Michael Martin Murphey

Because he called, the forest brother
Because he called, the earth his mother
They drove him out.... into the rain
And some people even said
That the boy from the country was insane

Because he spoke.... with fish in the creek
He tried to tell us, that the animals could speak
And who knows, perhaps they do
How do you know they don't
Just because they've never spoken to you

Boy from the country
Left his home when he was young
Boy from the country
He loves the sun

He tried to tell us, that we should love the land
We just turned our heads and laughed
You see we did not understand

Sometimes I think the boy from the country
Is the only one who sees
Because the boy from the country
Doesn't want to see the forest for the trees

Boy from the country
Left his home when he was young
Boy from the country
He loves the sun

No rain and the weather got warm
Broke down and I sold my farm
Headed for the silver strike,
I took my wife
Calico silver gave us life.

You could hear the miners sing
When they made their hammers ring
You could hear them singing out
Oh, when they found
Calico silver underground

Pave the streets with silver
Let the wagons roll
Don't those mountains look just like
Calico.

Fifteen years down in the mines
I watched the silver shine
Listened to the big wheels churn
They were turned
By Calico silver that we earned.

Days were short and the laughter was long
Nails in the pine were strong
We thought nothing could go wrong
Not counting on
Calico silver to be gone.

Pave the streets with silver
Let the wagons roll
Don't those mountains look just like
Calico.

No ore in the richest mine
Railroad closed down the line
Nail up your windows and your doors.
Close the stores
Calico Silver is no more

Got my wagon ready to go
Been a hundred years and more
Since we hitched up our team
And it seems Calico silver
Was a dream

Well they put Geronimo in jail down south
Where he couldn't look the gift horse in the mouth
Sergeant, sergeant, don't you feel
There's something wrong with that automobile
Governor, governor, isn't it strange
They didn?t have no cars on the Indian range
Warden, warden, please listen to me
Be brave and set Geronimo free

Whoa boys, take me back
I want to ride in Geronimo's Cadillac
Whoa boys, take me back
I want to ride in Geronimo's Cadillac
D (electric guitar solo)
Let me ride, let me ride

Warden, warden, don't you know
Prisoners have no place to go
They took old Geronimo by storm
Ripped off the feathers from his uniform

Jesus tells me I believe its true
The red man is in the sunset too
Took all his land, now they won't give it back
And they sent Geronimo a Cadillac

As the rain ruins my alibi
I'm down to tellin' you my red-eyed mind
It's not the sun bright path
That called me from my home
It's just that fine Backslider's wine

My momma sings out in my memory
Son, don't take that black eyed shine
Fight for your rights
But, just don't fight for right
It will escape the purest mind

But I took myself for a strong and loving soul
'Til I found myself on the bar room floor
Crying God what will they do with me
I cannot drink Backslider's wine no more

My momma sings out in my memory
Oh Son, don't take that black eyed shine
Fight for your rights
But, just don't fight for right
And do not drink Backslider's wine

Do not drink... Backslider's wine....

Because he called, the forest brother
Because he called, the earth his mother
They drove him out.... into the rain
And some people even said
That the boy from the country was insane

Because he spoke.... with fish in the creek
He tried to tell us, that the animals could speak
And who knows, perhaps they do
How do you know they don't
Just because they've never spoken to you

Boy from the country
Left his home when he was young
Boy from the country
He loves the sun

He tried to tell us, that we should love the land
We just turned our heads and laughed
You see we did not understand

Sometimes I think the boy from the country
Is the only one who sees
Because the boy from the country
Doesn't want to see the forest for the trees

Boy from the country
Left his home when he was young
Boy from the country
He loves the sun

She came to me, said she knew me
Said she'd known me a long time
And she spoke of being in love
With every mountain she had climbed
And she talked of trails she'd walked up
Far above the timberline
From that night on I knew I'd write songs
With Carolina in the pines

There's a new moon on the fourteenth
First Quarter the 21st
And the full moon in the last week
Brings a fullness to this earth
There's no guesswork in the clockwork

On the worlds part or mine
There are nights I only feel right
With Carolina in the pines

When the frost shows on the windows
And the wood stove smokes and glows
As the fire grows we can warm our souls
Watching rainbows in the cove
And well talk of trails weve walked up
Far above the timberline
There are nights I only feel right
With Carolina in the pines

