Table of Contents



40 Reasons

40 Reasons why I often wonder
About the girl who led me on
Thru the thunder and the rain.

{Chorus}
Why don't you ever hold me?
I don't believe you, don't believe you told me.

Forty reasons
Why I am singing
My head is turning and
My heart is stinging

And you got me on a string
That kind of love can be a lonely thing.
And it's growing old that gives people the blues
And it's growing up that gets me confused.

{Chorus}

I've been working and I sit for a while
And my mind wanders to your distant smile
I bend down to tie my shoe
Lord knows right then that I am thinking of you

And I am listening to my favorite band.
And I was wishing I was holding your hand.

{chorus}

I keep hoping that one day you'll see
And you'll go looking for a man like me, cause
I am like a song without notes
Without you - without you.

I am like a little boy without hope,
Without you, without you.

I am like the moon without the sun,
Dark and lonely, cause you're the only one.
Dark and lonely without you.


Alaska

Friends, gather 'round me
I want to tell you 'bout what's inside me
I had this daydream
Comin' on, comin' on
Jimmy Carter made the national arctic refuge
People laughed at him and wondered why
When Jimmy Carter made the national arctic refuge
He saved the heart of the world in a needle's eye

You've got wind no one is blown by
Views no eyes have seen
Rivers no one had drank from
Mountains no mind has dreamed
I went down to the River Canning
The water was sweet and cold
Crystal clear liquid touched my lips
And it's essence filled my soul
With the power of love, love

I wake up in the morning sunlight
It lights my face and the world around
I lay my head in the midnight sunlight
I lay my soul on untouched ground
Rhythm in the wind and the fire lights are glowing
One thousand antlers pass for a stranger's smile
The fiddle man cast his spell that misty morning
He's bidding you hang around for a while

I've never known a godly kingdom
I've never loved a god of stone
Revealed to me, complete contentedness
In the northern wind, I'm going home
I don't know if there's a place
Where you can find a godly race
But the river is deep and the river is wide
And there's sunlight waiting on the other side

Friends gather 'round
I want to tell you 'bout what's inside me
I had this daydream
comin' on, comin' on comin’ on, comin’ on


All That I Am Now

I was born in a dusty cloud
Fragile and frayed at the edge of sound
That’s all that I am now

I was raised, in a great expanse
Cradled and kept by an old tree branch
That’s all that I am now
That’s all that I am now

{Chorus} Escapade in blue
More false than true
You can cut me down, but don’t cut me out

Good men labor, in the noon day dance
Blistered and broken by circumstance
That’s all that I am now
That’s all that I am now

So I passed, with a passing age
Most were lost, but some were saved
And that’s all that I am now
And that’s all that I am now

{Chorus}


Amplified Messiah

{Chorus} I was waiting for my messiah
With a drummer named Jebediah
Amplified desire, in the halls of a queen

I was waiting for my messiah
With a drummer named Jebediah
Amplified desire, in the halls of a queen

There’s a city of souls
It’s rough and it’s old
And it’s all but saintly

I just stopped to get fed
And was shocked when they said
Have you met your maker lately?

{Chorus}

The harmonious voice
Of fate and free choice
Was causing a bout of numbness

In the engine of dreams
There’s an unruly queen
She bowed her head when she sung this

You’ve been waiting for a while
At least you’re waiting in style
You’ve been waiting for a while
At least you’re waiting in style

{Chorus}

{Chorus}


Arc Of The Sun

Make yourself at home we’ve been expecting you
We’ve been waiting for you to arrive
Black and white images encircling you
And tracking the light from your eyes

{Chorus} Raising you high like the arc of the sun
You have arrived you have begun

Language is blue and lavender days
And decades pass with dazzling speed
The sun has come with blossom red clouds
And almond shape eyes from the sea

{Chorus}

You have just begun
We’ve been expecting you
You have just begun
We’ve been expecting you

Shake from your ankles
Summon your voice
And introduce the trickle of time
Everything’s new and turning a fresh
And everyone is always divine

{Chorus}


Arkansas Down

Lucky Strike cigarettes and old time fools
Swayed in the evening, drunk on their stools
Old time music peeled from the walls
And fell to the floor where the unwanted fall

{Chorus} They were down, they had pride
They were down by the Arkansas line

Agony eased as the evening set in
Ageless thirst drinking impoverished gin
Crowded hearts open their eyes
Ambition poured out and that’s still where she lies

{Chorus}

Empty grey angels and rotten fruit trees
A mother of twins down on her knees
Tell me rain maker, what can I do?
I gave all I had now I’m asking of you
I gave all I had now I’m asking of you

Tell me rain maker, what can I do?
I gave all I had now I’m asking of you

Lucky Strike cigarettes and old time fools
Swayed in the evening drunk on their stools
Old time music peeled from the wall
And fell to the floor where the unwanted fall

{Chorus}


As

I hope last night doesn't wake up this morning
And tell tomorrow what I've done
I hope last night doesn't wake up this morning
And tell tomorrow what I've done
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know
I shoulda been sleepin
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know
The crap I'm reaping
Never made it to my bed ...
I don't have much time, two ways to borrow
So I'll leave off where I began
I don't have much time, two ways to borrow
So I'll leave off where I began
I hope last night doesn't wake up this morning
And tell tomorrow what I've done
I hope last night doesn't wake up this morning
And tell tomorrow what I've done
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know
I shoulda been sleepin
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know
The crap I'm reaping
Never made it to my bed …


Avenue Of The Giants

I went for a walk with the winter
I was waiting for it to snow
When darkness breathed a dying breathe
For a day it could not know

Well I’m sure as hell that it would come again
So I strung my guitar with the wind
Can you hear it, Can you hear it play?
Can you hear it, Can you hear it play?

On the Avenue of the Giants there’s a slip of a girl
She’s a storybook hero, in a very real world
Wading in the tides of the sun, a girl and the story were one
Can you hear it, Can you hear it play?
Can you hear it, Can you hear it play?

Fall down, fall down, ohhh
I rue the day, but I like the hour, ohhh

In the dimly lit hours of a long winter’s night
With twisted understanding and soft decaying light
I got up out of bed in my bare feet
I was wondering and wondering in my sleep

Can you hear it, Can you hear it play?
Some folks love and Some folks fear it
Can you hear it, Can you hear it play?

Can you hear it, Can you hear it play?
Some folks love and Some folks fear it
Can you hear it, Can you hear it play?


Bootleggers Advice

I make my money selling speakeasy gin, defying logic and law
Every time the blind pig comes to take his cut
He wears a sickly look on his jaw

{Chorus} I know I’ve got a tarnished reputation
But man I can sure think on my toes
I know it’s not the finest station in life
But sometimes that’s how it goes

I am a man of low consequence, I rarely recognize my fill
But when I do I go to Pontchartrain, and spend a little time with my still

{Chorus}

That’s how it goes, everybody tells me so
That’s how it goes, you know that everybody tells me so

I am not one to evangelize
Or to straighten crooked dice
But take it from your uncle, call it bootlegger’s advice
Vices are the spices of my life, that’s right

{Chorus}


Borrowed Feet

Well we spilled out into the street
There was stolen cars, but ours were borrowed feet
There was a break in the moment and I was alone
With myself in the middle of the street
And I felt tired, just like I was

Just in case you’re wondering, so was I
How’s a body find some peace of mind
There was a sign of the time that I understood
Not a word of it a lie, and gods will cry, just like I was

Now more than ever I’m almost old
I almost made it on time, now more than ever a long eye looking behind

Release the hounds, keep them coming
Replay the sounds, like a second coming
You can fill me up, fool me now, tell me everything’s OK
I wanna feel high, just like I was
You can fill me up, fool me now, tell me everything’s OK
I wanna feel high, just like I was

Now more than ever, I’m almost old, I almost made it on time
Now more than ever a longing eye look behind


Bow

Did you ever wish that you were sleeping
So you didn’t have to feel this way?
Melancholy and a little mean
If you find a lover, you can make it all go away
I say what I mean, see what I mean

{Chorus} Believe me, when I tell you this
I won’t do you no wrong
And baby you need me
And I need you so badly
Hold on honey, we belong together

You shift around and drift around
And maybe you can find yourself
Someone you can shake it with
That makes you feel right
Everybody’s taking time and making time
But half the time
You wind up empty in your bed at night

{Chorus}

Bow down, bow down, bow down

Lately I’ve been thinking that
Maybe I’ve had too much
Swollen and dizzy in a fish-eyed lens

Lately I’ve been thinking that
Maybe I’ve said too much
But I guess it all depends

{Chorus}

Hold on. Hold on!
No, no, no, don’t let go
Please honey don’t let go
Hold on honey we belong


Burned Down

Burned down but not forgotten
The walls were sturdy but the floor was rotten
Men like phantoms moving in the cold
Men like phantoms move - well

{Chorus}

This is the house that silence built
This is the place where she takes her shelter
I know the game she plays
Lays down the hand that a hard life dealt her

Mule Skinner you can call this house your home
You come a stranger but you seldom leave alone
Standing on the edge of a dying hour
They were standing on the edge – well

{Chorus}

Raise high the roof beams everyone
Choose your words wisely and be done
Hearing accusations from yourself
You can hear them from yourself – well

{Chorus}

Standing on the slope of an icy roof
You amble out but the answers are aloof
A month of hungry Sundays in a row
You can find them in a row – well

{Chorus}

{Chorus}


Bus Driver

On a cold & windy night
A man left from his home
Said I'm going to find my fortune father,
Leave well enough alone.

He took off on a silver steed.
Ain't never gonna look on back
Slept down by the water's edge
By a railroad track

{Chorus} Never let 'em go, never get away
Never let 'em go, never get away -
This I share with you.
Never let 'em go, never get away
Never let 'em go, never get away

Some time has passed, some thoughts were thought
Somethings will never change
Sometimes we move to find direction
Sometimes we stay the same

And on a cold and dreary evening
He woke to find a dream
Sang a song from sacred spaces
The best you ever seen

{Chorus}

Seems to me in modest interest of self embetterment
The dreams you have you follow freely
And find yourself content

The man himself, the man whose secrets
I share with you in part
Is followin the road less taken
He's following his heart

{Chorus}

In times of doubt and misconception
That's when we tend to run
Sippin' on some Tennessee whiskey
Backs turned towards the sun

And on a cold and dreary evening,
That's where you'll find your man
Lookin for a new horizon
A bottle in his hand


Cabin John

Don't you know what time it is? It's early.
I know you find it hard to sleep but
Surely you will, surely you will
Surely you will, surely you will
Surely you will, surely you will
Lay down

I'm an evil man I don't mind sayin
I've been drinkin all this day.
Keep your tongue still
And your eyes wide open
These words are all I've got to say.

