Gordon Lightfoot

Come to the door my pretty one
Put on your rings and precious things
Hide all your tears as best you can
Try to recall what used to be
Roses are waiting for dewdrops to fall
Climbing your windows and walls
Bells in steeple are ringing, singing
Listen to them talk about your love's return

Let me come in my pretty one
And try to undo what I have done
For I must be forgiven now
I will not lose what I have won

Roses are waiting for dewdrops to fall
Climbing your windows and walls
Leaves in the garden are falling, calling
Listen to them talk about your love's return

Open the door my pretty one
Wake from your sleep and take me home
Open your eyes and look my way
I cannot leave your love alone

Roses are waiting for dewdrops to fall
Climbing your windows and walls
Bells in steeple are ringing, singing
Listen to them talk about your love's return

If I satisfy you, if you satisfy me
Once the course has been set
Gonna need all the help I can get but
You just gotta be you, 'n I just gotta be me
I can't classify you, you can't pacify me
We can't make it at all
You won't even take my calls
I just want ta be loved
'N you just gotta be free
I'll smile and tell it to the world
You just gotta be
Pardon me for sayin'
What a price you've been payin'
What more can I say
You might feel different some day

If it matter to you, it still matters to me
You'll find me by the bayou
Thinkin' wicked thoughts of you
I just want ta be strong, you just gotta be wrong
I can't clarify you, you can't verify me
I can't make it by stealth
You won't even share the wealth so
You just gotta be you
And I just gotta be me
And I will tell that to the world
You just gotta be

With a gratified mind, I'll be on the highway
Just as soon as I can
Where there's a will there's a way so until then
I just want ta be me, and you just gotta be

The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they called 'Gitche Gumee'
The lake, it is said, never gives up her dead
When the skies of November turn gloomy
With a load of iron ore twenty-six thousand tons more
Than the Edmund Fitzgerald weighed empty.
That good ship and crew was a bone to be chewed
When the gales of November came early.

The ship was the pride of the American side
Coming back from some mill in Wisconsin
As the big freighters go, it was bigger than most
With a crew and good captain well seasoned
Concluding some terms with a couple of steel firms
When they left fully loaded for Cleveland
And later that night when the ship's bell rang
Could it be the north wind they'd been feelin'?

The wind in the wires made a tattle-tale sound
And a wave broke over the railing
And every man knew, as the captain did too,
T'was the witch of November come stealin'.
The dawn came late and the breakfast had to wait
When the Gales of November came slashin'.
When afternoon came it was freezin' rain
In the face of a hurricane west wind.

When suppertime came, the old cook came on deck sayin'.
Fellas, it's too rough to feed ya.
At Seven P.M. a main hatchway caved in, he said
Fellas, it's been good t'know ya
The captain wired in he had water comin' in
And the good ship and crew was in peril.
And later that night when his lights went outta sight
Came the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

Does any one know where the love of God goes
When the waves turn the minutes to hours?
The searches all say they'd have made Whitefish Bay
If they'd put fifteen more miles behind her.
They might have split up or they might have capsized;
May have broke deep and took water.
And all that remains is the faces and the names
Of the wives and the sons and the daughters.

Lake Huron rolls, Superior sings
In the rooms of her ice-water mansion.
Old Michigan steams like a young man's dreams;
The islands and bays are for sportsmen.
And farther below Lake Ontario
Takes in what Lake Erie can send her,
And the iron boats go as the mariners all know
With the Gales of November remembered.

In a musty old hall in Detroit they prayed,
In the Maritime Sailors' Cathedral.
The church bell chimed till it rang twenty-nine times
For each man on the Edmund Fitzgerald.
The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they call 'Gitche Gumee'.
Superior, they said, never gives up her dead
When the gales of November come early!

The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they called 'Gitche Gumee'
The lake, it is said, never gives up her dead
When the skies of November turn gloomy
With a load of iron ore twenty-six thousand tons more
Than the Edmund Fitzgerald weighed empty.
That good ship and crew was a bone to be chewed
When the gales of November came early.

The ship was the pride of the American side
Coming back from some mill in Wisconsin
As the big freighters go, it was bigger than most
With a crew and good captain well seasoned
Concluding some terms with a couple of steel firms
When they left fully loaded for Cleveland
And later that night when the ship's bell rang
Could it be the north wind they'd been feelin'?

The wind in the wires made a tattle-tale sound
And a wave broke over the railing
And every man knew, as the captain did too,
T'was the witch of November come stealin'.
The dawn came late and the breakfast had to wait
When the Gales of November came slashin'.
When afternoon came it was freezin' rain
In the face of a hurricane west wind.

When suppertime came, the old cook came on deck sayin'.
Fellas, it's too rough to feed ya.
At Seven P.M. a main hatchway caved in, he said
Fellas, it's been good t'know ya
The captain wired in he had water comin' in
And the good ship and crew was in peril.
And later that night when his lights went outta sight
Came the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

Does any one know where the love of God goes
When the waves turn the minutes to hours?
The searches all say they'd have made Whitefish Bay
If they'd put fifteen more miles behind her.
They might have split up or they might have capsized;
May have broke deep and took water.
And all that remains is the faces and the names
Of the wives and the sons and the daughters.

Lake Huron rolls, Superior sings
In the rooms of her ice-water mansion.
Old Michigan steams like a young man's dreams;
The islands and bays are for sportsmen.
And farther below Lake Ontario
Takes in what Lake Erie can send her,
And the iron boats go as the mariners all know
With the Gales of November remembered.

In a musty old hall in Detroit they prayed,
In the Maritime Sailors' Cathedral.
The church bell chimed till it rang twenty-nine times
For each man on the Edmund Fitzgerald.
The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they call 'Gitche Gumee'.
Superior, they said, never gives up her dead
When the gales of November come early!

The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they called 'Gitche Gumee'
The lake, it is said, never gives up her dead
When the skies of November turn gloomy
With a load of iron ore twenty-six thousand tons more
Than the Edmund Fitzgerald weighed empty.
That good ship and crew was a bone to be chewed
When the gales of November came early.

The ship was the pride of the American side
Coming back from some mill in Wisconsin
As the big freighters go, it was bigger than most
With a crew and good captain well seasoned
Concluding some terms with a couple of steel firms
When they left fully loaded for Cleveland
And later that night when the ship's bell rang
Could it be the north wind they'd been feelin'?

The wind in the wires made a tattle-tale sound
And a wave broke over the railing
And every man knew, as the captain did too,
T'was the witch of November come stealin'.
The dawn came late and the breakfast had to wait
When the Gales of November came slashin'.
When afternoon came it was freezin' rain
In the face of a hurricane west wind.

When suppertime came, the old cook came on deck sayin'.
Fellas, it's too rough to feed ya.
At Seven P.M. a main hatchway caved in, he said
Fellas, it's been good t'know ya
The captain wired in he had water comin' in
And the good ship and crew was in peril.
And later that night when his lights went outta sight
Came the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

Does any one know where the love of God goes
When the waves turn the minutes to hours?
The searches all say they'd have made Whitefish Bay
If they'd put fifteen more miles behind her.
They might have split up or they might have capsized;
May have broke deep and took water.
And all that remains is the faces and the names
Of the wives and the sons and the daughters.

Lake Huron rolls, Superior sings
In the rooms of her ice-water mansion.
Old Michigan steams like a young man's dreams;
The islands and bays are for sportsmen.
And farther below Lake Ontario
Takes in what Lake Erie can send her,
And the iron boats go as the mariners all know
With the Gales of November remembered.

In a musty old hall in Detroit they prayed,
In the Maritime Sailors' Cathedral.
The church bell chimed till it rang twenty-nine times
For each man on the Edmund Fitzgerald.
The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they call 'Gitche Gumee'.
Superior, they said, never gives up her dead
When the gales of November come early!

If I had a dollar, if I had a cent
I would play most anywhere if it would pay my rent
I'd be livin' on the downside in my old apartment
For the rest of my days
People always ask why the world is on the run
People like you and like me
Is it really true you can really never win
Movin' to the upside, tell me when does the fun begin

Deep as the see and as wild as the weather
We will go just you and me to pick wild strawberries together
Or be livin' on our own, in a cabin in a meadow
Or meanderin' alone, we can face the world forever or we'll
Hit the bounding main or be on a railroad train
Hit the boundless tide or be on a steamboat ride
Hit the bounding main or be on a midnight plane
Hit the pounding tide or be on a rainbow ride

People often ask me just the way it must feel
To be standing up here with you down there
Let it now be known that throughout all of these years
I have been wearing polka dot underwear

Deep as the sea and as wild as the weather
We will go just you and me to gather crabapples together
And be wandering along toward a cabin in the meadow
Or meandering alone, we can face the world together or we'll
Hit the bounding main or be on a railroad train
Hit the boundless tide or be on a steamboat ride
Hit the bounding main or be on a midnight plane
Hit the pounding tide or be on a rainbow ride

People always ask why the world is on the slide
People like you and like me
Is it really true there will be no peace left to hide
Turning to the upside, when does the fun begin

Deep as the sea and as wild as the weather
We might go just you and me to pick wild strawberries together
Or be livin' on our own in a cabin in a meadow
And the cows will come home
They can face the world forever and we'll
Hit the bounding main or be on a railroad train
Hit the boundless tide or be on a steamboat ride
Hit the bounding main or be on a midnight plane
Hit the pounding tide or be on a rainbow ride
Hit the bounding main or be on a midnight plane

I saw a moonlit scene I never will forget
I stole a kiss at daybreak
I never did regret it
Sometimes I wonder why I even try
So why should I feel blue?

I heard the sound of footsteps swaying in the dark
I poked my head out silent that's how it started
What to my eyes appeared as dust became a vision I don't know

What had finally found me with my back against the wall
Was destiny intruding all around me
And as the day wore on I knew
Another lonely night could never be

If there's is a reason you might try and forget
I'd like to find it cause I like to relive it

Sometimes I wonder why I ever cry
So why should I feel blue?

I was caught drifting disappearing from the land


Whitecaps in profusion all around me
But somehow in our eyes I found the strength to sail upon the raging sea

If there's a reason for the way that life is
I'd like to find it after all who's life is it

Sometimes I wonder why I even try
So why should I feel blue?

What had finally found me with my back against the wall
Was destiny intruding all around me
And as the days wore on I knew
Another lonely night with you could never be

I saw a moonlit scene I know it was real
All that you can ever do when love is reveal

Sometimes I every try why I even try
So why should I feel blue?

Sometimes I wonder why I ever cry
So why should I feel blue?

