Lord made a lady out of Adam's rib, next thing you know, you got women's lib.
Lovely to look upon, Heaven to touch;
It's a real shame that they got to cost so much.
89
Monkey and the Engineer
Once upon a time there was an engineer.
Drove a locomotive both far and near.
Accompanied by a monkey that would sit on a stool
Watching everything the engineer would do
One day the engineer wanted a bite to eat,
He left the monkey sitting on the driver's seat,
The monkey pulled the throttle, the locomotive jumped the gun
And did 80 miles an hour down the mainline run.
Big locomotive right on time, big locomotive coming down the line.
Big locomotive No. 99, left the engineer with a worried mind.
The engineer called up the dispatcher on the phone,
To tell him all about his locomotive was gone.
Dispatcher got on the wire, switch operator to the right,
Cause the monkey's got the main line sewed up tight.
The switch operator got the message on time,
Said there's a Northbound livin' on the same main line,
Open up the switch I'm gonna let him through the hole,
Cause the monkey's got the locomotive under control.
Big locomotive right on time, big locomotive coming down the line.
Big locomotive No. 99, left the engineer with a worried mind.
Morning Dew
Walk me out in the morning dew my honey,
Walk me out in the morning dew today.
I can't walk you out in the morning dew my honey,
I can't walk you out in the morning dew today.
I thought I heard a baby cry this morning,
I thought I heard a baby cry this today.
You didn't hear no baby cry this morning,
You didn't hear no baby cry today.
Where have all the people gone my honey,
Where have all the people gone today.
There's no need for you to be worrying about all those people,
You never see those people anyway.
I thought I heard a young man morn this morning,
I thought I heard a young man morn today.
I thought I heard a young man morn this morning,
I can't walk you out in the morning dew today.
Walk me out in the morning dew my honey,
Walk me out in the morning dew today.
I'll walk you out in the morning dew my honey,
I guess it doesn't really matter anyway,è I guess it doesn't matter anyway,
I guess it doesn't matter anyway,
I guess it doesn't matter anyway,
Guess it doesn't matter anyway.
90
Mountains of the Moon
Cold mountain water, the jade merchant's daughter,
Mountains of the moon, electra bow and bend to me.
Hi ho the carrion crow fol de rol de riddle
Hi ho the carrion crow bow and bend to me.
Hey, Tom Banjo hey a laurel, more than laurel you say sow.
More than laurel you may sow.
Hey, the laurel, hey the city in the rain,
Hey, hey, hey the wild wheat waving in the wind.
Twenty degrees of solitude, twenty degrees in all,
All the dancing kings and wives assembled in the hall.
Lost is the long and loneliest town fairly sybil flying.
All along the, all along the mountains of the moon.
Hey, Tom Banjo it's time to matter,
The earth will see you on through this time,
The earth will see you on through this time.
Down by the water, the Marsh King's daughter, did you know?
Clothed in totters always will be. Tom, where did you go?
Mountains of the moon, Electra, mountains of the moon,
All along the, all along the mountains of the moon.
Hi ho the carrion crow fol de rol de riddle
Hi ho the carrion crow bow and bend to me.
Bend to me. Na da da da da da da da da da da da.
è
91
The Music Never Stopped
There's mosquitoes on the river Fish are rising up like birds
It's been hot for seven weeks now,
Too hot to even speak now, Did you hear what I just heard?
Say it might have been a fiddle or it could have been the wind
But there seems to be a beat now I can feel it my feet now
Listen here it comes again!
There's a band out on the highway, They're high steppin' into town
It's a rainbow full of sound, It's fireworks, calliopes and clowns
Everybody dancin' C'mon children, C'mon children, Come on clap your hands.
Sun went down in honey and the moon came up in wine,
You know stars were spinnin' dizzy, Lord
The band kept us too busy we forgot about the time.
They're a band beyond description, Like Jehovah's favorite choir
People joining hand in hand While the music played the band, Lord
They're setting us on fire.
Crazy rooster crowin' midnight, Balls of lightin' roll along
Old men sing about their dreams, Women laugh and children scream
And the band keeps playin' on.
Keep on dancin' thru the daylight, Greet the mornin' air with song
No ones's noticed, but the band's all pack and gone. Was it ever there at all?
But they keep on dancin' C'mon children, C'mon children, Come on clap your hands
Well the cool breeze came on Tuesday, And the corn's a bumper crop
And the fields are full of dancin' Full of singin' and romancin'
The music never stopped.
My Baby
My baby don't stand no foolin' with love.
Mystery Train
Train I ride, sixteen coaches long. Train I ride, sixteen coaches long.
Well, the woman I love, she's on that train and gone.
Train I ride, rollin' down the track. Train I ride, rollin' down the track.
It took my baby, and it's never comin' back.
Well I went to the station, to meet my baby at the gate
Asked the station master, "Is your train running late?"
She said she'd be waiting on the 5:45
Well, I hate to tell you boys that train don't stop here no more.
Mystery train, rolling down the track. Mystery train, rolling down the track.è It took my Baby, you know it ain't bringing her home.
Heard that whistle blow across the middle of the night
When I got down to the station the train was way out of sight.
92
Never Trust A Woman
I see some good times, I gotta get to ring that bell
I gotta see some good times
Sometimes you make up for when I'm not feeling well
It must be due to some great times
Cause right now I feel like hell
Never trust a woman who wears her pants too tight
She might love you tomorrow, but she'll be gone tomorrow night
Come tomorrow I'll get my pay to leave this town
She don't really love me
Ain't no reason to stick around
New Minglewood Blues
I was born in a desert, Raised in a loin's den
And my number one occupation is stealing women from their men
If your down in Memphis, you best stop down minglewood
When I take a walk down there, all the women sure look good
If you can't believe me, it'll make it hard to believe in you
Cause we all need each other, well you know it's true
All New Minglewood Blues
I was born in the desert Raised in a lion's den
I was born in the desert Raised in a lion's den
Oh, my number one occupation is stealing women from their men
Well, I'm a wanted man in Texas, busted jail and I'm gone for good.
Said, I'm a wanted man in Texas, busted jail and I'm gone for good.
Well, the sheriff couldn't catch me,
But his little girl sure wish she could.
Well now the doctor call me crazy, sometimes I am, sometimes I ain't,
Said now the doctor call me crazy, sometimes I am, sometimes I ain't,
Yes, and the preacher man call me sinner
But his little girl call me saint.
Well a couple shots of whiskey women `round here start looking good,
I said a couple shots of whiskey women `round here start looking good,
A couple more shots of whiskey, I'm going down to Minglewood.
Said, I was born in the desert Raised in a lion's den
Said, I was born in the desert Raised in a lion's den
Yes and my number one occupation is stealing women from their men
I was born in the desert Raised in a lion's denè I was born in the desert Raised in a lion's den
Oh, my number one occupation is stealing women from their men
93
New Orleans
Well, come on everybody take a trip with me
Down the Mississippi, down to New Orleans
They got the honeysuckle blaming on the honeysuckle vine
And love is blaming there all the time
They got the French boys swinging from a big old tree
Down the Mississippi, down in New Orleans
Well, come on take a stroll down on Basin Street
And listen to the music and the Dixieland beat
Oh, Magnolia blossom fills the air
And you ain't been to heaven if you ain't been there
Every Southern Belle is a Mississippi Queen
Down the Mississippi, down in New Orleans
New Potato Caboose
Last leaf fallen bare earth where green was born,
Black Madonna two eagles hang against a cloud,
Sun comes up blood red wind yells among the stone,
All graceful instruments are known.
When the windows all are broken and your love's become a toothless crone,
When the voices of the storm sound like a crowd,
Winter morning breaks, you're all alone.
The eyes are blind, blue visions, all a seer can own,
And touching makes the flesh to cry out loud
This ground on which the seed of love is sown,
All graceful instruments are known.
New Speedway Boogie
Please don't dominate the rap, jack, if you've got nothing new to say.
If you please, don't back up the track this train's got to run today.
I spent a little time on the mountain, I spent a little time on the hill
I heard someone say "Better run away", others say "better stand still".
Now I don't know, but I been told it's hard to run with the weight of gold,
Other hand I have heard it said, it's just as hard with the weight of lead.
Who can deny, who can deny, it's not just a change in style?
One step down and another begun and I wonder how many miles.
I spent a little time on the mountain, I spent a little time on the hill
Things went down we don't understand, but I think in time we will.
Now, I don't know but I was told in the heat of the sun a man died of cold.
Keep on coming or stand and wait, with the sun so dark and the hour so late.
You can't overlook the lack, jack, of any other highway to ride.
It's got no signs or dividing lines and very few rule to guide.
è I spent a little time on the mountain, I spent a little time on the hill
I saw things getting out of hand, I guess they always will.
Now I don't know but I been told
If the horse don't pull you got to carry the load.
I don't know whose back's that strong, maybe find out before too long.
One way or another, one way or another,
One way or another, this darkness got to give.
94
Next Time You See Me
Next time you see me things won't be the same,
Next time you see me things won't be the same,
If it hurts you my darling, you only got yourself to blame.
Well, it's true, true saying, all that shines is not gold.
Well, it's true, true saying, all that shines is not gold.
Like the good book says, you gotta reap what you sow.
Well, you lied, cheated -- woh-oh! for so long,
Well, you lied, cheated -- woh-oh! for so long,
You were wrong to do it woman, and another queen is on your throne.
Next time you see me things won't be the same,
Next time you see me things won't be the same,
If it hurts you my darling, you only got yourself to blame.
Well, it's true, true saying, all that shines is not gold.
Well, it's true, true saying, all that shines is not gold.
Like the good book says, you gotta reap what you sow.
The Night They Drove Ole Dixie Down
Virgil Caine is the name and I served on the Denver train
Stoneman's cavalry came and tore up the tracks again
In the winter of '65 we was hungry, just barely alive
By May 10, Richmond had fell, it was a time I remember, oh so well
The night they drove ole Dixie down, all the bells were ringing
The night they drove ole Dixie down, all the people were singing
Na, na na na na na na, na na na na na na, na na na na na na
Back with my wife in Tennessee one day she called for me
Virgil quick come see there goes the "Robert E. Lee"
I don't mind chopping wood and I don't care if the money's no good
Take what you need and leave the rest
They should never have taken the very best
Like my father before me, I'm a peaceful man
Like my brother before me, I took a rebel stand
Just 18, proud and gray, but a Yankee laid him in his grave
Swear by the blood running through (on) my feet
You can't raise a Caine back up when he's in defeat
Nobody"s Fault But Mine
Nobody's fault but mine if I don't read my soul gets lost
Nobody's fault but mine
Had a Bible in my hand, had a Bible in my arm
è My mother she taught me how to read
My mother she taught me how to read
If I don't read my soul gets lost
Nobody's fault but mine, nobody's fault but mine
95
Not Fade Away
I wanna tell you how it's gonna be, you're gonna give your love to me,
I wanna love you night and day, you know my love not fade away.
You know my love not fade away, not fade away!
My love is bigger than a Cadillac, I try to show you but you drive me back,
Your love for me has got to be real, your gonna know just how I feel.
Our love is real, not fade away, not fade away!
No Tomorrow
Look over yonder tell me what you see Ten thousand people looking after me
I may be famous, I may be no-one, But in the ens all our races are run
Don't make my race run in vain, seems like there's no tomorrow
Seems like all my yesterdays were fitted in pain
There's nothing but darkness tomorrow
If you got to do like you said you do
If you got to change your mind and walk away
It don't seem to matter much anymore
Don't even ask me the time of day 'cause I don't know
Don't make me live in this pain no longer
You know I'm getting weaker not stronger
My poor heart can't stand much more
So why don't you just stop talking if you got to walk that dog
You start walking
I'll get by somehow, maybe not tomorrow, but somehow
I know someday I'll find someone who can ease my pain
Like you once done, yes, I know we had a good thing goin'
Seemed like a long time, like a long time
I didn't realize what was happenin' to my life
Till it was almost too late to say this
When I needed you, I needed you to lean on
You took your love and never gave it
Well this time is goodbye, so long
Maybe I must say "Take care and goodbye, so long"
Goodbye little girl I'm gone
You can go out and take your love
And give it to anybody who but a fool like me, would take it?
And maybe if they got a strong, strong heart
Then your love won't break it, but I'm gone, goodbye so long
è
96
Oh Boy
All my love, all my kissin' you don't know what you been missing
Oh boy, when you're with me
Oh boy, all the world would see that you were meant for me
All my life I've been waitin', tonight there will be no hesitatin'
Oh boy, when you're with me
Oh boy, all the world would see that you were meant for me
Stars up here and the shadow is fallin'
You can hear my heart's been callin'
Little bit lonely every things right
I'm gonna see my baby tonight
Oakie From Muskogee
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;
We like livin' right, and bein' free.
We don't make a party out of lovin';
We like holdin' hands and pitchin' woo;
We don't let our hair grow long and shaggy,
Like the hippies out in San Francisco do.
I'm proud to be an Oakie from Muskogee,
A place where even squares can have a ball.
We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse,
And white lightin's still the biggest thril of all.
Leather boots are still in style for mainly footwear;
Beads and roman sandals won't be seen.
Football's still the roughest thing on campus,
And the kids here still respect the college dean.
And I'm proud to be an Oakie from Muskogee,
A place where even squares can have a ball.
We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse,
And white lightin's still the biggest thril of all.
We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse,
In Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA.
è
97
One More Saturday Night
I went down to the mountain, I was drinking some wine,
Looked up in the heavens Lord I saw a mighty sign,
Writt'n fire across the heaven, plain as black and white;
Get prepared, there's gonna be a party tonight.
Uhuh, Hey! Saturday Night!
Yeh, uhuh one more Saturday night,
Hey Saturday night!
Everybody's dancin' down the local armory
With a basement full of dynamite and live artillery.
The temperature keeps risin', everybody gittin' high;
Come the rockin' stroke of midnite, the whole place gonna fly.
Uhuh, Hey! Saturday Night!
Yeh, uhuh one more Saturday night,
Hey Saturday night!
Turn on channel six, the President comes on the news,
Says, "I get no satisfaction, that's why I sing the blues."
His wife say "Don't get crazy, Lord, you know just what to do,
Crank up that old Victrola, put on them rockin' shoes."
Uhuh, Hey! Saturday Night!
Yeh, uhuh one more Saturday night,
Hey Saturday night!
Then God way up in heaven, for whatever it was worth,
Thought He'd have a big old party, thought He'd call it planet Earth.
Don't worry about tomorrow, Lord, you'll know it when it comes,
When the rock and roll music meets the risin' sun.
è
98
One Thing To Try
Break out your bottle, be in trouble by noon
Never get satisfaction cause ya boil too soon
Them downtown chippies know your weight to the ounce
But the harder you fall, Jack, the higher you bounce!
