These hands ain't the hands of a gentleman
These hands are calloused and old
These hands raised a family
And these hands raised 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 never alone
If these hands do their task, then what more can one ask
For these fingers have worked to the bone
Now I'm tired and I'm old and I ain't got much gold
Maybe things ain't been all that I planned
But God above hear my plea, when it's time to judge me
Take a look at these hard working hands
Yes I'm tired and I'm old and I ain't got much gold
Maybe things ain't been all that I planned
But God above hear my plea, when it's time to judge me
Take a look at these hard working hands
God put a song in the heart of an angel
And softly she sang it to me
I get to thinkin' lotta times
About back when I was a lad
The old homeplace where I grew up
And of the days both good and bad
My overalls were hand-me-downs
And my shoes full of holes
But I used to walk four miles to school every day
Through the rain, the sleet and the cold
I've seen the nights when my daddy would cry
For the things that his family would need
But all he ever got was a badland farm
And seven hungry mouths to feed
And yet and yet our homefire never flickered once
'Cause when all the things went wrong
Mama took the hymn book down
And mama sang a song
(What a friend we have in Jesus)
Yeah, I've been rocked to sleep many a night
To the tune of 'What a Friend'
And come morning 'Rock of Ages'
It gently wake me once again
Then daddy'd reach up and take the Bible down
And he'd read it, oh, he read it loud and strong
And I always felt that maybe our home was blessed
When daddy would say "Mama sing a song"
Sister left home first I guess
And then Bob and Tommy then Dan
By then my dad's hair was turning white
And I had to be mama's little man
But when my daddy's back grew weak
It seem my mother's faith grew strong
And those were the greatest days of all
When mama sang a song
(Rock of ages cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee)
I guess the old house is still standin'
I don't get back [Incomprehensible] much anymore
No voice is left to fill those halls
And no steps to grace the floor
You see mom sings in heaven now
Around God's golden throne
But I'll always believe that
This old world is a better place
Because one time my mama sang a song
First time I soared, my heart felt a little bit funny
I knew right away, I just had to have honey
Lips like cherry wine feel good touchin' mine, she makes everyday sunny
I'm such a fool about, don't want to live without honey
When I'm a rounder, my heart keeps to beaten like thunder
And then when we kiss, I keep a thinkin', no wonder
Heaven couldn't be sweeter than when she starts me feeling so funny
I'm such a fool about, don't want to live without honey
I'd buy diamonds if I had the barrel of money
I want her to know, nothing's too good for my honey
Lips like cherry wine feel good touchin' mine, makes my everyday sunny
I'm such a fool about, don't want to live without honey
I'm such a fool about, don't want to live without honey
May the fruit of my toil be yours, love
May the food from my soil be yours, love
And from this moment on
May a love that is strong
And lives on and on, be yours, love
May the sons that I raise be yours, love
May the comforts I praise be yours, love
If I ever get weak
May the love words I speak
And the arms that I seek, be yours, love
May the Lord's shining grace be yours, love
May the happiest face be yours, love
May the last fingertips
That touch these two lips
As life from me slips, be yours, love
And from this moment on
May this love that is strong
Pale moon shinin' on the fields below
Oaks are croonin' so soft and low
No need tellin' 'cause I know
It's sleepy time down south
Soft wind blowin'
To them pinewood trees
Folks down there
They live a life of these
When my mama falls on her knees
It's sleepy time down south
Steam boats on the river
Keep a comin' and a goin'
Splashin' the night away
Hear the banjos ringin'
Folks keep a singin'
They dance till break of day
Dear old south land
With your dreamy song
Take me back there
That's where I belong
Oh, I'd love to be
In my sweet mama's arms
When it's sleepy time
This ole house once knew my children
This ole house once knew my life
This ole house was home and comfort
As we lived through storm and strife
This ole house once rang with laughter
This ole house heard many shouts
Now she trembles in the darkness
When the lightning walks about
Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer
Ain't a-gonna need this house no more
Ain't got time to fix the shingles
Ain't got time to fix the floor