When I woke this mornin', something inside of me told me this would be
my day
I heard the morning train, I felt the wind change, too many times I'm on
my way

Come on sunshine, what can you show me
Where can you take me to make me understand
The wind can shake me, brothers forsake me
The rain can touch me, but can I touch the rain

And then I saw the sunrise above the cotton sky like a candycane delight
I saw the milkman, I saw the business man, I saw the only road in sight
Then I got to thinkin' what makes you want to go, to know the wherefore
and the why
So many times now, oh Lord I can't remember if it's September or July

Then all at once it came to me, I saw the wherefore, and you can see it
if you try
It's in the sun above, it's in the one you love, you'll never know the
reason why

Come on sunshine, what can you show me
Where can you take me to make me understand
The wind can shake me, brothers forsake me
The rain can touch me, but can I touch the rain
So much to lose, so much to gain

I have been down in the valley of tears
I have stood on the highest peak
For the best part of a week
Battered and bruised I had pulled myself through
Every seen I would never repeat
I have hung out with the beasts of the field
And with them I've spent many long nights
Got in some awful bad fights
I came unstuck, I was down on my luck
And I'm still gettin' over the bites

Sounds of my own heart breaking, not to mention my mind
Nothing can hurt me, a small voice said into a mike, take a hike
No one will lead me astray anymore
You are welcome to try if you like
Welcome to try if you like

I had been down in the valley so long
I had almost run out of respect
Got in right up to my neck
Battered but wise to the truth and the lies
That no layman would ever accept

Reaching for all of the good things in life
Can provide some suprises I guess
It may be the way we are dressed
These threads that you see mean so little to me
They don't count when they put us to rest

Late about dusk I would start to feel
One more day had been lost
Nothing I'd say ever seemed to convey
How I felt with that I have dealt
All of my children are healthy and sane
They may say anything that they like
Say anything that they like

Sitting alone in the Blue Ridge Saloon
Is no place for an angel to be
Ladies make faces at me
Battered but clean I had pulled my machine
Off the road, I was too tired to see

Wearing a smile like the rim of a cup
I will get down to my final point
There is no one left to annoint
And the sowing of seed was it good, yes indeed
It thrills me but only to a point

Use your imagination, try every trick in the book
My mother said with the life that I led I'd be broke
Holy smoke
All of my children are healthy and wise
They may say anything that they like
If they want ta preach and are not within reach
They may say anything that they like
Say anything that they like

I'm not ashamed
To say that I've loved you well
I'm not ashamed
To let you know
I'm just a name that's all
Scratched upon your wall
You've used it well but what the hell
That's what walls are for
I'm not ashamed
To listen to the fast-fallin' rain
In the morning upon my window
I'm not afraid to cry
I'm not ashamed to try
To be your friend once again
'Cause that's what's friends are for

Friends are for sorting out the hang-ups that we hide
Walls are for shutting out the love we feel inside

I'm not ashamed no to talk it over once again
To rearrange my vocabulary
But I can't seem to find
Any words to change your mind
Because I left them all behind
And that's what words are for

Words are for explaining the mistakes we might have made
Names are for calling when there's nothing left to say

I'm not ashamed, no, to say that I've loved you well
I'm not ashamed, and yet I know
I'm just a name, that's all
Scratched upon your wall
You've used it well, but what the hell
That's what walls are for

I'm not ashamed of wearing out my old grey socks
Chasing you around the back woods
I'm not ashamed to darn
Nor to proud to find some yarn
To sew them up once again
'Cause that's what socks are for

Say what you will, I will miss you my friends
Let me move along for the road never ends
Vowing to live till the end of all time
All the way to the ends of the earth because I'm
Waiting for you to say you will be mine
Many long days, many long years
Many wrong plays, many wrong fears
I could be tossed in the arms of the sea
I could be caught between decks eternally
Waiting for you to ask what's keeping me

What would we do at the end of the day
When the hours are asleep and the time slips away
Children are all that the earth has to show
Children are all that the earth wants to know
Up here in the northland, up here in the snow

Up in the wilderness, land of our birth
Land of our toil, land of our worth
I could stay healthy and wealthy and wise
For I love the snow other snowbirds criticize
Tell that to a wife and you'll get a surprise

The skies of North America are covered in stars
Over factories and farms, over hamlets and bars
The breeze of North America is breathless at night
Out there in the distance some souls are in flight
Some soft-hearted lovers whose goals are in sight

Here in my on-again, off-again style
Here in my on-again, off-again smile
Here in my off-again, on-again grin
Here in my off-again, on-again skin
Waiting for you to say let us begin

Say what you will, I will miss you my friends
Let me move along for the road never ends
Vowing to live till the end of all time
All the way to the ends of the earth because I'm
Waiting for you to say you will be mine
Many long days, many long years
Many wrong plays, many wrong fears
I could be tossed in the arms of the sea
I could be caught between decks eternally
Waiting for you to ask what's keeping me

What would we do at the end of the day
When the hours are asleep and the time slips away
Children are all that the earth has to show
Children are all that the earth wants to know
Up here in the northland, up here in the snow

Up in the wilderness, land of our birth
Land of our toil, land of our worth
I could stay healthy and wealthy and wise
For I love the snow other snowbirds criticize
Tell that to a wife and you'll get a surprise

The skies of North America are covered in stars
Over factories and farms, over hamlets and bars
The breeze of North America is breathless at night
Out there in the distance some souls are in flight
Some soft-hearted lovers whose goals are in sight

Here in my on-again, off-again style
Here in my on-again, off-again smile
Here in my off-again, on-again grin
Here in my off-again, on-again skin
Waiting for you to say let us begin

Forgive me my unsettled ways
Don't linger in time or finger what's mine
Don't make me do
What you wouldn't do yourself
Forgive me the bad things I do
Don't ask me to change or exchange what I am
For something else
You know that wouldn't do

If time gets to heavy and you can no longer bear it
And you need someone to share it
Tell me girl, I'll try to make amends

Forgive me the ways of my heart
Don't try to pretend or lend me your love
Don't ask of me
What you wouldn't ask yourself

If time gets to heavy and you can no longer bear it
And you need someone to share it
Tell me girl, I'll try to make amends

Forgive me my unsettled ways
Don't linger in time or finger what's mine
Don't make me do
What you wouldn't do yourself
Don't make me do
What you wouldn't do yourself

Uncle Toad sittin' by the old south gate
Waitin' them boys they bin stayin' out late
Uncle Toad thinks they're way out of line
Maybe they think he is past his prime
Uncle Toad said better straighten up right
When Uncle Toad spoke it was not a pretty sight

Uncle Toad lived in the wood out back
Lived in the shade of a utility shack
He looked in at the big brick housr
At the girls as quiet as a mouse

Uncle Toad said you had best get it right
When Uncle Toad spoke it was not a pretty sight

Uncle Toad tucked in the compost pile
Out by the back door look at him smile
He said kid stop drinkin' that brew
Plan while ya can or the joke's on you

Uncle Toad said better straighten up right
When Uncle Toad spoke it was not a pretty sight

Uncle Toad sittin' by the swimmin' pool
Sits in the sun when the weather turns cool
Sits in the sun when the girls walk by
Maybe they think he's a little bit sly

Uncle Toad said you had best get it right
When Uncle Toad spoke it was not a pretty sight

Uncle Toad sittin' by the cool mill race
All day long with a grin on his face
He said boys you had better not try
Kissin' 'em girls cause I won't stand by

Uncle Toad sittin' by the wrought iron fence
Lookin' at the moon like it don't make sense
We say Toad here's lookin' at you
Hopin' you get your wish too

Sway to the left, sway to the right
When Uncle Toad spoke it was not a pretty sight

Oh the gist of it all is the first day of fall is the day when my ship will set sail
The best of all friends will say good-bye again there's still time for one last glass of ale
We'll sail away proudly, our backs to the wall on a southwind and lots of good cheer
And when we've looked over the white cliffs of Dover, We'll be in Bahama next year
From Bermuda on down the Triangle around us will teach us a lesson or two
There's many a mate who unevenyly stated the course he had charted was true
"Don't worry 'bout me," he said "Go down below, give a certified sailor a turn,
Just sip on your rum or I'll give you my thumb and say, son you got something t' learn!"
It's a mighty hard way to come down
And a mighty fine way to be found
So hand me my grip from an old sailing ship
Put the kiss of the dawn on my lips
With some luck tonight I might have her at my fingertips

Oh the best of all things is the first day of spring when when the water runs heavy and fast
The mermaids have all gone to Davy Jones' Ball
And it seems their first trip was their last
They had so much fun
They don't wish to return
to the beach where they lay all day long
They'd rather stay under
And boy it's no wonder
When all the rock lobsters roll on
It's a mighty fine way to be found

Triangle Triangle
Oh see my ship dangle
We're bound for Bahama my friend
Like lovers like danger
Like babies like mangers
But that's where my storybook ends
Like soldiers of fortune, believers in God
And all kings without crosses to bear
All sweepers and cleaners
with no misdemeanors
Should try the triangle out there

It's a mighty hard way to come down
And a mighty fine way to be found
So hand me my grip
From an old sailing ship
Put the kiss of dawn on my lips
With some luck tonight
I might have her at my fingertips

When she took her last tumble
The sea bottom rumbled
There was no confusion or blame
The captain said "Men we must answer again to the sea so ye may not complain"
And as they lay sleeping down there in the deep
With their faces turned up to the stars
A tuna fish turned
To a mermaid in bed and said
"There goes another sandbar"

It's a mighty hard way to come down
And a mighty fine way to be found
So hand me my grip
From an old sailing ship
Put the kiss of the dawn on my lips
With some luck tonight
I might have her at my fingertips

Oh the gist of it all is the first day of fall is the day when my ship will set sail
The best of all friends will say good-bye again there's still time for one last glass of ale
We'll sail away proudly, our backs to the wall on a southwind and lots of good cheer
And when we've looked over the white cliffs of Dover, We'll be in Bahama next year
From Bermuda on down the Triangle around us will teach us a lesson or two
There's many a mate who unevenyly stated the course he had charted was true
"Don't worry 'bout me," he said "Go down below, give a certified sailor a turn,
Just sip on your rum or I'll give you my thumb and say, son you got something t' learn!"
It's a mighty hard way to come down
And a mighty fine way to be found
So hand me my grip from an old sailing ship
Put the kiss of the dawn on my lips
With some luck tonight I might have her at my fingertips

Oh the best of all things is the first day of spring when when the water runs heavy and fast
The mermaids have all gone to Davy Jones' Ball
And it seems their first trip was their last
They had so much fun
They don't wish to return
to the beach where they lay all day long
They'd rather stay under
And boy it's no wonder
When all the rock lobsters roll on
It's a mighty fine way to be found

Triangle Triangle
Oh see my ship dangle
We're bound for Bahama my friend
Like lovers like danger
Like babies like mangers
But that's where my storybook ends
Like soldiers of fortune, believers in God
And all kings without crosses to bear
All sweepers and cleaners
with no misdemeanors
Should try the triangle out there

It's a mighty hard way to come down
And a mighty fine way to be found
So hand me my grip
From an old sailing ship
Put the kiss of dawn on my lips
With some luck tonight
I might have her at my fingertips

When she took her last tumble
The sea bottom rumbled
There was no confusion or blame
The captain said "Men we must answer again to the sea so ye may not complain"
And as they lay sleeping down there in the deep
With their faces turned up to the stars
A tuna fish turned
To a mermaid in bed and said
"There goes another sandbar"

It's a mighty hard way to come down
And a mighty fine way to be found
So hand me my grip
From an old sailing ship
Put the kiss of the dawn on my lips
With some luck tonight
I might have her at my fingertips

Pardon me if I'm leaving in a hurry
Can't you see
There's too much to loose for me to stay around

I've plaid your game obeyed your rules
The best that I know how
Gonna get out while the game don't get me down

It's been a long long day and now it's gone gone
I won't see you again before dawn
There's too much to loose for me to stay around
So I'll just cash in the chips and leave this town

Pardon me if I don't turn back or even say goodbye
I surely have enjoyed your cup of tea
Got no more time to gamble on a thing that ain't too sure
And the dust-cloud on the edge on town is me

If you ever feel that you should want to get in touch somehow
Forget it - that's all in yesterday.
Forgiving is to lovers as trusting is to fools
And of losing there is nothing I can say

It's been a long long day and now it's gone gone
I won't see you again before dawn
There's too much to loose for me to stay around
So I'll just cash in the chips and leave this town