Stoke up your get, be ready to ride
Keep your head and your heart inside
Take it as far as you wanna go
Until we can't see the desert for the burning snow
But if you're in a hurry, I really go to go,
If you're in a hurry, might have to find out slow
That it's one thing to try, another to fly,
You get there quicker just a step at a time,
It's one thing to bark and another to bite,
The show ain't over til you pack up at night.
Ah well, ninety-nine people all running around
Not one in a hundred got his feet on the ground,
In fact one in a thousand holding some in reserve
For when the real, true action comes around the curve.
Take care of your people, get some of them fed
Hide the ones in trouble out under your bed
Keep an eye to the future, an ear to the past
Cause after thinkin' it over, know there's nothing much lasts.
So if you're in a hurry, I really go to go
If you're in a hurry, might have to find out slow
That it's one thing to try, another to fly,
You get there quicker just a step at a time,
It's one thing to bark and another to bite,
The show ain't over til you pack up at night.
Don't ever let it get the best of you
Plan what you can, let the rest shine through
Just so many angles you can possibly see
Got to figure on those let the other ones be
Don't be a collector of more than you need
Got a lot of things growing but keep watching your seeds
Got to sprout in December what you planted in May
If the harvest is empty, find some other good way
But if you're in a hurry, I really go to go,
If you're in a hurry, might have to find out slow
That it's one thing to try, another to fly,
You get there quicker just a step at a time,
It's one thing to bark and another to bite,
The show ain't over til you pack up at night.
è
99
On The Road Again
Why I married me a bad girl, tell you the reason why
Bad girls will even do things on the sly
Look for your supper to be good and hot
She never even put a stew bone in the pot
She's on the road again, sure as you're born
Natural born easy on the road again
Friend come by, say looking for his hat
Wants to know where your husband's at
I don't know, he's on his way to the pen
Come on pretty mama, let's get on the road again
Went to my house the front door was locked
Went 'round to my window, but my window was locked
Jumped right back, shook my head,
Big old rounder in my folding bed
Jumped into the window, broke the glass
Never seen that little rounder run so fast
Come on pretty mama, let's get on the road again
Opperator
Operator, can you help me, help me if you please.
Give me the right area code and the number that I need.
My rider left upon the Midnight Flyer,
Singin' like a summer breeze.
I think she's somewhere down South, down about Baton Rouge,
But I just can't remember no number, a number I can use.
Directory don't have it, central done forgot it,
I've gotta find a number to use.
Trying to check out her number, trying to run down her line.
Operator said that's priv'ledged information,
And it ain't no business of mine.
It's floodin' down in Texas, poles are out in Utah,
Gotta find a private line.
She could be hangin' 'round the steel mill,
Working in a house of blue lights.
Riding a getaway bus out of Portland, talking to the night.
I don't know where she's going, I don't care where she's been,
Long as she's doin' it right. Long as she's doin' it right.
Palm Sunday
The river so white the mountain so redè And with the sunshine over my head
The honky-tonks are closed and hushed
It must be Palm Sunday again
100
Passenger
Firefly, can you see me?
Shine on, glowing, brief and brightly
Could you imagine? One summer day,
That same night be on your way
Do you remember? Hearts were too cold
Seasons have frozen us into our souls
People were sayin' the whole world is burning
Ashes have scattered too hard to turn
Upside out or inside down
False alarm, the only game in town
No man's land, the only game in town
Terrible, the only game in town
Passenger, don't you hear me?
Destination seen unclearly.
What is a man deep down inside,
What a raging beast with nothing to hide.
Upside out or inside down
False alarm, the only game in town
No man's land, the only game in town
Terrible, the only game in town
Playin' In The Band
Some folks trust to reason others trust to might,
I don't trust to nothin', but I know it comes out right.
Say it once again now, Whoa, I hope you'll understand
When it's done and over, Lord, a man is just a man.
Playin', playin' in the band. Daybreak, daybreak on the land.
Some folks look for answers others look for fights,
Some folks up in treetops just a looking for their kites.
Whoa, I can tell your future just look what's in your hand,
But I can't stop for nothin' I'm just playing in the band.
Playin', playin' in the band. Daybreak, daybreak on the land.
Standin' on a tower world at my command
You just keep a turnin' while I'm playing in the band.
And if a man among you got no sin upon his hand
Let him cast a stone at me for playing in the band.
Playin', playin' in the band. Daybreak, daybreak on the land.è
101
Positively 4th Street
You got a lotta nerve to say you are my friend
When I was down you just stood there grinning
You got a lotta nerve to say you got a helping hand to lend
You just want to be on the side that's winning
You say I let you down you know it's not like that
If you're so hurt why then don't you show it
You say you lost your faith but that's not where it's at
You had no faith to lose and you know it
I know the reason that you talk behind my back
I used to be among the crowd you're in with
Do you take me for such a fool to think I'd make contact
With the one who tries to hide what he don't know to begin with
You see me on the street you always act surprised
You say, "How are you?" "Good luck" but you don't mean it
When you know as well as me you'd rather see me paralyzed
Why don't you just come out once and scream it
No, I do not feel that good when I see the heartbreaks you embrace
If I was a master thief perhaps I'd rob them
And now I know you're dissatisfied with your position and your place
Don't you understand it's not my problem
I wish that for just one time you could stand inside my shoes
And just for that one moment I could be you
Yes, I wish that for just one time you could stand inside my shoes
You'd know what a drag it is to see you
è
102
Pretty Peggy-O
As we rode out to fennario, as we rode on to Fennario
Our captain fell in love with a lady like a dove
And called her by a name, pretty Peggy-O.
Will you marry me pretty Peggy-O, will you marry me pretty Peggy-O
If you will marry me, I'll set your cities free
And free all the ladies in the are_-O.
I would marry you sweet William-O, I would marry you sweet William-O
I would marry you but your guineas are too few
And I fear my mama would be angry-O.
What would your mama think pretty Peggy-O,
What would your mama think pretty Peggy-O,
What would your mama think if she heard my guineas clink
Saw me marching at the head of my soldiers.
If ever I return pretty Peggy-O, if ever I return pretty Peggy-O
If ever I return your cities I will burn
Destroy all the ladies in the area-O.
Come steppin' down the stairs pretty Peggy-O,
Come steppin' down the stairs pretty Peggy-O,
Come steppin' down the stairs combin' back your yellow hair
Bid a last farewell to your William-O.
Sweet William he is dead pretty peggy-O, sweet William he is dead pretty Peggy-O,
Sweet William he is dead and he died for a maid
And he's buried in the Louisiana country-O.
As we rode out to fennario, as we rode out to Fennario
Our captain fell in love with a lady like a dove,
And called her by a name, pretty Peggy-O.
Pride of Cucamonga
Out on the edge of an empty highway, howling at the blood on the moon,
Big diesel Mack truck rolling down my way, can't hit that border too soon.
Running hard out of Muskrat Flats, it was sixty days or double life,
Hail on my back like a shotgun blast, high wind chimes in the night.
Oh, oh the Pride of Cucamonga, oh, oh bitter olives in the sun,
Oh, oh I had me some lovin', and I done some time.
Since I came down from Oregon, there's a lesson or two I've learned
By standing in the road alone, standing watching the fires burn.
The northern sky it stinks with greed, you can smell it for miles around,
Good ole boys in the Greystone Hotel, sitting doing that git on down.
Oh, oh the Pride of Cucamonga, of, of silver apples in the sun,è Oh, oh I had me some lovin', and I done some time.
I see your silver shining town, but I know I can't go there --
Your streets run deep with poisoned wine, your doorways crawl with fear.
So I think I'll drift for ol' where it's at, where the weed grows green and fine
And wrap myself around a bush of that bright, whoa, on Oaxaca vine.
Yes, it's me, I'm the Pride of Cucamonga, I can see golden forests in the sun.
103
Promised Land
I left my home in Norfolk Virginia, California on my mind.
Straddled that Greyhound, it rode me past Raleigh, and on across Caroline.
Stopped in Charlotte and bypassed Rock Hill, and we never was a minute late.
We was ninety miles out of Atlanta by sundown, rollin' 'cross the Georgia state.
Had motor trouble it turned into a struggle, half way 'cross Alabam,
the 'hound broke down left us all stranded in downtown Birmingham.
Straight off bought me a through train ticket, right across Mississippi clean
And I was on the midnight flyer out of Birmingham
Smoking into New Orleans.
Somebody help me get out of Louisiana
Just help me get to Houston town.
People are there who care a little 'bout me
And they won't let the poor boy down.
Sure as she bore me, she bought me a silk suit, put luggage in my hands,
And I woke up high over Albuquerque
On a jet to the promised land.
Workin' on a T-bone steak a la carte,
Flying over to the Golden State;
When the pilot told us in thirteen minutes
We'd be headin' in the terminal gate.
Swing low sweet chariot, come down easy
Taxi to the terminal zone;
Cut your engines, cool your wings,
And let me make it to the telephone.
Los Angeles give me Norfolk Virginia,
Tidewater four ten on nine
Tell the folks back home this is the promised land callin'
And the poor boy's on the line.
è
104
Promontory Rider
Promontory Rider, Territory Ranger.
Promontory Rider, whats makes you ride so high?
Put a loving star back in an empty sky.
Once the wind was warm and sweet, the ladies in lace.
Up there on the prominence the tears just freeze your face.
From a statutory picture, passport out of hell.
Left here by a stranger, seem to wish as well.
Sighed, Promontory Rider, Territory Ranger.
Asked me, "Can you thread a needle? Can you shoot the moon?"
Walk the silver screen, be a judgement at high noon?
Like any Promontory Rider, Territory Ranger, step up.
Ride on, ride on, ride
Ride upon the high ground, ride upon the low.
Promontory Rider what makes you ride so slow?
Pick me out with harden wings and fill my head with crowds.
I been crawlin' in this scene, but now I'm rollin' down.
Promontory Rider, Territory Ranger.
Promontory Rider used to ride so high.
I don't know these days just seem to ride on by.
Once the wind was warm and sweet, but this must be your place.
Cause you don't change this chilly range, for any other place.
Say, Promontory Rider, Territory Ranger.
Ride on, ride on, ride.
Promontory Rider, whats makes you ride so high?
Put a loving star back in an empty sky.
Movin' on the high ground, movin' on the low.
But Promontory Rider that was many years ago.
Pick me out with harden wings and fill my head with crowds.
I been crawlin' in this scene, but not I'm rollin' down.
Promontory Rider, Territory Ranger.
Movin' on the high ground, movin' on the low ground.
Promontory Rider step so high
I know I oculd be right and I maybe wrong.
But I'll think I'll miss you when your gone.
ABC WXYZ can ask for cover, just don't see me
è
105
Queen Of Santa Fe I
When I was a boy about seventeen I went down to the railroad yard
I hopped on Santa Fe Queen all the way to Boston for coal mines
I lit out from my home I hitch hiked to Statson
I went around there, found me a yard, I asked the old hobo, said:
Said, "I don't care, man, I just ride the ride."
Queen Of Santa Fe II (Poor Michael Went Down)
Well you know I left my home when I was seventeen years of age
Started hitch hiking from San Francisco down to L.A.
And I, I met this man giving me a ride
Amd finally got me by my side said, "Hey son have a dime."
I say, "Thank you" and he was on his way
So I got down in the big cities and I was trying to get myself a job
But there wasn't no jobs around
I couldn't seem to find anyway to make guineas
And this man at the gas station, he says,
"Son you need yourself a job?" and I said "Mr. I surely do."
He said "Welcome in, I give you a dollar and a 1/4 an hour"
That's sure good handling that time
So I worked in the gas station for a while
And I got myself a Plymouth mobile, yes I did
That was comin' on pretty good up to one day
I kind of let down on my lovin' down for a 1/4 an hour
Couldn't go far out working overtime I need a lot of money
That lot of money I don't know what to do
So I met one of these guys who'd walk around in the neighborhood
Behind this other gas station we figure we'd check it out pretty good
So we decided we're gonna rob this gas station
Because there was no other way ot get no money
And then one night when there was no one around
We went over there on that side of town
And we broke into that gas station and we robbed the cash register
And just at that time we're making our escape
Here come a policeman walking up the street
He yelled "Halt!" and we got scared we threw the money up in the air
We started running and he started too
He's hollering "halt!" and then he began to shoot. I was lucky I got over a fence
My other friend made it around the corner, but my other buddy he went down
And Michael you should have stopped when the man told you
Because if that bullet wouldn't have hit you
You would have been living and what I'm trying to say now
Is that if you find yourself in a situation
Where you could get killed or you could live, Live if you cried
è Cause Michael went down by the old man's bullet
He didn't have to go down if he were to stop
We had some pride wouldn't let him quit that runnin'
But now Michael's in the ground. Michael why did you keep on runnin'?
Michael your pride done got you killed
You should have knowed that cop had a pistol on his side
Why didn't you stop before you was killed?
106
Quin The Eskimo
Everybody's building the big ships and the boats.
Some are building monuments, others jotting down notes.
Everybody's in despair, every girl and boy,
But when Quinn the Eskimo gets here everybody's gonna jump for joy.
Come all without, come all within.
You'll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn.
Now I like to do just like the rest, I like my sugar sweet.
But guarding fumes and making haste, it ain't my cup of meat.
Everybody's just standing around 'neath the trees
feeding pigeons on a limb.
But when Quinn the Eskimo gets here, all the pigeons gonna run to him.
Come all without, come all within.
You'll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn.
A cat's meow and a cow's moo, I can't recite 'em all.
Just tell me where it hurts and I'll tell you who to call.
Nobody can get any sleep, there's someone on everybody's toes.
But when Quinn the Eskimo gets here, everybody's gonna wanna doze.
Come all without, come all within.
You'll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn.
Come all without, come all within.
You'll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn.
The Race Is On
I feel tears welling up from down deep inside,
Like my heart's got a big break
And a stab of loneliness sharp and painful that I may never shake.
You might think that I'm taking it hard since you broke me off with a call,
You might wager that I'll hide in sorrow and I might lay right down and bawl.
Now the race is on and here comes pride up the back stretch,
Heartaches a goin' to the inside, my tears are holding back, tryin' not to fall.
My heart's our of the running, true love scratched for another's sake,
The race is on and it looks like heartaches, and the winner loses all.
One day I ventured in love never once suspecting
What the final result would be.
Now I live in fear of waking up each morning,
And finding that you're gone from me.
There's an aching pain in my heart for the name of the one that I hated to face,
Someone else came out to win her, and I came out in second place.
è
107
Rain
Here I am, on the lam ready to go
Brighter days have hurried me along, nobody's wrong
Love stays the same a heart's not to blame nothing is over
Now it don't worry me at all there's just got to be
Some kind of overflow nobody falls
People, we cry, when wells go dry it threatens tomorrow
Try and find some ways to ease the fright burn into the night
But maybe a little rain would soothe the pain and drown our sorrows
And looking straight at all that lives again
Until we get our fill of overflows, nobody knows
In search of love, the seasons above have taken to wander
Unlike the ones we used to know, where did they go?
