| Disc 1 | ||||||
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| 1. |
| 1:39 | 
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| 2. |
| 3:01 | 
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A young cowboy named Billy Joe grew restless on the farm
A boy filled with wanderlust who really meant no harm He changed his clothes and shined his boots and combed his dark hair down And his mother cried as he walked out Don't take your guns to town son Leave your guns at home Bill Don't take your guns to town He laughed and kissed his mom and said, "your Billy Joe's a man" I can shoot as quick and straight as anybody can But I wouldn't shoot without a cause; I'd gun nobody down" But she cried again as he rode away Don't take your guns to town son Leave your guns at home Bill Don't take your guns to town He sang a song as on he rode his guns hung at his hips He rode into a cattle town, a smile upon his lips He stopped and walked into a bar and laid his money down But his mother's words echoed again Don't take your guns to town son Leave your guns at home Bill Don't take your guns to town He drank his first strong liquor then to calm his shaking hand And tried to tell himself he had become a man A dusty cowpoke at his side began to laugh him down And he heard again his mothers words Don't take your guns to town son Leave your guns at home Bill Don't take your guns to town Filled with rage then Billy Joe reached for his gun to draw But the stranger drew his gun and fired before he even saw As Billy Joe fell to the floor, the crowd all gathered 'round And wondered at his final words Don't take your guns to town son Leave your guns at home Bill Don't take your guns to town |
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| 3. |
| 3:57 |
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To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day
Hardly spoke to folks around him didn't have too much to say No one dared to ask his business no one dared to make a slip for the stranger there amongst them had a big iron on his hip Big iron on his hip It was early in the morning when he rode into the town He came riding from the south side slowly lookin' all around He's an outlaw loose and running came the whisper from each lip And he's here to do some business with the big iron on his hip big iron on his hip In this town there lived an outlaw by the name of Texas Red Many men had tried to take him and that many men were dead He was vicious and a killer though a youth of twenty four And the notches on his pistol numbered one an nineteen more One and nineteen more Now the stranger started talking made it plain to folks around Was an Arizona ranger wouldn't be too long in town He came here to take an outlaw back alive or maybe dead And he said it didn't matter he was after Texas Red After Texas Red Wasn't long before the story was relayed to Texas Red But the outlaw didn't worry men that tried before were dead Twenty men had tried to take twenty men had made a slip Twenty one would be the ranger with the big iron on his hip Big iron on his hip The morning passed so quickly it was time for them to meet It was twenty past eleven when they walked out in the street Folks were watching from their windows every-body held their breath They knew this handsome ranger was about to meet his death About to meet his death There was forty feet between them when they stopped to make their play And the swiftness of the ranger is still talked about to-day Texas Red had not cleared leather when a bullet fairly ripped And the rangers aim was deadly with the big iron on his hip Big iron on his hip It was over in a moment and the folks had gathered round There before them lay the body of the outlaw on the ground Oh he might have gone on living but he made one fatal slip When he tried to match the ranger with the big iron on his hip Big iron on his hip Big iron Big iron When he tried to match the ranger with the big iron on his hip |
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| 4. |
| 1:50 |
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| 5. |
| 4:19 |
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Out in the West Texas town of El Paso
I fell in love with a Mexican girl Nighttime would find me in Rosa's cantina Music would play and Felina would whirl Blacker than night were the eyes of Felina Wicked and evil while casting a spell My love was deep for this Mexican maiden I was in love, but in vain I could tell One night a wild young cowboy came in Wild as the West Texas wind Dashing and daring, a drink he was sharing With wicked Felina, the girl that I loved So in anger I challenged his right for the love of this maiden Down went his hand for the gun that he wore My challenge was answered in less than a heartbeat The handsome young stranger lay dead on the floor Just for a moment I stood there In silence Shocked by the foul evil deed I had done Many thoughts raced through my mind as I stood there I had but one chance and that was to run Out through the back door of Rosa's I ran Out where the horses were tied I caught a good one, it looked like it could run Up on its back and away I did ride Just as fast as I could from the West Texas town of El Paso Out to the badlands of New Mexico Back in El Paso my life would be