Poetry and Lyrics

[Eleanora Day]

The Promise
Tracy Chapman

If you wait for me then I’ll come for you
Although I’ve traveled far
I always hold a place for you in my heart

If you think of me, if you miss me once in a while
Then I’ll return to you
I’ll return and fill that space in your heart

Remembering
Your touch
Your kiss
Your warm embrace
I’ll find my way back to you
If you’ll be waiting

If you dream of me like I dream of you
In a place that’s warm and dark
In a place where I can feel the beating of your heart

Remembering
Your touch
Your kiss
Your warm embrace
I’ll find my way back to you
If you’ll be waiting

Oh I’ve longed for you and I have desired
To see your face, your smile
To be with you wherever you are

Remembering
Your touch
Your kiss
Your warm embrace
I’ll find my way back to you
Please say you’ll be waiting

Together again
It would feel so good to be
In your arms
Where all my journeys end
If you can make a promise if it’s one that you can keep,
I vow to come for you

If you wait for me and say you’ll hold
A place for me in your heart.

 

[Angeline]

Planet Waves

Tough Mama
Bob Dylan

Tough Mama
Meat shakin' on your bones
I'm gonna go down to the river and get some stones.
Sister's on the highway with that steel-drivin' crew,
Papa's in the big house, his workin' days are through.
Tough Mama
Can I blow a little smoke on you?

Dark Beauty
Won't you move it on over and make some room?
It's my duty to bring you down to the field where the flowers bloom.
Ashes in the furnace, dust on the rise,
You came through it all the way, flyin' through the skies.
Dark Beauty
With that long night's journey in your eyes.

Sweet Goddess
Born of a blinding light and a changing wind,
Now, don't be modest, you know who you are and where you've been.
Jack the Cowboy went up north
He's buried in your past.
The Lone Wolf went out drinking
That was over pretty fast.
Sweet Goddess
Your perfect stranger's comin' in at last.

Silver Angel
With the badge of the lonesome road sewed in your sleeve,
I'd be grateful if this golden ring you would receive.
Today on the countryside it was a-hotter than a crotch,
I stood alone upon the ridge and all I did was watch.
Sweet Goddess
It must be time to carve another notch.

I'm crestfallen
The world of illusion is at my door,
I ain't a-haulin' any of my lambs to the marketplace anymore.
The prison walls are crumblin', there is no end in sight,
I've gained some recognition but I lost my appetite.
Dark Beauty
Meet me at the border late tonight.

 

[Vampiric_Mirage]

"Harper Valley P.T.A."
by: Bobby Gentry

I want to tell you all a story 'bout a Harper Valley widowed wife
Who had a teenage daughter who attended Harper Valley Junior High
Well her daughter came home one afternoon and didn't even stop to play
She said, "Mom, I got a note here from the Harper Valley P.T.A."

The note said, "Mrs. Johnson, you're wearing your dresses way too high
It's reported you've been drinking and a-runnin' 'round with men and going wild
And we don't believe you ought to be bringing up your little girl this way"
It was signed by the secretary, Harper Valley P.T.A.

Well, it happened that the P.T.A. was gonna meet that very afternoon
They were sure surprised when Mrs. Johnson wore her mini-skirt into the room
And as she walked up to the blackboard, I still recall the words she had to say
She said, "I'd like to address this meeting of the Harper Valley P.T.A."

Well, there's Bobby Taylor sittin' there and seven times he's asked me for a date
Mrs. Taylor sure seems to use a lot of ice whenever he's away
And Mr. Baker, can you tell us why your secretary had to leave this town?
And shouldn't widow Jones be told to keep her window shades all pulled completely down?

