Gordon Lightfoot

If you see me smile don't think I'm acting strange
I got my just reward for all my pains
I you see me on the TV talking proud
Please understand if I don't talk too loud
Step around and dance a bit
Polish up the dice
Set 'em loose and let 'em roll
This is my advice
Keep your mind a mystery
Runnin' hot 'n' cold
She's more than money
She's 14 Karat Gold

If you wonder why I'm acting up this way
Gonna cash my chips I'm leavin' town today
I got more love than I could ever spend
So long, farewell, good-bye, this is the end

Step around and dance a bit
Polish up the dice
Set 'em loose and let 'em roll
Be as cool as ice
Keep your mind a mystery
Runnin' hot 'n' cold
She's more than money
She's 14 Karat Gold

If you get hit by the bug that bit on me
If you get caught with something soft and sweet
If you get found with something you can't waste
Then listen bud, let me give you a taste

Step around and dance a bit
Polish up the dice
Set 'em loose and let 'em roll
This is my advice
Keep your mind a mystery
Runnin' hot 'n' cold
She's more than money
She's 14 Karat Gold

Step around and dance a bit
Polish up the dice
Set 'em loose and let 'em roll
Be as cool as ice
Keep your mind a mystery
Runnin' hot 'n' cold
She's more than money
She's 14 Karat Gold

All I'm after is to be on your winning side
All I need is to be turning back the tide
'Cause I care too much for the life that I lead
What you're thinking could be anybody's guess
All I'm after is the sun and the summer nights
By the seashore, don't want no more neon lights
Just the sand and the sky as the hours roll by
Ain't it funny, how the world seems to be back there in my dreams
All I see is my reflection in your wild and winsome ways
Ain't it funny, life feels different every day

All I'm after is to be the flame in your tattoo
Be the one girl who can thrill me through and through
This is just a guess but I must confess
It feels better being certain
Please excuse my truthfulness
What I'm seeing's worth believing
When you thrill me like you do
So you wonder why my feelings never fade
I think I got it made

In the evening when the rain begins to fall
That's when I wonder if you think of me at all
But you sound so sad, in your special way
Ain't it funny, life feels different with each new passing day
All I need is my reflection in your wild and windswept ways
Ain't it funny how life changes every day

Now it looks to me like the same old place,
in the sky it looks like rain.
The same old town with the same old streets,
my address has not changed.
You can find me there with the door shut tight,
and the one wish that remains.

Baby step back, baby step back,
either step up or step back.

Now you know I don't write no bad checks,
I have no wish to repent.
I've seen a few but whatever I do,
I don't cause no accidents.
Whiskey and wine help me pass the time,
I don't leave no evidence.

Baby step back, baby step back,
either step up or step back.
Baby step back, baby step back,
either step up or step back.

(inst.)

Still I don't kneel down I was born to fight,
so you best leave me alone.
Maybe I'll get much more than I need,
or much less than I should own,
last of all let me say it again,
either step up or step on.

Baby step back, baby step back,
either step up or step back.
Baby walk back, baby walk back,
either walk on or walk back.

(inst.)

Baby step back, baby step back,
either step up or step back.
Baby walk back, baby walk back,
either walk on or walk back.
Baby step back, baby step back,
either step up or step back.

(fade)

There's a south wind risin' and the moon shines on my window sill
I've got a feeling I might walk on over the hill
I'm bent but not broken, all I need is some rest
And a bottle of your very best
Blackberry wine
There's a new moon risin' and the wind sings its old song
Pass it on over it's a sin to be sober too long
I'm bent but not broken, all I need is my share
Of a bottle of that very rare
Blackberry wine

My old gal's got a new dress on five and dime
Try as she will she can't get me to come home on time
But I'd never cheat her or mistreat her you know
As over the mountain I go
Blackberry wine

I'll be soft spoken
All I need is my rest
And a bottle of your very best
Blackberry wine

Now my days are numbered and one more heel's been killed
Blackberry John left me his old recipe in his will
I'm bent but not broken, all I need is some time
And a bottle of your very fine
Blackberry wine

Blackberry wine,
You know that I'm quite dry without you
Blackberry wine

In this land of chance do we know right from wrong
Even at a glance we know the road is long
We don't owe a single thing to anyone
Most of us do not believe in come what may
Everything we fought for was in vain they say
Even when called upon to throw our lives away

We have been captured by the thieves of the night
Held for ransom if you please
Heaven help the devil may he have a few unpleasnt memories

In these times of trial and uncertainty
I have thought what does this freedom mean to me
Is it just some long forgotten fantasy

Our love for each other may not be explained
We live in a world where tears must fall like rain
Most of us don't wish to cause each other pain

We have been captured by the thieves of the night
Held for ransom if you please
Heaven help the devil may he have a few unpleasnt memories

To every unsung hero in the universe
To those who roam the skies and those who roam the earth
To all good men of reason may they never thirst

We have wings to guide us through the timeless sea
And faith that will remain through all eternity
We try to be helpful to the ones in need

We have been captured by the thieves of the night
Held for ransom if you please
Heaven help the devil may he have a few unpleasnt memories

Down in the warm dark part of my heart you stay
I've been on my own for so long as I stand here today
I'd never leave you
I'll do anything that you say
I've been around some walking on the down street
Feeling as low as the soles on the shoes of my feet
Taking dead aim on fortune and fame you might say
Playing guitar doesn't make you a star anyway
Many's the time I've wished that I were free
But my love for you was too deep for my eyes to see
I'd never leave you
I'll do anything that you say
Whenever the thought seems better off left alone
I think of you then in a way that is ten times as strong
Taking dead aim on fortune and fame you might say
Playing guitar doesn't make you a star anyway

I'd never leave you, I'll do anything that you say
Try to believe me, I'll do anything that you say
Though it might never grieve me, I'll do anything that you say
Please understand me, I'll do anything that you say

In my fashion I have been a good man
I have loved and I have lost
Ever after I will be remembered
In my fashion, in my way
There have been times, I have seen the reaper
In the bad times, and in the good
I have bent down, I have touched the ground
Saying prayers and touching wood

In my fashion, I have been a father
I have loved and been loved in return
From the ashes, I have kept the homefires
Burning after all was said and done

Now take a look at me
Do I look like the kind of guy
The kinda fool who went to school
And had to stand on a stool,
Because he couldn't come t' terms with a slide rule
Take a look around again
Is it any different now than it was then

In my fashion I have been a good man
I have loved and I have lost
And ever after I will be remembered
In my fashion, in my way

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What can you do, you'll never win, where will you go, when night closes in?
Where will it lead, will it ever it end, where will it stop? Losing a friend isn't
what we had in mind exactly. All we need is a friend I guess,
with my midnight star to guide through clouds of loneliness.

You knew someone, but was it love? So many years, push came to shove.
You had a dream, so they had one too, you turned away, they were untrue.
In our early days we were too willing. At the time we had yet to arrive,
many a man and a woman found trying to stay alive.

Where will you go, what will you do when your whole world ain't talking to you?
Maybe you think, you will see the light, maybe you'll find, what you hope is right
and I'm all dressed up to be somebody. All I need is a friendly face
with my midnight crowd to glide through clouds of empty space.

Seems like every time we turn around, what we see could be anyone's guess.
Many a man and a woman found in clouds of loneliness.

There's a town they call Orillia, it is there of which I sing.
It is just above Lake Simcoe, by Lake Couchiching.
Couchiching, Couchiching, by Lake Couchiching. Couchiching,by Lake Couchiching.
Couchiching, Couchiching, by Lake Couchiching, Couchiching

Across the raging Narrows, Casino Rama stands
where there once were only sparrows, people come from other lands.
To the west lie hills aplenty, if skiing is your thing,
you can while away the summer by Lake Couchiching.
Couchiching, Couchiching, by Lake Couchiching. Couchiching,by Lake Couchiching.
Couchiching, Couchiching, by Lake Couchiching, Couchiching

In Orillia they had movies and sports and music too,
and all around the shore line were the folks that we all knew.
Couchiching, Couchiching, by Lake Couchiching. Couchiching,by Lake Couchiching.
Couchiching, Couchiching, by Lake Couchiching, Couchiching

Now I've spent my life in travel, now I've spent my life in dust.
Now I've spent my life in family, now I've spent my life in trust.
Any way you'd like to cut in, it'll hit you with a ping.
When you think about Orillia, and it's by Lake Couchiching.
Couchiching, Couchiching, by Lake Couchiching. Couchiching,by Lake Couchiching.
Couchiching, Couchiching, by Lake Couchiching, Couchiching

When I get my final slumber, when I pawn my diamond ring,
I will do my final number, by Lake Couchiching.
Couchiching, Couchiching, by Lake Couchiching. Couchiching,by Lake Couchiching.
Couchiching, Couchiching, by Lake Couchiching, Couchiching

Oft-times I recall how it was in days gone by. No tears at all, now you better not make me cry.
Because you know darn well, I may ring your bell.
Is there anybody home? Is there anyone in there who can tell me where I am?

