in Alaska it's forty below
(When it's springtime in Alaska it's forty below)
I was as innocent as I could be I didn't know Luie was big Ed's wife to be
He took out his knife and he gave it a throw
When it's springtime in Alaska I'll be six feet below
(When it's springtime in Alaska he'll be six feet below
When it's springtime in Alaska he'll be six feet below)
Written by Bob Nolan
Recorded by Hank Snow
(Way out there)
A lonely spot I know where no man will go where the shadows have all the room
I was ridin' free on this old SP humming a southern tune
When a man came along made me hush my song kicked me off way out there
As she pulled out of sight I turned to the right the left and everywhere
But all I could see was a cactus tree and a prairie dog playin' there
I watched the prairie dog feed on the tumbleweed that's his home way out there
So I threw down my load in the desert road rested my weary legs too
I watched the sinking sun make the tall shadows run out across that barren plain
Then I hummed a tune to the risin' moon he gets lonesome way out there
So I closed my eyes to the starlit skies and lost myself in dreams
I dreamed the desert sand was a milk and honey land then I awoke with a start
As she was passin' by I caught her on the fly climbed in an open door
Then I turned around to that desert ground saw the spot I would see no more
As I was ridin' away I heard the pale moon say
Farewell pal it sure gets lonesome here (way out here)
On an ocean of dreams I have wandered it seems
Just wandering wandering on ,
Since I found the note sweetheart that you wrote just saying
That you had already gone.
CHORUS
Will the pretty bird sing,
Will the roses in the Spring
Still blossom when they find that you have gone,
Will the old pals be true
Or will they all leave me too
Just wandering wandering on
Will the little brook play
As it winds along its way
Will the stars keep on shining tho' you've gone
Will they find their way to you
Will they tell you that I'm blue
Or will they too leave me wandering on?
Tho' you've left me and gone I'll keep wandering on
Wandering down life's way
And beneath the lovely blue I may wander back to you
And my dreams will all come true someday.
CHORUS
I'm a wonder, I'll keep drifting on
Can't see, honey, why you done me wrong
Hard luck sure has got me
I can't sleep a wink
I'll just have to face it from now on
Sailing o'er the sea of dreams, no one cares for me
And we're drifting oh so far apart
You slammed the door of love on me
Had found a new daddy, I could see
By that unwanted sign upon your heart
Seems I'm always on the losin' end
Your little game of love was just pretend
I have learned the hard way
It was plain to see
You were nothing more than just a friend
Never thought you'd treat me so, I can't understand
Why you had to tear my world apart
Left me everything to lose
And along with mean old blues
That unwanted sign upon your heart
Maybe someday that old tide will turn
And your ship will drift on back to me
Then I'll be the captain
You will be the crew
You'll know how it feels to sit and yearn
You may think you're doing fine, and the world is yours
But you played an unfair game to start
When you learn that love is blind
You'll come back but then you'll find
An unwanted sign upon my heart
Written by Jeff Hess
Recorded by Hank Snow
Walking the last mile so weary and slow
It leads to the gallows from where I don't know
One step every minute each minute seems as a year
This parting is bitter when no friend is near
If I had one wish Lawd and that could come true
I'd wish I was pardoned and back home with you
I'd get on my knees Lawd and if you'd forgive
No more would I hurt you as long as I live
(The way I go on Lawd is crashing my soul
It's hard to be tied down in this prison hole)
There is one regret Lawd that tortures my brain
It's that I've been careless in causing you pain
Walking the last mile with each step of blare
Praying forgiveness from him way up there
Oh please say a prayer Lawd for it's my last keep
Please pray the great Master shows mercy on me
Perhaps in the next world on that judgement day
I'll find that the Master washed my sins away
There I'll hold my head up when my soul is free
And rest in your arm Lawd through eternity
Written by Jimmie Rodgers
Recorded by Hank Snow
I'm always blue feeling so blue I wish I had someone I knew
Just to help me tuck away my blues lonesome blues
Won't you be that someone to help me lose the blues
I really need someone to love me someone to kiss
Someone to scold me someone to miss
Won't you be that someone to help me lose the blues
I really need someone to love me...
(Hank Snow)
I rode a freight train to El Paso Texas
Happiness I was tryin' so hard to find
Walked across the Rio Grande to another country
Trying to get my baby off my mind.
Trying to get my baby off my mind.
They tell me that she's out in California
Sometimes I think she's still walking by my side
I know another's world now she lives in
I'm trying to get my baby off my mind.
I'm trying to get my baby off my mind.
I hear that she has gone and wed another
I know now a new love's hard to find
I walk the streets all night in El Paso
Trying to get my baby off my mind.
Lord, I'm trying to get my baby off my mind.
--- Instrumental Steel - piano ---
I can hear that mornful whistle of the freight train
Moanin' out his lonesome highball sigh
So now I'm on my way out to California
Trying to get my baby off my mind.
I'm trying to get my baby off my mind.
Trying to get my baby off my mind
I'm trying to get my baby off my mind.
Trying to get my baby off my mind.
I'm trying to get my baby off my mind...
Written by Richard M. Jones
Recorded by Hank Snow
Trouble in mind I'm blue but I won't be blue always
Cause the sun's gonna shine in my backyard someday
I'm gonna lay my head on some lonesome railroad line and let that 2:19 pacify mind
Hello train hello
(Goin' down to the river gonna take me a rockin' chair)
And if the blues don't leave me I'll rock away from here
Trouble in mind I'm blue my old heart is beatin' slow
I ain't had so such trouble in my life before
Trouble trouble trouble
Like a girl she done quit me and it sure does leave my mind
When you see me laughin' it's laughin' to keep from cryin'
I had a dream last night
I thought my good gal had gone
I woke up this mornin'
She really had done me wrong
I know it's not fair
But my good gal has done caught air
I'm goin' away leavin' today
I'm gonna bring my baby back
If that eight wheel driver
Don't jump that railroad track
I'll take her from that man
Bring her home if I can
It's true my baby's gone
I know it won't be long
We'll both be on that train
My baby's comin' home again
She's been trav'lin' around
But now she has thrown him down
(Repeat second verse)
Written by Bill Anderson
Recorded by Hank Snow
(I had your love on the tip of my fingers)
I reached out my arms and I touched you with soft words I whispered your name
I held you right on the tip of my fingers but that was as close as I came
My eyes had a vision of sweet lips yeelding beneath my command
I had your love on the tip of my fingers but I let it slip right through my hands
But I let it slip right through my hands
Somebody took you when I wasn't looking and I should have known from the start
It's a long long way from the tip of my fingers to the love hidden deep in your heart
To the love hidden deep in your heart
It's a long long way...
Recorded by Hank Snow
The sun goes down
And leaves me sad and blue
The iron curtain falls
On this cold war with you
Tho' you don't speak
And I won't speak it's true
Two stubborn people
With a cold war to go through
Why, oh, why should love ever come
To couples, like you and me
Whose cold, cold wars are never done
And whose hearts just can't be free
So let's make up
Or let's just say we're through
I just can't stand another
Cold, cold war with you
Why, oh, why should love ever come
To couples, like you and me
Whose cold, cold wars are never done
And whose hearts just can't be free
So let's make up
Or let's just say we're through
I just can't stand another
Cold, cold war with you
I just can't stand another
Cold, cold war with you
Written by Eddie Noack
Recorded by Hank Snow
These hands ain'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 one ask
For these fingers have worked to the bone
Now don't try to judge me by what you'd like me be
For my life ain't been much success
While some people have power but still they grieve
While these hands brought me happiness
Now I'm tired and I'm old and I ain't got much gold
Maybe things ain't been all that I planned
God above hear my plea when it's time to judge me
Take a look at these hard working hands
(God above hear my plea when it's time to judge me)
Take a look at these hard working hands
Words & Music by Hank Snow
A pale little boy lay there helpless
On the prairie at the close of the day.
"I've been shot in the breast, sir, please help me"
Weak and weary these words he did say
"My mother's an angel in Heaven,
My daddy won't allow me to stay,
So please, sir, I beg you to help me,
I'm an orphan that's cast by the way."
CHORUS
There's a silvery moon on the old corral,
There's a pony that's restless and worn,
There's a little brown saddle that's empty,
And a little grey shirt that is torn.
There's an outcast that longs for a mother
To help him life's battles to fight,
Tho' there's no one to miss little Joe's tender kiss,
But his pony is lonesome to-night.
We worked thro the night until dawning
We tried but 'twas only in vain
He smiled as his eyes closed in slumber
To be free from all sorrow and pain.
He died as the day slowly ended
With the angels he made his last flight
There was no one to miss little Joe's tender kiss
But his pony is lonely to-night.
CHORUS
There's a silver moon on the old corral
But a wreath on the old bunkhouse door
There's a little brown saddle that's empty
That will never be used anymore
He has joined the great foreman up yonder
Where the ranges are care-free and bright
There's a new star a twinkling in heaven
But a pony that's lonely to-night.
CHORUS
Written by Dallas Frazier
Recorded by Hank Snow
(There goes my everything)
I hear footsteps slowly walking as they gently walk across a lonely floor
And a voice is softly saying darling this will be goodbye forever more
There goes my reason for living there goes the one of my dreams
There goes my only possesion there goes my everything
As my mem'ry turns back the pages I can see the happy years we had before
Now the love that kept this old heart beating
Has been shattered by the closing of the door
(There goes my reason...
Written by Herb Newman and Stan Lebowski
Recorded by Hank Snow
Oh the wayward wind is a restless wind a restless wind that yearns to wonder
And I was born the next of kin the next of kin to the wayward wind
In a lonely shack by a railroad track I spent my younger days
And I guess the sound of the outward bound made me a slave to my wandering ways
Oh the wayward wind...
Oh I met a girl in a border town I vowed we'd never part
Though I tried my best to settle down I'm now alone with a broken heart
Oh the wayward wind...
The wayward wind the wayward wind the wayward wind
Recorded by Hank Snow
C F
I saw you last night, again, darlin'
C G7
And you seemed just as lovely to me
C F
I watched as you danced with a stranger
C G7 C
And you seemed just as happy as he
G7 C
I watched as you smiled with a stranger
G7 C
And since you seemed happy and gay
C F
I watched thru a mist in my eyes, dear
C G7 C
Then I Turned And Walked Slowly A- way.
I saw you last night, again, darlin'
And I cried, dear, all night until dawn
A new love has come to your heart, dear
And an old love has faded and gone.
I hope, dear, that you will be happy
There's nothin' more left now to say
I saw you last night, again, darlin'
Then I Turned And Walked Slowly Away..
JOHNNY CASH LYRICS
"Wreck Of The Old '97"
Well they gave him his orders at Monroe, Virginia,
Said: "Steve, you're way behind time,
"This is not 38, this is Ol' 97,
"Put her into Spencer on time."
Then he turned around and said to his black, greasy fireman,
"Shovel on a little more coal.
"And when we cross that White Oak mountain,
"Watch Ol' '97 roll."
And then a telegram come from Washington station,
This is how it read:
"Oh that brave engineer that run ol 97,
"Is lyin in old Danville dead."
'Cos he was going down a grade making 90 miles an hour,
The whistle broke into a scream.