It's been a long long day and now it's gone gone
I won't see you again before dawn
There's too much to loose for me to stay around
So I'll just cash in the chips and leave this town

Well I'll just cash in the chips and leave this town

The space shuttle ends where the subway begins
There's a tear on the face of the moon
From dusk until dawn they have searched all day long
But there's too many clues in this room
At best it is said we've been locked deep inside
Of an old sea man's chest full of charts
Where maps are contained and what's left of his brains
When his crew threw his balls to the sharks

All around the looking glass
Dancing to a tune
Sweeping out the house with a fine tooth comb
Which history's shown
Leads to ruin

In a word it is said that at times we must fall
But the worst of it all was the lies
We died for the cause just like regular outlaws
In the dust of an old lawman's eyes
In times best forgot there was peace there was not
In her pains mother earth came to bloom
Her children were born in the eye of the storm
And there's too many clues in this room

The power that is stored in this no man's land of chance
Is the someone who knows what they're doin'
The old soldiers say in their own crusty way
We've got too many troops in this room

All around the looking glass
Dancing to a tune
Sweeping out the house with a fine tooth comb
Which history's shown
Leads to ruin

The space shuttle ends where the subway begins
Praise the lord there's a train leavin' soon
From dusk until dawn they have searched all day long
But there's too many clues in this room

It was only yesterday
When I heard the teacher say
Patiently, one and two make three
We were children, you and me
Let us pray for the ones they call
The children of today
Nothin' left but promises
Nothin' much is certain
All we see is want and need across the board, why thank you lord
We're livin' in the glory of your care
Skies of blue have all turned brown
To the sound of cryin
Lord abide, let us stem the tide
Of broken dreams
Sometimes you seem to tell us
It's too late for prayin'

See the ocean wild and blue
Think of all that's in her
She will not surrender to the likes of us, but then she must
They tell us, wise men tell us, it's too late
For each child with eyes that smile
There'll be ten more cryin'
Lord abide, let us stem the time
Of helplessness
But then I guess we're livin'
Is it too late for prayin'

Nothin' here but grains of sand
Nothin' much worth savin'
Guess we've all got problems of our own to bear, and still we share
Tomorrow could get better than today
To the ones who've loved in vain
Will ya be beholden
Lord abide, let us stem the tide
Of broken dreams
Sometimes ya seem to tell us
It's too late for prayin'

The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee
The lake, it is said, never gives up her dead
When the skies of November turn gloomy
With a load of iron ore twenty-six thousand tons more
Than the Edmund Fitzgerald weighed empty
That good ship and true was a bone to be chewed
When the gales of November came early

The ship was the pride of the American side
Coming back from some mill in Wisconsin
As the big freighters go, it was bigger than most
With a crew and good captain well seasoned
Concluding some terms with a couple of steel firms
When they left fully loaded for Cleveland
Then later that night when the ship's bell rang
Could it be the north wind they'd been feelin'?

The wind in the wires made a tattle-tale sound
When the wave broke over the railing
And every man knew, as the captain did too
'Twas the witch of November come stealin'
The dawn came late and the breakfast had to wait
When the gales of November came slashin'
When afternoon came it was freezing rain
In the face of a hurricane west wind

When suppertime came, the old cook came on deck
Sayin' "Fellas, it's too rough to feed ya"
At seven PM a main hatchway caved in
He said, "Fellas, it's been good to know ya"
The captain wired in he had water comin' in
And the good ship and crew was in peril
And later that night when his lights went out of sight
Came the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

Does anyone know where the love of God goes
When the waves turn the minutes to hours?
The searchers all say they'd have made Whitefish Bay
If they'd put fifteen more miles behind her
They might have split up or they might have capsized
They may have broke deep and took water
And all that remains is the faces and the names
Of the wives and the sons and the daughters

Lake Huron rolls, Superior sings
In the rooms of her ice-water mansion
Old Michigan steams like a young man's dreams
The islands and bays are for sportsmen
And farther below, Lake Ontario
Takes in what Lake Erie can send her
And the iron boats go as the mariners all know
With the gales of November remembered

In a musty old hall in Detroit they prayed
In the Maritime Sailors' Cathedral
The church bell chimed 'til it rang twenty-nine times
For each man on the Edmund Fitzgerald
The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee
Superior, they said, never gives up her dead
When the gales of November come early

The way I feel is like a robin
whose babes have flown to come no more
like a tall oak tree alone and cryin'
when the birds have flown and the nest is bare
Now a woman Lord is like a young bird
and the tall oak tree is a young man's heart
among his boughs you'll find her nesting
when the nights are cool she's warm and dry

Your coat of green it will protect her
her wings will grow your love will too
But all too soon your mighty branches
will cease to hold her and she'll fly from you

Now the way I feel is like a robin
whose babes have flown to come no more
like a tall oak tree alone and cryin'
when the birds have flown and the nest is bare
when the birds have flown and the nest is bare

The way I feel is like a robin
whose babes have flown to come no more
like a tall oak tree alone and cryin'
when the birds have flown and the nest is bare
Now a woman Lord is like a young bird
and the tall oak tree is a young man's heart
among his boughs you'll find her nesting
when the nights are cool she's warm and dry

Your coat of green it will protect her
her wings will grow your love will too
But all too soon your mighty branches
will cease to hold her and she'll fly from you

Now the way I feel is like a robin
whose babes have flown to come no more
like a tall oak tree alone and cryin'
when the birds have flown and the nest is bare
when the birds have flown and the nest is bare

The way I feel is like a robin
whose babes have flown to come no more
like a tall oak tree alone and cryin'
when the birds have flown and the nest is bare
Now a woman Lord is like a young bird
and the tall oak tree is a young man's heart
among his boughs you'll find her nesting
when the nights are cool she's warm and dry

Your coat of green it will protect her
her wings will grow your love will too
But all too soon your mighty branches
will cease to hold her and she'll fly from you

Now the way I feel is like a robin
whose babes have flown to come no more
like a tall oak tree alone and cryin'
when the birds have flown and the nest is bare
when the birds have flown and the nest is bare

The way I feel is like a robin
whose babes have flown to come no more
like a tall oak tree alone and cryin'
when the birds have flown and the nest is bare
Now a woman Lord is like a young bird
and the tall oak tree is a young man's heart
among his boughs you'll find her nesting
when the nights are cool she's warm and dry

Your coat of green it will protect her
her wings will grow your love will too
But all too soon your mighty branches
will cease to hold her and she'll fly from you

Now the way I feel is like a robin
whose babes have flown to come no more
like a tall oak tree alone and cryin'
when the birds have flown and the nest is bare
when the birds have flown and the nest is bare

Just like birds of a feather
We too have followed the golden sun
It feels so good,
Knowin' the watchman's gone
If I give you a rose, buddy
Would you please bury it in the fields?
I seen a rose
Watchin' it all fold out

There's a train down at the station
It's come to carry my bones away
Two engines on
Twenty-one coaches long
End to end
Twenty-one coaches bend
The watchman's out
Kickin' the bums about

If I wait for the right moment
You can bet I'll climb aboard unseen
I've done it before
I know I can do it in my sleep

The watchman's out
Kickin' the bums about
The watchman's out
Kickin' your dreams about

As I leave you in the sunset
Got one more nothin' I'd like to say
"You don't know me
A son of the sea am I"
As I say to you, my brother
If you live to follow the golden sun
You better beware
Knowin' the watchman's always there

If you find me feedin' daisies
Please turn my face up to the sky
And leave me be
Watchin' the moon roll by
Whatever I was
You know it was all because
I've been on the town
Washin' the bullshit down

The watchman's out
Kickin' your dreams about
It feels so good
Knowin' the watchman's gone
It's like a song
Knowin' the watchman's gone

The soul is the rock and the rock will not be moved
Nothing is disputed, yet nothing is disproved
And the seeds of the earth that were planted long ago
Still yield a better harvest than the rock was prone to grow
Say what you like to, do what you do
Everyone's sleeping now two by two
Bats in the roof, cats in the hall
Dust on the stairway, gnats on the wall

Big rain comin'
Big rain comin' this way
Rain on the rock
Rain on the rock
Rain on the rock

The sea is the space which the rock has displaced
The mind is some stranger that some soul has embraced
And somewhere between, in a no-man's land of dreams
The heart becomes the soldier yet the rock is not redeemed

Say what you like to, do what you can
Live like a sheep, die like a lamb
Bats in the roof, cats in the hall
Dust on the stairway, gnats on the wall

Big rain comin'
Big rain comin' this way
Rain on the rock
Rain on the rock
Rain on the rock

The soul is the rock and the rock will always roll
In circles 'round the sun doing rings around the pole
When the mind is not sure what the heart will do next
The rock becomes the master and the road becomes what's left

Late one night when the moon shone down
We went to the mill on the edge of the town
She wore white, I wore black
The town was sleeping when we got back

Big rain comin'
Big rain comin' this way
Rain on the rock
Rain on the rock
Rain on the rock

The soul is the rock and the rock will not be harmed
Though man must be cheated just as women must be charmed
And the mind is the light for the heart which cannot see
The soul becomes the stranger but the rock will always be

Say what you like to, do what you do
Everyone's sleeping now two by two
Bats in the roof, cats in the hall
Dust on the stairway, gnats on the wall

Oh.. Big rain comin'
Big rain comin' this way
Rain on the rock
Rain on the rock
Rain on the rock

The soul is the rock and the rock will not be moved
Nothing is disputed yet nothing is disproved
And the seeds of the earth that were planted long ago
Still yield a better harvest than the rock was prone to grow

And the seeds of the earth that were planted long ago
Still yield a better harvest than the rock was prone to grow

When it's midnight on the meadow
And the cats are in the shed
And the river tells a story
At the window by my bed
If you listen very closely
Be as quiet as you can
In the yard you'll hear him
It is the pony man
We're always there to greet him
When he tumbles into town
He leads a string of ponies
Some are white and some are brown
And they never seem to kick or bite
They only want to play
And they live on candy apples
Instead of oats and hay

And when we're all assembled
He gives a soft command
And we climb aboard our ponies
As in a row the stand
Then down the road we gallop
And across the fields we fly
And soon we all go sailing off
Into the midnight sky

And as we gaily rock along
Beside a ripplin' sea
There's Tom 'n Dick 'n Sally
And Mary Joe and me
And the pony man is leading
Cause he's travelled here before
And he gives a whoop and a holler
At Mr. Moon's front door

And as we stop to rest a while
Where the soda river glides
Up to the slip comes a pirate ship
To take us for a ride
And the pony man's the captain
And the children are the crew
And we go in search of treasure
And laugh the whole night through

And when the hold is filled with gold
And the sails begin to strain
And the deck's piled high with apple pie
We head for port again
And down the whirling starcase
So swift our ponies fly
And we're safely in our beds again
When the sunbeams kiss the sky

When it's midnight on the meadow
And the cats are in the shed
And the river tells a story
At the window by my bed
If you listen very closely
Be as quiet as you can
In the yard you'll hear him
It is the pony man

When it's midnight on the meadow
And the cats are in the shed
And the river tells a story
At the window by my bed
If you listen very closely
Be as quiet as you can
In the yard you'll hear him
It is the pony man
We're always there to greet him
When he tumbles into town
He leads a string of ponies
Some are white and some are brown
And they never seem to kick or bite
They only want to play
And they live on candy apples
Instead of oats and hay

And when we're all assembled
He gives a soft command
And we climb aboard our ponies
As in a row the stand
Then down the road we gallop
And across the fields we fly
And soon we all go sailing off
Into the midnight sky