Well, Mr. Harper couldn't be here 'cause he stayed too long at Kelly's Bar again
And if you smell Shirley Thompson's breath, you'll find she's had a little nip of gin
Then you have the nerve to tell me you think that as a mother I'm not fit
Well, this is just a little Peyton Place and you're all Harper Valley hypocrites

No I wouldn't put you on because it really did, it happened just this way
The day my Mama socked it to the Harper Valley P.T.A.
The day my Mama socked it to the Harper Valley P.T.A.

~~~~

I'm sorry, but new songs normally just don't compare to the classics!

 

[annaswirls]

lady midnight l. cohen

I came by myself to a very crowded place;
I was looking for someone who had lines in her face.
I found her there but she was past all concern;
I asked her to hold me, I said, lady, unfold me,
But she scorned me and she told me
I was dead and I could never return.

Well, I argued all night like so many have before,
Saying, whatever you give me, I seem to need so much more.
Then she pointed at me where I kneeled on her floor,
She said, don’t try to use me or slyly refuse me,
Just win me or lose me,
It is this that the darkness is for.

I cried, oh, lady midnight, I fear that you grow old,
The stars eat your body and the wind makes you cold.
If we cry now, she said, it will just be ignored.
So I walked through the morning, sweet early morning,
I could hear my lady calling,
You’ve won me, you’ve won me, my lord,
You’ve won me, you’ve won me, my lord,
Yes, you’ve won me, you’ve won me, my lord,

Ah, you’ve won me, you’ve won me, my lord,
Ah, you’ve won me, you’ve won me, my lord.

 

[annaswirls]

a new favorite

Rilo Kiley

It's A Hit

Any chimp can play human for a day.
Use his opposable thumbs to iron his uniform
and run for office on election day
fancy himself a real decision maker
and deploy more troops than salt shakers.

But it's a jungle when war is made,
and you'll panic and throw your own shit at the enemy.
The camera pulls back to reveal your true identity.
Look, it's a sheep in wolf's clothing.
A smoking gun holding ape.

Any asshole can open up a museum.
Put all of the things he loves on display
so everyone could see them.
The house, a car, a thoughtful wife
ordinary moments in his ordinary life.

But if she breaks a smile, she'll give you away
'cause no one wants to pay to see your happiness.
No one wants to pay to see your day to day
and I'm not buying it either
but I'll try selling it anyway.

Any idiot can play Greek for a day
and join a sorority or write a tragedy
and articulating all that pain
and maybe you'll get paid.

But it's a sin when success complains,
and your writers block- it don't mean shit.
Just throw it against the wall and see what sticks.
Gotta write a hit.
I think this is it.
It's a hit.

And if it's not,
then it's a holiday for hanging
yeah it's a holiday for hanging
yeah it's a holiday for hanging
yeah it's a holiday for hanging
yeah shoo-bop-shoo-bop my baby

Any fool can play executioner for a day,
and say with fingers pointed in both directions
'he went thataway',
It's only a switch or syringe,
aww, exempt from eternal sins.
But you still wear a cross,
and you think you're gonna get in.

Ah, but the pardons never come from up-stairs.
They're always a moment too late,
but it's entertainment
keep the crowd on their toes,
it's justice, we're safe.
It's not a hit, it's a holiday
shoo-bop-shoo-bop my baby

It's a holiday for hanging, yeah
It's a holiday for hanging, yeah
It's a holiday for hanging, yeah
It's a holiday for hanging, yeah

I'm a holiday for hanging,
I'm a holiday for hanging,
I'm a holiday yeah
I'm a holiday for hanging,

It's a holiday for hanging, yeah

 

[Trent_Dutch]

I've always felt that it was unfortunate that Robert Palmers image (of the Suave, impeccably attired ladykiller with the persuasive blue eyed soul voice) has sometimes overshadowed his identity as both a serious, sophisticated musician and a multifaceted recording artist who has regularly embraced self expression and adventurousness at the cost of commercial expediency.

Johnny & Mary (Robert Palmer, 1980).

Johnny’s always running around
Trying to find certainty
He needs all the world to confirm
That he ain’t lonely
Mary counts the walls