Never truck with a lie.
Turn around and leave your life
Turn around and leave it
Turn around and leave it
Turn around and leave your life

{Chorus} When it rains, it pours.
When it rains, lay down

My roof has got a leak
but only when it's raining.
It's a shifty lookin' beater.
Naked arms and legs and bucket stripping.
The water's sweet, the woman's sweeter
I'm goin' over Jordan, I'm goin' over Jordan.
I'm goin way back home to meet her.

{Chorus}

My name is forgettable,
So I invite you to remember this tale.
My days have been miserable.
But don't you get the wrong idea

The rhythm of her cool northern voice
Drew me in and I didn't have a choice, yes
The rhythm of her cool northern smiles
Drew me in and I've been here for a while, yes

The rhythm of her cool northern ways
Drew me in and now I spend my days
Remembering, remembering
Remembering, remembering
Remembering the rain

Drink from the vessel I drink from
Eat from my plate
This poor dry meal my supper
Bathe in the taste of my fate

Never truck with a lie.
Turn around and leave your life
Turn around and leave it
Turn around and leave it
Turn around and leave your life

{Chorus}

This conversation began a hundred years ago
A book of days within that year
My body's severed from it's soul
Dead ground turnin, dead ground turning
My mind's attuned within my skull.

{Chorus}


Cluttered

In the walls of my intention
There’s a broken chair
I take my breakfast cold and swallow it hole in there

{Chorus} Cluttered but clearly mine
These walls are sturdy and they suite me fine
The rent is cheap the windows dirty and the floor needs sweeping
Wherever I go its all that I know

In the walls of my intention
There’s a sultry bed
She raises her bladed fingers and touches, she brushes my head

What do I know?
Transistor radio
Plays a lullaby gone bye bye bye

What can I say?
I need to get away
Bye, bye, bye

In the walls of my intention
There’s an iron desk
I chain myself to it and do my damn do my damn best


Cold Coffee

Cold coffee and a couple of bucks come the morning commute
I collect myself as I collect my change
Just south of Fordham station I locked eyes with a stranger
She shunned my gaze but shared my pain

{Chorus} I can't wake another morning, no
Just to fake it one more day or two
Can you help me get my head on straight just a half an inch so I can muddle on through
Can you help me get my head on straight just a half an inch so I can muddle on through

I walk the shining staircase
Tooth colored cascade
And count the ways that I intersect
Daylight and dollar signs and soft depression
The pastel shades my face reflects

{Chorus}

My dear I fear I have to concede
I might I might I might not succeed

{Chorus}

My head on straight a half an inch so I can get home to you


Conspire to Smile

I like wide spaces and hot wild wind
You blew through me so I could think
Carved out my drought so I could drink, so I could drink

I'll keep you safe, and you keep me wild
And we'll conspire to smile

I like bright colors and quirks of fate
Survivors of the wreck of time
I'll save your heart and you'll save mine, and you'll save mine

You keep me safe, and I'll, I'll keep you wild and we'll conspire to smile
Keep me safe and Ill keep you wild, I'll smile
Keep me safe and Ill keep you wild, I'll smile

Long fields of adventure, give away to the sea
What a simple gift it is just to be
Sometimes execution gets away from me, gets away from me

I'll keep you safe, and you keep me wild
And we'll conspire to smile
Keep me safe and Ill keep you wild, I'll smile
Keep me safe and Ill keep you wild, I'll smile


Corpus Christi

We hit the beach at Corpus Christi with a weather-beaten face in the 4th day of July
It took us 14 days to get there and every muscle ached, but I forced myself to ride

I find hindsight is a tricky tool for a man to wield
So I keep my gaze forward and my senses revealed

{Chorus} It’s a birth of the eventual ending of a life that took me half of my days
I shall find a commandeering advantage, when I look to go the rest of the way

I took stock of the situation, having quarreled with a man who was trouble from the start
He had formed a strong opinion, but judging from his looks he was week within his heart

Confusing courage for a selfish stone he tried to rid me
So I found a sharp knife and I kept it right with me

{Chorus}

From my youngest recollection to the current hour I have always walked with men
And if I waiver my conviction like I sometimes do I get it back again

So I beat that coward like a broken mare with a hobbled gate
I emptied his pockets and I sealed his fate

{Chorus}


Country Tune

Please, please tell me,
Have you seen the light;
Nothing is much finer
Than a guitar in the night
I am just a young man,
I haven't had my say
I'm going to the mountain
I need to get away.

Autumn brings colors
With flaming fires of red
Remnants of a lifetime
That happily I've led
Yes, I'm heading to the country
Where I walk the land
In the night by the firelight
I've got a guitar in my hand
In the night with the firelight
I've got a guitar in my hand

Sweet, sweet rhythm
caught me by surprise
Lying in a meadow with
something on my mind
I have dined in restaurants
I have eaten with a silver knife
Nothing's finer than a fine wool sweater
And the simple things in life.
Nothing is much finer than a guitar in the night.


Crest of my Wing

I don't need no sympathy
You know I'm givin' you mine
Some other people drag you down,
Man I'm there all the time {repeat}

This is a story and here's how it goes
There's nothing more to say
If you need a harbor in an endless sea
You can turn and look this way {repeat}

When the night comes down on you
Drags you to the ground
Pick up your pieces and start over again
You can hear a mighty sound {repeat 5x}

Life was a story I'd write it for you
And our friends would sing along
Guess the pain is too much to bear
Be strong, my friend, be strong {repeat}

There is a place where the sun always shines
And the birds they always sing
If you need a ticket to this wonderland
You can ride on the crest of my wing


Dance

Laughter in the summer
Thoughts of light, and things to come.
Burning fire in the winter.
All things I've done

{Chorus} You can dance, dance
Move your feet and lose your mind.
You can dance, dance
Leave your troubled world behind.

Gliding past on a daydream
Headed out to the sea
Running blind in the midnight
All things I've done

{Chorus}

Sailing on to tomorrow
On a ship that doesn't float
Drown yourself in a wine of sorrow
All things I've done.

{Chorus}

Move your feet, shake the floor
Leave your troubles at the door.
Move yourself, you can move your soul.
Let the music take control.

You can dance, you can dance, you can dance now,

You can dance, you can dance, you can dance now,

You can dance, you can dance, hold on.


Drawn

The window was frosted and cracked
The shades were all tied and torn back
Spinning like a fan that was turning anew
I want to turn it off but I don’t know how to
Indeed, honey you know it’s true

My face and my bank are both drawn
The liquor is textured and strong
I try to figure out what I’m figuring out
It’s always hard to figure what your world is about
Indeed, honey you know it’s true

I wake up and I sit up and look at the time
I feel bad and good at the same time
Indeed, honey you know it’s true

The morning was yellow and red
I sat and I watched it from bed
The sun was dripping down a white washed wall
It lit the room a little but it didn’t light it all
Indeed, honey you know it’s true


Edges

Old man at the edge of the park and everybody knows him
Everyone is heavy of heart but no body shows him

On their way downtown
Wearing paper crowns
They wear crowns

{Chorus} Only the edges are real
Colors come cracking and peeled
You purposely push what you feel away
Black dog day

Fallen from the edge of his hand comes an empty question
it registers with both of your eyes and lodges a suggestion
Just a matter of degree, separates that man from me
That man from me

{Chorus}

Old man at the edge of the park with an empty grey expression
You oscillate between steel blue and muddy brown depression
Trading shades of light and dark
Some men end where others start, where others start

{Chorus}


Elixer

Weightless in water
He came down the river, floated all the way.
Though his bones were shivering
He had the sense to stay.
Shoes to walk, and stones to throw
The less you speak, the more you know.

{Chorus} I had a feeling I was
Buried to my head in sand
I had a feeling I was
Just another piece of the landscape.

Picture a century gone by.
Hi ho the king is dead.
I had a feeling I was...
Weightless in water

She came down the river,
My violin.
She's got the long hair,
Darkened eyes and fingers thin.
If you will be my wife
I will marry you.
You've got a foot to wear the garden's shoe.

You can ride a horse
Without a saddle.
You can play the banjo
Out of tune.
You can do a dance
With the late day shadow.

Liquidate
The solid state
Of order
And of being
And of everything
You're seeing in your life.

{Chorus}

Skin of the river,
Spoke of the herd.
You learn more from whispers
Than you do from spoken word.
You are the loveliest in all the land
You've got a glove to shake the summer's hand.


Etta James

I went around my elbow to get to my ear
Ever since I been listenin' I like what I hear
Someone's on the back porch playin' on an old guitar
I hear them calling
The notes are falling

{Chorus}

I've been a stranger all my life
I've been accused of stranger things
I like the sound of Miss Etta James
I like the way that she sings

My mouth and eyes are circles
My visions near but straight
The silence curves, it bends my nerves
And it funnels me through my fate

Yes it funnels me through my fate
Someone’s on a cold street

Walking on a cobblestone
I hear them walking
I hear them talking

{Chorus}

She sings doo doo do do dooo dooooo

Illusions die hard friend
You best think again
If you press the flesh friend
The picture may bend
Let the day instruct us let the veil prevail
If you need it, you best believe it

{Chorus}

And she sings, and she sings doo doo do do dooo dooooo


Faces

Faces are a dime for a dozen and I really think I know your name
If I called you Jen my friend, it really wouldn't be the same
If I was wrong, if I was wrong.

Well what's your name and what's your game and where you going to?
Pardon me but don't you see there's nothin much that I can do
If I was wrong, if I was wrong

Well, you can go your way and I'll go mine and I really hope that you can smile
I call you friend, I'll call you Jen, I'll call you in a while
If I was wrong, if I was wrong

Ah -- faces
Ah -- places
Ah -- spaces

Faces are a dime for a dozen and I really think I know your name
If I called you Jen my friend, it really wouldn't be the same
If I was wrong, if I was wrong.

Well what's your name and what's your game and where you going to?
Pardon me but don't you see there's nothin much that I can do
If I was wrong, if I was wrong
If I was wrong, if I was wrong
If I was wrong, if I was wrong.


Far From Yourself

She's finding out, about weakness
Building walls only to fall
You denied yourself, human feelings for selfish wealth
And you never been, you never been so far from yourself

My love... is gone, gone... carry on

Remember ... when I told you ...
I loved you more than myself
I've cried and I've cried, And it turns out I lied
And you never been ...You never been so far from yourself

And you're running.... and you got no place to go
You've denied... everything you know
And you're looking... for something that will show you...
The way.... show you the way ....

I'm finding out about weakness
You tighten your belt and carry the load
You don't deserve ... the tear or loving worth...
And you never been...You never been so far from yourself.

My love... is gone, gone; carry on.

Well I'm walking around in a nightmare
She's lying down with another man
Selfish love and the lies that you told
Broke my heart and you buried my soul
And you never been, Never been so far from yourself

I'm all-right ... I gotta keep on standing tall
And I'm scared Of the devils in the night that call
And I'm stronger, So I stand up when I fall
Carry on ....In the nighttime, In the daytime....in the day time....In the day time....


