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If you hear a politician
Or a singer making song
Do you just refuse to listen
Knowing that he must be wrong
Thats the way it is, you know
You just see what you want to see
Who am I to tell you how to think
Or tell you who to be
I will show you what I know
Sometimes we will disagree
If we learn at all to grow
Then I have done my small duty
Thats the way it is, you know
You just see what you want to see
Who am I to tell you how to think
Or tell you who to be
I could bring my favorite flower
Maybe yours would be the same
Maybe we would argue hours
Over the fair flowers name
Thats the way it is, you know
You just see what you want to see
Who am I to tell you how to think
Or tell you who to be
If I brought my good friends home
And set a welcome table place
Could you see them past their clothing
Or past the color of their face
Thats the way it is, you know
You just see what you want to see
Who am I to tell you how to think
Or tell you who to be
Thats the way it is, you know
You just see what you want to see
Who am I to tell you how to think |
It came to pass
Like lightning striking from above
Electric flash
Just like lightening striking from above
Struck by precious love
Precious precious love
So hopeless and so inspired
Why do you dream flat tires
When you dream flat tires?
You dream flat tires
With a jack and a spare youre there
Trying to get to where love is
Coming in on a wing and a prayer
Trying to get to where love is
Cause love is precious love
You said it was precious
When first you felt my fire
Before you dreamed flat tires
You dreamed flat tires
You dream flat tires
Woman she bounce back easy
But a man could break both his legs
Are you telling me this to tease me?
Or just to hear me beg
Please dont go!
Cause I know that you love me
But when are you going to let love be
Just a vague flirtation
Or extra special company?
Cause love is precious love
Everybody knows its precious
When first they feel that fire
Before they dream flat tires
They dream flat tires
They dream flat tires
Woman she bounce back easy
But a man could break both his legs
Do you tell me that to tease me
Or just to hear me beg
Please dont be cold
I know that you love me
But what are you going to let love do?
(Flat tires love love is precious flat tires
Love love is precious flat tires love
Love is precious) |
No regrets Coyote
We just come from such different sets of circumstance
Im up all night in the studios
And youre up early on your ranch
Youll be brushing out a brood mares tail
While the sun is ascending
And Ill just be getting home with my reel to reel
Theres no comprehending
Just how close to the bone and the skin and the eyes
And the lips you can get
And still feel so alone
And still feel related
Like stations in some relay
Youre not a hit and run driver no no
Racing away
You just picked up a hitcher
A prisoner of the white lines on the freeway
We saw a farmhouse burning down
In the middle of nowhere
In the middle of the night
And we rolled right past that tragedy
Till we turned into some road house lights
Where a local band was playing
Locals were up kicking and shaking on the floor
And the next thing I know
That coyotes at my door
He pins me in a corner and he wont take no
He drags me out on the dance floor
And were dancing close and slow
Now hes got a woman at home
Hes got another woman down the hall
He seems to want me anyway
Whyd you have to get so drunk
And lead me on that way
You just picked up a hitcher
A prisoner of the white lines on the freeway
I looked a coyote right in the face
On the road to Baljennie near my old home town
He went running thru the whisker wheat
Chasing some prize down
And a hawk was playing with him
Coyote was jumping straight up and making passes
He had those same eyes just like yours
Under your dark glasses
Privately probing the public rooms
And peeking thru keyholes in numbered doors
Where the players lick their wounds
And take their temporary lovers
And their pills and powders to get them thru this passion play
No regrets Coyote
Ill just get off up aways
You just picked up a hitcher
A prisoner of the white lines on the freeway
Coyotes in the coffee shop
Hes staring a hole in his scrambled eggs
He picks up my scent on his fingers
While hes watching the waitresses legs
Hes too far from the Bay of Fundy
From appaloosas and eagles and tides
And the air conditioned cubicles
