I was never one for singing what I really feel Except tonight, I'm bringing everything I know that's real
Stars, they come and go They come fast or slow They go like the last light of the sun, all in a blaze and all you see is glory But it gets lonely there when there's no one here to share We can shake it away if you'll hear a story
People lust for fame Like athletes in a game we break our collarbones and come up swinging Some of us are downed Some of us are crowned and some are lost and never found But most have seen it all They live their lives in sad cafes and music halls They always have a story
Some make it when they're young before the world has done its dirty job and later on, someone will say "You've had your day You must make way" But they'll never know the pain of living with a name you never owned or the many years forgetting what you know too well
The ones who gave the crown have been let down You try to make amends without defending
Perhaps pretending you never saw the eyes of grown men of twenty five that followed as you walked and asked for autographs or kissed you on the cheek and you never could believe they really loved you
Some make it when they're old (Perhaps they have a soul they're not afraid to bare Or perhaps there's nothing there)
Some women have a body men will want to see, so they put it on display Some people play a fine guitar I could listen to them play all day Some ladies really move across a stage and gee, they sure can dance I guess I could learn how if I have it half a chance
but I always feel so funny when my body tries to soar and I seem to always worry about missing the next chord
I guess there isn't anything to put up on display except the tunes and whatever else I say Anyway, that isn't really what I meant to say I meant to tell a story I live from day to day
Stars, they come and go They come fast or slow They go like the last light of the sun, all in a blaze and all you see is glory But those who've seen it all they live their lives in sad cafes and music halls we always have a story
So if you don't lose patience with my fumbling around, I'll come up singing for you even when I'm down
I love the light, I love the changing season I love without much thought to reason I'd give it all if I could make you see I love the man that you were meant to be I love the man you are in me
I love the man who waits beside you I love the man who hides behind you I love the shadow though it disappears I love the afterglow, reflected through the tears I love the shadows in my tears
I love the dreams you can't remember Lost in the early waking hours I love the season of forever
I'll live without the light of laughter I'll live without an everafter I'd give it all, if I could make you see I need the man that you were meant to be I love the man you are in me
I want to lie by your side and watch the tide run over Lay your head upon my shoulder I want to lie by the bed and send my head out reeling Honey, lay this feeling down I'm ready to ride
*Sweet sympathy, won't you pity me tonight? Yes I got to hurry to the surry get the saddle on tight Honey won't you let me? Honey just allow me Honey, won't you pleasure me right? Sweet sympathy, won't you carry me tonight?
I want to lay myself down and take a sweet, soft shelter Still my waters here forever I want to lay my body down I want to lay my body down Honey, lay me lightly down I'm ready to ride
Can we get together Can we get together Can we get together right now? Well, you give me the music and you know how to use it Drive me out of my shoes
I got the blues tonight I've got sweet titillation Honey, won't you pleasure me right? Sweet sympathy won't you carry me tonight?
Would you really come and live with me We can watch TV when the nights are cold And it’s hard to sleep When I’m hungry, when I’m old When I’m angry, when I’m cold Honey, I don’t know
Would you really come and take my cares away Set me down in an easy chair and stay a while Child, that’s a righteous thing you do To make somebody just this happy Like you done me to
I can see the years go down You and me, we’ll paint the town Lord, if my mama and my papa could see me now
I'm great at building castles in the air And living there for days - you’d be amazed I live in dreams and when I can I go to sleep and there I am and there you are
When I’m hungry for the taste Of loving you and your embrace It’s hard to wait ‘Cause I’ve been waiting here so long a time But if you say it’s right, honey, I don’t mind
We got all the years ahead Time for everything we said Lord, if my mama and my papa could see me now
I'd be happy living in a shack With all the plumbing in the back But you might not, you know So maybe we better have a home
I’d be glad on a farm with a million dogs Or a cave with bats But you wouldn’t like that Maybe we gotta have a home
Will you really come and live with me I'd be so proud In loving you, I’m loving me I make it funny and I make you laugh ‘Cause it makes it easy getting past All the being scared
I can see the years go down You and me, we’ll paint the town Lord if my mama and my papa could see me now Oh lord, if my mama and my papa could see me now
Mom and I had our ups and downs, mostly during my adolescence and her first years as a divorced woman. There were months we didn't speak, years we didn't communicate. Later I realized she'd done the best she could, and began to understand what a hard road she'd chosen, living single as a middle-aged woman in the '60's. I grew not just to respect but to admire her. I finished this song while I was living in her apartment, shamefacedly taking grocery money from her because I was hoping to write my next album and get a recording deal. I walked into her bedroom while she was standing on the bed hanging a picture, said "Mom, I wrote a new song", and began singing it. She stood facing the wall until I'd finished, then turned to me with tears rolling down her face. It was the first time I realized how much a song could heal; we began to be close, close friends after that.