And as we gaily rock along
Beside a ripplin' sea
There's Tom 'n Dick 'n Sally
And Mary Joe and me
And the pony man is leading
Cause he's travelled here before
And he gives a whoop and a holler
At Mr. Moon's front door

And as we stop to rest a while
Where the soda river glides
Up to the slip comes a pirate ship
To take us for a ride
And the pony man's the captain
And the children are the crew
And we go in search of treasure
And laugh the whole night through

And when the hold is filled with gold
And the sails begin to strain
And the deck's piled high with apple pie
We head for port again
And down the whirling starcase
So swift our ponies fly
And we're safely in our beds again
When the sunbeams kiss the sky

When it's midnight on the meadow
And the cats are in the shed
And the river tells a story
At the window by my bed
If you listen very closely
Be as quiet as you can
In the yard you'll hear him
It is the pony man

When it's midnight on the meadow
And the cats are in the shed
And the river tells a story
At the window by my bed
If you listen very closely
Be as quiet as you can
In the yard you'll hear him
It is the pony man
We're always there to greet him
When he tumbles into town
He leads a string of ponies
Some are white and some are brown
And they never seem to kick or bite
They only want to play
And they live on candy apples
Instead of oats and hay

And when we're all assembled
He gives a soft command
And we climb aboard our ponies
As in a row the stand
Then down the road we gallop
And across the fields we fly
And soon we all go sailing off
Into the midnight sky

And as we gaily rock along
Beside a ripplin' sea
There's Tom 'n Dick 'n Sally
And Mary Joe and me
And the pony man is leading
Cause he's travelled here before
And he gives a whoop and a holler
At Mr. Moon's front door

And as we stop to rest a while
Where the soda river glides
Up to the slip comes a pirate ship
To take us for a ride
And the pony man's the captain
And the children are the crew
And we go in search of treasure
And laugh the whole night through

And when the hold is filled with gold
And the sails begin to strain
And the deck's piled high with apple pie
We head for port again
And down the whirling starcase
So swift our ponies fly
And we're safely in our beds again
When the sunbeams kiss the sky

When it's midnight on the meadow
And the cats are in the shed
And the river tells a story
At the window by my bed
If you listen very closely
Be as quiet as you can
In the yard you'll hear him
It is the pony man

Down around the No Hotel, look for me, they know me well.
Travelers come and travelers go down around the Hotel No.
If you choose the No Hotel, be prepared to run pell mell,
Be another burnt out shell, you checked in the No Hotel.

Down around the No Hotel, water there don't flow so well.
Problems come and problems go, freezing shower say hello.
If you choose the No Hotel, the bellhop never rings the bell,
Why there's another ne'er do well, just checked in the No Hotel.

Down around the No Hotel, look for me, the human shell.
Strangers moving to and fro all around the Hotel No.
When dining at the No Hotel, there's caterers who cater not,
And waiters who don't wait a lot, you've checked in the No Hotel.

Living at the No Hotel, just another ne'er do well,
seasons ebb and seasons flo down around the Hotel Ho.
Snug in your No Hotel room, see the little critters fly
Above the bed sheets telling lies, you've checked in the No Hotel.

Down around the No Hotel, look for me, they know me well.
Travelers come and travelers go, it's the only world they know.
If you choose the No Hotel, the bellhop never rings the bell,
Now he's another burnt out shell, you've checked in the No Hotel.

All is well
I've made my peace where highways never end
Yesterday's a memory today is just a friend
For the mountains and Maryann are calling me again
And the red pines will bow their heads
The rivers and the watersheds will swallow up my tears
All is well
I left the cold midwestern towns behind
There's a semi up the road ahead I'll take him in my time
For the hot-blooded mountain love is calling me again
And the vagabond within me cries
The wind and rain might burn my eyes but I won't feel the pain
For the mountains and Maryann will greet me there as only she can do

All is well
As I swing up to the border bent for hell
And the service station man agreed I didn't look too well
But the mountains and Maryann are calling out to me
And I got my bedroll on my back
And everything that I could pack to see me on my way

All is well
I've made my peace and man, I'm feelin' fine
And the losers that I left behind I'll think about some other time
For the border men were all my friends they couldn't find a dime
And the prairie towns go sailing by
Saskatchewan there's mud in your eye I'm leavin' you behind
There'll be hot-blooded mountain love to satisfy my soul
And the red pines will bow their heads
The rivers and the watersheds will carry us along
And the mountains and Maryann will greet me there as only she can do

All is well
The foothills are coming into sight
Today is just a memory the future is tonight
And the red pines will bow their heads
The rivers and the watersheds will carry us along
And the mountains and Maryann will greet me there as only she can do

There's a little room on my list for tonight
Will ya be the one to fill it in
Toss around what is up, what is down
In between, would ya like to dream
Step on in, ya don't have to play to win
But then you might

There's a little song on my list for tonight
Would ya like to try and make it rhyme
Sing and sway, if your heart feels that way
We can leave the blues behind

There's a little lovin' on my list for tonight
With a bit of luck, I'll check it off
Toss around what is up, what is down

In between, d' ya know what I mean
Rain, rain all day long
You've made it pay, you can do no wrong tonight
Pick and grin, ya don't have to play to win
But then you might
Thick and thin, ya don't have to play to win
But then you might

There's a little room on my list for tonight
Will ya be the one to fill it in
Toss around what is up, what is down

In between, would ya like to dream
Step on in, ya don't have to play to win
But then you might
Thick and thin, ya don't have to play to win
But then you might

The last time I saw her face, her eyes were bathed in starlight and her hair hung long
The last time she spoke to me, her lips were like the scented flowers inside a rain-drenched forest
But that was so long ago that I can scarcely feel the way I felt before
And if time could heal the wounds, I would tear the threads away that I might bleed some more
The last time I walked with her
Her laughter was the steeple bells
That ring to greet the morning sun
A voice that called to everyone
To love the ground she walked upon
Those were good day

The last time I held her hand, her touch was autumn, spring and summer, and winter too
The last time I let go of her, she walked a way into the night
I lost her in the misty streets, a thousand months, a thousand miles
When other lips will kiss her eyes
A million miles beyond the moon, that's where she is

But that was so long ago that I can scarcely feel the way I felt before
And if time could heal the wounds, I would tear the threads away that I might bleed some more
The last time I saw her face, her eyes were bathed in starlight and she walked alone

The last time she kissed my cheek
Her lips were like the wilted leaves
Upon the autumn covered hills
Resting on the frozen ground
The seeds of love lie cold and still
Beneath a battered marking stone
It lies forgotten

The last time I saw her face, her eyes were bathed in starlight and her hair hung long
The last time she spoke to me, her lips were like the scented flowers inside a rain-drenched forest
But that was so long ago that I can scarcely feel the way I felt before
And if time could heal the wounds, I would tear the threads away that I might bleed some more
The last time I walked with her
Her laughter was the steeple bells
That ring to greet the morning sun
A voice that called to everyone
To love the ground she walked upon
Those were good day

The last time I held her hand, her touch was autumn, spring and summer, and winter too
The last time I let go of her, she walked a way into the night
I lost her in the misty streets, a thousand months, a thousand miles
When other lips will kiss her eyes
A million miles beyond the moon, that's where she is

But that was so long ago that I can scarcely feel the way I felt before
And if time could heal the wounds, I would tear the threads away that I might bleed some more
The last time I saw her face, her eyes were bathed in starlight and she walked alone

The last time she kissed my cheek
Her lips were like the wilted leaves
Upon the autumn covered hills
Resting on the frozen ground
The seeds of love lie cold and still
Beneath a battered marking stone
It lies forgotten

Go first in the world, go forth with your fears
Remember a price must be paid
Be always too soon, be never too fast
At the time when all bets must be laid
Beware of the darkness, be kind to your children
Remember the woman who waits
And the house you live in will never fall down
If you pity the stranger who stands at your gate

When you're caught by the gale and you're full under sail
Beware of the dangers below
And the song that you sing should not be too sad
And be sure not to sing it too slow
Be calm in the face of all common disgraces
And know what they're doin' it for
And the house you live in will never fall down
If you pity the stranger who stands at your door

When you're out on the road and feelin' quite lost
Consider the burden of fame
And he who is wise will not criticize
When other men fail at the game
Beware of strange faces and dark dingy places
Be careful while bending the law
And the house you live in will never fall down
If you pity the stranger who stands at your door

When you're down in the dumps and not ready to deal
Decide what it is that you need
Is it money or love, is it learning to live
Or is it the mouth you must feed
Be known as a man who will always be candid
On questions that do not relate
And the house you live in will never fall down
If you pity the stranger who stands at the gate
And the house you live in will never fall down
If you pity the stranger who stands at the gate

The first time ever I saw your face
I thought the sun rose in your eyes
And the moon and the stars were the gifts you gave
To the dark and the empty skies my love
To the dark and the empty skies
The first time ever I kissed your mouth
I felt the earth turn in my hand
Like the trembling heart of a captive bird
That was there at my command my love
That was there at my command

The first time ever I lay with you
And felt your heart beat close to mine
I thought our joy would fill the earth
And would last 'till the end of time my love
And would last 'till the end of time

The first time ever I saw your face
I thought the sun rose in your eyes
And the moon and the stars were the gifts you gave
To the dark and the empty skies my love
To the dark and the empty skies

It's all right for some but not all right for me
When the one that I'm loving slips around
You think it's fine to do things I cannot see
And you're doing it to me
Baby can't you see that I know how it is

I can see it in your eyes
And feel it in the way you kiss my lips
I can hear it in your voice
When ever we are talking like this
I can see what you believe in
When his name is mentioned and I die
I can watch the way you walk
The way you talk, the way you close your eyes

It's all right for some but not all right to be
Where the one that I'm loving can't be found
The city where we live might be quite large
But the circle is small
Why not tell us all and then all of us will know

I can see it in your eyes and feel it in the way you kiss my lips
I can hear it in your voice whenever we are talking like this
I can see what you believe in when his name is mentioned and I die
I can watch the way you walk, the way you talk, the way you close your eyes

It's all right to leave but not all right to lie
When you come home and you can't say where you've been
You think it's fine to do things I cannot see
And you're doing it to me
Baby can't you see that I know how it is

I can see it in your eyes and feel it in the way you kiss my lips
I can hear it in your voice whenever we are talking like this
I can see what you believe in when his name is mentioned and I die
I can watch the way you walk, the way you talk, the way you close your eyes

It's all right for some but not all right for me
When the one that I'm loving slips around
You think it's fine to do things I cannot see
And you're doing it to me
Baby can't you see that I know how it is

I can see it in your eyes
And feel it in the way you kiss my lips
I can hear it in your voice
When ever we are talking like this
I can see what you believe in
When his name is mentioned and I die
I can watch the way you walk
The way you talk, the way you close your eyes

It's all right for some but not all right to be
Where the one that I'm loving can't be found
The city where we live might be quite large
But the circle is small
Why not tell us all and then all of us will know

I can see it in your eyes and feel it in the way you kiss my lips
I can hear it in your voice whenever we are talking like this
I can see what you believe in when his name is mentioned and I die
I can watch the way you walk, the way you talk, the way you close your eyes

It's all right to leave but not all right to lie
When you come home and you can't say where you've been
You think it's fine to do things I cannot see
And you're doing it to me
Baby can't you see that I know how it is