And the carbon ribbon rides
Are spelling it out so clear
Either hes going to have to stand and fight
Or take off out of here
I tried to run away myself
To run away and wrestle with my ego
And with this flame
You put here in this Eskimo
In this hitcher
In this prisoner
Of the fine white lines
Of the white lines on the free free way |
Woke up, it was a Chelsea morning
And the first thing that I heard
Was a song outside my window
And the traffic wrote the words
It came ringing up like Christmas bells
And rapping up like pipes and drums
Oh, wont you stay well put on the day
And well wear it till the night comes
Woke up, it was a Chelsea morning
And the first thing that I saw
Was the sun through yellow curtains
And a rainbow on the wall
Blue, red, green and gold to welcome you
Crimson crystal beads to beckon
Oh, wont you stay well put on the day
Theres a sun show every second
Now the curtain opens on a portrait of today
And the streets are paved with passersby
And pigeons fly, and papers lie
Waiting to blow away
Woke up, it was a Chelsea morning
And the first thing that I knew
There was milk and toast and honey
And a bowl of orange juice too
And the sun poured in like butterscotch
And stuck to all my senses
Oh, wont you stay well put on the day
And well talk in present tenses
When the curtain closes
And the rainbow runs away
I will bring you incense owls by night
By candlelight, by two jewel light
If only you will stay
Pretty baby wont you
Wake up, it is a Chelsea morning |
Blue
Songs are like tattoos
You know Ive been to sea before
Crown and anchor me
Or let me sail away
Hey, blue
There is a song for you
Ink on a pin
Underneath the skin
An empty space to fill in
Well, theres so many sinking now
You gotta keep thinking
You can make it through these waves
Acid, booze, and ass
Needles, guns, and grass
Lots of laughs
Lots of laughs
Everybodys saying that
Hells the hippest way to go
Well, I dont think so
But Im gonna take a look around it, though
Blue, I love you
Blue, there is a shell for you
Inside youll hear a sigh
A foggy lullaby
Thеre is your song from me |
Its coming on Christmas
Theyre cutting down trees
Theyre putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
Oh I wish I had a river I could skate away on
But it dont snow here
It stays pretty green
Im going to make a lot of money
Then Im going to quit this crazy scene
Oh I wish I had a river I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
I wish I had a river I could skate away on
I made my baby cry
He tried hard to help me
You know, he put me at ease
And he loved me so naughty
Made me weak in the knees
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on
Im so hard to handle
Im selfish and Im sad
Now Ive gone and lost the best baby
That I ever had
I wish I had a river I could skate away on
Oh, I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I made my baby say goodbye
Its coming on Christmas
Theyre cutting down trees
Theyre putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
I wish I had a river I could skate away on |
Its coming on Christmas
Theyre cutting down trees
Putting up reindeer
Singing songs of joy and peace
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on
But it dont snow here
Stays pretty green
Im gonna make a lot of money
Gonna quit this crazy scene
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on
I made my baby cry
She tried hard to help me
She put me at ease
She loved me so naughty
Made me weak in the knees
Oh I wish I had a river I could skate away on
Im so hard to handle
Im selfish and Im sad
Now Ive gone and lost the best baby
That Ive ever had
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on
I made my baby say goodbye
Say goodbye
Its coming on Christmas
Theyre cutting down trees
Putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on |
Yo, do you feel that?
Uh, uh, what...
Yeah, yeah, yeah...
Got til its gone
Got til its gone
Got til its gone
Got til its gone
Make you fall in love
In love with me again
Im nasty
Got til its gone
Got til its gone
Im nasty
Got til its gone
Got til its gone
Yo, do you feel that?
Im nasty |
So I remember, um, Marianne, and Sue, and DeeDee, and, um, Connie, and I would be in chorus together. And we were always looking forward to those silly things you used to do at the end of the year. You know, those spring concerts. And, um, this was one of the songs we did one year. And I remember this was Mariannes favourite.