Feline Disguise

I’ve been downtrodden I’ve been feeling ashamed
And since I tell you everything
There’s something I need to explain
I am an imposter, I’m not nearly what you suspect
I’m rusting in my shell, but I’m practiced at the man I project

{Chorus} I wear a feline smile and starts in both my eyes
Wearing a fine feline disguise

Guessing at riddles, dressing for success
I answer all your questions with a confidence I feel is best

{Chorus}

Wearing a sunshine suit and flowers
And a purple pinned stripe tie
We could keep this up for hours
Wearing a fine feline disguise, close your eyes

Imagination outbreak it comes in electric blue
I stand with my best posture
And sending it swirling straight at you

{Chorus}

I’m my own imposter with a sense of my own demise
Wearing a fine feline disguise
I’ll tear your heart out right before your eyes
Wearing a fine feline disguise


Filter

May I lead you away, to a silver day passing
All your thoughts are there
May I drown your beliefs, in a blue water chasm
You can taste the air

{Chorus} Memories grow like scarlet poppies
On a silver quilted shore
Melting in the moment you adore

Through the filtered remains
Of a picture show past life
Chosen moments play
Through a rose colored lens
That you look with your eyes closed
You recount your days

{Chorus}

Leave the past born and naked
Pulsing like the moon
Not the ghost of day
But just one chosen moment
Screaming through the room

{Chorus}


Forty Five Degrees

Another day in late September
Trembling gold and the weather’s mild
A rusted car someone’s abandoned
Hobbled leafs and decaying miles

{Chorus} And I’m smiling to myself
Waving with my free hand
Coasting down a slope
At forty five degrees

{Chorus}

I think I’ll buy a motorcycle
Find a place to be alone
It’s strange to see all of these places
And never really get to find your own
I witnessed sermons in the half light
Muted tones and glowing skin
I packed up a bag of bones and ashes
Some leave off where I begin

{Chorus}


Fountain

I am not like those before me
Standing in a suit
Now I face what stands before me
And I'm singing and I'm searching
Singing and I'm searching for myself

Once a man had two things that he cherished
Certain about his job and about his wife
Seems to me he must be doing drugs
'Cause nothing's ever certain
Nothing's ever certain in this life

Once I came across a fountain
Made three wishes -- touched a dream
Like a thought turning me over
Inspiration's spinning me around and around
And I wonder if I'm tripping on my words
And if I'm stumbling on my goals
Around and around and around I go

So many things I stand to gain
So many things that I have known I stand to lose

Maybe it's for me to determine
Maybe I am like a book on a shelf
Read me once and tell me how I am
Because I am singing and I'm searching for myself

You can ask me "What is it you're saying?
Who are you and what you trying to be?"
I'd like to be a cowboy in the movies
Smiling at the people
Smiling at the people that I see

Singing for myself
I'm singing and I'm searching for myself...

So many things I stand to gain
So many things that I have known I stand to lose
So many things...


Freedom

Four score, and many years gone by
Our country waged a war that would make the devil cry
It was internal, no one would win
Each man chose sides by the color of skin, singing

North south, anywhere you go,
We are American, and I thought you might like to know.
Red white or blue.
Each man is just like you
We have united the union.
But we never did end that racial war.

Emancipation, Amendment 13
Just like the Reverend, I had a dream
From out of nowhere came a flash of light
Filled my head, Lord and it split the night

There rose a young man
One hundred feet tall
Said gather round me you can hear my body call

{Chorus} Freedom, freedom of the mind
Look at your brother you can look at human kind
Look a man right in the eye
Judge him for what's inside.
Look at him with envy or contempt.
Just remember,
You're not exempt

Now I'm not sayin all your words should be kind
Some things are sicko and they blow my mind
I saw a rich man, for better or for worse,
He gained respect by the size of his purse, and I said

{Chorus}

I, I'm lookin at the things you do
I, wouldn't want to be like you, I, wouldn't want to be like you
I, wouldn't want to be like you

Humans, we are human kind, Humans, we are human kind, Humans, we are human kind, Humans, we are human kind.


Furnace

Often I have thoughts and dreams
Lying silent on my tongue
Better left unsung you say
They'd probably have me hung

I would like to smoke an anvil
And lay them all to rest
Second thought it might be wise
Just to get them off my chest

{Chorus} Furnace is failing
Find a way, find a way
To fill it up

I was born a pauper
I was born to a begger’s throne
I'm collecting stories
'Cause they're always better than my own

I would like to smoke a candle
And entomb myself in wax
Take a broom and sweep the room
Of everything thing thats past

Alternate verse:
Can you spare a nickel, pumper,
Nickel, crust and broth.
Microwave the crust you gave
Try and make it soft.
I would like to____________.
Pour myself a glass.
Slowly raise the window pane
And look out to the past

{Chorus}

The cooks are in the kitchen
And the barn is shedding paint
Take a ride in the countryside
And you feel like you might faint

I would like to smoke a tire
And to roll myself a wheel
Steal a thumbtack from the soul
That walks on the beggar's heel

{Chorus}


Great Long While

In the sultry morning, the saint was born
By the many hands only, a body born away

There's a pious prophecy
Steeped in secret, born to eternity,
Eternity.

{Chorus} Grow the songbeard
(Sow the secret)
Another song for the prophet to sing
Grow the songbeard
(Sow the secret)
Born away, born away.

In the pregnant empty, a song will grow
Seize your body, make you whole,
Make you whole

{Chorus}

In the Kingdom counties, broken trail
A song raised up and
You can hear it wail hear it wail
hear it wail

{Chorus}

He's been sitting there a great long while, great long while
Sunlit silver hair, a great long while, great long while.

He's got a funny way about him and I don't know much about him
(Born away, born away, born away)
But he moves a certain way beneath his feet.

Maybe I'm a fool to coin a simple man a Jew
(Born away, born away, born away)
But he breathes a certain way beneath his teeth

He's been sitting there a great long while, a great long while
(Born away, born away, born away)
Sunlit silver hair, a great long while, a great long while
(Born away, born away, born away)
A great long while ... a great long while.


Grey Believer

I woke up a grey believer 
I felt her there but I could not see her
My head was swollen and swimming with doubt
I couldn’t get out
I rolled to greet her and I held my hand out
I couldn’t get out, I couldn’t get out

I found my day worn and waiting
The edges frayed and the colors fading
I felt so anxious and I wanted to shout
I couldn’t get out
I felt afraid but I kept it within
She helped me out, she helped me begin

Yellow eyes of morning leave me where I lie
I know the day is dawning but I cannot comply
I can not comply, no I, I can not comply

I couldn’t get out
She let me out
Yellow eyes….


Harrower

Steppin' out on the great lawn in the new green shoots of a crop
There was a wind in the wild rough grasses and a broad swelling heat when it stops
Standin' at the edge of creation at the base of the throne of the sky
By the mouth of the Tennessee River where the birds of another world fly

Well I must be on my way the share croppers say there's barely even work for them.
I'll come rolling back to town when my fortune comes around.
Come and see your daughter again.

I directed my stride to the river and the near by great beyond
The broken stalkes of the harvest, pale as bone in the dawn
Pulled forward and drawn onward like water called to the sea
My hands are always full or empty and my boots are always carrying me.

A big eyed girl in the hallway.
Borrowed light from the moon
I kissed her lips with my own mouth
I swear I will be back soon.

I caught hope one handed. It was two days old in the dirt.
My arms grew weak in their sockets like tender stalks of longing and hurt
If these are the fields of reckoning, If these are the days to debate
I would love to stay and talk it over but sir I am afraid it's to late.


Heartblood

Dirty shoes, and dirt under his fingernails.
Their bodies tell the music,
And the music through an open door sails

The drummer is hummin’
Out comes the shining horn
People strumming
Fingerboard is slightly word
Dirty shoes, and dirt under his fingernails.

There is a cold sun burning
People say the world is turning
Heartblood.

Tired bones and trumpets that are bobbing hello
His lips are grey and ashen
Like the petals of an ancient blood rose

The pope is smokin out comes the shining horn
The notes are broken, melody is tired and torn
Dirty shoes, and dirt under his fingernails.

There is a cold fire flaming
People say the world is changing
Heartblood

Lay your flesh on a bed of pine straw
Dead man dancing in the fields of the dawn.
Drink the scene thru the crack in the barn.
Dead man dancing in the fields of the farm
The fields of the farm.

Broken clouds and great loud long throated breaths
Men in felt hats and women in their soft summer dress
Corn liquor, out comes the shining corn
Rag picker, there're shadows in the glass you're pouring
Dirty shoes, and dirt under his fingernails.

There is a cold fog lifting
People say the world is drifting
Heartblood

Dead man dancing, dead man dance
In the fields of the farm


High Brow

In the good town of Memphis there's an ebony temptress
She'll sit with you high brow and confound your senses
They come to her needy
They come to her pained
She was gifted with good looks but she took her own name

{Chorus} For 18 hours in a row
I catalogued everyone I know
Two poets, one prophet and a priest
All of them actors, nay saying detractors and thieves

The voices are leaky, they drain from your soul
Eyes are all seeking, they reveal young from old
Rosetta was timeless
Her cheek bones rose high
It wasn't a good life but it wasn't a lie

{Chorus}

{Chorus}

All of them actors, nay saying detractors and thieves
All of them actors, nay saying detractors and thieves
They were thieves
They were thieves


Hildegard

I've got a dollar
I've got a silver dime
Put 'em both together
Gonna have myself a good time

{chorus} Hildegard
Hildegard, my love
Hildegard, will you marry me?