Ain't got time to oil the hinges
Nor to mend the window panes
Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer
I'm a-gettin' ready to meet the saints
This ole house is gettin' shaky
This ole house is gettin' old
This ole house lets in the rain
This ole house lets in the cold
On my knees I'm gettin' shaky
But I feel no fear or pain
'Cause I see an angel peekin'
Through a broken window pane
I ain't a-gonna need this house no longer
Ain't a-gonna need this house no more
Ain't got time to fix the shingles
Ain't got time to fix the floor
I ain't got time to oil the hinges
Nor to mend the window panes
Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer
I'm a-gettin' ready to meet the saints
This ole house is afraid of thunder
This ole house is afraid of storms
This ole house just groans and trembles
When the night wind flings its arms
This ole house is gettin' feeble
This old house is needin' paint
Just like me it's tuckered out
But I'm a-gettin' ready to meet the saints
Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer
Ain't a-gonna need this house no more
Ain't got time to fix the shingles
Ain't got time to fix the floor
I ain't got time to oil the hinges
Nor to mend the window panes
Ain't gonna need this house no longer
I'm a-gettin' ready to meet the saints
She kinda breezed into town from New Orleans
And said, "Boys, I'm Big John's Cajun Queen
Now I didn't come here to argue or waste anybody's time
I just came to get my man from your dirty old mine
'Cause he moves me"
"Now where you give up's where old Queenie's gonna start
'Cause I got a powerful love in my heart
So just show me the hole way down in the ground
And tell the whole wide world Big John's been found
And he's livin'"
So down in the mine without a sign of a light
Old Queenie went a-lookin' for John that night
She found him there at the bottom of the pit
And placed a red hot kiss on those cold blue lips
He started breathin'
She waited a minute and then she kissed him again
And old John got the power of a hundred men
Up he come a-clawin' and a-diggin' like a mole
And said, "Come on Queenie, we're gonna leave this hole"
They started walkin'
Now a roar from the crowd greeted this fine pair
As they both walked out in that cool night air
And up for silence went Big John's hand
And the Queen said, "I told you I'd get my man
'Cause he moves me"
You can find them today, they're down in New Orleans
Big Bad John and his Cajun Queen
They're a little bit wrinkled from the strain of time
But their love's just as strong as that night in the mine
A hundred and ten grandchildren
Now the moral of this story
Has a real clear omen
Don't you ever underestimate
I slipped out of the house about sundown
While Mama was a washin' her hair
And you can bet your bottom dollar
She'll come lookin' for me, when she'll find that I'm not there
And if she catches her sweet thang slipping around
I know, there'll be the debit to pay
'Cause she'll come blowin' like a cyclone, right through that door
And I hear exactly what she'll say
Well, has anybody here seen sweet thang?
I got a notion, he'd be headed this way
'Cause when my sweet thang's out, tomcattin' around
Finds a sandbox like this, to play
I wanna warn all you bar room roses
If my sweet thang should have a bite
You'd better take my advice
If you'll blink more than twice
You'd better have somethin' in your eyes
I gave my baby, all my money on pay-day
Except a little, she don't know that I got
'Cause there's a little cute waitress, down at the corner cafe
And she seems to like me quite a lot
We were sittin' in the back booth, just havin' a chair
And she believed in every word that I said
When that door blew open, and Mama walked in
Yellin' loud enough to wake the dead, and she said
Slowly, I'm falling more in love with you
And slowly, you're winning a heart that can be true
Now, I can't hide my feelings, no matter what I do
Slowly, I'm falling more in love with you
More and more, I need you and want you by my side
More and more, I love you, as each day passes by
No, I can't hide my feelings, no matter what I do
Slowly, I'm falling more in love with you
Skip a rope
Skip a rope
Listen to the children
While they play
Now ain't it kinda funny
What the children say
Skip a rope
Daddy hates Mommy
Mommy hates Dad
Last night you shoulda heard
The fight they had
Gave little sister
Another bad dream
She woke us all up
With a terrible scream
Skip a rope
Skip a rope
Listen to the children
While they play
Now ain't it kinda funny
What the children say
Skip a rope
Cheat on your taxes
Don't be a fool
Now what was that they said
About a golden rule?