worthless Everything's gone, in life nothing is left It's been so long since I've seen the young maiden My love is stronger than my fear of death I saddled up and away I did go Riding alone in the dark Maybe tomorrow a bullet may find me Tonight nothing's worse than this pain in my heart And at last here I am on the hill overlooking El Paso I can see Rosa's Cantina below My love is strong and it pushes me onward Down off the hill to Felina I go Off to my right I see five mounted cowboys Off to my left ride a dozen or more Shouting and shooting, I can't let them catch me I have to make it to Rosa's back door Something is dreadfully wrong, for I feel A deep burning pain in my side Though I am trying to stay in the saddle I'm getting weary, unable to ride But my love for Felina is strong and I rise where I've fallen Though I am weary, I can't stop to rest I see the white puff of smoke from the rifle I feel the bullet go deep in my chest From out of nowhere Felina has found me Kissing my cheek as she kneels by my side Cradled by two loving arms that I'll die for One little kiss, then Felina good-bye |
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| 6. |
| 2:49 |
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On the Chisholm trail, it was midnight
Carmela was strong on his mind Because of the life he had chosen Carmela had left then behind Too long he'd been a bandito Carmela had left him alone But today someone brought a message She'd be seen in old San Antone Cross the Brazos at Waco Ride hard and I'll make it by dawn Cross the Brazos at Waco I'm safe when I reach San Antone He glanced back over his shoulder The posee was nowhere in sight He'd sent for Carmela to meet him On the banks of the Brazos tonight She was waiting and he kept the promise He'd made such a long time ago As he dropped the guns that she hated In the mighty Brazos willow Cross the Brazos at Waco Ride hard and I'll make it by dawn Cross the Brazos at Waco I'll walk straight in old San Antone Then the night came alight with gun fire He knew that at last he'd been found As the ranger's band shoot brightly El bandito laid on the ground Carmela knew he was dying That all of her dreams were in vain As she kissed his lips for the last time She heard him whisper again Cross the Brazos at Waco Ride hard and I'll make it by dawn Cross the Brazos at Waco I'm safe when I reach San Antone I'm safe when I reach San Antone |
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| 7. |
| 3:02 |
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Ten years ago on a cold dark night
There was someone killed 'neath the town hall light There were few at the scene, but they all agree That the slayer who ran looked a lot like me. The judge said son what is your alibi If you were somewhere else then you won't have to die I spoke not a word though it meant my life For I had been in the arms of my best friend's wife. She walks these hills in a long black veil She visits my grave when the night winds wail Nobody knows, nobody sees Nobody knows but me. The scaffold's high and eternity near She stood in the crowd and shed not a tear But sometimes at night when the cold wind blows In a long black veil she cries o'er my bones. She walks these hills in a long black veil She visits my grave when the night winds wail Nobody knows, nobody sees Nobody knows but me. Nobody knows but me. Nobody knows but me... |
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| 8. |
| 2:29 |
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I've got a sad sad story friend that I don't like to tell
I had a home and fam'ly when they locked me in this cell I've been in here eighteen years a long long time I know But time don't mean a thing to me cause I've got life to go Well I went one night where the lights were bright just to see what I could see I met up with the old friend who just thought the world of me Well he brought me drinks and he took me to every honky tonk in town Then words were said and now he's dead I just had to bring him down Well it's been a long long time now since I've heard from my wife I know I'd be there with her yet if I hadn't used the knife Well I'll bet that little girl of mine don't realize or know Her daddy's been here eighteen years and still got life to go Well I'll bet there's not one man outside that's spent this long in jail I'll be here in this prison till my body's just a shell No I can't be free to go and see the ones that I love so I've been in here eighteen years I've still got life to go Yes I've still got life to go oh I've still got life to go |
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| 9. |
| 3:00 |
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(Big John, Big John)
