Robert Earl Keen

10000 chinese walk into a bar
Order upa beer
The barman says, its funny you know
We don?t get many Chinese in here
I don?t know if i got it right maybe no one knows
Its just a joke i heard one night
And that?s the way it goes
I ll have one

Grab a chair and stay all night
Make yourself at home
I may be wrong but that?s alright
I am not alone

A little man in this little town
He wears a lot of hats
He always out tom cattin around
Hes? got a thing for cats
I aint seen him with a cat
So aint really sure
But listen close cause when he talks
Sometimes you hear him purr
There aint a cure

Grab a chair and stay all night
Make yourself at home
I may be wrong but that?s alright
I am not alone

Another man he loved duct tape
He made a duct tape suit
And he had duct tape from the top of his hat
To the heel of his cowboy boot
And when he died they buried him
Down in that cold cold ground
And they stuff him in that pine box boy
And then they taped him down
I was out of town

Grab a chair and stay all night
Make yourself at home
I may be wrong but that?s alright
I am not alone

And then there was this Irishman
Who, uh, stayed drunk all time
Im sorry friend i screwed that up
I told you the punch line
Anyway i got to split
There just about to close
But ill be back tomorrow night
Cause that the way it goes
Yeah that?s the way it goes

Days full of rain
sky's comin' down again
I get so tired
of these same old blues
same old song
Baby, it won't be long
'fore I be tyin' on
my flyin' shoes
flyin' shoes
till I be tyin' on
my flyin' shoes

Spring only sighed
summer had to be satisfied
fall is a feelin' that I just can't lose.
I'd like to stay
maybe watch a winter day
turn the green water
to white and blue
flyin' shoes
flyin' shoes
till I be tyin' on
my flyin' shoes

The mountain moon
forever sets too soon
bein' alone is all the hills can do
alone and then
her silver sails again
and they will follow
in their flyin' shoes
flyin' shoes
they will follow in their
flyin' shoes

Days full of rain
skys comin' down again
I get so tired
of the same old blues
same old song
Baby, it won't be long
till I be tyin' on
my flyin' shoes
flyin' shoes
till I be tyin' on
my flyin' shoes

I am the king of burning daylight, and holdin' my own
I've been doin', alright, leaving well enough alone
My Daddy told me, I was lazy, my momma said, I love you too

I kind of Like just, doin' Nothing, It's something that I do
I kind of like just, doin' Nothing, It's something that I do

I read the sports page, make some coffee, turn the TV on
I feed the gold Fish, fix a sandwich, ignore the telephone
My baby tells me, you're so lazy, my baby say, we love you too

I kind of Like just, doin' Nothing, it's something that I do
*background* (He kind of Likes just doin' Nothing),
It's something that I do

I got a cabin, and a campfire, stars up in the sky "sky" echoes
I've got a ummm, good hearted woman, I think I'm getting by
I tell my baby, I am the ?barritz?, my baby says you love me too

I kind of Like just doin' Nothing, It's something that I do
*background* (He kind of Likes just doin' Nothing),
It's something that I do

Alright

........

I love a clear day, a open highway, a lonesome fiddle tune
I love a party, with friends and family, napping in the afternoon
I might be lazy, I ain't crazy, I love my baby, she loves me too

I kind of Like, just doin' Nothing, It's something that I do

I kind of Like, *background* (He kind of Likes just doin' Nothing),
just doin' Nothing, It's Something that I do

I kind of Like *background* (He kind of Likes just doin' Nothing),
just doin' Nothing, It's Something that I do

*background* (He kind of Likes just doin' Nothing),
It's something that I do

*background* (He kind of Likes just doin' Nothing),
It's something that I do

I kind of Like, just doin' Nothing, It's something that I do
*background* (He kind of Likes just doin' Nothing),
It's something that I do

We left New York City, with nuthin' but a song,
she'll be coming' 'round the mountain when she comes.
We wound up in Woodstock, at an old time jamboree,
came to see the man behind the drums.

(Chorus)
Levon digs the doghouse, playing in The Band,
when he locks in to that backbeat it ain't hard to understand.
Get your body movin', celebrate your soul,
Levon digs the doghouse, that's sho-nuff rock and roll.

Son of a plain dirt farmer, from southeast Arkansas,
he was born in a bare ramblin' shoe.
Up and down the highway, and all around the world,
laying down the rhythm and the blues.

(Chorus)

We were hangin' from the rafters, singing every song,
that big barn band was hot as it could be.
Up there in the spotlight, the man behind the drums,
was takin' all the load off for you and me.

(Chorus)

Yea, Levon digs the doghouse, that's sho-nuff rock and roll.