I'm not looking for fortune or fame
But if I find a girl in this world
You know I know her name

{chorus}

I'm on a road
Traveling slowly
I'm in the cold
Got to get up
Got to find some loving
Got to get up
I gotta go now

I'm not looking for fortune or fame
But if I find a girl in this world
You know I know her name

I'm on a road
Traveling slowly
I'm in the cold
Got to get up
Got to find some loving
Got to get up
I gotta go now


Honest Hour

In the hour before the devil finds I've died
I'll move slow as my ending descends from the pines
Because I couldn't stop for death
She kindly stopped for me and she stole my breath

{Chorus} If I'm bound or gagged
If I'm lost or losin'
I might want to leave from here
Until then I'll still be cruisin'
High above the atmosphere

Well I walked through that hour in a drawn out sleepless bliss
Blinking possibilities shuttered and ceased to exist
Like a prisoner of my personality
My time had come and my body was set free

{Chorus}

I went easy from my body but harder from my ways
I lived tall in this life but I was naked at the end of my born days
When desperation rang long through me
Horses whispered in the distance and my body was set free

{Chorus}


Honey Creeper

I hope I find a noble death and avoid an angry trigger
I guess I'll find my ripe old self or at least that's what I figure

The sour breath of a disappointed girl daring the man who could keep her
She was born by the name of Lynn but she went by Honey Creeper

{Chorus} The bones of an old life call
They tear at the threads of my innards
Somewhere something went wrong
Now I'm living with ghosts and with sinners

It must have been 1929 when I took my turn to hold her
I felt a longing that I couldn't quite express and by fault I never told her

{Chorus}

Well I'm an old man that's what I am like an old stump in the ground
You can't find a man who doesn't want to be found
I'm an old man that's what I am that's what I've come to know
I became a shadow when I let that woman go

When I raise my weary old eyes and prepare to meet my maker
I'll find that love of mine, Mrs. Honey Creeper and I'll do my best to take her
The lord knows I will do my best to take her

{Chorus}

Well I'm an old man that's what I am like an old stump in the ground
You can't find a man who doesn't want to be found
I'm an old man that's what I am that's what I've come to know
I became a shadow when I let that woman go

Round and around
And I let that woman go
Round and around
Don’t ya know
Round and around
And I let that woman go
Round and around
Don’t ya know


Leadbelly

In the echo hall
Stood the prisoner of a cold cell
A man of any age filled the sunlit cage
Dead or living you could hardly tell

{Chorus} He spent 30 years swingin' his arms on the old chain gang
Where the sound of the steel guitars and the pickaxe rang
He was hard as the cold iron bars as in the place he slept
But when he played his song men laughed and children wept

Leadbelly you had better find a song to say you're true
Because the wardens come and you won't see the sun tomorrow, unless you do

{Chorus}

In the echo hall
Stood the prisoner of a cold cell
He had killed a man - son of the bottom land
Dead or living you could hardly tell

{Chorus}

Leadbelly you had better find a song to say you're true Leadbelly live forever in these tortured jailhouse blues


Light Blue Lover

Who left this light blue lover, lying in the cave of my chest
Who left me cold and silent, even though it might have been best

No way, no one, no where could ever confess
To have known such pleasure in such plural excess
I hope that one day I might catch my breath
But I gotta let her go I guess

My shadow aches and itches, it’s a sentiment my silence permits
I walk through foggy feeling, punctuated pain when it hits

No way, no one, no where could ever express
The way her body met the hem of her dress
I hope that one day I might churn with her flesh
But I gotta let her go I guess

There’s no light, there’s just night, but I hope to rest
But I gotta let her go I guess
I gotta let her go I guess
Light Blue Lover in my chest
Gotta let her go I guess.


Lines and Circles

People come and people go
Winds that howl and winds that blow  
And you, got to let it go.    
People come and people go                
Winds that howl and winds that blow           
And you, got to let it go.                     
{repeated by Jon and Erik throughout song}    

Some people, sometimes  
Some follow circles and some follow lines   

{Chorus}
Time and time and time again  
Circles break and lines they bend  
And you, got to let it go
Time and time and time again  
Circles break and lines they bend  
And you, got to let it go

He came lookin',  
Lookin' for the promised land  
With a gun on his shoulder
And a bible in his hand

{Chorus}

So that's the position
Is it too late?  
Some call it injustice
And some call it fate

This is your country, yeah
This is where you live  
I'm asking forgiveness, yeah
Who can forgive?    

I don't know, I don't know, I don’t know
I don't really care.  
I don't know, I don't know, I don’t know
I don't really care.    

Some people follow circles
Some people follow lines
Some people follow
Some people follow what they...  
Some people follow circles
Some people follow lines
Some people follow
Some people follow what they...    

People come and people go  
Winds that howl and winds that blow  
Winds that howl and winds that blow  
People come and people go  
People come and people go  
Winds that howl and winds that blow  
Winds that howl and winds that blow  
People come and people go  
People come and people go  
Winds that howl and winds that blow  
Winds that howl and winds that blow  
People come and people go


Little By Little

I think of ways to say I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to cause such pain
And in the days that have unfolded, nothing touches me the same way
It’s like my body is a patchwork, and all my dreams were folded in
I just couldn’t find the framework, so I tore off my own skin, right down the middle

Little by little and a lot by the end of the day
My brain is a pain and the damn thing gets in my way
Little by little and a lot when you talk to a ghost
You leave yourself be and your mind begins to coast

This is a song of the unraveling of all the ways I did you wrong
And though I know it was maddening, I ask forgiveness with this song
I speak in tongues of past uncertainty and not a word of it a lie
And in the end I know with certainty, if you call the song I will abide, right down the middle

Little by little and a lot by the end of the day
My brain is a pain and the damn thing gets in my way
Little by little and a lot when you talk to a ghost
You leave yourself be and your mind begins to coast

Little by little and a lot by the end of a dream
The drums are pounding and 1,000 guitar screams
Little by little and a lot by the end of it all
The music comes around and it hits you like a stone brick wall
It picks you up, it puts you down, it goes around and around and around
The is a song of the unraveling….


Long Dead

Well, I stumbled on a century and I tripped on 100 years
Well, I haven’t been there always, but I listen to the things I hear

{Chorus} And I hear chivalry is long dead
Silhouettes and old bones in the ground
It’s like a century paraded with a trembling fist
You can burn those cities down

You can picture me at 80 with a beard down to my knees
You can picture me at 80, I’ll be doing ‘bout what I please

{Chorus}

All that I am asking for is a piece of peace of mind
A place in the space of a timepiece that is spinning round
Round we go I know, I’ve been there


Lost And Amazed

{Chorus} I do believe it there
Must be a better way
Just beyond our reach
If I could see it
I find a better way
To set my cities free

William rises in dreaming vagueness
And pulls his pockets from the bed
Twisted fingers on tired shirt sleeves
He pulls them worn over his head
And in the soft light that fills the hour…

{Chorus}

Rita Riley out on the park bench
Alone for 15 years or more
She heard a voice
Among the voices
As the years rolled over her
And in the broad day out on the broad way…

{Chorus}

And on the broad way
Out in the broad day
William was standing by a wall
She couldn’t see him
But she could sense him
Like a wave about to fall
The stars were blinking and they both were thinking…

{Chorus}


Love Junkie

I love you more than all the singers in a motown group
The way you watch me watching you out on the front porch stoop
The radio loaded with the voice of a god
I got this guitar and the faded facade

Alabama was the place where I had narrowly cracked
I kicked the hotel door down and so I couldn't go back, from the way I came
Telephone wires and these old strings will rust
Besides my guitar it's you alone I trust

Such a lovely vision when I left my eyes looking at you
Such a lovely vision when I left my eyes looking at you

I'm a junkie for your lovin' your adrift in my veins
You travel through all of my spaces and you swallow my brain
Dance on my skin, sleep in my head
I float my guitar then I swim in your bed

Such a lovely vision when I left my eyes looking at you
Such a lovely vision when I left my eyes looking at you

I know you now me. I know you like the taste of my tongue
Like dancing branches we mingled in the yesterday sun (shine)
Deep water eyes spin me around
Stuck in your gaze such a sweet place to drown
Stuck in your gaze such a sweet place to drown
Stuck in your gaze such a sweet place to drown

And I’m drownin’
Such a lovely vision
And I’m drownin’
Such a lovely vision
And I’m drownin’
Such a lovely vision
And I’m drownin’


Mama

Mama raised me to be honest , She taught me well
Livin’ high up in a castle, She said, climb that hill
Mama raised me, it don't phase me
Cast your vote silently
In the shadow of a city
You must tell it like you see it

{Chorus} Did did did, did you know?
Did you know? Did you know? Did you know? We are all world renowned?
Take off your skirt, put on a shirt, put on a smile
Let your hair gently down. Let it down.

A word - animated any word created, a cartoon for the girls
A word - antiquated, you are not faded, living in an aging world
Eat your pills and pay your bills and pay your rent
And make your bed quietly
Boston bars and city cars and city lights, you move so gracefully

{Chorus}

All right - Mama raised me to be honest, she taught me well
Livin’ high up in her castle, she said “Climb that hill”
Mama raised me it don't phase me,
You can't kick me in my head
In the shadow of a city, You must tell it like you see it

{Chorus}


Man With A Plan

I was a man with a plan and I landed in New York City
I saw a world that that unfurled and taught me the meaning of haste
I found a well-heeled girl and I thought that she looked pretty
I opened my heart to her and she read it on my face.

{Chorus}
You might as well as well accept the rest and not expect to prosper
When you're hiding from the sun
Living fast the cold contrast it fuels my fascination
Like a breath before the plunge

I took car to bar and ordered myself whisky.
You know it’s my drink of choice and it fills me full of charm
I know I’ve had too much when my head gets soft and dizzy
But if you ask my wife she’d say it does more good than harm

{Chorus)

{Chorus 2}
I came out of the park that day and I wavered in the place I stood
Living deep in golden city in a way I never thought I could
I came out of the park that day and I saw it with my waking eyes
My breath grew short and my heart rate quickened in response to my own surprise

There was a fuss on the bus cause someone had got busted
I got splashed as it passed and it clattered down the road
Well I’d seen worse and I cursed and I swore there was no justice

And that I’d leave this town before my heart grew old

{Chorus 2}

{Chorus 2}

{Chorus 2}


Mrs. What You Are

My, my Mrs What You Are
Do you know what you are to me?
My, my Mrs What You Are
Do you know how I feel today?

My madness moves at night, clattering around
And when it catches me and pulls me to the ground
I turn around when I hear it comin’
Can’t you feel it comin down
I turn around when I hear it comin’


Mud Spring Draw

Mud Spring Draw was a peaceful town
Just a "‘lil town outside of Jericho
And when the walls came tumbling down
Mud Spring Draw refused to go

Well, the banker froze, the grocer dozed
The dunkards all wore smiles, as they examined the debris
When the mayor got there he said “I do declare
A little bit of dust and dirt don’t bother me.”