I was your hero, strong and fearless in your eyes
You were softer than the summer sky
Young lovers we were so unwise

But time is a teacher and this time I've hurt you so
Left you crying but don't you let go
There's so much the years have left to show

Don't count the rainy days
They blow hard and then they're gone
Don't throw our love away, away, away
In the dark before the dawn

You've got to hold on
To all the dreams we've made
Remember those beautiful nights
And don't count the rainy days

You know I'm a dreamer; I get lost inside a world of my own
And sometimes I'm made of stone
But I never meant to leave you alone

So I want to tell you, I know at times I didn't try
When you needed me I'd run and hide
Oh, but now I'm standing by your side

Don't count the rainy days
They blow hard and then they're gone
Don't throw our love away, away, away
In the dark before the dawn

You've got to hold on
To all the dreams we've made
Remember those beautiful nights
And don't count the rainy days
Remember those beautiful nights
And don't count the rainy days

Don't count the rainy days
They blow hard and then they're gone
Don't throw our love away, away, away
In the dark before the dawn

You've got to hold on
To all the dreams we've made

Well they put Geronimo in jail down south
Where he couldn't look the gift horse in the mouth
Sergeant, sergeant, don't you feel
There's something wrong with that automobile
Governor, governor, isn't it strange
They didn?t have no cars on the Indian range
Warden, warden, please listen to me
Be brave and set Geronimo free

Whoa boys, take me back
I want to ride in Geronimo's Cadillac
Whoa boys, take me back
I want to ride in Geronimo's Cadillac
D (electric guitar solo)
Let me ride, let me ride

Warden, warden, don't you know
Prisoners have no place to go
They took old Geronimo by storm
Ripped off the feathers from his uniform

Jesus tells me I believe its true
The red man is in the sunset too
Took all his land, now they won't give it back
And they sent Geronimo a Cadillac

RENEGADE
Styx/Michael Martin Murphey

Oh mama I'm in fear for my life
From the long arm of the law
Lawman has put an end to my running
And I'm so far from my home
Oh mama I can hear you a crying
You're so scared and all alone
Hangman is coming down from the gallows
And I don't have very long

This jig is up the news is out
They've finally found me
The renegade who had it made
Retrieved for a bounty
Never more to go astray
This will be the end today of the wanted man

Oh mama I've been years on the lamb
And had a high price on my head
Lawman said get him dead or alive
Now it's for sure he'll see me dead
Dear mama I can hear you a crying
You're so scared and all alone
Hangman is coming down from the gallows
And I don't have very long

This jig is up the news is out
They've finally found me
The renegade who had it made
Retrieved for a bounty
Never more to go astray
The judge will have revenge today
On the wanted man

Take it as it comes
Just an actor waiting for a new play
Take it as it comes

Ask me to dance, I will dance for you
Ask me to sing, and see what I do
If you feel sad, I'll make jokes for you
I'm a handyman, I'm still coming through

If you suffer from a broken heart
Take it as it comes
If your lover tears your world all apart
Take it as it comes

I've played a king and a down and and out fool
Some like it hot, some like it cool
Do what they want, but don't be their tool
Savor the throne, don't mind the stool

Carry on, carry on, carry on ...

If they go too far, that's the way things are
Though it may hurt some, take it as it comes

We're all skating on the thinnest of ice
Got to take it as it comes
In a world that is not so very nice
Got to take it as it comes

Any day now the curtain may fall
All the plays end, there's no curtain call
If you live sad, or if you walk tall
We're written on a wind that's a lot to haul

Carry on, carry on, carry on ...

If they go too far, that's the way things are
Though your mind gets numb, take it as it comes

We're all skating on the thinnest of ice
Got to take it as it comes
In a world that is not so very nice
Got to take it as it comes

Any day now the curtain may fall
All the plays end, there's no curtain call
If you live sad, or if you walk tall
We're written on a wind that's a lot to haul

Carry on, carry on, carry on ...