He was walkin' through the alley way
Where the drifters sleep and the wild dogs play
The moon was black, the sky was grey
He thought he was alone

She was waiting at the rose hotel
across the street from the wishing well
Turned the latch and broke a nail
Checked her mobile phone

Chorus
Sometimes you run, sometimes you stall
Sometimes you don't get up at all
Sometimes you run, sometimes you fall

He bought a ticket on the uptown train
Got off at 8th and Birmingham
Wondered if she gave a damn about him anymore

She hadn't seen him in a year or so
Why he called she did not know
She had the oldies on the radio and someone at the door

Chorus

He threw a nickle in the wishin' well
crossed the street to The Rose Hotel
Got no answer when he rang the bell
So he gave a little shout
Tiny watchman with a baseball bat
A cheap cigar and a persian cat
Told him it was too bad that she had just checked out

Chorus

VERSE1
She wasn't bad. She wasn't good. She was just what she was.
She had a thing makes a man, do the things he does.
She had a way. A special way, to speak without a word.
I swear to you, this very day, that this is how it all occurred.

CHORUS
We was: Throwin rocks in the river, counting ties on the track
Thinking life could not be better and living in a shack.
Feeling love for one another, deep down in our bones.
Standing by the water, throwing rocks n skipping stones.

VERSE 2
I was raised, in New Orleans. She was born in Jacksonville.
And for a time, to me it seemed , she made the world stand still.

CHORUS
Throwin rocks in the river, counting ties on the track
Thinking life could not be better and living in a shack.
Feeling love for one another, deep down in our bones.
Standing by the water, throwing rocks n skipping stones.

VERSE 3
I came home late and I caught her, with a man from out of town.
Now I wait beside the water for the flood to take me down.

CHORUS
Throwin rocks in the river, counting ties on the track
Pouring gas on her letters and setting fire to the shack.
Screaming bloody murder, leaving nothing but the bones.
Standing by the water, throwing rocks n skipping stones.

I am Standing by the water, yeah, throwing rocks n skipping stones.

Where the open range
Meets the endless sky
On a broad highway
The Big trucks fly

Purple neon sign
Is flashing off and on
Theres a vacancy
Your almost home

Chorus:
The Village Inn Motel
So affordable
For a King or a Queen
Clean and Comfortable
If you aint been, you should go
Village Inn Motel, in Challis, Idaho

Midnight thunderstorm
Is blowin into town

Wind is kicking up
Rain is falling down

The years have come and gone
Like lightin in the sky
Here inside your room
The world is safe and dry

Chorus:

The Village Inn Motel
So afforadable
For a King or a Queen
Clean and Comfortable
Free WiFi H-B-O
Village Inn Motel, in Challis, Idaho

My wife took all the money, left me for a cop.
And I don't know nobody in this coffee shop.
I'm starin' at the menu board, waitin' in a line,
With ten bucks on my Starbucks card and one thing on my mind

CHORUS:
Is there wireless in heaven? I just wanna know.
Do I need a password to log in when I go?
And does Jesus have a website to send in my e-mail?
Is there wireless in heaven, or do I go to hell?

I order mocha latte ginger jasmine tea.
The pretty little cashier girl looks up and smiles at me;
She says "it is an honor", she knows who I am,
Her grandpa plays the guitar and he's my biggest fan.

CHORUS:
Is there wireless in heaven? I just wanna know.
Do I need a password to log in when I go?
And does Jesus have a website to send in my e-mail?
Is there wireless in heaven, or do I go to hell?

I'm cosmically connected, spiritually aware.
They say I'm apathetic, but I don't really care.
Pathetically reflective, feeling over-matched,
I wanna meet my maker with no wires attached.

CHORUS:
Is there wireless in heaven? I just wanna know.
Do I need a password to log in when I go?
Tell me will Jesus answer my e-mail?
Is there wireless in heaven, or do I go to hell?
Is there wireless in heaven, or do I go to hell?

You take off from work a bit early
The boss doesn't care if you stay
The guard with the key has to check your ID
But he'd just as soon blow you away

The cops have stopped ten miles of traffic
They're sorry for all the delay
No need for alarm as they're waving their arms
But they'd just as soon blow you away

Two pretty blondes in a Porsche
Their bumper says, "We love L.A."
They look pretty fair, but they're crazy out there
And they'd just as soon blow you away

You got in some trouble in high school
But you feel like a new man today
You keep to yourself because anyone else
Would just as soon blow you away

You're standin' in front of the teller
She's countin' out all of your pay
There's twenties and ones and there's guards with their guns
And they'd just as soon blow you away

And one old ex con at the station
Fixes flats in the back of the bay
He winks and he jokes and he borrows a smoke
But he'd just as soon blow you away

