Merle Haggard - Down Every Road 1962-1994 (1996) by Merle Haggard (보컬) on maniadb.com

Well not long ago I was a happy man
Money in my pockets with the rings on my hands
My money's all Gone and I'm feelin' low
Standin' on the corner of Skid Row

My girl friend left me she don't want me no more
We had a great big fight just a night before
She said I got no class because she knows
I've been hangin' around on Skid Row

Well people walk by and they stop and stare
They giggle and they stickle at the clothes I wear
It's just another day like it always goes
When you're hangin' around on Skid Row



I got an old John Beam with the pain more through
Got a great big hole in the bottom of my shoe
My wine's all gone and I need some more
Standin' on the corner of Skid Row

Well people walk by and they stop and stare
They giggle and they stickle at the clothes I wear
It's just another day like it always goes
When you're hangin' around on Skid Row

Sing me a song of sadness
And sing it as blue as I feel
If a tear should appear
It's because she's not here
Sing a sad song and sing it for me

She's unhappy with me
She told me so
I'm unhappy without her
And I still love her so

Oh, sing me a song of sadness
Pretend it's the end of the world
Sing it sweet and sing it low
And then I'll have to go
Sing a sad song and sing it for me

Sing it sweet and sing it low
And then I'll have to go
Sing a sad song and sing it for me

today i started lovin' you again
and i'm right back to where i've really always been
i got over you just long enough to let my heartache mend
then today i started loving you again

What a fool i was to think i could get by
with only these few memories of mine
i should have known the worst was yet to come
and the crying time for me had just begun

cause today i started loving you again
and i'm right back to where i've really always been
i got over you just long enough to let my heartache mend
then today i started loving you again

Just old Rambling Bill, just old Rambling Bill
Some day I might get married and, baby, I might settle down

I ain't got no home, I'm here all alone
All the clothes I've got, I've got them on
Just old Rambling Bill, just old Rambling Bill
Some day I might get married and, baby, I might settle down

I've been all around from town to town
I've got some good things on my way around
Just old Rambling Bill, just old Rambling Bill
Some day I might get married and, baby, I might settle down

...Rock it, boys!
I'm just like a piano player, carry nothing but my hat
I play women where I find 'em and leave 'em where I played 'em at
Just old Rambling Bill, just old Rambling Bill
Some day I might get married and, baby, I might settle down

Rocks is my pillow, sunshine keeps me warm
Blue sky is my blanket and Mother Nature built my home
Just old Rambling Bill, just old Rambling Bill
Some day I might get married and, baby, I might settle down
wash everything I had down the street

I was hollerin' for mercy, and it weren't no boats around
Hey I was hollerin' for mercy, and it weren't no boats around
Hey that looks like people, I've gotta stay right here and drown

Hey my house started shakin', started floatin' on down the stream
Hey my house started shakin', went on floatin' on down the stream
It was dark as midnight, people began to holler and scream

(Lyrics)
My hat don't hang on the same nail too long
My ears can't stand to hear the same old song
And I don't leave the highway long enough
To bog down in the mud,
I've got ramblin fever in my blood
I caught this ramblin fever long ago
When I first heard a lonesome whistle blow
If someone said I ever gave a damn,
They damn sure told you wrong
I've had ramblin' fever all along
(Chorus)
Ramblin' Fever
The kind that can't be measured by degrees
Ramblin' Fever
There ain't no kind of cure for my disease
(Lyrics)
There's times I like to lay down on the sofa
And let some pretty lady rub my back
Spend the early morning drinking coffee
Talkin' about when I'll be comin' back
'Cause I don't let no woman tie me down
And I'll never get too old to get around
I wanna die along the highway and rot away
Like some old highline pole
Rest this ramblin fever in my soul
(Chorus)

Our love keeps drifting and you keep giving me to blame
I go on loving you although it's all in vain
Now you stop carrying so what a chance have you and I
I give my everything but you don't even try

I've done all I can do and I'm standin' at the end
Although I know it's over my heart just won't give in
So you stop carrying so what a chance have you and I
I give my everything but you don't even try

I've done all I can do and I'm standin' at the end
Although I know it's over my heart just won't give in
So you stop carrying so what a chance have you and I
I give my everything but you don't even try

I just don't seem to know you anymore
You're only with me every now and then.
And you don't kiss me like you did before
Is this the beginning of the end ?

Is there a broken heart for me in store?
While I'm holding you do you pretend
that I'm someone else you're longing for?
Is this the beginning of the end?

CHORUS:
There's a far away look in your eyes
Am I losing you my heart cries?
Hold me close and put my heart at ease.
Whisper I love you once again.
Just three words can make my heart believe
this is not the beginning of the end.

REPEAT CHORUS

(spoken)
Biffy on the drums and Dennis, you on the bass
When I count this off, ya'll give me a little Texas
Playboy type rhythm, okay
One, two, three four

(spoken)
Gather round friends, why hurry
Let's all stay a little longer

(sing)
Ya oughta see my blue eyed Sally
She live way down on Shinbone Alley
The number on the gate, the number on the door
The next house over is the grocery store
Stay all night, stay a little longer
Dance all night, dance a little longer
Pull off your coat, throw it in the corner
Don't see why ya don't stay a little longer

(spoken) Georgie French on the piano
Good mornin' Joe

Can't go home if you're goin' by the mill
'Cause the bridge washed out at the bottom of the hill
The big creek's up and the little creek's level
I plow my corn with a doubled shovel
Stay all night, stay a little longer
Dance all night, dance a little longer
Pull off your coat, throw it in the corner
Don't see why ya don't stay a little longer

(spoken)
That's Tiny Roy
Hey

Sittin, in the window singin' to my love
Slop bucket fell from the window up above
Mule and grasshopper eatin' ice cream
The mule got sick so they laid him on the green
Stay all night, stay a little longer
Dance all night, dance a little longer
Pull off your coat, throw it in the corner
Don't see why ya don't stay a little longer

(scat singing)

Grab your gal and pat her on the head
If she don't like biscuits feed her corn bread
If the girls don't
They jump on a man like a dog on a bone
Stay all night, stay a little longer
Dance all night, dance a little longer
Pull off your coat, throw it in the corner
Don't see why ya don't stay a little longer

Stay all night, stay a little longer
Dance all night, dance a little longer
Pull off your coat, throw it in the corner
Don't see why ya don't stay a little longer

Last night we had a hell raisin' time
Nippin' on tequila and suckin' on limes
Sunrise chased the good time away
And good morning would have been the wrong thing to say
'Cause the poundin' in the top of my head
Hey didn't leave me any too soon
I can't say we've had a good morning
But babe it's been a great afternoon

Well you nursed me through the morning while I was really down
Then one rowdy afternooner got me up and around
Yes last night we had one hell raisin' time
But today won't be forgotten too soon
I can't say we've had a good morning
Oh but babe it's been a great afternoon, yes sir

Well you nursed me through the morning while I was really down
Then one rowdy afternooner got me up and around
Yes last night we had one hell raisin' time, he he
But today won't be forgotten too soon
I can't say we've had a good morning
But dang it's been a great afternoon

There's a certain hill outside of town called Sam Hill
And a certain guy used to go there every day
They said a certain girl lived up in Sam Hill
Aw, a pretty girl, not hep to city ways
This certain guy would come down the hill a smilin'
Headed back to town at the crack of dawn
And he had 'em all a wonderin' what he was doin'
Yeah, wonderin' what in Sam Hill's goin' on
We knew this certain guy was not a goldminer
Cause he never took a shovel or a pick
He only took a little box of candy
And disappeared in Sam Hill mighty quick
We tried to follow him to his destination
But he had a secret path and soon he was gone
And he had us all a wonderin' what he was doin'
Yeah, wonderin' what in Sam Hill's goin' on
I know that you have wondered too about Sam Hill
You've probably asked "What in Sam Hill's goin' on?"
All I can say in answer to your question
Is the goin's on are still goin' on
This certain guy's still takin' up his candy
He's 99 and all his youth is gone
But he climbs that hill and still comes down a smilin'
And we're wonderin' what in Sam Hill's goin' on
Wish I knew
What in Sam Hill's goin' on
He won't tell us'
What in Sam Hill's goin' on
He just snickers
What in Sam Hill's goin' on

Revenge must be the reason,
Why forgiveness was a thing I never knew.
And someday soon I know you plan to hurt me,
But don't plan on getting by with the things you do.