Oft-times I recall, when there wasn't no need to lie.
So much was said, but we never did say goodbye.
Oh, how I long to hear you whisper in my ear.
Is there anybody home? Don't you know I'm all alone?
Can you tell me where I am, all I can do is love you till the end of all time.

One day time will tell, when you're living in yesterday.
Thinking of things to do, thinking of things to say, thinking of things divine, find a bottom line.
Is there anybody home? Is there anyone in there who can tell me where I am?

Oft-times I recall, I was thinking of ways to win, ready to risk it all, until it wore thin.
Oh, how I long to hear you whisper in my ear.

Is there anybody home? Don't you know I'm all alone?
Can you tell me where I am, all I can do is love you till the end of all time.
All I can do is love you till the end of all time.

Jessi-Jo said you had better not go, Jessi-Jo said you had better not go.
Jessi-Jo says you better think twice, understand and take my advice.
Oh, Jessi-Jo, where did you go? I'm leaving town tonight.
Jessi-Jo, I need you now, do you feel all right? Do you feel all right?

Jessi-Jo said you had better not stray, you have only promises.
Jessi-Jo said you had better stay home from the ice fields far away.
Oh, Jessi-Jo, where did you go? Polar bear on my right.
Jessi-Jo, I need you now, I'm flying blind tonight, flying blind tonight.

Jessi-Jo said you had better not go to the place with the snow and the ice.
Jessi-Jo said you had better beware, understand and take my advice.
Oh, Jessi-Jo, where did you go? There's an oil rig on my right.
Jessi-Jo, I need you now, flying blind tonight, flying blind tonight.

Jessi-Jo said you had better not stray, all we have are promises.
Jessi-Jo said you had better stay home from the ice cap far away.
Oh, Jessi-Jo, where did you go? Polar bear on my right.
Jessi-Jo, I need you now, flying blind tonight.

Oh, Jessi-Jo..where did you go? Do you feel all right?
Jessi-Jo, I need you now, I need you here tonight, flying blind tonight.

Harmony, oh harmony
Where are you tonight, where are you tonight
Harmony, oh harmony
Have you gone away, have you gone to stay
If you pass me by I will miss you
And if you can cry I can cry too

Harmony, oh harmony, where are you tonight, where are you tonight
Harmony, sweet harmony, have you gone astray, have you gone away
If you'd ask me why I will miss you, it's a part of my nature I guess
Oh harmony, sweet harmony
Oh where have you gone harmony

Harmony, oh harmony, where are you now, where are you right now
Harmony, oh harmony, oh where have you gone, the hours are so long
If you pass me by I will miss you and if you can cry I can cry too

Harmony, oh harmony, I'm holding on tight, do you read me write
Harmony, oh harmony, don't ever let go, don't ever let go
If you'd ask me why I will miss you, it's a part of my nature I guess
Oh harmony, sweet harmony, oh what have we done harmony

If you pass me by I will miss you and if you can cry I can cry too
Harmony, sweet harmony, oh where have you gone, what have we done
Where have you gone harmony

She's my inspiration lady, inspiration everywhere.
She's my inspiration lady, she lights candles in the air.
In the warmth of the morning sun, and at night when the day is done,
She's my inspiration lady, my anticipation lady, sees my situation every day.

Seems like every time I see her, she's got something on her mind.
When she tells the age old story of the life she left behind.
In the warmth of the morning light, she will turn and hold me tight.
She's my inspiration lady, soft sad situation lady, sees my situation every day.

Seems like I will always love her, inspiration every day.
And I'd like to think, hey, maybe, I can drive her blues away.
In the warmth of the morning sun, and at night when the day is done,
she's my inspiration lady, she's my kind reaction lady, sees my situation every day.

She's my inspiration lady, my anticipation lady, she's my inspiration all the way.

She's the shine in every moonbeam, kinda girl who can pick you clean.
She's a star in every other man's eyes, she's the girl in every man's day.
Pretty soon she will make her way into the back door, of your mind.

She moves like a raptor, she moves like a snake.
She moves like a raptor, she moves me to make no mistake about it, no mistake about it.

She was kind of a neighborhood kid, pretty soon she will flip your lid.
She's the pearl in every other man's tea, she's the smile in every man's eyes,
Kinda girl who can put you wise. She's a girl lets every other man be.

She moves like a raptor, (no mistake about it), she moves like a ghost, (no mistake about it).
She moves me like a raptor, (no mistake about it), she moves me to boast,
No mistake about it, no mistake about it.

She's the shine in every moonbeam,
Kinda girl who can make you lean over backwards, or so they say.
She's the girl in every man's game, pretty soon she will pick your brain.
She's the smile in every other man's day.

She moves like a raptor, (no mistake about it), she moves like a snake, (no mistake about it).
She moves me like a raptor, (no mistake about it), she moves me to make
No mistake about it, no mistake about it.

She moves like a raptor, (no mistake about it), she moves like a ghost, (no mistake about it).
She moves me like a raptor, (no mistake about it), she moves me to boast,
No mistake about it, no mistake about it.

She moves like a raptor, (no mistake about it), she moves like a snake, (no mistake about it).
She moves me like a raptor, (no mistake about it), she moves me to make
No mistake about it, no mistake about it.

Heading off on a river at peace in the cool of an evening,
heading off on a river of light, be a part of a river at night.
Nice to be on a river sometimes, like a junebug traveling,
heading off on a ribbon of song, been away from the river too long.
Good to be on a river somewhere, like a milkweed traveling,
Heading off on a ribbon of dreams, be a part of a river it seems.
Can you tell me how long must I travel on?

I won't be looking up old friends, I won't be looking up old friends ever again.

I spent my life taking my time and I can't change anything,
take a look at my river of light, be a part of a river at night.
Nice to be on a river at peace, like a junebug traveling,
heading off on a river at last, my tears will be all in the past.
Good to be on a river somewhere, like a milkweed traveling,
heading down where the water runs deep, down deep where the fish are asleep now.
Can you tell me how long must I travel on?

I won't be looking up old friends, I won't be looking up old friends ever again..

Trouble don't mean nothing to me, and I had my share of it,
heading off on a river of light, be a part of a river at night.
Nice to be on a river at peace, in the cool of an evening,
heading off on the silver moon light, maybe love'll find me tonight.
Good to be on a river somewhere, like a milkweed traveling.
Heading off on a ribbon of dreams, be a part of a river it seems.
Can you tell me how long must I travel on?

I won't be looking up old friends, I won't be looking up old friends ever again, ever again…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

At times I just don't know
How you could be anything but beautiful
I think that I was made for you
And you were made for me

And I know that I will never change
Cause we've been friends through rain or shine
For such a long, long time

Laughing eyes and smiling face
It's seems so lucky just to have the right
Of telling you with all my might
You're beautiful tonight

And I know that you will never stray
Cause ya been that way from day to day
For such a long, long time

And when ya hold me tight
How could life be anything but beautiful
I think that I was made for you
And you were made for me

And I know that I will never change
Cause we've been friends through rain or shine
For such a long, long time

And I must say that it means so much to me
Just to be the one who's telling you
I'm telling you
That you're beautiful

Picking up the pieces of my sweet shattered dream
I wonder how the old folks are tonight
Her name was Ann and I'll be damned if I recall her face
She left me not knowing what to do

Carefree highway, let me slip away on you
Carefree highway, you seen better days
The morning after blues from my head down to my shoes
Carefree highway, let me slip away, slip away on you

Turning back the pages to the times I love best
I wonder if she'll ever do the same
Now the thing that I call living is just being satisfied
With knowing I got no one left to blame

Carefree highway, got to see you my old flame
Carefree highway, you seen better days
The morning after blues from my head down to my shoes
Carefree highway, let me slip away, slip away on you

Searching through the fragments of my dream shattered sleep
I wonder if the years have closed her mind
I guess it must be wanderlust or trying to get free
From the good old faithful feeling we once knew

Carefree highway, let me slip away on you
Carefree highway, you seen better days
The morning after blues from my head down to my shoes
Carefree highway, let me slip away, slip away on you
Let me slip away on you
Carefree highway, got to see you my old flame
Carefree highway, you seen better days
The morning after blues from my head down to my shoes
Carefree Highway, let me slip away, slip away on you

If you could read my mind

If you could read my mind love
What a tale my thoughts could tell
Just like an old time movie
bout a ghost from a wishin well
In a castle dark or a fortress strong
With chains upon my feet
You know that ghost is me
And I will never be set free
As long as Im a ghost that you cant see
If I could read your mind love
What a tale your thoughts could tell
Just like a paperback novel
The kind that drugstores sell
When you reach the part where the heartaches come
The hero would be me
But heroes often fail
And you wont read that book again
Because the endings just too hard to take