You like the new girl at the hotel
She drops your room key in the tray
No words will pass through the bullet proof glass
'Cause she'd just as soon blow you away

You climb up the stairs every evening
To your room right above the cafe
There ain't much mystique, but you pay every week
'Cause they'd just as soon blow you away

And you turn out the light that you read by
You pray that you're one of the few
When you're in with the Lord, there's just one reward
And they'd just as soon make it come true

Your mattress is mildewed and lumpy
But you fall fast asleep where you lay
Under the lump there's a twenty gauge pump
'Cause they'd just as soon blow you away

When I was a young boy
The only things that really mattered were
Making friends and having fun
Walkin' down the railroad track
'Til you reached the river
Turn around and head on back
When the day is done

Chorus
Ain't it like they always say
Everybody goes their own way
Nobody knows no one can tell
It's always been the same for me
Guess it's just the way it must be
Headin' down that dusty trail

When I was a young man
The only things
that got me goin' were
Gettin' high and chasm' love
Lyin' down beside my girl
On the banks of the river
With nothin' but some mustang wine
And all the stars above

It's a twistin' turnin' windin' road
I get lost and broken down
I'm a stumbler and it won't be long
'Till stumble back around
Since I became my own man
Everything that matters to me is
Making sure I'm staying true
To my friends and the ones I love
'Till cross that river
All alone I'm movin' on Until my time is through

Seems like yesterday I was here
Dreamin' my life away and drinkin' beer
Staying up till dawn strummin' on guitars
Sleepin' all day long just like the big rock stars
Barely livin' on money from tip jars

I had a little place just up the block
Had me a French girlfriend I loved the way she talked
We spent our afternoons watchin' the TV
Findin' things to do that we could do for free
When we split up she said you don't do enough for me

CHORUS:
I am guilty of a dreadful selfish crime
I had robbed myself of all my precious time

Had my first gig here in the neighborhood
We had a little band I thought was good
Hocked my old shotgun bought a used P.A.
We got a quart of rum drank it all that day
When the big gig come we were just to drunk to play

CHORUS

Sometimes I can't believe those days are gone
Most of my friends back then have moved along
One's in Hollywood one's a millionaire
Some are gone for good some still livin' here
Me I'm just the same lost in a crowd
Lookin' for the rain in a thunder cloud
I have moved around but it don't matter though
One thing I have found there are just two ways to go
It all comes down to livin' fast or dyin' slow

CHORUS

Standin there on Main Street across from Mr. Blues
My faded leather jacket my weathered brogan shoes
A chill north wind was blowin but the Spring was comin on
As I wondered to myself just how long I had been gone

So I strolled across ol Main Street walked down a flight of stairs
Stepped into a hall and saw all my friends were there
A neon sign was flashing welcome come on in
It feels so good feeling good again

My favorite band was playin' and Otis Redding song
And when they sang the chorus everybody sang along
Dan and Margarita were swayin side by side
I heard they were divorcing but I guess they let it slide

I wished I had some money with which to buy a round
I wished I cashed my paycheck before I came to town
But I reached into my pocket and found three twenties and a ten
It feels so good feelin good again

There was old man Perkins sittin on his stool
Watchin Butch and Jimmy John talkin' loud and playin pool
The boys from Silver City were standin by the fire
Singin like they thought they were the Tabernacle choir

And I wanted you to see them all I wished that you were there
I looked across the room and saw you standing on the stair
And when I caught your eye I saw you break into a grin
It feels so good feelin good again

I wanted you to see them all I wished that you were there
I looked across the room and saw you standing on the stair
And when I caught your eye I saw you break into a grin
It feels so good feelin good again
It feels so good feelin good again

In the corner of the barroom
Lives the ghost of Langston Hughes
He's takin' notes and smokin' cigarettes
Sippin' slowly on his booze
Got them goin' nowhere blues

And on the stage beneath the spotlight
Woody Guthrie sings the news
He's always ready for the good fight
Never thinkin' that he'll lose
Got them goin' nowhere blues
Through the back way in the alley
Sellin all you should refuse
Looks like Jane has finally given in
Hey, what the hell it ain't no use
Got them goin' nowhere blues

Out the front around the corner
Martin Luther shines your shoes
He's preachin' justice and equality
I guess Martin's payin' dues
He's got them goin' nowhere blues

On the other side it's a free ride
You've got money you can burn
When the ground shakes and the earth breaks
Which way you gonna turn
Are you ever gonna learn
In the poolroom on the table
Swillin' wine and smashin' cues
They locked him up last night for fighting
Cesar Chavez blew a fuse
He's got them goin' nowhere blues

All the members of the union
All the farm and labor crews
They used to be meet here by the dozens
They disappeared in ones and twos
Got them goin' nowhere blues
So you wonder why they come here
They come here to look for clues
Passin' time until they live again
To fight these going nowhere views
Leave these goin' nowhere blues
To fight these goin' nowhere views

Johnny Cash, Roy Cash Jr.