Well, here I am, on the lam, low overflow
Brighter days have hurried me along
To see the rain come shinning through, nobody's blue
Oh seagull, tis an hour of plight
Energy from your wing helps bring the rain
Call on your brotherhood of flight and let it rain all nights
Oh sky lookin clear and bright, Moon, with your own true light
Turn the tides and rain all night, Turn the tides and rain all night.
è
108
Ramble On Rose
Just like Jack the Ripper, just like Mojo Hand,
Just like Billy Sunday, in a shotgun ragtime band,
Just like New York City, just like Jerico,
Pace the halls and climb the walls and get out when they blow.
Did you say your name was Ramblin Rose?
Ramble on baby, settle down easy
Ramble on Rose.
Just like Jack and Jill, Mama told the jailor
One hear up, and one cool down, leave nothin' for the tailor.
Just like Jack and Jill, Papa told the jailer
One go up, and one go down, do yourself a favor.
Did you say your name was Ramblin Rose?
Ramble on baby, settle down easy
Ramble on Rose.
I'm gonna to sing you a hundred verses in ragtime,
I know this song it ain't never gonna end.
I'm gonna march you up and down along the county line,
Take you to the leader of a band.
Just like Crazy Otto, just like Wolfman Jack,
Sittin plush with a royal flush, aces back to back.
Just like Mary Shelly, just like Frankenstein,
Clank your chains and count your change and try to walk the line.
Did you say your name was Ramblin Rose?
Ramble on baby, settle down easy
Ramble on Rose.
I'm gonna to sing you a hundred verses in ragtime,
I know this song it ain't never gonna end.
I'm gonna march you up and down along the county line,
Take you to the leader of a band.
Goodbye Mama and Papa
Goodbye Jack and Jill
The grass ain't greener
The wine ain't sweeter
Either side of the hill.
Did you say your name was Ramblin Rose?
Ramble on baby, settle down easy
Ramble on Rose.
è
109
Revolution
You say you want a revolution, well you know, we all want to change the world
You tell me that it's evolution, well you know
We all want to change the world
But when you talk about destruction
Don't you know that you can count me out
Don't you know it's gonna be alright, alright, alright.
You say you got a real solution, well you know, we'd all love to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution, well you know, we are doing what we can
But if you want money for people with minds that hate
All I can tell you brother is you have to wait
Don't you know it's gonna be alright, alright, alright.
You say you'll change the constitution, well you know
We all want to change your head
You tell me it's the institution, well you know
You better free your mind instead
But if you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao
You ain't gonna make it with anyone anyhow
Don't you know it's gonna be alright, alright, alright.
è
110
Revolutionary Hamstrung Blues
Halfway past cool on Monday for the sight of her
Rode in town while he built afar with the riders and then the poor
Hot damn, it's a mother's day, don't you all look fine
Promenading down long car ocean, yes it's mine and it's sniffing white
They got poets, shuckers and godzilla's 'round
Mother's sweet little frozen no suit
We got Speed Racer and his archaic as words Revolutionary Hamstrung
Blues
Bringin' all the mares hide in your cabs, honey now loosen your load
You belong to this has-no-name, what I
I remember some chicks from the sciz would come along and sit and squeeze too
Silly says, I say it once, for you it's cold steel and slow
It's sounds have all ruptured, it sounds just like glass
Suspect out in the corners, sounding verse and kickin' ass
I felt the city have a narly, don't make the 6 o'clock news
Speed Racer and the band here playing
As I recall I went for the window, but I never did get me there
Hit me hard with his hickory stick was the last thing I saw, met you
Drag me down and tangle, you carry the charges if you feel
Pray for the day that one yourself, but then figure we'll lick a few
But when I try to look up, don't want to let me loosen your load
Here alone take this grenade for me, well I
The fore runner radiates wild help up far now, gun ships pass so far
Pass me a vote, silly, and how we did it all over
Did it all over, did it all over the road
We got broads, suckers and guys in this jail mother sweet little frozen no suit
We got Speed Racer and his archaic am words Revolutionary Hamstrung Blues
è
111
Rhapsody In Red
I love to hear that Rhapsody in Red
It just knocks me right outa my head
Lifts me up here just floatin' around
Sends me way up and it don't let down
I love to hear that Rhapsody in Red
On my feet or laid back in my bed
Takes me way back where I don't mind
Takes me way back in my time, in my time
Sail away on that Rhapsody in Red
Don't care where those other rainbows led
With all those Northern lights just blowin' away
Got no thought to relate in the same old way, anyway
Love to feel it flood down to my soul
Lovin' feel just like days of old
I sing blues where has it led
Gimmie some more Rhapsody in Red, in Red
Ripple
If my words did glow with the gold of sunshine
And my tunes were played on the harp unstrung,
Would you hear my voice come thru the music,
Would you hold it near as it were your own?
It's a hand-me-down, the thoughts are broken,
Perhaps they're better left unsung.
I don't know, don't really care
Let there be songs to fill the air.
Ripple in still water,
When there is no pebble tossed,
Nor wind to blow.
Reach out your hand if your cup be empty,
If your cup is full may it be again,
Let it be known there is a fountain,
That was not made by the hands of men.
There is a road, no simple highway,
Between the dawn and the dark of night,
And if you go no one may follow,
That path is for your steps alone.
Ripple in still water,
When there is no pebble tossed,
Nor wind to blow.
è You who choose, to lead must follow,
But if you fall you fall alone,
If you should stand then who's to guide you?
If I knew the way I would take you home.
La dee da da da, La da da da da, Da da da, Da da, Da da da da da
La da da da, La da da, Da da, La da da da, La da, Da da.
112
Road Runner
Money, who needs it, let me live a life free and easy
Put the toothbrush in my hand and let me be a travelling man
I'm a road runner, I'm a road runner baby, can't stay in one place too long
I'm a road runner, one look at me and I'll be gone
Well you can love me if you want to, but I do declare
When I get restless I got to move somewhere
Yes, I'm a road runner baby, got to keep on keeping on
And I love the life I live and I'm gonna live the life I love
Don't want love to tie me down, you know I got to be free to roam around
All my life I've been like this, you can love me at your own risk
When the dust hits my shoes, I got the urge to move
I'm a road runner baby, got to keep on keeping on
And I love the life I live and I'm gonna live the life I love
I'm a road runner baby, got to keep on keeping on
I'm a road runner, one look at me and I'll be gone
You can love me if you want to, but I do declare
When I get restless I got to move somewhere
Since I'm a road runner baby, got to keep on keeping on
And I love the life I live and I'm gonna live the life I love
Road runner, yeah
Rockin' Pneumonia
I wanna jump, but I'm afraid I'll fall. I wanna holler, but the joint's too small.
Young Man Rhythym got a hold on me too,
I got the Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu.
I wanna get in trouble, but that ain't all.
I wanna kiss her, but the gal's too tall.
I wanna scream, but that ain't all. I wanna kiss her, but the gal's too small.
I wanna scream, but no one's around. My baby's loving, Lord, she's carrying on.
Rosalie McFall
Out on the lonely hillside in a cabin low and small
Lived the sweetest rose of color my Rosie McFall
Her eyes were bright and shining and her voice was sweet to me
Knew that I would always love her and I hoped that she loved me
My eyes turned to me, my darlin' and this is what she said:
You know that I would always love you when you and I are wed.
Then God way up in heaven one day for her did call
I lost my bride, oh how I loved her, my Rosie McFall
I searched this wide world over through cities great and small
But I never found another like my Rosie McFall
è
113
Rosemary
Boots were of leather, a breath of cologne
the mirror was a window she sat by alone.
All around the garden grew scarlet and purple and crimson and blue.
She came dead and she went, and at last went away, the garden was sealed when the
flowers decayed.
On the wall of the garden a legend did say, no one may come here since no one may
stay.
Row Jimmy
Julie catch a rabbit by his hair
Come back steppin' like to walk on air
Get back home where you belong
And don't you run off no more.
Don't hang your head, let the two time roll
Grass shack nailed to a pine wood floor
Ask the time baby I don't know
Come back later, gonna let it show.
I say row Jimmy row, gonna get there, I don't know,
Seems a common way to go, get out and row, row, row, row, row.
Here's a half dollar if you dare
Double twist when you hit the air,
Look at Julie down below,
The levee doin' the do-pas-o.
I say row Jimmy row, gonna get there, I don't know
Seems a common way to go, get out and row, row, row, row, row.
Broken heart don't feel so bad,
You ain't got half of what you thought you had.
Rock you baby to and fro
Not too fast and not too slow.
I say row Jimmy row, gonna get there, I don't know,
Seems a common way to go, get out and row, row, row, row, row.
That's the way it's been in town,
Ever since they tore the jukebox down.
Two bit piece don't buy no more,
Not so much as it done before.
I say row Jimmy row, gonna get there I don't know
Seems a common way to go, get out and row, row, row, row, row.
è
114
Rubin and Cherise
Cherise was brushing her long hair gently down
It was the afternoon of carnival as she brushes it gently down
Rubin was strumming his painted mandolin
It was inlaid with a pretty face in jade played in the carnival parade
Cherise was dressing as Pirouette in white
When a fatal vision gripped her tight Cherise beware tonight
Rubin, Rubin tell me truly true
I feel afraid and I don't know why I do, Is there another girl for you?
If you could see my heart you would know it's true
There's none Cherise, except for you, except for you
I'd swear to it on my very soul, If I lie, say I fall down cold
When Rubin played on his painted mandolin
The breeze would pause to listen in before going on its way again
Masquerade began when nightfall finally woke
Like waves against the bandstand, dancers broke to the painted mandolin
Looking out to the crowd who is standing there
Sweet Ruby Claire at Rubin stared, at Rubin stared
She was dressed as Pirouette in red
And her hair hung gently down
The crowd pressed round, Ruby stood as though alone
Rubin's song took on a different tone and he played it just for her
The song he played was the carnival parade
Each note cut a thread of Cherise's fate it cut through like a blade
Rubin was playing his painted mandolin
When Ruby froze and turned to stone for the strings played all alone
The voice of Cherise from the face of the mandolin
Singing Rubin, Rubin tell me true for I have no one but you
If you could see my heart you would know it true
There's none Cherise, except for you, except for you
I'd swear to it on my very soul, If I lie, say I fall down cold
The truth of love an unsung song must tell
The course of love must follow blind without a look behind
Rubin walked the streets of New Orleans till dawn
Cherise so lightly in his arms and her hair hung gently down
115
Run for the Roses
Run,run, run for the roses, the bigger it opens, the sooner it closes.
Meddle, meddle, friend of mine, all good things in all good time.
Reach for the sun, catch hold of the moon.
That ball too heavy, but what can you do.
Reach for the stars, smack into the sky.
You don't want to live but you're chicken to die.
Ohhh, you're chicken to die.
Run, run, run for the roses, the bigger it opens the sooner it closes.
Meddle, meddle, friend of mine, all good things in all good time.
Run for the money, caught short on the rent.
Big ideas, but the cash is all spent.
The trouble with love is it's on vase.
You just want a cup, but you don't want to race.
No, you don't want to race.
Run,run, run for the roses, the bigger it opens, the sooner it closes.
Meddle, meddle, friend of mine, all good things in all good time.
Run for the roses, get caught on the briar.
You wanted to love, next thing there's a fire.
You got the Do Re, I got the Mi.
I got the notion we're all at sea.
Yes, we're all at sea.
Run, run, run for the roses, the bigger it opens, the sooner it closes.
Meddle, meddle, friend of mine, all good things in all good time.
è
116
Run, Rudolph Run
Out of all the reindeer you know you're the mastermind
Run, run Rudolph, Randalph's not too far behind
Run, run Rudolph, Santa's got to make it to town
Randalph he can hurry, he can take the freeway down
And away went Rudolph a whizzing like a merry-go-round
Said Santa to a boy child "What have you been longing for?"
"All I want for Christmas is a Rock and Roll electric guitar"
And away went Rudolph a whizzing like a shooting star
Run, run Rudolph, Santa's got to make it to town
Can't you make him hurry, tell him he can take the freeway down
And away went Rudolph a whizzing like a merry-go-round
Said Santa to a girl child "What would you like most to get?"
"I want a little baby doll that can cry, scream and wet"
And away went Rudolph a whizzing like a Saber jet
Run, run Rudolph, run, run Rudolph, a running like a son-of-a-gun.
Saint of Circumstance
This must be heaven, tonight I cross the line.
You must be the angel, I though I might never find.
Was it you I heard singing, Oh while I was chasin' dreams.
Driven by the wind, like the dust that blows around,
And the rain fallin' down, but I never know.
Got to be heaven, cause here's where the rainbow ends.
If this ain't the real thing, then it's close enough to pretend.
When that wind blows, when the night's about to fall.
You can hear the silence call, it's a certain sort of sound,
Like the rain fallin' down.
Holes in what's left of my reason, holes in the knees of my blues.
Odds against me been increasin', but I'll pull through.
I never could read no road map, I don't know what the weather might do.
But when that rich wind whines and I see the dark star shine,
I got a feeling there's no time to lose, no time to lose.
Never know now, just don't never know, no.
Well it's been heaven, but even the rainbows will end.
Now my sails are fillin' and the wind is willin'.
And I'm as good as gone again.
I'm still walkin', so I'm sure that I can dance.
Just a Saint of Circumstance, just a tiger in a trance.
And the rain fallin' down, well, you never know, just don't know.
Listen, sure don't know what I going for, but I'm gonna go for it for sure...
è
117
Saint Stephen
Saint Stephen with a rose, in and out of the garden he goes,
Country garden in the wind and the rain,
Wherever he goes the people all complain.
Stephen prospered in his time, well he may and he may decline.
Did it matter, does it now? Stephen would answer if he only knew how.
Wishing well with a golden bell, bucket hanging clear to hell,
Hell halfway twixt now and then,
Stephen fill it up and lower down and lower down again.
Lady finger, dipped in moonlight, writing "What for?" across the morning sky.
Sunlight splatters, dawn with answer, darkness shrugs and bids the day goodbye.
Speeding arrow, sharp and narrow,
What a lot of fleeting matters you have spurned.
Several seasons with their treasons,
Wrap the babe in scarlet colors, call it your own.
Did he doubt or did he try? Answers aplenty in the bye and bye,
Talk about your plenty, talk about your ills,
One man gathers what another man spills.
Saint Stephen will remain, all he's lost he shall regain,
Seashore washed by the suds and foam,
Been here so long, he's got to calling it home.
Fortune comes a crawlin', calliope woman, spinnin' that curious sense of your own.
Can you answer? Yes I can. But what would be the answer to the answer man?