Cause I'll always know when you been cheating.
And I'll always know you've been untrue.
I'll always know.

Your heart is like a window,
But when I look inside I see another man.
But go on and lie and tell him how you fooled me,
But remember I saw through you're evil plan.

Cause I'll always know when you been cheating.
And I'll always know you've been untrue.
I'll always know.
And don't forget it either.

We left home when were barely past eleven-teen
We've been back and fourth and all around through hell and rain
I've loved you half of your life and Ill keep on loving you
But I can't change and live the way you want me to.

We spent a lot of time out on the highway
Coming from some town we played along the way
After thirty years and knowing me the way you do
You know I cant change and live the way you want me to .

That red bandana tied around your auburn hair
You look like you ought to be somebody's wife somewhere
You ain't never going to be no bobby Mcgee but your trying to
But I can't change and live the way you want me to

Every time you leave the stage I know you've had your fill
And I wonder why you grew up and why I never will
Hey I'm forty-one today still going on twenty-two
But I can't change and live the way you want me to

That red bandana tied around your auburn hair
You look like you ought to be somebody's wife somewhere
You ain't never going to be no bobby Mcgee but your trying to
But I can't change and live the way you want me to
I can't change and live the way you want me to

Oh, the love you promised would be mine forever
I would have bet my bottom dollar on

Well, it sure turned out to be a short forever
Just once I turned my back and you were gone
From now on all my friends are gonna be strangers
I'm all through ever trusting anyone

The only thing I can count on now is my fingers
I was a fool believing in you, now you are gone
It amazes me, not knowing any better

Than to think I had a love who would be true
Why, I should be taken out, tarred and feathered
To have let myself be taken in by you

The first thing I remember knowing,
Was a lonesome whistle blowing,
And a young un's dream of growing up to ride;
On a freight train leaving town,
Not knowing where I'm bound,
No-one could change my mind but Mama tried.
One and only rebel child,
From a family, meek and mild:
My Mama seemed to know what lay in store.
Despite all my Sunday learning,
Towards the bad, I kept on turning.
'Til Mama couldn't hold me anymore.

And I turned twenty-one in prison doing life without parole.
No-one could steer me right but Mama tried, Mama tried.
Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleading, I denied.
That leaves only me to blame 'cos Mama tried.

Instrumental break.

Dear old Daddy, rest his soul,
Left my Mom a heavy load;
She tried so very hard to fill his shoes.
Working hours without rest,
Wanted me to have the best.
She tried to raise me right but I refused.

And I turned twenty-one in prison doing life without parole.
No-one could steer me right but Mama tried, Mama tried.
Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleading, I denied.
That leaves only me to blame 'cos Mama tried.

Tulare dust in a farm boy's nose
Wondering where the freight train goes
Standin' in the field by the railroad track
Cursin' this strap on my cotton sack

I can see mom and dad with shoulders low
Both of 'em pickin' on a double row
They do it for a livin' because they must
That's life like it is in the Tulare dust

The California sun was something new
That when we arrived in '42
And I can still remember how my daddy cussed
The tumbleweeds here in the Tulare dust

The wally fever was a comin' fate
To the farmworkers here in the Golden State
And I miss Oklahoma but I'll stay
If I must and help make a livin' in the Tulare dust

The Tulare dust in a farm boy's nose
Wondering where the freight train goes
Standin' in the field by the railroad track
Cursin' this strap on my cotton sack

I live the kinda life most men only dream of
I make my livin' writin' songs and singin' them
But I'm forty-one years old and I ain't got no place to go
When it's over
So I hide my age and make the stage and
Try to kick the footlights out again

I throw my old guitar across the stage and
Then my bassman takes the ball
And the crowd goes nearly wild to see
My guitar nearly fall
After twenty years of pickin' we're still alive
And kickin' and kickin' down the wall
Tonight we'll kick the footlights out
And walk away without a curtain call

Tonight we'll kick the footlights out again
And try to hide the mood we're really in
Might not put on our old Instamatic grin
Tonight we'll kick the footlights out again

I live the kinda life most men only dream of
And I make my livin' writin' songs and singin' them
But I'm fortysome years old and I ain't got no place to go
When it's over
So I hide my age and make the stage and
Try to kick the footlights out again

Merle Haggard & Bonnie Owens
Album: Just Between the Two of Us (King)

Just between the two of us we know our love is gone
People think it's wonderful our love can be so true
You never say an angry word no matter what I do
And you have so much faith in me you trust me anywhere
But the reason if they only knew is that we just don't care.

Just between the two of us let's give up this fantasy
For we no longer care enough to even disagree
Everybody envies us and the way we get along
But just between the two of us we know our love is gone.

--- Instrumental ---

Wish we could go back again to days that used to be
We fought a lot but even then I knew you cared for me
Now we get along so well no teardrops ever fall
But there's no love no anything there's nothing left at all.

Just between the two of us let's give up this fantasy
For we no longer care enough to even disagree
Everybody envies us and the way we get along
But just between the two of us we know our love is gone...

Carolyn let me tell you what I heard about a man today
He didn't come home from work and he went away
'Til he came to a city, bright in the night time like day
There they say he met with some women dressed in yellow and scarlet
Their warm lips like a honeycomb, dripped with honey
And somethin' about the smell of strange perfume
Made him feel warm, and not alone

Yes Carolyn a man will do that sometimes on his own
And sometimes when he's lonely
And I believe a man will do that sometimes out of spite
But Carolyn, a man will do that always
When he's treated bad at home

Yes Carolyn a man will do that sometimes on his own
And sometimes when he's lonely
And I believe a man will do that sometimes out of spite
But Carolyn, a man will do that always
When he's treated bad at home

Cowboys and outlaws, right guys and southpaws,
Good dogs and all kinds of cats.
Dirt roads and white lines and all kinds of stop signs,
But I stand right here where I'm at,
'Cause I wear My Own Kind Of Hat.

There's two kind of lovers and two kind of brothers,
And two kind of babies to hold.
There's two kind of cherries and two kind of fairies,
And two kind of mothers I'm told, and told

Cowboys and outlaws, right guys and southpaws,
Good dogs and all kinds of cats.
Dirt roads and white lines and all kinds of stop signs,
But I stand right here where I'm at,
'Cause I wear My Own Kind Of Hat.

There's two kind of brothers and two kind of lovers,
And two kind of babies to hold.
There's two kind of cherries and two kind of fairies,
And two kind of mothers I'm told, and told

Cowboys and outlaws, right guys and southpaws,
Good dogs and all kinds of cats.
Dirt roads and white lines and all kinds of stop signs,
But I stand right here where I'm at,
'Cause I wear My Own Kind Of Hat.