Out my door the leaves are falling
The cold wild wind will come
Sweethearts walk by together
But I still miss someone
I go out on a party
To look for a little fun
But I find a darkened corner
a€?Cause I still miss someone

Chorus:
Oh, I never got over those blue eyes
I see them everywhere
I miss those arms that held me
When all the love was there

I wonder if she's sorry
For leavin' what we'd begun
There's someone for me somewhere
But I still miss someone

(Repeat Chorus)

Mom got drunk and Dad got drunk at our Christmas party
We were drinking champagne punch and homemade eggnog
Little sister brought her new boyfriend
He was a Mexican
We didn't know what to think of him until he sang
Feliz Navidad, Feliz Navidad

Brother Ken brought his kids with him
The three from his first wife Lynn
And the two identical twins from his second wife Mary Nell
Of course he brought his new wife Kay
Who talks all about AA
Chain smoking while the stereo plays Noel, Noel
The First Noel

Carve the Turkey
Turn the ball game on
Mix margaritas when the eggnog's gone
Send somebody to the Quickpak Store
We need some ice and an extension chord
A can of bean dip and some Diet Rites
A box of tampons, some Marlboro Lights
Halleluja everybody say Cheese
Merry Christmas from the family

Fred and Rita drove from Harlingen
I can't remember how I'm kin to them
But when they tried to plug their motor home in
They blew our Christmas lights
Cousin David knew just what went wrong
So we all waited out on our front lawn
He threw a breaker and the lights came on
And we sang Silent Night, Oh Silent Night, Oh Holy Night

Carve the turkey turn the ball game on
Make Bloody Mary's
Cause We All Want One!
Send somebody to the Stop 'N Go
We need some celery and a can of fake snow
A bag of lemons and some Diet Sprites
A box of tampons, some Salem Lights
Halleluja, everybody say cheese
Merry Christmas from the Family

Feliz Navidad

Streets are almost empty, the shops are all closed down
There's not a soul left in the bar to tell my troubles to
Think I'll walk down to the river that runs just south of town
I hate like hell when there ain't nothin' left to do
But stand beneath the river bridge and listen for the train
It's been a long, hot summer, not a drop of rain

Well, I broke down in December, I headed for the coast
I thought the wind and water would elevate my mind
I surfaced in the springtime feelin' like a ghost
Missin' more than ever the things I left behind
Now I'm standin' on this riverbank and still cannot explain
It's been a long, hot summer, not a drop of rain

My bag is full of letters, unopened and unread
I'm sure they'd tell the story of worry and of form
My heart is beating heavy with all we left unsaid
I swear to you, I never meant you any harm
But sacrifice and compromise could never stand the strain
It's been a long, hot summer, not a drop of rain

Tonight I'll close my eyes again, try to see your face
And listen for your voice to tell me it's all right to sleep
Convince myself I'll wake up in another time and place
Knowin' all the while that it's a promise I can't keep
A string of broken promises, another link of chain
It's been a long, hot summer, not a drop of rain

The children on the playground, the lovers in the shade
Remind me of a life and time that feels more like a dream
When the sound of love and laughter was the music that we played
As we lay beside the waters of a never-ending stream
Now the stream has gone to hiding, the dream lives on in vain
It's been a long, hot summer, not a drop of rain

The clouds are building slowly on the skyline to the east
The wind and dust are dancing like the devil 'cross the lake
I could try to find a bottle or try to find a priest
Salvation won't be traveling either road I take
So I turn my collar to the wind that echoes this refrain
It's been a long, hot summer, not a drop of rain

We made Oklahoma a little after 3
Randy, his brother Bob and my old GMC
We had some moonshine whiskey and some of Bob's homegrown
We were so messed up we didn't know if we were drunk or stoned

Randy was a sad-sack, tall kinda frail
Bob was a raving maniac, crazy in the head
They been kicked out of high school several years ago
For pushin' over port-a-cans at the 4-H rodeo

Since then they've done their little dance right outside the law
Popped twice in Oklahoma, once in Arkansas
And I don't know what possessed me to want to tag along
'Cause I was raised a Christian and I knew right from wrong

Right or wrong, black or white
Cross the line you're gonna pay
In the dawn before the light
Live and die by the shades of gray

We stole two Charolais heifers from Randy's sweetheart's paw
Sold them at the livestock sale outside of Wichita
We got 900 dollars and never did suspect
The world of hurt we'd be in once we cashed that check