Knows he tires easily

Johnny thinks the world would be right
If it could buy truth from him
Mary says he changes his mind more than a woman
But she made her bed
Even when the chance was slim

Johnny says he’s willing to learn
When he decides he’s a fool
Johnny says he’ll live anywhere
When he earns to time
Mary combs her hair
Says she should be used to it
Mary always hedges her bets
She never knows what to think
She says that he still acts
Like he is being discovered
Scared that he’ll be caught
Without a second thought
Running around

Johnny feels he’s wasting his breath
Trying to talk sense to her
Mary says he’s lacking a real
Sense of proportion
So she combs her hair
Knows he tires easily

Johnny’s always running around
Trying to find certainty
He needs all the world to confirm
That he ain’t lonely
Mary counts the walls
Says she should be used to it

Johnny’s always running around
Running around

 

[Angeline]

Trent, I agree with you about Robert Palmer. He was a great musician and wrote lots of incredible stuff before that whole "Addicted to Love" thing--though I do think it's one of the sexiest music videos I've ever seen.

I was listening to Joni Mitchell's Blue last night, and it struck me again what an amazing poet she is--this is my favorite song on that cd, probably my favorite Joni song ever.

All I Want

I am on a lonely road and I am traveling
Traveling, traveling, traveling
Looking for something, what can it be
Oh I hate you some, I hate you some
I love you some
Oh I love you when I forget about me
I want to be strong I want to laugh along
I want to belong to the living
Alive, alive, I want to get up and jive
I want to wreck my stockings in some juke box dive
Do you want - do you want - do you want
To dance with me baby
Do you want to take a chance
On maybe finding some sweet romance with me baby
Well, come on

All I really really want our love to do
Is to bring out the best in me and in you too
All I really really want our love to do
Is to bring out the best in me and in you
I want to talk to you, I want to shampoo you
I want to renew you again and again
Applause, applause - life is our cause
When I think of your kisses
My mind see-saws
Do you see - do you see - do you see
How you hurt me baby
So I hurt you too
Then we both get so blue

I am on a lonely road and I am traveling
Looking for the key to set me free
Oh the jealousy, the greed is the unraveling
It’s the unraveling
And it undoes all the joy that could be
I want to have fun, I want to shine like the sun
I want to be the one that you want to see
I want to knit you a sweater
Want to write you a love letter
I want to make you feel better
I want to make you feel free
Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm,
Want to make you feel free
I want to make you feel free

 

[Guest]

Erotica, poetry and lyrics.

Paper Thin Hotel

Leonard Cohen

The walls of this hotel are paper-thin
Last night I heard you making love to him
The struggle mouth to mouth and limb to limb
The grunt of unity when he came in
I stood there with my ear against the wall
I was not seized by jealousy at all
In fact a burden lifted from my soul
I heard that love was out of my control
A heavy burden lifted from my soul
I heard that love was out of my control

I listened to your kisses at the door
I never heard the world so clear before
You ran your bath and you began to sing
I felt so good I couldn't feel a thing

I stood there with my ear against the wall ...

And I can't wait to tell you to your face
And I can't wait for you to take my place
You are The Naked Angel In My Heart
You are The Woman With Her Legs Apart
It's written on the walls of this hotel
You go to heaven once you've been to hell

A heavy burden lifted from my soul
I heard that love was out of my control

 

[Angeline]

Conversation
Joni Mitchell

He comes for conversation
I comfort him sometimes
Comfort and consultation
He knows that’s what he’ll find
I bring him grapes and cheeses
He brings me songs to play
He sees me when he pleases
I see him in cafes
And I only say, hello
And turn away before his lady knows
How much I want to see him
She removes him, like a ring
To wash her hands
She only brings him out to show her friends
I want to free him

