Tarnation

There's a place where I know,
We can walk in the flowers and weeds where they grow.
But, I left you back there looking far off with the sun on your hair.


By some strange design I feign to believe that this image was mine.
The shape of your hand in a dream I see a mysterious plan.

You've heard these words because they're written on my face
Like they were carved in stone that time cannot erase.
What secrets lie behind an awful shade of blue ?
In a place of reckoning I keep returning to.
And we return back to the place where words belong, in an awful shade of blue.
I sit and listen to an awful shade of blue,
And through the creeping dust that I am listening to
Are the words that I once loved and meant the world to me.
But they are only now a distant memory.
And we return back to a place where words belong, in an awful shade of blue.
There's no sense in cryin', it is only a shade of blue.

Down the road sits the Big O Motel,
Where people tell lies in their own private cell.
With cast down eyes and a packaged surprise,
I come and I go we plan it just so.

At the Big O Motel, on the vibrating bed,
Cologne drenched curtains of velour red.
In the smoky glass mirror I look at my face,
But, on the bed beside me someone has taken your place.
By the Big O mOtel, there's a drive through bar,
They'll make you a daiquiri in a mason jar.
The man at the window with the receding hair line,
Looks away from me but says " same place, same time ".
At the Big O Motel, on the vibrating bed,
Cologne drenched curtains of velour red.
In the smoky glass mirror I look at my face,
But, on the bed beside me someone has taken your place.
The man on the corner with sausage shaped fingers,
After he's gone, his cigar smoke lingers.
After he's gone I take a shower,
I watch the clock's hands passing the hours.

Down the road sits the Big O Motel,
Where people tell lies in their own private cell.
With cast down eyes and a packaged surprise,
I come and I go we plan it just so.

At the Big O Motel, on the vibrating bed,
Cologne drenched curtains of velour red.
In the smoky glass mirror I look at my face,
But, on the bed beside me someone has taken your place.
By the Big O mOtel, there's a drive through bar,
They'll make you a daiquiri in a mason jar.
The man at the window with the receding hair line,
Looks away from me but says " same place, same time ".
At the Big O Motel, on the vibrating bed,
Cologne drenched curtains of velour red.
In the smoky glass mirror I look at my face,
But, on the bed beside me someone has taken your place.
The man on the corner with sausage shaped fingers,
After he's gone, his cigar smoke lingers.
After he's gone I take a shower,
I watch the clock's hands passing the hours.

I lost a bit more
Won a little mess
Said good-bye to low
And hello to less
I jacked up the car
And shot at my guest
I rolled it twice
And hoped for the best

Chorus :
On this tree I'll hang my skin
And my skeleton without a shadow
Will glow by the fire

The angel hangs over
The bedstand
With a wide wingspan
He's a guest or a ghost
Of a tall fireman
I guess I lit the curtains again

Repeat Chorus

I'm tearing the morning
Right out of the dawn
The night is broken
The day is gone
The sky hits me
It's falling fast
My guard is sleeping on
Broken glass

Repeat Chorus

I lost a bit more
Won a little mess
Said good-bye to low
And hello to less
I jacked up the car
And shot at my guest
I rolled it twice
And hoped for the best

Chorus :
On this tree I'll hang my skin
And my skeleton without a shadow
Will glow by the fire

The angel hangs over
The bedstand
With a wide wingspan
He's a guest or a ghost
Of a tall fireman
I guess I lit the curtains again

Repeat Chorus

I'm tearing the morning
Right out of the dawn
The night is broken
The day is gone
The sky hits me
It's falling fast
My guard is sleeping on
Broken glass

Repeat Chorus

Christine made a little doll and it glowed in the dark.
And it cried out her name, Christine.
Christine lived in a wooden house
Where she made that little doll that glowed in the dark
And cried out her name, Christine.
Christine had to move away because the doll drove her mad
Because it cried out her name
And it cried in the dark, Christine.
Christine left the doll behind
And it sits in a sad room
Where it glows in the dark
And it cries out her name, Christine.

There's something I must tell you,
There's one thing you must know :
Green is the color I remember on the hills of long ago.
I was told to be watchful,
I was told to beware.
For something in the way that he spoke showed he didn't care.
Suddenly, things are not as they ought to be and I know that it's destiny.
Destiny, and just like before,
I yearn for a return to the way things used to be.
He stood out in the shadows,
He was not one to explain
Then he moved past the trees, a distant figure against the green terrain.
Suddenly, things are not as they ought to be and I know that it's destiny.
Destiny, and just like before,
I yearn for a return to the way things used to be.
Out there stands a manzanita,
Underneath there lies a stone,
Without a name or a symbol,
Fading in the waiting light alone.