Next day we heard the story on the local radio
We made our plans that very night to go to Mexico
And I swear we would have made it if it wasn't for that shine
I got sick about the time we crossed that Kansas line

Right or wrong, black or white
Cross the line you're gonna pay
In the dawn before the light
Live and die by the shades of gray

I was layin' in the bar ditch prayin' I would die
When a light come on above us and a voice come from the sky
A half a dozen unmarked cars came screeching to a halt
They grabbed Bob, he started screamin' it was all my fault

There were men and dogs and helicopter buzzin' all around
They had the brothers on the pickup hood and me down on the ground
Bob flew all to pieces but Randy he held tight
When a black man in a suit and tie stepped out into the light
He told his men to turn us loose they put down their guns
He said these are just some sorry kids, they ain't the ones

Right or wrong, black or white
Cross the line you're gonna pay
In the dawn before the light
Live and die by the shades of gray

So they left us by the roadside down hearted and alone
Randy got behind the wheel said boys I'm going home
So we turned around to face our fate hung over but alive
On that mornin' in late April, Oklahoma, 1995

Right or wrong, black or white
Cross the line you're gonna pay
In the dawn before the light
Live and die by the shades of gray
Live and die by the shades of gray
Live and die by the shades of gray

Townes Van Zandt

When the wind don't blow in Amarillo
When the moon along the Gunnison don't rise
And I cast my dreams upon your love babe
And lie beneath the laughter of your eyes

Chorus:
Snowin' on Raton
Come morning I'll be through them hills and gone
Snowin' on Raton
Come morning I'll be through them hills and gone

Mother thinks the road is long and lonely
Little brother thinks the road is straight and fine
Little darlin' thinks the road is soft and lovely
I'm thankful that ole road's a friend of mine

(Repeat Chorus)

I'll bid the years goodbye, you cannot steal them
You cannot turn the circles of the sun
You cannot count the miles until you feel them
You cannot hold a lover that is gone

(Repeat Chorus)

Tomorrow the mountains will be sleepin'
Silent a€?neath the blanket green and blue
And I shall hear the silence they are keepin'
And I'll bring all their promises to you

(Repeat Chorus)

I had a horse
named Bad Luck
She weren't good lookin'
but she sure could buck

Chorus
Yahoo hey hey
Yippee yi cy yey

I put my mama on her
She threw her in the air
My mama said son
"that's a mother buckin' mare"

Chorus

Took her to the rodeo
She won second place
She was really buckin' good
in the buckin' barrel race

Chorus

She won a thousand dollars
I put it in my hat
Bought a brand new saddle
She bucked me out of that

Chorus

She bucked me on the
pick-up truck
She bucked me on the fence
My daddy said
son, you got no buckin' sense"

Chorus

So if you gotta bucker
Don't ever buck around
That buckin' mother bucker
will buck you on the ground

Chorus

Sherry was a waitress at the only joint in town
She had a reputation as a girl who'd been around
Down Main Street after midnight with a brand new pack of cigs
A fresh one hangin' from her lips and a beer between her legs
She'd ride down to the river and meet with all her friends
The road goes on forever and the party never ends

Sonny was a loner he was older than the rest
He was going into the Navy but he couldn't pass the test
So he hung around town he sold a little pot
The law caught wind of Sonny and one day he got caught
But he was back in business when they set him free again
The road goes on forever and the party never ends

Sonny's playin' 8-ball at the joint where Sherry works
When some drunken outta towner put his hand up Sherry's skirt
Sonny took his pool cue laid the drunk out on the floor
Stuffed a dollar in her tip jar and walked on out the door
She's runnin' right behind him reachin' for his hand
The road goes on forever and the party never ends

They jumped into his pickup Sonny jammed her down in gear
Sonny looked at Sherry and said lets get on outta here
The stars were high above them and the moon was in the east
The sun was settin' on them when they reached Miami Beach
They got a hotel by the water and a quart of Bombay gin
The road goes on forever and the party never ends

They soon ran out of money but Sonny knew a man
Who knew some Cuban refugees that dealt in contraband
Sonny met the Cubans in a house just off the route
With a briefcase full of money and a pistol in his boot
The cards were on the table when The Law came bustin' in
The road goes on forever and the party never ends

The Cubans grabbed the goodies, Sonny grabbed the Jack
He broke a bathroom window and climbed on out the back
Sherry drove the pickup through the alley on the side
Where a lawman tackled Sonny and was readin' him his rights
She stepped into the alley with a single-shot .410
The road goes on forever and the party never ends