You made plans to leave a thousand times I know
And a thousand times I should have let you go
But each time I'll always beg you back somehow
If I'd left it up to you it'd all be over now

It'd all be over now cept the crying
I'd be used to spending all my nights alone
Wish I'd found the way to let you go somehow
If I'd left it up to you it'd all be over now

It'd all be over now cept the crying
I'd be used to spending all my nights alone


Wish I'd found the way to let you go somehow
If I'd left it up to you it'd all be over now

You taught me how to love with all my heart
With all my soul I trusted you
And now you say we'll have to live apart
A thing I don't know how to do

You say someday I'll find somebody new
And I'll have not one regret
Stay a while if what you say is true
Stay and teach me to forget

You taught me how to worship you alone
And now you say that you must go
And people call me on the telephone
Just to say I told you so

You say someday I'll find somebody new
And I'll have not one regret
Stay a while if what you say is true
Stay and teach me to forget
Stay and teach me to forget

Someday when our dream world finds us
And these hard times are gone
We'll laugh and count our blessings
In a mansion all our own
If we both pull together tomorrow's sure to come
Someday we'll look back and say it was fun

We live on love and pennies
And the day dream out of sight
And I'm amazed the way you smile
When things don't turn out right
We climb each hill together each step one by one
And someday we'll look back and say it was fun

Someday when our dream world finds us
And these hard times are gone
We'll laugh and count our blessings
In a mansion all our own
If we both pull together tomorrow's sure to come
Someday we'll look back and say it was fun
And someday we'll look back and say it was fun

Memories and drinks don't mix too well
And jukebox records don't play those wedding bells
Looking at the world through the bottom of a glass
All I see is a man who's fadin' fast
Tonight I need that woman again what I'd give for my baby to just walk in
Sit down beside me and say it's alright
Take me home and make sweet love to me tonight
But here I am again mixing misery and gin
Sittin' with all my friends and talkin' to myself
I look like I'm havin' a good time but any fool can tell
That this honky tonk heaven really makes you feel like hell

I light a lonely woman's cigarette
We start talkin' bout what we want to forget
Her life story and mine are the same
We both lost someone and only have ourselves to blame
But here I am again...

I'm gonna break every heart I can
I'd be a find-'em-and-fool-'em man
I'm gonna dedicate my whole life to this one plan
Well if I live and have enough time
I'll get evil with the woman kind
I'm gonna break every heart I can in everyone I find
I'm gonna think of lotta good lies
I'm gonna laugh when a woman cries
I'm gonna have myself a style to recognize
I'm gonna travel all around the world
I'd be a friend to the sweetest girl
I'm gonna break every heart I can
And all my name ain't Merle

Well if I ever get around to you
You gonna know about the things I do
They gonna tell about the harm
I've done in the latest News
Cause if I live and have enough time
I'll get evil with the woman kind
I'm gonna break every heart
I can in everyone I find
I'm gonna break every heart I can
I'd be a love-'em-and-leave-'em man
I'm gonna dedicate my whole life to this one plan

Well if I live and have enough time
I'll get evil with the woman kind
I'm gonna break every heart I can in everyone I find
I'm gonna break every heart I can in everyone I find

Daddy Frank played the guitar and the french harp,
Sister played the ringing tambourine.
Mama couldn't hear our pretty music,
She read our lips and helped the family sing.

That little band was all a part of living,
And our only means of living at the time;
And it wasn't like no normal family combo,
Cause Daddy Frank the guitar man was blind.

Frank and mama counted on each other;
Their one and only weakness made them strong.
Mama did the driving for the family,
And Frank made a living with a song.

Home was just a camp along the highway;
A pick-up bed was where we bedded down.
Don't ever once remember going hungry,
But I remember mama cooking on the ground.

Don't remember how they got acquainted;
I can't recall just how it came to be.
There had to be some special help from someone,
And blessed be the one that let it be.

Fever caused my mama's loss of hearing.
Daddy Frank was born without his sight.
And mama needed someone she could lean on,
And I believe the guitar man was right.

Daddy Frank played the guitar and the french harp,
Sister played the ringing tambourine.
Mama couldn't hear our pretty music,
She read our lips and helped the family sing.

When LEONARD finally came to California
He was twenty-one years old as I recall
He loved to write a song and pick the guitar
And he came to hang a Gold one on the wall.

The town in which he lived is not important
But you'll know which town I mean by the time I'm thru
He soon became a famous entertainer
But LEONARD was a name he never used

He was on his way to having what he wanted
Just about as close as one could be
Hey! once he even followed Elvis Presley
And he wrote a lot of country songs for me.

But he laid it all aside to follow Jesus
For years he chose to let his music go
But preaching wasn't really meant for LEONARD
But how in the hell was LEONARD s'posed to know.

Well, life began to twist its way around him
And I wondered how he carried such a load
He came back again to try his luck in music
And lost his wife and family on the road.

SPOKEN:
(After that he seemed to bog down even deeper
And I saw what booze and pills could really do
And I wondered if I'd ever see him sober
But I forgot about a Friend that LEONARD knew.)

Well, LEONARD gave me lots of inspiration
He helped teach me how to write a country song
And he even brought around a bag of groceries
Hey! back before Muskogee came along.

Really I'm not trying to hide his showname
Or the town in which this episode began
SPOKEN: (Somehow I had to write a song for old Tommy)
If just to see the smilin' faces in the band.

When LEONARD finally came to California
He was twenty-one years old as I recall
And he loved to write a song and pick the guitar
And he came to hang a Gold one on the wall.

This old smoke filled bar is something I'm not used to
But if gave up my home to see you satisfied
And I just called to let you know where I'll be living
It's not much but I feel welcome here inside

And I've got swinging doors a jukebox and a barstool
And my new home has got a flashing neon sign
Stop by and see me anytime you want to
Cause I'm always here at home till closing time

I've got everything I need to drive me crazy
I've got everything it takes to lose my mind
And in here the atmosphere's just right for heartaches
And thanks to you I'm always here till closing time

And I've got swinging doors a jukebox and a barstool
And my new home has got a flashing neon sign
Stop by and see me anytime you want to
Cause I'm always here at home till closing time

Yeah, I'm always here at home till closing time

Grandma's maiden name was Zona Villines
There's ninety years to tell about in a few short lines
Born in Newton County down in Arkansas
Then in nineteen-one she married Grandpa
We laid her soul to rest one Sunday mornin'
And everybody knew she'd done her part
Don't get set to hear no hidden family legend
Just a song about the life of Grandma Harp

(Spoken)
Just think about the times that she lived through
And think about the changing world she saw
Now somehow she reared a decent family out of poverty
And for seventy years she loved the same old Grandpa
To me, her passing brought a closing chapter
To a way of life that I love within my heart
I just mean to say I owe her something special
If just a song about the life of Grandma Harp

Grandma's maiden name was Zona Villines
There's ninety years to tell about in a few short lines
Born in Newton County down in Arkansas
Then in nineteen-one she married Grandpa
We laid her soul to rest one Sunday mornin'
And everybody knew she'd done her part
Don't get set to hear no hidden family legend
Just a song about the life of Grandma Harp

Could be holding you tonight
Could be doing wrong or doing right
You don't care about what I think
I think I'll just stay here and drink

Hey, putting you down won't square the deal
A least you'll know what I feel
Hey, take all the money in the bank
I think I'll just stay here and drink

Hey, listen close and you can hear
That loud jukebox playing in my ear
Ain't no woman gonna change the way I think
I think I'll just stay here and drink