Do you fancy me, or am I living in make believe?
Am I someone just to pass your time?
To pass lonely hours 'til your heart can be free,
Then you'll forget all about me
Do you think of me,
Or are you a victim of old memories?
Why can't we live for now?
The past is only a sad tragic dream,
Why can't you give your love to me?
Like flowers of springtime there comes a time, when they must wilt away.
Like coldness of winter, with clouds in the sky,
I watch lonely people pass by.
I'll no longer pine for you,
My heart is through with being blue.
Soon you'll turn to find me gone.
Then you'll pass lonely hours,
'Til your heart can be free,
And you'll do all your yearnin' for me

Do you fancy me, or am I living in make believe?
Am I someone just to pass your time?
To pass lonely hours 'til your heart can be free,
Then you'll forget all about me
Do you think of me,
Or are you a victim of old memories?
Why can't we live for now?
The past is only a sad tragic dream,
Why can't you give your love to me?
Like flowers of springtime there comes a time, when they must wilt away.
Like coldness of winter, with clouds in the sky,
I watch lonely people pass by.
I'll no longer pine for you,
My heart is through with being blue.
Soon you'll turn to find me gone.
Then you'll pass lonely hours,
'Til your heart can be free,
And you'll do all your yearnin' for me

Is that all there is to a name, a lost and childish heart.
There's nothing you give that's not dangerous or cold.
Is that there is to a game, a game of broken hearts.
There is no easy way to the lesson you must learn.
It seems so easy for you to turn your heart off and on.
It's no matter who is right or who is wrong.
Is that all there is to a face, a bit of sadness there to hide.
Your fears compel you to hide it all inside.
It seems so easy for you to turn your heart off and on,
It's no matter who is right or who is wrong.

Is that all there is to a name, a lost and childish heart.
There's nothing you give that's not dangerous or cold.
Is that there is to a game, a game of broken hearts.
There is no easy way to the lesson you must learn.
It seems so easy for you to turn your heart off and on.
It's no matter who is right or who is wrong.
Is that all there is to a face, a bit of sadness there to hide.
Your fears compel you to hide it all inside.
It seems so easy for you to turn your heart off and on,
It's no matter who is right or who is wrong.

In the muddy brown water where I wrote your name.
Sadly it tells me that our luck has changed.
When I met you halfway to a place we call madness,
With a rock in my heart, I sank in despair.
In the dusty playground where I first saw your face.
Like a music chair dance, we keep changing our place.
Well there's nothing to hold, in a place we call madness.
Where the water runs cold, then the water runs dry.
How simple things seemed when I just wanted to hold you, hold you.
I listen to a voice of reason while I sleep
It tells me to question all the promises that I keep.
When I met you halfway to a place we call madness,
With a rock in my heart, I sank in despair.
How simple things seemed when I just wanted to hold you, hold you.

In the muddy brown water where I wrote your name.
Sadly it tells me that our luck has changed.
When I met you halfway to a place we call madness,
With a rock in my heart, I sank in despair.
In the dusty playground where I first saw your face.
Like a music chair dance, we keep changing our place.
Well there's nothing to hold, in a place we call madness.
Where the water runs cold, then the water runs dry.
How simple things seemed when I just wanted to hold you, hold you.
I listen to a voice of reason while I sleep
It tells me to question all the promises that I keep.
When I met you halfway to a place we call madness,
With a rock in my heart, I sank in despair.
How simple things seemed when I just wanted to hold you, hold you.

So uncertain I double as a shadow or someone who doesn't understand.
Blatant or misshapen and far too weary to pretend to understand.
In my mind's eye, I am love's pauper and I am going nowhere.
But, I know there's a little piece of heaven - a piece of heaven somewhere.
Idly, Idly, please come take my hand.
Somewhere I know there is a castle floating in the air.
Idly I am taking my time but someday, I will be there.
Idly, Idly, Idly, please come take my hand.