He was found in the wreck with his hand on the throttle,
Scalded to death by the steam.
One more time!
Oh, now all you ladies you'd better take a warning,
From this time on and learn.
Never speak hard words to your true-lovin' husband.
He may leave you and never return.
Poor Boy.
Recorded by Hank Snow
Oh you can't be mislead by a name it is said
You can't judge a book by it's cover
And how one can tell what is down in a well
Is a thing I have yet to discover
CHORUS
Oh down in the well-a, deep in the well-a, how deep, oh I couldn't tell-a
Born into rumours that's running around
Down in the well-a, deep in the a well-a, wish in the well-a, trust in the well-a
And your true love, your true love may be found
Oh you may not believe, this tale it be true
And scoff at the well as you go by
But if you don't own a love of your own
One day you may peak in and try
CHORUS
Oh down in the well-a, deep in the well-a, how deep, oh I couldn't tell-a
Born into rumours that's running around
Down in the well-a, deep in the a well-a, wish in the well-a, trust in the well-a
And your true love, your true love may be found
This story is old, this story was told
To me when a very young man
Back when I didn't own a love of my own
But now I'm a family man
CHORUS
Oh down in the well-a, deep in the well-a, how deep, oh I couldn't tell-a
Born into rumours that's running around
Down in the well-a, deep in the a well-a, wish in the well-a, trust in the well-a
And your true love, your true love may be found
And your true love, your true love may be found
She was a young and pretty Coleman county farm girl
Never been more than fifty miles from home
I was just a drifter I was living off the land
Spent the summer on her daddy's farm
In the evening we'd walk along the railroad
We'd hear that lonesome whistle in the night
And she'd pretend we road the rails to Denver
Cause' her head was full of flashin' neon lights
Twas' that big old shiny diesel as it rounded Carter's bend
Was enough to make a young girl want to roam
She'd pretend she rode those shiny rails all around the world
And had the Texas Silver Zephyr bring her home
As summer work was over and restless got to me
I kept talkin' 'bout the places I would go
Then her young head got to spinnin' for the things she'd never seen
So she followed me to Denver in the fall
Then jobs got scarce in central Colorado
And then the winter nights got awful cold
Just one old army blanket was the only one we had
No money for the oil to run the stove
Yes that big old shiny diesel as it rounded Carter's bend
Was enough to make a young girl want to roam
But through all those hungry nights the only promise that I made
I had the Texas Silver Zephyr take her home
When she started feelin' bad she didn't tell me
She had a way of keepin' problems all her own
So I didn't know her troubles with the baby
Before I could get a doctor she was gone
Lord I know it's not the way she really wanted things to be
In her dreams she had a pullman all her own
But she'd be proud of me to know I kept my promise
And had the Texas Silver Zephyr take her home
And had the Texas Silver Zephyr take her home
I'm so lonely since you said goodbye
There's no stars left to shine up above
And my heart aches with pain though it's aching in vain
For the sun has gone down on our love
Now it seems there is nothing left for me
But a dream of a broken memory
So I guess it is through for me and for you
For the sun has gone down on our love
After all I will try to forget
I'll pretend that I have no regret
Though so hard I have tried but the tears I can't hide
For the sun has gone down on our love
Yes, the sun has gone down on our love
There's no stars left to shine up above
And my heart aches with pain though it's aching in vain
For the sun has gone down on our love
THE SUN HAS GONE DOWN ON OUR LOVE
I'm so lonely since you said goodbye
There's no stars left to shine up above
And my heart aches with pain though it's aching in vain
For the sun has gone down on our love
Now it seems there is nothing left for me
But a dream of a broken memory
So I guess it is through for me and for you
For the sun has gone down on our love
After all I will try to forget
I'll pretend that I have no regret
Though so hard I have tried but the tears I can't hide
For the sun has gone down on our love
Yes, the sun has gone down on our love
There's no stars left to shine up above
And my heart aches with pain though it's aching in vain
For the sun has gone down on our love
A long steel rail and a short crosstie
I'm on my way back home
I'm on the train, the king of them all
The Streamlined Cannonball
(Chorus)
Oh, she drives along like a cannonball
Like a star on its heavenly flight
This lonesome sound of the whistle you love
As she travels thru the night
Her headlight gleams out into the night
Her firebox flash you see
The blinds I ride and the lights I love
Are home, sweet home, to me
(Repeat chorus)
I can see the smile of an engineer
Although he's old and gray
A contented heart he awaits back home
Of the Streamlined Cannonball
(Repeat chorus)
Written by Johnny McRae
Recorded by Hank Snow
Rough him up and shove him down
Make him cry when he comes ‘round
Treat him any way you want
After all he’s just runt, just a little runt
Runt is what they called him
But his name was Buddy Grey
He lived out on Maple Street
‘Bout a mile away
Hand-me-downs were all he wore
Poverty and nothing more
Always someone laying for – the runt
They catch him in the school year
When he came out to play
Then get him in a circle
Where he couldn’t get away
They’d shove him here
And they’d shove him there
If he fell down, nobody cared
Just anything to keep him scared -- the runt
Then one day walking home from school
The teasing went just too far
They chased the runt out in the street
Nobody saw the car
They only heard that awful sound
They saw the broken body on the ground
Then everybody gathered around -- the runt
They buried him on Sunday
His classmates all were there
And the tears filled each every eye
When runt’s mother said a prayer
Lord, even though you’ve taken him
I think I understand
He’s finished the job you’ve sent him for
And done it like you planned
If you made all people to look the same
It just wouldn’t be right I guess
So you put a few now and then, like my runt
To bring others’ happiness
His shortness makes others feel tall
His weakness makes others feel strong
His features make others feel pretty and handsome
And his sadness brings others a song
So rough him up and shove him down
Make him cry when he comes ‘round
Treat him any way you want
But thank God for the runt
Yes, thank God for my little runt
Welcome all you children, give a listen to me
Let me tell you about a new boogie beat
There's no hesitation, and it's sweepin' the nation
It's the Rhumba Boogie done the South American way
While Madame Lazonga was teachin' La Conga
In her little cabana in old Havana
We were doin' the Charleston and Ballin' the Jack
Then that old Black Bottom 'til they started that Jitterbug Rag
Then across the water came Cuban Pete
He started a boogie to the Rhumba beat
It's the Rhumba Boogie let's give it a whirl
While he plays the boogie in the South American style
Well, you step out together then you circle around
Count one, two, three, then put your right foot down
Then you circle your lady, as you swing and you sway
To the Rhumba Boogie in the South American way
When that old piano, it starts to ring
Ever'body then starts to sing
To the Rhumba Boogie, done the tropical style
It's the Rhumba Boogie and they're doin' it all of the while
Well, the guy responsible for leadin' the band
He yells, Do your stuff it's the best in best in the land
It's the Rhumba Boogie, let's dance it awhile
To the Boogie Woogie done the Rhumba Cubana style
While Madame Lazonga was teachin' La Conga
In her little cabana in old Havana
The folks in Old Mexico were doing the tango
And we were steppin' to the rhythm of an old guitar
Well across the water came Cuban Pete
He started a boogie to the Rhumba beat
It's the Rhumba Boogie, let's dance it awhile
To the Boogie Woogie done the Rhumba Cubana style
Words and Music by Hank Snow
This old train is speeding southbound and her whistle moans the blues;
And my heart’s as cold as the ice and snow that fills these walkin’ shoes.
That old smoke-stack keeps barkin’ back to me and seems to say:
We’ll carry you on, oh, Restless One.
I had mushed my way on a Husky sleigh, to the land of Midnight Sun;
And I kissed the squaw at the wigwam door, many times I faced a gun.
Brown Eskimo didn’t want me to go, when I told her I must run.
And she gave me the name of the Restless One.
Then I strolled into a tavern in that frozen land afar;
Where I met a beautiful Indian maid, she was known as the Morning Star.
Her eyes were bright like the Northern Lights, when they chase the Arctic moon.
And I knew she was born for the Restless One.
As we danced I gently kissed her in the path of the morning sun;
Love was sweet and oh, so blissful, with a romance just begun.
The Restless One had gone and fell in love with the Yukon Queen.
And she fell in love with the Restless One.
Through the door came an angry red-skin, on his head was a beaded band;
I was courtin’ the wife of an Indian chief, who ruled with an iron hand.
With a knife he run, but I pulled my gun and I shot him to the floor.
Then the hunt began for the Restless One.
Many days and nights they trailed me out under the northern sky;
Where the wild birds song was mournful and the timber wolf did cry.
But they tracked me down and I’m ‘Frisco bound, I’ve made my final run.
It’s the end of the line for the Restless One.
Written by Hank Snow, Peanut Faircloth, Cordia Volkmar
Recorded by Hank Snow
Santa had a cup of coffee and he ate a little snack thru his pack right over his back
Open the windows of his little shack and shouted oh dasher and dancer
Vixen and blitzen come on here were gonna get a goin' and spread some cheer
So limber your legs and sharpen your hooves
Cause tonight is the night were gonna jump on the roof
So the reindeer they were so proud and grand to take another trip all over the land
They jumped right into thier proper place to get hepped up for that midnight race
Ol' Santa he shook off the ice and snow boarded his sleigh and then yelled let's go
All the little toys were happy too cause they were so bright and new
A little piano then started to play ol' Santa began to swing and sway
Thought he heard a toy drum starting to beat
But he found it was just the rhythm of the reindeer feet
The reindeer boogied in the middle of the road tonight we have a mighty big load
Don't boogie to the left now boogie to the right
Do the reindeer boogie this Christmas eve night
The reindeer boogied...
Recorded by Hank Snow
Who-who-who (Who-who-who)
Who-who-who-who (Who-who-who-who)
A boy and girl were kissing beneath a linden tree
A lonely owl was watching a little jealously
It seemed that he was saying
I want my sweetheart too
But she's flown off with someone
I often wonder who
Who-who-who (Who-who-who-who)
The summer moon grew brighter, the owl looked down at me
He say that I was lonely, alone the same as he
He thought of his beloved
And as I thought of you
He asked the same old question
That I am asking you
The owl and I were blinking and fighting back the tears
We sat all night together like friends of many years
We both are hoping, someday
To find somebody new
Someone who'll make us happy
Another love, but who
Who-who-who (Who-who-who)
Who-who-who-who (Who-who-who-who)
The One Rose (That's Left in My Heart)
You’re as sweet as the red rose in June dear
I love you, adore you, I do
Each night through love land we’d wander, sweetheart
Telling love stories anew
Out of the blue skies a dark cloud came rolling
Breaking my heart in two
Don’t leave me alone,
I love only you
You’re the One Rose that’s left in my heart
Listen folks and I will tell a funny story
You may think it sad but I was in my glory
'Twas a cellar I crept in, cobwebs brushing by my chin
On the night I stole old Sammy Morgan's gin
As my hand fell on the jug I had to snicker
But when I started for the door I went much quicker
For just up above my head someone jumped right out of bed
On the night I stole old Sammy Morgan's gin
As I left that cellar believe me, I was liftin'
And the hops from one arm to the other shiftin'
Then I stopped and hauled the plug, sat there till I drained the jug
Had my mind all set, no spare drops I was missin'
Then on my feet I thought I was, but wasn't
And for roads, I guess I saw about a dozen
When I reached the old porch door I went smack-o on the floor
On the night I stole old Sammy Morgan's gin
I just made one step and landed in the coal box
Then from off the mantle came a Big Ben 'larm clock
But I finally got upstairs after passing seven bears
'Twas the night I stole old Sammy Morgan's gin
By my bedroom door an owl stood taking tickets
Then the monkey stood before me baking biscuits
But the funniest sight of all was two roosters playing ball
On the night I stole old Sammy Morgan's gin
I saw mice as big as horses washing dishes
As an ape came in the door dressed up in britches
Then the floor fell on my head as I tried to get in bed
'Twas the night I stole old Sammy Morgan's gin
Well, I woke next morning guess 'twas closer ev'nin'
And my room was certainly in an awful shape
Someone else had took my head and left an elephant's there instead
On the morning after drinking Sammy's gin
Words & Music by Cindy Walker
Recorded by Hank Snow
The next voice you hear will be your conscience
As you lie awake and try so hard to sleep.