Hey, hurtin' me know don't mean a thing
Since love ain't here I don't feel a thing
My mind ain't nothing but a total blank
I think I'll just stay here and drink

Well I'm goin' to California
Where they sleep out every night
I'm goin' to California
Where they sleep out every night
I'm leaving you, mama
'Cause you know you don't treat me right

Let me tell you somethin'
Mama, that you don't know
Let me tell you somethin'
Good gal, that you don't know
Well, I'm a do right papa
And got a home everywhere I go

Yeah
I got the California blues and I'm
Sure gonna leave you here
Lord, Lord
I got the California blues and I'm
Sure gonna leave you here
I may ride the blind
I aint got no railroad fare

Listen to me, mama
While I sing this song
Listen to your daddy
Sing you this lonesome song
You got me wearied now
But I won't be wearied long

I got the California blues and I'm
Sure gonna leave you here
Hey, hey, hey
I got the California blues and I'm
Sure gonna leave you here
I may ride the blind
I aint got no railroad fare

She was always there each time I needed you
Holding on to me like I held on to you
We still don't have what you and I once had
No, it's not love, but it's not bad

No, it's not love, not like ours was. It's not love
But it keeps love from driving me mad
And I don't have to wonder who she's had
No, it's not love, but it's not bad

I turn to her when you leave me alone
Sometimes even when you're here, and you're still gone
She's slowly changing what you leave so sad
No, it's not love, but it's not bad

No, it's not love, not like ours was. It's not love
But it keeps love from driving me mad
And I don't have to wonder who she's had
No, it's not love, but it's not bad

Merle haggard / rainbow stew

There's a big brown cloud in the city,
And the country side a scene.
The price of life is to high to give up
It's rather come down again.
When world wide war's is over and done
And the dream of peace comes true.
We'll all be drinking that free bubble up
And eat that rainbow stew.

When they'll found out how to burn water
And the gasoline car is gone
When an airplane flies without any fuel
And the sunlight heats our home
One of these days when the air clears up
And the sun comes shining through
We'll all be drinking that free bubble up
And eat that rainbow stew.

Eat that rainbow stew in a silver spoon
Underneath that sky are blue
We'll all be drinking that free bubble up
And eat that rainbow stew.

You don't have to get high to get happy
Just think about what's in store
When people start doing what they odd to be doing
And they wont be booing no more
When a president goes through the white house door
Does what he says he'll do
We'll all be drinking that free bubble up
And eat that rainbow stew

Eat that rainbow stew in a silver spoon
Underneath that sky are blue
We'll all be drinking that free bubble up
And eat that rainbow stew

High on a hilltop overlooking a city
I can see the bright lights as they gleam
And somewhere you're dancing in some dingy bar room
And the lure of the gay life takes the place of our dream

High on a hilltop my heart cries, Oh Lord
Forgive her she knows not the way
And give me the power to believe and some day
High on a hilltop together we'll pray

I can vision a rounder with a line so smooth
And a promise of riches for you
But you see not the danger cause you're silly with booze
And high on a hilltop I see a devil in you

Things I learned in hobo jungle
Were things they never taught me in a class room
Like where to find a hand out
While bummin' through Chicago in the afternoon

Hey, I'm not braggin' or complainin'
I'm just talkin' to myself man to man
This ol' mental fat I'm chewin' didn't take a lotta doin'
But I take a lot of pride in what I am

I guess I grew up a loner
I don't remember ever havin' any folks around
But I keep thumbin' through the phonebooks
And looking for my daddy's name in every town

And I meet lots of friendly people
But I'll always wind up leavin' on the lam
Hey, where I've been or where I'm goin'
Didn't take a lotta knowin'

But I take a lot of pride in what I am
I never travel in a hurry
Because I got nobody waitin' for me anywhere
Home is anywhere I'm livin'

If it's sleepin' on some vacant bench in City Square
Or if I'm workin' on some road gang
Or just livin' off the fat of our great land
I never been nobody's idol but at least I got a title

And I take a lot of pride in what I am
I never been nobody's idol
I take a lot of pride in what I am
I take a lot of pride in what I am

There's not much a man can do inside a prisoner
Just take his mem'ry trips and fights the pain
And a word from home can mean so much to a prisoner
It's been years since that last letter came

Not a day goes by that I don't think of mama
And my nights are filled with thoughts of sweet Marie
And my old friends I ran around with keep on running through my mind
But I just wonder if they ever think of me

I wonder if they know that I'm still living
And still proud to be a part of Uncle Sam
I wonder if they think I died of hunger
In this rotten prison camp in Viet Nam

Not a day goes by that I don't think of mama
And my nights are filled with thoughts of sweet Marie
And I remember daddy sayin' you'll come back a better man
And I just wonder if they ever think of me
Oh I just wonder if they ever think of me

I'm tired of this dirty old city.
Entirely too much work and never enough play.
And I'm tired of these dirty old sidewalks.
Think I'll walk off my steady job today.

Turn me loose, set me free, somewhere in the middle of Montanna.
And gimme all I got comin' to me,
And keep your retirement and your so called social security.
Big City turn me loose and set me free.

Been working everyday since I was twenty.
Haven't got a thing to show for anything I've done.
There's folks who never work and they've got plenty.
Think it's time some guys like me had some fun.

Turn me loose, set me free, somewhere in the middle of Montanna.
And gimme all I got comin' to me,
And keep your retirement and your so called social security.
Big City turn me loose and set me free.

I'll look over things you do because I love you so,
And I'll be standing on the sidelines while you play.
It's your life to live the way you want to live,
And I'll look over you if you'll just let me stay.
It's no fault of yours if I can't give the thrill you need,
And I know someday you'll find someone who can.
Though it hurts to see you stare at every guy you see,
I'll look over you and try to understand.
I'll look over things you do because I love you so,
And I'll be standing on the sidelines while you play.
It's your life to live the way you want to live,
And I'll look over you if you'll just let me stay.

Yeah I'm bringin' home some good news
Got some things you'll be glad to hear
Like I'm leavin' town and won't be back
Around just long enough to get my gear
There won't be any goodbye kisses
Well I'm puttin' on my leavin' shoes
This is the end we're through it's over yeah
I'm bringin' home some good news

Well I was sittin' downtown in a tavern
And I made up my mind to go
And I knew you would be so glad to be free
I just thought to call you to let you know
Oh you can tell all your backdoor daddys
That your big daddy's done blew a fuse
This is the end we're through it's over yeah
I'm bringin' home some good news

To you I been known as bad news
Well I'm changin' my first name
And I'm givin' you your freedom baby
That old race won't kinda change
Yeah go to hide your lookman slippers
I won't be lookin' around for blues
This is the end we're through it's over
Yeah I'm bringin' home some good news

Good news there's some good news for you honey
I'm bringin' home some good news
I'm bringin' home some good news honey

If we make it through December
Everything's gonna be alright I know;
It's the coldest time of winter
And I shiver when I see the falling snow;
If we make it through December,
Got plans to be a warmer town come summer time;
Maybe even California,
If we make it through December, we'll be fine;
Got laid off down at the factory
And their timing's not the greatest in the world;
Heaven knows I been working hard,
Wanted Christmas to be right for daddy's girl;
I don't mean to hate December,
It's meant to be the happy time of year;
And my little girl don't understand
Why daddy can't afford no Christmas here;
If we make it through December
Everything's gonna be alright I know;
It's the coldest time of winter
And I shiver when I see the falling snow;
If we make it through December,
Got plans to be a warmer town come summer time;
Maybe even California,
If we make it through December, we'll be fine.