Is she lonesome now ? Is she all alone ?
I wonder where that good gal's gone ?
Hear the whistle blow, hear the tracks moan
I hear the train coming home.
Lonesome is the name of the north bound train,
The hills are green she's gone.
Has she made up her mind to leave sorrow behind,
On herway back home?
There is a place where her shining face still smiles.
Does she sing a sad song or is she glad I'm gone ?
I hear her voice laugh in a dream.
How near she seemed when she whispered her sad farewell

A southern breeze and this road I'm on,
I wonder if I'll see the end.
The city of my sleep where angels dream,
Wrapped up closely to the dawn.
Follow time, like a ghost,
Follow time, like a ghost, I long to wander.
I fell into an angel's dream, I think I left my senses there,
Along with all those forgotten things I left my senses there.
Follow time, like a ghost,
Follow time, like a ghost, I long to wander.
This is the time that we have longed for, that we have longed for.
From far away, far away,
I ask that you would stay in my tranquil dreams,
Tranquil dreams, tranquil dreams.

Listen to the wind, it calls out my name,
It calls with it's wanderin' ways.
Somewhere out yonder kindlin' my flame
Turnin' my tearin' to a blaze.
While I tow the line on this barge of a heart
That'll lead me astray some day, some day.
I'm gonna get me a gun and shoot me someone
If I don't calm my yearnin' heart,
And they'll take me away to an early grave
Before my natural days are done.
While I tow the line on this barge of a heart
That'll lead me astray some day, some day.
While I tow the line on this barge of a heart
That'll lead me astray some day, some day.

Listen to the wind, it calls out my name,
It calls with it's wanderin' ways.
Somewhere out yonder kindlin' my flame
Turnin' my tearin' to a blaze.
While I tow the line on this barge of a heart
That'll lead me astray some day, some day.
I'm gonna get me a gun and shoot me someone
If I don't calm my yearnin' heart,
And they'll take me away to an early grave
Before my natural days are done.
While I tow the line on this barge of a heart
That'll lead me astray some day, some day.
While I tow the line on this barge of a heart
That'll lead me astray some day, some day.

I don't care what they say,
I'm gonna keep it anyway.
I won't let them stretch their necks,
To see my little black egg with the little white specks.
I found it in a tree just the other day,
Now it's mine all mine, they can't take it away.
There comes Mary, there comes Lee :
I'll bet what they want to see.
I won't let them stretch their necks
To see my little black egg with the little white specks.
I found it in a tree just the other day,
Now it's mine all mine, they can't take it away.
Oh father, what can I do ? Little black agg's gonna tell on you.
I won't let them stretch their necks
To see my little black egg with the little white specks

There she goes, she's a lonely one,
She wears a strange painted on smile.
She's caught in the middle,
And she's waited for a long, long while.
There she sits half in the shade,
She won't look at any trouble made by that man.
He's the only trouble she understands.
Dancing where the lonely lights are dim,
Holding on to just a memory of him
I tell myself there's no one to blame,
Is it fate? Why we feel the same.
Caught by the middle after waiting for a long, long time
Dancing where the lonely lights are dim,
Holding on tojust a memory of him

There she goes, she's a lonely one,
She wears a strange painted on smile.
She's caught in the middle,
And she's waited for a long, long while.
There she sits half in the shade,
She won't look at any trouble made by that man.
He's the only trouble she understands.
Dancing where the lonely lights are dim,
Holding on to just a memory of him
I tell myself there's no one to blame,
Is it fate? Why we feel the same.
Caught by the middle after waiting for a long, long time
Dancing where the lonely lights are dim,
Holding on tojust a memory of him

Keep your arms open wide love,
'Cause I'm coming home,
I don't know where I am but I don't care,
'Cause I know where I'm going.
I'm going where the voices,
In my head tell me to
I'd walk a thousand crooked miles,
To try to get back to you

Chorus :
Well I'm weary to the bone,
As I wake here alone,
With a pain that won't let me be
And there's a stranger in the mirror,
Staring back at me,
( Oh Lord, could it be, is that me ? )

These hands are shaking in the shadows,
Of the old morning sun
That's dripping through the window pane,
Lord, this feeling is second to none

Repeat Chorus

I can almost see your smile,
And I can almost hear your voice
Rising high up above,
The flat land of Illinois

Repeat Chorus

Keep your arms open wide love,
'Cause I'm coming home,
I don't know where I am but I don't care,
'Cause I know where I'm going.
I'm going where the voices,
In my head tell me to
I'd walk a thousand crooked miles,
To try to get back to you