Well, never mind the rules
Just play to win
And hate your neighbor
For the shade of his skin
Skip a rope
Skip a rope
Oh, listen to the children
While they play
Now ain't it kinda funny
What the children say
Skip a rope
Stab 'em in the back
That's the name of the game
And Mommy and Daddy
Are who's to blame
Skip a rope
Skip a rope
Just listen to the children
While they play
It's really not funny
What the children say
Skip a rope
Skip a rope
Skip a rope
Skip a rope
Skip a rope
In forty-three they put to sea thirteen men and Kennedy
Aboard the PT 109 to fight the brazen enemy
And off the isle of Olasana in the straits beyond the roo
A Jap destroyer in the night cut the 109 in two
Smoke and fire upon the sea
Everywhere they looked was the enemy
The heathen gods of old Japan
Yeah they thought they had the best of a mighty good man
And on the coast of Kolombangaro looking through his telescope
Australia's Evans saw the battle for the crew had little hope
Two were dead, some were wounded, all were clinging to the bow
Fighting fire and a-fighting water trying to save their lives somehow
Smoke and fire upon the sea
Everywhere they looked was the enemy
The heathen gods of old Japan
Yeah they thought they had the best of a mighty good man
McMahon the Irishman was burned so badly, he couldn't swim
Leave me here go on he said 'cause if you don't we'll all be dead
The PT skipper couldn't leave him a man to die alone at sea
And with a strap between his teeth, he towed the Irishman through the sea
Smoke and fire upon the sea
Everywhere they looked was the enemy
The heathen gods of old Japan
Yeah they thought they had the best of a mighty good man
He led his men through waters dark, rocky reefs and hungry sharks
Braved the enemies bayonets, a thirty-eight hung round his neck
Four more days and four more nights a rescue boat pulled into sight
The PT 109 was gone but Kennedy and his crew lived on
Now who could guess or who could possibly know
That this same man named Kennedy
Would be the leader of the nation, be the one to take command
The PT 109 was gone but Kennedy lived to fight again
Smoke and fire upon the sea
Everywhere they looked was the enemy but JFK and his crew lived on
Which proves it's hard to get the best of a man named John
We don't smoke marijuana in Muskogee
We don't take our trips on LSD
We don't burn our draft cards down on Main Street
'Cause we like living right and being free
We don't make a party out of loving
But we like holding hands and pitching woo
We don't let our hair grow long and shaggy
Like the hippies out in San Francisco do
And I'm proud to be an Okie from Muskogee
A place where even squares can have a ball
We still wave Ol' Glory down at the courthouse
And white lightning's still the biggest thrill of all
Leather boots are still in style for manly footwear
Beads and Roman sandals won't be seen
And football's still the roughest thing on campus
And the kids here still respect the college dean
And I'm proud to be an Okie from Muskogee
A place where even squares can have a ball
We still wave Ol' Glory down at the courthouse
And white lightning's still the biggest thrill of all
No one will ever know how much I love you
Although a million tears start to flow
I may cry myself to sleep but I'll wake up smiling
Oh, I'll miss you but no one will ever know
I'll just tell them we grew tired of each other
And that our love has never meant to be
Oh, I'll even make believe I never loved you
Then no one will ever know the truth but me
I'll just tell them we grew tired of each other
And that our love has never meant to be
Oh, I'll even make believe I never loved you
If the wife and I are fussin' brother that's our right
'Cause me and that sweet woman got a license to fight
Why don't you mind your own business?
(Mind your own business)
I said, "Mind your own business"
(Mind your own business)
If you mind your own business
Then you won't be mindin' mine
Now the woman on the party line's a nosey thing
She picks up her receiver when she knows it's my ring
Why don't you mind your own business?
(Mind your own business)
Hey mind your own business
(Mind your own business)
I said, "If you mind your own business"
Then you won't be mindin' mine
Well I got a little gal that wears her hair up high
The fellows all whistle when she walks by
Why don't they mind their own business?
(Mind your own business)
Yeah, mind your own business
(Mind your own business)
Oh mind your business
And you won't be mindin' mine
If I wanna honky tonkin' round till two or three
Brother that's my headache don't you worry 'bout me
Why don't you mind your own business?