Secrets and sharing soda
That’s how our time began
Love is a story told to a friend
It’s second hand
But I’ll listen to his questions
I’ll give my answers when they’re found
He says she keeps him guessing
But I know she keeps him down
She speaks in sorry sentences
Miraculous repentances
I don’t believe her
Tomorrow he will come to me
And he’ll speak his sorrow endlessly and he’ll ask me why
Why can’t I leave her?

He comes for conversation
I comfort him sometimes
Comfort and consultation
He knows that’s what he’ll find

 

[Angeline]

Ah Beautiful Youth....

In France They Kiss on Main Street
Joni Mitchell

Downtown
My darling dimestore thief
In the war of independence
Rock ’n roll rang sweet as victory
Under neon signs
A girl was in bloom
And a woman was fading
In a suburban room
I said, take me to the dance
Do you want to dance?
I love to dance
And I told him, they don’t take chances
They seem so removed from romance
They’ve been broken in churches and schools
And molded to middle class circumstance
And we were rolling, rolling, rock n’ rolling

Downtown
The dance halls and cafes
Feel so wild you could break somebody’s heart
Just doing the latest dance craze
Gail and louise
In those push-up brassieres
Tight dresses and rhinestone rings
Drinking up the band’s beers
Young love was kissing under bridges
Kissing in cars, kissing in cafes
And we were walking down main street
Kisses like bright flags hung on holidays
In france they kiss on main street
Amour, mama, not cheap display
And we were rolling, rolling, rock n’ rolling

Downtown
In the pinball arcade
With his head full of pool hall pitches
And songs from the hit parade
He’d be singing bye, bye, love
While he’s racking up his free play
Let those rock ’n roll choir boys
Come and carry us away
Sometimes Chickie had the car
Or Ron had a car
Or Lead Foot Melvin with his hot-wire head
We’d all go looking for a party
Looking to raise Jesus up from the dead
And I’d be kissing in the back seat
Thrilling to the Brando-like things that he said
And we’d be rolling, rolling, rock n’ rolling

 

[sandj]

This has been in my head for days, months, practically since I bought it. Do youselves a favor and buy "From a Basement on the Hill" first chance you get.

"Coast to Coast" by Elliott Smith

Last stop for a resolution
End of the line; it's a confusion
so go. Go see what's there for you
Nothing new, nothing new for you to use
I've got no new act to amuse you
I've got no desire to use you, you know
But anything that I could do, never be good enough for you
If you can't help it then just leave it alone
Leave it alone, yeah, just forget it
It's really easy
I believe I'll forget it too
Still you're keepin' me around
'Til I finally drag us both down
Streaming feathers out your hat
Yes I believe it's come to that
You belong tagging along
And I belong in the zoo
So I wait for confirmation that you're never gonna use your starting gun
Unless its me it seems like being you just wasn't that much fun
Anything that I could do
Would never be good enough for you
If you can't help it then just leave it alone
Leave me alone, yeah, just forget it
It's really easy
I'll just forget it too
Coast to coast, coast to coast
I'll do what I can so you can be what you do
Coast to coast, coast to coast
I'll do everything I can so you can be what you do
Coast to coast, coast to coast
Circuit rider comes every fifth sunday
Oh my lord, I fell asleep one day
Anything that I could do
Is there anything that I could do
That someone doesn't do for you
That someone didn't do for you
Yeah I'm already done for you

 

[Angeline]

GAUCHO
Steely Dan

Just when I say
"Boy we can't miss
You are golden"
Then you do this
You say this guy is so cool
Snapping his fingers like a fool
One more expensive kiss-off
Who do you think I am
Lord I know you're a special friend
But you don't seem to understand
We got heavy rollers
I think you should know
Try again tomorrow

Can't you see they're laughing at me
Get rid off him
I don't care what you do at home
Would you care to explain

Who is the gaucho amigo
Why is he standing
In your spangled leather poncho
And your elevator shoes
Bodacious cowboys
Such as your friend
Will never be welcome here
High in the Custerdome

What I tell you