I can see it in your eyes and feel it in the way you kiss my lips
I can hear it in your voice whenever we are talking like this
I can see what you believe in when his name is mentioned and I die
I can watch the way you walk, the way you talk, the way you close your eyes

I come to this garden
I come here to rest
Early each day upon risin'
I think of my lost love
From over the sea
And sometimes I've wondered
If she thinks of me
I long to recall every kiss, every kind word
I miss her so much I could die
But the creatures of evil
Have captured her heart
And that same old obsession
Still keeps us apart

There's peace in the garden
There's peace in the air
Peace in the sound of the river
There's peace in the meadow
The sun shines like gold
And if she were with me
There'd be peace in my soul

I long to return to the place, I remember
The taste of her lips close to mine
I could do much better
If I could be strong
Come into my garden
But leave me alone

I come to this garden
I come here to rest
Just as the night comes stealin'
Someone is weeping
She's calling my name
Deep in the garden
Deep in my brain

I long to recall every kiss, every kind word
I miss her so much I could die
But the creatures of evil
Have captured her heart
And that same old obsession
Still keeps us apart
But the creatures of evil
Have captured her heart
And that same old obsession
Still keeps us apart

Thank you for the promises we make
I know I can't complain
I think I did all right
No failures are in sight
Only now and then
I'd like to reminisce
Do you remember when
Even if we're angels we can't ask
To wander through the past
The future is our goal
The night is black as coal
If I could pay the price
I'd like to love you once
I'd love to love you twice

Thanks
We cannot say enough
The road is sometimes rough
But we can get along
The going will get tough
But we won't be afraid
Of the promises we made

Thank you for the promises you keep
When I am fast asleep
To be where we belong
Is all that I can ask
We can do it in the shade
As long as I have you
And the promises we made

Thank you for the promises we break
If you made a clean mistake
Well that's what love's about
No need to stand and shout
The truth is in your eyes
The answer lies within
No need to criticize

Thanks
For the promises at hand
The abuse that we must stand
Is often heaven sent
They may not pay the rent
You never can be sure
When promises get bent

Thank you for the promises that live
This is all that I can give
Forever in my mind
To leave the past behind
And seal it with a kiss
Forever in my soul
I will remember this

I heard you talking in your sleep
Is there anything that I can do
I don't believe we've had a word all day
'Bout anything at all
I heard you talking in the night
That's right, yes I heard ya call
Though I could hardly hear the name you spoke
It's a name I don't recall
I heard you softly whisper
I reached out to hold you near me
Then from your lips there came that secret
I was not supposed to know

I heard you talking in your sleep
Is there anything that I can say
I don't believe we've had a word all day
'Bout anything at all
I heard you talking in the night
That's right, yes I heard ya call
Though I could hardly hear the name you spoke
It's a name I don't recall

I heard you talking in your sleep
Is there anything that I can do
I don't believe we've had a word all day
'Bout anything at all

Sweet Guinevere you're off to the coal town tonight
And your young brother Ernie's up in Pittsburgh PA
You know mother loves you, and dad's in the mine
So don't go to the coal town, Guinevere, if you're kind

She loves a young man and he lives in the town
And he leaves the house early for he works underground
He makes a good wage for a coal miner's son
And she's a bit pretty, just turned twenty-one

Sweet Guinevere you're off to the coal town tonight
And your young brother Ernie's up in Pittsburgh PA
You know mother loves you, and dad's in the mine
So don't go to the coal town, Guinevere, shut the blind

She knows her good mother's not feelin' no pain
She remembers an explosion and the black falling rain
She paints her thin lips in her dewy-eyed way
Then she says to the daughter, dear daughter I pray

Sweet Guinevere you're off to the coal town tonight
And your young brother Ernie's up in Pittsburgh PA
You know mother loves you, and dad's in the mine
So don't go to the coal town, Guinevere, if you're kind

I can see her lyin' back in her faded dress
In a room where ya do what ya don't confess
Sundown ya better take care
If I find you bin creepin' 'round my back stairs
Sundown ya better take care
If I find you bin creepin' 'round my back stairs

She's bin lookin' like a queen in a sailor's dream
And she don't always say what she really means
Sometimes I think it's a shame
When I get feelin' better when I'm feelin' no pain
Sometimes I think it's a shame
When I get feelin' better when I'm feelin' no pain

I can picture every move that a man could make
Getting lost in her lovin' is your first mistake
Sundown ya better take care
If I find you bin creepin' 'round my back stairs
Sometimes I think it's a sin
When I feel like I'm winnin' when I'm losin again

I can see her lookin' fast in her faded jeans
She's a hard lovin' woman, got me feelin' mean
Sometimes I think it's a shame
When I get feelin' better when I'm feelin' no pain
Sundown ya better take care
If I find you bin creepin' 'round my back stairs
Sundown ya better take care
If I find you bin creepin' 'round my back stairs
Sometimes I think it's a sin
When I feel like I'm winnin' when I'm losin' again

I can see her lyin' back in her satin dress
In a room where you do what you don't confess
Sundown, you better take care
If I find you bin creepin' round my back stairs
Sundown, you better take care
If I find you bin creepin' round my back stairs

She's bin lookin' like a queen in a sailor's dream
And she don't always say what she really means
Sometimes I think it's a shame
When I get feelin' better when I'm feelin' no pain
Sometimes I think it's a shame
When I get feelin' better when I'm feelin' no pain

I can picture ev'ry move that a man could make
Gettin' lost in her lovin' is your first mistake
Sundown, you better take care
If I find you bin creepin' round my back stairs
Sometimes I think it's a sin
When I feel like I'm winnin' when I'm losin' again

I can see her lookin' fast in her faded jeans
She's a hard lovin' woman, got me feelin' mean
Sometimes I think it's a shame
When I get feelin' better when I'm feelin' no pain
Sundown, you better take care
If I find you bin creepin' round my back stairs

Sundown you better take care
If I find you bin creepin' round my back stairs
Sometimes I think it's a sin
When I feel like I'm winnin' when I'm losin' again

I can see her lyin' back in her satin dress
In a room where you do what you don't confess
Sundown, you better take care
If I find you bin creepin' round my back stairs
Sundown, you better take care
If I find you bin creepin' round my back stairs

She's bin lookin' like a queen in a sailor's dream
And she don't always say what she really means
Sometimes I think it's a shame
When I get feelin' better when I'm feelin' no pain
Sometimes I think it's a shame
When I get feelin' better when I'm feelin' no pain

I can picture ev'ry move that a man could make
Gettin' lost in her lovin' is your first mistake
Sundown, you better take care
If I find you bin creepin' round my back stairs
Sometimes I think it's a sin
When I feel like I'm winnin' when I'm losin' again

I can see her lookin' fast in her faded jeans
She's a hard lovin' woman, got me feelin' mean
Sometimes I think it's a shame
When I get feelin' better when I'm feelin' no pain
Sundown, you better take care
If I find you bin creepin' round my back stairs

Sundown you better take care
If I find you bin creepin' round my back stairs
Sometimes I think it's a sin
When I feel like I'm winnin' when I'm losin' again

I can see her lyin' back in her satin dress
In a room where you do what you don't confess
Sundown, you better take care
If I find you bin creepin' round my back stairs
Sundown, you better take care
If I find you bin creepin' round my back stairs

She's bin lookin' like a queen in a sailor's dream
And she don't always say what she really means
Sometimes I think it's a shame
When I get feelin' better when I'm feelin' no pain
Sometimes I think it's a shame
When I get feelin' better when I'm feelin' no pain

I can picture ev'ry move that a man could make
Gettin' lost in her lovin' is your first mistake
Sundown, you better take care
If I find you bin creepin' round my back stairs
Sometimes I think it's a sin
When I feel like I'm winnin' when I'm losin' again

I can see her lookin' fast in her faded jeans
She's a hard lovin' woman, got me feelin' mean
Sometimes I think it's a shame
When I get feelin' better when I'm feelin' no pain
Sundown, you better take care
If I find you bin creepin' round my back stairs

Sundown you better take care
If I find you bin creepin' round my back stairs
Sometimes I think it's a sin
When I feel like I'm winnin' when I'm losin' again

Where the road runs down by the butternut grove
To old Bill Skinner's stream
Do tell at the noonday bell
It's time for a summertime dream
In a lunch pail town in a one horse way
You can live like a king and queen
Let's steal away in the noonday sun
It's time for a summertime dream

Birds in all creation will be twitterin' in the trees
And down below's a pond I know
You can swim in it if you please
And if you come 'round when the mill shuts down
You can see what chivalry means
Let's steal away in the noonday sun
It's time for a summertime dream

On a trip on down to wonderland
In love among the flowers
Where time gets lost with no straw boss
Tallyin' up the hours
Where the road runs down by the butternut grove
To old Bill Skinner's stream
Do tell at the noonday bell
It's time for a summertime dream

Birds in all creation will be twitterin' in the trees
And down below's a pond I know
You can swim in it if you please
So if you come 'round when the mill shuts down
You can see what chivalry means
Let's steal away in the noonday sun
It's time for a summertime dream

Where the road runs down by the butternut grove
To old Bill Skinner's stream
Do tell at the noonday bell
It's time for a summertime dream
In a lunch pail town in a one horse way
You can live like a king and queen
Let's steal away in the noonday sun
It's time for a summertime dream

Birds in all creation will be twitterin' in the trees
And down below's a pond I know
You can swim in it if you please
And if you come 'round when the mill shuts down
You can see what chivalry means
Let's steal away in the noonday sun
It's time for a summertime dream

On a trip on down to wonderland
In love among the flowers
Where time gets lost with no straw boss
Tallyin' up the hours
Where the road runs down by the butternut grove
To old Bill Skinner's stream
Do tell at the noonday bell
It's time for a summertime dream

Birds in all creation will be twitterin' in the trees
And down below's a pond I know
You can swim in it if you please
So if you come 'round when the mill shuts down
You can see what chivalry means
Let's steal away in the noonday sun
It's time for a summertime dream

He came down throught fields of green
On the summer side of life
His love was ripe
There were no illusions
On the summer side of life
Only tenderness
And if you saw him now
You'd wonder why he would cry
The whole day long

There were young girls everywhere
On the summer side of life
The talked all night
To the young men that they knew
On the summer side of life
Goin' off to fight

And if you saw them now
You'd wonder why they would cry
The whole day long

He came down through field of green
On the summer side of life
He prayed all night
Then he walked into a house
Where love had been misplaced
His chance to waste

And if you saw him now
You'd wonder why he would cry
The whole day long

He came down through fields of green
On the summer side of life
His love was ripe

There were no illusions
On the summer side of life
Only tenderness

And if you saw him now
You'd wonder why he would cry
The whole day long

There was young girls everywhere
On the summer side of life
They talked all night

To the young men that they knew
On the summer side of life
Goin' off to fight

And if you saw them now
You'd wonder why they would cry
The whole day long

He came down through fields of green
On the summer side of life
He prayed all night

Then he walked into a house
Where love had been misplaced
His chance to waste

And if you saw him now
You'd wonder why he would cry
The whole day long

And if you saw him now
You'd wonder why

And if you saw him now
You'd wonder why

And if you saw him now
You'd wonder why

He came down through fields of green
On the summer side of life
His love was ripe

There were no illusions
On the summer side of life
Only tenderness

And if you saw him now
You'd wonder why he would cry
The whole day long

There was young girls everywhere
On the summer side of life
They talked all night

To the young men that they knew
On the summer side of life
Goin' off to fight

And if you saw them now
You'd wonder why they would cry
The whole day long

He came down through fields of green
On the summer side of life
He prayed all night