Id walk away like a movie star
Who gets burned in a three way script
Enter number two
A movie queen to play the scene
Of bringing all the good things out in me
But for now love, lets be real
* I never thought I could act this way *
And Ive got to say that I just dont get it
I dont know where we went wrong
But the feelins gone
And I just cant get it back

If you could read my mind love
What a tale my thoughts could tell
Just like an old time movie
bout a ghost from a wishin well
In a castle dark or a fortress strong
With chains upon my feet
But stories always end
And if you read between the lines
Youll know that Im just tryin to understand
The feelins that you lack
I never thought I could feel this way
And Ive got to say that I just to get it
I dont know where we went wrong
But the feelins gone
And I just cant get it back

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It's so nice to meet an old friend and pass the time of day
And talk about the home town a million miles away
Is the ice still on the river, are the old folks still the same
And by the way, did she mention my name
Did she mention my name just in passing
And when the morning came, do you remember if she dropped a name or two
Is the home team still on fire, do they still win all the games
And by the way, did she mention my name

Is the landlord still a loser, do his signs hang in the hall
Are the young girls still as pretty in the city in the fall
Does the laughter on their faces still put the sun to shame
And by the way, did she mention my name

Did she mention my name just in passing
And when the talk ran high, did the look in her eye seem far away
Is the old roof still leaking when the late snow turns to rain
And by the way, did she mention my name

Did she mention my name just in passing
And looking at the rain, do you remember if she dropped a name or two
Won't you say hello from someone, they'll be no need to explain
And by the way, did she mention my name

Does your mother know
You had to go someday
Does your mother know
That you would go so fast
Anyway, that's all you think about
You'd call her if you could
But the letters that you write
In the faded winter light
Just tell her they tell her
That you've got ten dollars and you'll be all right
And when you get straight you're gonna come back east some day

Does your mother know
You have a man in the West
Does your mother know
You drove him from your door
Anyway that's all you think about
You'd call her if you could

Does your mother know
You walked all day in the rain
Does your mother know
How deep your love could be
Anyway that's all you think about
You'd call her if you could

But the letters that you write
In the faded winter light
Just tell her they tell her
That you've got ten dollars and your rent costs eight
And when you get straight you're gonna come back east some day

But the letters that you write in the faded winter light
Just tell her they tell her

In the early morning rain with a dollar in my hand
With an aching in my heart and my pockets full of sand
Now, I'm a long way from home and I miss my loved ones so
In the early morning rain with no place to go

Out on runway number nine a big 707's set to go
But, I'm stuck here in the grass where the cold wind blows
Now, the liquor tasted good and the women all were fast
Well, there she goes, my friend, well she's going down at last

Hear the mighty engines roar - see the silver bird on high
She's away and westward bound - far above the clouds she'll fly


There the morning rain don't fall and the sun always shines
She'll be flying over my home in about three hours time

This old airport's got me down - it's no earthly good to me
'cause I'm stuck here on the ground as cold and drunk as I can be
You can't jump a jet plane like you can a freight train
So, I'd best be on my way in the early morning rain

You can't jump a jet plane like you can a freight train
So, I'd best be on my way in the early morning rain

That's what you get for lovin' me
That's what you get for lovin' me
Ev'ry thing you had is gone
As you can see
That's what you get for lovin' me
I ain't the kind to hang around
With any new love that I found
'Cause movin' is my stock in trade
I'm movin' on
I won't think of you when I'm gone.

So don't you shed a tear for me
B'cause I ain't the love you thought I'd be
I got a hundred more like you
So don't be blue
I'll have a thousand 'fore I'm through

Now there you go you're cryin' again
Now there you go you're cryin' again
But then someday when your poor heart
Is on the mend
Well I just might pass this way again

That's what you get for lovin' me
That's what you get for lovin' me
Everything you had is gone
As you can see
That's what you get for lovin' me
That's what you get for lovin' me

I want to hear it from you
I want to hear it from someone who knows how it is
All the second-hand words seem to get in my way
I want to hear it from you
I want to hear it again
I want to know if the soft scented touch of your lips
Must be taken away like a mother's first kiss to the life that she gives

I've got a right to get it straight from you
To give my life a different point of view
To find a way to keep from losing you

If you don't know what to say
To understand is my life and the question is why
You should cry in the night while your eyes look away
Every time that I speak and there's nothing to say

I want to hear it from you
I want to hear it from you
Let me know how you feel
You've got to make up your mind
Tell me where I can run
When my roof tumbles in

I want to hear it from you
I want to hear it from you

Ribbon of darkness over me
Since my true love walked out the door
Tears I never had before
Ribbon of darkness over me
Clouds a-atherin' o'er my head
That kill the day and hide the sun
That shroud the night when day is done
Ribbon of darkness over me

Rain is falling on the meadow
Where once my love and I did lie
Now she is gone from the meadow
My love goodbye

Ribbon of darkness over me
Where once the world was young as spring
Where flowers did bloom and birds did sing
Ribbon of darkness over me

Here in this cold room lyin'
Don't want to see no one but you
Lord I wish I could be dyin'
To forget you

Oh how I wish your heart could see
How mine just aches and breaks all day
Come on home and take away
This ribbon of darkness over me

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I remember everything
I've learned about survival
I've walked with fools and kings
And I've even read the Bible

There I came upon some lines
Givin' me direction
Gather not your gold on earth
Your kingdom is in heaven

But I chose to live instead
Inside the shell they gave me
'Til in spite of everything
Good fortune came to find me

I tried my best to run away
But I could not avoid the feelin'
Soon I was reelin' on my feet
I made a grab at anything
The earth was gone and I was on
A vicious circle then

After I'd gone and let myself surrender
I didn't want to die at all
I thought I'd live forever

Then she gave me everything
A king could never borrow
But I twisted all her gifts
Her wisdom was my sorrow

So I left her cryin'
And roamed across the river
The angels offered me their hands
But I could not forget her

So I came to where she was
By river, road and reason
I slept beneath her window
In the moonlight summer season

But I could not go inside
I heard the sound of laughter
And the rustle of her hair upon his skin
I made a grab at anything
The earth was gone and I was on
A vicious circle then

After I'd gone to cry down my sorrow
I didn't want to live no more
Nor face the bright tomorrow

Then I remembered everything
I've learned about survival
Havin' walked with fools and kings
I've even read the Bible

I remember all those lines
Givin' me direction
Gather not your gold on earth
It will not pass inspection

And still I think when I'm alone
Away from all night splendor
If gold could buy one night with her
I wish I had some to send her

Well, it's four o'clock in the afternoon
And the anchors have been weighed
From Miami to Nassau,
She's bound across the waves

She'll be headin' south through Biscayne Bay
Into the open sea
Yarmouth Castle, she's a-dyin' and don't know it

Now the many years she's been to sea
She's seen the better times
She gives a groan of protest
As they cast away her lines

And the grumble of her engines
And the rust along her spine
Tells the Castle she's too old to be sailin'

But the sands run out within her heart
A tiny spark glows red
It smoulders through the evening
There's laughter overhead

Now the men are served, and the cards are dealt
And the drinks are passed around
Deep within the fire starts a-burnin'

Now it's midnight on the open sea
And the moon is shining bright
Some people join the party
And others say good-night

There's many who are sleeping now
It's been a busy day
And a tiny wisp of smoke is a-risin'

"Oh Lord," she groans, "I'm burning!"
"Let someone understand!"
But her silent plea is wasted
In the playin' of the band

Everybody's dancin' on her deck
And they're havin' such a time
Then a voice says
"Shut up and deal, I'm losin'"

Deep within the Yarmouth Castle
The fire begins to glow
It leaps into the hallways
And climbs and twists and grows

And the paint she wore to keep her young
Oh Lord, how well it burns
And soon that old fire is a-ragin'

Up beneath the bridge it's climbin' fast
the captain stands aloft
He calls up to the boatswain, 'n' says
"Boatswain, we are lost"

For the ragged hoses in the racks
No pressure do they hold
And the people down below
Will soon be dyin'

All amidships, oh she's blazin' now
It's spreadin' fore and aft
The people are a-scramblin'
As the fire blocks their path

The evil smoke surrounds them,
And they're fallin' in their tracks
And the captain in his lifeboat is a-leavin'

Oh then the ship, Bahama Star
Comes steamin' through the night
She sees the Castle blazin'
And 'tis a terrible sight

"Jump down, jump down!" the captain cries
"We'll save you if we can!"
Then the paint on his funnels is a-fryin'

"God help the ones who sleep below
And cannot find the way!
Thank God for those we've rescued
Upon this awful day."