And your unfaithful heart will have to listen
To those shabby little secrets that you keep!
You'll be tormented like you tormented me!
And the tears of shame will fall with ev'ry memory!
But the next voice you hear will make you listen
Till you wish that you had listened to me!
You'll be tormented...
(And you'll wish that you had listened to me)
If you listen a story I’ll tell you,
Of a girl who once lived in this land;
A girl who was once my sweetheart,
She was know as The Blue Velvet Band.
On her cheeks was the first flush of nature,
Her beauty, it seemed to expand,
Her hair hung down in long tresses,
Tied back with a blue velvet band.
I can still see those tears as we parted,
Of my heart broken Blue Velvet Band;
As I left I told her I’d never
Come back to my old home again.
Five years on the wide open spaces
Was all that my poor heart could stand,
every night as I lay on my pillow,
I would dream of my Blue Velvet Band.
Then one night as I lay down dreaming
Of home and poor mother and dad,
Like a flash by my bedside was standing
The form of my Blue Velvet Band.
I started next day for my darling,
Just to go back and make her my bride;
But as I reached the old country depot,
They told my my sweet heart has died.
They laid her to rest in the churchyard,
Midst the sweet summer flowers of the land;
On her finger the ring I had bought her,
On her head was a blue velvet band.
Written by Cy Coben
Recorded by Hank Snow
While looking through my jewelry drawer
Beneath some paper, there I saw
An address book I'd kept throughout the years
It listed all the girls on it
Friends, my list sure has grown
Each name brings back the laughter and the tears
There were girls that I'd romance with
Girls that I had dance with
Some whose face that I just can't recall
There were girls I kissed and lied to
Some I couldn't, and though I tried to
The name of the game was love
And I played it with them all
There was Mary, Martha, Diana, Eva, Josie
Hannah, Anna, Sally, Beth and Rosie
Bonnie, Connie, Susan and Cindy
You get Claudette, Emma and a Minsy
Janet, Gina, Ingrid or a Bessie
Florance, Fanny, surely gonna test us
Francie, Nora, Alice, even Dolly
Gertie, Gretchen, Carmelita and Molly
Girls of every nation, each one a new temptation
They were great, I sure had a ball
They are girls that I had courted
Girls whose marriage plans I hoarded
The name of the game was love
And I played it with them all
There was Betty, Ann, Carol and Yuanita
Cora, Dora, Grace and Rosilita
Mory, Margie, Lisa, Katie
Dottie, Lottie, Lynn and a Sadie
Henrietta, Mabel, Jane and a Alice
Daisy, Maizie, Mona and Cecilia
Lois, Liza, Laura and Leona
Vida, Vee, Louisa and Ramona
Penny, Janice, Silvia, Elmira
Etta, Gretta, Louise or Mira
Merle and Perle, and Leorial and Denise
Doris, Picta, Julia and Amy
Frances, Flora, Dontie, even Trudy
Barbara, Ethel, Ellen is a beauty
Katie, Camden and Athenalina
Georgia, Clara, Alba and Ema
Iris, Elise, Dorothy and Hilda
Olga, Donna, Lulu, Bella, Gilda
Eunice, Phoebe, Ida and a Eda
And I loved them all
And I loved them all
Written by Leiber - Stoller - Wheeler
Recorded by Hank Snow
The cowboy was drunk and braggin'
He told her he had a wagon
A wagon filled up with gold that he'd stole
And then covered all over with hay
She cried when she learned what he'd done that day
The girl who loved the man who robbed the bank
At Santa Fe and got away
Please take it all back she pleaded
Said his love was all she needed
But he said, "I only did it for you
So don't you look at me that way."
Because she loved him so, she said okay
The girl who loved the man who robbed the bank
At Santa Fe and got away
But that night while she lay in the arms of her man
He talked in his sleep and she discovered his plan
He talked in his sleep and gave himself away
When he talked of another girl waiting in San Jose
With the same loving hands that thrilled him
She picked up his gun and killed him
She killed him and threw his gold dust all over his body
Right there where it lay
She was the only mourner there that prayed
The girl who shot the man who robbed the bank
At Santa Fe and got away
Written and Recorded by Hank Snow
The Law Of Love has ruled again, dear,
You said goodbye and went your way.
In chains of sorrow you have bound me,
I'm a prisoner of your love today.
You said your mind had reached the verdict,
You've been the judge right from the start.
The sentence that you gave me, darlin',
Was a lap of tears and a broken heart.
I counted ev'ry star up yonder,
I've watched the moon in heaven so bright.
They seem to share the pain you left me,
That lingers in my heart tonight.
Perhaps some day you'll grant a pardon,
Perhaps someday bring back the key,
And open up this lock of love, dear,
And let this weary heart go free.
In the Dodge City Yards of the Santa Fe
Stood a freight made up for the east
And the engineer with his oil and waste
Was groomin' the great iron beast
While ten cars back in the murky dust
A boxcar door swung wide
And a hobo lifted his pal aboard
To start on his last long ride
A lantern swung and the freight pulled out
The engine, it gathered speed
The engineer pulled the throttle wide
And clucked to his fiery steed
Ten cars back in the empty box
The hobo rolled uphill
The flare of the match showed his partner's face
Stark white and deathly still
As the train wheels clicked on the couplin' joints
A song for the rambler's ear
The hobo talked to the still white form
His pal for many a year
(Spoken)
For a mighty long time, we've rambled, Jack
With the luck of men that roam
With the backdoor steps for a dining room
And a boxcar for a home
We dodged the bulls on the Eastern route
And the cops on the Chesapeake
We travelled the Leadville narrow gauge
In the days of Cripple Creek
We drifted down thru sunny Cal
On the rails of that old S. P.
And of all you had, thru good and bad
A half always belonged to me
You made me promise to you Jack
If I lived, and you cashed in
To take you back to the old church yard
And bury you there with your kin
You seemed to know I would keep my word
'Cause you said that I was right
Well, I'm keepin' my promise to you, pal
'Cause I'm takin' you home tonight
I haven't the money to send you there
So, I'm takin' you back on the fly
It's the decent way for a 'bo to go
Home to the by and by
I knew that that fever had you, Jack
And that doctor, he just wouldn't come
He was too busy treatin' the wealthy folks
To doctor a worn-out bum
As the train rolled over its ribbons of steel
Straight thru to the East it sped
The engineer in his high cab seat
Kept his eye on the rails ahead
While ten cars back in the empty box
A lonely hobo sighed
For the days of old and his pal, so cold
Who was takin' his last long ride
Recorded by Hank Snow / Jimmie Rodgers
Words and music by MacWilliams and Rodgers
[C] Riding on an East-bound freight train, [F] speeding thru the [C] night [F]
Hobo Bill, [C] a railroad bum, was [D] fighting for his [G7] life...
The [C] sadness of his eyes revealed the [F] torture of his [C] soul
He [F] raised a weak and [C] weary hand to [G7] brush away the [C] cold.
~ YODEL: [C] Ho-ho-o [G7] Bo-o-o [C] Bil-lie!
No warm lights flickered around him, no blankets there to fold
Nothing but, the howling wind and the driving rain, so cold ...
When he heard a whistle blowing, in a dreamy kind of way
The hobo seemed contented for he smiled there where he lay.
YODEL: [C] Ho-ho-o [G7] Bo-o-o [C] Bil-lie!
Outside the rain was fallin' on that lonesome boxcar door
But the little form of Hobo Bill lay still upon the floor...
As the train sped thru the darkness and the raging storm outside
No one knew that Hobo Bill was taking his last ride.
TRAIN WHISTLE
It was early in the mornin' when they raised the hobo's head
The smile still lingered on his face, but Hobo Bill was dead ...
There was no mother's longin', to soothe his weary soul
For he was just a railroad bum, who died out in the cold.
TRAIN WHISTLE fade
Words & Music by Hank Snow, Mary Jean Shurtz, and Boudleaux Bryant
Recorded by Hank Snow
You put your heart upon an auction block and sold it,
Selfish greed and envy were the auctioneers.
The highest bidder won your heart but he can't hold it;
Love that's bought with gold can only end in tears.
The price I offered was my true love and devotion,
But you laughed and said that love had had its day
When at your feet I laid a heart filled with emotion,
You scorned the only price that I could pay.
May the golden price he paid you for your love, dear,
Keep you with him, may you never drift apart;
'Cause at the auction of regrettal, tears are worthless,
Bids are low for second-handed broken hearts.
When all your wealth and riches cease to give you pleasure,
When you tire of playin' princess, you'll recall
That love alone is life's true everlasting treasure,
And my bid, it was the highest after all.
Words & Music by Hank Snow
Did I commit the greatest sin,
Was it on my wedding day,
I married someone else not you?
I I thougt I'd spied you there that day.
We quarrled,and I took the ring that you gave back to me,And gave it to
somebody who
has loved me faithfully.
I married her,But I love you,And I know you love me too.
Mine is the Greatest sin because,
I ruined her life mine and yours
music
We quarrled,and I took the ring that you gave back to me,and gave it to
somebody who loved me faithfully.I married her,but I love you,
And I know you love me too.
Mine is the greatest sin because,
I ruined her life mine and yours
Recorded by: Hank Snow
Written by Tony Austin
[C] The Warden made a comment
That the Governor sure does write a pretty [D] hand
As he [G] handed me the paper
That has given me my freedom, once a-[C] gain
The Governor said I'm sorry
That new evidence came seven years too [D] late
Go [G] home and start your life again
Revenge will only fill your heart with [C] hate.
As the train pulls into the station
I can see Peggy waiting there for me
But I can tell there's something wrong
She's not the happy girl she used to be
Peggy hasn't said much
As she drives along the road back to our farm
And she ignored the question
When I asked her where she got this pretty car.
As she pulled into the driveway
I can see she's planted flowers all around
I'm surprised to see good paint
I thought the place would surely be run down
I said Peggy you've done wonders
And I wonder how you've done it on your own
She said I had to hire a hand
I never could have run this farm alone.