Then he walked into a house
Where love had been misplaced
His chance to waste

And if you saw him now
You'd wonder why he would cry
The whole day long

And if you saw him now
You'd wonder why

And if you saw him now
You'd wonder why

And if you saw him now
You'd wonder why

If you really knew how many times I've tried to help you
Make your mind up in the matters of the heart, you'd not be bothered
By the miscues or the bad trips that seem to come and plague us
Having thought it over, I sure would like to talk to you again

I was stone cold sober, it was daylight in October
When you reached across the table put your hand upon my shoulder
And my lips were warm with kissing while we found the missing pieces
To all the empty spaces I sure would like to talk that way again

We have soared above the clouds, we've heard the angels breathing
While we made love in the morning, there was never talk of leaving
We would lie that way for hours with our arms around each other
It was all so easy, I sure would like to talk to you again

'Cause I'm stone cold sober, the daylight has crossed over
In the night, a touch of sadness
We had it coming, had it going way back then

I was stone cold sober when I woke the morning after
Having shattered the illusions of the object of my passions
With a will made out of iron and a mind that is her own
Having thought it over, I sure would like to talk to her again
We had it coming, had it going way back then

I hope that we can see each other often
That our points of view will blend into each other,
Like the sea and the horizon
And the sun will shine upon us as we live our lives forever
Having thought it over, I sure would like to talk to you again

Well I got my mail late last night
A letter from a girl who found the time to write
To her lonesome boy somewheres in the night
She sent me a railroad ticket too
To take me to her lovin' arms
And the big steel rail gonna carry me home to the one I love

Ooooh oooo oo whu hu hoo
Ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo oo

Well I bin out here many a long days
I haven't found a place that I could call my own
Not a two bit bed to lay my body on
I bin stood up I bin shook down
I bin dragged into the sand
And the big steel rail gonna carry me home to the one I love

Well I bin up tight most every night
Walkin' along the streets of this old town
Not a friend to tell my troubles to
My good old car she done broke down
'Cause i drove it into the ground
And the big steel rail gonna carry me home to the one I love

Well I look over yonder across the plain
The big drive wheels are poundin' along the ground
Gonna get on board and I'll be homeward bound
Now I ain't had a home cooked meal
And Lord I need one now
And the big steel rail gonna carry me home to the one I love

Now here I am with my hat in hand
Standin' on the broad highway will you give a ride
To a lonesome boy who missed the train last night
I went in town for one last round
And I gambled my ticket away
And the big steel rail won't carry me home to the one I love

Well I got my mail late last night
A letter from a girl who found the time to write
To her lonesome boy somewheres in the night
She sent me a railroad ticket too
To take me to her lovin' arms
And the big steel rail gonna carry me home to the one I love

Well I been out here many long days
I haven't found a place that I could call my own
Not a two bit bed to lay my body on
I been stood up I bin shook down
I been dragged into the sand
And the big steel rail gonna carry me home to the one I love

Well I been uptight most every night
Walkin' along the streets of this old town
Not a friend around to tell my troubles to
My good old car she done broke down
'Cause I drove it into the ground
And the big steel rail gonna carry me home to the one I love

Well I look over yonder across the plain
The big drive wheels are poundin' along the ground
Gonna get on board and I'll be homeward bound
Now I ain't had a home cooked meal
And Lord I need one now
And the big steel rail gonna carry me home to the one I love

Now here I am with my hat in my hand
Standin' on the broad highway will you give a ride
To a lonesome boy who missed the train last night
I went in town for one last round
And I gambled my ticket away
And the big steel rail won't carry me home to the one I love

Well I got my mail late last night
A letter from a girl who found the time to write
To her lonesome boy somewheres in the night
She sent me a railroad ticket too
To take me to her lovin' arms
And the big steel rail gonna carry me home to the one I love

Well I been out here many long days
I haven't found a place that I could call my own
Not a two bit bed to lay my body on
I been stood up I bin shook down
I been dragged into the sand
And the big steel rail gonna carry me home to the one I love

Well I been uptight most every night
Walkin' along the streets of this old town
Not a friend around to tell my troubles to
My good old car she done broke down
'Cause I drove it into the ground
And the big steel rail gonna carry me home to the one I love

Well I look over yonder across the plain
The big drive wheels are poundin' along the ground
Gonna get on board and I'll be homeward bound
Now I ain't had a home cooked meal
And Lord I need one now
And the big steel rail gonna carry me home to the one I love

Now here I am with my hat in my hand
Standin' on the broad highway will you give a ride
To a lonesome boy who missed the train last night
I went in town for one last round
And I gambled my ticket away
And the big steel rail won't carry me home to the one I love

If you've got a heartache
Of the kind that will not pass by
Even if you don't see the end
Of what lies beyond the bend
Don't stay that way
It's all in a day believe me
Even the best of dreams must end
Even so it grieves me

Stay loose, don't fight it
Let it take you all the way and
If it's wrong, you will right it
Do not waste these hours away

How many times have I told you
These are the tears I've shed
Could it be that I need help
Is it maybe I've come undone
And one thing more
You know it don't come easy
Even the best of friends must part
Even so it grieves me

Stay loose, don't fight it
Let love take a holiday
If it's wrong, you're gonna right it
Do not waste these hours away

Soon the storm will be over
And the clouds will all pass by
To be insane beyond belief
Is sometimes the best relief
And one thing sure
Love never did come easy
Even the best of dreams must end
Even so it grieves me

Stay loose, don't fight it
Let it take you all the way and
If it's wrong, you will right it
Do not waste these hours away

Stay loose, don't fight it
Let love take a holiday
If it's wrong, you're gonna right it
Do not waste these hours away

In the dawn's early light from a long and sleepless night
She returned again this morning from her long and restless flight

And her red hollow eyes did not show her much surprise
As she lay right down beside me like she never said goodbye

Please help me stationmaster, is the evening train on time
The wells run dry up yonder there's another down the line

It was all I could bear just to watch her lying there
Disowned and ragged princess with the sun locked in her hair

So cold, so frail with her mind locked in a jail
A victim of confusion, never knowing she could fail

Please help me stationmaster, is the evening train on time
The wells run dry up yonder there's another down the line

So I rocked her to sleep and I got up on my feet
And the day was filled with sunshine as I gazed across the street
And the door seemed to say over here step this way
The station is for travelers even you must ride someday

Please help me stationmaster, is the evening train on time
The wells run dry up yonder there's another down the line

Please help be stationmaster, can I stay for just awhile
Forgive me if I'm weary I ain't have much - much time to smile

So fine, so fine the web you spin,
I come too close and I'm caught again!
In the web of wild design,
I do not know what fate is mine!
All the day sit and spin,
Spin your web and you draw me in.
Spin, spin, spin, spin!

And my daddy said when I was young,
"beware the web of love, my son,
To be in love is to be insane,
Make an old man groan, a young man pain!"
All the day, sit and spin,
Spin your web and you draw me in.
Spin, spin, spin, spin!



Then I did go and the time did fly,
Many a true love passed me by.
And then you came like a blinding storm,
I landed in your web so warm,
Spin your web and you draw me in.
Spin, spin, spin, spin!

So fine, so fine the web you spin,
I come too close and I'm caught again!
In the web of wild desire,
And I cannot control the fire!
All the day sit and spin,
You spin your web and you draw me in.

Let go darlin'
I can feel the night wind call
Guess I'd better go
I like you more than half as much
As I love your Spanish moss

Spanish moss hangin' down
Sweeter than the southern love we've found
Spanish moss
Keeps on followin' my thoughts around
Georgia pine and Ripple wine
Memories of Savannah summertime
Spanish moss
Wish you knew what I was sayin'

So I'm rollin' north thinkin'
Of the way things might have been
If she and I could have changed it all somehow

Spanish moss hangin' down
Lofty as the sycamore you've found
Spanish moss
Keeps on followin' my thoughts around
Georgia pine and Ripple wine
Kisses mixed with moonshine and red clay
Spanish moss
Wish you knew what I was sayin'

So I'm rollin' north thinkin'
Of the way things might have been
If she and I could have changed it all somehow

Let go darlin'
I can feel the night wind call
The devil take the cost
I like the way your kisses flow and I love your Spanish moss

It's almost over it's almost done
And you can't put the blame on anyone
It's almost easy and it's almost fun
Did you get caught with your britches on

Hi derry day in the month of May
Was the song the minstrel sang
To the good of Robin Hood
Maid Marian and all the gang

His aim was mean and his shot was clean
And his suit was the shade of evergreen
The folks he knew hadn't naught to fear
When the sheriff was there they were over here

Hi derry doon in the month of June
Was the song the minstrel sung
To the good of Robin Hood's
Good name and a place to run

He loved strong ale and a run down jail
Was the kind of a scene where he never failed
There was no man on the sea or land
Who could get Maid Marian on the trail

Hi derry day in the month of May
Was the song the minstrel sang
To the good of Robin Hood
Maid Marian and all the gang

It's almost over it's almost done
And you can't put the blame on Marian
She almost made it to the friar's gate
But the old wooden bridge wouldn't elevate

Hi derry doon in the month of June
Was the song the minstrel sung
To the good of Robin Hood's
Good name and a place to run

The lamp is burnin low upon my table top
The snow is softly fallin
The air is still within the silence of my room
I hear your voice softly callin
If I could only have you near
To breathe a sigh or two
I would be happy just to hold the hands I love
Upon this winter night with you

The smoke is rising in the shadows overhead
My glass is almost empty
I read again between the lines upon the page
The words of love you sent me

If I could know within my heart
That you were lonely too
I would be happy just to hold the hands I love
Upon this winter night with you

The fire is dying now, my lamp is growing dim
The shades of night are liftin
The mornin light steals across my windowpane
Where webs of snow are driftin

If I could only have you near
To breathe a sigh or two
I would be happy just to hold the hands I love
And to be once again with with you
To be once again with with you

The lamp is burnin low upon my table top
The snow is softly fallin
The air is still within the silence of my room
I hear your voice softly callin
If I could only have you near
To breathe a sigh or two
I would be happy just to hold the hands I love
Upon this winter night with you

The smoke is rising in the shadows overhead
My glass is almost empty
I read again between the lines upon the page
The words of love you sent me

If I could know within my heart
That you were lonely too
I would be happy just to hold the hands I love
Upon this winter night with you

The fire is dying now, my lamp is growing dim
The shades of night are liftin
The mornin light steals across my windowpane
Where webs of snow are driftin

If I could only have you near
To breathe a sigh or two
I would be happy just to hold the hands I love
And to be once again with with you
To be once again with with you

The lamp is burnin low upon my table top
The snow is softly fallin
The air is still within the silence of my room
I hear your voice softly callin
If I could only have you near
To breathe a sigh or two
I would be happy just to hold the hands I love
Upon this winter night with you

The smoke is rising in the shadows overhead
My glass is almost empty
I read again between the lines upon the page
The words of love you sent me

If I could know within my heart
That you were lonely too
I would be happy just to hold the hands I love
Upon this winter night with you

The fire is dying now, my lamp is growing dim
The shades of night are liftin
The mornin light steals across my windowpane
Where webs of snow are driftin

If I could only have you near
To breathe a sigh or two
I would be happy just to hold the hands I love
And to be once again with with you
To be once again with with you

Out on the road like a low-down Joe
And the bar where we are is so cool I'd like to stay
Misunderstood like I knew I would be
The one I care for don't mind, she's built that way
I would gladly offer you my love
In this hotel in Somewhere U.S.A.
This rental car never went so far
But with each passing mile one more dream has turned to clay
Now that we've met and your eyes are all wet
Let me fetch my guitar, there's a song I'd like to play
I would gladly offer you my song
In this hotel in Somewhere U.S.A.