They left the lawman lyin' and they made their getaway
They got back to the motel just before the break of day
Sonny gave her all the money and he blew her a little kiss
If they ask you how this happened say I forced you into this
She watched him as his taillights disappeared around the bend
The road goes on forever and the party never ends

Its Main Street after midnight just like it was before
21 months later at the local grocery store
Sherry buys a paper and a cold 6-pack of beer
The headlines read that Sonny is goin' to the chair
She pulls back onto Main Street in her new Mercedes Benz
The road goes on forever and the party never ends

You've been standin' on the corner for a thousand nights
Ifs the slowest corner known to man
Watchin' strange faces passin' 'neath the lights
With a bottle wavin' in your hand
You got just enough money for some nothin' to go
It ain't exactly what you planned
So lonesome that you can't even say hello
And no one seems to understand

Chorus
So you're a mixed up kid, come on and join the crowd
The ones that only fit where they're not allowed
Out on the streets and you're feelin' blue
travelin' light
With a hole in your soul where the wind blows through
A hole in your soul where the wind blows through

You wandered away from your childhood home
Nobody cared to trace
the tracks you laid
You traveled by night
and you traveled alone
Came to rest at a penny arcade
Well, the last shots over
on a Saturday night You wake up in the beam
of a cop's flashlight
He asks you who you are as if you
knew or you cared
He asks you where you live
and you say nowhere

Chorus

I don't know where I got it
but, I got it the same
It's a feelin' that'll rip you apart
It follows me around
like a part of my name
Like I'm born with a time bomb
instead of a heart

Chorus

Traditional: Arranged by REK

I got high and I got in jail
I got high and I got in jail
I got high and I got in jail
Weren't nobody to pay my bail
My sins they have overtaken me

Chorus:
Hand me down my walkin' cane
Hand me down my walkin' cane
Hand me down my walkin' cane
I'm a gonna leave on the mornin' train
My sins they have overtaken me

If I die in Tennessee
If I die in Tennessee
If I die in Tennessee
Ship me back by C.O.D.
My sins they have overtaken me

(Repeat Chorus)

Hand me down my bottle of corn
Hand me down my bottle of corn
Hand me down my bottle of corn
I'm gonna get drunk as sure as you're born
My sins they have overtaken me

(Repeat Chorus)

Down on Main Street after sundown
Good Time Charlie and Wandering Bill
Thought they might hold up old Hoppy's Drive In
One got away one never will

Chorus
And thats the way it goes around here
I think everybody knows
Thats the song we've been singin' for years
Thats the way the wild wind blows

Too tall Annie kept her money
In a Bible she never read
They found Lefty her first ex-husband
In his new pickup truck at the bottom of the river bed

Chorus
And thats the way it goes around here
I think everybody knows
Thats the song we've been singin' for years
Thats the way the wild wind blows

Luther Martin he ain't got no money
But he sells papers and buys his wine
His great granddaddy owned half of Main Street
Luther's daddy didn't have a dime

Chorus
And thats the way it goes around here
I think everybody knows
Thats the song we've been singin' for years
Thats the way the wild wind blows

Ain't no secret ol Doc Skinner
Wrote prescriptions made lots of friends
He could dance like nobody's business
Folks around here are sure missing him

Chorus
And thats the way it goes around here
I think everybody knows
Thats the song we've been singin' for years
Thats the way the wild wind blows

Dave Alvin

She's waiting for me when I get home from work
But things just ain't the same
She turns out the light and cries in the dark
Won't answer when I call her name

Chorus

On the stairs I smoke a cigarette alone
The Mexican kids are shooting fireworks below
Hey, baby, it's the Fourth of July
Hey, baby, it's the Fourth of July

She gives me her cheek when I want her lips
And I don't have the strength to go
On the lost side of town in a dark apartment
We gave up trying so long ago

Repeat Chorus

Whatever happened, I apologize
So dry your tears and baby, walk outside
It's the Fourth of July

Repeat Chorus

I wonder where my baby is tonight
I wonder where my baby is tonight
That street lamp ain't sayin'
The moon is out of sight
I wonder where my baby is tonight

I love her more than roses love the sun
I love her more than roses love the sun
I've told her and I've told her
Baby you're the only one
I love her more than roses love the sun

She's been gone since early morning
She left here early yesterday
I lost my head and said some things
I didn't mean to say
She's been gone since early yesterday

She doesn't know the danger she'll find
She doesn't know know the danger she'll find
With no one to protect her
In a world that's so unkind
She doesn't know the danger she'll find

I've been every place from Cherry Street to Main
Every place from Cherry Street to Main
My mind is sick with worry
From callin' out her name
Every place from Cherry Street to Main