CHANGE TO D:
[D] Then Peggy started cryin' and she said
There's something that you have to [E] see
There's a [A] little boy inside
And you should know that he is only [D] three
We went inside and Peggy said
I'm sorry but there's nothing I can [E] do
But if [A] you'll let us stay here
I'll try my best to make it up to [D] you.
The little boy looked frightened
At the thin man who has come in from the cold
He hides behind his mother's skirt
As she bends down to wipe his little nose
I said Peggy, I still love you
And I'll do my best to try to understand
For God has pardoned both of us
And don't the Governor write a pretty hand?
Then [A] Peggy dried her tears when I said
Don't the Governor write a pretty [D] hand?
[E] From old Montana down to Alabam'
I've [A] been before and I'll travel again
You [E] triflin' women can't keep a good man [B7] down
You [E] dealt the cards, but you missed the play
So [A] hit the road and be on your way
Gonna [E] board the Golden [B7] Rocket and leave this [E] town.
I was a good engine a-runnin' on time
But baby I'm switchin' to another line
So honey never hang your signal out for me
I'm tired of runnin' on the same old track
Bought a one-way ticket and I won't be back
This Golden Rocket's gonna roll my blues away.
Hear that lonesome whistle blow
That's your cue and by now you know
That I got another true lover waitin' in Tennessee
This Midnight Special's a-burnin' the rail
So woman don't try to follow my trail
This Golden Rocket's gonna roll my blues away.
Hear her thunder on through the night
This Golden Rocket is a-doin' me right
And that sunny old Southland sure is a part of me
Now from your call-board erase my name
Your fire went out, you done lost your flame
And this Golden Rocket is a-rollin' my blues away.
That old conductor, he seemed to know
You'd done me wrong, I was feelin' low
For he yelled aloud, "We're over that Dixon Line"
The brakeman started singing a song
Said "You're worried now, but it won't be long
This Golden Rocket is leavin' your blues behind."
Then the porter yelled with his southern drawl
Let's "rise and shine, good mornin', you-all"
And I sprang to my feet to greet the new-born day
When I kissed my baby in the station door
That whistle blew like it never before
On the Golden Rocket that rolled my blues away.
(Chorus)
Oh! the gold rush is over so honey bye bye
Stake out your claim now on some other guy
I've wined you and dined you 'til my money is gone
But the gold rush is over and the bum's rush is on
Now when I had the money honey, things were just fine
You spent my money like I was a mine
But now you mistreat me 'cause my money is gone
So gold-diggin' Mama, you can start moving' on
You shoveled out the sweet talk when the pay dirt was big
Now all you shovel out is just a dirty dig
Well, stop digging honey 'cause you're wasting your time
This old gravy train is at the end of the line
(Repeat Chorus)
You've been out prospecting all around on the side
But this old mule now, has had his last ride
So start walkin' woman 'cause your grubstake is gone
The gold rush is over and the bum's rush is on
(Repeat Chorus)
Recorded by Hank Snow
Author - Hugh Antoine D'Arcy
'Twas a balmy summer evening and a goodly crowd was there
Which well-nigh filled Joe's barroom on the corner of the square
And as songs and witty stories came through the open door
A vagabond crept slowly in and posed upon the floor.
"Where did it come from?" Someone said. "The wind has blown it in?"
"What does it want?" another cried, "Some whiskey, rum or gin?"
"Here, Toby, seek him, if your stomach's equal to the work!"
"I wouldn't touch him with a fork, why, he's as filthy as a Turk."
This badinage the poor wretch took with stoical good grace
In fact, he smiled as though he thought he'd struck the proper place
"Come, boys, I know there's kindly hearts among so good a crowd
Why, to be in such good company would make a deacon proud."
"Give me a drink - that's what I want - I'm out of funds, you know
When I had cash to treat the gang, this hand was never slow
What? You laugh as tho' you thought this pocket never held a sou
Why, I was fixed as well, my boys, as anyone of you."
"There, thanks - that's braced me nicely - God bless you one and all
Next time I pass this good saloon, I'll make another call
Give you a song? No, I can't do that - my singing days are past
My voice is cracked and my throat's worn out and my lungs are going fast.
"Say, Give me another whiskey and I'll tell you what I'll do
I'll tell you a funny story and a fact I promise, too
That I was ever a decent man, not a one of you would think
But, I was some four of five years back - say, give us another drink.
"Fill her up, Joe, I want to put some life into my frame
Such little drinks, to a bum like me, are miserably tame
Five fingers - there, that's the scheme - and corkin' whisky, too
Well, here's luck, boys; and landlord, my best regards to you.
"You've treated me pretty kindly and I'd like to tell you how
I came to be the dirty sot you see before you now
As I told you once, I was a man with a muscle, frame and health
And, but for a blunder, ought to have made considerable wealth.
"I was a painter - not one that daubed on bricks and wood
But an artist and for my age, was rated pretty good
I worked hard at my canvas and I was bidding fair to rise
'Coz gradually I saw the star of fame before my eyes.
"I made a picture perhaps you've seen, 'tis called the 'CHASE OF FAME'
It brought me fifteen hundred pounds and added to my name
And then I met a woman - now comes the funny part
With eyes that petrified my brain and sunk into my heart.
"Why don't you laugh? it's funny that the vagabond you see
Could ever love a woman and expect her love for me
But 'twas so, and for a month or two, her smiles were freely given
And when her loving lips touched mine it carried me to heaven.
"Boys, did you ever see a girl for whom your soul you'd give
With a form like the Milo Venus, too beautiful to live
With eyes like the purest of diamonds and a wealth of chestnut hair?
If so, 'twas she, for there never was another half so fair.
"I was working on a portrait one afternoon in May
Of a fair-haired boy, a friend of mine, who lived across the way
And Madeline admired it and much to my surprise
Said she'd like to know the man that had such dreamy eyes.
"It didn't take long to know him and before the month had flown
My friend had stole my darlin' and I was left alone
And ere a year of misery had passed above my head
The jewel that I had treasured so, had tarnished and was dead.
"That's why I took to drink, boys - why, I never saw you smile
I thought you'd be amused and laughing all the while
Why, what's the matter - friend? There's a teardrop in your eye
Come, laugh like me; why 'tis only babes and women that would cry.
"Say, boys, if you'd give me just another whiskey, I'll really be glad
And I'll draw right here a picture of the face that drove me mad
Give me that piece of chalk with which you mark the baseball score
And you shall see the lovely Madeline upon the barroom floor."
Another drink and with chalk in hand the vagabond began
To sketch a face that well might buy the soul of any man
And then as he placed another lock upon the shapely head
With a fearful shriek, he leaped and fell across the picture - dead.
Recorded by Hank Snow
Written by Frank Rose
You promised to love me to the end of the world
And I built a world just for two;
Now I’m alone at the end of the world
What good am I without you?
Gone are the vows that we made by the stars
Gone like a bolt from the blue;
Darlin’ I’m lost at the end of the world
But what good am I without you?
Now yesterday’s love is an old memory
Leaving me so heartsick and so blue;
But where can I turn at the end of the world
And what good is love without you?
So this is the end of a beautiful dream
A dream that can never come true;
I can’t go on to the end of the world
For the end of my world’s loving you.
In an old dusty attic of a tenement house
I happened to wander one day
And there on the rafters 'neath shavings and chips
A drunkard's poor little boy lay
Oh why are you lying up here in the cold
What makes you lie on this hard bed
My father's a drunkard and he beat me today
My darling old mother is dead
I'm hiding from father and please sir, don't tell
He beat me 'cause I would not steal
He said he would kill me the next I failed
And I'm so afraid sir, he will
I'm leaving you here, son, I sadly replied
But I will be back right away
But when I returned to the attic I found
That Jesus had been there that day
The chips and the shavings were there as before
And the little boy lie on his bed
With tears on his cheeks and his hands at his side
The poor little fellow was dead
A picture of mother lay close to his heart
A faint little note by his head
As I opened the paper, my eyes filled with tears
For these were the words that I read
I'm hiding with Jesus across the divide
With dear mother forever I'll dwell
And thank you dear mister for your kindness to me
And now it's alright if you tell
There are strange things done in the midnight sun
By the men who moil for gold;
The Arctic trails have their secret tales
That would make your blood run cold;
The Northern Lights have seen queer sights,
But the queerest they ever did see
Was that night on the marge of Lake Lebarge
I cremated Sam McGee.
Now Sam McGee was from Tennessee, where the cotton blooms and blows.
Why he left his home in the South to roam 'round the Pole, God only knows.
He was always cold, but the land of gold seemed to hold him like a spell;
Though he'd often say in his homely way that he'd "sooner live in hell".
On a Christmas Day we were mushing our way over the Dawson trail.
Talk of your cold! through the parka's fold it stabbed like a driven nail.
If our eyes we'd close, then the lashes froze till sometimes we couldn't see;
It wasn't much fun, but the only one to whimper was Sam McGee.
And that very night, as we lay packed tight in our robes beneath the snow,
And the dogs were fed, and the stars o'erhead were dancing heel and toe,
He turned to me, and "Cap," says he, "I'll cash in this trip, I guess;
And if I do, I'm asking that you won't refuse my last request."
Well, he seemed so low that I couldn't say no; then he says with a sort of moan:
"It's the cursed cold, and it's got right hold till I'm chilled clean through to the bone.
Yet 'tain't being dead -- it's my awful dread of the icy grave that pains;
So I want you to swear that, foul or fair, you'll cremate my last remains."
A pal's last need is a thing to heed, so I swore I would not fail;
And we started on at the streak of dawn; but God! he looked ghastly pale.
He crouched on the sleigh, and he raved all day of his home in Tennessee;
And before nightfall a corpse was all that was left of Sam McGee.
There wasn't a breath in that land of death, and I hurried, horror-driven,
With a corpse half hid that I couldn't get rid, because of a promise given;
It was lashed to the sleigh, and it seemed to say:
"You may tax your brawn and brains,
But you promised true, and it's up to you to cremate those last remains."
Now a promise made is a debt unpaid, and the trail has its own stern code.
In the days to come, though my lips were dumb, in my heart how I cursed that load.
In the long, long night, by the lone firelight, while the huskies, round in a ring,
Howled out their woes to the homeless snows -- O God! how I loathed the thing.
And every day that quiet clay seemed to heavy and heavier grow;
And on I went, though the dogs were spent and the grub was getting low;
The trail was bad, and I felt half mad, but I swore I would not give in;
And I'd often sing to the hateful thing, and it hearkened with a grin.
Till I came to the marge of Lake Lebarge, and a derelict there lay;
It was jammed in the ice, but I saw in a trice it was called the "Alice May".
And I looked at it, and I thought a bit, and I looked at my frozen chum;
Then "Here," said I, with a sudden cry, "is my cre-ma-tor-eum."
Some planks I tore from the cabin floor, and I lit the boiler fire;
Some coal I found that was lying around, and I heaped the fuel higher;
The flames just soared, and the furnace roared -- such a blaze you seldom see;
And I burrowed a hole in the glowing coal, and I stuffed in Sam McGee.
Then I made a hike, for I didn't like to hear him sizzle so;
And the heavens scowled, and the huskies howled, and the wind began to blow.
It was icy cold, but the hot sweat rolled down my cheeks, and I don't know why;
And the greasy smoke in an inky cloak went streaking down the sky.