Yesterday a child came out to wander
Caught a dragonfly inside a jar
Fearful when the sky was full of thunder
And tearful at the falling of a star
Then the child moved ten times round the seasons
Skated over ten clear frozen streams
Words like when youre older must appease him
And promises of someday make up his dreams
And the seasons, they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
Were captive on the carousel of time
We cant return, we can only look
Behind from where we came
And go round and round and round in the circle game
Sixteen springs and sixteen summers gone now
Cartwheels turn to car wheels through the town
And they tell him, Take your time, it wont be long now
til you drag your feet to slow the circles down
And the seasons, they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
Were captive on the carousel of time
We cant return, we can only look
Behind from where we came
And go round and round and round in the circle game
And the seasons, they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
Were captive on the carousel of time
We cant return, we can only look
Behind from where we came
And go round and round and round in the circle game
So the years spin by and now the boy is twenty
Though his dreams have lost some grandeur coming true
Therell be new dreams, maybe better dreams and plenty
Before the last revolving year is through
And the seasons, they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
Were captive on this carousel of time
We cant return, we can only look
Behind from where we came
And go round and round and round in the circle game
And the seasons, they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
Were captive on this carousel of time
We cant return, we can only look
Behind from where we came
And go round and round and round in the circle game
We cant return, we can only look
Behind from where we came
And go round and round and round in the circle game |
(The, uh, last song now
And, uh, its another one youll know very well
Because, uh, so many people have recorded it
They all beat me to it and, uh, so
Never got around to doing it
But I still enjoy singing it
And I hope youll like to hear it
Its Both Sides Now)
Bows and flows of angel hair
Ice cream castles in the air
And feathered canyons everywhere
Ive looked at clouds that way
But now they only block the sun
They rain and snow on everyone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way
Ive looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down, and still somehow
Its clouds illusions I recall
I really dont know clouds at all
Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way you feel
When every fairy tale comes real
Ive looked at love that way
But now, its just another show
You leave em laughing when you go
And if you care, dont let them know
Dont give yourself away
Ive looked at love from both sides now
From win and lose, and still somehow
Its loves illusions I recall
I really dont know love at all
Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say I love you right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
Ive looked at life that way
Now, old friends are acting strange
They shake their heads, they say that Ive changed
Though somethings lost but somethings gained
In living every day
Ive looked at life from both sides now
From up and down, and still somehow
Its lifes illusions I recall
I really dont know life at all |
Marlena under Foster Grants
Shes undercover from the dawns advance
That girl is travel-drained
And the neon mercury vapor stained
Miami sky
Its red as meat
Its a cheap pink rose
Otis in the drivers seat
Watches the street lights fade away
On louvered blocks in green sea air
In fluorescent fossil yards
Slippers are shuffling into folding chairs
Freckled hands are shuffling cards
Theyve come for fun and sun
While Muslims stick up Washington ...
Otis empties out the trunk
On the steps of that celebrated dump
Sleazing by the sea
Bow down to her royal travesty--
In her ballrooms heads of state--
In her bedrooms rented girls--
Always the grand parades of cellulite
Jiggling to her golden pools
Through flock and cupid colonnades
They jiggle into surgery
Hopefully beneath the blade
They dream of golden beauty ...
Theyve come for fun and sun
While Muslims stick up Washington ...
Marlena, white as stretcher sheet
Watches it all from her 10th floor balcony
Like its her opera box
All those Pagliacci summer frocks
Otis is fiddling with the TV dial
All he gets are cartoons and reruns
She taps her glass with an emery file
Watching three rings in the sun
The golden dive, the fatted flake
And sizzle in the mink oil
Its all a dream
She has awake
Checked into Miami Royal
Where theyve come for fun and sun
While Muslims hold up Washington ...
Dream on
Dream on
Dream on
Dream on
Dream on |
Just before our love got lost you said
I am as constant as a northern star
And I said, Constantly in the darkness
Wheres that at?