I wonder where my baby is tonight
I wonder where my baby is tonight
That street lamp ain't sayin'
The moon is out of sight
I wonder where my baby is tonight

Flatter than a tabletop
Makes you wonder why they stopped here
Wagon must have lost a wheel or they lacked ambition one
On the great migration west
Separated from the rest
Though they might have tried their best
They never caught the sun

So they sunk some roots down in the dirt
To keep from blowin' off the earth
Built a town around here
And when the dust had all but cleared
They called it Levelland, the pride of man
In Levelland

Granddad grew the dry land wheat
Stood on his own two feet
His mind got incomplete and they put in the home
Daddy's cotton grows so high
Sucks the water table dry
Rolling sprinklers circle round
Bleedin' it to the bone
And I won't be here when it comes a day
It all dries up and blows away
I'd hang around just to see
But they never had much use for me in Levelland
They don't understand me out in Levelland

And I watch those jet trails carving up that big blue sky
Coast to coasters watch 'em go
And I never would blame 'em one damn bit
If they never looked down on this
Not much here they'd wanna know
Just Levelland
Far as you can point your hand
Nothin' but Levelland

Mama used to roll her hair
Back before the central air
We'd sit outside and watch the stars at night
She'd tell me to make a wish
I'd wish we both could fly
Don't think she's seen the sky
Since we got the satellite dish and
I can hear the marching band
Doin' the best they can
They're playing "Smoke on the Water", "Joy to the World"
I've paid off all my debts
Got some change left over yet and I'm
Gettin' on a whisper jet
I'm gonna fly as far as I can get from
Levelland, doin' the best I can
Out in Levelland - imagine that

I'm long past hungry
I need a bed
I got some real wild things
Runnin' through my head
Oh Rosie, don't forget me now

I've been to Tulsa
And New Mexico
Still got Tucson and
Colorado left to go
Oh Rosie don't forget me now

Chorus:
Do you remember
Our lucky star
We gave all our wishes to
Now I'm in Denver
In this old bar
Tryin' to do anything to hang on to you
And not be blue

It's all-night TV
With nothin' on
I should be goin' but I'm
Too far gone
Oh Rosie, don't forget me now

There's rotten singers
Lousy art
Western swingers
And my old broken heart
Oh Rosie, don't forget me now

Chorus

It's a hard old highway
A long slow burn
I think about ya Rosie
At every little turn
So don't you worry
Please don't cry
When we're together
That old time will fly on by
Oh Rosie, don't forget me now

Chorus

It's a hard old highway
A long slow burn
I think about ya Rosie
At every little turn
Oh Rosie, don't forget me now

I slipped through your fingers into the clouds
Ran down the concrete hallways
Pushed through the crowds.
I watched by the water
Reached for the sun
Why did I bother
What's done is done

Chorus

And all that's left of me now
Is waiting to drown
Over the waterfall (falling down)
Over the waterfall (falling down)
Over the waterfall (falling down)

I fall down
Soldiers of fortune
Stand by your door
You can't remember
What you hired them for
You cleared your conscience
And I left a stain
The beauty of sadness is
Feeling the pain

Chorus

And only the sad stone man can hear my cry
And only the tall blue girl can see
I lost my way I have no alibi
So no one will know you knew me

Randomly speaking
Pieces of light
The clowns from the circus
Got drunk here last night
They talked of reunion
Then left on their own
What they've never known
Is what you've always known.

Chorus

It's midnight on the interstate and I'm flying like a bird
I was talking to a friend of mine, he said
"Have you heard the word?"
"I've got some people comin' by to celebrate the show,
Some of them are new in town and some of them you know"
I've got a local station on, Tejano music playing
I do my best to sing along but I don't know what they're saying
No le puedo entender but you know that it's alright
I'm headed down to San Antone, runnin' with the night
I've never been no daytime guy
Love the neon light
I'm a saxophone, flash of chrome
Runnin' with the night

I lost my job a month ago so I took a small vacation
I went out west to make the best of my lowdown situa-tion
Moved in with my sister you know she works every day
We don't see each other much but I guess it's just that way

I've never been no daytime guy
Love the neon light
I'm a swingin' door, a meteor
Runnin' with the night

I've settled down a time or two and tried the other way
But I don't know what to do with myself all day
The sun goes down you give you love one last long goodnight kiss
Then you stay awake thinkin' 'bout everything you miss
I've never been no daytime guy
Love the neon light
I'm a secret plan, a highwayman
Runnin' with the night

I was born in the wintertime under-neath a purple sky
I packed my things at seventeen and I kissed my folks goodbye
Got no complaints, no regrets, I got no grand de-sign
I'll ride the horse that brought me here
'Till I cross that finish line
I've never been no daytime guy, love the neon light
I'm an amber eye, a coyote's cry
Runnin' with the night
I'm a wall of fire, an angel choir

Runnin' with the
Night with the
Nighta€|a€|. With the
Nighta€|a€| with the
Nighta€|..