Every mornin' at the mine you could see him arrive He stood six foot six and weighed two forty five Kinda broad at the shoulder and narrow at the hip And everybody knew ya didn't give no lip to Big John. (Big John, Big John) Big Bad John (Big John) Nobody seemed to know where John called home He just drifted into town and stayed all alone He didn't say much, kinda quiet and shy And if you spoke at all, you just said "Hi" to Big John. Somebody said he came from New Orleans Where he got in a fight over a Cajun Queen And a crashin' blow from a huge right hand Sent a Loosiana fellow to the Promised Land-Big John (Big John, Big John) Big Bad John (Big John) Then came the day at the bottom of the mine When a timber cracked and men started cryin' Miners were prayin' and hearts beat fast And everybody thought that they'd breathed their last-'cept John Through the dust and the smoke of this man-made hell Walked a giant of a man that the miners knew well Grabbed a saggin' timber, gave out with a groan And like a giant oak tree he just stood there alone-Big John (Big John, Big John) Big Bad John (Big John) And with all of his strength he gave a mighty shove Then a miner yelled out "There's a light up above!" And twenty men scrambled from a would-be grave Now there's only one left down there to save-Big John With jacks and timbers they started back down Then came that rumble way down in the ground And then smoke and gas belched out of that mine Everybody knew it was the end of the line for Big John (Big John, Big John) Big Bad John (Big John) Now they never reopened that worthless pit They just placed a marble stand in front of it These few words are written on that stand At the bottem of this mine lies one hell of a man big john (Big John, Big John) Big Bad John (Big John) (Big John, Big John) Big Bad John (Big John) |
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| 10. |
| 2:58 |
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In a little cabaret in a South Texas border town,
Sat a boy and his guitar, and the people came from all around. And all the girls from there to Austin, Were slippin' away from home and puttin' jewelery in hock. To take the trip, to go and listen, To the little dark-haired boy who played the Tennessee flat top box. And he would play: (Instrumental.) Well, he couldn't ride or wrangle, and he never cared to make a dime. But give him his guitar, and he'd be happy all the time. And all the girls from nine to ninety, Were snapping fingers, tapping toes, and begging him: "Don't stop." And hypnotized and fascinated, By the little dark-haired boy who played the Tennessee flat top box. And he would play: (Instrumental.) Then one day he was gone, and no one ever saw him 'round, He'd vanished like the breeze, they forgot him in the little town. But all the girls still dreamed about him. And hung around the cabaret until the doors were locked. And then one day on the Hit Parade, Was a little dark-haired boy who played the Tennessee flat top box. And he would play: (Instrumental.) |
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| 11. |
| 2:58 |
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They say don't go on Wolverton Mountain if you're looking for a wife
Cause Clifton Clovers has a pretty young daughter He's mighty handy with a gun and a knife Her tender lips are sweeter than honey and Wolverton Mountain protects her there The bears and the birds tell Clifton Clovers if a stranger should enter there All of my dreams are on Wolverton Mountain I want his daughter for my wife I'll take my chances and climb that mountain Though Clifton Clovers he might take my life Her tender lips are sweeter than honey... I'm going up on Wolverton Mountain it's too lonesome down here below It's just not right to hide his daughter from the one who loves her so Her tender lips are sweeter than honey... And I don't care about Clifron Clovers I'm gonna climb up on his mountain I'm gonna take the girl I love I don't care about Clifron Clovers I'm gonna climb up on that mountain and I'll get the one I love |
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| 12. |
| 3:01 |
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I was born in Saginaw, Michigan
I grew up in a house on Saginaw Bay My dad was a poor, hard-working Saginaw fisherman Too many times he came home with too little pay I loved a girl in Saginaw, Michigan The daughter of a wealthy, wealthy man But he called me that son of a Saginaw fisherman And not good enough to claim his daughter's hand Now I'm up here in Alaska looking around for gold Like a crazy fool I'm digging in this frozen ground so cold But with each new day I pray I'll strike it rich and then I'll go back home and claim my love in Saginaw, Michigan I wrote my love in Saginaw, Michigan I said honey I'm coming home please wait for me And you can tell your dad I'm coming back a richer man I hit the biggest strike in Klondike history Her dad met me in Saginaw, Michigan He gave me a great big party with champagne Then he said son you wise young ambitious man Will you sell your father-in-law your Klondike claim Now he's up there in Alaska digging in the cold, cold ground The greedy fool is looking for the gold I never found It serves him right and no one here is missing him Least of all the newlyweds of Saginaw, Michigan We're the happiest man and wife in Saginaw, Michigan He's ashamed to show his face in Saginaw, Michigan |
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| 13. |
| 2:47 |
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(chorus)