Thankyous
Papa gave me music. Mama gave me soul. Brother gave me reaching out to hold. Teacher gave me license Learning set me free Schooling gave me nothing ?music showed me how to be Papa gave me want-to-be Brother gave me empathy Mama gave me women, but that isn't all I need I have lived in houses. I have lived in homes. Eaten off of tables made of wood or stone Through the trials and tribulations I've never known how to say I love you and let my feelings show So thank you for the music Thank you for the song Bless you for the freedom in knowing right from wrong Thank you for the laughter the heartaches and the tears It's a blessing to grow It's a goodness to be here You give me want-to-be You give me sympathy You give me woman Thank you for loving me and letting it show It's a pleasure to be here so bless us, every one
And when the war was over I went dancing in the streets with the corpse of my dead brother to the sacrificial beat
the Boy Scouts and the Legionnaires come home from overseas singing Glory Hallelujah! to the swank Gestapo beat
Hallelujah I've never been In the whole of my life an intelligent sacrifice Hallelujah Give me a reason to go on believing and I'm ready to pay the price
I heard of a plan in the president's mansion (high up in the sky) It called for a sacrifice and my brother paid the price
Sent him home in a bag, Tha American flag was draped around the box The coffin lid was locked The note said Thanks a lot
Some and dance with me I'm home from overseas I'm a corpse up to my knees Celebrate the victory
Do you want to dance and hold me tight? I'm feeling most diseased but I'm easier to please Come and dance
I miss you, jealous lover Won’t you come on over To my side of town I need you Like the city needs the sound of human voices I want you Like the winter wants the springtime
Lover, without you The world stands alone Without you The past lingers on Tomorrow becoming today Without you, it’s all the same Without you
Outside my window Gentle lover The birds are singing songs of love I need you They are calling for the sound of laughing children I want you They are singing for your pleasure
Lover, without you The world stands alone Without you The past lingers on Tomorrow becoming today Without you, it’s all the same
I see you A world without end Then I need you All over again Without you the sun doesn’t shine Tomorrow is blind Without you
JESSE COME HOME THERE'S A HOLE IN THE BED WHERE WE SLEPT NOW IT'S GROWING COLD HEY JESSE, YOUR FACE IN THE PLACE WHERE WE LAY BY THE HEARTH, ALL APART IT HANGS ON MY HEART AND I'M LEAVING THE LIGHT ON THE STAIRS NO I'M NOT SCARED - I WAIT FOR YOU HEY JESSE, I'M LONELY, COME HOME
JESSE, THE FLOORS AND THE BOARDS RECALLING YOUR STEP AND I REMEMBER, TOO ALL THE PICTURES ARE FADING AND SHADED IN GREY BUT I STILL SET A PLACE ON THE TABLE AT NOON
AND I'M LEAVING A LIGHT ON THE STAIRS NO I'M NOT SCARED - I WAIT FOR YOU HEY JESSE, I'M LONELY, COME HOME
JESSE, THE SPREAD ON THE BED IS LIKE WHEN YOU LEFT I'VE KEPT IT ALL FOR YOU AND ALL THE BLUES AND THE GREENS HAVE BEEN RECENTLY CLEANED AND THEY'RE SEEMINGLY NEW HEY JES, ME AND YOU
WE'LL SWALLOW THE LIGHT ON THE STAIRS WE'LL DO UP MY HAIR WE'LL SLEEP UNAWARE HEY JESSE, I'M LONELY, COME HOME
You’ve got me on a string I don’t mean a thing to you I’m holding on to no one I’m a long time lover And my long time love is gone
If my man beats me, robs me blind Long as he don’t leave me, I don’t mind I would beg and I would crawl Though it does no good at all My man’s been gone so long And I keep holding on