I wish a buck was still silver and it was back when the country was strong.
Back before Elvis and before the Vietnam war came along.
Before the Beatles and yesterday when a man could still work and still would.
Is the best of the free life behind us now and are the good times really over for good ?

Are we rollin' downhill like a snowball headed for hell?
With no kind of chance for the flag or the liberty bell?
I wish a Ford or a Chevy would still last ten years like they should.
Is the best of the free life behind us now and are the good times really over for good?

I wish Coke was still cola and a joint was a bad place to be.
It was back before Nixon lied to us all on TV.
Before Microwave ovens when a girl could still cook, and still would.
Is the best of the free life behind us now and are the good times really over for good ?

Are we rollin' downhill like a snowball headed for hell?
With no kind of chance for the flag or the liberty bell?
I wish a Ford or a Chevy would still last ten years like they should.
Is the best of the free life behind us now and are the good times really over for good?

Stop rollin' downhill like a snowball headed for hell.
Standup for the flag, and let's all ring the liberty bell.
Let's make a Ford and a Chevy that'll still last ten years like they should...
The best of the free life is still yet to come and the good times ain't really

I'm going off of the deep end
And I'm slowly losing my mind
And I disagree with the way (ha-ha) I'm living
But I can't hold myself in line

You give me no reason for my drinkin'
But I can't stand myself at times
And you're better off to just leave and forget me
Cause I can't hold myself in line

Hey, my weakness is stronger than I am
Guess I've always been the losin' kind
Now I'm full speed ahead down the wrong road of life
And I can't hold myself in line

Yeah, and I'm going off of the deep end
Hey, I'm slowly losing my mind
And I disagree with the way I've been living
But I can't hold myself in line

My legs and my feet
Have walked 'till they can't hardly move from tryin' to please you
And my back is sore
From bendin' over backwards to just lay the world at your door.

I've tried so hard to keep a smile on a sad face while deep down
It's breakin' my heart
And as sure as the sunshines I'll be a lifetime
Not knowin' if I've done my part

'Cause You Take Me For Granted And it's breakin' my heart
As sure as the sunshines I'll be a lifetime
Not knowin' if I've done my part.

My house of memories, is all I own,
I live in misery, now that you're gone.
A constant reminder, of what used to be,
Is torturing me, in my house of memories.

My house is a prison, where memories surround me.
There's no place to hide where you're memory won't find me.
My house of memories, is all I own,
I'm all alone, in my house of memories.

My house is a prison, where memories surround me.
There's no place to hide where you're memory won't find me.
My house of memories, is all I own,
And I'm all alone, in my house of memories.
In my house of memories.

Hm hm hm, hm hm
Hm hm hm, hm hm

I made a big mistake when, I introduced her to my friend
Gave him a chance to dance with her
As I watched them in the crowd, I could hear my heart beat loud
'Cause it meant goodbye to me when she said hello to him

Hm hm hm, hm hm
Hm hm hm, hm hm

She just held on to his hand, when it was break time for the band
And it was plain to see that I'd lost out
So I slipped to wait and cry felt so low I could die
'Cause it meant goodbye to me when she said hello to him

Hm hm hm, hm hm
Hm hm hm, hm hm

Is there anywhere to go where a broken heart won't show
Everyone must know what's wrong with me
They can tell 'bout my ways, I go 'round lost in the days
'Cause it meant goodbye to me when she said hello to him

Hm hm hm, hm hm
Hm hm hm, hm hm

Everybody's had the blues sometimes and
Everybody knows the tune
And everybody knows the way I'm feelin' cause
Everybody's had the blues

A lonely, song someone is gone
A story old as time
Love, hate, or want and wait till misery fills your mind
But everybody knows the way I'm feelin' 'cause
Everybody's had the blues

Living on the road my friend,
Was gonna keep you free and clean.
Now you wear your skin like iron,
Your breath as hard as kerosene.
You weren't your mama's only boy,
But her favorite one it seems.
She began to cry when you said goodbye,
And sank into your dreams.

Pancho was a bandit boy,
His horse was fast as polished steel.
He wore his gun outside his pants
For all the honest world to feel.
Pancho met his match you know
On the deserts down in Mexico,
Nobody heard his dying words,
Ah but that's the way it goes.

All the Federales say
They could have had him any day
They only let him slip away
Out of kindness, I suppose.

Lefty, he can't sing the blues
All night long like he used to.
The dust that Pancho bit down south
Ended up in Lefty's mouth.
The day they laid poor Pancho low,
Lefty split for Ohio.
Where he got the bread to go,
There ain't nobody knows.

All the Federales say
We could have had him any day.
We only let him slip away
Out of kindness, I suppose.

The poets tell how Pancho fell,
And Lefty's living in cheap hotels
The desert's quiet, Cleveland's cold,
And so the story ends we're told.
Pancho needs your prayers it's true,
But save a few for Lefty too.
He only did what he had to do,
And now he's growing old.

All the Federales say
We could have had him any day.
We only let him go so long
Out of kindness, I suppose.

A few gray Federales say
We could have had him any day
We only let him go so long
Out of kindness, I suppose.

All of me belongs to you all the time
You're the only one that's ever on my mind
There's no way that I would ever be untrue
There's not one single part of me
That don't miss you through and through
'Cause all of me belongs to you

Eyes are worthless 'cause you're not here to see
My lips are so forgotten since you forgotten me
My arms ached from reaching out to you the way they do
There's not one single part of me
That don't miss you through and through
'Cause all of me belongs to you

Fingers claw the darkness in my dreams
Searching for a love I lost but can't redeem
Hey, I'm yours and I can't give my heart to someone new
There's not one single part of me
My heart don't inclue
'Cause all of me belongs to you

Fingers claw the darkness in my dreams
Searching for a love I lost but can't redeem
Hey, I'm yours and I can't give my heart to someone new
There's not one single part of me
My heart don't inclue
'Cause all of me belongs to you
All of me belongs to you

A canvas covered cabin in a crowded labour camp
Stand out in this memory I revived;
Cause my daddy raised a family there, with two hard working hands
And tried to feed my mama's hungry eyes.

He dreamed of something better, and my mama's faith was strong
And us kids were just to young to realize
That another class of people put us somewhere just below;
One more reason for my mama's hungry eyes.

Mama never had the luxuries she wanted
But it wasn't cause my daddy didn't try.
She only wanted things she really needed;
One more reason for my mama's hungry eyes.

I remember daddy praying for a better way of life
But I don't recall a change of any size;
Just a little loss of courage, as their age began to show
And more sadness in my mama's hungry eyes.

Mama never had the luxuries she wanted
But it wasn't cause my daddy didn't try.
She only wanted things she really needed;
One more reason for my mama's hungry eyes.

Oh, I still recall my mama's hungry eyes.

We used to laugh a lot
We never cried
But things are all different now
Since your sweet love has died
Seems we've lost the way to find
All the good times we found before
Yeah, we used to laugh a lot
Things aren't funny anymore

If I knew how to change your mind
Maybe things could be right again
If I could turn back one page of time
Before love came to an end
I'll just know where to turn
To turn it all on once more
Maybe we laughed too soon
Things aren't funny anymore

I'll know just where to turn
To turn it all on once more
Maybe we laughed too soon
Things aren't funny anymore

I've been throwing horseshoes
Over my left shoulder
I've spent most all my life
Looking for that four-leafed clover

But you ran with me,
Chasing all my rainbows
Honey I love you, too
And that's the way love goes.