If you want me Ill be in the bar
On the back of a cartoon coaster
In the blue TV screen light
I drew a map of Canada
Oh, Canada
With your face sketched on it twice
Oh, you are in my blood like holy wine
You taste so bitter and so sweet
Oh, I could drink a case of you, darling
And I would still be on my feet
Oh, I would still be on my feet
Oh, I am a lonely painter
I live in a box of paints
Im frightened by the devil
And Im drawn to those ones that aint afraid
I remember that time you told me, you said
Love is touching souls
Surely you touched mine
Cause part of you pours out of me
In these lines from time to time
Oh, you are in my blood like holy wine
You taste so bitter and so sweet
Oh, I could drink a case of you, darling
Still Id be on my feet
I would still be on my feet
I met a woman
She had a mouth like yours
She knew your life
She knew your devils and your deeds
And she said
Go to him, stay with him if you can
But be prepared to bleed
Oh, but you are in my blood, you are my holy wine
Youre so bitter, bitter and so sweet
Oh, I could drink a case of you, darling
Still Id be on my feet
I would still be on my feet |
Let me speak let me spit out my bitterness
Born of grief and nights without sleep and festering flesh
Do you have eyes?
Can you see like mankind sees?
Why have you soured and curdled me?
Oh you tireless watcher! What have I done to you?
That you make everything I dread and everything I fear come true?
Once I was blessed; I was awaited like the rain
Like eyes for the blind, like feet for the lame
Kings heard my words, and they sought out my company
But now the janitors of Shadowland flick their brooms at me
Oh you tireless watcher! What have I done to you?
That you make everything I dread and everything I fear come true?
Ive lost all taste for life
Im all complaints
Tell me why do you starve the faithful?
Why do you crucify the saints?
And you let the wicked prosper
You let their children frisk like deer
And my loves are dead or dying, or they dont come near
(Antagonists: We dont despise your chastening
God is correcting you)
Oh and look who comes to counsel my deep distress
Oh, these pompous physicians
What carelessness!
(Antagonists: Oh all this ranting all this wind
Filling our ears with trash)
Breathtaking ignorance adding insult to injury!
They come blaming and shaming
And shattering me
(Antagonists: This vain man wishes to seem wise
A man born of asses)
Oh you tireless watcher! What have I done to you?
That you make everything I dread and everything I fear come true?
Already on a bed of sighs and screams
And still you torture me with visions
You give me terrifying dreams!
Better I was carried from the womb straight to the grave
I see the diggers waiting, theyre leaning on their spades
(Antagonists: Man is the sire of sorrow
Sure as the sparks ascend)
Where is hope while youre wondering what went wrong?
Why give me light and then this dark without a dawn?
(Antagonists: Evil is sweet in your mouth
Hiding under your tongue)
Show your face!
Help me understand!
What is the reason for your heavy hand?
(Antagonists: Youre stumbling in shadows
You have no name now)
Was it the sins of my youth?
What have I done to you?
That you make everything I dread and everything I fear come true?
Everything I dread and everything I fear come true
Oh you make everything I dread and everything I fear come true |
I awoke today and found
The frost perched on the town
It hovered in a frozen sky
Then it gobbled summer down
When the sun turns traitor cold
And all the trees are shivering in a naked row
I get the urge for going
But I never seem to go
I get the urge for going
When the meadow grass is turning brown
And summertime is falling down and winter is closing in
I had a man in summertime
He had summer-colored skin
And not another girl in town
My darlings heart could win
But when the leaves fell on the ground
And bully winds came around
And pushed them face down in the snow
He got the urge for going
And I had to let him go
He got the urge for going
When the meadow grass was turning brown
And summertime was falling down and winter was closing in
Now the warriors of winter give a cold triumphant shout
And all that stays is dying all that lives is gettin out
See the geese in chevron flight
Flapping and racing on before the snow
They got the urge for going
And theyve got the wings so they can go
They get the urge for going
When the meadow grass is turning brown
And summertime is falling down and winter is closing in
Ill ply the fire with kindling now
Ill pull the blankets up to my chin
Ill lock the vagrant winter out
And Ill bolt my wandering in
Id like to call back summertime
And have her stay for just another month or so
But shes got the urge for going
So I guess shell have to go
She gets the urge for going
When the meadow grass is turning brown
And all her empires falling down
And winters closing in
And I get the urge for going
When the meadow grass is turning brown
And summertime is Falling Down |
Joanie was an unmarried girl just turned twenty-seven
When they sent her to the sisters because of the way men looked at her
Branded as a jezebel she knew she was not bound for heaven
She had been cast in shame into the Magdalene laundries
Most girls went there pregnant some by their own fathers
Bridget got her belly from the Parish Priest
Theyre trying to wash things as white as snow, all of those woe-begotten daughters
In the steaming stains of the Magdalene laundries
Prostitutes and destitutes and temptresses like Joanie
Fallen women sentenced into dreamless drudgery
Why do the call this place Our Lady of Charity?