Now the heroes, they are many,
But the times are growin' slim
And now from stern to bow
She's a-blazin'

Oh the Yarmouth Castle's moanin'
She's cryin' like a child.
You can hear her if you listen
Above the roar so wild

Is she cryin' for the ones who lie
Within her molten sides?
Or cryin' for herself, I'm a-wonderin'

But the livin' soon were rescued
The ones who lived to tell
From the Star they watched her
As she died there in the swells

Like a toy ship on a mill pond
She burned all through the night
Then slipped 'neath the waves
In the mornin'

Upon the Bitter Green she was,
the hills above the town.
Echoed to the footsteps,
as soft as heather down.
Waiting for her master,
to kiss away her tears.
Waiting through the years,

Bitter Green they called her,
walking in the sun,
Loving everyone that she met.
Bitter Green they called her,
waiting in the sun,
waiting for someone to take her home.

Some say he was a sailor,
who died away at sea,
Some say he was a prisoner,
who never was set free,
lost upon the ocean,
he died there in the mist,
dreaming of the kiss,

Bitter Green they called her,
walking in the sun,
Loving everyone that she met.
Bitter Green they called her,
waiting in the sun,
waiting for someone to take her home.

Musical Interlude

But now, that Bitter Green is gone,
the hills have turned to rust,
there comes a weary stranger,
his tears fall in the dust,
kneeling by the churchyard,
in the autumn mist,
dreaming of the kiss,

Bitter Green they called her,
walking in the sun,
Loving everyone that she met.
Bitter Green they called her,
waiting in the sun,
waiting for someone to take her home.

Bitter Green they called her,
walking in the sun,
Loving everyone that she met.
Bitter Green they called her,
waiting in the sun,
waiting for someone...
to take her home.

Boss Man Boss Man what do ya say
I gotta get you alone in the mine some day
Boss Man Boss Man turn it around
If you don't look away how can I sit down
Look at this load upon my back
Gotta get this wheel back on the track
I can't hold on but I can't let go
And I can't say yes I can't say 'no'

Holes in my pockets and holes in my shoes
If you're ready for me I'm ready for you
The company plan takes all my pay
Got a child in July and another last May

Boss Man Boss Man what do ya say
Gonna get you alone in the mine some day
Push your face down in the coal
'Cause you got no heart you got no soul

Country life's the life for me
In ten more years I'll a pensioner be
The younger lad knows when the girls are out
But you might say he's a rural sprout

Boss Man Boss Man what do ya say
Gonna get you alone in the mine some day
Boss Man Boss Man clear the track
You're gonna tear the skin right offa my back

Boss Man, Boss Man what do ya say
If you can't lend a hand then get outta my way
It'll be murder in the first degree
If you ever lay your hands on me

Boss Man Boss Man pay my rent
A dollar I've earned is a dollar I've spent
The company plan takes all my check
For breakin' my back and riskin' my neck

Boss Man Boss Man what do ya say
I gotta get you alone in the mine some day
I can't hold on but I can't let go
And I can't say yes I can't say 'no'

There was a time in this fair land when the railroad did not run
when the wild majestic mountains stood alone against the sun
Long before the white man and long before the wheel
when the green dark forest was too silent to be real
But time has no beginnings and hist'ry has no bounds
as to this verdant country they came from all around
They sailed upon her waterways and they walked the forests tall
built the mines, mills and the factories for the good of us all

And when the young man's fancy was turnin' to the spring
the railroad men grew restless for to hear the hammers ring
Their minds were overflowing with the visions of their day
and many a fortune won and lost and many a debt to pay

For they looked in the future and what did they see
They saw an iron road runnin' from the sea to the sea
Bringin' the goods to a young growin' land
all up through the seaports and into their hands

Look away said they across this mighty land
from the eastern shore to the western strand
Bring in the workers and bring up the rails
we gotta lay down the tracks and tear up the trails
Open 'er heart let the life blood flow
gotta get on our way 'cause we're movin' too slow

Bring in the workers and bring up the rails
we're gonna lay down the tracks and tear up the trails
Open 'er heart let the life blood flow
gotta get on our way 'cause we're movin' too slow
get on our way 'cause we're movin' too slow

Behind the blue Rockies the sun is declinin'
The stars, they come stealin' at the close of the day
Across the wide prairie our loved ones lie sleeping
beyond the dark oceans in a place far away

We are the navvies who work upon the railway
swingin' our hammers in the bright blazin' sun
Livin' on stew and drinkin' bad whiskey
bendin' our backs 'til the long days are done

We are the navvies who work upon the railway
swingin' our hammers in the bright blazin' sun
Layin' down track and buildin' the bridges
bendin' our backs 'til the railroad is done

So over the mountains and over the plains
into the muskeg and into the rain
up the St. Lawrence all the way to Gaspe
swingin' our hammers and drawin' our pay
Layin' 'em in and tyin' 'em down
away to the bunkhouse and into the town
a dollar a day and a place for my head
a drink to the livin' a toast to the dead

Oh the song of the future has been sung
all the battles have been won
On the mountain tops we stand
all the world at our command
We have opened up the soil
with our teardrops and our toil

For there was a time in this fair land when the railroad did not run
when the wild majestic mountains stood alone against the sun
Long before the white man and long before the wheel
when the green dark forest was too silent to be real
when the green dark forest was too silent to be real
And many are the dead men too silent... to be real

I looked into a windowpane
Last evening in a city far away
I was feelin' sad and blue
I wondered then if I should really stay
Wanting someone to be with me in the light of this uncertain time
Waiting by the window for the man inside
To please make up his mind

Will you be one who passed through but never saw
Never knowing never feeling anything
Will you live your whole life through never knowing what to do
Will you be one who passed through but never saw

I walked along the roadway to a fountain
Where lovers come to meet
A hobo walked up to me, I could tell
He didn't have enough to eat
He said, "Good sir you look so kind
And though the years have stripped me to the bone
It seems I am the better man
For in this place I've never walked alone

Will you be one who passed through but never saw
Never knowing never feeling anything
Will you live your whole life through never knowing what to do
Will you be one who passed through but never saw

"Where will you be, my friendly, when your
Telephone ain't givin' out no calls
And when the seasons come to haunt you
Will you still find springtime in the fall
And when you're on your island
Will you wave at every ship that passes by
And will you feed a hungry man
I thank you, sir,
Now I'll just say goodbye"

Don't you be one who passed through but never saw
Never knowing never feeling anything
Will you live your whole life through never knowing what to do
Will you be one who passed through but never saw

Will you live your whole life through never knowing what to do
Will you be one who passed through but never saw

The leaves of grass will not pass on
Though the millstones grind them into dust
For the earth shall give life to them
But only the grass will grow once more

And the brave must fall to honor the names
Of the ones who have gone before
And the earth shall give new life to them
But only the grass will grow once more

If people could look into each other's eyes
What a wonderful place this world would be
All strife would end, we could start again
And dreams like these must not pass on

But the brave keep falling to honor the names
Of the ones who have gone before
And the earth shall give new life to them
But only the grass will grow once more

And the brave keep falling to honor the names
Of the ones who have gone before
And the earth shall give new life to them
But only the grass will grow once more

The leaves of grass will not pass on
Though the millstones grind them into dust
For the earth shall give new life to them
But only the grass will grow once more

Down the hall their voices ring, their feet are on the run
Phantoms on the winter sky, together they do come
Faded lips and eyes of blue they're carried in the wind
Their laughter filled the countryside but they'll not laugh again

All the games are ended now, their voices have been stilled
Their fathers built the tools of war by which they all were killed
Their fathers made the uniforms showing which side they were on
And the young boys wear the middle name for guns to prey upon

You've seen the fires in the night, watched the devil as he smiles
You've heard a mother's mournful cry as she searches for her child
You've seen the lines of refugees, the faces of despair
And wondered at the wise men who never seem to care

Goodbye you lost children, God speed you on your way
Your little beds are empty now, your toys are put away
Your mother sings a lullaby as she gazes at the floor
Your father builds more weapons and marches out once more

Down the hall their voices ring, their feet are on the run
Phantoms on the winter sky, together they do come
Faded lips and eyes of blue they're carried in the wind
Their laughter filled the countryside but they'll not laugh again

Pussywillows cat-tails soft winds and roses
Rainpools in the woodland water to my knees
Shivering quivering the warm breath of spring
Pussywillows cat-tails soft winds and roses
Catbirds and cornfields daydreams together
Riding on the roadside the dust gets in your eyes
Reveling, disheveling the summer nights can bring
Pussywillows cat-tails soft winds and roses

Slanted rays and colored days stark blue horizons
Naked limbs and wheat bins hazy afternoons
Voicing rejoicing the wine cups do bring
Pussywillows cat-tails soft winds and roses

Harsh nights and candlelights wood fires a-blazin'
Soft lips and fingertips resting in my soul
Treasuring remembering the promise of spring
Pussywillows cat-tails soft winds and roses

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

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

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

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

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

Beyond the wild misty mountain
Within the valley so free
There dwells a maid with a heart so mellow
Soft as the wind and wild as the sea
When will you love me
As I love thee
I have no gold to give her
Nor gowns of soft crimson hue
Nor poems of love no rhymes to bring her
Into my heart so strong so true
When will you love me
As I love you

Beyond the wild misty mountain
Within the valley so free
There dwells a maid with a heart so mellow
Soft as the wind and wild as the sea
When will you love me
As I love thee?