I do not know how long in the snow I wrestled with grisly fear;
But the stars came out and they danced about ere again I ventured near;
I was sick with dread, but I bravely said: "I'll just take a peep inside.
I guess he's cooked, and it's time I looked"; . . . then the door I opened wide.
And there sat Sam, looking cool and calm, in the heart of the furnace roar;
And he wore a smile you could see a mile, and he said: "Please close that door.
It's fine in here, but I greatly fear you'll let in the cold and storm --
Since I left Plumtree, down in Tennessee, it's the first time I've been warm."
There are strange things done in the midnight sun
By the men who moil for gold;
The Arctic trails have their secret tales
That would make your blood run cold;
The Northern Lights have seen queer sights,
But the queerest they ever did see
Was that night on the marge of Lake Lebarge
Written by Fred Wise - Dewey Bergman - Milton Leeds
Recorded by Hank Snow
(Life lost its color when I lost my love)
White's for the wedding that I'll never see blue is for heartaches that she gave to me
Green were those two eyes that stole her away
Gray were the darks skies on that tragic day
Black was the gun that I drew from my side
Red fload the blood where's my false lover's died
Brown was the earth neath the grey skies above life lost its color when I lost my love
Black was the cloak on the old judge that day
White was my face when he said you must pay
Blue were the tears that I shed in myself red are the roses that other folks dwell
Gold was my hair when they first sentenced me it will be silver when they set me free
Gone is the rainbow that shone up above life lost its color when I lost my love
Life lost its color when I lost my love
This is the tale that was told to me by the man with the crystal eye,
As I smoked my pipe in the camp-fire light, and the Glories swept the sky;
As the Northlights gleamed and curved and streamed, and the bottle of "hooch" was dry.
A man once aimed that my life be shamed, and wrought me a deathly wrong;
I vowed one day I would well repay, but the heft of his hate was strong.
He thonged me East and he thonged me West; he harried me back and forth,
Till I fled in fright from his peerless spite to the bleak, bald-headed North.
And there I lay, and for many a day I hatched plan after plan,
For a golden haul of the wherewithal to crush and to kill my man;
And there I strove, and there I clove through the drift of icy streams;
And there I fought, and there I sought for the pay-streak of my dreams.
So twenty years, with their hopes and fears and smiles and tears and such,
Went by and left me long bereft of hope of the Midas touch;
About as fat as a chancel rat, and lo! despite my will,
In the weary fight I had clean lost sight of the man I sought to kill.
'Twas so far away, that evil day when I prayed to the Prince of Gloom
For the savage strength and the sullen length of life to work his doom.
Nor sign nor word had I seen or heard, and it happed so long ago;
My youth was gone and my memory wan, and I willed it even so.
It fell one night in the waning light by the Yukon's oily flow,
I smoked and sat as I marvelled at the sky's port-winey glow;
Till it paled away to an absinthe gray, and the river seemed to shrink,
All wobbly flakes and wriggling snakes and goblin eyes a-wink.
'Twas weird to see and it 'wildered me in a queer, hypnotic dream,
Till I saw a spot like an inky blot come floating down the stream;
It bobbed and swung; it sheered and hung; it romped round in a ring;
It seemed to play in a tricksome way; it sure was a merry thing.
In freakish flights strange oily lights came fluttering round its head,
Like butterflies of a monster size--then I knew it for the Dead.
Its face was rubbed and slicked and scrubbed as smooth as a shaven pate;
In the silver snakes that the water makes it gleamed like a dinner-plate.
It gurgled near, and clear and clear and large and large it grew;
It stood upright in a ring of light and it looked me through and through.
It weltered round with a woozy sound, and ere I could retreat,
With the witless roll of a sodden soul it wantoned to my feet.
And here I swear by this Cross I wear, I heard that "floater" say:
"I am the man from whom you ran, the man you sought to slay.
That you may note and gaze and gloat, and say `Revenge is sweet',
In the grit and grime of the river's slime I am rotting at your feet.
"The ill we rue we must e'en undo, though it rive us bone from bone;
So it came about that I sought you out, for I prayed I might atone.
I did you wrong, and for long and long I sought where you might live;
And now you're found, though I'm dead and drowned, I beg you to forgive."
So sad it seemed, and its cheek-bones gleamed, and its fingers flicked the shore;
And it lapped and lay in a weary way, and its hands met to implore;
That I gently said: "Poor, restless dead, I would never work you woe;
Though the wrong you rue you can ne'er undo, I forgave you long ago."
Then, wonder-wise, I rubbed my eyes and I woke from a horrid dream.
The moon rode high in the naked sky, and something bobbed in the stream.
It held my sight in a patch of light, and then it sheered from the shore;
It dipped and sank by a hollow bank, and I never saw it more.
This was the tale he told to me, that man so warped and gray,
Ere he slept and dreamed, and the camp-fire gleamed in his eye in a wolfish way--
I took a contract to bury the body of blasphemous Bill MacKie,
Whenever, wherever or whatsoever the manner of death he die
Whether he die in the light o' day or under the peak-faced moon;
In cabin or dance-hall, camp or dive, mucklucks or patent shoon;
On velvet tundra or virgin peak, by glacier, drift or draw;
In muskeg hollow or canyon gloom, by avalanche, fang or claw;
By battle, murder or sudden wealth, by pestilence, hooch or lead
I swore on the Book I would follow and look till I found my tombless dead.
For Bill was a dainty kind of cuss, and his mind was mighty sot
On a dinky patch with flowers and grass in a civilized bone-yard lot.
And where he died or how he died, it didn't matter a damn
So long as he had a grave with frills and a tombstone "epigram".
So I promised him, and he paid the price in good cheechako coin
(Which the same I blowed in that very night down in the Tenderloin).
Then I painted a three-foot slab of pine: "Here lies poor Bill MacKie",
And I hung it up on my cabin wall and I waited for Bill to die.
Years passed away, and at last one day came a squaw with a story strange,
Of a long-deserted line of traps 'way back of the Bighorn range;
Of a little hut by the great divide, and a white man stiff and still,
Lying there by his lonesome self, and I figured it must be Bill.
So I thought of the contract I'd made with him, and I took down from the shelf
The swell black box with the silver plate he'd picked out for hisself;
And I packed it full of grub and "hooch", and I slung it on the sleigh;
Then I harnessed up my team of dogs and was off at dawn of day.
You know what it's like in the Yukon wild when it's sixty-nine below;
When the ice-worms wriggle their purple heads through the crust of the pale blue snow;
When the pine-trees crack like little guns in the silence of the wood,
And the icicles hang down like tusks under the parka hood;
When the stove-pipe smoke breaks sudden off, and the sky is weirdly lit,
And the careless feel of a bit of steel burns like a red-hot spit;
When the mercury is a frozen ball, and the frost-fiend stalks to kill
Well, it was just like that that day when I set out to look for Bill.
Oh, the awful hush that seemed to crush me down on every hand,
As I blundered blind with a trail to find through that blank and bitter land;
Half dazed, half crazed in the winter wild, with its grim heart-breaking woes,
And the ruthless strife for a grip on life that only the sourdough knows!
North by the compass, North I pressed; river and peak and plain
Passed like a dream I slept to lose and I waked to dream again.
River and plain and mighty peak--and who could stand unawed?
As their summits blazed, he could stand undazed at the foot of the throne of God.
North, aye, North, through a land accurst, shunned by the scouring brutes,
And all I heard was my own harsh word and the whine of the malamutes,
Till at last I came to a cabin squat, built in the side of a hill,
And I burst in the door, and there on the floor, frozen to death, lay Bill.
Ice, white ice, like a winding-sheet, sheathing each smoke-grimed wall;
Ice on the stove-pipe, ice on the bed, ice gleaming over all;
Sparkling ice on the dead man's chest, glittering ice in his hair,
Ice on his fingers, ice in his heart, ice in his glassy stare;
Hard as a log and trussed like a frog, with his arms and legs outspread.
I gazed at the coffin I'd brought for him, and I gazed at the gruesome dead,
And at last I spoke: "Bill liked his joke; but still, goldarn his eyes,
A man had ought to consider his mates in the way he goes and dies."
Have you ever stood in an Arctic hut in the shadow of the Pole,
With a little coffin six by three and a grief you can't control?
Have you ever sat by a frozen corpse that looks at you with a grin,
And that seems to say: "You may try all day, but you'll never jam me in"?
I'm not a man of the quitting kind, but I never felt so blue
As I sat there gazing at that stiff and studying what I'd do.
Then I rose and I kicked off the husky dogs that were nosing round about,
And I lit a roaring fire in the stove, and I started to thaw Bill out.
Well, I thawed and thawed for thirteen days, but it didn't seem no good;
His arms and legs stuck out like pegs, as if they was made of wood.
Till at last I said: "It ain't no use--he's froze too hard to thaw;
He's obstinate, and he won't lie straight, so I guess I got to saw."
So I sawed off poor Bill's arms and legs, and I laid him snug and straight
In the little coffin he picked hisself, with the dinky silver plate;
And I came nigh near to shedding a tear as I nailed him safely down;
Then I stowed him away in my Yukon sleigh, and I started back to town.
So I buried him as the contract was in a narrow grave and deep,
And there he's waiting the Great Clean-up, when the Judgment sluice-heads sweep;
And I smoke my pipe and I meditate in the light of the Midnight Sun,
And sometimes I wonder if they was, the awful things I done.
And as I sit and the parson talks, expounding of the Law,
CHORUS
Hear, hear, hear, the alphabet
Taken from the Good Book of the Lord
Hear, hear, hear, the alphabet
Taken from the Good Book of the Lord
A is for Adam and he was the first man
B for the brimstone that rained on the land
C is for Cain, he slew his brother you know
D is for Daniel who the lions let go
E is for Elijah, up to heaven he went
F for the furnace where Shadrach was sent
G for Goliath, by a boy he was slain
H is for Hannah who prayed out in vain
CHORUS
Hear, hear, hear, the alphabet
Taken from the Good Book of the Lord
Hear, hear, hear, the alphabet
Taken from the Good Book of the Lord
I is for Isaac whom the Lord didn't fail
J is for Jonah and he lived in a whale
K is for Kingdom that divided us all
L is for Lydia who listened to Paul
M is for Moses, saw the light in the dark
N is for Noah who built the great ark
O is for Obadiah and the prophets he fed
P is for Peter and the tears that he shed
CHORUS
Hear, hear, hear, the alphabet
Taken from the Good Book of the Lord
Hear, hear, hear, the alphabet
Taken from the Good Book of the Lord
Q for Queen of Sheba and the wisdom she sought
R is for Ruth and all the good that she brought
S is for Stephen for he suffered anew
T is for trumpet that at Jericho blew
U for Uriah who made the wish dead
V is for Vengeance, is mine the Lord said
W is for Wisdom, that was Solomon's skill
X for the cross on Calvary's Hill
CHORUS
Hear, hear, hear, the alphabet
Taken from the Good Book of the Lord
Hear, hear, hear, the alphabet
Taken from the Good Book of the Lord
Y is for Yosep by his brother was sold
Z for Zacharia who shared all his gold
Now id you payed attention and you listened to me
Then you have had the bible from A to Z.