And if he needed me, I’d be there No matter how he mistreated me I don’t care I would get down on my knees Though it does no good to please My man’s been gone for so long And I keep holding on
Broken windows, boarded doorways Choose your prison When I’m with him I’m a fool for loving you And well I know How the head says ? no And the heart says Go down on your knees, woman And keep on holding on
APPLAUSE, APPLAUSE GIVE THE SINGER A CHANCE TREAT HER RIGHT BE POLITE MAYBE SHE WILL DANCE APPLAUSE, APPLAUSE GIVE THE SINGER A BREAK HOW MUCH CAN YOU GIVE HOW MUCH CAN YOU TAKE
GIVE THE SINGER A CHANCE WANNA GIVE THE SINGER A CHANCE ANYTHING TO BUY YOUR SOUL AND MAYBE SHE WILL DANCE
APPLAUSE, APPLAUSE SHE'LL STAND UPON HER HEAD APPLAUSE, APPLAUSE SHE'LL TAKE YOU TO HER BED AND SHARE WITH YOU THE MEMORIES OF DREAMS SHE CAN'T FORGET APPLAUSE, APPLAUSE LET'S GIVE THE PRIZE TO THE LITTLE LADY WITH THE STARS IN HER EYES
I'LL SELL MY SOUL FOR A SONG PAY THE PRICE AND CARRY ON AND SHARE WITH YOU THE MEMORIES OF DREAMS I CAN'T FORGET OF LOVERS I HAVE MET APPLAUSE, APPLAUSE LET'S GIVE THE PRIZE TO THE LITTLE LADY WITH THE STARS IN HER EYES
APPLAUSE, APPLAUSE GIVE THE SINGER A CHANCE TREAT HER RIGHT BE POLITE MAYBE SHE WILL DANCE APPLAUSE, APPLAUSE GIVE THE SINGER A BREAK HOW MUCH CAN YOU GIVE HOW MUCH CAN YOU TAKE
GIVE THE SINGER A CHANCE WANNA GIVE THE SINGER A CHANCE ANYTHING TO BUY YOUR SOUL AND MAYBE SHE WILL DANCE MAYBE SHE WILL DANCE MAYBE SHE WILL?
Sometimes it’s all too much to say aloud The sound’s a shroud The meanings crowd Sometimes the words are painful to the ear They disappear and nothing’s clear
‘Til all that’s left to me are aftertones I take them home We live alone But I remember chains of melody It pleases me - this song’s for free
Within the memories of our life gone by Afraid to die, we learn to lie And measure out the time in coffee spoons In fading suns and dying moons
‘Til all that’s left to see are aftertones And no one knows Where meaning goes But i remember chains of melody It pleases me - this song’s for free
And ooh, I like the sound Of harmony from time to time I really do believe In some kind of tomorrow When it speaks to me
Look at me I would like to dance But I haven't the clothes for romance So I'll stay with the boys in the band I would like to be cool Like the ladies who drool as they advance But I can't get my feet To go where I lead with my toes
At the debutante's ball everybody does all they can do to enhance Every corset in town in a gown made specially in France And the men here can tell at a glance I would like to maintain but it sure seems a shame to sit on my hands And I only got into the swim by the seat of my pants
Not another woman in the world Who could make a living Pitching the light fandango dancing on the streets of the city Look at me, playing freelance at the ball Catch my entrance to the hall Far from the gilded lily
Look at me would you like to dance I've a book illustrating the stance And I can't get my head To go where I lead With my toes I feel solo
She never had too much of money Friendly strangers were all she knew Nobody ever came to call but you I would not say she isn't happy Though the eyes of a fool will make her blue Nobody's ever seen the tears it's true I guess nobody wanted to
We'll have a celebration Ice cream and candy cakes She's very young to go so far away And then there'll be the papers In black and white to say we're through Nobody every loved me quite like you I guess nobody wanted to
And there'll be roses In the springtime still I guess there will I wish her roses and song And she'll be older As years go by, and how they fly Will she be lonely without me along?