We made Oklahoma a little after 3
Randy, his brother Bob and my old GMC
We had some moonshine whisky
And some of Bob's homegrown
We were so messed up we didn't know
If we were drunk or stoned
Randy was a sad-sack, tall kinda frail
Bob was a raving maniac, crazy in the head
They been kicked out of high school several years ago
For pushin over port-a-cans at the 4-H rodeo
Since then they've done their little dance
Right outside the law
Popped twice in Oklahoma, once in Arkansas
And I don't know what possessed me
To want to tag along
Cause I was raised a Christian
And I knew right from wrong

Right or wrong, black or white
Cross the line, you're gonna pay
In the dawn before the light
Live and die by the shades of gray

We stole two Charolais heifers from
Randy's sweetheart's paw
Sold them at the livestock sale
Outside of Wichita

We got $900 and never did suspect
The world of hurt we'd be in once
We cashed that check
Next day we heard the story
On the local radio
Made our plans that very night
To go to Mexico
I swear we would have made it
If it wasn't for that shine
I got sick about the time we crossed
That Kansas line

Right or wrong, black or white
Cross the line, you're gonna pay
In the dawn before the light
Live and die by the shades of gray

I was layin in the bar ditch
Prayin I would die
When a light come on above us
And a voice come from the sky
A half a dozen unmarked cars
Came screeching to a halt
They grabbed bob, he started screamin
It was all my fault

There were men and dogs
And helicopter buzzin all around
They had the brothers on the
Pickup hood and me down on the ground
Bob flew all to pieces but randy he
Held tight when a black man in a
Suit and tie stepped out into the light
He told his men to turn us loose
They put down their guns
He said these are just some
Sorry kids, they ain't the ones

Right or wrong, black or white
Cross the line, you're gonna pay
In the dawn before the light
Live and die by the shades of gray

They left us by the roadside
Down hearted and alone
Randy got behind the wheel
Said boys I'm going home
We turned around to face our fate
Downhearted but alive on that
Mornin in late April, Oklahoma, 1995

Right or wrong, black or white
Cross the line, you're gonna pay
In the dawn before the light
Live and die by the shades of gray

There were lean times, they were tough
There were mean times they were rough
And the good times didn't outweigh the bad
I was sad you were bitter
But you were no quitter
When nothin' was all that we had

We were drinkin' a lot
We were thinkin' of tyin' the knot
Or maybe throw in the towel
Make up have a kid
Break up and we did
But only just for awhile

Then came lo mein and going insane
At the Chinese cafe way downtown
I was steamed I was fried but you stood by my side
When I had my nervous breakdown

There were noodles galore
All over the floor
And hot mustard sauce everywhere
But I held your hand a€?til you calmed down again
And picked out the rice in your hair

After that we agreed
When in fact what we need
Is to pack up and take the first plane
Take a bus take a bike
Take care take a hike
Take out but leave the lo mein

I remember it now when we order kung pao
And bow our heads to say grace
The day we left town and that nervous breakdown
At the all-you-can-eat Chinese place
At the Chinese cafe way downtown

Fire one up and you toss one down
Everybody knows you been downtown
Been downtown late last night
Busted your head in a barroom fight
Fightin' with your brother fightin' with your wife
Seems you been fightin' every day of your life
Can't stand still, still can't run
You put it all together but it came undone

Your soul is junk, your brain is dust
All your memories are eaten up with rust
Your nightmares real, dreams too stark
You love the night but you hate the dark
Your mother your daddy little sister too
Told you a secret they were countin' on you
You were dying to tell but your dad said son
Button your lip but it come undone

So they turned you out when you turned them in
They told you don't come back again
Now the years stack up like old beer cans
Dead end jobs payment plans
Broke down trucks welfare checks
Child support and back-seat sex
You'd kill yourself but you hocked your gun
You built a noose but it come undone

So you're livin' in a shack bu you wanna be rich
And you would if it wasn't for the sonovabitch
The sonovabitch the dirty old whore
The butcher the baker the grocery store
You hate them they hate you
What in the world are you gonna do
It ain't your fault but they need someone
To blame it on when they come undone

Now the storm's comin' in the sky's turned black
It's too late now you can't turn back
Lightnin' strikes on the telephone wire
You're drunk as a skunk your shack's on fire
The wife took the baby and the other two kids
The dogs are a-howlin' and the chickens are dead
It's your last night out and you're gonna have fun
They'll read it in the papers when you come undone