Of Charity?
These bloodless brides of Jesus if they could just once glimpse their groom
Theyd drop the stones concealed behind their rosaries
They wilt the grass they walk upon they leech the light out of a room
Theyd like to wash those girls down the drains of The Magdalene Laundries
Peg OConnell died today, she was a cheeky girl, they stuffed her in a hole
Surely to God youd think at least some bells should ring
Joanie thinks shell die there too and that theyll tramp her in the dirt
Like some lame bulb that never will bloom when the springtime comes
When the springtime comes |
If youre driving into town
With a dark cloud above you
Dial in the number
Whos bound to love you
Oh honey you turn me on
Im a radio
Im a country station
Im a little bit corny
Im a wildwood flower
Waving for you
Broadcasting tower
Waving for you
And Im sending you out
This signal here
I hope you can pick it up
Loud and clear
I know you dont like weak women
You get bored so quick
And you dont like strong women
Cause theyre hip to your tricks
Its been dirty for dirty
Down the line
But you know
I come when you whistle
When youre loving and kind
But if youve got too many doubts
If theres no good reception for me
Then tune me out, cause honey
Who needs the static
It hurts the head
And you wind up cracking
And the day goes dismal
From Breakfast Barney
To the sign-off prayer
What a sorry face you get to wear
Im going to tell you again now
If youre still listening there
If youre driving into town
With a dark cloud above you
Dial in the number
Whos bound to love you
If youre lying on the beach
With the transistor going
Kick off the sandflies honey
The loves still flowing
If your head says forget it
But your hearts still smoking
Call me at the station
The lines are open |
Its coming on Christmas
Theyre cutting down trees
Theyre putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
But it dont snow here
It stays pretty green
Im gonna make a lot a money
Then Im gonna quit this crazy scene
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I made my baby cry
He tried hard to help me
And put me at ease
He loved so naughty
Maybe we can learn these
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
Im so hard to handle
Im selfish Im sad
Now we gonna lost the best baby that Ive ever had
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I made my baby say goodbye
Its coming on Christmas
Theyre cutting down trees
Theyre putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on |
The big man arrives
Disco dancers greet him
Plainclothes cops greet him
Small town, big man, fresh lipstick glistening
Sophomore jive
From victims of typewriters
The band sounds like typewriters
The big man hes not listening
His eyes hold Edith
His left hand holds his right
What does that hand desire
That he grips it so tight
Edith in the ring
The passed over girls are conferring
The man with the diamond ring is purring
All claws for now withdrawn
One by one they bring
His renegade stories to her
His crimes and his glories to her
In challenge they look on
Women he has taken grow old too soon
He tilts their tired faces
Gently to the spoon
Edith in his bed
A plane in the rain is humming
The wires in the walls are humming
Some song some mysterious song
Bars in her head
Beating frantic and snowblind
Romantic and snowblind
She says his crime belongs
Edith and the Kingpin
Each with charm to sway
Are staring eye to eye
They dare not look away
You know they dare not look away |
I was driving across the burning desert
When I spotted six jet planes
Leaving six white vapor trails across the bleak terrain
It was the hexagram of the heavens
It was the strings of my guitar
Amelia, it was just a false alarm
The drone of flying engines
Is a song so wild and blue
It scrambles time and seasons if it gets through to you
And then your life becomes a travelogue
Of picture postcard charms
Amelia, it was just a false alarm
Now people will tell you where theyve gone
Theyll tell you where to go
But till you get there yourself you will never really know