There was a time in this fair land when the railroad did not run
when the wild majestic mountains stood alone against the sun
Long before the white man and long before the wheel
when the green dark forest was too silent to be real
But time has no beginnings and hist'ry has no bounds
as to this verdant country they came from all around
They sailed upon her waterways and they walked the forests tall
built the mines, mills and the factories for the good of us all

And when the young man's fancy was turnin' to the spring
the railroad men grew restless for to hear the hammers ring
Their minds were overflowing with the visions of their day
and many a fortune won and lost and many a debt to pay

For they looked in the future and what did they see
They saw an iron road runnin' from the sea to the sea
Bringin' the goods to a young growin' land
all up through the seaports and into their hands

Look away said they across this mighty land
from the eastern shore to the western strand
Bring in the workers and bring up the rails
we gotta lay down the tracks and tear up the trails
Open 'er heart let the life blood flow
gotta get on our way 'cause we're movin' too slow

Bring in the workers and bring up the rails
we're gonna lay down the tracks and tear up the trails
Open 'er heart let the life blood flow
gotta get on our way 'cause we're movin' too slow
get on our way 'cause we're movin' too slow

Behind the blue Rockies the sun is declinin'
The stars, they come stealin' at the close of the day
Across the wide prairie our loved ones lie sleeping
beyond the dark oceans in a place far away

We are the navvies who work upon the railway
swingin' our hammers in the bright blazin' sun
Livin' on stew and drinkin' bad whiskey
bendin' our backs 'til the long days are done

We are the navvies who work upon the railway
swingin' our hammers in the bright blazin' sun
Layin' down track and buildin' the bridges
bendin' our backs 'til the railroad is done

So over the mountains and over the plains
into the muskeg and into the rain
up the St. Lawrence all the way to Gaspe
swingin' our hammers and drawin' our pay
Layin' 'em in and tyin' 'em down
away to the bunkhouse and into the town
a dollar a day and a place for my head
a drink to the livin' a toast to the dead

Oh the song of the future has been sung
all the battles have been won
On the mountain tops we stand
all the world at our command
We have opened up the soil
with our teardrops and our toil

For there was a time in this fair land when the railroad did not run
when the wild majestic mountains stood alone against the sun
Long before the white man and long before the wheel
when the green dark forest was too silent to be real
when the green dark forest was too silent to be real
And many are the dead men too silent... to be real

When first I did appear upon this native soil
All up and down this country at labor I did toil
I slumbered in the moonlight and I rose with the sun
I rambled through the canyons where the cold rivers run
When first I did come down where the land meets the sea
The people said Who are you and what would your name be
I said I have no home and I am no man's son
'Twas inland I was born and from inland that I come

In the good land I was young and I was strong
No one dared to call me son
Happy just to see my day's work done
See my day's work done

So I swung an axe as a timberjack
And I worked the Quebec mines
And on the golden prairie I rode the big combines
I sailed the maritime waters of many a seaport town
Built the highways and the byways to the western salmon grounds

I've gazed upon the good times I've seen the bad times too
Felt many a cold and bitter wind and many a mornin' dew
I've watched the country growin' like a fair and mighty thing
And on the still of a summer night I've heard the mountains ring

In the good land I was young and I was strong
No one dared to call me son
Happy just to see my day's work done
See my day's work done

But now the seeds are planted and the gates are open wide
The old ways are forgotten there's no place left to hide
And the legacy I'm leavin' you is not very hard to find
You'll see it all around you at this crossroads of time
In the sweet soil it's a-growin' At the crossroads of time

Alone upon the sidewalks of despair
'Twas there she wandered
With her suitcase in her hand
Her fate she pondered
Only a go-go girl in love with someone who didn't care
She met him on a night so rare when her friends were there
And the band was groovin'
When he gave a glance that said how much he would like to meet her
How was she to know at the time
He would mistreat her

In her case she danced for him although a hundred eyes were turned her way
And before the set was through he knew
She would be his loved one

Only a go-go girl in love with someone who didn't care
Only twenty-one, she was a young girl just in from somewhere

He's playin' up in Michigan with a group they call The Intended
With a kiss, and a promise, he was gone
The song was ended

But as she walks, she waits for him the pavement is a shoulder for her tears
But in her heart she knows there is no way
She can hope to change him

Only a go-go girl in love with someone who didn't care
Only twenty-one, she was a young girl just in from somewhere

Only a go-go girl in love with someone who didn't care
A go-go girl in love

Oh the neon lights were flashin'
And the icy wind did blow
The water seeped into his shoes
And the drizzle turned to snow
His eyes were red, his hopes were dead
And the wine was runnin' low
And the old man came home
From the forest
His tears fell on the sidewalk
As he stumbled in the street
A dozen faces stopped to stare
But no one stopped to speak
For his castle was a hallway
And the bottle was his friend
And the old man stumbled in
From the forest

Up a dark and dingy staircase
The old man made his way
His ragged coat around him
As upon his cot he lay
And he wondered how it happened
That he ended up this way
Getting lost like a fool
In the forest

And as he lay there sleeping
A vision did appear
Upon his mantle shining
A face of one so dear
Who had loved him in the springtime
Of a long-forgotten year
When the wildflowers did bloom
In the forest

She touched his grizzled fingers
And she called him by his name
And then he heard the joyful sound
Of children at their games
In an old house on a hillside
In some forgotten town
Where the river runs down
From the forest

With a mighty roar the big jets soar
Above the canyon streets
And the con men con but life goes on
For the city never sleeps
And to an old forgotten soldier
The dawn will come no more
For the old man has come home
From the forest

If you got it
Don't lose it girl it's got to be
The one creative thing that's left for you and me
If you find it
Don't lose it all the very next day
Lock it in your soul and throw the key away
So, don't you let it go
Let it stay let it grow
Like the snow
Don't let it melt away
If you find it
Then give it girl with all your might
Forget about yourself you're not the losin' kind


If you get it
Then keep it cool don't let it die
You may only see it once don't let it pass you by
So don't you let it go
Let it stay let it grow
Like the snow
Don't let it melt away

If you find it
Then give it girl with all your might
Forget about yourself you're not the losin' kind

If you get it
Then keep it cool don't let it die
You may only see it once don't let it pass you by
Pass you by, don't let it die
Don't let it go

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

If you could read my mind

If you could read my mind love
What a tale my thoughts could tell
Just like an old time movie
bout a ghost from a wishin well
In a castle dark or a fortress strong
With chains upon my feet
You know that ghost is me
And I will never be set free
As long as Im a ghost that you cant see
If I could read your mind love
What a tale your thoughts could tell
Just like a paperback novel
The kind that drugstores sell
When you reach the part where the heartaches come
The hero would be me
But heroes often fail
And you wont read that book again
Because the endings just too hard to take

Id walk away like a movie star
Who gets burned in a three way script
Enter number two
A movie queen to play the scene
Of bringing all the good things out in me
But for now love, lets be real
* I never thought I could act this way *
And Ive got to say that I just dont get it
I dont know where we went wrong
But the feelins gone
And I just cant get it back

If you could read my mind love
What a tale my thoughts could tell
Just like an old time movie
bout a ghost from a wishin well
In a castle dark or a fortress strong
With chains upon my feet
But stories always end
And if you read between the lines
Youll know that Im just tryin to understand
The feelins that you lack
I never thought I could feel this way
And Ive got to say that I just to get it
I dont know where we went wrong
But the feelins gone
And I just cant get it back

He was standin' by the highway with a sign that just said Mother
When he heard a driver comin' 'Bout a half a mile away???????br />Then he held the sign up higher, Where no decent soul could miss it?????????br />It was ten degrees or colder Down by bolder dam that day

He was raised up in Milwaukee-Though he never was that famous
He was just a road musician-To the taverns he would go
Singin' songs about the ramblin'-The lovin' girls and gamblin'
How the world fell on his shoulders-Back in Boulder I don't know

It was out in Arizona-That he heard the lady listenin
To each word that he was sayin'-To each line that he would write
So he sat down by her table and They talked about the weather
Ninety-eight point six and risin'-Down by Boulder dam that day

And she told him she would take him-For a ride
in the mornin' sun, Back in Boulder he had told her,
I don't know when I had a better friend