If they go too far, that's the way things are
If they break your thumbs, take it as it comes

She hasn't had time to learn about this world
She takes each day the way it comes
And she can get sad but she's just a little girl
She doesn't ask much from anyone

But what she wants is you and me
Love at home like it used to be
And what she wants is what we were
The way we loved when we had her

She's only a child but all the tears are real
She may wish they didn't show
She hasn't got words to tell us how it feels
She tries so hard to let us know

That what she wants is you and me
Love at home like it used to be
And what she wants is what we were
The way we loved when we had her

You may think it's not enough
That she wants us back in love
And I won't beg and I won't plead
But what she wants is what I need

What she wants is you and me
Love at home like it used to be
And what she wants is what we were
The way we loved when we had her
The way we loved when we had her

I've been looking at people
And how they change with the times
And lately all I've been seeing are people
Throwing love away and losing their minds

Maybe it's me who's gone crazy
But I can't understand why
All these lovers keep hurting each other
When good love is so hard to come by

So what's the glory in living
Doesn't anybody ever stay together anymore
And if love never lasts forever
Tell me what's forever for

And I see love hungry people
Tryin' their best to survive
When right there in their hands
Is a dying romance
And they're not even trying to keep it alive

So, what's the glory in living
Doesn't anybody ever stay together anymore
And if love never lasts forever
Tell me what's forever for

So what's the glory in living
Doesn't anybody ever stay together anymore
And if love never lasts forever
Tell me what's forever for

She comes down yellow mountain on a dark flat land she rides
On a pony she named Wildfire
With a whirlwind by her side
On a cold and drafty night

Oh they say she died one winter
When there came a chilling frost
And the pony she named Wildfire
Busted down his stall
In a blizzard he was lost
She ran calling Wildfire (3 times)

By the dark of the moon I planted
But there came an early snow
There's been a hoot owl howling outside my window now
For six nights in a row
She's coming for me I know
And on Wildfire we're both gonna go
We'll be riding Wildfire (3 times)

On Wildfire we're going to ride her
Gonna leave it all behind
Yes she's always shining right out of my mind
Riding Wildfire

There's a great American hero, we all look up to
When the times are hard and the chips are down
He knows just what to do
Now a cowboy's got a set of rules that he lives by day to day
If you ask for his advice, he'll more than likely say

If it's a fence, mend it, if it's a dollar bill, spend it
Before if burns a hole down in them jeans
It it's a load, truck it, if it's a punch, duck it
If she's a lady, treat her like a queen

That's cowboy logic, every cowboy's got it
It's in the way he lives his life and the songs he sings
That's cowboy logic, every cowboy's got it
He's got a simple solution to just about anything

If it's a job, do it, put your back in to it.
Cause a little bit of dirt's gonna wash off in the rain
If it's a horse, ride it, if it hurts, hide it
Dust yourself off and get back on again

That's cowboy logic, every cowboy's got it
It's in the way he lives his life and the songs he sings
That's cowboy logic, every cowboy's got it
He's got a simple solution to just about anything

An old cowboy and a young buckaroo were workin', ridin' fence
The old hand was testin' the kid on his skill and common sense
He said, "Son, if you seen three men in a pick-up truck
Dressed alike from boot to hat
Could you tell which one was the real cowboy just from where he sat?"

The kid scratched his head awhile and then he said
"Well, there ain't no way to know"
The old hand grinned and then he said
"Kid, you've still got a ways to go

The real cowboy's the one in the middle
He ain't there just by fate
Cause first he don't have to drive
And then he don't have to mess with the gate"

That's cowboy logic, every cowboy's got it
It's in the way he lives his life and the songs he sings
That's cowboy logic, every cowboy's got it
He's got a simple solution to just about anything
He's got a simple solution to just about anything

Well they put Geronimo in jail down south
Where he couldn't look the gift horse in the mouth
Sergeant, sergeant, don't you feel
There's something wrong with that automobile
Governor, governor, isn't it strange
They didn?t have no cars on the Indian range
Warden, warden, please listen to me
Be brave and set Geronimo free

Whoa boys, take me back
I want to ride in Geronimo's Cadillac
Whoa boys, take me back
I want to ride in Geronimo's Cadillac
D (electric guitar solo)
Let me ride, let me ride

Warden, warden, don't you know
Prisoners have no place to go
They took old Geronimo by storm
Ripped off the feathers from his uniform

Jesus tells me I believe its true
The red man is in the sunset too
Took all his land, now they won't give it back
And they sent Geronimo a Cadillac

Happy trails to you, until we meet again.
Happy trails to you, keep smilin' until then.
Who cares about the clouds when we're together?
Just sing a song and bring the sunny weather.
Happy trails to you, 'till we meet again.