That's the way love goes, babe
That's the music God made
For all the world to sing
It never gets old; it grows
Losing makes me sorry
You say,

Mary's mine and she'll always be till the end of time
She gave her heart to me
No truer love could I ever find than Mary's love
And Mary's mine

I once lived the life without meaning
Just the face with no place in this world
At last I found reason for living
And I owe it all to the love of a girl

Her love gave me reason for living
To make her happy is first on my mind
Because of her my life has real meaning
I love her so and I know Mary's mine

Mary's mine and she'll always be till the end of time
She gave her heart to me
No truer love could I ever find than Mary's love
And Mary's mine

No truer love could I ever find than Mary's love
'Cause Mary's mine

Silver wings shinning in the sunlight,
roaring engines headed somewhere in flight.
Their taking you away, leaving me lonley,
silver wings slowly fading out of sight.
Don't leave me i cry, don't take that airplane ride.
But you locked me out of your mind. left me
standing here behind.
Silver wings shining in the sunlight,
roaring engines headed somewhere in flight.
Their taking you away, leaving me lonley.
silver wings slowley fading out of sight.
Silver wings shining in the sunlight,
roaring engines headed somewhere in flight,
their taking you away. Leaving me lonley.
Silver wings slowley fading out of sight.
Slowley fading out of sight.

I'm a honky tonk night time man I can't stand no light
I'm a honky tonk night time man I can't stand no light
I get my rest in the daytime I make my running round at night
I had the blues this morning I had the blues all day today
I had the blues this morning I had the blues all day today
But when the sun goes down I'm gonna tuck my blues away away

Lord my heart starts beatin' when the sun starts sinking low
Lord my heart starts beatin' when the sun starts sinking low
When the shadows fall I know it's time to go

I'm a honky tonk night time man...

Someday when things are good, I'm gonna leave you.
I can't seem to go when things are bad.
I'll be one more love that you can dream about,
And one more man that you can say you've had.

You'll always be the kind to dream of yesterday.
And a way of life I never understood.
And someday soon I'll be just one more memory.
And you'll call my name when things are not so good.

Someday when things are good, I'm gonna leave you.
I can't seem to go when things are bad.
I'll be one more love that you can dream about,
And one more man that you can say you've had.

I played a brand new record on the jukebox
And I scarcely could believe the song I heard
It told of how you left me for another
It was almost like I'd written every word

Someone told my story in a song
The lyrics told of happiness and home
And then it told of how you've done me wrong
Someone told my story in a song

The writer must've seen the way you done me
For he told it all and never missed a line
He told of swinging doors and the jukebox
And he even knew I almost lost my mind

Someone told my story in a song
The lyrics told of happiness and home
Then it told of how you've done me wrong
Someone told my story in a song

All around the water tank
Sleepin' in the rain
A thousand miles away from home
Waitin' for a train
I walked up to a brake-man
Just to give him a line of talk
He said if you've got money
I'll see that you don't walk.
Well I haven't got a nickel
Not a penny can I show
He said "Get off, you railroad bum"
And he slammed the boxcar door.

Well he put me off in Texas
A state I dearly love
Wth the wide open spaces
All around me
The moon and stars above
Nobody seems to want me
Or to lend a helping hand
I'm on my way from Frisco
Heading back to Dixieland
My pocketbook is empty
My heart is full of pain
I'm a thousand miles away from home
Waitin' for a train.

Holding things together
Ain't no easy thing to do
When it comes to raisin' children
It's a job - meant for two
Alice please believe me
I can't go on and on
Holding things together
With you gone.

Today was Angie's birthday
I guess it slipped your mind
I tried twice to call you
But no answer either time
But the postman brought a present
I mailed some days ago
I just signed it love from mama
So Angie wouldn't know.

Holding things together
Ain't no easy thing to do
When it comes to raisin' children
It's a job - meant for two
Alice please believe me
I can't go on and on
Holding things together
With you gone.

Alice please believe me
I can't go on and on
Holding things together
With you gone.

Let's chase each other 'round the room tonight
Let's play the games we played on our wedding night
To lock and bolt the door is only right
Let's chase each other 'round the room tonight

Seems like lately people love to play with fire
The other games they play are just as bad
I'd rather stay at home and feel your burning lips
And play the kind of games that make me glad

Let's don't chase around and make each other weary
Let's keep all our love at home and out of sight
Let's leave everything like jealousy behind us
And let's chase each other 'round the room tonight

In old Padres Nadres Old Mexico
Once in my travel I happened to go
I met Maria and we fell in love
It seemed like heaven came down from above

Dark skin and dark eyes and dark wavy hair
All kept me spellbound as love filled the air
I held her tightly then to my surpise
She whispered soft words with tears in her eyes

Go home go home your people would not understand
Go home go home go back to your own homeland

With gentle persuasion I changed her mind
I said they'd love her and treat her so kind
So we went together to my old hometown
I wanted to show my old friends what I'd found

But hate made my sweet dream a nightmare
One day I came home and she was not there
A note on the table tore my world apart
My old friends has been there and told my sweetheart

Go home go home your place is not with this man
Go home go home go back to your own homeland

It's four a.m. in New York City three a.m. in Dallas
The night is still early here in Frisco
Market street's still going the same old shows are showing
And I'm still all alone here in Frisco

They say it's raining in Chicago and it's cold and clear in Denver
Been windy all night long here in Frisco
Troley cars are clinging the big Bay Town's swinging
And I'm still all alone here in Frisco

The way I feel tonight I won't be staying long
But when I leave I leave my heart just like in a famous song
Troley cars are clinging the big Bay Town's swinging
And I'm still all alone here in Frisco

And I'm still all alone here in Frisco
And I'm still all alone here in Frisco

I'll never swim Kern River again
It was there that I met her
It was there that I lost my best friend
And now I live in the mountains
I drifted up here with the wind
And I may drown in still water
But I'll never swim Kern River again

I grew up in an oil town
But my gusher never came in
And the river was a boundary
Where my darlin' and I use to swim
One night in the moonlight
The swiftness swept her live away
And now I live on Lake Shasta and
Lake Shasta is where I will stay
There's the South San Joaquin
Where the seeds of the dust bowl are found
And there's a place called Mount Whitney
From where the mighty Kern River comes down
Well, it's not deep nor wide
But it's a mean piece of water my friend
And I may cross on the highway
But I'll never swim Kern River again
I'll never swim Kern River again

It was there I first met her
It was there that I lost my best friend
And now I live in the mountains
I drifted up here with the wind
And I may drown in still water
But I'll never swim Kern River again

I'll never swim Kern River again
It was there I first met her
It was there that I lost my best friend
And now I live in the mountains
I drifted up here with the wind
And I may cross on the highway
But I'll never swim Kern River again

It gets longer in between each time you call
I'd be safe in saying you no longer care at all
We're never seem together like we used to
Be tell me darling whatever happened to me

I once played a big part in your world
Think back and I know you'll agree
You still play a big part in my world
Oh but whatever happened to me

I made up my own excuses for so long
I can't keep myself from asking what went wrong
Please forgive me if I'm just too blind to see
And tell me darling whatever happened to me

Please forgive me if I'm just too blind to see
And tell me darling whatever happened to me

My driftin' memory goes back to the spring of '43,
When I was just a child in momma's arms.
My daddy plowed the ground and promised someday we would leave
This run-down mortgaged Oklahoma farm.
Then one night I heard my daddy sayin' to my momma
That he'd finally saved enough to go.
California was his dream, a paradise, for he had seen
Pictures in magazines that told him so.