She doesn't make friends easily She's only known a few The incidental stranger passing through On Sundays and holidays I'll take her far away We never tried to save the love we knew I guess nobody wanted to
I’m the belle of the blues, and it’s easy to see If I win or I lose, it’s all one to me I was born on a shelf in the rare books library I reside by myself with my books and my T.V.
I’m an old age pension for the fossilized routine Anybody for nostalgia, put a record on and see Here’s a memory of olden days And a heartbreak grown cold All that glitters isn’t gold You get no love for free
You live and you die And I’ll probably throw it away But in the end it’s mine And nobody has a right to say “Go down lightly - go down silently” I’ll go down screaming “Give it back - it belongs to me”
I’m the belle of the blues - I’m used to mingling With the creme de la creme of higher society I promise them roses, and an eight-by-ten of me But when the party’s over They’re all too glad to leave
Their children sing of sorrow It’s the same old routine They’ve begged and they’ve borrowed Someone else’s misery
It’s an easy act to follow At least, an easy one for me Give me my tomorrows You can have my memories
Souvenirs from an old-fashioned school Plays coquette on the pillow Like an old-fashioned fool Go down lightly Go down silently You go down lonely You go down like me
Don't sing me love songs You know they make me cry Don't bring me any promises You've none I want to buy Don't send me any letters You know I never learned to read Leave them on the doorstep Sit back and watch me bleed
Bleeding for the sailors Who never caught the tide And the wind goes on forever Tomorrow never dies And I wave goodbye to morning And stake my life on land
I was sitting on the doorstop Watching Satan have his day It was half past morning 'Fore I tore myself away I've never looked beyond the mirrors Of our used-to-be The gilded edges shadow sketches In the light of memory
And I found the paint by number With your name across the top And the room began to dance To the spinning of the clock And I waved goodbye to morning But I left the door unlocked
Well, the tears flow like wine And the salt makes you blind So you beg a little time 'Cause you're choking on the vine But the words begin to pour And it feels just like war And your face is on the floor And you cannot find the door
And I think I found the answer Where you left it on the shelf But it's too late to wonder If I left it there myself And the room begins to rock And the walls begin to steam And the clock won't stop And I'm living in between And I wave goodbye to morning And stake my life on dreams
Boy I really tied one on Spent the night away from home I know you're not to blame if I can't recall your name and I'm sorry if it causes you pain
Boy I really lost my head I woke up in a double bed Allow me the pleasure of taking your measure though I'm sure you ain't nobody's treasure And I know it isn't ladylike to do what I've done tonight
(chorus) Wake up I've got news for you Nobody's knocking at your door Nobody's gonna pull you through Nobody needs you anymore, yeah yeah Nobody's knocking at your door
Boy I went around the bend Thought I'd made a lifelong friend Imagine my surprise when I looked into your eyes and saw the kind of friends you meant I think I'm gonna take the cure I'm going on the wagon for sure I may feel a fool for a Sunday or two but it's better than a Sunday with you And I know it isn't ladylike to do what I've done tonight
I gave a party I said you could come You showed up at your door With all your leathers on I said This must be wrong It can't be right How can you make love to me Dressed up for a fight? Pick me up off the floor No more 'Cause you surely can't be mine
Religion came almost overnight You were the high priest I was the sacrifice I said this must be wrong This can't be right Take off your stupid robe And put down your knife These ropes are getting tight All right You surely can't be mine
I come home half dead Late on a Saturday night You stand on the bed and you tell me you're learning to fly I said Take off your boots Take off your cape Throw away your long johns I ain't no Lois Lane Before I get my kryptonite All right 'Cause you surely can't be mine
I was ready for love Big brass bed and all I was ready for love You said Let's talk about the war I said What war? What war? Take off your clothes And don't you worry me no more I ain't no fly by night All right You surely can't be mine
When we grow old And love grows cold And time runs down Like a river That calls us home
The eyes grow dim The light grown thin And time will End here forever Long time gone
Then time and the river Must stop in their tracks Or roll on forever There’s no turning back I’ve waiting too long To be left here like this Long time gone
Then weep no more The heart is pure These hands are sure Like a river That clings to shore
The love we learn The love we burn A love that burns In the darkness Will weep no more Dreams die young