I am born of the idea, that your days become more clear
After a long time gone
To the folks of Mud Spring Draw who keep livin’ where they are, the days keep marching on
On my way, I’m on my way, I’m on my way, on my way I’ll be back home again

Outside of town there lived an aging whore, went by the name of Cindy-Lou
The mayor said she could have been a queen
So did every other guy in town that Cindy knew
They gave her gifts of turquoise rings, they gave her lavish strings of pearls
And in a way, she truly was a Queen
The richest one of all the Mud Spring girls

Well, the Daughters of the Revolution came to meet
They reveled in their cakes and creamed potatoes
The mayor’s wife talked about the politics of life
And if she knew about the queen she didn’t say so
Well there was bantering and secret sips
From ticklers that were left behind the toilet
The evening passed and the questions that were asked
Were ones that they were certain wouldn’t spoil it


Myth Of Mine

Someone robbed me of my sleep
Something else has been keeping me
This myth of mine has been receiving me

I wear a stone for my heart
And it weights me down
From my stem to my stern
I wear a stone for my heart
Stumbling around and I am falling apart

All these years without sleep
All this time without ceasing
This myth of mine has been decreasing me
It feels like a golden calamity
I walk around in soft insanity

I wear a stone for my heart
And it weights me down
From my stem to my stern
I wear a stone for my heart
Stumbling around and I am falling apart


Otis

Otis was a workin’ man
Livin’ a life so fine
Otis was a friend of mine
Living a routine life,
never did leave that town
Otis don't you frown

Me oh, my oh,
Ain't never been down before.
Me oh, my oh, Me oh, my oh

{Chorus} It's all right, it's all right, it's all right
You can leave it ‘til tomorrow
It's all right, it's all right, it's all right
You can lend and you can borrow

Otis was an honest man
Never did tell a lie
Otis, don't you cry
Livin’ and givin’ and doin’ as he could
Otis was damn near good

{Chorus}

Otis was a single man
Never did wanna get hitched
Otis don't you bitch
Chickens and pigs, didn't have no kids,
Doin’ as he pleased

{Chorus}


Oxbow

Magazine is empty and its tired morning empty
Twisted music telling of an order not yet woke
Speaking to the paper and its tired morning empty
Ragged clothing lying on the floor from which it spoke

Picture frame is empty and its tired morning empty
Guitar strap is holding with a piece of aging string
Speaking to the riddle and its tired morning empty
Mother's dark beholden to the nail from which it clings

{Chorus} Be on your way
Morning light is going to comfort you
Yes you know you're gonna sleep
Morning light is going to comfort you
Be on your be on your way

The voice of the hunter has fallen to choke
A well-crafted lyric that he must have spoke
There's a light in the window and the chimney brick walls
Smoke only rises and dawn gently falls
Dawn gently falls, and its gone and its gone and
Smoke only rises and dawn gently falls
Dawn gently falls, and its gone again to the day

And of the late day sun and it falls back down till the morning comes
Dawn gently falls, and its gone again to the day

Cheek bone finally empty and its tired morning empty
Under garment laughing at the color that it bears
Speaking to the paper and its tired morning empty
Wooden plank is bowing to the burden it now shares

Paper sack is empty and its tired morning empty
Racket lying lazy and the music box is broke
Speaking to the riddle and its tired morning empty
Rhyme is slowly spelling from the flesh in which it woke

{Chorus}


Paul Henry

Counting hours in a place that doesn't have a name
There were thousands who were laid to waste
But no one who could take his place
No one who could take his place

The Ohio River bank was soft beneath her weight
As she walked from it her body sank
No one’s ever coming back
No one’s ever coming back

{Chorus} Well they came a great distance in the driving snow
And the last thing he heard was a trumpet blow
Then the sky collapsed and the earth turned gray
Paul Henry died today
Paul Henry died today

In Kentucky there's a town that doesn't have a name
They all remember how it all went down
The way their shoulders touched the ground
The way their shoulders touched the ground

{Chorus}

Counting hours in a place that doesn't have a name
There were thousands who were laid to waste
But no one who could take his place
No one who could take his place

{Chorus}


Pedal Down

A whole world of people caught a ride
And simply stated they were faded for a humbling surprise
I feel so helpless in my car
I put the pedal down and travel down connected tar

{Chorus} I set the dial but I wake before it rings
I can't help but thinkin' no one's steering this thing

A foul voice was speaking on the tide
So tie your courage to a stake and hope the water subsides
I hope the water subsides

{Chorus}

Nothing's for free so you better not lend it
Nothing's for free, it will break if you bend it, it will break if it bends

I feel so helpless in my house
I pull the shutters closed and shuttle all these words from my mouth

{Chorus}

In the day or the night time no one's steering this thing
Mother of Christ no one's steering this thing
Hold on tightly no one's steering this thing


Poland

Oh in the nineteen thirties
Son born to a Brooklyn ghetto 
And when his people saw him 
Ohh they could sense his yearning and

There in his eyes 
Something was speaking gently 
There in his eyes 
One lived to come and greet me 

Father oh father is working 
Soup pot is waiting 
Time that was lost and books that were kept 
Mother of mother is waiting 

There in her eyes
Grayness of morning captured 
There where she lies 
Black and white photos keep her 

Oh at the end of the hallway 
A closet and a life that was stolen 
The mandolin and pocket book jewelry 
Tokens of a life left in Poland 

There in her eyes 
Something was speaking gently 
City street lights 
Son born, immigrant lady 

There is a pony in Brooklyn 
A boy and a pony in Brooklyn 
There is an immigrant lady 
Wonder what she's doing lately 

I was thinkin' about my life 
Thinkin' 'bout where I've come 
All the things he might have said 
All the things he might have done 
I was lying on the floor 
There is what my mind's eye said 
What an easy life you've had 
What a simple live you've led


Pooh Bear's Mistress

Julie came home alone last night, took off her clothes and tried to go to bed
In came a boy of drunk demeanor, stumbled in and this is what she said
Go away, go away, go away, go away, I am sleeping
Go away, go away, go away, go away, I am sleeping

Never fell in love with the boy she’s kissing
Clothes don’t match and the car keys missing
Look at the ground, look on the floor, look at you
You can talk to Elvis and he can talk to you
And he can talk, he can talk to you
You can talk to Elvis and he can talk to you
And he can talk, he can talk to you

And you smile, and you don’t why, smile

Julie came home alone last night, well adorned in jewelry made of glass
Hair tied up in blue and laces, stumbled in and this is what she asked
Did you know did you know did you know I was leaving
To a place on the face of the earth that I never did know

When I die, if I live that long, I’ll be your shadow
When I die, if I live that long, I’ll be your echo
When I die, if I live that long, I would be your Elvis
You could take, you could talk to me
I would be Elvis, and you could talk, you could talk to me

And you smile, and you don’t know why
And you smile, and you don’t know why, smile
Smile- the things that you do
Speak- a storybook you
Tend- the things on your mind, you are one of a kind you are truly
Pooh Bear’s misstres

Julie came home alone last night laid on me a roller coaster smile
And we danced to spoken music
She drank tea and I sang for a while
In a way, in a way, in a way, in a way, I could hold you
Not today, anyway, I just wanted to say it was so

House on fire and the toilets leaking
Plant half dead and the fruit half eaten, lights are out, Julie sits alone
She is smiling, she can talk, she can talk to me
She is unique, she can talk, she can talk to me
Smile and you don’t know why
And smile, and you don’t know why, smile


Rachel

Rachel was a woman, she was sensitive and warm
She had flaxen hair and rhythm in her boots
When she moved the room it grooved, people came and stared
Women laughed and children scrambled at her feet
Roll me over and he picked me up again, She spoke it out with eloquence and grace
Roll me over and he picked me up again, The evening came and carried her away.

Twilight twilight twilight twilight come and twilight gone
She moved as though she never would again
My oh my and side-to-side, you know she moved so smooth, you know that girl could dance
My oh my and side-to-side, you know she moved so smooth, you know that girl could dance.
Roll me over and he picked me up again, She spoke it out with eloquence and grace
Roll me over and he picked me up again, The evening came and carried her away.

Jason was a gentleman, his hair was dark and coarse
He spoke in tones of wisdom old and true
When he spoke, the laughter broke, people gathered round

So he gathered up his courage, he asked her for this dance
He said, "I beg you ma'am,I beg you for this dance."
It seemed to work cause she seemed to smirk
And she took his hand and led him through the crowd.
Then he held her tight cause it just seemed right and he kissed that girl he kissed her sweet and true
Then he held her tight cause it just seemed right and he kissed that girl he kissed her sweet and true.

Someone told me that love's a simple thing, Take my song and take my words
Only only all I know is what I heard
And the evening came and carried her away, And the evening came and carried him away, And the evening came and carried them away.

Said, "Mister tell me won't you tell me what you know."
He said, "Only only all I know is what I've seen, only only what I've seen" yeah
"Only only all I know is what I've seen." And the evening came and carried him away.

Well his words were few and chosen, and his eyes were dark and strong
And his whiskey like his words they seemed to go
He said, "Behold before you stands a man, I want to live my life, and find a wife so fine
He said, "Behold before you stands a man, I want to live my life, and find a wife so kind.
He said, "Only only all I know is what I've seen, only only what I've seen" yeah
"Only only all I know is what I've seen." And the evening came and carried him away

reid-genauer_lyrics_rachel.jpg

The Evening Came and Carried Them Away


Reuban's Place

Excuse me? Think I've been here once before
But I can't be sure It seems so
So familiar don't you know I don't know
I don't know, I don’t know why

But it speaks to me
And I look so that I might see
Kind of old, kind of lonely
Seems at peace with myself

One time When I was just a boy
I heard a noise I felt a feeling
Now I feel that way again
but I can't be sure

You know it speaks to me
And I look so That I might see
Kind of old Kind of lonely
Seems at peace with myself

My elder She welcomed me with tea
That's fine with me and I remember
Something I'd heard Something I'd seen
but I can't be sure

You know it speaks to me
And I look so That I might see
Kind of old Kind of lonely
Seems at peace with myself
Kind of home Kind of lonely
Seems at peace with myself

Sometimes I wonder is she cold?
Sometimes I wonder is she old?
Sometimes I wonder is she ever lonely?

Sometimes I wonder is she does she know?
Sometimes I wonder is she will she go?
Sometimes I wonder is she ever lonely?

Sometimes I wonder is she sad?
Sometimes I wonder is she mad?
Sometimes I wonder is she ever lonely?

Sometimes I wonder is she cry?
Sometimes I wonder is she die?
Sometimes I wonder is she ever lonely?


Revelry

Solutions arise in a curious way
Cruel but clear like death on a dying day
I follow the groove of a chosen course
The wheels are in motion with a notion of deafening force

And the way that the skeleton speaks
Makes me weak at my knees
Just like I am my father's son
I'm afraid of myself but I'm scared of no one
All that I am is all that I long to be

Revelry send for me cause my day has become overwhelmed
Revelry sing to me cause I just need to rest for a spell
Revelry speak to me, sing to me lyrically, sing to me so I can breathe

I wanna live deep, I wanna live high
Sometimes it finds me, mainly it passes me by
The tension arrives, like a purposeful noose
I struggle to free myself, struggle to get myself loose

And the way that the skeleton speaks
Makes me weak at my knees
Dance with a dervish, move with a rapture
All that she is and all that she captures
All that I am and all that I long to be

Revelry sing to me cause my day has become overwhelmed
Revelry send to me cause I just need to rest for a spell
Revelry speak to me, send to me lyrically, sing to me so I can breathe

And the way that the skeleton speaks
Makes me weak at my knees
Rest assured I will make it alright
If it costs me in blood, if it costs me my life
All that I am is all that I long to be

Revelry, revelry, revelry
Send for me, sing to me, speak to me
Revelry, revelry, revelry
Send for me, sing to me, speak to me so I can breathe


Roads

There’s a light in the kitchen
Somebody’s home
A woman is sleeping, a man sits alone
Alone, all alone.