Now he's traded off his Martin-But his troubles are not over
For his feet are almost frozen-And the sun is sinkin' low
Won't you listen to me brother-If you ever loved your mother
Please pull off on the shoulder-If you're goin' Milwaukee way
It's ten degrees and getting colder-Down by Boulder dam today

If you see me smile don't think I'm acting strange
I got my just reward for all my pains
I you see me on the TV talking proud
Please understand if I don't talk too loud
Step around and dance a bit
Polish up the dice
Set 'em loose and let 'em roll
This is my advice
Keep your mind a mystery
Runnin' hot 'n' cold
She's more than money
She's 14 Karat Gold

If you wonder why I'm acting up this way
Gonna cash my chips I'm leavin' town today
I got more love than I could ever spend
So long, farewell, good-bye, this is the end

Step around and dance a bit
Polish up the dice
Set 'em loose and let 'em roll
Be as cool as ice
Keep your mind a mystery
Runnin' hot 'n' cold
She's more than money
She's 14 Karat Gold

If you get hit by the bug that bit on me
If you get caught with something soft and sweet
If you get found with something you can't waste
Then listen bud, let me give you a taste

Step around and dance a bit
Polish up the dice
Set 'em loose and let 'em roll
This is my advice
Keep your mind a mystery
Runnin' hot 'n' cold
She's more than money
She's 14 Karat Gold

Step around and dance a bit
Polish up the dice
Set 'em loose and let 'em roll
Be as cool as ice
Keep your mind a mystery
Runnin' hot 'n' cold
She's more than money
She's 14 Karat Gold

Nothing is for certain
That's what the showman said
First you must open the curtain
And stand'em on their heads
There can be no inhibitions
No prima donna ways
If you want to pass the audition
And times is tough these days
Remember when Mr. Barnum
Presented Jenny Lind
They named a candy after her
A circus after him
End of my story
The rest is history
She in all of her glory
He lived quietly
He needed her, she needed him
As sure as the sky above
In a way it was for them
A lesson in love
A lesson in love

You look like the moonglow
That follows me home
Always makes me turn around
Won't leave me alone
First to come are the midgets
A monkey and a kid
Followed by those two one-armed jugglers
The ego and the id

Songs of the season
Apples of the sun
There is no rhyme or reason
Just a time for each and every one
Hang on Mr. Barnum
Hang on Jenny Lind
We will meet you in streets of gold
Where eternity begins
We will let it all hangout
Go hand in glove
Life was meant to live and learn
A lesson in love
A lesson in love

Hold my hand, so I can hold you in my heart
Hold my hand, so I can guide you through the forest of the night
By the sea upon the raging tide

A message to the wind
I must begin to write of love and rain

Touch my heart for it is beating just for you
Hear my song, as I sing it to the lost and lonely ones
If there were time to spend another day

A message to the wind
I would begin if he could blow my thoughts to you

Hold my hand, now it is time for me to go
Take my love and let it rest
for we must meet again somehow

When you're alone and willows start to bend
and rain begins to fall
at times you will pretend and not pretend at all
I'll be with you again

A message to the wind

Once upon a time I was on my own
Once upon a time like you've never known
Once upon a time I would be impressed
Once upon a time my life would be obsessed
Once upon a time, once upon a day when
I was in my prime, once along the way
If you want to know my secret don't come runnin' after me
For I am just a painter passing through in history

Yesterday is gone, yesterday's alright
Yesterday belongs in my dreams at night
Yesterday is swell, yesterday is great
Yesterday is strong, remembering can wait
Once upon a time, once upon a day when
I was in my prime, once along the way

If you want to know an answer I can't turn your life around
For I am just a painter passing through the underground

I was in my stride, always at my game
Here comes mister cool, along the walk of fame
I was in demand, always in control
The world was in my hands, my touch had turn to gold
Once upon a time, I was in a daze when
I was in my prime, once along the way

If you want to know my secret don't come runnin' after me
For I am just a painter passing through in history

Now that I am old, let me rest a spell
All that I am told, I can never tell
Never in my life, never will it pass
I am still alone, remembering at last
Once upon a time, once upon a day when
I was in my prime, once along the way

If you want to know an answer I can't turn your life around
For I am just a painter passing through the underground

If you want to know my secret don't come runnin' after me
For I am just a painter passing through in history

A passing ship
I have found the open ocean
Give me no lip
The waves roll by as I pass on
A snulit sea
On the first day of April
How fresh the wind
Will you miss me when I'm gone
How many words
How many songs still unwritten
How many ships
Of the line have come and gone
In the good old days
May they never be forgotten
They had heavy wind
Or they had no wind at all

A passing ship
It is midnight on the ocean
Had a real long trip
I have been at sea all winter
When my ship came in
I was givin' up the ghost
I think I should be
Leavin' those passing ships alone

When the sea runs high
The sea runs wild and I'm unsteady
And I think of you
In the warmth of your home and family
When love is true
There is no truer occupation
And may this gale
Blow us to the ones we love

Another day
Another ocean
Give me no lip
But stand aside as I pass on
A sunlit sea
On the last day of October
How fresh the wind
Will you miss me from now on
I guess I should be
Leavin' passing ships alone

The perfume that she wore was from some little store
On the down side of town
But it lingered on long after she'd gone
I remember it well
And our fingers entwined like ribbons of light
And we came through a doorway somewhere in the night
Her long flowing hair came softly undone
And it lay all around
And she brushed it down as I stood by her side
In the warmth of her love

And she showed me her treasures of paper and tin
And then we played a game only she could win
And she told me a riddle I'll never forget
Then left with the answer I've never found yet

How long, said she, can a moment like this
Belong to someone
What's wrong, what is right, when to live or to die
We must almost be born
So if you should ask me what secrets I hide
I'm only your lover, don't make me decide

The perfume that she wore was from some little store
On the down side of town
But it lingered on long after she'd gone
I remember it well

And she showed me her treasures of paper and tin
And then we played a game only she could win
And our fingers entwined like ribbons of light
And we came through a doorway somewhere in the night

All the lovely ladies in their finery tonight
I wish that I could know them one by one
All the handsome gentlemen with loving on their minds
Strolling in to take the ladies home
Bless you all and keep you on the road to tenderness
Heaven can be yours just for now.

All the gentle strangers who by nature do not smile
To everyone who cannot hold a pen
To all you heavy rounders with a headache for your pains
Who dread the thought of going 'round the bend

Bless you all and keep you on the road to better things
Heaven can be yours just for now.

To all the lovely ladies in their finery tonight
I wish that I could kiss you while you knit
To all the ones who learn to live with bein' second-guessed
Whose job it is to give more then to get

Bless you all and keep you with the strength to understand
Heaven can be yours just for now.

To all the little dreamers with a dream that cannot last
To all the sleeping giants who must wake
To every man who answers to the letter of the law
And all the rest imprisoned by mistake

Bless you all and keep you with the faith to let it pass
Heaven can be yours just for now

To all the lonely sailors who have trouble beeing seen
To all of you with heartache that remains
Maybe sometime later you might swim back into shore
If someone could relieve you of your chains

Bless you all and keep you all on the land or on the sea
Heaven can be yours, just for now

Now it looks to me like the same old place,
in the sky it looks like rain.
The same old town with the same old streets,
my address has not changed.
You can find me there with the door shut tight,
and the one wish that remains.

Baby step back, baby step back,
either step up or step back.

Now you know I don't write no bad checks,
I have no wish to repent.
I've seen a few but whatever I do,
I don't cause no accidents.
Whiskey and wine help me pass the time,
I don't leave no evidence.

Baby step back, baby step back,
either step up or step back.
Baby step back, baby step back,
either step up or step back.

(inst.)

Still I don't kneel down I was born to fight,
so you best leave me alone.
Maybe I'll get much more than I need,
or much less than I should own,
last of all let me say it again,
either step up or step on.

Baby step back, baby step back,
either step up or step back.
Baby walk back, baby walk back,
either walk on or walk back.

(inst.)

Baby step back, baby step back,
either step up or step back.
Baby walk back, baby walk back,
either walk on or walk back.
Baby step back, baby step back,
either step up or step back.

(fade)

At times I just don't know
How you could be anything but beautiful
I think that I was made for you
And you were made for me

And I know that I won't ever change
'Cause we've been friends
Through rain or shine
For such a long, long time

Laughing eyes and smiling face
It seems so lucky just to have the right
Of telling you with all my might
You're beautiful tonight

And I know that you will never stray
'Cause you've been that way
From day to day
For such a long, long time

And when you hold me tight
How could life be anything but beautiful
I think that I was made for you
And you were made for me

And I know that I won't ever change
'Cause we've been friends
Through rain or shine
For such a long, long time

And I must say it means so much to me
To be the one who's telling you
I'm telling you
That you're beautiful

Betty Jo, you made it plain
When first you held me near.
Even though you caused me pain,
You were all the world to me.