Chorus :
Well I'm weary to the bone,
As I wake here alone,
With a pain that won't let me be
And there's a stranger in the mirror,
Staring back at me,
( Oh Lord, could it be, is that me ? )

These hands are shaking in the shadows,
Of the old morning sun
That's dripping through the window pane,
Lord, this feeling is second to none

Repeat Chorus

I can almost see your smile,
And I can almost hear your voice
Rising high up above,
The flat land of Illinois

Repeat Chorus

There is a restless weight upon me, in the shape of things to come.
And the wrapped up paper flowers have left my life undone.
What were the words once told to me or the promises left unmet.
And the end to all the simple things that we promised to never forget.
When I felt the hand upon me, I thought I'd shaken all that I could feel.
I don't need someone to tell me that none of it was real.
As I felt the darkness gather and the silence settle there.
And the many faces that surrounded me in the dark and silent air.

There is a restless weight upon me, in the shape of things to come.
And the wrapped up paper flowers have left my life undone.
What were the words once told to me or the promises left unmet.
And the end to all the simple things that we promised to never forget.
When I felt the hand upon me, I thought I'd shaken all that I could feel.
I don't need someone to tell me that none of it was real.
As I felt the darkness gather and the silence settle there.
And the many faces that surrounded me in the dark and silent air.

I'm waiting, I wait, for the steps on the path,
I'm waiting but steps never come
The sun's burning still,
And the plans that we made
Have slowly faded away
So long, good-bye, to that crazy moaning sky
and I'll cast my heart down the well.

The whole years slowly passed, where the high grass is grown
By the lake where we used to play
The ravine's grown so high, round the shaded brick well.
In the field where we used to play
So long, good-bye, to that crazy moaning sky
and I'll cast my heart down the well.

I'm waiting, I wait, for the steps on the path,
I'm waiting but steps never come
The sun's burning still,
And the plans that we made
Have slowly faded away
So long, good-bye, to that crazy moaning sky
and I'll cast my heart down the well.

The whole years slowly passed, where the high grass is grown
By the lake where we used to play
The ravine's grown so high, round the shaded brick well.
In the field where we used to play
So long, good-bye, to that crazy moaning sky
and I'll cast my heart down the well.

Waiting for the sun to set in your eyes,
Thinking that kind words are just a disguise.
I wonder why you think that I should say good-bye when you know
Two wrongs won't make things right.
There was a time that I remember your happy smile,
Was it last september I went away.
I'm sorry now, but two wrongs won't make things right,
Two wrongs won't make things right.
Someday we'll remember this chance we once had to make things right make things right.
I'm thinking of my words that made you cry,
What can sorry mean when said with the word good-bye.
And though times change one thing remains,
That two wrongs won't make things right.

You wait, but the sun has told you lies,
It sits laughing in an empty sky.
There's one thing that I can't do without,
But I can see through those sullen eyes that have turned away from me.
It's wise to say that I don't care
It's wise to say but I don't mean a word.
I'm only asking why must I pretend to not see
Through those sullen eyes that have turned away from me.

The little yellow birds,
Do they cry for me,
Or do they cry with happiness ?
They look down on me with tiny eyes,
Do they see my tears?
They seem to flutter by so carelessly,
Do they hope I have some seeds ?
They land beside me without any fear,
Do they see my tears ?
There is the open sky where a warm breeze blows,
Still the birds stay close by me.
Do they want some hair to make a nest for spring,
Or do they want to dry my tears ?

The little yellow birds,
Do they cry for me,
Or do they cry with happiness ?
They look down on me with tiny eyes,
Do they see my tears?
They seem to flutter by so carelessly,
Do they hope I have some seeds ?
They land beside me without any fear,
Do they see my tears ?
There is the open sky where a warm breeze blows,
Still the birds stay close by me.
Do they want some hair to make a nest for spring,
Or do they want to dry my tears ?

Which way can we go, only the moon casts a shadow.
When we look far below the path is sharp and narrow.
Your thoughts and mine, are far away from this moment, from this moment.
Are the stars very bright in the place where you are sleeping?
Can you hear this song and this song that I am keeping?
Your thoughts and mine, are far away from this moment, from this moment.
And this story it goes as we move along the shadows.
And this story it goes along the sharp and narrow.
Your thoughts and mine, are far away from this moment, from this moment.