One never knows where the good times go
If you got some to spend, we'll do anything you say
I'd never lie, well you know I've tried
Though you think it's the drink that has made me behave this way
I would gladly offer you my love
In this hotel in Somewhere U.S.A.

Dreaming of the love I lost, the day the final bridge was crossed,
sometimes I wish that I could just forget.
But the memory lingers yet, and it hangs around, leaving me low and leaving me down.
Everywhere I roam, there is nobody home.
Even I should know, when it ain't my day there is no other way.

I begin to wake up to, how wrong it was to cling to you.
Sometimes I wish, to hold you to my heart cause I can't keep us apart.
Forgiving you was the easiest thing that I ever could do.
Everywhere I go, there is no one I know. Even I can see, it's too late now to believe in a vow.

As I wander, I return, to days gone by there's much to be learned.
Sometimes I wish that miracles could be, but at best I fail to see any happening.
Some gotta lose and some gotta win. Everywhere I roam, there is nobody home.
Even I should know, when it ain't my day there is no other way.

Everywhere I go, there is no one I know.
Even I can see, it's too late now to believe in a vow. You're leaving right now.

Sometimes I don't mind the sunshine
Sometimes I need the rain
Sometimes I don't mind the fun times
Sometimes they're all the same

When I'm thinking of you
There's a fever around I don't know what to do
When I'm drinking to you
I get down in my shoes in a waltz with the blues

Sometimes I don't mind the sunshine
Sometimes I need the rest
Sometimes I don't mind a good time
Sometimes I do what's best

When I'm thinking of you
Then I leave her alone this is sad this is true (?)
When I'm drinking to you
I get down in the mouth tell me what can I do

Sometimes I don't mind the sunshine
Sometimes I need the change
Sometimes I don't mind a fun time
To me it's all the same

When I'm thinking of you
There's a feeling inside which is long overdue
When I'm drinking to you
I get down in my shoes in a waltz with the blues

Sometimes I don't mind the sunshine
Sometimes I need the rain
Sometimes I don't mind the good times
Sometimes they're all the same

When I'm thinking of you
There's a fever around I don't know what to do
When I'm drinking to you
I get down in my shoes in a waltz with the blues

She was something very special to me
The kind of girl you'd like to see
In a movie or a rosary
She could be straight-laced or homespun
Or free and easy on the run
She could be meek and mild or full of fun


She liked country lanes and aeroplanes
And cigarettes would make her strange
And when she wanted you she made it plain

She would never say where she came from
It didn't seem that she had anyone
To answer to or dwell upon

She liked candlelight and good wine
And I would call her any time
Of day or night she didn't mind

The was nothing that I wouldn't do
To prove to her my love was true
And she gave to me a dream or two

There were times when she would never appear
For days and then she'd disappear
But now the days have turned to years

I was something she could use
Like a good friend or a pair of shoes
Or any kind of good news

Now the eastern sky is crimson and red
As I lie here in my lonely bed
And think about the things she said

She said darling there will come a day
When I must run far away
I will go my love and you must stay

She departed in the early spring
She didn't leave me anything
To follow or to find her

She was something very special to me
The kind of girl you'd like to see
In a movie or a rosary

Is there someone I can believe in
Is there somewhere I can hide
Take me out of the straits I'm in
Come and stay here by my side
Somebody I can rely on
I broke the law, I've been set free
Give me something to decide upon
Come and show yourself to me
Is there someone sewing seams
Through all my hopes, through all my dreams
You know living a life of ease
Don't make yer meals taste better
If you please

Is there someone I can relate to
Who will break the ice for me
Take me out of the place I'm in
Come and share your life with me
Somebody with nothing to live up to
Who will mend my broken dreams
Give me a wave I can ride upon
Come and show your strength to me

I have felt the final rush
Of love's embrace, the magic touch
Running headlong to attract
I felt the breath of Satan
On my back

Is there someone I can believe in
Is there something I can do
Take me out of the straits I'm in
Let me show myself to you
Somebody to whom I can belong
Take my hand, I've been set free
Give me some wings I can glide upon
Come and show yourself to me

Is there someone sewings seams
Through all my hopes, through all my dreams
You know living a life of ease
Don't make yer meals taste better
If you please

Softly she comes
Whispers the breeze with her passing
In secret love she is laughing
Softly she comes in the night

Softly she sighs
Sweetly she lies never sleeping
Her fragrance all in my keeping
Softly she comes in the night

Down the darkened hall
I hear her footsteps on my stair
And she is in my arms once more

Then softly she goes
Her shining lips in the shadows
Whisper goodbye at my window
Softly she goes in the dawn

Down the darkened hall
I hear her footsteps on my stair
And she is in my arms once more

Then softly she goes
Her shining lips in the shadows
Whisper goodbye at my window
Softly she goes in the dawn
Softly she goes in the dawn

Softly she comes
Whispers the breeze with her passing
In secret love she is laughing
Softly she comes in the night
Softly she sighs
Sweetly she lies never sleeping
Her fragrance all in my keeping
Softly she comes in the night

Down the darkened hall
I hear her footsteps on my stair
And she is in my arms once more

Then softly she goes
Her shining lips in the shadows
Whisper goodbye at my window
Softly she goes in the dawn

Down the darkened hall
I hear her footsteps on my stair
And she is in my arms once more

Then softly she goes
Her shining lips in the shadows
Whisper goodbye at my window
Softly she goes in the dawn
Softly she goes in the dawn

Softly she comes
Whispers the breeze with her passing
In secret love she is laughing
Softly she comes in the night
Softly she sighs
Sweetly she lies never sleeping
Her fragrance all in my keeping
Softly she comes in the night

Down the darkened hall
I hear her footsteps on my stair
And she is in my arms once more

Then softly she goes
Her shining lips in the shadows
Whisper goodbye at my window
Softly she goes in the dawn

Down the darkened hall
I hear her footsteps on my stair
And she is in my arms once more

Then softly she goes
Her shining lips in the shadows
Whisper goodbye at my window
Softly she goes in the dawn
Softly she goes in the dawn

Softly she comes
Whispers the breeze with her passing
In secret love she is laughing
Softly she comes in the night
Softly she sighs
Sweetly she lies never sleeping
Her fragrance all in my keeping
Softly she comes in the night

Down the darkened hall
I hear her footsteps on my stair
And she is in my arms once more

Then softly she goes
Her shining lips in the shadows
Whisper goodbye at my window
Softly she goes in the dawn

Down the darkened hall
I hear her footsteps on my stair
And she is in my arms once more

Then softly she goes
Her shining lips in the shadows
Whisper goodbye at my window
Softly she goes in the dawn
Softly she goes in the dawn

Momma's got her long dress on
See how that little girl walks
Now we got it rollin', how're we gonna get it stopped
Momma's got something
Daddy needs more than a lot
Now we got it rolling, how're we gonna get it stopped
Momma put your long dress on
I'd like to take that little girl to town
Now that we have rolled it, how're we gonna hold it down
Gonna slide on over to that pretty little love that I've found
Now we've got it rolling, how're we gonna hold it down
Now momma's got her long dress on
Listen to that little girl talk
Now we got it rolling, how're we gonna get it stopped
Gonna slide on over to that funny little love that I've got
Now we got it rolling, how're we gonna get it stopped
Cause my momma's got something, daddy needs more than a lot
Now we got it rolling, how we gonna get it stopped

Early in the morning when the dew is on
Each and every rose bud you will find me gone
So knock me down and pick me up
And knock me down again
Break my heart steal my gold
And slander my good name
Seven lonely hours on the morning train
Takes me to a place where I won't come back again
Seven lonely Pullmans speedin' down the line
Takin' me away from an old love of mine


Sixteen miles to seven lakes way up among the pines
In some hidden valley where the twirlin' river twines
Where the fish swim up and down
And the sparklin' water falls
Where the thunder rolls
And the lonely puma calls

Somewhere on the mountain I'll take another name
Rid my mind of memories and start my life again
Somewhere in the wilderness
I'll build a cabin small
Then forget so I
Won't remember you at all

I'm standin' in the doorway
My head bowed in my hands
Not knowin' where to sit
Not knowin' where to stand
My father looms above me
For him there is no rest
My mother's arms enfold me
And hold me to her breast
They say you been out wandrin'
They say you travelled far
Sit down young stranger
And tell us who you are

The room has all gone misty,
My thoughts are all in spin
Sit down young stranger
And tell us where you been

I've been up to the mountain
I've walked down by the sea
I never questioned no one
And no one questioned me
My love was given freely
And oftimes was returned
I never came to borrow
I only came to learn

Sometimes it would get lonely
But it taught me how to cry
And laughter came too easy
For life to pass me by
I never had a dollar
That I didn't earn with pride
Cause I had a million daydreams
To keep me satisfied

And will you gather daydreams
Or will you gather wealth
How can you find your fortune
When you cannot find yourself
My mother's eyes grow misty
There's a tremblin' in her hand
Sit down young stranger
I do not understand

Now will you try to tell us
You been too long at school
That knowledge is not needed
That power does not rule
That war is not the answer
That young men should not die
Sit down young stranger
I wait for your reply

The answer is not easy
For souls are not reborn
To wear the crown of peace
You must wear the crown of thorns
If jesus had a reason
I'm sure he would not tell
We treated him so badly
How could he wish us well

The parlor now is empty
There's nothin' left to say
My father has departed
My mother's gone to pray
There's rockets in the meadows
And ships out on the sea
The answer's in the forest
Carved upon a tree

John loves mary
Does anyone love me

I'm standin' in the doorway
My head bowed in my hands
Not knowin' where to sit
Not knowin' where to stand
My father looms above me
For him there is no rest
My mother's arms enfold me
And hold me to her breast
They say you been out wandrin'
They say you travelled far
Sit down young stranger
And tell us who you are

The room has all gone misty,
My thoughts are all in spin
Sit down young stranger
And tell us where you been

I've been up to the mountain
I've walked down by the sea
I never questioned no one
And no one questioned me
My love was given freely
And oftimes was returned
I never came to borrow
I only came to learn

Sometimes it would get lonely
But it taught me how to cry
And laughter came too easy
For life to pass me by
I never had a dollar
That I didn't earn with pride
Cause I had a million daydreams
To keep me satisfied

And will you gather daydreams
Or will you gather wealth
How can you find your fortune
When you cannot find yourself
My mother's eyes grow misty
There's a tremblin' in her hand
Sit down young stranger
I do not understand

Now will you try to tell us
You been too long at school
That knowledge is not needed
That power does not rule
That war is not the answer
That young men should not die
Sit down young stranger
I wait for your reply

The answer is not easy
For souls are not reborn
To wear the crown of peace
You must wear the crown of thorns
If jesus had a reason
I'm sure he would not tell
We treated him so badly
How could he wish us well

The parlor now is empty
There's nothin' left to say
My father has departed
My mother's gone to pray
There's rockets in the meadows
And ships out on the sea
The answer's in the forest
Carved upon a tree

John loves mary
Does anyone love me

Even if you're sure, before you begin to cry, never rest until you find what is best to be forgot.
Let it float off in the night beneath the moon, so brightly shining down on the steeples of the town.
You must not be downhearted over things you left undone.
You got faith to tell you all is well and you know you'd best not stop, there's still a ways to go.