Back down the line
I'll scratch your back
You can scratch mine
No he can't sleep on the floor
What do you think I'm yelling for
I'll drop him near the freeway
Doesn't he have a home

Lord I know you're a special friend
But you refuse to understand
You're a nasty schoolboy
With no place to go
Try again tomorrow

Don't tell me he'll wait in the car
Look at you
Holding hands with the man from Rio
Would you care to explain

Who is the gaucho amigo
Why is he standing
In your spangled leather poncho
With the studs that match your eyes
Bodacious cowboys
Such as your friend
Will never be welcome here
High in the Custerdome

 

[Guest]

Conversation
Joni Mitchell

He comes for conversation
I comfort him sometimes
Comfort and consultation
He knows that’s what he’ll find
I bring him grapes and cheeses
He brings me songs to play
He sees me when he pleases
I see him in cafes
And I only say, hello
And turn away before his lady knows
How much I want to see him
She removes him, like a ring
To wash her hands
She only brings him out to show her friends
I want to free him

Secrets and sharing soda
That’s how our time began
Love is a story told to a friend
It’s second hand
But I’ll listen to his questions
I’ll give my answers when they’re found
He says she keeps him guessing
But I know she keeps him down
She speaks in sorry sentences
Miraculous repentances
I don’t believe her
Tomorrow he will come to me
And he’ll speak his sorrow endlessly and he’ll ask me why
Why can’t I leave her?

He comes for conversation
I comfort him sometimes
Comfort and consultation
He knows that’s what he’ll find

I absolutely love this one and often wonder what the story is behind it.

 

[Angeline]

I absolutely love this one and often wonder what the story is behind it.

me too Tess--always been one of my favorites of hers. i've been on a joni jag for the past two days.

 

[lindiana]

My Turn!

Here are a few of my favorites not mentioned yet:

(Yes, I really went through all 45 pages)


Hot Burrito #1
Words and Music by Gram Parsons


You may be sweet and nice
But that won't keep you warm at night
'Cause I'm the one who showed you how
To do the things you're doing now


He may feel all your charms
He may hold you in his arms
But I'm the one who let you in
I was right beside you then


Once upon a time
You let me feel you deep inside
And nobody knew, nobody saw
Do you remember the way you cried?


I'm your toy, I'm your old boy
But I don't want no one but you to love me
No, I wouldn't lie
You know I'm not that kind of guy


Once upon a time
You let me feel you deep inside
And nobody knew, nobody saw
Do you remember the way you cried?


I'm your toy, I'm your old boy
But I don't want no one but you to love me
No, I wouldn't lie
You know I'm not that kind of guy

 

[lindiana]

#2

All I Have to do is Dream
Roy Orbison / Everly Brothers


When I want you in my arms
When I want you and all your charms
Whenever I want you, all I have to do is dream
Dream, dream, dream
When I feel blue in the night
And I want you to hold me tight
Whenever I want you, all I have to do is dream

I can make you mine, taste your lips of wine
Anytime night or day
Only trouble is, gee whiz
I'm dreamin' my life away

I need you so that I could die
I love you so and that is why
Whenever I want you, all I have to do is dream
Dream, dream, dream, dream
Dream, dream
Whenever I want you, all I have to do is dream

I need you so that I could die
I love you so and that is why
Whenever I want you, all I have to do is dream
Dream, dream, dream, dream
Dream, dream
Whenever I want you, all I have to do is dream

Dream, dream, dream
Dream

 

[lindiana]

#3

Hurricane
Bob Dylan and Jacques Levy

Pistol shots ring out in the barroom night
Enter Patty Valentine from the upper hall.
She sees the bartender in a pool of blood,
Cries out, "My God, they killed them all!"
Here comes the story of the Hurricane,
The man the authorities came to blame
For somethin' that he never done.
Put in a prison cell, but one time he could-a been
The champion of the world.

Three bodies lyin' there does Patty see
And another man named Bello, movin' around mysteriously.
"I didn't do it," he says, and he throws up his hands
"I was only robbin' the register, I hope you understand.