And then comes the dawning
And then comes the morn
The woman is yawning
And daylight, and daylight and daylight, and daylight is born.

The roar of an engine
The coffee pot perks
Then off to the office to a room full of jerks
Again, once again

{Chorus}
I don’t know where I’m going but I’ll get there.
Sometimes I’m wondering where will it be?

And on the Riviera
A man was painting Greece
The image that he captured - Hercules and the golden fleece
Again, once again

The evening came and found him
His paintings looking fine
He put away his brushes
And went out for, he went out for some wine
Again, once again

Having met a woman
They went out for some air
He loved her like his paintings
And he wondered, and he wondered, and he wondered, wondered if she cared
Did she care?

{Chorus}

And now there is a farmer
With calloused hands and feet
The wagon wheel is busted
The kids have yet to eat, again
Once again.

They gathered at the table

With loving in their eyes
He looked at them intently
He looked at them, he looked at them, he looked at them
He looked at them with pride
Once again

And when the meal was over
He kissed them all goodnight
And sat down by the fire feeling everything was right
All right, once again

{Chorus}

This is a song about lifestyles
Decisions that we make
Roads that we abandon
And others that we take
We take - roads we take.

{Chorus}
{Chorus}


Samuel Aging

Samuel Aging Spalding was from Spokane
Right around the corner from the church
Just above his temples he was balding
Hear him pray, hear him pray

You bestow your blessing on the heads of the living
His words are like a soft bell
Listen to the dead voice and the silence that is ringing
Like an echo in a dying well

Well he dipped his pen in ink and stayed up writing
half that night and the following day
Breathing smoke and doing coke
And fighting to stay awake
To stay awake

If a thousand chandeliers have been there shining
In the country of a cold sleep
He might’ve been steered to a faith that was blinding
Instead of stumbling in his own defeat

Samuel
You said too much
Samuel
There’s always something there behind you
Samuel
Your sentence dead five times before it hit the ground
and it the ground and it sounds like...

Well he raked his eyes and read what he had laid down
His tongue was dry, his eyes were moist and red
Exhausted from the work he went and laid down
and the writing read and the writing read

“Run walk or stagger to you old life’s hanging
It doesn’t matter if it feels right
Funnel yourself through to the world your planning
Riding on your insight”

Spells and curses, bells and churches
Peeling bells the silence swells

Spells and curses, bells and churches
Peeling bells the silence swells

Spells and curses, bells and churches
Peeling bells the silence swells

Spells and curses, bells and churches
Peeling bells the silence swells

Well well well
Well well well
The silence swells


Seduction Of Poses

Something serious and something sagely
was written in the flesh
No one told them that their lives were fated
but looking back on it they could have guessed

The discrepancy of what they looked like
And who they really were
Wasn't all that great in these two people
Looking back they weren't sure

{Chorus} In the seduction of poses
Everybody plays a part
They were two separate bodies
Two people with one heart

Through the smoke and the fire of bones
They found a place to roost
And decided they would never be alone
Looking back it was the truth

{Chorus}

When the sentiment burned and glittered
She found a personality fit hers
He gladly played his part
Two people with one heart

{Chorus}

Muriel she was a mother to everyone
You can tell she was a sad day assassin
Muriel would gladly play her part
Two people with one heart


Serenade Serene

With these words I kiss you
Hold you in this syllable
Rhapsody to wrap around you
Make you invincible
Make you
Make you
Make you

In these notes I lie with you
And I, lay you in this melody
A serenade serene
To keep you while you’re dreaming
Keep your face a symphony
Keep your face a symphony
Keep your face a symphony

In these tones I bring my body home
Hold you closely next to me
Simple song to keep you while I’m gone
And sleep you in the tired evening
Sleep you
Sleep you
Sleep you


Shame

I met war today
He showed his damaged face in the light of day
When bone crushed buildings fell
And lives gave way

Shame, shame, shame, shame

Shame, shame, shame, shame

I met war today
A crouching coward danced a death parade
When countless dreams were lost
And lives betrayed

Shame, shame, shame, shame
Shame, shame, shame, shame

I met war today
He lives beside me now in an unmarked grave
Well now I've seen your face and
I know your name and it's

Shame, shame, shame, shame
Shame, shame, shame, shame

You should be ashamed
Shame, shame, shame, shame
You should be ashamed
Shame, shame, shame, shame

Well now I've seen your face and
I know your name and it's
Shame, shame, shame, shame
Shame, shame, shame, shame
I met war today


Sideways Train

The land was lying low and lean
Legends and black soot from the days of steam
Bare-knuckled boxcars
Bare bones to ride
Blank stares and old scars
And all the angels cry
All the Angels cry

{Chorus} They cried
Ashes to ashes and dust to dust
May soul encounter soul on the cross-town bus
Ashes to ashes and smoke to flame
May soul encounter soul on the sideways train

She pulled the plug when he obsessed
She set him tight when he digressed
She was a photograph
Pretty as a picture to behold
He was a stumbling mess
In years and worries he was old
In years and worries he was old

They cried
Ashes to ashes and dust to dust
May soul encounter soul on the cross-town bus
Ashes to ashes and smoke to flame
May soul encounter soul on the sideways train
Soul encounter on the sideways train
Soul encounter on the sideways train
Soul encounter

Come one, come all, come to this place.
All recent disciples and tired saints
You can cost the melt weight
Like all good counters must
Add it up or melt it down
All good engines rust,
Yeah all good engines rust

{Chorus}


Silver And Worn

The cigarette case was silver and worn
The clasp went soft, it didn't work no more
Well the lid was bent
The smoke was spent
Come back again -
I'm gone

These are the things of a painted past
Details prevail
When the paint don't last

A soft summer breeze headed in the eaves
Of an old pine house down on Ashland Street
Where the crickets speak
And wicker creaks
Come back again -
I'm gone

These are the things of a painted past
Details prevail
When the paint don't last
And the paint don't last

Mary Kate was straight about one thing:
The lines of our time can be simple and certain
Mary Kate was straight about one thing:
Grasp for the past when the future's uncertain
Come back again -
I'm gone


Sinner

I've never been a winner but I wonder if I wasn't myself Because I've always been a sinner but I never really felt like my own self  
I remember days of infamy  
I remember my friends and they remember me  
And I guess I need a vision cause I never really listen to advice 

Well I guess I need a vision cause I never really listen to advice  
My father was a preacher and my mother was a diligent wife.  
I grew up with the choir singin',   
I grew up straight but I raised up swingin'  
By my own estimation, I'm a drifter destination unknown.   

{Chorus}
And it's all I can do to stand up.   
I'm really tired, but I raise my head and I step up   

{repeat 2x}    

By my own estimation, I'm a drifter destination unknown.  
And I've never lived a life that I'm ashamed of being my own.  
Call it sin, call it salvation.  
Whichever one it is I know I've found elation.  
High steppin' honey like a runnin' gun runnin' from the law, and that’s all    

Well I am high steppin' honey like a runnin' gun runnin' from the law. 
And I've never been afraid of anyone or anything I ever saw.  
A fist came up and it cracked my smile  
Then a man went down and now he's sleepin' for a while.  
He's got a dirt bed baby only baby he ain't never gettin' up     

{Chorus}    

He's got a dirt bed baby only baby he ain't never gettin' up, no
I had a dog named Moses, Moses was a diamond in the rough.  
For 14 years he walked my side   
Walked this world that's where he lived and died.  
He was meaner than hell but he loved me well indeed

Well I've never been a winner but I wonder if I wasn't myself
Because I've always been a sinner but I never really felt like my own self  
Call it sin, call it salvation  
Whichever one it is, I know I've found elation
High steppin' honey like a runnin' gun runnin' from the law - that's all.


So Far Gone

I fell in love for the first time
Golden hair hanging down
Seems to me I learned a lesson
Won't be the same second time around

And in my songs I tell a story
I couldn't wait for it to end
And from the darkness there comes insight
I lost my lover and my best friend

Didn't know
Didn't know that I was so far gone
Did it show
Did it show that I was so far gone

Some say I am the winner
To have known a love so true and kind
I'm looking inside from the outside
And I can't tell how I feel

Didn't know
Didn't know that I was so far gone
Did it show
Did it show that I was so far gone

So I live my life without her
It ain't that bad I'm learning how
Too weak to cry, it'd fate
Too bad, you're sad, you’re still too late
And I can't tell how I feel

Didn't know
Didn't know that I was so far gone
Did it show
Did it show that I was so far gone

So turn it on and turn it off
My loves grows dimmer every day
But I am not a fucking light witch

Won't someone please show me the way
Show me the, show me the, show me the way

I live my life and I am strong
I've got myself and I got my songs
And I am happy
Most of the time

But I need somebody, and I need someone.
Show me the way
Show me the way


Sometimes

Sometimes I lay awake at night and wonder
Will I be alone again tomorrow?
Will I be alone again today?
Will I be alone again today?
Will I be alone again?

I wish I could find a way to disappear
Miles and miles and miles and miles and no one near
Gotta settle my mind, gotta settle my mind

{Chorus} I got a reason to believe
Lonely days are gonna go away
I got a reason to believe
Come a long, come a long, come a long way
And I've come a long way

Wish that I was crippled and blind
Then I wouldn't have this on my mind
Wish that I was deafened and dumb
I wouldn't have to talk to anyone
Anyone, no. I wouldn't have to talk to anyone, anyone

Confusion, confusion
All I need, all I really need is an illusion an illusion
All I know, all I really know is

{Chorus}

Sometimes I lay awake at night and wonder
Will I be alone again tomorrow?
Will I be alone again today?
Will I be alone again today?
Will I be alone again?

I'll get away.
I wish I didn't need a woman.

{Chorus}


Songs We Sing

When I am lonely I sing about the night
When I am feeling good
I sing about what's right
Sing about it

{Chorus} Songs, songs we sing of life and love
Every little thing that your thinking of

After the winter, sing about the grass
After a love affair, sing about the past
Sing about it

{Chorus}

He walked the rest,
left his cycle broken down
He came from Virginia
All the way to this little town

Hair unkempt and shoes undone
A second lost a moment's won
Hair unkempt and shoes undone
A second lost a moment's won

Some sing of visions of a life to live
Some sing about the way they feel -
And I believe that's all there is

{Chorus}

{Chorus}


So Well

Well it's time for you to follow what you seek
Nothing is forgotten
Of the secrets that you keep
So well - oh so well

Answer me a question in your name
When the body leaves forgotten
The soul of the tree remains
So well - oh so well

I saw a sad sight, a man had died and gone
I saw a sad sight, that's why I sing this song

Forget me not, forgive me now
Twenty years gone by
I may grow old, that's what I'm told
But I ain't never gonna die.
Said I may grow old that's what I'm told
But I ain't never gonna die

{Chorus} And we live in and of each other
We will remain
And we give and so discover we will remain

A measure of your worth and not your wealth
The people that you see
That's how you know yourself
So well - oh so well.