(Mind your own business)
Yeah, mind your own business
(Mind your own business)
I said, "Mind your business"
Then you won't be mindin' mine
Well I tell a lot of stories that may not be true
But I can get to heaven just as quick as you
So mind your own business
(Mind your own business)
Yeah, mind your own business
(Mind your own business)
Oh, mind your business
Then you won't be mindin' mine
Mindin' other people's business seems to be high tone
But I got all that I can do just to mind my own
And I'm gonna mind my own business
(Mind your own business)
Yeah, mind your own business
(Mind your own business)
If you mind your business
Then you won't be mindin' mine
Rest is yours friend
I am perfectly capable of taking care of
My own affairs, and I'd appreciate it if
Don't look so sad we know it's over
Life goes on and this old world will keep on turning
Let's just be glad we had some time to spend together
There's no need to watch the bridges that were burning
Lay your head upon my pillow
Hold your warm and tender body close to mine
Hear the whisper of the raindrops falling softly against the window
And make believe you love me one more time for the good times
I'll get along, you'll find another
And I'll be here if you should find you ever need me
Don't say a word about tomorrow or forever
There'll be time enough for sadness when you leave me
Lay your head upon my pillow
Hold your warm and tender body close to mine
Hear the whisper of the raindrops blowing softly against the window
And make believe you love me just one more time for the good times
While resting the other evening by the side of the road
I saw an old farmer in the field that he just hold
His face was all brown and wrinkled by the sun and the wind
And he was talking to the Lord just like he'd be talking to a friend
Well, he said with his voice calm and quiet
Them corn tassels need sucking, I got no strength to tie it
Had no rain in so long that the fields are mighty dusty
And it's been so unbearable hot that the kids were even gettin' fussy
Now that grass down and the pasture it should be knee high if we
Could just have a little shower Lord it might keep the calf from going dry
Oh, but listen to me talking, you'd think I wasn't grateful, why if you
Didn't know me so well Lord you'd think I was down right hateful
You'd think I forgot about that new calf that you sent
And the money in the mail that took care of the rent
Mama's cough's better and Johnny's home from the navy
And that good Sunday dinner of hot chicken and dumplings and gravy
And that new preacher you sent us, Lord he's sure a fine young man
Why he's just convertin' them sinners to beat the man
Well, I guess, I'll mosey on home now, Lord, I won't take no more your time
I guess, there's plenty folks here about waitin' to ring your line
Evening to you, Lord, and watch us over tonight
Got an old slauch hat, got my roll on my shoulder
I'm as free as the breeze and I'll do as I please, just a bummin' around
Got a million friends, don't feel any older
Got nothing to lose, not even the blues, just a bummin' around
Whenever worries start to botherin' me
Well, I grab my coat, my old slauch hat, hit the trail again, you see
I ain't got a dime, don't care where I'm goin'
I got nothing to lose, not even the blues, just a bummin' around
Whenever worries start to botherin' me
Well, I grab my coat, my old slauch hat, hit the trail again, you see
I ain't got a dime, don't care where I'm goin'
Big John
Big John
Ev'ry mornin' at the mine you could see him arrive
He stood six foot six and weighed two forty five
Kinda broad at the shoulder and narrow at the hip
And everybody knew, ya didn't give no lip to Big John
(Big John, Big John)
Big Bad John
(Big John)
Nobody seemed to know where John called home
He just drifted into town and stayed all alone
He didn't say much, he kinda quiet and shy
And if you spoke at all, he just said, "Hi" to Big John
Somebody said he came from New Orleans
Where he got in a fight over a Cajun Queen
And a crashin' blow from a huge right hand
Sent a Louisiana fellow to the Promised Land, Big John
(Big John, Big John)
Big Bad John
(Big John)
Then came the day at the bottom of the mine
When a timber cracked and men started cryin'
Miners were prayin' and hearts beat fast
And everybody thought that they'd breathed their last, 'cept John
Through the dust and the smoke of this man made hell
Walked a giant of a man that the miners knew well
Grabbed a saggin' timber, gave out with a groan
And like a giant Oak tree, he just stood there alone, Big John
(Big John, Big John)
Big Bad John
(Big John)
And with all of his strength he gave a mighty shove
Then a miner yelled out, "There's a light up above"
And twenty men scrambled from a would-be grave
Now there's only one left down there to save, Big John
With jacks and timbers they started back down
Then came that rumble way down in the ground
And then smoke and gas belched out of that mine
Everybody knew it was the end of the line for Big John
(Big John, Big John)
Big Bad John
(Big John)
Now they never reopened that worthless pit
They just placed a marble stand in front of it
These few words are written on that stand
At the bottom of this mine lies a big, big man, Big John
(Big John, Big John)
Big Bad John
(Big John)
(Big John)
Before you take another step, there's something you should know
About the years ahead and how they'll be
You'll be living in a world where roses hardly ever grow
'Cause all I have to offer you is me
There'll be no mansions waiting on the hill with crystal chandeliers
And there'll be no fancy clothes for you to wear
Everything I have is standing here in front of you to see
All I have to offer you is me
Sweetheart, I'll give you all my love in every way I can
But make sure that's what you want while you're still free
The only gold I have for you is in this wedding band
'Cause all I have to offer you is me
There'll be no mansions waiting on the hill with crystal chandeliers
And there'll be no fancy clothes for you to wear
Everything I have is standing here in front of you to see
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