Way up north to Alaska, way up north to Alaska North to Alaska, go north, the rush is on. North to Alaska, go north, the rush is on. Big Sam left Seattle in the year of '92. With George Pratt his partner, and brother Billy too. They crossed the Yukon River, and found a bonanza gold. Below that old white mountain, just a little southeast of Nome. Sam crossed the majestic mountains to the valleys far below. He talked to his team of huskies as they mushed on through the snow. With the Northern Lights a runnin' wild in the Land of the Midnight Sun. Yes Sam McCord was a mighty man in the year of nineteen-one. Where the river is winding, big nuggets they're finding, North to Alaska, go north, the rush is on. (chorus) George turned to Sam with his gold in his hand. Said 'Sam you're a lookin' at a lonely, lonely man. I'd trade all the gold that's buried in this land For one small band of golden place on sweet little Jenny's hand. 'Cause a man needs a woman to love him all the time. Remember Sam a true love is so hard to find. I'd build for my Jenny a honeymoon home. Below that old white mountain just a little southeast of Nome.' Where the river is windin', big nuggets they're findin' North to Alaska, we've gone north, the rush is on. North to Alaska, we've gone north, the rush is on. (chorus) |
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| 14. |
| 1:56 |
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| 15. |
| 2:29 |
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In 1814 we took a little trip
Along with Colonel Jackson down the mighty Mississip We took a little bacon and we took a little beans And we caught the bloody British in the town of New Orleans We fired our guns and the British kept a-comin' There wasn't nigh as many as there was a while ago We fired once more and they began to runnin' Down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico We looked down the river and we've seen the British come And there must have been a hunnerd of 'em beatin on the drum They stepped so high and they made their bugles ring We stood behind our cotton bales 'n' didn't say a thing We fired our guns and the British kept on comin' There wasn't nigh as many as there was a while ago We fired once more and they began to runnin' On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico Ol' Hickory said we could take 'em by surprise If we didn't fire our muskets till we looked 'em in the eye We held our fire 'till we seed their faces well Then we opened up the squirrel guns and really gave em Well we Fired our guns and the British kept on comin' There wasn't nigh as many as there was a while ago We fired once more and they began to runnin' On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico Well they ran through the briars and they ran through the brambles And they ran through the bushes where a rabbit couldn't go They ran so fast that the hounds couldn't catch 'em On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico We fired our cannon till the barrel melted down So we grabbed an alligator and we fought another round We filled his head with cannonballs and powered his behind And when we touched the powder off the gator lost his mind We fired our guns and the British kept on comin' There wasn't nigh as many as there was a while ago We fired once more and they began to runnin' On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico Yeah they ran through the briars and they ran through the brambles And they ran through the bushes where a rabbit couldn't go They ran so fast that the hounds couldn't catch 'em On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico 3, 4 Sound off, 3, 4 |
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| 16. |
| 2:20 |
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| 17. |
| 2:27 |
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[Chorus]
{Waterloo, Waterloo Where will you meet your Waterloo? Every puppy has its day Everybody has to pay Everybody has to meet his Waterloo} Now, old Adam was the first in history With an apple he was tempted and deceived Just for spite the devil made him take a bite And that's where old Adam met his Waterloo [Chorus] Little General Napoleon of France Tried to conquer the world, but lost his pants Met defeat known as Bonaparte's retreat And that's when Napoleon met his Waterloo [Chorus] Now, a feller whose darling proved untrue Took her life, but he lost his too Now he swings where the little birdie sings And that's where Tom Dooley met his Waterloo [Chorus] |
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| 18. |
| 2:02 |
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| 19. |
| 2:26 |
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| 20. |
| 2:19 |
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I keep hearin' you're concerned about my happiness
But all that thought you're givin' me is conscience I guess If I was walkin' in your shoes, I wouldn't worry none While you 'n' your friends are worried about me I'm havin' lots of fun Countin' flowers on the wall That don't bother me at all Playin' solitaire till dawn with a deck of fifty-one Smokin' cigarettes and watchin' Captain Kangaroo Now don't tell me I've nothin' to do Last night I dressed in tails, pretended I was on the town As long as I can dream it's hard to slow this swinger down So please don't give a thought to me, I'm really doin' fine You can always find me here, I'm havin' quite a time It's good to see you, I must go, I know I look a fright Anyway my eyes are not accustomed to this light And my shoes are not accustomed to this hard concrete So I must go back to my room and make my day complete Don't tell me I've nothin' to do |