Some trails are happy ones,
Others are blue.
It's the way you ride the trail that counts,
Here's a happy one for you.

Happy trails to you, until we meet again.
Happy trails to you, keep smilin' until then.
Who cares about the clouds when we're together?
Just sing a song and bring the sunny weather.

Happy trails to you, 'till we meet again.

From this valley they say you are going
I will miss your bright eyes and sweet smile
They say you are taking the sunshine
That has brightened in the pathway a while

Come and sit by my side if you love me
Do not hasten to bid me adieu
But remember the Red River Valley
And the cowboy who loved you so true

I've been faking a long time, my darling
Although the sweet words you never would say
Now, alas, all my found hopes have vanished
They say you're going away

Come and sit by my side if you love me
Do not hasten to bid me adieu
but remember the Red River Valley
And the cowboy who loved you so true

Oh come along, boys, and listen to my tale,
I'll tell you all my troubles on the ol' Chisholm trail.
(chorus)
Come a-ti yi youpy youpy yea youpy yea
Come a-ti yi youpy youpy yea
On a ten dollar horse and a forty dollar saddle,
I was ridin', and a punchin' Texas cattle.
We left ol' Texas October twenty-third
Drivin' up the trail with the U-2 herd.
I'm up in the morning before daylight,
And before I sleep the moon shine bright.
It's bacon and beans most every day,
I'd just as soon be eating prairie hay.
I woke up one morning on the Chisholm trail,
With a rope in my hand and a cow by the tail,
Last night on guard, and the leader broke the ranks,
I hit my horse down the shoulders and spurred him in the flanks.
Oh, it's cloudy in the west, and a lookin' like rain,
And my darned old slicker's in the wagon again.
Oh the wind commenced to blow and the rain began to fall,
And it looked by grab that we was gonna lose 'em all.
I jumped in the saddle an' I grabbed a-hold the horn,
The best damned cowpuncher ever was born.
I was on my best horse, and a going on the run,
The quickest shootin' cowboy that ever pulled a gun.
No chaps, no slicker, and it's pouring down rain,
And I swear, by God, I'll never night herd again.
I herded and I hollered, and I done pretty well,
Till the boss said, "Boys, just let 'em go to Hell."
I'm going to the ranch to draw my money,
Goin' into town to see my honey.
I went to the boss to get my roll,
He figured me out nine dollars in the hole.
So I'll sell my outfit as fast as I can,
And I won't punch cows for no damn man.
So I sold old baldy and I hung up my saddle,
And I bid farewell to the longhorn cattle.

There's a yellow rose of Texas
That I am going to see
No other soldier knows her
No soldier, only me.
She cried so when I left her
It like to broke my heart
And if I ever find her
We never more will part.

She's the sweetest rose of color
This soldier ever knew
Her eyes are bright as diamonds
They sparkle like the dew.
You may talk about your dearest May
And sing of Rosa Lee
But the Yellow Rose of Texas
Beats the belles of Tennessee.

Oh, my heart is feeling weary
And my head is hanging low
I'm goin' back to Georgy
To find my Uncle Joe.
You may talk about your Beauregard
And sing of Bobby Lee
But the Gallant Hood of Texas
He raised Hell in Tennessee.

She comes down yellow mountain on a dark flat land she rides
On a pony she named Wildfire
With a whirlwind by her side
On a cold and drafty night

Oh they say she died one winter
When there came a chilling frost
And the pony she named Wildfire
Busted down his stall
In a blizzard he was lost
She ran calling Wildfire (3 times)

By the dark of the moon I planted
But there came an early snow
There's been a hoot owl howling outside my window now
For six nights in a row
She's coming for me I know
And on Wildfire we're both gonna go
We'll be riding Wildfire (3 times)

On Wildfire we're going to ride her
Gonna leave it all behind
Yes she's always shining right out of my mind
Riding Wildfire