Even if you're sure, before you begin to sigh,
let me show my way is best on the wayward side tonight.
Let a planet be your guide, above the fields,
beside the sleeping town, when the work is all shut down.
You will not be outsmarted, by that song you left unsung.
You got faith to make your world take flight,
there is still a ways to go, about a thousand miles or so.

Even if you're sure, before you begin to smile, let it happen on it's own like a shellfish in the sea,
I'm as selfish as can be, when it comes down to me and all of my kin, all they want to do is win.
You will not be deserted by old friends you left alone.
You got faith to make you meet the cost,
and you know you'd best not wait, he who hesitates is lost.

So even if you're sure, it's so easy to be, shellfish in the sea.

Ah the living ain't easy
With all of these false emotions
Too little devotion
And I'm tired of just
Being alone, she's just not the same
She's a son of a gun, she's a red hot flame
She lights the sun and conjures up the rain
Like any good gambler
I was chained to a wishing well
I keep wishing in vain
But listen friend
Don't look now, she's right behind you
Looking for someone to take her inside
It thrills her so, it's a rainbow ride

I'm a little uneasy
And there ain't much pride inside me
She don't know how it hurts
And I'm telling you
It's too late now, she's not the same
She's a red hot kid, she's a crying shame

Anytime is the right time
To get on with a new tomorrow
But I could never let yesterday go
And when the falling rain makes me sad
She comes to me in the dreams I've had
In the morning light, in the dead of night

Ah the lovin' ain't easy
An' I let it get the best of me
She don't know how it hurts
And I'm telling you
It's too late now, she don't talk no more
She don't make me feel like she did before
There's too much wait and too much give and take

I'm a little uneasy
And there ain't much pride inside me
She don't know how it hurts
And I'm telling you it's
Too late now, she's just not the same
It's too late now, she's not the same
It's too late now, she's not the same

Let me reach out love and touch you
Let me hold you for a while
I've been all around the world
Oh, how I long to see you smile
There's a shadow on the moon
And the waters here below
Do not shine the way they should
And I love you, just in case you didn't know

Let it go
Let it happen like it happened once before
It's a wicked wind and it chills me to the bone
And if you do not believe me
Come and gaze upon the shadow at your door

Won't you lie down by me baby
Run your fingers through my hands
I've been all around the town
And still I do not understand
Is it me or is it you
Or the shadow of a dream
Is it wrong to be in love
Could it be the finest love I've ever seen

Set it free
Let it happen like it happened once before
It's a wicked wind and it chills me to the bone
And if you do not believe me
Come and gaze upon the shadow at your door

Please kiss me gently, darlin'
Where the river runs away
From the mountains in the springtime
On a blue and windy day
Where there's beauty all around
As the shades of night grow deep
As the morning stars grow dim
They will find us in the shadows fast asleep

Let it go
Let it happen like it happened once before
It's a wicked wind and it chills me to the bone
And if you do not believe me
Come and gaze upon the shadow at your door

Let me reach out love and touch you
Let me hold you for a while
I've been all around the world
Oh, how I long to see you smile
There's a shadow on the moon
And the waters here below
Do not shine the way they should
And I love you, just in case you didn't know

Let it go
Let it happen like it happened once before
It's a wicked wind and it chills me to the bone
And if you do not believe me
Come and gaze upon the shadow at your door

Won't you lie down by me baby
Run your fingers through my hands
I've been all around the town
And still I do not understand
Is it me or is it you
Or the shadow of a dream
Is it wrong to be in love
Could it be the finest love I've ever seen

Set it free
Let it happen like it happened once before
It's a wicked wind and it chills me to the bone
And if you do not believe me
Come and gaze upon the shadow at your door

Please kiss me gently, darlin'
Where the river runs away
From the mountains in the springtime
On a blue and windy day
Where there's beauty all around
As the shades of night grow deep
As the morning stars grow dim
They will find us in the shadows fast asleep

Let it go
Let it happen like it happened once before
It's a wicked wind and it chills me to the bone
And if you do not believe me
Come and gaze upon the shadow at your door

Let me reach out love and touch you
Let me hold you for a while
I've been all around the world
Oh, how I long to see you smile
There's a shadow on the moon
And the waters here below
Do not shine the way they should
And I love you, just in case you didn't know

Let it go
Let it happen like it happened once before
It's a wicked wind and it chills me to the bone
And if you do not believe me
Come and gaze upon the shadow at your door

Won't you lie down by me baby
Run your fingers through my hands
I've been all around the town
And still I do not understand
Is it me or is it you
Or the shadow of a dream
Is it wrong to be in love
Could it be the finest love I've ever seen

Set it free
Let it happen like it happened once before
It's a wicked wind and it chills me to the bone
And if you do not believe me
Come and gaze upon the shadow at your door

Please kiss me gently, darlin'
Where the river runs away
From the mountains in the springtime
On a blue and windy day
Where there's beauty all around
As the shades of night grow deep
As the morning stars grow dim
They will find us in the shadows fast asleep

Let it go
Let it happen like it happened once before
It's a wicked wind and it chills me to the bone
And if you do not believe me
Come and gaze upon the shadow at your door

Seven islands to the high side of the bay, 'cross the bay
To the sunset through the blue light of a fiery autumn haze
We went walking on the high side of the bay on a chilly morn
And we saw how leaves had fallen on the beds where trees are born
Any man in his right mind could not fail to be made aware
Any woman with a gift of wisdom would not seek her answers there
Seven islands to the high side of the bay if you're looking west
To the sunset you can see it, all in fiery autumn dress
Anytime would be the right time to come up to your bed of boughs
Anybody with a wish to wander could not fail but to be aroused

Living high in the city, guess you think it's a pretty good way
You get to learn but when you get burned you got nothing to say
You seem to think because you got chicken to go you're in luck
Fortune will not find you in your mansion or your truck
Brothers will desert you when you're down and shit out'a luck

Look around at the morning, guess you're doing the best you can
Surely you know that when you go nobody gives you a hand
Think of the air you're breathing in, think of the time you waste
Think of the right and wrong and consider the frown on your face

It's time you tried living on the high side of the bay, you need a rest
Any woman or a man with a wish to fade away could be so blessed
Fortune will not find you in your mansion turned to gold
Brothers will desert you when your nights turn long and cold

If you feel it you better believe it, you're gonna see it, do you really know
It is rising like a feather, dipping and dancing from below
There's a new wave that is breaking in the wake of a passing ship
Every nation's gonna be shaken, put it together, don't let it slip

It's time you tried living on the high side of the bay, you need a rest
Any man or a woman with a wish to fade away could be so blessed

Seven islands to the high side of the bay, 'cross the bay
To the sunset through the blue light of a fiery autumn haze
To the sunset through the blue light of a fiery autumn haze

I'm on my second cup of coffee and I still can't face the day
I'm thinking of the lady who got lost along the way
And if I don't stop this trembling hand from reaching for the phone
I'll be reachin' for the bottle, Lord, before this day is done
I'm on my second cup of coffee and I still can't face the day
The room was filled with laughs as we danced the night away
But my sleep was filled with dreaming of the wrongs that I had done
And the gentle sweet reminder of a daughter and a son

Sitting alone, my friends have all gone home
You never know when they'll come droppin' in
Thinking of girls with their fingers in my curls
Too young to understand how love begins

I'm on my second cup of coffee and I still can't face the dawn
The radio is playin' a soft country song
And if I don't stop this trembling hand from reaching for the phone
I'll be reachin' for the bottle, Lord, before this day is done

I live in the light of the bright silver moon
I'll take you off sailing from midnight till noon
I'll show the Sea of Tranquility
You can have any flavor you happen see
I live in the shade of a forest of green
In the wildest of woodlands that you've ever seen
There's rabbits and quail and tender young snails
As brown as the seaweed on old rusty nails

There's fireflies dancing in the cool evening breeze
There's love and romancin' as nice as you please
There's otters and frogs and spotted ground hogs
And wiley old weasels in rotted out logs

There's rivers of rainbow and grey mountain trout
And little dark holes where the varmints hang out
There's foxes and hares in traps and in snares
And lots of bald eagles so you'd better take care

So if you've got the time and you'd like to pass by
Come down around midnight and give us a try
We'll show you the Sea of Tranquility
You can have any flavor you happen to see

I feel a blue 'cause I can't sew
There's still a lot of things that I should know
Anyone can guess
I don't know how to press
My Saturday clothes
Everyone's goin' home
I feel a little sad to watch them leave
But I'll be cool because I don't believe
The happy times are gone
I can still put on
My Saturday clothes
Every warm body knows

I've got to tell you
That was a swell time
So now I'll take the butts away
And put the glasses on the tray
I'll see you all next Saturday

I feel a little off because they're gone
And if my gal were here I'd still be on
But in a week or two
There's lots of things to do
In my Saturday clothes
Everyone's gone home

I've got to tell you
That was a swell time
So now I'll take the butts away
And put the glasses on the tray
I'll see you all next Saturday

I'm not some long lost someone
Just dropped in to say hello
It's that same old lover man
Baby you lost so long ago
'Cause I was born to believe
I never could deceive
Believe me
I hear no children's voices
Have they gone back to school
And that same old lover man
Is still acting like a fool
I guess I was born to bring you grief
Though I never was a thief
Believe me

It's cold outside your window
Please let me in, the night is wild
It's that same old lover man
Not some lonesome winsome child
An' I was born to believe
I never could deceive

I'm not some long lost someone
Just dropped in to say hello
It's that same old lover man
Baby you lost so long ago
'Cause I was born to believe
I never could deceive
Believe me
I hear no children's voices
Have they gone back to school
And that same old lover man
Is still acting like a fool
I guess I was born to bring you grief
Though I never was a thief
Believe me

It's cold outside your window
Please let me in, the night is wild
It's that same old lover man
Not some lonesome winsome child
An' I was born to believe
I never could deceive

Rosanna makes my day begin
With kisses for a king
And coffee on a silver tray
She sees the shape I'm in
And if she should ever break away
I'd follow close behind her
'Cause Rosanna yes Rosanna
Rules my heart
Rosanna knows the times I keep
A fire softly glows
And the shadows lick the walls
She knows when I'm asleep
The dinner's served at eight o'clock on time
And all is well by nine
'Cause Rosanna yes Rosanna
Rules my heart

Rosanna moves across the floor
Her perfume fills the air
As she walks beside my easy chair
I touch her hand once more
And I may never sleep again
I like the bag she put me in

Rosanna knows the ways of a man
But not the way I feel
I don't really care what happens now
It's catch me if you can
For no matter what occasion should arise
She likes to sympathize
'Cause Rosanna yes Rosanna
Rosanna, Rosanna
Rules my heart

You said you were through with romance
Why take a chance on anyone
You're so beautiful too
I can tell by the way that you dance
They say that people don't change
Why rearrange the original
You do something to me
That my eyes cannot see at a glance
Signs of a new beginning
Signs of a life worth living
The better to forget than to be all that upset
It's the time to taste the wine

And maybe someday things will change
And come with in range and be laughable
Everything is okay
I can tell by the way that you dance
They say that people don't try
That's just a lie, they work miracles
It's a gift from above
When we talk about love and romance

Signs of a new tomorrow
Signs of a life without sorrow
The better to forget than to be all that upset
It's the time to taste the wine

And maybe this time you will be
Romantic like me when I'm with you
And I think you might say
I can tell by the way that you dance
They say that people don't change
Like Home On The Range, it's original
You do something to me
That my eyes cannont see at a glance
You do something to me
When we talk about love and romance