California Cottonfields,
Where labor camps were filled with weary men with broken dreams.
California Cottonfields,
As close to wealth as daddy ever came.

Nearly everything we had was sold or left behind,
From my daddy's plow to the soup that momma canned.
Some folks came to say farewell or see what all we had to sell;
Some just came to shake my daddy's hand.
That model A was loaded down and California bound;
A change of luck was just 4 days away.
But the only change that I remember seeing in my daddy
Was when his dark hair turned to silver grey.

California Cottonfields,
Where labor camps were filled with weary men with broken dreams.
California Cottonfields,
As close to wealth as daddy ever came.

I wanted more from life, than four kids and a wife
And a job in a dark Kentucky mine.
A twenty acre farm, with a shackey house and barn
Thats all I had and all I left behind

But at gambling, I was lucky, and so I left Kentucky
And left behind my woman and my kids
Into the gay casinos, of Nevada's town of Reno
This Kentucky Gambler planned to get rich quick

Kentucky gambler who's going to love your woman in Kentucky
Yeah - and who's going to be the one to give her all she needs
Kentucky gambler, who's going to raise your children in Kentucky
And who's going to keep them fed and keep them shoes on their feet

There at the gambler's Paradise, Lady luck was on my side
and this Kentucky gambler played just right
Yeah I won at everything I played - I really thought I had it made
But I should have quit and gone on home that night

But when you love the green backed dollar, sorrow always bound to follow


and Reno's dreams fade into neon amber
And Lady Luck, she'll lead you on
She'll stay a while, and then she's gone
You better go on home, Kentucky gambler

But a gambler never seems to stop, till he loses all he's got
and with a money - hungry fever, I played on
I played till I'd lost all I'd won, I was right back where I'd started from
Then I started wanting - to go home

Kentucky gambler, there ain't nobody, waiting in Kentucky
When I ran out, somebody else walked in
Kentucky gambler, looks like you ain't really very lucky
And it seems to me a gambler loses much more than he wins
much more than he wins.

Twinkle, twinkle lucky star,
Can you send me luck from where you are?
Can you make a rainbow shine that far?
Twinkle, twinkle lucky star.
Can you really make a wish come true?
Do you shine on just a chosen few?
Is it over? Have I gone to far?
Twinkle, twinkle lucky star.

Like two ships on the ocean, we drifted apart,
And you found an island at sea.
Now I'm still driftin' with this pain in my heart.
Won't you send her sweet love back to me?

Twinkle, twinkle lucky star,
Can you send me luck from where you are?
Can you make a rainbow shine that far?
Twinkle, twinkle lucky star.

Instrumental.

Like two ships on the ocean, we drifted apart,
And you found an island at sea.
Now I'm still driftin' with this pain in my heart.
Won't you send her sweet love back to me?

Twinkle, twinkle lucky star,
Can you send me luck from where you are?
Can you make a rainbow shine that far?
Twinkle, twinkle lucky star.

There hasn't been one bit of laughter in this house in so long,
Just the howling of the wind asking why.
And I know this house ain't growing, but it seems bigger since you're gone.
And this loneliness is eating me alive.

If there's any forgiveness in you wrap it up and come on home.
Hey I may not change completely, oh but I'll try.
And honey you'll have to hurry or there'll be no reason to come home.
'Cause this loneliness is eating me alive.

The bigger the house, the harder the tear falls,
I found it out since you're goodbye.
And honey you'll have to hurry or there'll be no reason to come home.
'Cause this loneliness is eating me alive.

Always wanting you, but never having you,
Makes it hard to face tomorrow 'cause I
Know I'll be wanting you again.
Always loving you, but never touching you,
Sometimes hurts me almost more than I can stand.

I'd been better off if I'd turned away and never
Looked at you the second time.
Cause I really had my life all together till your eyes met mine.

And there I say a yearning and a feeling 'cross
The room that you felt for me.
Wish I'd had a way of knowing that the things we had in
Mind could never be.

Always wanting you, but never having you,
Makes it hard to face tomorrow 'cause I
Know I'll be wanting you again.
Always loving you, but never touching you,
Sometimes hurts me almost more than I can stand.

The Blood Red Sun Beat Down And Baked The Red Clay Ground
Dust Kicked Up Around His John Deere Wheels
No Trace Of Rain In Sight A-gain He'll Lose The Fight
And Have To Watch His Crops Die In The Fields

They Stood There Both In Tears --- His Wife Of Many Years
Said John You Know I Hate To Lose Our Farm
He Looked Into Her Eyes Then Looked Up At The Skies
And Told Her As He Held Her In His Arms

In My Next Life I Want To Be Your Hero
Somethin' Better Than I Turned Out To Be
I've Lived This Life Behind The Plough And Harrow
In My Next Life I'll Make You Proud Of Me

The Muscles In His Arms Just Like His Run Down Farm
Soon Withered And Slowly Disap-peared
One Hard Workin' Man --- Two Hard Workin' Hands
Were Givin' Up After All These Years

His Aging Eyes Grew Dim And The Lady That Worshipped Him
Sat Cryin' On A Chair Beside His Bed
Her Hands Caressed His Brow And She Said It's Alright Now
And As He Slowly Slipped Away He Said

In My Next Life I Want To Be Your Hero
Somethin' Better Than I Turned Out To Be
I've Lived This Life Behind The Plough And Harrow
In My Next Life I'll Make You Proud Of Me

In My Next Life I Want To Be Your Hero
Somethin' Better Than I Turned Out To Be
I've Lived This Life Behind The Plough And Harrow
In My Next Life I'll Make You Proud Of Me

In My Next Life I'll Make You Proud Of Me

Once I lived a life of wine and roses and
I drank a lot back then for one concern
Success for me lay just around the corner
I thought my social friends would help me make me turn

But now I'm paying for the days of wine and roses
A victim of the drunken life I chose
Now all my social friends look down their noses
'Cause I kept the wine and threw away the rose

I stood by and watched the bottle take control of me
The turn I made was not the one I'd planned
And I watched my social standings slip away from me
While I watched the bottle slowly take command

Now I'm paying for the days of wine and roses
A victim of the drunken life I chose
Now all my social friends look down their noses
'Cause I kept the wine and threw away the rose

It's a big job just gettin' by with nine kids and a wife
I been a workin' man dang near all my life
I'll be working long as my two hands are fit to use
I'll drink my beer in a tavern,
Sing a little bit of these working man blues

I keep my nose on the grindstone, I work hard every day
Might get a little tired on the weekend, after I draw my pay
But I'll go back workin, come Monday morning I'm right back with the crew
I'll drink a little beer that evening,
Sing a little bit of these working man blues

Hey hey, the working man, the working man like me
I ain't never been on welfare, that's one place I won't be
Cause I'll be working long as my two hands are fit to use
I drink a little beer in a tavern
Sing a little bit of these working man blues

Sometimes I think about leaving, do a little bummin around
I wanna throw my bills out the window catch a train to another town
But I go back working I gotta buy my kids a brand new pair of shoes
Yeah drink a little beer in a tavern,
Cry a little bit of these working man blues

Hey hey, the working man, the working man like me
I ain't never been on welfare, that's one place I won't be
Cause I'll be working long as my two hands are fit to use
I drink a little beer in a tavern
Sing a little bit of these working man blues
Yeah drink a little beer in a tavern,
Cry a little bit of these working man blues

I'd like to hold my head up and be proud of who I am
But they won't let my secret go untold
I paid the debt I owed them,but they're still not satisfied
Now I'm a branded man out un the cold

When they let me out of prison,I held my head up high
Determined I would rise above the shame
But no matter where I'm living,the black mark follows me
I'm branded with a number on my name

Repeat verse 1

If I live to be a hundred,I guess I'll never clear my name
'Cause everybody knows I've been in jai
No matter where I'm living,I've got to tell them where I've been
Or they'll send me back to prison if I fail

Repeat verse 1

Now I'm a branded man out un the cold

We don't smoke marijuana in Muskogee;
We don't take no trips on LSD
We don't burn no draft cards down on Main Street;
We like livin' right, and bein' free.