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| 21. |
| 1:59 |
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| 22. |
| 3:44 |
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Well, my daddy left home when I was three
And he didn't leave much to Ma and me Just this ole guitar and an empty bottle of booze Now, I don't blame him 'cause he run and hid But the meanest thing that he ever did Was before he left he went and named me Sue. Well, he musta thought that it was quite a joke, An' it got a lot of laughs from lots a folks Seems I had to fight my whole life through Some gal would giggle and I'd get red And some guy'd laugh and I'd bust his head I'll tell ya, life ain't easy for a boy named Sue Well, I grew up quick and I grew up mean My fist got hard and my wits got keen I roamed from town to town to hide my shame But I made me a vow to the Moon and stars I'd search the honky-tonks and bars And kill that man that gave me that awful name Well, it was Gatlinburg in mid-July And I'd just hit town and my throat was dry I thought I'd stop and have myself a brew In an old saloon on a street of mud There at a table dealin' stud Sat the dirty, mangy dog that named me Sue Well I knew that snake was my own sweet dad From a worn out picture that my mother had And I knew that scar on his cheek and his evil eye He was big and bent and grey and old And I looked at him and my blood ran cold, and I said "My name is Sue! How do you do? Now you gonna die!" Yeah! That's what I told him Well, I hit him hard right between the eyes And he went down but to my surprise Came up with a knife an' cut off a piece o' my ear I busted a chair right across his teeth And we crashed through the wall and into the street Kickin' and a gougin' in the mud and the blood and the beer I tell ya, I've fought tougher men But I really can't remember when He kicked like a mule and he bit like a crocodile Well, I heard him laugh and then I heard him cuss He went for his gun but I pulled mine first He stood there lookin' at me and I saw him smile And he said, "Son, this world is rough And if a man's gonna make it he's gotta be tough And I know I wouldn't be there to help you along So I gave you that name and I said good-bye I knew you'd have to get tough or die And it's that name that helped to make you strong" Yeah! He said, "Now you just fought one hell of a fight And I know you hate me and ya got the right To kill me now and I wouldn't blame you if you do But you oughta thank me before I die For the gravel in your gut and the spit in the eye 'Cause I'm the son-of-a-bitch that named you Sue" Yeah, what could I do? What could I do? I got all choked up and threw down my gun Called him my Pa and he called me his son And I came away with a different point of view And I think about him now and then Every time I try and every time I win And if I ever have a son, I think I'm gonna name him Bill or George, anything but Sue! I still hate that name! |
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| 23. |
| 3:35 |
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The Devil went down to Georgia. He was lookin' for a soul to steal.
He was in a bind 'cause he was way behind. He was willing to make a deal When he came across this young man sawin' on a fiddle and playin' it hot. And the Devil jumped upon a hickory stump and said "Boy, let me tell you what." "I bet you didn't know it, but I'm a fiddle player, too. And if you'd care to take a dare I'll make a bet with you. Now you play a pretty good fiddle, boy, but give the Devil his due. I'll bet a fiddle of gold against your soul 'cause I think I'm better than you." The boy said, "My name's Johnny, and it might be a sin, But I'll take your bet; and you're gonna regret 'cause I'm the best there's ever been." Johnny, rosin up your bow and play your fiddle hard. 'Cause Hell's broke loose in Georgia and the Devil deals the cards. And if you win you get this shiny fiddle made of gold, But if you lose the devil gets your soul. The Devil opened up his case and he said, "I'll start this show." And fire flew from his fingertips as he rosined up his bow. And he pulled the bow across the strings and it made an evil hiss. And a band of demons joined in and it sounded something like this. When the Devil finished, Johnny said, "Well, you're pretty good ol' son, But sit down in that chair right there and let me show you how it's done." "Fire on the Mountain." Run, boys, run! The Devil's in the house of the rising sun; Chicken's in the bread pan picking out dough. Granny, does your dog bite? No, child, no. The Devil bowed his head because he knew that he'd been beat. And he laid that golden fiddle on the ground at Johnny's feet. Johnny said, "Devil, just come on back if you ever wanna try again, 'Cause I've told you once--you son of a bitch--I'm the best there's ever been." And he played: "Fire on the Mountain." Run, boys, run! The Devil's in the house of the rising sun; Chicken's in the bread pan picking out dough. Granny, does your dog bite? No, child, no. |
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| 24. |
| 4:46 |
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| 25. |
| 3:00 |
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