CHORUS
Hear, hear, hear, the alphabet
Taken from the Good Book of the Lord
Hear, hear, hear, the alphabet
Taken from the Good Book of the Lord
Hear, hear, hear, the alphabet
Taken from the Good Book of the Lord
Hear, hear, hear, the alphabet
Don't forget me little darling while I'm growing old and gray
Just a little thought before I'm going far away
I'll be waiting on the hillside where the wild red roses grow
On the sunny side of the mountains where the rippling waters flow
Don't forget about those days we courted many years ago
Don't forget all those promises you gave me and so
I'll be waiting on the hillside for the day you will call
On the sunny side of the mountain where the rippling waters fall
Please tell me darling in your letter do you think of me
Please answer little darling tell me where you can be
It's been so long since I've seen you but your love still lingers on
Words and Music by Hank Snow
Boys I was born in Texas State, Many years ago,
I've rode on ev'ry range and plain, There's no place I don't know;
I love to swing the lariat, that's all I'll ever do,
I'm a two-gun singing cowboy and I've never had the blues.
For I hop on my old Pinto, And o'er the plains we ride,
Just swingin' in the saddle, my guitar hangs by my side;
Old Pinto's always willing, as for me I'm never sad,
You'll find there beats an honest heart in this old Texas lad.
I sleep out on the rolling plains, My blanket for a bed,
Waiting for the break of day To ride out to the herd;
I'll mount my old cow-pony, wear my boots and Stetson too,
And ride all day on Texas plains beneath the skies of blue.
Now when my cheque of life I cash for the land beyond the sky,
I'm goin; to ride old Pinto out across that Great Divide;
I'll ride the last great Round-up far across the Golden Plains,
Well boys, I hope you liked my song, I'm on my way again.
O lee ay lee o, lee ay lee ay lee o, lee ay lee ay lee o, lee o dee hee,
O ay lee o, lee ay lee o lee o, lee o lee ay lee o -- lee o dee hee.
O lee ay lee o, lee ay lee ay lee o, lee ay lee ay lee o, lee o dee hee,
O ay lee o, dee o lee, ay lee o, dee o dee hee.
Down in old southern Texas I wandered one day,
Where the tropical sea breezes blow.
I there fell in love with a flower so rare
And they called her the Galveston rose.
Her heart was as true as her blue smiling eyes
And as fair as the lily that grows.
And the finest of gold in no way could compare
With the curls of my Galveston rose.
I grew jealous and falsely accused her one day,
Said her love I no longer should know.
I’ve been true please believe me her little heart cried
But I left her my Galveston rose.
Little then did I think that sometimes I’d repay
And would reap every sorrow and care;
But as years passed along I grew lonely each day
For the one I had left waiting there.
So I wrote to my darling and said I was wrong,
I’ll return dear if you’ll only wed.
But soon came a letter my flower had died
And these are the words that I read.
Your sweetheart is peacefully sleeping tonight
In a grave where the white violets grow;
And enclosed, there’s a curl a last token of love,
And a note from your Galveston Rose.
I was innocent dear though you left me alone,
But remember I loved only you.
And the lock that’s enclosed is a curl from your rose,
Who’ll be waiting in heaven for you…
Frosty the snowman was a jolly happy soul
With a corncob pipe and a button nose and two eyes made out of coal
Frosty the snowman was a fairy tale they say
He was made of snow but the children know how he come to life one day
There must have been some magic in that old silk that they found
For when they placed it on his head he began to dance around
Frosty the snowman was alive as he could be
And the children say he could laugh and play just the same as you and me
[ ac.guitar - piano ]
Frosty the snowman knew the sun was hot that day
So he said let's run and we'll have some fun now before I melt away
Down to the village with a broomstick in his hand
Running here and there all around the square saying catch me if you can
He led them down the streets of town right up to the traffic cop
And he only paused a moment when he heard him holler stop
Frosty the snowman had to hurry on his way
Written by Merle Haggard
Recorded by Hank Snow
I thought I w-as through missing you
I thought I was through being blue
C G7
And t-hen someone ment-ioned your n-ame
Some careless friend just chanced to say
That t-hey saw you the other day
C G7
And t-hey said you looked just the same
C F
Then I remem-bered your arms and how they held me dear
C D7 G7
But the memory only brought me that same old empty fear
C F
Now I’m right back where I started that awful day we parted
C G7 C
And all because they men-tioned your name
I told myself the hurt was gone
That not one memory lingered on
C G7
And t-hen someone ment-ioned your n-ame
They didn’t mean to tear away
The veil that hid my yesterday
C G7
But there it was with all the same old pain
C F
For I remem-bered your kiss on the day we said goodbye
C D7 G7
Was the l-ast glowing ember of a flame that had to d-ie
C F
Now I’m right back where I started that awful day we parted
C G7 C
And all because they men-tioned your name
Written by Rusty Keefer - Ruth Keefer
Recorded by Hank Snow
Blue rose of the Rio I can see her now
As she looked that day when I rode away through a golden dawn
It was there by the Rio that we made our vows
Then we kissed goodbye what a fool was I fore I traveled on
I should have known as we kissed such heaven as this could only be
Paradise's lost if it would tossed away so free
Must I wish for manana that will never come true
Blue rose of the Rio my answer is you
(I should have known...
Written by Bob Miller
Recorded by Hank Snow
Sitting alone in an old rockin' chair I saw an old mother with silvery hair
She seemed so neglected by those who should care rocking alone in an old rockin' chair
Her hands were caloused and wrinckled and old
A life full of hard work were the story they told
And I've thought of angels as I saw her there rocking alone in an old rockin' chair
Bless her old heart do you think she'd complain
Though life has been bitter she'd live it again
And carry the cross that is more than her share rockin' alone in an old rockin' chair
(It wouldn't take much just to gladden her heart
Just some small re-embrace on somebody's heart)
A letter would brighten her empty heart there rocking alone in an old rockin' chair
I know some youngsters in an orphan's home
Would think they owned heaven if she were their own
They'd never be willing till let her sit there rocking alone in an old rockin' chair
I look at her and I think what a shame
The ones who forgot her she loves just the same
And I think of angels as I see her there rocking alone in an old rockin' chair
Rocking alone in an old rockin' chair
Recorded by Hank Snow
HER EYES LOOKED AT MINE WITH A COLD VACANT STARE
I'D STILL LIKE TO KNOW WHAT I SAW IN HER THERE
SHE WAS'ANT OUTSTANDING HER FEATURES WERE SMALL
AND PERSONALITY WISE SHE HAD NOTHING AT ALL
BUT TWO PEOPLE THAT NIGHT ME AND GOD ABOVE
KNEW THIS WAS THE WOMAN THAT I'D ALWAYS LOVE
FOR WHO CAN EXPLAIN WHAT GOES ON IN YOUR HEART
THAT CAN CAUSE A WOMAN TO TEAR YOU APART
IN A SWANK POKER CLUB WHERE IT'S LEGAL TO PLAY
AND THE SUCKERS AND BOOZE TURN THE NIGHT INTO DAY
THERE I LED WITH MY HEART WHEN THE BIG CHIPS WERE DOWN
AND I LOST TO THE QUEEN OF DRAW POKER TOWN
I WAS SOON TO FIND OUT WHY THEY GAVE HER THAT NAME
SHE WAS HOOKED ON THE CARDS AND LIVED FOR THE GAME
I THOUGHT SHE MIGHT CHANGE BUT IT'S NOW PLAIN TO SEE
THE DECK HAD BEEN STACKED AND THE JOKER WAS ME
MY BILLS ARE UNPAID AND THE RENT MONEY'S GONE
THE BREAD BOX IS EMPTY AND OUR CLOTHES ARE IN PAWN
AND NIGHT AFTER NIGHT YOU'LL FIND ME ALONE
JUST WALKING THE FLOOR UNTIL SHE GETS HOME
DAY AFTER DAY I KEEP TELLIN MYSELF LET HER GO BREAK AWAY
LET THE SUCKERS AND BOOZE TURN THE NIGHT INTO DAY
BUT SPEAKIN OF FOOLS YOU CAN HAND ME THE CROWN
FOR I STILL LOVE THE QUEEN OF DRAW POKER TOWN
NOW HERE IS A WOMAN WHO LIVES WITHOUT SHAME
A SICK MIND A SLAVE TO THE DRAW POKER GAME
DAY AND NIGHT THERE SHE SIT WITH HER COVETED CHIPS
AND THE CIGARETTE SMOKE BILLOWS OUT FROM HER LIPS
A PITIFUL SITE FROM HER HEAD TO HER FEET
I KNOW SHE WOULD RATHER PLAY POKER THAN EAT
BUT I ALSO KNOW WELL BUT I CANT TELL YOU WHY
I'LL LIVE JUST FOR HER UNTIL THE DAY THAT I DIE
THE LANDLORD CAN WAIT I'LL RUN AND I'LL HIDE
WHO CARES IF THE BREAD BOX IS EMPTY INSIDE
I'LL STAY HOME ALONE I'LL GO WITHOUT SHOES
I'VE GOT NOTHING TO GAIN BUT NO MORE TO LOSE
TILL THE DAY SHE PLAYS HER LAST HAND HER LAST CARD IS DRAWN
TILL I'VE SOLD MY LAST SHIRT AND MY LAST BUCK IS GONE
I'LL BE KING OF THE FOOLS AND I'LL NEVER SIT DOWN
FOR I WORSHIP THE QUEEN OF DRAW POKER TOWN
Mother dear come bathe my forehead for I'm growing very weak
Mother let one drop of water fall upon my burning cheek
Tell my loving little playmates that I never more shall play
Give them all my toys but mother put my little shoes away
(Do will do this mother won't you put my little shoes away)
Give them all my toys but mother put my little shoes away
[ vibes ]
Santa Claus he brought them to me with a lot of other things
And I think he brought an angel with a pair of golden wings
Mother soon I'll be an angel by perhaps another day
So you my dearest mother put my little shoes away
Kind friends you have heard the story,
And the song called Twenty One Years,
All of how two lovers parted,
Of their sorrow, pain and tears.
I am another who’s heartbroken,
And I’m in this lonesome jail;
I was the honest ranger,
Tried for fame but soon I failed.
I was a cowboy singer,
And I played the old guitar,
But my mind was set on roaming,
I started out for lands a-far.
Soon fell with bad companions,
And we robbed the Western mail;
Shot and killed some helpless lady,
as i think my face grows pale.
I had a pretty sweet heart,
and she though the world of me,
But we parted at the station,
Down in sunny Tennessee.
Last night from her I got a letter,
Saying, “I can never be your bride;”
As the moon shone though my window,
I bowed my head and cried.
Never more we’ll stroll together;
Down in dear old Lover’s Lane,
I must spend my life in prison,
I pray on high we’ll meet again.
