Michael Martin Murphey

I'm not through with loving you it's just that you're gone
Nothing I can say or do can undo what's done
You took my heart along when you went away
I gave all my love I'll get it back some day

In the river of time I'll forgive and forget
Sweet peace of mind will be just round the bend
I'll stay afloat on the tears that I've cried
And let them memories all go down the river of time

I'll never be over you just over the pain
Moments of hope will shine through the hours of rain
I'll count 'em every one till I start to lose track
I'll make it through this night and get the morning back

In the river of time...
Down the river of time down the river of time

Stars are fallin' and the moon is shinin' bright
I can feel the teardrop in my eye
One last kiss my darlin', remember me kind
And always bear in mind someday we may meet again

Goodbye my love, goodbye, be glad we had the try
I'm never, never, never, never, never, never, never givin' up on love
I'm never, never, never, never givin' up on love

Somewhere out in this big wide world someone is waitin'
So I'm never, never, never, never givin' up on love
No, I'm never, never, never, never givin' up on love

Someday my darlin' will come to me and say
"I will love you darlin' till I die"
We will come together and we'll know right away
Love will ring and ring and ring like bells in the sky

Goodbye my love, goodbye, be glad we had the try
I'm never, never, never, never, never, never, never givin' up on love
I'm never, never, never, never givin' up on love

Somewhere out in this big wide world someone is waitin'
So I'm never, never, never, never givin' up on love
No, I'm never, never, never, never givin' up on love
Never, never, never, never givin' up on love

I met a lady in my drifting days
I quickly fell under the spell of her loving ways
A rose in the desert I loved her so
In the land of enchantment, New Mexico

We watched the sunset by the Rio Grande
A mission bell, rang farewell, she took my hand
She said, "Come back amigo, no matter where you go
To the land of enchantment, New Mexico"

From her arms I wandered far across the sea
I often heard her gentle words haunting me
Come back amigo, I miss you so
To the land of enchantment, New Mexico

Come back amigo, no matter where you go
To the land of enchantment, New Mexico

You're out tonight with someone new
You think I'll stay right here and wait for you
This time you're wrong I'm almost gone
Walking out the door is all I've got left to do

I'm gonna get so lost I'm gonna find myself again
I'm gonna drift away like woodsmoke in the wind

There's a place I know high up in the snow
Waitin' for me like a long lost friend
And there I'll build a fire as I watch the flames grow higher
I'll give this heartache time to mend

I'm gonna get so lost I'll find myself again
I'm gonna drift away like woodsmoke in the wind
Gonna get so lost I'll find myself again
I'm gonna drift away like woodsmoke in the wind

As I watch the seasons turn I wonder what I've learned
I wonder if I'll ever love again
Does it always end the same is love a dying flame
That drifts away like woodsmoke in the wind

I'm gonna get so lost...
Gonna get so lost...

Man only sees what he wants to see
I saw you loving me
No ties to unwind, no promises to bind
When the dawn set us free

One night of moonlight and roses
Was all that I saw in you
Man only sees what he wants to see
But the heart knows the truth
Oh, the heart knows the truth

Man only hears what he wants to hear
I heard me say goodbye
I didn't listen to what my heart whispered
I still wonder why

I told myself it didn't matter
That I'd forget about you
A man only hears what he wants to hear
But the heart knows the truth
Ooh, oh, the heart knows the truth
Ooh, the heart knows the truth

Man only sees what he wants to see
Now I see you in my dreams
Man only hears what he wants to hear
I hear you call my name

Moonlight like Mexican silver
Turns the red rose to blue
The night wind whispers you'll always be mine
But the heart knows the truth

Ooh, oh, the heart knows the truth
Ooh, the heart knows the truth

Oh, the heart knows the truth
Oh, the heart knows the truth

Oh, the heart knows the truth
Oh, the heart knows the truth

Driving West out on I-40
On my way to taste some California wine
A broke down family flagged me down
Near the Arizona line