I saw them leavin'," he says, and he stops
"One of us had better call up the cops."
And so Patty calls the cops
And they arrive on the scene with their red lights flashin'
In the hot New Jersey night.

Meanwhile, far away in another part of town
Rubin Carter and a couple of friends are drivin' around.
Number one contender for the middleweight crown
Had no idea what kinda shit was about to go down
When a cop pulled him over to the side of the road
Just like the time before and the time before that.
In Paterson that's just the way things go.
If you're black you might as well not show up on the street
'Less you wanna draw the heat.

Alfred Bello had a partner and he had a rap for the cops.
Him and Arthur Dexter Bradley were just out prowlin' around
He said, "I saw two men runnin' out, they looked like middleweights
They jumped into a white car with out-of-state plates."
And Miss Patty Valentine just nodded her head.
Cop said, "Wait a minute, boys, this one's not dead"
So they took him to the infirmary
And though this man could hardly see
They told him that he could identify the guilty men.

Four in the mornin' and they haul Rubin in,
Take him to the hospital and they bring him upstairs.
The wounded man looks up through his one dyin' eye
Says, "Wha'd you bring him in here for? He ain't the guy!"
Yes, here's the story of the Hurricane,
The man the authorities came to blame
For somethin' that he never done.
Put in a prison cell, but one time he could-a been
The champion of the world.

Four months later, the ghettos are in flame,
Rubin's in South America, fightin' for his name
While Arthur Dexter Bradley's still in the robbery game
And the cops are puttin' the screws to him, lookin' for somebody to blame.
"Remember that murder that happened in a bar?"
"Remember you said you saw the getaway car?"
"You think you'd like to play ball with the law?"
"Think it might-a been that fighter that you saw runnin' that night?"
"Don't forget that you are white."

Arthur Dexter Bradley said, "I'm really not sure."
Cops said, "A poor boy like you could use a break
We got you for the motel job and we're talkin' to your friend Bello
Now you don't wanta have to go back to jail, be a nice fellow.
You'll be doin' society a favor.
That sonofabitch is brave and gettin' braver.
We want to put his ass in stir
We want to pin this triple murder on him
He ain't no Gentleman Jim."

Rubin could take a man out with just one punch
But he never did like to talk about it all that much.
It's my work, he'd say, and I do it for pay
And when it's over I'd just as soon go on my way
Up to some paradise
Where the trout streams flow and the air is nice
And ride a horse along a trail.
But then they took him to the jailhouse
Where they try to turn a man into a mouse.

All of Rubin's cards were marked in advance
The trial was a pig-circus, he never had a chance.
The judge made Rubin's witnesses drunkards from the slums
To the white folks who watched he was a revolutionary bum
And to the black folks he was just a crazy nigger.
No one doubted that he pulled the trigger.
And though they could not produce the gun,
The D.A. said he was the one who did the deed
And the all-white jury agreed.

Rubin Carter was falsely tried.
The crime was murder "one," guess who testified?
Bello and Bradley and they both baldly lied
And the newspapers, they all went along for the ride.
How can the life of such a man
Be in the palm of some fool's hand?
To see him obviously framed
Couldn't help but make me feel ashamed to live in a land
Where justice is a game.

Now all the criminals in their coats and their ties
Are free to drink martinis and watch the sun rise
While Rubin sits like Buddha in a ten-foot cell
An innocent man in a living hell.
That's the story of the Hurricane,
But it won't be over till they clear his name
And give him back the time he's done.
Put in a prison cell, but one time he could-a been
The champion of the world.

(His version is tough but Ani DiFranco does an amazing cover!)

 

[lindiana]

#4

Ooh Las Vegas
Gram Parsons and Rik Grech

Ooh Las Vegas, ain´t no place for a poor boy like me
Ooh Las Vegas, ain´t no place for a poor boy like me
Every time I hit your crystal city