The Same Thing
What makes a man go crazy when a woman wears her dress so tight
What makes a man go crazy when a woman wears that ol' dress so tight
Must be the same ol' thing that make a tom cat fight all night
Now, why do all the big men try to run a big-legged woman down
Now, why do all the big men try to run a big ol' woman down
Must be the same ol' thing that makes a bulldog a huggling 'round
It's that ol' same thing, now tell me who's to blame
The whole world is fighting about that ol' same thing
What make you feel so good when your baby's in her evening gown
When your baby get a little bit of an evening gown
Must be that same ol' thing that makes a preacher lay his bible down
It's that ol' same thing, it's that ol' same thing
è
118
Samson and Delilah
If I had my way, I would tear this old building down.
Well Delilah was a woman, she was fine and fair,
She had good looks, God knows, and coal black hair,
Delilah she gained old Samson's mind.
When first he saw this woman, you know he couldn't believe his mind.
Delilah she climbed up on Samson's knee,
Said tell me where your strength lies if you please.
She spoke so kind and she talked so fair,
Well Samson said, Delilah cut off my hair.
You can shave my head, clean as my hand
And my strength will become as natural as any old man.
If I had my way, if I had my way, if I had my way,
I would tear this old building down.
You read about Samson, all from his works,
He was the strongest man that ever had lived on earth.
One day when Samson was walking along,
Looked down on the ground, he saw an old jawbone.
He stretched out his arm, God knows, chains broke like thread,
When he got to moving, ten thousand was dead.
If I had my way, if I had my way, if I had my way,
I would tear this old building down.
Now Samson and the lion, they got in a tack,
Samson he crawled up on the lion's back.
You read about this lion, he killed a man with his paws,
But Samson got his hands around that lion's jaws.
He ripped the beast till he killed him dead.
The bees made honey in the lion's head.
If I had my way, if I had my way, if I had my way,
I would tear this old building down.
Satisfaction
I can't get no, satisfaction. I can't get no satisfaction.
Cause I try and I try and I try and I try, I can't get no, I can't get no.
When I'm driving in my car and that man comes on the radio
And he's telling me more and more about some useless information
Supposed to fire my imagination
I can't get no, Oh, no, no, no. Hey, hey, hey, that's what I say.
When I'm watching my TV and that man comes on to tell me how white my shirts (?)è Well he can't be a man 'cause he doesn't smoke the same cigarettes as me
When I'm riding 'round the world and I'm doin' this and I'm signin' that
And I'm trying to make some girl
Who tells me, baby maybe come back later next week
Cause you see I'm on a losing streak
119
Save the Whales
When my grandpa was a boy, he went down to the general store.
Saw a picture book of whales, shootin' his spout and flashin' his tail.
Then he go, a sailor's dream, cruisin' around on the salty sea.
Joinin' up with a fisher crew go out and get him a whale or two.
Tell me what kind of men are these that sail upon the salty seas.
Lovin' and drinkin' in the afternoon, swabbin' the deck and sharpnin' harpoons.
Hooray, up she rises. Hooray, up she rises. Hooray, up she rises.
So early in the morning.
Lots of whales in the deep blue sea, we kill them for the companies.
Drag 'em alongside and chop 'em in two, melt them down and sail it to you.
There hardly is a sailor alive, who can keep a tear from his eye.
Cause he remembers the good old days when there were no whales to save.
Thank the Russians and the Japanese for scouring the deep, blue sea.
Lookin' for ivory and perfume, all the light you'll ever need.
Hooray, up she rises. Hooray, up she rises. Hooray, up she rises.
So early in the morning.
Shanghi got a lot on the move, put out from Boston in the middle of June.
Thirty-six months out at sea is nothing but death and misery.
Set off on a three year cruise, Union ship and a Union crew.
And after six months he began to see, whalin' not what it used to be.
A modern ship and a modern crew, occalascopes and explodin' harpoons.
A mechanical boat made of steel,
A floatin' machine just to kill all the whales.
Hooray, up she rises. Hooray, up she rises. Hooray, up she rises.
So early in the mornin'.
When my grandpa was a boy, he went down to the general store.
Saw a picture book of whales, shootin' his spout and flashin' his tail.
Then he got a sailor's dream, cruisin' around on the salty sea.
Joinin' up with a fisher crew go out and get him a whale or two.
Tell me what kind of men are these that sail upon the salty seas.
Lovin' and drinkin' in the afternoon, swabbin' the deck and sharpnin' harpoons.
Hooray, up she rises. Hooray, up she rises. Hooray, up she rises.
So early in the morning.
è
120
Sawmill
Once I was a slave at the sawmill
Talk about a poor boy, talk about a poor boy
Let me have a dollar bill
My work was so hard at the sawmill
Talk about a poor boy, talk about a poor boy
Let me have a dollar bill
See my teardrops falling down my wife left this sawmill town
She said sawmill's life had been a sin
The gravy were much too thin
I can't work no more at the sawmill
Talk about a poor boy, talk about a poor boy
Let me have a dollar bill
If you take your wife to the sawmill
How you gonna please her, how you gonna please her
When she wants a dollar bill
She'll run away and leave you at the sawmill
Women like a dollar, women like a dollar. Yes and women always will.
See my teardrops falling down my wife left this sawmill town
She said sawmill's life had been a sin
The gravy were much too thin. I can't work no more at the sawmill
Yes and women like a dollar, yes and women like a dollar
Yes and women always will
Scarlet Begonias
As I was walkin' 'round Grosvenor Square
Not a chill to the winter but a nip to the air,
From the other direction, she was calling my eye,
It could be an illusion, but I might as well try, might as well try.
She had rings on her fingers and bells on her shoes.
And I knew without askin' she was into the blues.
She wore scarlet begonias tucked into her curls,
I knew right away she was not like other girls, other girls.
In the thick of the evening when the dealing got rough,
She was too pat to open and too cool to bluff.
As I picked up my matches and was closing the door,
I had one of those flashes I'd been there before, been there before.
Well, I ain't always right but I've never been wrong.
Seldom turns out the way it does in a song.
Once in a while you get shown the light
In the strangest of places if you look at it right.
Well there ain't nothing wrong with the way she moves,
Scarlet begonias or a touch of the blues.
And there's nothing wrong with the look that's in her eyes,è I had to learn the hard way to let her pass by,let her pass by.
Wind in the willow's playin' "Tea for Two";
The sky was yellow and the sun was blue,
Strangers stoppin' strangers just to shake their hand,
Everybody's playing in the heart of gold band, heart of gold band.
121
Searchin'
Well, I've been searchin', I've been searchin'
I've been searchin' every week and day
Well, I've been searchin', I've been searchin'
I've been searchin' every which way
Like the North West Mountain you know I'll bring her in someday
Well, if I have to climb a mountain, you know I will
And if I have to swim a river, you know I will
No matter where she goes, Oh Lord, you know I will
And if I have to climb a mountain, you know I will
And if I have to swim a river, you know I will
I know she's hiding up there
If you marry him don't you know I'll find her, child I will
Well Sherlock Holmes, Sam Spade gonna put that child on me
No matter where she's hiding
She gonna tell me you're coming
I'm gonna walk right down that street just like bulldog jumping
Cause I've been searchin', I've been searchin'
I've been searchin' every which way
Like the North West Mountain you know I'll bring her in someday
I Second That Emotion
Maybe you like to give a kiss so sweet
Only for one night you belong to me
Maybe you go away and drive a car
But the taste of wine is worse than none at all
In that case I don't want no part
That would only break my heart
Well, if you feel like loving me and if you got the notion
I second that emotion
Maybe you think that love would tie you down
You ain't got the time to hang around
Maybe you think that love would make you a fool
So it makes you wise to break the rule
In that case I don't want no part
That would only break my heart
Well, if you feel like loving me and if you got that notion
I second that emotion
Well, if you feel like giving me a lifetime of devotion
I second that emotion.
è
122
Shakedown Street
You tell me this town ain't got no heart. Well, well, well, you can never tell.
The sunny side of the street is dark. Well, well, well, you can never tell.
Maybe that's cause it's midnight, in the dark of the moon besides.
Maybe the dark is from your eyes, Maybe the dark is from your eyes,
Maybe the dark is from your eyes, Maybe the dark is from your eyes,
Maybe the dark is from your eyes, Maybe the dark is from your eyes,
You know you got such dark eyes!
Nothin' shakin' on Shakedown Street. Used to be the heart of town.
Don't tell me this town ain't got no heart. You just gotta poke around.
You think you've seen this town clear through.
Well, well, well, you can never tell.
Nothin' here that could int'rest you. Well, well, well, you can never tell.
It's not because you missed out on the thing that we had to start.
Maybe you had too much too fast. Maybe you had too much too fast.
Maybe you had too much too fast. Maybe you had too much too fast.
Maybe you had too much too fast. Maybe you had too much too fast.
Or just over played your part.
Nothin' shakin' on Shakedown Street. Used to be the heart of town.
Don't tell me this town ain't got no heart. You just gotta poke around.
Since I'm passing your way today. Well, well, well, you can never tell.
I just stopped in 'cause I want to say, Well, well, well, you can never tell.
I recall your darkness when it crackled like a thundercloud.
Don't tell me this town ain't got no heart.
Don't tell me this town ain't got no heart.
Don't tell me this town ain't got no heart.
Don't tell me this town ain't got no heart.
Don't tell me this town ain't got no heart.
Don't tell me this town ain't got no heart.
When I can hear it beat out loud!
Nothin' shakin' on Shakedown Street. Used to be the heart of town.
Don't tell me this town ain't got no heart. You just gotta poke around.
è
123
She Belongs To Me
She's got everything she needs, she's an artist, she don't look back.
Takes the dark out of the nighttime, she paints the daytime black.
You will start out standing, proud to steal her anything she sees.
But you will wind up peeking through a key hole, down upon your bended knees.
She never stumbles, she's got no place to fall.
She's nobody's child, the law can't touch her at all.
She wears an Egyptian ring, that sparkles before she speaks.
She's a hypnotist collector, you are a walking antique.
Bow down to her on Sunday, salute her when her birthday comes.
For Halloween but her a trumpet, and for Christmas, buy her drums.
She's got everything she needs, she's an artist, she don't look back.
Takes the dark out of the nighttime, you know she paints the daytime black.
She's Mine
Well she's little and she's low, right down on the ground
Well the way she acts makes a rabbit huddle 'round
She's mine, well she's mine little and low crippled and she's blind
Everybody's laughin' where I go 'cause I'm leading my old lady
Down the road, but she's mine
Well she's mine little and low poor child crippled and blind
She's my baby crippled and blind
She's still my girl, she's mine
è
124
Ship of Fools
Went to see the captain, strangest I could find,
Laid my proposition down, laid it on the line.
I won't slave for beggar's pay, likewise gold and jewels,
But I would slave to learn the way to sink your ship of fools.
Ship of fools on a cruel sea, ship of fools sail away from me.
It was later than I thought when I first believed you,
Now I cannot share your laughter, ship of fools.
Saw your first ship sink and drown, from rockin' of the boat,
And all that could not sink or swim was just left there to float.
I won't leave you drifting down, but woh it makes me wild,
With thirty years upon my head to have you call me child.
Ship of fools on a cruel sea, ship of fools sail away from me.
It was later than I thought when I first believed you,
Now I cannot share your laughter, ship of fools.
The bottles stand as empty, as they were filled before.
Time there was and plenty, but from that cup no more.
Though I could not caution all, I still might warn a few:
Don't lend your hand to raise no flag atop no ship of fools.
Ship of fools on a cruel sea, ship of fools sail away from me.
It was later than I thought, when I first believed you,
Now I cannot share your laughter, ship of fools.
It was later than I thought when I first believed you,
Now I cannot share your laughter, ship of fools.
Silver Threads and Golden Needles
I don't want your lonely mansion with a tear in every room
All I want's the love you've promised beneath the halo moon
But you think I should be happy with your money and your name
Sit alone and hide my sorrows while you play your cheatin' game
Silver threads and golden needles cannot mend this heart of mine
And I dare drown my sorrow in the warm glow of your mind
You can't buy my love with money 'cause I ain't never been that kind
Silver threads and golden needles cannot mend this heart of mine
è
125
Simple Twist Of Fate
They sat together in the park as the evening sky grew dark
She looked at him and he felt a spark tingle to his bones
Twas then he felt alone and wished that he'd gone straight
And watched out for a simple twist of fate
They walked along by the old canal a little confused, I remember well
And stopped into a strange hotel with a neon burnin' bright
He felt the heat of the night hit him like a freight train
Moving with a simple twist of fate
A saxophone someplace far off played as she was walkin' by the arcade
As the light bust through a beat-up shade where he was wakin' up
She dropped a coin into the cup of the blind man at the gate
And forgot about a simple twist of fate
He woke up, the room was bare, he didn't see her anywhere
He told himself he didn't care, pushed the window open wide
Felt an emptiness inside to which he just could not relate
Brought on by a simple twist of fate
He hears the ticking of the clocks
And walks along with a parrot that talks
Hunts her down by the waterfront docks where the sailors all come in
Maybe she'll pick him out again, how long must he wait
Once more for a simple twist of fate
People tell me it's a sin to know and feel too much within
I still believe she was my twin, but I lost the ring
She was born in the spring, but I was born too late
Blame it on a simple twist of fate
Sing Me Back Home
The warden led the prisoner down the hallway to his doom
I stood up to say goodbye like all the rest
And I heard him tell the warden just before they reached my cell
Let my guitar playin' friend fill my request
Let him sing me back home a song I used to hear. Make my old memories come alive.
Sing me away and turn back the year. Sing me home before I die.
I recall last Sunday morning when the choir from off the street
Came in to sing a few old gospel songs
And I heard him tell the singers there's a song my mother sang
Can I hear it before you travel on.
Sing me back home a song I used to hear. Make my old memories come alive.
Sing me away and turn back the year. Sing me back home before I die.
è
126
Sitting In Limbo
Sitting here in limbo, but I know it won't be long.
Sitting here in limbo, like a bird without a song.
Well they're putting up resistance, but I know
that my faith will lead me on.
Sitting here in limbo, waiting for the dice to roll.
Sitting here in limbo, got some time to search my soul.
Well they're putting up resistance but I know
that my faith will lead me on.
I don't know where life will lead me, but I know where I've been.
I can't say what life will show me, but I know what I've seen.
Tried my hand at love and friendship, but all that is passed and gone.
This little boy is moving on.
Sitting here in limbo waiting for the tide to flow.
Sitting here in limbo knowing that I have to go.
Well they're putting up resistance, but I know
that my faith will lead me on.
Sitting in limbo...
Sitting on Top of the World
Mississippi River so big and wide, blond haired woman on the other side.
Now she's gone, gone, gone and I don't worry 'cause I'm sitting on top of the world.
I worked all summer, spring and fall, blond haired woman the cause of it all.
Now she's gone, gone, gone and I don't worry 'cause I'm sitting on top of the world.
