Michael Martin Murphey

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Well, I'm writing you this letter
and it's a long time overdue
You're thinkin' "Just mind your own business"
I wouldn't blame you if you do
You know our range is gettin' smaller
Hear you're all busted up inside
But it ain't the Broncos that'll kill you
It's just that damned old cowboy pride
Cowboy pride can always get a man through
but cowboy pride will make a fool of you
Good women are hard to find
I'm talkin' about the faithful kind
I hear you're running with that waitress
and she's under age and wild
You know your wife's the best there is, fella
Would you move in with that child?
She stuck with you through the hard times
Think of all the nights she cried
Will she be another victim
of that same old cowboy pride

Guess it's time to close my letter
It's just somethin' that I had to do
You know I made the same mistake once
before she fell in love with you
So go home to your wife and family
It's time to put the past aside
So you don't end up like me now
Nothin' left but cowboy pride
Cowboy pride can always get a man through
but cowboy pride will make a fool of you
Good women are hard to find
I'm talkin' about the faithful kind
Don't end up like me now
with nothin' left but cowboy pride

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cheyenne, Cheyenne, I'm a-leavin' Cheyenne;

Goodbye, old Paint, I'm a-leavin' Cheyenne.

My foot's in the stirrup, my rein in my hand
I'm a-leavin' Cheyenne, I'm off to Montan'
Goodbye, old Paint, I'm a-leavin' Cheyenne;

My horses ain't hungry, they won't eat your hay
My wagon is loaded and rolling away.

We ride all day ´till the sun´s going down
I´m gonna be glad to get out of this town.

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.

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.

Oh, give me a home where the buffalo roam
Where the deer and the antelope play
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word
and the skies are not cloudy all day

Chorus:
Home, home on the range
Where the deer and the antelope play
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word
and the skies are not cloudy all day

The Red Man was pressed from this part of the west
It's not likely he'll ever return
to the banks of Red River, where seldom, if ever
his flickering campfires still burn

Repeat chorus

How often at night when the heavens are bright
with the light from the glittering stars
Have I stood there amazed and asked, as I gazed
if their glory exceeds that of ours

Repeat chorus

Oh, give me a land where the bright diamond sand
flows leisurely down the stream
Where the graceful white swan goes gliding along
like a maid in a heavenly dream

Repeat chorus

Jack of diamonds, jack of diamonds

I've known you of old
You've robbed my poor pockets
of silver and gold

Beafsteak when I'm hungry
Rye whiskey when I'm dry
Greenbacks when I'm hard up
And heaven when I die

Rye whiskey, rye whiskey
Rye whiskey I cry
If I don't get rye whiskey
I surely will die

Jack of diamonds, jack of diamonds
I've known you of old
You've robbed my poor pockets
of silver and gold

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

He ain't been right since she's been gone
He's been known to tie one on
Glass could break and chairs could fly
So we best keep him occupied

Let the cowboy dance, let him dance all night
Maybe he won't fuss, maybe he won't fight
It's our only hope, it's our only chance
Clear the floor boys and let the cowboy dance

Let him kick up his heels or he'll kick down doors
Give him lots of room when he hits the floor
If he asks to dance with your wife
Let her go, boy and save your life

Let the cowboy dance, let him dance all night
Maybe he won't fuss, maybe he won't fight
It's our only hope, it's our only chance
Clear the floor boys and let the cowboy dance

Music calms the savage beast
He's a big old boy at the very least
He'll get over her someday
Until then stay outta his way

Let the cowboy dance, let him dance all night
Maybe he won't fuss, maybe he won't fight
It's our only hope, it's our only chance
Clear the floor boys and let the cowboy dance

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

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

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

RENEGADE
Styx/Michael Martin Murphey

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

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

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

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