you know you´re gonna make a wreck out of me

Well the first time I lose I drink whiskey
Second time I lose I drink gin
Third time I lose I drink anything
´cause I think I´m gonna win

Ooh Las Vegas...

Well, the queen of spades is a friend of mine
The queen of hearts is a bitch
Someday when I clean up my mind
I´ll find out which is which

Ooh Las Vegas...

Well, I spend all night with the dealer
Tryin´ to get ahead
Spend all day at the Holiday Inn
Tryin´ to get out of bed

Ooh Las Vegas..


(If I was a guy, this would basically sum up my trips to Vegas

 

[lindiana]

#5

In my hour of darkness
Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris

In my hour of darkness in my time of need
Oh Lord, grant me wisdom oh, Lord grant me speed

Once I knew a young man went driving through the night
miles and miles without a word but just his high beam lights
Who'd have ever thought they'd build such a deadly Denver bend
to be so strong, to last so long as it would till the end.


Another young man safely, strummed his silver stringed guitar
He played to people ev'rywhere some say he was a star.
But he was just a country boy, his simple songs confess
And the music he had in him so very few possess.
But in my hour of darkness ...

The other was an old man kind and wise with age
And he read me just like a book never missed a page
And loved him like a father, and I loved him like my friend
And I knew his time could shortly come but I did not know just when.
In my hour of darkness ...


(Yes I like Gram Parsons)

 

[lindiana]

And finally....

Blurry
PUDDLE OF MUDD


Everything's so blurry
and everyone's so fake
and everybody's empty
and everything is so messed up
pre-occupied without you
I cannot live at all
My whole world surrounds you
I stumble then I crawl

You could be my someone
you could be my scene
you know that i'll protect you
from all of the obscene
I wonder what you're doing
imagine where you are
there's oceans in between us
but that's not very far

Can you take it all away
can you take it all away
well ya shoved it in my face
this pain you gave to me
Can you take it all away
can you take it all away
well ya shoved it my face

Everyone is changing
there's noone left that's real
to make up your own ending
and let me know just how you feel
cause I am lost without you
I cannot live at all
my whole world surrounds you
I stumble then I crawl

You could be my someone
you could be my scene
you know that i will save you
from all of the unclean
I wonder what you're doing
I wonder where you are
There's oceans in between us
but that's not very far

[Chorus]

Nobody told me what you thought
nobody told me what to say
everyone showed you where to turn
told you when to runaway
nobody told you where to hide
nobody told you what to say
everyone showed you where to turn
showed you when to runaway

[Chorus]

This pain you gave to me

You take it all
You take it all away...
This pain you gave to me
You take it all away
This pain you gave to me
Take it all away
This pain you gave to me


I humbly bow and exit stage right.....

 

[lindiana]

P.S. Gram Parsons

I got turned on to Gram Parsons when I bought his tribute album.
I highly recommend it for those interested in his works.

Artists


Beck - "Sin City" with Emmylou Harris
Chrissy Hynde - "She" with Emmylou
Sheryl Crow - "Juanita" with Emmylou
Gillian Welch - "Hickory Wind" with David Rawlings
Cowboy Junkies -"Ooh Las Vegas"
Evan Dando and Juliana Hatfield - "$1000 Wedding"
The Mavericks - "Hot Burrito #1"
Steve Earle and Chris Hillman - "High Fashioned Queen"
Elvis Costello - "Sleepless Nights"
Lucinda Williams and David Crosby - "Return of the Grievous Angel"
Whiskeytown - "A Song For You"
Wilco - "100 Years"
The Rolling Creekdrippers (featuring Jim Lauderdale, Victoria Williams, ex-Jayhawks member Mark Olson, and Buddy and Julie Miller) - "In My Hour of Darkness"

 

[Angeline]

Here are a few of my favorites not mentioned yet:

(Yes, I really went through all 45 pages)


Hot Burrito #1
Words and Music by Gram Parsons


You may be sweet and nice
But that won't keep you warm at night
'Cause I'm the one who showed you how
To do the things you're doing now


He may feel all your charms
He may hold you in his arms
But I'm the one who let you in