Their whole world was in a pickup
I guess it couldn't pull the load
It was just our vacation
But to them it was desperation road

The lines on their faces
Told the story of the places that they'd been
Now their home is a highway
That never seems to end

Empty dreams and empty pockets
Sure can make a heavy load
To some of us it's just a highway
But to others it's desperation road

Their eyes had a sadness
From another place in time
A silent reminder that the grapes of wrath
Still make bitter wine

And it sure makes you wonder
'Bout all the seeds our country sows
Which of us will be the next
To travel down desperation road

I helped them start their pickup
And watched them as they faded out of sight
Guess the last thing I remember
Is the faces of the children in my lights

That night in a motel room
I have a dream that made my blood run cold
I saw my own wife and family
Standing out on desperation road

And their eyes had a sadness
From another place in time
A silent reminder that the grapes of wrath
Still make bitter wine

And it sure makes you wonder
'Bout all the seeds our country sows
Which of us will be the next
To travel down desperation road

Could be your own wife and family
Standing out on desperation road

Gonna buy some wood every size and length
Gonna build it good using all my strength
Gonna clear the land where the house will be
And start another branch of the family tree

Gonna chalk a line and lay a walnut floor
Build the walls of pine and hang a cherry door
I'll cut the beams above from mahogany
And I'll get the love from the family tree

I've wandered far and I've walked alone
Till the morning star finally led me home
Now I'm here to stay where I was meant to be
Living in the shade of the family tree

Gonna fill this place like my daddy did
With a friendly face and a bunch of kids
Even though he's gone he's a part of me
As I carry on this family tree

Girl, the wind may blow and the clouds may come
Bringing ice and snow, blocking out the sun
The earth may quake and the ground may freeze
They will never shake this family tree

I've wandered far and I've walked alone
Till the morning star finally led me home
Now I'm here to stay where I was meant to be
Living in the shade of the family tree

Mama look at him, don't he look like me
He's the latest limb on the family tree

Now I'm here to stay where I was meant to be
Living in the shade of the family tree
Now I'm here to stay where I was meant to be
Living in the shade of the family tree

Jesse James was a man
And he killed many men
He robbed the Glendale train
And he took from the richer
And he gave that to the poorer
He'd a hand and a heart and a brain

Oh Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life
Three children they were so brave
But that dirty little coward
That shot Mr. Howard
Has laid Jesse James in his grave


On Wednesday night
When the moon was shining bright
They robbed that Glendale train
And the folks from miles about (yeah they can)
They all said without a doubt
It was done by her Frankie and Jesse James (yes it was)

Oh Jessie had a wife, to mourn for his life
Three children they were so brave
But that dirty little coward
That shot Mr. Howard
Has laid (poor) Jesse James in his grave



Well the people held their breath
When they heard about Jesse's death (yeah)
And they wondered how poor Jesse came to die (how did he die?)
It was one of his guys, called Little Robert Ford
And he shot Jessie James on the sly

Oh Jessie had a wife to mourn for his life
Three children they were so brave
But that dirty little coward
That shot Mr. Howard
Has laid Jesse James in his grave
Has laid poor Jesse in his grave
He laid Jesse James in his grave

(Transcribed by ear; corrections requested and welcomed!)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy trails to you, 'till we meet again.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

She comes down from Yellow Mountain
On a dark, flat land she rides
On a pony she named Wildfire
With a whirlwind by her side
On a cold Nebraska night

Oh, they say she died one winter
When there came a killing frost
And the pony she named Wildfire
Busted down its stall
In a blizzard he was lost
She ran calling Wildfire x 3

By the dark of the moon I planted
But there came an early snow
There's been a hoot-owl howling by my window now
For six nights in a row
She's coming for me, I know
And on Wildfire we're both gonna go
We'll be riding Wildfire x 3
On Wildfire we're gonna ride
Gonna leave sodbustin' behind
Get these hard times right on out of our minds
Riding Wildfire