And so you have departed from this ground
With the memory of your loved ones
That's where your person's found
So well - oh so well.

I had a nightmare so I up and woke
And in my bedroom a friend of mine spoke.
Forget me not, forgive me now
Twenty years gone by,
I may grow old that’s what I’m told
But I ain’t never gonna die
Said I may grow old that’s what I’m told
But I ain’t never gonna die

{Chorus}

So touch the people that you see
And you love so well
For who are you without them
And what is it you'd be?
So well - oh so well.

Children one and all, that you love so
Your friend in the end
And your mom and your dad
And the girl that you loved to
So well - oh so well.

We came to Burlington
Body soul and mind
We came to Burlington
to find ourselves to find.

Forget me not, forgive me now
Twenty years gone by,
I may grow old that’s what I’m told
But I ain’t never gonna die
Said I may grow old that’s what I’m told
But I ain’t never gonna die

{Chorus}


Speculator

It’s a good song,
playin’ on the radio
It’s a fine fine day,
I tell you cause I think it’s so

It’s a good life
that comes upon ya now and then
And I tell ya tell ya tell ya tell ya
cause I tell ya think it’s so
‘Cause I think it’s so

I was walkin’ down the hill beside
The town in which I live this evenin’
Alcoholic lemonade
In ice filled glasses
givin’ way to the evening
heat, mm-hmm

This is what I (oooooooo)
This is what I saw

By accident I caught a woman
getting dressed
She nearly looked away
And the big round sun
was falling down
It grazed the pavement,
touched upon her gray

This is what I (oooooooo)
This is what I saw

It’s a good song,
playin’ on the radio
It’s a fine fine day
I tell you cause I think it’s so

It’s a good life
that comes upon ya
now and then
And I tell ya tell ya
tell ya tell ya
cause I tell ya think it’s so
‘Cause I think it’s so

Sipping beer on aging porches
Crooked walls,
built before my birth.
Latent heat on the quiet streets
and, people sleep and
people talk this evening
mm-hmm.
This is what I saw

It’s a good song,
playin’ on the radio
It’s a fine fine day,
I tell you cause I think it’s so
It’s a good life
that comes upon ya now and then
And I tell ya tell ya tell ya tell ya
cause I tell ya think it’s so
‘Cause I think it’s so


Stone Choir

There’s a scene painted on the ages
And I suspect that scene to serve you
The legend stands trembling on high
long forgotten ways that will preserve you

Chorus:
A thousand years were stoned for the choir that sang, A thousand years long ago

We all Assembled in the weathered halls
Flowers and ferns all in the headroom
And in the step when every mind was still
We raised the skull of a beast that fed you

Chorus

Come hooded strangers
Come veiled in rain
You’ll shed your own dimensions
You’ll shed your name
Don’t you know and

Silver strings sending silver notes
By the by and it’s almost over
Moving slow measured in their ways
Song so high they’re almost sobering

Chorus

In the dust when every voice was hushed
A swerving nerve that came to carry
Then what occurred when revelry was stirred
Sound and blood and bone were married

So long ago, so long ago
A swerving nerve that came to carry
So long ago, so long ago
Sound and blood and bone were married

So long ago, so long ago
A swerving nerve that came to carry
So long ago, so long ago
Sound and blood and bone were married

There’s a scene painted on the ages
And I suspect that scene to serve you
The legend stands trembling on high
Long forgotten ways that will preserve you

So long ago, so long ago
A swerving nerve that came to carry
So long ago, so long ago
Sound and blood and bone were married


Stout Hearted Man

If you've come to bargain
You have come to the wrong place
I have lived my life as an only child
It's my only face

Songs for sale
Rooms for rent
Time is kept and
Days are spent

It's a lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely place
It's my only, only, only, only face

Stout hearted man,
What can I do for you?
Heard you wanna buy a car
You're sick of that overview

Stout hearted man
Try to see you thru
Have to pay the phone
Kids are all alone
Alimony hurts
Gotta go to work
Wanna buy a car
Don't know who you are
Don't know who you are

It's a lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely place
It's my only, only, only, only face

If you've come to bargain
you have come to the wrong place
I have lived my life as an only child
It's my only face

Take a chance and
Build a boat
Some will sink and
Some will float

It's a lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely place
It's my only, only, only, only face

If you've come to bargain
You have come to the wrong place
I have lived my life as an only child
It's my only face

My business is my only sin
I'm waif-like tired
I'm wearin' thin
I give you everything I am
My face
My only face
I give you my face


Straight

I am all that a man can be
Muscle, bone insecurity
I reassess the reference points I use
Some of them are modest, some are huge

If you ask my lovers what I am-
They should tell you I am a complex man
I rendezvous with women who agree
To promenade my passion, and let me be

Cool water and cold distain
Keep me standing sturdy and straight
I know I could have been something more
But it strikes me as a bore this very day

I’m a man with a complex view
Deep pessimism and a love of few
I quantify the qualities I prize
Reassess your meanings
And meet your eyes

Cool water and clean cocaine
Keep me standing sturdy and straight
I know I could have been something more
But It strikes me as a bore this day
It strikes me as a little too late


Strange Ranger

Love was a woman proud and poor
She was a source of much debate
Ran through the Sistine Chapel naked
So she said at any rate

She danced the disco, sleep the morn
She lived with the tailor's son
Well she's hard to find and she's hard to figure
You'll know her when she comes

She's a strange ranger to me
She's a strange ranger indeed

Step out the way, she'll come to get ya
Come to get ya, come to get ya

Love was a woman prone to laughter
She was born with a crooked smile
Smile for the camera
Smile for the landlord
Smile for the loveless child

Leaving late she packed her wagon
Cause the world was full of need
Riding hard she came to a cabin and that's
Where she planted her seed

She's a strange ranger to me
She's a strange ranger indeed

Step out the way, she'll come to get ya
Come to get ya, come to get ya

She came to him that sleepless night
Gave to him a curse
He laid it by his sleeping lover and he
Sang to her this verse:
“Maybe this ain't no time for chatter
But baby you're all to me that matters
You might have a mind to disagree
Step out the way the future beckons
Time consists of weeks and seconds
Baby you're possessin' all of mine”

She's a strange ranger to me
She's a strange ranger indeed

Step out the way, she'll come to get ya
Come to get ya, come to get ya

Love was a woman tried and true
She traveled in the dusk
Roman nose red hair glows
Shapelessly she touched
Chance as you might, try as you may
To capture her unharmed
She came to him that sleepless night
And left a storyteller charmed

She's a strange ranger to me
She's a strange ranger indeed
Step out the way!


Sun Shot

We are all fables
We are all silhouettes in time
We are all floating
In the stars

You are a stable
In the acres of my life
Your breath is mingling
With mine

I can all but hear
The beating of your heart as it's rushing
The sound is pounding and near
(yeah, yeah, yeah) Love can be crushing

Jewel of my bloodstream
In the lazy winter day
Your eyes alight
With sun shot rays

Riot of color
Is a banquet for your name
The world's alight
With coals aflame

I can all but hear
The beating of your heart as it's rushing
The sound is pounding and near
(yeah, yeah, yeah) Love can be crushing


Sweet Libation

Sweet mission
Line and meter this word
It’s worth and stature are inferred

Churn its body
Taste its lips , Drink it in
Let it live as your own

Sweet libation lies awake
She drank the music by mistake
It's the sweetest thing I've ever known
Holy note, wholly your own , Holy

{Chorus} It's a sweet mission
Something to think about
Sweet mission
Something to listen to
Sweet mission
I think I'm headed out
Sweet mission
Something I've got to do

All accouterments and gold
All together kind of cold
Ride the carriage
Warmed with tones
Dizzy reigns that hold you as their own
Hold you.

{Chorus}


Tavern Walker

Well my glass is on the table
And myself is in the bathroom
And my worries have all left me where I stand

And I am talking to the barmaid
Who has had a long night serving
I think she thinks I'm drunker than I am

{Chorus} So it shall be, it will be written
Like the chicken scratch and writing on this wall
From dawn till dusk, from dark to daylight
There are thousand reasons we all come in the first place

And I'm drivin' down a back road
I been driving down it real slow
I think of throwing caution to the wind
And then I look down at the steep cliff
I think again and downshift
Might not be that wise in the shape I'm in

{Chorus}

Well my life has been a straight line
I've been following the tree line
Straight for the horizon like the sun

I've got a good wife Irene, she's always high on caffeine
Meets all of my needs except for one

{Chorus}


Telling Sue

I was workin’ real hard in a gravel yard
when I came across a silver coin
You know it wasn't that much
but I tried my luck because I'd had enough of being employed

{Chorus} Mama mama don't worry long for me
I'm a man and I must find my way
Mama mama can’t you tell Sue for me
If I stayed here I'd die in a working man's grave

Well I was dead flat broke and that wasn't no joke
'Cause I was swimming in a pile of debt
But I have to admit that when I up and quit
I pulled an iron shackle from my neck

{Chorus}

Well it's been some years and I've grown a beard
And I've taken to the life I lead
When I think of the past the thinkin' doesn't last
I have everything I ever need, I got everything I ever need

When I turned to leave I heard the pit boss scream
"Son you know you'll never return"
Well I didn't say a word I just flipped him the bird
and that's the last of me that he heard
The son of a bitch of the word

{Chorus}


Things That Fly

Have you ever seen a two-headed dragon?
Do you believe in things that fly?
We can pretend you are the fair lady maiden
And I the noble king riding high.