We made love; we had such fun.
Many fine times went by us.
Now it's all so hazy
And a little bit crazy.

Betty Jo, my heart's on fire;
I don't need this crying.
The next time you see me,
The back seat of a taxi's where I'll be.

Betty called me in to say goodnight,
Much to my relief and pure delight.
I think that was my big love scene
I do belive her engine run all right.

Betty said: get ready, the time has come.
I was young and the good life had begun.
And with the dawn, the child in me was gone,
But it made a man out of me that night.

Betty made my clothes and sewed my jeans,
listened to my songs and foolish schemes.
I think the way she got to me
Was aimed like a laser beam right to the soul.

Betty, my true love, do what you do tonight.
Where she goes I hope she knows she's right.
The worst demand and the best of times,
She was never the kind to kick and bitch and fight.

Betty called me in to say goodnight,
Much to my relief and pure delight.
And with the dawn, the child in me was gone,
But it made a man out of me that night.

I think that was my big love scene
I do believe her engine run all right.

Upon the Bitter Green she was,
the hills above the town.
Echoed to the footsteps,
as soft as heather down.
Waiting for her master,
to kiss away her tears.
Waiting through the years,

Bitter Green they called her,
walking in the sun,
Loving everyone that she met.
Bitter Green they called her,
waiting in the sun,
waiting for someone to take her home.

Some say he was a sailor,
who died away at sea,
Some say he was a prisoner,
who never was set free,
lost upon the ocean,
he died there in the mist,
dreaming of the kiss,

Bitter Green they called her,
walking in the sun,
Loving everyone that she met.
Bitter Green they called her,
waiting in the sun,
waiting for someone to take her home.

Musical Interlude

But now, that Bitter Green is gone,
the hills have turned to rust,
there comes a weary stranger,
his tears fall in the dust,
kneeling by the churchyard,
in the autumn mist,
dreaming of the kiss,

Bitter Green they called her,
walking in the sun,
Loving everyone that she met.
Bitter Green they called her,
waiting in the sun,
waiting for someone to take her home.

Bitter Green they called her,
walking in the sun,
Loving everyone that she met.
Bitter Green they called her,
waiting in the sun,
waiting for someone...
to take her home.

The night is as black as the coal dust on the tracks
Up to the east day is dawning
From time to time I get women on my mind
I'm a son of a gun

Borderstone, borderstone gonna cross your line tonight
Borderstone, pretty little town, gonna make my bed tonight

The train that I'm on is a hundred boxcars long
So I don't sleep through to the morning
That's some chilly wind in this gondola I'm in
I wish I had a glass of beer

Borderstone, borderstone gonna cross your line tonight
Borderstone, pretty little town, gonna make my bed tonight
Borderstone, borderstone gonna cross your line tonight
Borderstone, pretty little town, gonna make my bed tonight

The boardinghouse reach is a thing no school can teach you
I confess I've been outfumbled


And the sound of the beans boiling through the evergreens
Sure do please a hungry man

Borderstone, borderstone gonna cross your line tonight
Borderstone, pretty little town, gonna make my bed tonight
Borderstone, borderstone gonna cross your line tonight
Borderstone, pretty little town, gonna make my bed tonight

The sound of the wheels rebounds across the fields
I'm a name with no number
And so I guess I'd be drifting more or less
But still it's not meant to be

Borderstone, borderstone gonna cross your line tonight
Borderstone, pretty little town, gonna make my bed tonight
Borderstone, borderstone gonna cross your line tonight
Borderstone, pretty little town, gonna make my bed tonight
Borderstone, borderstone gonna cross your line tonight
Borderstone, pretty little town, gonna make my bed tonight

Boss Man Boss Man what do ya say
I gotta get you alone in the mine some day
Boss Man Boss Man turn it around
If you don't look away how can I sit down
Look at this load upon my back
Gotta get this wheel back on the track
I can't hold on but I can't let go
And I can't say yes I can't say 'no'

Holes in my pockets and holes in my shoes
If you're ready for me I'm ready for you
The company plan takes all my pay
Got a child in July and another last May

Boss Man Boss Man what do ya say
Gonna get you alone in the mine some day
Push your face down in the coal
'Cause you got no heart you got no soul

Country life's the life for me
In ten more years I'll a pensioner be
The younger lad knows when the girls are out
But you might say he's a rural sprout

Boss Man Boss Man what do ya say
Gonna get you alone in the mine some day
Boss Man Boss Man clear the track
You're gonna tear the skin right offa my back

Boss Man, Boss Man what do ya say
If you can't lend a hand then get outta my way
It'll be murder in the first degree
If you ever lay your hands on me

Boss Man Boss Man pay my rent
A dollar I've earned is a dollar I've spent
The company plan takes all my check
For breakin' my back and riskin' my neck

Boss Man Boss Man what do ya say
I gotta get you alone in the mine some day
I can't hold on but I can't let go
And I can't say yes I can't say 'no'

There's an ocean in my mind
I'd give the world if I could find
A sailing ship and leave the past behind
Now that I must say adieu
It's killing me, I'm telling you
When freedom calls what can a person do
I have felt the winds of change
Go stealing through my heart and soul
How wild it seems
In love songs and in nursery rhymes
On movie screens, in fairy tales
Lie broken dreams
Life's broken dreams
Love's broken dreams

Sometimes a broken dream
Will make you sad or make you mean
Sometimes things ain't as bad as they might seem
You might walk a lonely street
Until one day you chance to meet
A stranger who might ask where have you been

You will see the light of change
Come shining through your windowpane
When hope is gone
Though money, fame, and riches are
For fools and kings or anything
That turns them on
Life's broken deals
Life's spinning wheels

There's an ocean I have found
I'd like to sail the world around
And dream about the life I hope I'll find
Now that I must say adieu
To love's returns, I'm telling you
When freedom comes what can a person do

I have felt the winds of change
Go stealing through my heart and soul
How wild they seem
In sounds of spring, in winter storms
In autumn gales, on summer morns
Lie broken dreams
In love songs and in nursery rhymes
On movie screens, in fairy tales
Like broken dreams
Life's broken dreams
Love's broken dreams

Picking up the pieces of my sweet shattered dream
I wonder how the old folks are tonight
Her name was Ann and I'll be damned if I recall her face
She left me not knowing what to do

Carefree highway, let me slip away on you
Carefree highway, you seen better days
The morning after blues from my head down to my shoes
Carefree highway, let me slip away, slip away on you

Turning back the pages to the times I love best
I wonder if she'll ever do the same
Now the thing that I call living is just being satisfied
With knowing I got no one left to blame

Carefree highway, got to see you my old flame
Carefree highway, you seen better days
The morning after blues from my head down to my shoes
Carefree highway, let me slip away, slip away on you

Searching through the fragments of my dream shattered sleep
I wonder if the years have closed her mind
I guess it must be wanderlust or trying to get free
From the good old faithful feeling we once knew

Carefree highway, let me slip away on you
Carefree highway, you seen better days
The morning after blues from my head down to my shoes
Carefree highway, let me slip away, slip away on you
Let me slip away on you
Carefree highway, got to see you my old flame
Carefree highway, you seen better days
The morning after blues from my head down to my shoes
Carefree Highway, let me slip away, slip away on you

All you need is time
All you need is time, time, time to make me bend
Give it a try, don't be rude
Put it to the test and I'll give it right back to you

It's cold on the shoulder
And you know that we get a little older every day

Kick it around, take it to town
Try to defy what you feel inside
You better be strong
Your love belongs to us

It's cold on the shoulder
And you know that we get a little older every day

All I need is trust
All I need is trust, trust, trust to make it show
I don't want to know everything you done
If you get a tip then tell it to the eskimos

It's cold on the shoulder
And you know that we get a little older every day
It's cold on the shoulder
And you know that we get a little older every day

All we need is faith
All we need is faith, faith, faith to make it nice
Kick it around, don't be rude
If you're gonna make a mistake don't you make it twice

It's cold on the shoulder
And you know that we get a little older every day
It's cold on the shoulder
And you know that we get a little older every day
It's cold on the shoulder
And you know that we get a little older every day
It's cold on the shoulder
And you know that we get a little older every day

There's a house on a hill
By a worn down, weathered old mill
In the valley below where the river winds
There's no such thing as bad times
And a soft southern flame
Oh, Cotton Jenny's her name
She wakes me up when the sun goes down
And the wheel of love goes 'round

Wheels of love go 'round
Love go 'round
Love go 'round
A joyful sound
I ain't got a penny
For Cotton Jenny to spend
But then
Wheels go 'round

When a new day begins
I go down to the cotton gin
And I make my time worthwhile to them
Then I climb back up again
Then she waits by the door
Oh Cotton Jenny, I'm sore
And she rubs my feet while the sun goes down
And the wheel of love goes 'round