I'm proud to be an Okie from Muskogee,
A place where even squares can have a ball
We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse,
And white lightnin's still the biggest thrill of all

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.

And I'm proud to be an Okie from Muskogee,
A place where even squares can have a ball.
We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse,
And white lightnin's still the biggest thrill of all.

Leather boots are still in style for manly 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.

We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse,
In Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA.

> You always find the way to hurt my pride
If I'm not crying you're not satisfied
And I don't know why you wanna hurt me so
If you're tryin' to break my heart
You don't have very far to go
You don't have very far to go
Before the heartache begins
I already feel the sadness
Of a heartbreak settin' in
I don't know why you wanna hurt me so
If you're tryin' to break my heart
You don't have very far to go
You don't have very far to go
Before the heartache begins
I already feel the sadness
Of a heartbreak settin' in
You're turnin' down
The flame of love too low
And if you're tryin' to break my heart
You don't have very far to go

They were so much in love with life, happy every way.
But love the movie began with, some how got lost in the play.
Like a fire burning out of control,
You go caught up in the actor's role,
And you cried on my shoulder when it came to an end.

But that's all in the movies,
It won't happen to you and I.
That's all in the movies; so baby don't cry.
It's all in the movies,
It won't happen to us I know.
That's all in the movies,
Just a bad picture how.

[Chorus]
Somewhere between your heart and mine
There's a window that I can't see through
There's a wall so high it reaches the sky
Somewhere between me and you

I love you so much I can't let you go
And sometimes I believe you love me
But somewhere between your heart and mine
There's a door without any key

[Chorus]

Somewhere between your heart and mine
There's a love I can't understand
It's there for a while then it fades like a smile
And I'm left in the middle again

[Chorus]

That old white haired judge in Dallas
Didn't pay my story no mind
They're takin' me down to Huntsville
I'm bringin' in a load of time

They caught me on a caper that I planned for days
And proved everything I done
I'm on my way to Huntsville
But I'm looking for a chance to run

My hands don't fit no choppin' pile
And cotton was never my beg
They better keep both eyes on me
Or they're gonna lose old Hag

Hey there ain't so far to Mexico
There I can find my way
They're takin' me down to Huntsville
But I'm not gonna stay

They got me chain and leg irons
I guess they got a good excuse
They know I'm gonna run the first chance
I get cause they never gonna cut me loose

And I don't care if they shoot me down
I'll never be free again
I've got two long life turns to do
Both runnin' in the end

Hey there ain't so far to Mexico
There I can find my way
They're takin' me down to Huntsville
But I'm not gonna stay

The warden led a prisoner down the hallway to his doom
I stood up to say good-bye like all the rest
And I heard him tell the warden just before he reached my cell
'Let my guitar playing friend do my request.' (Let him...)

Sing me back home with a song I used to hear
Make my old memories come alive
Take me away and turn back the years
Sing Me Back Home before I die

I recall last Sunday morning a choir from 'cross the street
Came to sing a few old gospel songs
And I heard him tell the singers 'There's a song my mama sang.
Can I hear once before we move along?'

Sing me back home, the song my mama sang
Make my old memories come alive
Take me away and turn back the years
Sing Me Back Home before I die

Sing Me Back Home before I die

I'd love to shout my feelin's from a mountain high
Tell the world I love her and I will till I die
There's no way the world will understand that love is colour blind
That's why Irma Jackson can't be mine

I remember when no one cared about us bein' friends
We were only children and it really didn't matter then
But we grew up too quickly in a world that draws a line
Where they say Irma Jackson can't be mine

If my lovin' Irma Jackson is a sin
Then I don't understand this crazy world we're livin' in
There's a muddy wall between us standin' high
But I'll love Irma Jackson till Idie

She tells me she's decided that she'll go away
And I guess it's right but she alone should have the final say
But in spite of her decision forcin' us to say goodbye
I'll still love Irma Jackson till I die

If my lovin' Irma Jackson is a sin
Then I don't understand this crazy world we're livin' in
It's a muddy wall between us standin' high
But I'll love Irma Jackson till Idie

I can's stand to see a good man go to waste
One who never combs his hair or shaves his face
A man who leans on wine over love that's told a lie
Oh it tears me up to see a grown man cry

So I never go around mirrors
I can't stand to see me without you by my side
I never go around mirrors
Cause I've got a heartache to hide

So I never go around mirrors
I can't stand to see me without you by my side
I never go around mirrors
Cause I've got a heartache to hide
And it tears me up to see a grown man cry

I remember it all started in 1929 when me and Diana came to Alaska
To homestead some of this free government land
Forty mile from the nearest gravel road we cut our life in the ponderosa pines
We sweated hard to beat the winter snow
But the cabin's up and we've got lots of times
What have you got planned tonight Diana would you consider laying in my arms
I love you more than ever now Diana I'm sure you're the reason I was born
Jim was born the first year we were here look at him my God he's almost grown
The baby's in the cradle fast asleep just think in no time he'll be up and gone
What have you got planned tonight Diana...
The time sure does fly doesn't it Dianna
It's been almost two years now since since you've been gone
Speaking of time I guess you know that mine's bout up I'm gonna see you tonight
Just another breath or two and I'll be home by the way
What have you got planned tonight Diana...

Well, I'm gonna get me a seeing eye dog
To help me find my way
I'm so much in love with you
I can't even see the light of day

My mind is cloudy like a winter storm
Before the rain come pourin' down
I feel so good and I gotta get my feet
On the ground, on the ground

Well, I'm walkin' real tall
With my head held high in a cloud
I feel so good sometime
I wanna holler out loud

Well, I'm gonna take me a comin' down pill
Every time you come around
I feel so good and I gotta get my feet
On the ground, on the ground

Well, I'm walkin' real tall
With my head held high in a cloud
I feel so good sometime
I wanna holler out loud

Well, I'm gonna take me a comin' down pill
Every time you come around
I feel so good and I gotta get my feet
On the ground, on the ground

Right or wrong I'll always love you
Though your're gone I can't forget
Right or wrong I'll keep on dreaming
Still I wake with the same old regret

All along I knew I'd lose you
Though I prayed that you'd be true
In your heart please just remember
Right or wrong, I'm still in love with you.

(Repeat)
All along I knew I'd lose you
Though I prayed that you'd be true
In your heart please just remember
Right or wrong, I'm still in love with you

We can call Mrs Johnson to keep the kids a day or two
Take the early flight to Florida just the way we used to do
Let room service bring us breakfast make love all through the day
If we're not back in love by Monday we can go our sep'rate ways
If we're not back in love by Monday we can't say we didn't try
But before we bury our love let's make sure we've let it die
Sleep a few more nights together say the things we used to say
If we're not back in love by Monday we can go our sep'rate ways
[ steel ]
We could find that little cafe with the funny sounding name
Get the table by the window I'll say I love you once again
If the violin player's still there we'll dance until the break of day
If we're not back in love by Monday we can go our sep'rate ways
If we're not back in love by Monday...