Have you ever seen a bird take to flight
Do you believe in things that fly?
I am a man born of two legs
Take my hand and watch me try
Take my hand and watch me try

Do you believe in things that die?
The sounds of wonder, mystical sights
You and I and things that fly and by and by
You and I and things that fly and by and by
You and I and things that fly and by and by


Truck Farm

With baited breath and open arms
I passed the gates of an old junkyard
It was a truck farm with crops of trucks
I laid down cash and I picked one up
Laid down cash and I tried my luck

This ain't no joke the motor runs but the gears are broke
This ain't no lie the wheels won't turn damn thing won't drive
This ain't no good at all

So I kicked the tires and I popped the hood
The truth poured out like I thought it would
I had been swindled but the deal was made
Never gonna see the bread I paid
Won’t never see the bread I paid

This ain't no joke the motor runs but the gears are broke
This ain't no lie the wheels won't turn damn thing won't drive
This ain't no good at all

The seller was a cheater and this overheating beater doesn't work
No no
I really want to leave her but this overheating beater doesn't work
No no


Two Boys

Two Boys
Running around the woods
Running around the woods
Making lots of noise
Running around the woods
Running around the wood

I light a fire, and sit for a while
Simple things, make a young boy smile

{Chorus} Run, if you feel it
Catch me, if you can
I am, I am your brother
And this is our wonderland

We built, one thousand tree forts
And slept out, under one million stars
I know, no matter where I go
You, you won't be far

{Chorus}

No one can stay young forever
You and I have grown together
Memories of BB guns and snowball fights
You and me running round in the dead of night

{Chorus}


Unvarnished

My days are all fragile,
My nights are all pale
In between the cracks of minutes
are the places that I dwell

I move through shallow water
and ration all my sins
A pain so deep and so complete
I can feel it on my skin

{Chorus} Well my far has found its name again
In the cold unvarnished dawn
All the things I thought I had
are spent and long since gone
Just like fate before the fall it seizes my bar chest
and steals my shallow breath

My mind is wild and windswept
and ragged for relief
I’m trying to pitch my future
and shelter my dying beliefs

{Chorus}

I move through shallow water
and visit where I’ve been
I close my eyes to darkness
and pray for oblivion


Utterly Addled

I've come unhinged
I think I'm coming apart

My mind is udderly addled, my mind is udderly addled
Comin' apart
And there's an old man bent pie man singin’
And there's an old man jug band playin’

One bad apple Meet you at the chapel
One bad apple I'm done, I'm done, I'm done, I'm done, I'm done I'm runnin’ my mouth
I'm spinning my gears

I've been trying lately
Still she seems to hate me
Comin apart Comin’ all apart

Gotta get it while it's good
Gotta get it while the getting’ is good
Gotta get it while it's good, Gotta get it while it's good, Gotta get it while it's good, Gotta get it while it's good, Gotta get it while it's good

I've got a gun, I've got a girl
My tongue is trying to cheat me
Help my self defeat me
Comin’ apart

And there's an old man bent pie man singin’
And there's an old man jug band playin’

One bad apple Meet you at the chapel
One bad apple I'm done, I'm done, I'm done, I'm done, I'm done I'm runnin’ my mouth

There is a man he's got a camera
The pictures he is making
Remind me of him faintly
Comin apart Comin’ all apart

Gotta get it while it's good
Gotta get it while the getting’ is good
Gotta get it while it's good
I've come unhinged, I think I'm comin’ apart.


Valhalla

Someone's in the bathtub
Passing time and in the bathtub 
Drinking local beer and blowing smoke up to the rafters 
Try to twist the knobs there with your feet there in the bathtub 
Soapy water hot, there's a house  

{Chorus}

There is a hill
Not too far from here 
There upon a hill
Everyone's singing, everyone 

On a wooded hilltop
There where the pavement stops 
There is a house
Seven children strong 

And when they were young'uns
Their mama gave them lovin’
Their mama gave them, their mama gave them 
What they need, look at how they've grown  

{Chorus}

Susan was vivacious
Bill was never home
Sally loved her mother 
and the condo that she owned 
in Valhalla she was kinda shall'a

Chester was a genius
Thomas lived alone
Both of them were sleeping
And Tim was getting stoned on the veranda
What about Miranda?  

{Chorus}

Susan was strong
William was wrong
Sally was thin
She kept it within
Chester was bright
Thomas polite
Timmy was high
High as a kite

{Chorus}  

Do you believe
Fairy tales come true?  
There upon a hill
Everyone's singing, everyone.


Vaulted Sky

In a small leafy town
Slight North of slightly west, Yeah
Sat a babe with soft brown eyes
And the man that they love best, Yeah, Well

{Chorus} The world was rushing like a shot from a gun
The vaulted sky shining blue for the Sun, Love Anyone

There was promise along the lake
The air was cold and clear, Yeah
They were better, just for having been
They were coupled by the years, Yeah, Well

{Chorus}

Love Any, Love Anyone
Do, Do, Do's

Love Anyone, Love Anyone
Love Anyone, Yeah, Yeah, Love Anyone

In the wash of memories
Was day that they concede
The evening rose to meet the stars
And the boy that came to be, Well

{Chorus}

They were glad for me, Love Any
They made plans for him
Love Anyone


Walnut

I'm feeling optimistic
I cracked a walnut with my thumb
I'm feeling not quite realistic
I laced my coffee with some gin.

I can't find my reason
and I can't find my keys

On the week that I was born,
Gathered myself up with my things
On the week that I was dyin’
Evita sings softly, sings softly she sings, and she sings

I can't find my reason
and I can't find my keys

After all these years alive,
I have held you in my eyes
And I've had a hundred meals,
and I know just how it feels
To be born and so you are,
and you're standing by the bar
And you've spent all you can get
so you smoke your cigarette
And the smoke gets in your eyes
So you focus on the flies
That are buzzing in your ear
And your waitress isn't near

I can't find my reason
and I can't find my keys

Splash my face with some water
Splash my belly with some too
Fed my bed the captain's daughter
Fed my belly some food too.

I can't find my reason
and I can't find my keys

After all these years alive,
I have held you in my eyes
And I’m not about to be like the woman that I see
Cause she wears those awful clothes
And all the money that she owes
She's there accruing debt,
Wait I haven't finished yet.

I am not about to be
Like the man you try to be
Cause I haven't combed my hair
And I would not know what to wear
So please, so please, so please, so please, please command me


Weehawken Ferry

Floating on the water of the rivers port
The nights were long but lord
You know the light was short
Angry candles with tongues of flame
All the women there burning just the same

{Chorus} you know you should be runnin’ out of here
Swear by god you should be leavin’
Home is far away but oh the devil’s near
Swear by god you should be leavin’

Reverend Alexander was a righteous man
He wore rings and fingers on both his hands
He took deep drafts and followed dark paths
All the women there did just what he asked

Just beyond the blisters of the broken dock
The reverend’s congregation lost command of the clock
Hours assumed the likes of dreams
Wicked Isabel passed them as she screamed

{Chorus}


Westerly

I went runnin’ I wound up sittin’ down
Tryin’ to pick the lock on a golden gated town
There was music comin’ up off the streets
And the kids really seemed to enjoy the beat

{Chorus} Tell me tell me can you be objective?
You are too involved or uninvolved or wrong
I've seen myself as seldom seen in sunlight
And I wonder if I'm lyin’ to us all, all, all

You better be good
Or you better be damned good at it
Thirty years to this song
Your body's been had it

And I gotta be certain
Lord I certainly can't be sure
Inspiration will be beggin’ at you door

{Chorus}

I was singin’
When another man came along
Said I could tear down a mountainside
In a song

He came from nowhere
I think he said he'd been to prison
Behind the lines of his broken face
I saw a vision

Settle down, Westerly
Settle down, Westerly

It came to pass
Eyes that lost their vision
Learned to see
With sturdy intuition

You come around and I told you
come around and I showed you
Settle down.


What Say You

Some have merely lost their way
Some have nothing left to lose
Counting sheep and losing sleep
And gaining only glimpses of the problem
She lies there in her bed at night
And resigns herself to solve them

What say you? What are you waiting for?
What say you? Alone on your own.

Oh riding on the wake of sleep
She rocks herself and learns to sleep
Honey it ain't all right but it ain't all wrong

Play your fiddle and lend your voice
Listen to yourself you have no choice
Honey it ain't all right but it ain't all wrong

Play your fiddle and lend your voice
Listen to yourself you have no choice
Honey it ain't all right but it ain't all wrong

Whoah play your fiddle and lend your voice
Listen to yourself you have no choice
Honey it ain't all right but it ain't all wrong.

Oh riding on the wake of sleep
She rocks herself and learns to sleep
Honey it ain't alright but it ain't all wrong

Play your fiddle and lend your voice
Listen to yourself you have no choice
Honey it ain't all right but it ain't all wrong


Whistle Clock

You may serve them roses
You may serve their delight
But when the working day closes
I sing you sweetly goodnight

Laughing bright eyed in the grass
I smelled your scent as your body passed
Dreading Monday at Sunday noon
You'll be returning here none too soon

The touch of a supple woman
The love of a dog
Soaking in simple pleasures
Like a crack in the fog

I saw pressure come pouring out
I cut you open and let it out
Then comes the piston stroke again
Compressing muscle like oxygen

The purr of a perfect lover
The curve of a song
Soaking in simple pleasure
Like a crack in the fog

You may serve them roses
You may serve their delight
But when the working day closes
I sing you sweetly goodnight

You duck your head when the Banshee screams
And pray for days shorter than they seem
Then comes the whistle clock again
You wanna leave but your legs can't bend

The touch of a supple woman
The love of a dog
Soaking in simple pleasures
Like a crack in the fog

You may serve them roses
You may serve their delight
But when the working day closes
I sing you sweetly goodnight
Still serving roses
Serving roses and red


Woman Child

Woman child have you fallen from the chair?
Have you lost yourself
Are you lookin’ under there
Look away, eyes that couldn't tell, Yeah

Woman child you've got your sweater on
By the way that you walk
I can tell that something's wrong
Look away with eyes that couldn't tell, Yeah

Why can't you believe, woman child?
I can't make you see

The shade of a tree we sat and kissed for a while
And I was thinkin’ to myself
There's something sad about your smile
Look away, eyes that couldn't tell

Lyin’ there in the middle of the floor
There was anguish on your face
And I'd seen it there before
Look away, eyes that couldn't tell, Yeah

Why can't you believe, woman child?
I can't make you see

Look away, Yeah

Woman child have you fallen out of grace
There are secrets on your eyes
Silence on your face
Look away eyes that couldn’t tell

Woman child you've got your necklace on
By the way that you walk
I can tell that something's wrong
Look away eyes that couldn't tell

Why can't you believe, woman child?
I can't make you see


You Lay The Dust

When I'm cracked and I'm dried out
and I haven't slept in days
When I'm looking through granite eyes
with an empty kind of gaze

You lay the dust amen
You lay the dust amen

Your bones are like branches of the willow tree of love
Your voice is like liquor and
it's coursing through my blood and

You lay the dust amen
You lay the dust amen

I'm gonna raise you up
with both of my hands

I would lay down my life to make sure you're alright
I would lay down my life to make sure you're alright

I'm washed in your breath and lost in your shape
I watch you when you're getting dressed
and I'm saved in the moments you made because

You lay the dust amen
You lay the dust amen

I'm gonna raise you up with both of my hands
I would lay down my life to make sure you're alright
I'm gonna raise you up with all of my might
I would lay down my life to make sure you're alright
I would lay down my life to make sure you're alright


Zero To The Skin

So it often happens with the captain of your gaze
Guilty for your heart
When he speaks the music a piece of you is saved
and a piece of you departs

{Chorus}

When your tilting on your axis and the room has come unglued
Let the music carry you- you're standin in your skin

She led him to an open room
and fed him bread
and told him she would be back soon
then she shed her skin
and a history begins.

{Chorus}

In searching for the absence of the things that made her ache
One thing stood to rise.
It started with a tremor then her bones began to shake
and every muscle cried.

{Chorus}