Written by Fred Rose
Recorded by Hank Snow
[G]I know not where on earth to find you
I know not how or when to start
I only know I'm here with[C]out you
I've got [D7]pins and needles in my [G]heart
[G]The days and nights are growing longer
Since first you said that we must part
I only know I can't for[C]get you
With these [D7]pins and needles in my [G]heart
[G]I always see your face before me
Your smile is heaven's work of art
But now you're smiling at an[C]other
And there's [D7]pins and needles in my [G]heart
[G]Sometime somewhere we'll meet again dear
Then love will make the teardrops start
Someday you'll know how long I've [C]waited
With these [D7]pins and needles in my [G]heart
Words & Music by Hank Snow
Old Father Time has seen a million, million hearts
Break with pain down the highway of years.
I never dreamed that the love I thought was true
Would deceive and just leave me these tears.
The little seeds of happiness I grew with tender care
Have withered now that fate has played its part.
And my bud of love has closed, I have lost THE ONLY ROSE
That was blooming in the garden of my heart.
Mister Moon, I wonder, as you gaze from up above
On my broken heart that love has cast away.
If there's just one trace of sadness on my darlings face tonight,
Will she bloom within my heart again some day.
Will the weeds and briars vanish where the tears of sorrow fell,
And let the seeds of romance play its part.
Or must I go on living with just mem'ries of a rose
That once blossomed in the garden of my heart.
He was just an old country doctor in a little Kentucky town
Fame and fortune had passed him by though we never saw him frown
As day by day in his kindly way he'd serve us one and all
Many a patient forgot to pay although Doc's fees were small
But old Doc Brown didn't seem to mind he didn't even send out bills
His only ambition was to find seems for sure cures for aches and ills
Wy neerly half the folks in my home town,yes i'm one of them too
Was ushered in by old Doc Brown when we made our first debut
Though he needed his dimes and there were times that he'd receive a fee
He'd pass it onto some poor soul that needed it worse than he
So when the depression hit our town and drained each maiger purse
The scanty income of old Doc Brown just went from bad to worse
He had to sell all his furniture why he couldn't pay his office rent
So to a dusty room over a livery stable Doc Brown and his satchel went
On the hitchin' post at the curb below to advertise his wares
He nailed a little sign that read Doc Brown has moved upstairs
There he kept on helping folk get well his heart was just pure gold
But any one with eyes could see that Doc was getting old
And then one day he didn't answer when they knocked upon his door
Old Doc Brown was layin' down but his soul was no more
They found him there in that old black suit on his face was a smile of content
But all the money they could find on him was a quarter and a copper cent
So they opened up his ledger and what they saw gave their hearts a pull
Beside each debtor's name old Doc had write these words Paid In Full
It looked like the potters field Doc that caused us some alarm
So someone remembered the grave yard out on the Simons farm
Old Doc had brought six of their children, Simons was a greatful cuss
He said Doc's been like one of the family so you can let him sleep with us
Old Doc should had a funeral fine enough for king
It's a ghastly joke our town was broke and no one could give a thing
Cept Jones an undertaker he did mighty well
Donated an old iron casket he had never been able to sell
And the funeral procession it wasn't much for grace and pomp and the style
But those wagon loads of mourners they stretched out for more than a mile
And we breath a prayer as we laid him there to rest beneath the sod
This man who earned the right to be on speaking turm with God
His graved was covered with flowers but not from the floral shops
Just roses and things from folk garden and one or two dandelion tops
For the depression hit our town hard and each man carried a load
So some just picked the wild flowers as they passed along the road
We wanted to give him a monument we kinda figured we owed him one
Cause he made our town a better place for all the good he'd done
But monuments cast money so we did the best we could
On his grave we placed a monument of wood
We pulled up that old hitchin' post where Doc had nailed a sign
We painted it white and to all of us it certainly did look fine
Now the rains and the snows have washed away our white trimmin's of paint
There ain't nothin' left but Doc's own sign and that's gettin' faint
Still when southern breezes and twinkling stars caress our sleeping town
And the pale moon shines through Kentucky pines on the grave of old Doc Brown
You can still see that old hitchin' post as if in answer to our prayers
Written by R. Redd and M. Torok
Recorded by Hank Snow
Here she comes the mysterious lady from St. Martinique
When she goes a-strollin' the eyes are all rollin' at her for a peek
When she goes a-walkin' the island starts talkin' admiring the golden physique
Of the mysterious lady from St. Martinique
Hey' what is she doin' and who is she wooin'
That's what we'd all like to know
Buyin' papyias while all of our eyes are on her
From her head to toe
And who is she winin' and who is she dinin'
Down in her shack by the sea
Nobody knows it and she never shows it
She's spreadin' her table for me
Here she comes the mysterious lady from St. Martinique
When she goes a-strollin' the eyes are all rollin' at her for a peek
When she goes a-walkin' the island starts talkin' admiring the golden physique
Of the mysterious lady from St. Martinique
Who is she seein', how cruel she is bein'
About our secret affair
No one suspects me, she even protects me
From men knowin' I'm goin' there
I schetch the features while she sweetly teaches me
How to pour rum over ice
She tries to hide it and I don't confide it
But my love, the lady is mine
Here she comes the mysterious lady from St. Martinique
When she goes a-strollin' the eyes are all rollin' at her for a peek
When she goes a-walkin' the island starts talkin' admiring the golden physique
Of the mysterious lady from St. Martinique
Of the mysterious lady from St. Martinique
There's a place I'll always cherish, 'neath the blue Atlantic sky
Where the shores down in Cape Breton bid the golden sun to rise
And the fragrance of the apple blossoms sprays the dew-kissed lawns
Back in dear old Nova Scotia, a place where I was born
The Scotian and the Ocean Limited, and the Maritime Express
Their mighty engines throbbing, make their way towards the west
And the sturdy fishin' schooners, sways so laz'ly to and fro'
Nova Scotia is my sanctuary, and I love her so
For across the great Dominion, I have traveled far and wide
Where the shores out in Vancouver, kiss the blue Pacific tide
I have crossed the snow-capped Rockies, saw the wheat fields' golden blaze
Headed back to Nova Scotia, where contented cattle graze
Where the pretty robin red breast, seeks its' loved ones in the trees
And the French di'lect in old Quebec, keeps callin' out to me
It seems to say, be on your way, there's a welcome at the door
Where the kinfolks are a-waiting on that gay Atlantic shore
Down through beautiful New Brunswick and across the P.E.I.
To the rock-bound coasts of Newfoundland, I'll love them till I die
But if God came here on Earth with us and asked if he could rest
I'd take him to my Nova Scotia home, the place that I love best
Written by B. Peterson and B. Bergantine
Recorded by Hank Snow
Evening shadows make me blue
When each weary day is through
How I long to be with you, my happiness
Every day I reminisce
Dreaming of your tender kiss
Always thinking how I miss my happiness
A million years it seems
Have gone by since we shared our dreams
But I‚ll hold you again
There‚ll be no blue memories then
Whether skies are gray or blue
Any place on earth will do
Just as long as I‚m with you, my happiness
Whether skies are gray or blue
Any place on earth will do
Just as long as I‚m with you, my happiness
Written by Clarke VanNess
Recorded by Hank Snow
Mother I'm leaving and I'm proud to go please don't be grieving I love you so
Here in this pocket over my heart is the Bible you gave me your gift as we part
My country needs me you know that's true pray for me mother till this war is through
God will protect me you must be brave mother I thank you for the Bible you gave
Mother I'm writing this letter to say I love my Bible I read it each day
And when I read it my body's drawn near the blessed scripture they love to hear
Mids all this turmoil of earthly things what peace and comfort the Holy word brings
Mother don't worry I will be saved mother I thank you for the Bible you gave
Mother when battle just has been won you'll have a hero now for a son
I have been wounded left there for that God in his mercy spared me instead
My Bible saved me it played its part it's stopped the bullet aimed at my heart
Your blessed present my life has saved mother I thank you for the Bible you gave
Recorded by Hank Snow
Moanin' my life slowly away
Sittin' here waitin' for the new commin' day
They try to cheer me as I trudge on my way
Moanin' for you
Can't seem to hide it and why should I try
Good Lord, he knows it up there in the sky
A million heartaches with your last goodbye
Left me moanin' for you
Work these poor fingers way down to the bone
When things seemed right my whole world went wrong
Then I found your letter, baby, sayin' so long
I've been moanin' for you
They find me alone at the close of the day
Countin' each petal from your rose bouquet
Guess I'll be here till eternity
Moanin' for you
This ole rockin' chair, I have rocked it apart
The last spark of flame in my fireplace is dark
But this old flame that's burnin' deep down in my heart
Keeps me moanin' for you
Work these poor fingers way down to the bone
When things seemed right my whole world went wrong
Then I found your letter, baby, sayin' so long
I've been moanin' for you
Oh you Mississippi River, with waters so deep and wide
My thoughts of you keep risin', just like an evening tide
I'm just like a seagull that's left the sea
Oh your muddy waters keep on callin'me
I'm gonna pack my grip and head that way
You'll see me hanging 'round again some day
'Cause I know that's the only way to lose
The Mississippi river blues
I've often ridden on your bosom
From Memphis down to New Orleans
Floating over muddy waters, drifting through familiar scenes
And when I hear that whistle of an old steamboat
Down that Mississippi river again I'm a-going to float
I'm gonna pack my grip and head that way
You'll see me hanging 'round again some day
'Cause I know that's the only way to lose
That mean old Mississippi river blues
(Dave Burgess)
Love is so elusive but it's worth the effort
Once you find the key
Awakening to feel a touch and taste the sweetness
Won't come easily.
So hold it gently in your hand
Or it might slip away into the night
Yes, love is so elusive that it won't return
Once it's out of sight.
Love is like a soft caress a fevered kiss
A flame that burns your mind
A whispered promise telling you that you'll be
Leaving loneliness behind.
A brief look at tomorrow like a dream
Or perhaps an answered prayer
Though love is so elusive there's not doubt
About it once it's really there.
So just reach out and touch it
Watch it grow from just a tiny little seed
Yes, love is so elusive but it's everything
In your life you really need.
--- Instrumental Steel ---
Love is like a little bird that seems
To feel the urge to fly away
Searching for the arms to hold it tenderly
And make it want to stay.
Love is like the petals from a rose
Just a fragile work of art
Yes, love is so elusive but it's most content
When nearest to your heart.
So just reach out and touch it
Watch it grow from just a tiny little seed
Yes, love is so elusive but it's everything
In your life you really need.
Yes, love is so elusive but it's everything
In life you really need...
I was ridin' Number Nine
Headin' south from Caroline
I heard that lonesome whistle blow
Got in trouble had to roam
Left my gal and left my home
I heard that lonesome whistle blow
Just a kid actin' smart
I went and broke my darlin's heart
I guess I was too young to know
They took me off the Georgia Main
Locked me to a ball and chain
I heard that lonesome whistle blow
All alone I bear the shame
I'm a number not a name
I heard that lonesome whistle blow
All I do is sit and cry
When the ev'ning train goes by
I heard that lonesome whistle blow
I'll be locked here in this cell
'Til my body's just a shell
And my hair turns whiter than the snow
I'll never see that gal of mine
Lord, I'm in Georgia, doin' time
I heard that lonesome whistle blow
(Hank Snow)
I don't know much on religion and I ain't never had no show
But I got a middlin' tight grip sir on the handful of things that I know
I don't pan out on the prophets good will and that sort of thing
But I believe in God and the angels ever since one night last spring.