I was right beside you then


Once upon a time
You let me feel you deep inside
And nobody knew, nobody saw
Do you remember the way you cried?


I'm your toy, I'm your old boy
But I don't want no one but you to love me
No, I wouldn't lie
You know I'm not that kind of guy


Once upon a time
You let me feel you deep inside
And nobody knew, nobody saw
Do you remember the way you cried?


I'm your toy, I'm your old boy
But I don't want no one but you to love me
No, I wouldn't lie
You know I'm not that kind of guy

That tribute album is a favorite at my house. I love this song, too.

 

[Angeline]

lindiana, now that grams parsons cd is in my head, lol. i can't seem to get back to sleep, so here's my favorite on that cd because Cheryl Crow and Emmylou Harris sing it so beautifully.

Juanita

No affection were the words
That stuck on my mind
When she walked out on me
For the very last time
Oh, mama, sweet mama
Can you tell me what to say
I don't know what I've done
To be treated this way


In a cold dirty room
That's where I found myself
With a bottle of wine
And some pills on the shelf
Oh, mama, sweet mama
Can you tell me what to say
I don't know what I've done
And I'm feeling so ashamed


Then an angel appeared
She was just seventeen
In a dirty old gown
With a conscience so clean
Oh, mama, sweet mama
Can you tell me what to say
She's brought back the life
That I once threw away
She's brought back the life
That I once threw away

 

[Angeline]

This is one that Gram covered, but I don't think he wrote. My favorite cover of it is Linda Ronstadt's.

Dark End of the Street

At the dark end of the street
That's where we'll always meet
Hiding in shadows
Where we don't belong
Living in darkness
To hide our wrong
You and me
At the dark end of the street
You and me


I know that time's gonna take its toll
We'll have to pay for the love that we stole
Cause it's a sin and we know that we're wrong
Oh, but our love keeps coming on strong
You and me
At the dark end of the street
You and me


They're gonna find us
They're gonna find us
They're gonna find us someday
We'll steal away
To the dark end of the street
You and me


If you take a walk downtown
And find some time to look around
If you should see me, and I walk on by
Oh, darling, please don't cry
Tonight we'll meet
At the dark end of the street
You and me
You and me
You and me

 

[Tathagata]

I love this song

it's even better after a few pints...


THE LIAR
(words—Tommy Makem)



I was born about ten thousand years ago

In Bellmullet in the County of Mayo

It was me that chased the vermin, while St. Patrick preached the sermon

And I'll whoop the man that says it isn't so



Chorus:

Singing rightful too-ra-laddie too-ra-lee

There is no one who can tell a lie like me

You can search until you tire, you won't find a bigger liar

I've been lying since the dawn of history



I saw Eve go pickin' apples off a tree

She came over and she offered one to me

I turned and said, "Dear madam, go try your luck with Adam

I'm going home to have some fish and chips and tea."



I saw Delilah cuttin' Samson's hair

She snipped away until his head was bare

When he couldn't run away, she married him next day

And they opened a barber shop in Clare



With King Billy at the Boyne I heard them call

On his followers to follow till they fall

Then he said, "We'll win quite easy, and we'll canonize, young Paisley."

Then he up and sang a verse of Derry's Walls



It was back in sixty-two in Donoghue's

I was singing there with Luke and Ronnie Drew

Luke sez, 'Nick your singing's grand, so let's form a ballad band

And a great big hairy beard I went and grew



Oh I'd like ride your sister's motor bike

I'd like ride your sister's motor bike

I'd like ride your sister,

I'd like ride your sister

I'd like ride your sister's motor bike



Would you like to ride on Johnson's Motor Car

would you like to ride on Johnson's Motor Car

Would you like to ride on Johnson,

Would you like to ride on Johnson

Would you like to ride on Johnson's Motor Car



It was during World War II I met them all

There was Roosevelt and Churchill and De Gaulle

Then one day I nearly fainted, I was having my house painted

There was Hitler hanging paper in the hall