I saw her in Dallas and El Paso. Said come back baby, I need you so.
Now she's gone, gone, gone and I don't worry 'cause I'm sitting on top of the world.
Mississippi River so big and wide, blond haired woman on the other side.
Now she's gone, gone, gone and I don't worry 'cause I'm sitting on top of the world.
Smokestack Lightnin'
Oh, smokestack lightnin', shinin' just like gold
Why can't you hear me cryin'? Ooooo
Oh, stop your train, let a hobo ride
Why can't you hear me cryin'? Ooooo
Oh, fare you well, I never see you no more
Why can't you hear me cryin'? Ooooo
Oh, stop your train, let a poor boy ride, callin' yes I do
Let a poor boy ride, let his foot step on
Oh, who've been you baby, since I've been goneè A little pretty boy? Tell me all ooooh
127
So Far From Me
You say you want to try again
Well you don't realize
That I have a better end in mind.
It doesn't seem you really have to
Close your eyes to see
Though I hope you don't need me
You are so far from me.
There was something I had caught inside
Screaming hard to make it go
And tied me down low
It doesn't seem you really have to
Close your eyes to see
You have been all you'll be
It's just you babe
And we can't relate at all.
It doesn't seem you really have to
Close your eyes to see
Though I hope you don't need me
You are so far from me.
This time's the last time i want to say so long
this song's my last song for you
There's just nothing here to hold on to babe
Nothing to hold on to.
Spoonful
Could have been a spoonful of coffee
Could have been a spoonful of tea
Just a little spoon of your precious love is good enough for me
Man lies about that, man cries about that
Man dies about that, spoonful, spoonful, spoonful
Could have been a spoonful of water
Spread out on the desert sand
Just a little spoon fortifies, save you from another man
Man lies about that, man cries about that
Even dies about that, spoonful, spoonful, spoonful
Could have been a spoonful of diamonds
Could have been a spoonful of gold
Just a little spoon of your precious love to satisfy my soul
Everybody's talking about spoonful
Spoonful, spoonful, spoonful
Everybody's fighting about spoonful
è
128
Stagger Lee
1948, Xmas eve, with a full moon over town
Stagger Lee shot Billy DeLions
And he blew that poor boy down.
Do you know what he shot him for?
What do you make of that?
Cause Billy DeLions threw the lucky dice
Won Stagger Lee's Stetson hat.
Bayo, Bayo, tell me how can this be?
You arrest the girls for turning tricks
But you're scared of Stagger Lee.
Stagger Lee is a madman and he shot my Billy D.
Bayo go get him or give the job to me.
Delia DeLions, dear sweet Delia-D
How the hell can I arrest him? He's twice as big as me.
Well don't ask me to go downtown, I won't come back alive [no more].
Not only is that mother big but he packs a .45 [four].
Bayo, Delia said, just give me a gun
he shot my Billy dead now I'm gonna see him hung.
She went into the DeLion's club through Billy DeLions blood
Stepped up to Stagger Lee at the bar,
Said, "Buy me a gin fizz, love."
As Stagger Lee lit a cigarette she shot him in the balls
Blew the smoke off her revolver, had him dragged to city hall
Bayo, Bayo, see you hang him high
He shot my Billy dead and now he's got to die.
Delia went a walking down on Singapore Street
A three-piece band on the corner played "Near My God to Thee"
But Delia whistled a different tune, what tune could it be?
The song that woman sung was "Look Out Stagger Lee".
The song that Delia sung was "Look Out Stagger Lee".
Stealin'
Well, put your arms around me like a circle in the sun
Stay with me baby like my easy rider done
If you don't think I love you look what a fool I've been
If you don't think I'm sinking look what a hole I'm in
I'm stealin' pretty mama don't you tell on me
I'm stealin' back my good old used-to-be
Well, the woman I love she's about my size
She's a married woman, comes to see me sometimesè
129
Stella Blue
All the years combine, they melt into a dream,
A broken angel sings from a guitar.
In the end there's just a song comes cryin' up the night
Thru all the broken dreams and vanished years.
Stella blue. Stella blue.
When all the cards are down, there's nothing left to see,
There's just the pavement left and broken dreams.
In the end there's still that song comes cryin' like the wind.
Down every lonely street that's ever been
Stella blue. Stella blue.
I've stayed in every blue-light cheap hotel, can't win for trying.
Dust off those rusty strings just one more time,
Gonna make them shine, shine
It all rolls into one and nothing comes for free,
There's nothing you can hold, for very long.
And when you hear that song come crying like the wind,
It seems like all this life was just a dream.
Stella blue. Stella blue.
Sugaree
When they come to take you down When they bring that wagon 'round
When they come to call on you and drag your poor body down
Just one thing I ask of you, just one thing for me
Please forget you know my name, my darling Sugaree
Shake it, shake it sugaree, just don't tell them that you know me
Shake it, shake it sugaree, just don't tell them that you know me
You thought you was the cool fool and never could do no wrong
Had everything sewed up tight. How come you lay awake all night long
Just one thing I ask of you, just one thing for me
Please forget you know my name, my darling Sugaree
Shake it, shake it sugaree, just don't tell them that you know me
Shake it, shake it sugaree, just don't tell them that you know me
Well in spite of all you gained you still had to stand out in the pouring rain
One last voice is calling you and I guess it's time you go
Just one thing I ask of you, just one thing for me
Please forget you know my name, my darling Sugaree
Shake it, shake it sugaree, just don't tell them that you know me
Shake it, shake it sugaree, just don't tell them that you know me
Well shake it up now Sugaree, I'll meet you at the jubileeè And if that jubilee don't come maybe I'll meet you on the run
Just one thing I ask of you, just one thing for me
Please forget you know my name, my darling Sugaree
Shake it, shake it sugaree, just don't tell them that you know me
Shake it, shake it sugaree, just don't tell them that you know me
Shake it, shake it sugaree, just don't tell them that you know me
130
Sugar Magnolia
Sugar magnolia, blossoms blooming, heads all empty and I don't care,
Saw my baby down by the river, knew she'd have to come up soon for air.
Sweet blossom come on, under the willow, we can have high times if you'll abide
We can discover the wonders of nature, rolling in the rushes down by the riverside.
She's got everything delightful, she's got everything I need,
Takes the wheel when I'm seeing double, pays my ticket when I speed
She comes skimmin' through rays of violet, she can wade in a drop of dew,
She don't come and I don't follow, waits backstage while I sing to you.
Well, she can dance a Cajun rhythm, jump like a willys in four wheel drive.
She's a summer love for spring, fall and winter. She can make happy any man alive.
Sugar magnolia, ringing that bluebell, caught up in sunlight, come on out singing
I'll walk you in the sunshine, come on honey, come along with me.
She's got everything delightful, she's got everything I need,
A breeze in the pines and the sun and bright moonlight, lazing in the sunshine yes
indeed.
Sometimes when the cuckoo's crying, when the moon is half way down,
Sometimes when the night is dying, I take me out and I wander around, I wander
'round.
Sunshine, daydream, walking in the tall trees, going where the wind goes
Blooming like a red rose, breathing more freely,
Ride our singin', I'll walk you in the morning sunshine
Sunshine, daydream. Sunshine, daydream. Walking in the sunshine.
Sunrise
Gazing at the fire, burning by the water
Before he speaks the world around us quiets.
With eyes as sharp as arrows and turning to the fire
He clears the air and cuts it with a feather.
Many in a circle slowly 'round the fire
When he is gone I want to know him better.
No one is forsaken, no one is a liar,
He plants the tree of life on our foreheads with water.
He hums, there are drums, four winds, rising suns,
We are singing and playing, I her him saying.
I remember breezes from winds inside your body
keep me high, like I told you, I'll sing to them this story and know why.è
131
Supplication
Well, dizzy ain't the word for the way that you're making me feel now
Well, I need some indication, girl, if all of this is real now, tell me girl now
Well, I've heard it said there's something wrong in my head, now
Got to help me, girl, now
Could it be infatuation or am I just being misled now?
Little bolt of inspiration Way you strike me now
Sparking my imagination, got the lightning now
Cause me such excitation, got the lightning now
'Bout to end my suffocation, come on strike me now
Little bolt of inspiration Way you strike me now, she's back in my imagination
Swing Low Sweet Chariot
Swing low, sweet chariot coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot coming for to carry me home
I looked over Jordan and what did I see coming for to carry me home
A band of angels is coming after me, coming for to carry me home.
If you come to heaven before I do, coming for to carry me home,
Tell all my friends I'll be coming there too coming for to carry me home.
Well I'm sometimes up and I'm sometimes down coming for to carry me home,
But I'd steal my soul if it ever were down coming for to carry me home.
è
132
Tangled Up In Blue
Early one mornin' the sun was shinin', I was layin' in bed
Wond'rin if she'd changed at all if her hair was still red
Her folks they said our lives together sure was gonna be rough
They never did like Mama's homemade dress
Papa's bankbook wasn't big enough
And I was standin' on the side of the road rain fallin' on my shoes
Heading out for the East Coast
Lord knows I've paid some dues gettin' through tangled up in blue
She was married when we first met soon to be divorced
I helped her out of a jam, I guess, but I used a little too much force
We drove that car as far as we could abandoned it out West
Split up on a dark sad night both agreeing it was best
She turned around to look at me as I was walkin' away
I heard her say over my shoulder,
We'll meet again someday on the avenue, tangled up in blue
I had a job in the great north woods working as a cook for a spell
But I never did like it all that much and one day the ax just fell
So I drifted down to New Orleans where I happened to be employed
Workin' for a while on a fishin' boat right outside of Delacroix
But all the while I was alone the past was close behind
I seen a lot of women, but she never escaped my mind,
And I just grew tangled up in blue
She was workin' in a topless place and I stopped in for a beer
I just kept lookin' at the side of her face in the spotlight so clear
And later on as the crowd thinned out I's just about to do the same
She was standing there in back of my chair
Said to me, "Don't you know my name?"
I muttered somethin' under my breath
She studied the lines on my face, I must admit I felt a little uneasy
When she bent down to tie the laces of my shoe, tangled up in blue
She lit a burner on the stove and offered me a pipe
I thought you'd never say hello, she said
You look like the silent type.
Then she opened up a book of poems and handed it to me
Written by an Italian poet from the thirteenth century
And every one of them words rang true and glowed like burnin' coal
Pourin' off of every page like it was written in my soul from me to you
Tangled up in blue
I lived with them on Montague Street in a basement down the stairs
There was music in the cafes at night and revolution in the air
Then he started into dealing with slaves and something inside him died
She had to sell everything she owned and froze up inside
And when finally the bottom fell out I became withdrawn
The only thing I knew how to do was to keep on keepin' on
Like a bird that flew, tangled up in blue
è So now I'm goin' back again I got to get her to somehow
All the people we used to know they're an illusion to me now
Some are mathematicians some are carpenter's wives
Don't know how it all got started
I don't know what they're doin' with their lives
But me, I'm still on the road headin' for another joint
We always did feel the same we just saw it from another point of view
Tangled up in blue
133
Tell Mama
Your dogs ain't found a good girl, one that love you and give you warning
Now you find that you been misused, well how many girls can think all right
She'd embarrass you anywhere, she'd make her friends think that she didn't care
Give me the chance and I'd been begging
And I just want to take care of you and I want you to
Tell Mama, all about it, tell Mama, what you need
Tell Mama, what you want and how that girl does things all right
Let me hear you say "Yash"
The girl you had didn't have no sense,
she wasn't worth all the time you spent
Had another man kick you out the door,
now that same dude is wearing your clothes
Tell your Mama, what you want, tell your Mama, what you need
Tell your Mama, what you got to have
Tennessee Jed
Cold iron shackles, ball and chain,
Listen to the whistle of the evenin' train.
You know you bound to wind up dead,
If you don't head back to Tennessee Jed.
Rich man step on my poor head,
When you get back you better butter my bread.
Well, do you know it's like I said,
You better head back to Tennessee Jed.
Tennessee, Tennessee, there ain't no place I'd rather be,
Baby won't you carry me back to Tennessee.
Drink all day and rock all night,
The law come to get you if you don't walk right
Got a letter this morning, baby all it read,
You better head back to Tennessee Jed.
I dropped four flights and cracked my spine,
Honey, come quick with the iodine,
Catch a few winks, baby, under the bed
Then you head back to Tennessee Jed.
Tennessee, Tennessee, there ain't no place I'd rather be,
Baby won't you carry me back to Tennessee.
I run into Charlie Fog,
Blacked my eye and he kicked my dog,
My doggie turned to me and he said,
Let's head back to Tennessee Jed.è
I woke up a felin' mean,
Went down to play the slot machine,
The wheels turned around, and the letters read,
You better head back to Tennessee Jed.
Tennessee, Tennessee, there ain't no place I'd rather be,
Baby won't you carry me back to Tennessee.
134
Terrapin Station - Lady With a Fan
Let my inspiration flow in token rhyme, suggesting rhythm,
That will not forsake you, till my tale is told and done.
While the firelight's aglow, strange shadows from the flames will grow,
Till things we've never seen will seem familiar.
Shadows of a sailor, forming winds both foul and fair all swarm.
Down in Carlisle, he loved a lady many years ago.
Here beside him stands a man, a soldier from the looks of him,
Who came through many fights, but lost at love.
While the story teller speaks, a door within the fire creaks;
Suddenly flies open, and a girl is standing there.
Eyes alight, with glowing hair, all that fancy paints as fair,
She takes her fan and throws it, in the lion's den.
Which of you to gain me, tell, will risk uncertain pains of hell?
I will not forgive you if you will not take the chance.
The sailor gave at least a try, the soldier being much too wise,
Strategy was his strength, and not disaster.
The sailor, coming out again, the lady fairly leapt at him.
That's how it stands today. You decide if he was wise.
The story teller makes no choice. Soon you will not hear his voice.
His job is to shed light, and not to master.
Since the end is never told, we pay the teller off in gold,
In hopes he will return, but he cannot be bought or sold.
Terrapin Station
Inspiration, move me brightly. Light the song with sense and color;
Hold away despair, more than this I will not ask.
Faced with mysteries dark and vast, statements just seem vain at last.
Some rise, some fall, some climb, to get to Terrapin.
Counting stars by candlelight, all are dim but one is bright;
The spiral light of Venus, rising first and shining best,
On, from the northwest corner, of a brand new crescent moon,
While crickets and cicadas sing, a rare and different tune,
Terrapin Station.
In the shadow of the moon, Terrapin Station.
And I know we'll get there soon, Terrapin Station.
I can't figure out, Terrapin, if it's the end or beginning, Terrapin,
But the train's put it's brakes on, Terrapin,
And the whistle is screaming, TERRAPIN.
Terrapin Station - At the Siding
While you were gone, these faces filled with darkness.
The obvious was hidden. With nothing to believe in,è The compass always points to Terrapin.