I come into town with some turnips and my little Gabe came along
No four year old in this country could beat him for purty and strong
Pert and chipper and sassy and always ready to swear and fight
And I learned him to chaw tobaccy just to keep his teeth milk white.
The snow came down like a blanket as I passed by Taget's store
I went in for a jug of molasses and I left the team at the door
But they scared at somethin' and started and I heard one little squeal
And lickety split over the prairie went team Little Britches and all.
Yes lickety split over the prairie I was almost froze with skeer
But we rousted up some torches and we searched from far and near
At last we struck hosses and wagon snowed under a soft white mound
Upsot dead beat but of little Gabe no hide nor hair could be found.
And here all hope soured on me of findin' my little Gabe
So I just flopped down on my marrow bones
And crotched deep in the snow and prayed
By this time the torches was played out and me and Israel Par
Went off with some wood to a sheep fold that he said was somewhere thar.
We found it at last in a little shed where they shut up the lambs at night
We looked in and seen them huddled there so warm and sleepy and white
And there sot Little Britches and chirped as pert as ever you see
I wants a chaw of tobaccy and that's what's the matter of me.
How did he get there angels he could never have walked in that storm
They just scooped down and toted him to where it was safe and warm
And I think that savin a little child and fodging him to his own
Is a dern sight better business than loafin' around the throne...
Witten and Recorded by Hank Snow
(A) Linda Lou, honest true,
I’m just wild about your lovely eyes of (E7) blue,
For your smile, I’d walk miles,
For my honey child I’m glad to be with (A) you,
(A) As long as you are by my side I (D) have no cause to pine,
I (B7) point you out with so much pride,
And (E7) tell the world you're mine,
Linda (A) Lou , honest true,
I’m in (B7) love with you a-(E7) lone sweet Linda (A) Lou.
(A) I’ve waited a (D) long time for you (A) darlin',
But (E7) never knew exactly what you’d (A) be,
Now that you have (D) come to me my (A) darlin',
You ‘re a (B7) wee bit of heaven to (E7) me;
Linda (A) Lou, honest true,
You’re the first in every thought I have to-(E7) day,
You’re so sweet, and so neat ,
That I thank the LORD for sending you my (A)way,
Some day you’ll know the way I feel deep (D) down within your heart ,
To (B7) be with you when shadows steal and (E7) know we’ll never part ,
Linda (A) Lou , honest true,
I’m in (B7) love with you a- (E7) lone sweet Linda (A) Lou.
(Jack Rollins - Hank Snow)
We sat a table in Lindy's and I ordered up dinners for two
My guest was a grimy intruder who had ask me to buy him a stew
But some how I pitied the beggar so shabbly dressed and so old
And I ask him the cause of his trouble and this is the story he told.
I know what it means to be happy I once had a wife and some dough
We did a trapeze act together and we circled the globe with a show
But long years of dangerous acting had tired us of roaming around
And this was to be our last season we'd pack in and stay on the ground.
We'd pick out a home in the country and one or two kids would be swell
She lived for no one but her Larry and I lived for no one but Nell
We counted the days till the blow off and the final act now was at hand
We sat in our dressing room waiting and we listened they struck up the band.
We looked at each other in silence the last time for us to go on
We trotted out under the big top and she carried herself like a swan
I thought as she swung into action so graceful and spry as an elf
If God made a soul any sweeter he kept her up there for himself.
Now thousands of people applauded the regular routine was through
The singles and doubles were perfect now we just had the climax to do
I still can't account for the crackup but God I can picture it yet
She made a bum leave on the triple and I missed her and she missed the net.
With Nell gone and nothin' to live for I let myself go to the bad
I've haggled in barrooms and hey joints and they took me for all that I had
At night I lay drunk in some hallway and dream about high bars and Nell
I see her white form coming at me I miss her and let out a yell.
With that the poor devil quit talking he shuddered and lowered his head
I shook him but he didn't answer I summon for help he was dead
I looked at my watch I must hurry I'd almost forgotten my date
Right now I was due at the playhouse and opening night at eight.
Right now I was due at the playhouse and opening night there at eight
So I paid for his meal and departed I smiled for I knew very well
While I was first nighting on Broadway he too was first nighting with Nell...
Father time & mother love,
Sit in their house some where up above
And make us do what they want us to do
And they made me wanting you.
Father time with his memory's of you
AND mother love with her heart beat so true
Have brought us back alltough we were through
And made me know that I love only you.
Father time has dimed my eyes,
With tears mother love placed inside
when I had missed you all that I could
They gave me you back to love as I should.
Father time & Mother love,
Sit in their house somewhere up above
And like puppets and mortals do love
They guide our hearts where they want them to go.Father time and Mother
love will always
be in their house up above,& Father time forever will see,Mother love
(John Riggs)
Up until now you've been satisfied
With the love that I gave to you
Now the goin' gets rough you've had enough
And all you can say is we're through.
It's been smooth sailing up until now
We've kept true love in the flow
Let me say it again our ship's comin' in
So don't rock the boat.
Don't rock the boat let it keep sailing
A few stormy seas a little cool breeze
That don't mean our love's failing
I promise you your dreams'll come true
Don't you be givin' up hope
Let the kisses begin, our ship's a comin' in
So don't rock the boat.
--- Instrumental Guitar - Fiddle ---
The sun'll be shinin' when the stormin' is over
And we'll go on like before
We'll anchor our love beneath the clouds above baby
I need you even more.
You've got a good captain with his hands on the wheel
Who couldn't sail on if you go
Let me say it again our ship's a comin' in
So don't rock the boat.
Don't rock the boat let it keep sailing
A few stormy seas a little cool breeze
That don't mean our love's failing
I promise you your dreams'll come true
Don't you be givin' up hope
Let the kisses begin, our ship's a comin' in
So don't rock the boat.
Let the kisses begin, our ship's a comin' in
So don't rock the boat...
(Webb Pierce)
There are so many classy guys with classy uptown ways
And I am so afraid that they will steal you someday
But don't let 'em darlin' cause you belong to me
So don't ever let them make you think your love is fancy free
Don't do it darlin' that heart belongs to me.
They'll tell you that I trifle and that you should do the same
They'll tell you that they need your love so why not make the change
Don't do it darlin' that love belongs to me
Oh please don't let them blind you I still love you can't you see
Don't let 'em darlin' that heart belongs to me.
--- Harp - Guitar - Fiddle Instrumental ---
They'll offer you a mansion ask you if you will be their queen
So they can give you riches make your life a happy dream
But don't you let 'em darlin' that dream belongs to me
Oh sure they'll try to buy your love with riches such as these
But let 'em darlin' that heart belongs to me.
No, don't do it darlin' that heart belongs to me...
Cross the Brazos at Waco ride hard and I'll make it by dawn
Cross the Brazos at Waco I'm safe when I reach San Antone
On the Chisholm Trail it was midnight Carmela was strong on his mind
Because of the life he have chosen Carmela had left him behind
Too long he'd been el bandito Carmela had left him alone
But today someone brought a message she'd been seen in old San Antone
Cross the Brazos at Waco...
[ guitar ]
Then the night came alight with gunfire he knew that at last he'd been found
As the ranger's bad shoot rightly el bandito laid on the ground
Carmela she knew he was dying that all of her dreams were in vain
As she kissed his lips for the last time she heard him whisper again
I never saw the world lookin' so bright
Never saw the wheels turnin' so right
And I'm glad to be ridin'
This crazy little train of love
I'm just like a kid on a merry-go-round
I'm so high in the clouds, I hope I never come down
And I'm glad that I'm ridin'
This crazy little train of love
(Chorus)
Our train don't carry the blues
No room for hurtin' or any bad news
Our train is just loaded with love
Just you and I, and that's enough
It just keeps a-chuggin' on down the track
We're so in love, we don't want to look back
Aren't you glad that we're ridin'
This crazy little train of love
I see our destination just over the hill
Cozy little place that they call Arborsville
Aren't you glad to be ridin'
This crazy little train of love
The wheels sing the song as they roll down the track
They seem to say I love you with each clickety-clack
Aren't you glad that we're ridin'
This crazy little train of love
(Repeat chorus)
It just keeps a-chuggin' on down the track
We're so in love, we don't want to look back
Aren't you glad that we're ridin'
This crazy little train of love
(Dick Feller)
I sit upon the bed in my rented room and watch
The broken shadows from the street lights playing tag upon the wall
Down the street a neon light is reaching out to mock the night
And all the little fears that darkness brings.
The smoke of my last cigarette still hangs upon the air and yet
I reach to light another from the pack that's nearly gone
And the dawn seems a million miles away but all the while
Down in the trainyard the graveyard shift had just come on
And turned their ragged collars against the drizzling rain
Back and forth the yard engine goes about the pulling out
The railroad cars that soon will be making up the train
That's gonna be come the morning.
I wonder if I ever cross the mind of someone
That I might have learned to love
Had I ever chose to try
Or did she fail to think about me in the lonely nights without me
Was she the last to care if I should live or die.
I've been a nameless ghost that rides the empty wave of memory
In the dark deserted closets of the mind of someone else
And now I'm a ghost unto myself but still I know.
And now I cross the room and stand before the open window
And reach out to touch the rain that's slowly falling on my hand
The pavement hot and cold below looks back at me and seems to know
It ends without a tear without a smile.
And in those last brief seconds could it be I was mistaken
Or did I hear a voice somewhere that softly called my name
Or was it just a whistle of a train for all the while
Down in the trainyard the graveyard shift had just gone home
To hang their clothes to dry them bar their doors against the rain
The yard engine breathe a sigh Then pulls a last grey coal car by
Then moves aside to look with pride Upon the new born train
That I won't take come the morning.
I wonder if I ever cross the mind of someone
that I might have learned to love
Had I ever chose to try
Or did she fail to think about me in the lonely nights without me
Was she the last to care if I should live or die...
(G)We met in a garden of (D)roses
One night when the moon was (G)blue
We (C)kissed as the breeze whispered (G)through the trees
I (D)love you, I love only (G)you
Chorus:
You were (C)sweet as the dew on the (G)roses
(C)True as the new moon (G)above
(C)Forever and ever my (G)darling
It's (D)you, only you that I (G)love
We (G)promised to meet in the (D)garden
Again when the moon was (G)new
But (C)fate came between all our (G)hopes and dreams
For (D)heaven was lonely for (G)you
(G)Now I walk alone in the (D)garden
Each night when the moon is (G)new
And I (C)cry as the breeze whispers (G)through the trees
I (D)love you, I love only (G)you
My (C)tears make the dew on the (G)roses
(C)Blue as the new moon (G)above
(C)Forever and ever my (G)darling
It's (D)you, only you that I (G)love
![Rebel Radio - GTA V [FULL]](http://web.archive.org./web/20131114083244im_/http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/HsPyYmeFJOw/default.jpg "Rebel Radio - GTA V [FULL]")
![Grand Theft Auto [GTA] V Radio Station - Rebel Radio](http://web.archive.org./web/20131114083244im_/http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/cLrC_k4TCgM/default.jpg "Grand Theft Auto [GTA] V Radio Station - Rebel Radio")