Wheels of love go 'round
Love go 'round
Love go 'round
A joyful sound
I ain't got a penny
For Cotton Jenny to spend
But then
Wheels go 'round

In the hot, sickly south
When they say "well shut my mouth"
I can never be free from the cotton grind
But I know I've got what's mine
With a soft southern flame
Oh, Cotton Jenny's her name
she wakes me up when the sun goes down
and the wheel of love goes round

Wheels of love go 'round
Love go 'round
Love go 'round
A joyful sound
I ain't got a penny
For Cotton Jenny to spend
But then
Wheels go 'round
The wheel goes 'round
'Round and 'round

Through the woodland, through the valley
Comes a horseman wild and free
Tilting at the windmills passing
Who can the brave young horseman be
He is wild but he is mellow
He is strong but he is weak
He is cruel but he is gentle
He is wise but he is meek
Reaching for his saddlebag
He takes a battered book into his hand
Standing like a prophet bold
He shouts across the ocean to the shore
Till he can shout no more

I have come o'er moor and mountain
Like the hawk upon the wing
I was once a shining knight
Who was the guardian of a king
I have searched the whole world over
Looking for a place to sleep
I have seen the strong survive
And I have seen the lean grown weak

See the children of the earth
Who wake to find the table bare
See the gentry in the country
Riding off to take the air

Reaching for his saddlebag
He takes a rusty sword into his hand
Then striking up a knightly pose
He shouts across the ocean to the shore
Till he can shout no more

See the jailor with his key
Who locks away all trace of sin
See the judge upon the bench
Who tries the case as best he can
See the wise and wicked ones
Who feed upon life's sacred fire
See the soldier with his gun
Who must be dead to be admired

See the man who tips the needle
See the man who buys and sells
See the man who puts the collar
On the ones who dare not tell
See the drunkard in the tavern
Stemming gold to make ends meet
See the youth in ghetto black
Condemned to life upon the street

Reaching for his saddlebag
He takes a tarnished cross into his hand
Then standing like a preacher now
He shouts across the ocean to the shore
Then in a blaze of tangled hooves
He gallops off across the dusty plain
In vain to search again
Where no one will hear

Through the woodland, through the valley
Comes a horseman wild and free
Tilting at the windmills passing
Who can the brave young horseman be
He is wild but he is mellow
He is strong but he is weak
He is cruel but he is gentle
He is wise but he is meek

You've bin in all my dreams since you've been gone
Each mornin' that I wake up with the dawn
Dream Street Rose I like the way you smile
Dream Street Rose stay with me a while
You gave more than anyone could ask
You washed away all shadows from my past
Dream Street Rose heaven only knows
Dream Street Rose that's the way she goes
Dream Street Rose let us not pretend
Heaven knows will you love me
Right 'til the end

Somewhere in between there stands a dream
The sweetest dream that we have ever seen
Dream Street Rose I like the way you smile
Dream Street Rose please stay with me a while
Dream Street Rose I miss you when you're gone
Heaven knows I'm gonna love ya
From now on

Dream Street Rose I like the way you smile
Dream Street Rose stay with me a while
Dream Street Rose heaven only knows
Dream Street Rose that's the way she goes

Listen up and I'll tell you what you'll do
Forget about music and alcohol to
Forget about yer baby, we've got other work for you
Better drink yer glasses empty now, it's time to rise 'n shine
There's one less cause in the world to be leavin' for
It was back in '39 when I was one year old
Sitting by the backyard fence and the world had turned to cold
Drink yer glasses empty now was all that they were told
Drink yer glasses girls and boys, it's time to hit the sky
To the tune of thunder, there's no time to wonder why

We'd love to take life over, that is plain
Forget about sorrow, forget about pain
And watch a John Wayne movie to remind us once again
Better drink yer glasses empty now, it's time to hit the line
You got one less cause in the world to be leavin' for
Drink yer glasses girls and boys, it's time to hit the sky
To the tune of thunder, there's a tear in every eye

I'd like to take things one at a time
Forget about reason, forget about rhyme
Because beg, steal, or borrow you got another hill to climb
So drink yer glasses empty now, it's time to hit the road
There's one less cause in the world to be leavin' for
Drink yer glasses girls and boys, it's time to hit the sky
To the tune of thunder, there's no time to wonder why

We'd like to take life over again
When time of war had passed away into the rain
And watch a John Wayne movie to remind us of the planes
Just drink yer glasses empty now, it's time to rise 'n shine
There's one less cause in the world to be leavin' for

In the early morning rain with a dollar in my hand
With an aching in my heart and my pockets full of sand
Now, I'm a long way from home and I miss my loved ones so
In the early morning rain with no place to go

Out on runway number nine a big 707's set to go
But, I'm stuck here in the grass where the cold wind blows
Now, the liquor tasted good and the women all were fast
Well, there she goes, my friend, well she's going down at last

Hear the mighty engines roar - see the silver bird on high
She's away and westward bound - far above the clouds she'll fly


There the morning rain don't fall and the sun always shines
She'll be flying over my home in about three hours time

This old airport's got me down - it's no earthly good to me
'cause I'm stuck here on the ground as cold and drunk as I can be
You can't jump a jet plane like you can a freight train
So, I'd best be on my way in the early morning rain

You can't jump a jet plane like you can a freight train
So, I'd best be on my way in the early morning rain

Put me somewhere east of midnight
West of the turnpike
Anywhere I wander is where I'll take my rest
As I lie down, toss some thoughts around
Dreams I'm told will come true if you
Believe in those who love you right now
Sea of dreams I long for you
Forget about the others
This is my hike, you can come if you like
To feel good, I would help you if I could
But I am out here searching
For the things that might have been
I need no more reminders
Not one love letter have I seen
And that's a pretty good start
The ocean is where lovers meet again
Sea of dreams by all means
Float me out of danger until then
Forever amen

It's a long long hike
We'll be leavin' early travelin' light
That's alright Heaven will be ours tonight

The road is paved with moonbeams
There are faces that I knew
They all came back to haunt me
But that ain't fair to the folks like me and you
It takes a bit of my heart
Tonight I shall be watching from the shore
Sea of dreams from now on
Forget about all the others
Back where the line forms
Destination sea of storms
By all means ever onward sea of dreams

Put me somewhere east of midnight
Along about daylight
Anywhere I wander is where I'll take my rest
If we could just lie down
Toss some thoughts around
It's a tough and a dirty long hike
You can come if you like
If we could just lie down
Toss some thoughts around

I ain't got nothin' to hide
My mind is an endless wire
I got both feet on the ground
I ain't got no one for hire
I ain't got a thing to show
My lives have all expired
So don't go foolin' around
An' set my wheels afire

Down in the dark of a burnt out soul
There's a few good second hand dreams
Deep in the dark of a heavenly night with you
Down in the black of a bottomless hole
There's a few good second hand scenes
Deep in the dark of a heavenly blue
Where the sea runs green

I ain't got nothin' to give
My life is an endless climb
My love's a paperback dream
I don't have nothin' but time
I ain't got a thing to show
I don't know my own name
So don't go foolin' around
An' set my wheels aflame

Down in the dark of a beat out soul
There's a few good second hand dreams
Deep in the dark of a heavenly night with you
Down in the black of a bottomless hole
There's a few good second hand scenes
Deep in the dark of a heavenly blue
Where the sea runs green

I ain't got nothin' to hide
My mind is an endless wire
I got both feet on the ground
I don't have no one for hire
I ain't got a thing to show
My life is an endless rhyme
My love's a paperback dream
I ain't got nothin' but time

Make my world a better place to be
Remove these chains and set me free
Give my life one reason to begin
Forgive me Lord for I have sinned

Take my hand and lead me as you choose
It seems we ain't got much to lose
Give this place one season without shame
Forgive me Lord I've sinned again

I been down on my luck, as a matter of fact
I've even been chaste
Drifting along, singing a song
For the whole human race
I been caught in the act, as a matter of fact
I'm even well known
Floating on by with a laugh and a sigh
On the road that leads home
I got no more time left to roam, if you love me

Take this world and build it as you please
With a little help from the likes of me
Keep it safe from harm and make it pure
Forgive the rich and save the poor

Like the dust on the wind I've been taken again by my foolish pride
Drifting along, singing a song, that's how I get by
I been caught in the act, as a matter of fact I've even been chased
Floating on by with a laugh and a sigh for the whole human race
I got no more time left to waste, if you love me

Make my world a better place to be
Remove these chains and set me free
Give my face a different point of view
Forgive us Lord if we run to you

If you love me
Make my world a better place to be
Remove these chains and set me free
Give my life one reason to begin
Forgive me Lord for I have sinned
Give my life one reason to begin
Forgive me Lord for I have sinned