Sullen wings of fortune beat like rain.
You're back in Terrapin for good or ill again, for good or ill again.
135
That's All Right, Mama
My Mama told me, Papa done told me too
That gal you're foolin' with ain't no good for you
But that's allright, that's allright
That's allright now Mama, anyway you do
One and one is two, two and two is four
Don't leave me baby when you walk out the door
That's allright, that's allright
That's allright now Mama, anyway you do
That's allright Mama, that's allright with you
That's allright Mama, anyway you do
That's It For The Other One
The other day they waited, the sky was dark and faded,
Solemnly they stated, "He has to die, you know he has to die."
All the children learnin', from books that they were burnin',
Every leaf was turnin' ; to watch him die, you know he had to die.
The summer sun looked down on him, his mother could but frown on him,
And all the others sound on him, but it doesn't seem to matter.
And when the day had ended, with rainbow colors blended,
His mind remained unbended, he had to die, you know he had to die.
Spanish lady comes to me, she lays on me this roes.
It rainbow spirals round and round it trembles and explodes.
It left a smoking crater of my mind I like to blow away.
But the heat came 'round and busted me for smiling on a cloudy day.
Comin', comin', comin' around, comin', around,
comin', around, in a circle
Comin', comin', comin' around, comin' around, in a circle,
Comin', comin', comin' around, comin' in a circle.
Skippin' through the lily fields I came across an empty space,
It trembled and exploded, left a bus stop in it's place.
The bus came by and I got on, that's when it all began,
There was cowboy Neal at the wheel of the bus to never ever land.
Comin', comin', comin' around, comin', around,
comin', around, in a circle
Comin', comin', comin' around, comin' around, in a circle,
Comin', comin', comin' around, comin' in a circle.
And when the day had ended, with rainbow colors blended,
Their minds remained unbended,
He had to die, Oh, you know he had to die.
è
136
They Love Each Other
Mary run around, sailin' up and down,
Looking for a shot in some direction.
Got it from the top, it's nothing you can stop,
Lord, you know they made a fire connection.
They love each other, Lord you can see that it's true,
Lord you can see that it's true, Lord you can see that it's true.
He could pass his time, around some other line
But you know he choose this place beside her.
Don't get in their way, there's nothing you can say,
Nothing thay you need to add or do.
They love each other, Lord you can see that it's true,
Lord you can see that it's true, Lord you can see that it's true.
Its' nothing, they explain, it's like a diesel train
you better not be there when it rolls, over,
And when that train rolls in, you wonder where it's been,
You gotta try and see a little further.
[ ADDITIONAL LYRICS FROM THE 1973 VERSION ]
Though you'll make a noise, just can't hear your voice.
All the dizzy ride on your cold shoulder.
Won't you believe what I say is true?
Everything I did I heard it first from you.
Everything I tell you, I heard it first from you.
Heard your news report, you know you're falling short.
Pretty soon, we'll trust you for the weather.
When that ship comes in, you won't know where it's been.
You got to try to see a little further.
This Time Forever
We had plenty of lovers, we put in our time
We were anything but blind
Just as certain angels of perpetual flight
When we met we saw the light
This time for sure, this time forever, but it turned to sand
Slipping through our hand, as time slipped away
She was a stranger, just a stranger, when I awoke and saw her face
She moved in for the winter, made a garden in May
Summer came and gone, I was gone when she left me
There was nothing to leave, swept away on a breeze
This time for sure, this time forever, but it turned to sand
Slipped right through our hand, as time slipped awayè She was a stranger when I woke and saw her face
137
Throwing Stones
Picture a bright blue ball just spinning, spinning free
Dizzy with eternity.
Paint it with a skin of sky, brush in some clouds and sea
Call it home for you and me.
A peaceful place or so it looks from space
A closer look reveals the human race.
Full of hope, full of grace, is the human face.
But afraid, we may our home to waste.
There's a fear down here we can't forget hasn't got a name just yet
Always awake, always around singing ashes to ashes all fall down.
Now watch as the ball revolves and the nighttime calls
And again the hunt begins and again the bloodwind calls
By and by again, the morning sun will rise
But the darkness never goes from some men's eyes.
It strolls the sidewalks and it rolls the streets
Stalking turf, dividing up meat.
Nightmare spook, piece of heat, you and me, you and me.
Click, flashblade in ghetto night. Rudies looking for a fight.
Rat cat alley roll them bones. Need that cash to feed that jones
And the politicians throwing stones
Singing ashes, ashes all fall down.
Commissars and pin-striped bosses role the dice
Any way they fall guess who gets to pay the price.
Money green or proletarian gray, selling guns instead of food today.
So the kids they dance, they shake their bones
While the politicians throwing stones
Singing ashes, ashes all fall down.
Heartless powers try to tell us what to think
If the spirit's sleeping, then the flesh is ink.
History's page, it is thusly carved in stone
The future's here, we are it, we are on our own.
If the game is lost then we're all the same
No one left to place or take the blame.
We will leave this place an empty stone
Or this shinning ball of bule we can call our home
So the kids they dance, they shake their bones
While the politicians are throwing stones
Singing ashes, ashes all fall down.
Shipping powders back and forth
Singing "black goes south while white comes north"
And the whole world full of petty wars
Singing "I got mine and you got yours."
And the current fashions set the pace.
Lose your step, fall out of grace.
And the radical he rant and rage, Singing "someone got to turn the page"
And the rich man in his summer home,
Singing "Just leave well enough alone"
But his pants are down, his cover's blown
And the politicians are throwing stones
So the kids they dance they shake their bones
Cause its all too clear we're on our ownè Singing ashes, ashes all fall down.
Picture a bright blue ball just spinning, spinning free
It's dizzying, the possibilities. Ashes, Ashes all fall down.
138
Till The Morning Comes
Till the morning comes, it'll do you fine.
Till the morning comes, like a highway sign,
Showing you the way, leaving no doubt,
Of the way on in or the way back out.
Tell you what I'll do, I'll watch out for you
You're my woman now, make yourself easy, make yourself easy
Make yourself eeeeeeasy
Till we all fall down, it'll do you fine,
Don't think about what you left behind
The way you came or the way you go
Let your tracks be lost in the dark and snow
Tell you what I'll do, I'll watch out for you
You're my woman now, make yourself easy, make yourself easy
Make yourself eeeeeeasy
When the shadows grow, it'll do you fine
When the cold winds blow, it'll ease your mind
The shape it takes could be yours to choose,
What you may win, what you may lose
Tell you what I'll do, I'll watch out for you
You're my woman now, make yourself easy, make yourself easy
Make yourself eeeeeeeasy
You're my woman now, make yourself easy.
You're my woman now, make yourself easy.
You're my woman now, make yourself easy.
You're my woman now, make yourself easy.
To Lay Me Down
To lay me down, once more
to lay me down with my head in sparklin' clover
to lay me down, on e last time, to lay me down
To be with you, once more, to be with you.
With our bodies close together
let the world go by, like the clouds a'streamin'
to lay me down, on e last time, to lay me down
to lay me down, to lay me down, to lay me down, one last time,
to lay me down
to lie with you, once more, to lie with you
with our dreams entwined together
to wake beside you, my love still sleepin'
to tell sweet lies, one last time and say good night
to lay me down, to lay me down, to lay me down, one last time,è to lay me down
to lay me down, one last time, to lay me down
to lay me down, to lay me down, to lay me down, to lay me down
to lay me down
139
Tom Dooley
Hang your head, hang your head, Tom Dooley hang your head and cry
Killed poor Laura Foster, you know you're bound to die
Bury her on the hillside, make the people see
Put the coat over, tromp her with your feet
Hang your head Tom Dooley, hang your head and cry
Killed poor Laura Foster, don't you know your bound to die
Bury her on the hillside with other people's lives
Hang your head Tom Dooley, hang your head and cry
Killed poor Laurea Foster, don't you know you're bound to die
First time I went courting, pretty brave of me
Just to sing from her old oak tree
Hang your mama with kindness blame it on this morning
Tomorrow Is Forever
Take my hand and run with me out of the past called yesterday
and walk with me into the future on to tomorrow
Yesterday my sweetful life rolled again back no matter what
There is nothing left but memories that bring sorrows
Yesterday is gone but tomorrow is forever
No more cryin' and memories find their way back
Tomorrow's waiting let's journey there together
Yesterday is gone but tomorrow is forever
I care no for yesterday, I love you as you are today
We must forget the passing time
My love for you is the real kind of love that won't hurt you forever
Yesterday is over. tomorrow is forever
è
140
Tom Thumb Blues
When your lost in the rain in Juarez and it's Easter time too
When your gravity is down and negativity won't pull you through
Don't you put on any airs when you down on Rue Morgue Avenue.
They got some hungry creatures there they'll surely make a mess out of you
If you see St Annie, please tell her thanks alot
My thoughts they are twisted, my tentacles are all in a knot
I don't even have the strength to get up and take another shot.
Now my best friend, my drummer, won't even tell what it was that I dropped
Now sweet Melinda, the peasants call her the goddess of gloom.
She speaks good English as she invites you up into her room.
And you, you were so damn conscientious, you couldn't go to her too soon
Still she takes your voice and leaves you howling at the moon.
Up on Housing Project Hill, it's either fortune or fame
You must choose one or the other though neither are to be what they claim
If you're looking to get silly, you better get back from where you came
You know the cops don't need you and we all expect the same.
Now all the authorities, they just lay around and boast
About how they blackmailed the President into leaving his post.
And picking up Angel,
Who arrived up here from the coast,
Who looked so fine at first, but left looking like a ghost.
Now I started out heinakin, still hit the harder stuff
Everybody swore they stand behind me when the game got rough
But the joke was on me, there was nobody even there to call my bluff
I'm goin' back to San Enselmo, I do believe I had enough.
è
141
100,000 Tons of Steel
I know these rails we're on like I know my lady's smile,
We see a dozen dreams in every passing mile.
Can't begin to count the trips she and I have made,
But I wish I had a dollar for each time we've both been down this grade.
And 100,000 tons of steel, made to roll.
The brakes don't work and this grade's too steep, her engine's sure to blow.
And 100,000 tons of steel, out of control,
She's more a rollercoaster than the train I used to know.
It's one hell of an understatement, to say she can't be beat.
She's tempermental, more a bitch than a machine.
She wasn't built to travel at speed or through mud slides.
These wheels are bound to jump the tracks before they burn like the ties
And 100,000 tons of steel, made to roll.
The brakes don't work and this grade's too steep, her engine's sure to blow
And 100,000 tons of steel, out of control
She's more a rollercoaster than the train I used to know.
Murphy sure out done himself to pick this stretch of track
I can only hope my luck is ridin' in the back.
Well I have pray to God this ain't the day we meet,
I've done about everything, but try dragging my feet.
And 100,000 tons of steel, made to roll.
The brakes don't work and this grade's too steep, her engine's sure to blow
And 100,000 tons of steel, out of control,
She's more a rollercoaster than the train I used to know.
Oh, oh I want to go down slow.
Tore Up Over You
Ever since you been gone I just cried the whole night long
Since the day you said goodbye left me sore, no lie, no lie
Tore up over you, and I just can't find my way.
Tore up! Yeah, yeah, yeah, tore up.
Woh-oh-oh tore up! Yeah, yeah, yeah, tore up.
Tore up over you, and I just can't find my way.
Never loved me like ya told me so if you did how could you go?
It was you, not me, that left and went away with someone else
Tore up over you, and I just can't find my way.
Tore up! Yeah, yeah, yeah, tore up.
Woh-oh-oh tore up! Yeah, yeah, yeah, tore up.
Tore up over you, and I just can't find my way.
è Tell me what did I do to make you go away?
Tell me what can I do to make to come back and stay?
Tore up over you, and I just can't find my way.
Tore up! Yeah, yeah, yeah, tore up.
Woh-oh-oh tore up! Yeah, yeah, yeah, tore up.
Tore up over you, and I just can't find my way.
142
Touch of Grey
Must be getting early, clock are running late.
Paint my love a morning sky, it's all cold.
Dawn is breaking everywhere, light a candle, curse the glare
Draw the curtains I don't care, but it's alright
I will get by, I will get by, I will get by, I will survive.
I see you've got your list out, say your piece and kiss off.
Guess I get the jist of it, but it's alright
Oh well anyway, sorry that you feel that way.
Every silver linings got a touch of grey
I will get by, I will get by, I will get by, I will survive.
It's a lesson to me, the ablers and the beggars and the theives
The abc's we all think of, try to win a little love.
I know the rent is in the rears, the dog has not been fed in years
It's even worse than it appears, but it's alright
Cow is giving kerosene, kid can't read at seventeen
The words he knows are all obscene, but it's alright
I will get by, I will get by, I will get by, I will survive.
Shoe is on the hand that fits, that's all there really is to it
Whistle through your teeth and spit, but it's alright
Oh well a touch of gray, kinda suits you anyway,
That's all I had to say, but it's alright
I will get by, I will get by, I will get by, I will survive.
It's a lesson to me, the devils and the East and the free
The abc's we all must face, try to save a little grace.
è
143
Truckin'
Truckin' got my chips cashed in. Keep truckin', like the do-dah man
Together, more or less in line, just keep truckin' on.
Arrows of neon and flashing marquees out on Main Street.
Chicago, New York, Detroit and it's all on the same street.
Your typical city involved in a typical daydream
Hang it up and see what tomorrow brings.
Dallas, got a soft machine; Houston, too close to New Orleans;
New York's got the ways and means; but just won't let you be, oh no.
Most of the cast that you meet on the streets speak of true love,
Most of the time they're sittin' and cryin' at home.
One of these days they know they better get goin'
Out of the door and down on the streets all alone.
Truckin', like the do-dah man. Once told me "You've got to play your hand"
Sometimes your cards ain't worth a dime, if you don't lay'em down,
Sometimes the light's all shinin' on me;
Other times I can barely see.
Lately it occurres to me What a long, strange trip it's been.
What in the world ever became of sweet Jane?
She lost her sparkle, you know she isn't the same
Livin' on reds, vitamin C, and cocaine,
All a friend can say is "Ain't it a shame?"
Truckin', up to Buffalo. Been thinkin', you got to mellow slow
Takes time, you pick a place to go, and just keep truckin' on.
Sittin' and starin' out of the hotel window.
Got a tip they're gonna kick the door in again
I'd like to get some sleep before I travel,
But if you got a warrant, I guess you're gonna come in.
Busted, down on Bourbon Street, Set up, like a bowlin' pin.
Knocked down, it get's to wearin' thin. They just won't let you be, oh no.
You're sick of hangin' around and you'd like to travel;
Get tired of travelin' and you want to settle down.
I guess they can't revoke your soul for tryin',
Get out of the door and light out and look all around.
Sometimes the light's all shinin' on me;
Other times I can barely see.
Lately it occurres to me What a long, strange trip it's been.
Truckin', I'm a goin' home. Whoa whoa baby, back where I belong,
Back home, sit down and patch my bones, and get back truckin' on.
Hey now get back truckin' home.è
144
Turn On Your Love Light
Without a warning you broke my heart, takin' it baby, tore it apart
And you left me standin' in the dark, said your love for me was dyin'.
Come on baby, baby please come on baby, cause I'm on my knees.
Turn on your lights let it shine on me shine on your love light
Let it shine on me let shine, let it shine, let it shine.
When I get lonely in the middle of the night
And I need you darlin' to make things alright
So come on baby, baby please and I'm beggin' you baby cause I'm on my knees,
Turn on your lights let it shine on me
Turn on your love light let it shine on me
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Without a warning you broke my heart, takin' it baby, tore it apart
And you left me standin' in the dark, shine your love for me was dark.
Come on baby, baby please come on baby, cause I'm on my knees.
Turn on your lights let it shine on me shine on your love light
Let it shine on me let shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Two Souls in Communion
What are they seeing, when they look in each other's eyes?
What are they feeling, when they see each other smile?
Is it love, I don't know - or an emotion that I've outgrown?
Did I take a wrong turn - in on life's winding road?
Won't somebody help me find the right way to go?
My life need some correction, alteration and direction.
Wont somebody stand by me - yes, I'm lost, yes, I'm lost, yes, I'm lost.
What is the secret of this time of mine?
Two souls in communion, both body and mind.
Is it special magic, or just the nature of things?
Come see the great spirit, not for beggars but for kings.
You who have found it please help me along.
I'm a man, I'm a man, - I'm not made out of stone.
My needs they are simple, I don't want anything,
but I surely want to fly on those wings, on the run, one more time.
All I wanna do, fly up, fly home.
Fly on those wings of love, fly up, fly home,
I'm a staying in your town, fly up, fly home,
Help me somebody please! Fly up, fly home.
I wake up early in the morning, fly up, fly home,
you know I never saw you babe, fly up, fly home.è
I just can't seem to understand,
can't seem to understand what's wrong, fly up, fly home.
What I wanna do is take a little ride with you, on the wings of love,
woh-oh one more time, one more time.
145
Two Women
I got two women, yes I've got, one need me feel, but I need you
Been so strange, I don't know what I've done
I think I'm freezin' in the heat of the sun.
My woman say she love me, say what'll wanna do you
I just don't know what to do, I know I love her, but another woman mine
I just don't know what to do, can't be the one who's cryin'
And I feel so strange about what I've done
Yes, you know I feel like a freezin', freezin' in the heat of the sun
I say why have I always got two rollin' the same ol' time?
Unbroken Chain
Blue light rain, whoa unbroken chain,
Looking for familiar faces in an empty window pane.
Listening for the secret, searching for the sound
But I could only hear the preacher and the baying of his hounds.
Willow sky, whoa, I walk and wonder why,
They say love your brother, but you will catch it when you try.
Roll you down the line boy, drop you for a loss,
Ride you out on a cold railroad and nail you to a cross.
November and more, as I wait for the score,
They're telling me forgiveness is the key to every door.
A slow winder day a night like forever,
Sink like a stone, float like a feather.
(instrumental)
Lilac rain, unbroken chain, Song of the sawhet owl.
Out on the mountain, it'll drive you insane, Listening to the winds howl
Unbroken chain of sorrow and pearls, Unbroken chain of shy and sea.
Unbroken chain of the western wind, Unbroken chain of you and me.
è
146
Uncle John's Band
Well the first days are the hardest days, don't you worry any more,
'Cause when life looks like Easy Street, there is danger at your door.
Think this through with me, let me know your mind,
Wo, oh, what I want to know, is are you kind?
It's a buck dancer's choice my friend; better take my advice.
You know all the rules by now and the fire from the ice.
Will you come with me? Won't you come with me?
Wo, oh, what I want to know, will you come with me?
Goddamn, well I declare, have you seen the like?
Their wall are built of cannonballs, their motto is "Don't tread on me".
Come hear Uncle John'n Band playing to the tide,
Come with me, or go alone, he's come to take his children home.
It's the same story the crow told me; it's the only one he knows.
Like the morning sun you come and like the wind you go.
Ain't no time to hate, barely time to wait,
Wo, oh, what I want to know, where does the time go?
I live in a silver mine and I call it Beggar's Tomb;
I got me a violin and I beg you call the tune,
anybody's choice, I can hear your voice.
Wo, oh, what I want to know, how does the song go?
Come hear Uncle John's Band by the riverside,
Got some things to talk about, here beside the rising tide.
Come hear Uncle John's Band playing to the tide,
Come on along, or go alone, he's come to take his children home.
Wo, oh, what I want to know, how does the song go.
U.S. Blues
Red and white, blue suede shoes, I'm Uncle Sam, how do you do?
Gimme five, I'm still alive, ain't no luck, I learned to duck.
Check my pulse, it don't change. Stay seventy-two come shine or rain.
Wave the flag, pop the bag, rock the boat, skin the goat.
Wave that flag, wave it wide and high.
Summertime done, come and gone, my, oh, my.
I'm Uncle Sam, that's who I am; Been hidin' out in a rock and roll band.
Shake the hand that shook the hand of P.T. Barnum and Charlie Chan.
Shine your shoes, light your fuse. Can you use them ol' U.S. Blues?
I'll drink your health, share your wealth, run your life, steal your wife.
Wave that flag, wave it wide and high.
Summertime done, come and gone, my, oh, my.
Back to back chicken shack. Son of a gun, better change your act.
We're all confused, what's to lose?è You can call this all the United States Blues.
Wave that flag, wave it wide and high.
Summertime done, come and gone, my, oh, my.
147
Valerie
Hey Valerie, Baby what's the matter with you?
I did all of the things that you wanted me to
I went downtown with my picket knife, cut your other man,
Cut your other man, but I spared his life
Valerie won't you be good to me?
Hey Valerie, Baby what's the matter with you?
Come on, come Baby, and tell me true
Hey now Baby, what did I do? I shot my dog 'cause he growled at you
Valerie won't you be good to me?
Valerie what's the matter with me? I never ever done you no wrong
I sing the blues nearly all night long.
Valerie what the matter with me? You know I'd do anything that you'd say
I can't understand why you tell me "Please go away"
I ain't afraid of the cold. cruel world outside
No chicken little running from a falling sky
The only thing trouble's me is you. If you leave me what will I do?
Valerie won't you be good to me?
You got me down on the knees of my shaking feet
Can't play the blues 'cause for you I drop the beat
Valerie what your complaint? I try to be everything I ain't
Valerie won't you be good to me?
Viola Lee Blues
The judge decreed it, the clerk he wrote it.
Clerk he wrote it down indeed-e
Judge decreed it, clerk he wrote it down
Give you this jail sentence you'll be Nashville bound
Some got six month some got one solid.
Some got one solid year indeed-e
Some got six month some got one solid.
But me and my buddies all got lifetime here
I wrote a letter I mailed in the air, Mailed it on the air indeed-e
I wrote a letter I mailed in the air.
You may know by that I've got a friend somewhere
è
148
Visions of Johanna
Ain't it just like the night to play tricks
when you're tryin' to be so quiet?
We sit here stranded, though we're all doin' our best to deny it.
And Louise holds a handful of rain temptin' you to defy it.
Lights flicker from the opposite left.
In this room the heat pipes just cough.
The country music station plays soft,
But there's nothing, really nothing, to turn off.
Just Louise and her lovers so entwined
And these visions of Johanna that conquer my mind.
In the empty lot where the ladies play
blindman's bluff with a key chain,
And all-night girls they whisper of escapades out on the "D" train.
We can hear the night watchman click his flashlight,
ask himself if it's him or them that's really insane.
But Louise she's alright, she's just near,
She's delicate and she seems like the mirror,
But she just makes it all too concise and too clear,
That Johanna's not here.
The ghost of 'lectricity howls in the bones of her face.
Where these visions of Johanna have now taken my place.
Now, little boy lost, he takes himself so seriously.
He brags of his misery, he likes to live dangerously,
And when bringing her name up he speaks of her farewell kiss to me.
He's sure got alot of gall, to be so useless and all,
Muttering small talk at the wall, while I'm in the hall.
Oh, how can I explain? It's so hard to get on
And these visions of Johanna they kept me up past the dawn.
Inside the museums Infinity goes up on trial
Voices echo this is what salvation must be like after a while.
But even Mona Lisa must have had the highway blues,
you can tell by the way she smiles
See the primative wallflower freeze.
When the jelly-faced women all sneeze,
Hear the one with the mustache say "Jeeze, I can't find my knees."
Jewels and binoculars hang from the head of the mule,
But the visions of Johanna they make it all seem so cruel.
The peddlar now speaks to the countess who's pretending to care for him.
Saying "Name me someone that's not a parasite and I'll go out
and say a prayer for him."
But like Louise always says "Ya can't look at much can ya man?"
As she, herself prepares for him
And Madonna she still has not showed,
We see this empty cage now corrode,
Where her cape of the stage once had flowed,
The fiddler, he now steps to the road,è He writes ev'rything's been returned which was owed
On the back of the fish truck that loads,
While my conscience explodes.
The harmonicas play the skeleton key and the rain
And these visions of Johanna are now all that remain.
149
Wake Up Little Susie
Wake up little Susie, wake up. Wake up little Susie, wake up.
The movie wasn't so hot, it didn't have much of a plot
We fell asleep, out goose is cooked, our reputation is shot
Wake up little Susie, wake up little Susie
What are you gonna tell your mama, what you gonna tell your pa
What are you gonna tell your friend when they say ooo la la
Wake up little Susie, wake up little Susie
Well I told your mama that you'd be back by ten
Now Susie, baby looks like we goofed again
Wake up little Susie, wake up little Susie, we gotta go home
Wake up little Susie, wake up. Wake up little Susie, wake up.
The bullfrog's sound asleep, wake up little Susie and weep
It's four o'clock and we're in trouble deep
Wake up little Susie, wake up little Susie
Walking Blues
Woke up this morning, felt around for my shoes
That's when I knew I had them old walking blues
I woke up this morning, felt around, felt around for my shoes
That's when I knew I had them old, mean old walking blues
Leaving in the morning if I have to, robbed blind
I've been mistreated and I don't mind dying
I'm leaving in the morning if I have to, robbed blind
I've been mistreated and I just don't mind dying
She got a Belgium movement from her head down to her toes
Breaking on a dollar 'most anywhere she goes
Well I got a good woman coming my way
Tried to try, some electric pantin', some electric chillin' cryin'
But, ooh, mistook, misgiven
Got me up and walking Baby, but I'm walking blue, walking blue
Well some people say boy, the walking blues ain't bad
It's the worst old feelin' I 'most ever had
Walking the Dog
Baby's back all dressed in black. Silver buttons all down her back
High ho tip the toes, she broke the needle now she can't sew
Walking the dog, I'm just a walking the dog
If you don't know how to do it, I'll show you how to walk that dog
è Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow
With silver bells and cockle shells and pretty maids all in a row
I asked my mother for fifteen cents, I see her ever I jump the fence
I jumped the sky I touched the sky, never come down 'till the fourth of July
150
Walk in the Sun
Oh I know there is no place you can go to
And I know you don't know anyone at all
So come walking in the sun with me my little one
And remember that the only time is now
Oh how strange is the story your eyes tell me
And quiet all the new words that you say
So come and hold my hand for you see I'd understand
And remember the only time is now
Oh I come to you ragged up stranger
And you come to me an angel of the nite
So all dancing, we will sing, for it doesn't mean a thing
And remember that the only time is now
So forget about your yesterdays of sorrow
And forget about the darkness you have seen
For there's only you and me at the edge of an endless sea
And remember that the only time is now
Walk in the Sunshine
Look out cause here comes some free advice.
Walk in the sunshine, watch for the bright sun,
Be all those things you're able to be.
You got to listen to the heavens, you got to try to understand,
The grateness of their movement is just as small as it is grand.
Try not to hurry, it's just not your worry.
Leave it to those all caught up in time.
You got to deep-six your wristwatch, you got to try and understand,
The time it seems to capture is just the movement of its hands.
I ain't preachin', 'cause I don't know
How to make fast things move along slow
I can't stop it, can't make it go.
Just 'cause I say it, that don't mean that it's so, no, no,
Watch what you hear now, make sure it's clear now,
Just 'cause it's said that don't mean that it's true. So all we say:
You got to make a revolution, you got to help me with my cause.
You got to burn down all the buildings, you got to throw out all the laws.
I ain't burning, Lord, I'm still only learning
How to become a man of my own.
è I ain't crazy, nor am I lazy,
Just want to find out what's right and what's wrong.
I ain't crazy, all the world keeps on turning,
I'm still trying to find out what's right and what's wrong.
I ain't crazy!
151
Wang Dang Doodle
Tell Automatic Slim
Tell Razor Totin' Jim
Tell Butcher Knife Totin' Annie
Tell Fast Talkin' Fanny
Tonite we're gonna pitch a ball
Down to that union hall
Gonna romp and tromp 'till midnite
We're gonna fuss and fight 'till daylight
We're gonna pitch a wang dang doodle all nite long
Tell Poodle I'll tell him here
Tell Albert I'll see him near
Tell old Pistol Pete
Everybody gonna meet
Tonite we need no rest
We're really gonna throw a mess
We're gonna break out all the windows
Gonna kick down all the doors
We're gonna pitch a wang dang doodle all nite long
Tell Fats and Washboard Sam
That everybody's gonna jam
Just shake it Boxcar Joe
We got sawdust on the floor
Tell Chicken Head Till I Die
We're gonna have a time
When the fish head fills the air
Be snuff juice everywhere
We're gonna pitch a wang dang doodle all nite long
Wave That Flag
Wave that flag, pop the bag, skin the goat, learn to cope
Bell the rat, trap the cat, ball the jack, chew the fat
Read the signs, connect the lines, pay your fines, save your dimes
Pick up time, light the fuse, making time, pass the juice
Eat at days, hide in caves, pull the tooth, stretch the truth
Feed the poor, starve the war, pick up chicks, catch the fix
Get your kicks, pick up sticks, trim your wick, take your pick
Try your tricks, impress the chicks
Wash the fence, dig the den, live the vain, die in shame
Catch the fool, burn the stew, shine your shoes, sing the blues
Wave the flag, pop the bag, bell the cat, trap the rat
Ball the jack, chew the fat, shoot the breeze, lose the keys
Read the signs, connect the lines, pay your fines, read the rhyme
Shhot the breeze, lose your keys, don't be late, what I say
è Walk on waves, read the raves, eat at day, hide in caves
Stretch the truth, pull the tooth, feed the poor, starve the war
Cash the fix, get your kicks, trim your wick, take your pick
Try your tricks, impress the chicks
Wash the fence, dig the den, live the shame,die in vain
Catch the fool, burn the stew, shine your shoes, sing the blues
152
Weather Report Suite (Part I)
Winter rain, now tell me why, Summers fade, and roses die.
The answer came; the wind and rain.
Golden hills, now veiled in grey, Summer leaves have blown away
Now what remains? The wind and rain.
And like a desert spring, my lover comes and spreads her wings, Knowing,
Like a song that's born to soar the sky, Flowing,
Flowing 'til the waters all are dry, Growing, the loving in her eyes.
Circle songs and sands of time, and seasons will end in tumbled rhyme,
and little change, the wind and rain.
And like a desert spring, my lover comes and spreads her wings,
Knowing, Like a song that's born to soar the sky,
Flowing, Flowing 'til the rivers all are dry, Growing, the loving in her eyes.
Winter grey and falling rain, we'll see summer come again,
Darkness falls and seasons change (gonna happen every time).
Same old friends the wind and rain, Summers fade and roses die,
You'll see summer come again, Like a song that's born to soar the sky.
Weather Report Suite (Part II) - Let It Grow
Morning comes, she follows the path to the river shore,
Lightly sung, her song is the latch on the morning's door.
See the sun sparkle in the reeds, silver beads, pass into the sea.
She comes from a town where they call her the woodcutter's daughter,
She's brown as the bank where she kneels down to gather her water, and
She bears it away with a love that the river has taught her.
Let it flow, greatly grow, wide and clear.
Round and round, the cut of the plow in the furrowed field,
Seasons round, the bushels of corn and the barley meal,
Broken ground, open and beckoning to the spring,
Black dirt live again!
The plowman is broad as the back of the land he is sowing,
As he dances the circular track of the plow ever knowing
That the work of his day measures more than the planting and growing
Let it grow, Let it grow, Greatly yield.
What shall we say, shall we call it by a name,
As well to count the angels dancing on a pin.
Water bright as the sky from which it came,
And the name is on the earth that takes it in.
We will not speak but stand inside the rain,
And listen to the thunder shouting "I am! I am! I am! I am."
è So it goes, we make what we made since the world began.
Nothin' more, the love of the women, work of men.
Seasons round, creatures great and small, up and down as we rise and fall.
153
Werewolves of London
I saw a werewolf with a Chinese menu in his hand
Walking thru the streets of Soho in the rain
He was looking for the place called Lee Ho Fook's
Going to get himself a big dish of beef chow mein
Hi ho, the werewolves of London
If you hear his howling around the kitchen door
You better not let him in
Little old lady got mutilated last nite
Werewolves of London again
Hi ho, werewolves of London
He's the hairy-handed gent who ran amuck in Kent
Lately he's been overheard in Mayfair
You better stay away from him, he'll rip your lungs out Jim
I'd like to meet his tailor
Hi ho, werewolves of London
Well, I saw Lon Cheney walking with the Queen
Doing the werewolves of London
I saw Lon Cheney Jr. walking with the Queen
I saw a werewolf dringing a pina colada at Trader Vic's
And his hair was perfect
Hi ho, the werewolves of London, draw blood
West L.A. Fadeaway
I'm looking for a chateau, 21 rooms but one will do
I'm looking for a chateau, 21 rooms but one will do
I don't want to buy it
I just want to rent it for a minute or two
I met an old mistake walking down the street today
I met an old mistake walking down the street today
I didn't want to be mean about it
I couldn't think of one good thing to say.
West L.A. fadeaway, West L.A. fadeaway
Big red lite on the highway, little green lite on the freeway.
Got a steady job moving items for the mob
Got a steady job moving items for the mob
Know the pay's pathetic
It's a shame those boys couldn't be more copasetic
West L.A. fadeaway, West L.A. fadeaway
Big red lite on the highway, little green lite on the freeway.
I need a West L.A. girl, already know what I need to know
I need a West L.A. girl, already know what I need to knowè A name, address and a phone number,
Lord, just how far to go.
West L.A. fadeaway, here's one chance you say.
She tries to live by the Golden Rule.
Said you treat other people right,
Other people probably treat you cool.
154
Wharf Rat
Old man down, way down down, down by the docks of the city.
Blind and dirty, asked me for a dime, a dime for a cup of coffee.
I got no dime but I got some time to hear his story.
My name is August West, and I love my Pearly Baker best more than my wine.
More than my wine - more than my maker, though he's no friend of mine.
Everyone said, I'd come to no good, I knew I would Pearly, believe them.
Half of my life, I spent doin' time for some other fucker's crime,
The other half found me stumbling 'round drunk on Burgundy wine.
But I'll get back on my feet again someday,
The good Lord willin', if He says I may.
I know that the life i'm livin's no good,
I'll get a new start, live the life I should.
I'll get up and fly away, I'll get up and fly away, fly away.
Pearly's been true, true to me, true to my dyin' day he said,
I said to him, I said to him, "I'm sure she's been."
I said to him, "I'm sure she's been tru to you."
Got up and wandered, wandered downtown, nowhere to go but just hang around.
I've got a girl, named Bonnie Lee, I know that girl's been true to me.
I know she's been, I'm sure she's been true to me.
What's Become of the Baby
Waves of violet go crashing and laughing
The rainbow winged singing birds fly 'round the sun
Sun bells rain down in a liquid profusion
Mermaids on porpoises draw up the dawn
What's become of the baby this cold December morning?
Songbirds frozen in their flight
Drifting to the earth, remnants of forgotten dreaming
Dawning answer comes there none.
Go to sleep you child, dream of never-ending always
Panes of crystal ice sparkle like waterfalls
Lighting the polished ice caverns of the dawn,
But where in the looking-glass fields of illusion
Wandered the child who was perfect as the dawn?
What's become of the baby this cold December morning?
What's become of the baby this cold December morning?
Racing in rhythm of the sun
All the world revolves captured in the eye of woman
Allah, where are you now?
All eyes are blinded by the sparkling waters
Scheherazade gethering stories to tellè From primal gold fantasy petals that fold,
But where is the child who played with the sunshines?
And chased the cloud shape to the regions of mind?
Standing stream cries the south wind
Lost in the regions of
Shadow-like chains of illusion, delusions of living and dead.
155
What Will You Raise
I know the lady face to face
Who rules the joker and commands the race
I just rolled in from the golden state
A dusty spoke on the wheel of fate
What will you raise to take my hand?
The Wheel
The wheel is turning and you can't slow down,
You can't let go and you can't hold on,
You can't go back and you can't stand still,
If the thunder don't get you then the lightning will.
Won't you try just a little bit harder,
Couldn't you try just a little bit more?
Won't you try just a little bit harder,
Couldn't you try just a little bit more?
Round, round robin run round, got to get back to where you belong,
Little bit harder, just a little bit more,
A little bit further than you gone before.
The wheel is turning and you can't slow down,
You can't let go and you can't hold on,
You can't go back and you can't stand still,
If the thunder don't get you then the lightning will.
Small wheel turn by the fire and rod,
Big wheel turn by the grace of God,
Every time that wheel turn 'round,
Bound to cover just a little more ground.
The wheel is turning and you can't slow down,
You can't let go and you can't hold on,
You can't go back and you can't stand still,
If the thunder don't get you then the lightning will.
Won't you try just a little bit harder,
Couldn't you try just a little bit more?
Won't you try just a little bit harder,
Couldn't you try just a little bit more?
è
156
When I Paint My Masterpiece
Oh, the streets of Rome are filled with rubble,
Ancient footprints are everywhere.
You can almost think that you're seein' double
On a cold dark night on the Spanish Stairs.
Got to hurry on back to my hotel room,
Where I've got me a date with Botticelli's niece.
She promised that she'd be right there with me
When I paint my masterpiece.
Oh, the hours I've spent inside the Coliseum,
Dodging lions and wastin' time.
Oh, those mighty kings of the jungle,
I could hardly stand to see 'em,
Yes, it sure has been a long hard climb.
Train wheels runnin' thru the back of my memory,
When I ran on the hilltop following a pack of wild geese.
Someday, everything is gonna be smooth like a rhapsody,
When I paint my masterpiece.
Sailin' 'round the world in a dirty gondola,
Oh, to be back in the land of Coca-Cola!
I left Rome and landed in Brussels,
On a plane ride so bumpy that I almost cried.
Clergymen in uniform and young girls pullin' muscles,
Everyone was there to greet me when I stepped inside.
Newspapermen eating candy
Had to be held down by big police.
Someday, everything is gonna be diff'rent
When I paint my masterpiece.
è
157
When Push Comes to Shove
Shaking in the forest, what have you to fear?
Here there may be tigers, to punch you in the ear.
With gloves of stainless steel, bats carved out of bricks
Knock you down and beat you up and give your ass a kick.
When push comes to shove, you're afraid of love.
Shaking in the desert, now wherefore do you cry?
Here there may be rattlesnakes, to punch you in the eye.
With Shotgun's full of silver and bullet's made of glass
String barbed wire at your feet, that will not let you pass.
When push comes to shove, you're afraid of love.
When push comes to shove, when push comes to shove,
You're afraid of love, when push comes to shove.
Shaking in the bedroom, covers on your head,
Are you still in fear of the hand beneath the bed?
Grabbing at the handle, scratching at the door,
Maybe it's mystery killer you saw on channel four.
When push comes to shove, you're afraid of love.
Shaking in the garden, the fear within you grows,
Here there may be roses, to punch you in the nose.
Put my arms around you, love you til you cry,
Wrap you in your sweet perfume and squeeze you 'til you die.
When push comes to shove, you're afraid of love.
When push comes to shove, when push comes to shove,
You're afraid of love, when push comes to shove.
Who Do You Love
I walked 47 miles of barbed wire
I got a cobra snake for a necktie
Got a house down by the roadside made out of rattlesnake hide
Come on child take a walk with me and tell me who do you love
Why Don't We Do It In The Road
Why don't we do it in the road?
Why don't we do it in the road?
Why don't we do it in the road?
No one will be watchin' us, why don't we do it in the road?
è
158
Willie and the Hand Jive
I know a cat named Way-Out Willie
Had a cool little chick named Rockin' Billie
Made a heart of stone Susie-Q, doin' that crazy hand jive too
Papa said "You will ruin my house. You and that hand jive have got to go"
Willie said "Papa, don't you put me down,
Been doin' that hand jive all over town."
Hand jive, hand jive, hand jive, doin' that crazy hand jive
I don't want you to get on the floor
Gettin' low, getting down with sister go
Come on, get baby, little sister'll die
Said doin' that hand jive one more time
Hand jive, hand jive, hand jive, doin' that crazy hand jive
Doctor getting low and he getting check
Now they're all digging that crazy beat
Way-Out Willie gave 'em all a treat
Been doin' that hand jive with his feet
Hand jive, hand jive, hand jive, doin' that crazy hand jive
Willi and Billie got married last fall
Had to live with his sisters and that ain't all
Daddy got famous it's plain to see
Been doin' that hand jive on his knees
Hand jive, hand jive, hand jive, doin' that crazy hand jive
Wining Boy Blues
Just a wining boy don't deny my name
Just a wining boy don't deny my name, wining boy don't deny my name
Pick it up and shake it, stir the chain
Wining boy don't deny my name
Lookie here, sister, sister, dirty little sow
I said no, sister, sister, dirty little sow
Sister, sister, dirty little sow
Want to be a bad girl, but don't know how
Wining boy don't deny my name
Just a wining boy don't deny my name, deny my name
Wining boy don't deny my name
Pick it up and shake lovie, stir the chain
è
159
Yellow Moon
Anxious hope and thoughts of love will never let me down, not let me go
Inside, my heart's a cage of ice Loved and lost,
Still toss the lonely dice
I burned the whole night long my thoughts were never far from you
Love that locks and binds must die
But when it dies a part of you dies too.
Born, born, born upon the world the restless heart keeps flying,
Trying to become the heart of home.
Love, love, love, it picks you up and spins you round,
Sits you right back down where you belong.
I don't fit my hat sometimes, I get so full of clouds
Every time I pass your door I hear you cry out loud
Sometimes I look the same to you as you have looked to me
My eyes get filled so full of stars, I don't know when I leave
Born, born, born upon the world the restless heart keeps flying,
Trying to become the heart of home.
Love, love, love, it picks you up and spins you round,
Sits you right back down where you belong.
Love is like tha April rain that makes the harvest grow
And when it grows it's like the summer gold
Love is like the coloured leaves that drift down from the trees
One by one 'til every tale is told
Now if I go a dancing out across the yellow moon
I'll be home by morning if it doesn't come too soon
If you seek protection go and find a safer man
And if he can't give you what you want then come on by again.
Priestess of the sun and moon and goddess of the wind
You know too much to ever lose and not enough to win
Though you built your house upon the rock and not upon the sand
You're still looking out your window for another travelin' man.
Born, born, born upon the world the restless heart keeps flying,
Trying to become the heart of home.
Love, love, love, it picks you up and spins you round,
Sits you right back down where you belong.
You Ain't Woman Enough To Take My Man
You come to tell me something, you say I ought to know
That he don't love me anymore and I have to let him go
Oh, you say you're gonna take him, but I don't think you can
'Cause you ain't woman enough to take my man
Oh, women like you they come a dime a dozen,è You can buy 'em anywhere
For you to get him I'll have to move over
And I'm gonna stay right here
Well it'll be over my dead body, you better get out while you can
'Cause you ain't woman enough to take my man
160
You Don't Have To Ask
If you wanna know what time it is, you don't have to ask
If you wanna know what something is, you don't have to ask
If you wanna know whats real or not, you don't have to ask
If you wanna know what time is now, you don't have to ask
You don't have to ask, you already know
If you wanna leave just close your eyes, you don't have to ask
If you wanna go and lose your mind, you don't have to ask
If it's peace that you're looking for
You got the key to every door, you already know
If there's a way out you'll find out and free all and be all beyond
You never wonder what sky you been under that made you forget all this time
If you're looking for it, you don't have to ask
You can see it plain as day, you don't have to ask
If you try to find us true, just take a look at you, you don't have to ask
Youngblood
I saw her standing on the corner, yellow ribbon in her hair
I knew at once I was a goner, said lookie there, lookie there
Youngblood, youngblood, youngblood, I can't get you out of my mind
I tried to talk, my tongue was fractured
I tried to walk, but I was lame
Could'nt stop myseld from shouting
What's your name, what's your name?
Crazy stuff, sure look tough, had to follow her all the way home
Things went bad, I met her dad
He said "You better leave my daughter alone"
I could'nt sleep that night for trying, I saw the rising of the sun
All night long my heart felt like crying
You're the one, You're the one
You Win Again
The news is out, all over town that you've been seen, out runnin' 'round.
I know that I should leave her there,
But then I just can't go, you win again.
This heart of mine, could never see what everybody knows but me.
Just trustin' you was my great sin, I just can't go, Lord
You win again. What can I do, Lord, You win again.