Where some have found their paradise
Others just come to harm
Oh Amelia, it was just a false alarm
I wish that she was here tonight
Its so hard to obey
Her sad request of me to kindly stay away
So this is how I hide the hurt
As the road leads cursed and charmed
I tell Amelia, it was just a false alarm
A ghost of aviation
She was swallowed by the sky
Or by the sea, like me she had a dream to fly
Like Icarus ascending
On beautiful foolish arms
Amelia, it was just a false alarm
Now maybe Ive never really loved
I guess that is the truth
Ive spent my whole life in clouds at icy altitude
And looking down on everything
I crashed into her arms
Amelia, it was just a false alarm
I pulled into the Cactus Tree Motel
To shower off the dust
And I slept on the strange pillows of my wanderlust
I dreamed of 747s
Over geometric farms
Dreams, Amelia, dreams and false alarms |
Out on some borderline
Some mark of inbetween
I lay down golden-in time
And woke up vanishing
Sweet bird you are
Briefer than a falling star
All these vain promises on beauty jars
Somewhere with your wings on time
You must be laughing
Behind our eyes
Calendars of our lives
Circled with compromise
Sweet bird of time and change
You must be laughing
Up on your feathers laughing
Golden in time
Cities under the sand
Power, ideals and beauty
Fading in everyones hand
Give me some time
I feel like Im losing mine
Out here on this horizon line
With the earth spinning
And the sky forever rushing
No one knows
They can never get that close
Guesses at most
Guesses based on what each set of time and change is touching
Guesses based on what each set of time and change is touching
Guesses based on what each set of time and change is touching |
Ill try to keep myself open up to you
Thats a promise that I made to love
When it was new
Just like Jericho I said
Let these walls come tumbling down
I said it like I finally found the way
To keep the good feelings alive
I said it like it was something to strive for
Ill try to keep myself open up to you
And approve your self expression
I need that too
I need your confidence baby
And the gift of your extra time
In turn Ill give you mine
Sweet darling its a rich exchange
It seems to me
Its a warm arrangement
Anyone will tell you
Just how hard it is to make and keep a friend
Maybe theyll short sell you
Or maybe its you
Judas in the end
When you just can no longer pretend
That youre getting what you need
Or youre giving out anything for them to grow and feed on
Ill try to keep myself open up to you
It gets easier and easier to do
Just like Jericho
Let these walls come tumbling down now
Let them fall right on the ground
Let all these dogs go running free
The wild and the gentle dogs
Kenneled in me |
The wind is in from Africa
Last night I couldnt sleep
Oh, you know it sure is hard to leave here, Carey
But its really not my home
My fingernails are filthy
I got beach tar on my feet
And I miss my clean white linen
And my fancy French cologne
Oh, Carey, get out your cane
And Ill put on some silver
Oh, youre a mean old Daddy
But I like you fine
Come on down to the Mermaid Café and I will
Buy you a bottle of wine
And well laugh and toast to nothing
And smash our empty glasses down
Lets have a round for these freaks and these soldiers
A round for these friends of mine
Lets have another round for the bright red devil
Who keeps me in this tourist town
Come on, Carey, get out your cane
Ill put on some silver
Oh, youre a mean old Daddy
But I like you
I like you, I like you, I like you
Maybe Ill go to Amsterdam
Or maybe Ill go to Rome
And rent me a grand piano
And put some flowers round my room
But lets not talk about fare-thee-wells now
The night is a starry dome
And theyre playin that scratchy rock and roll
Beneath the Matala Moon
Come on, Carey, get out your cane
And Ill put on some silver
Youre a mean old Daddy
But I like you
The wind is in from Africa
Last night I couldnt sleep
Oh, you know it sure is hard to leave here
But its really not my home
Maybe its been too long a time
Since I was scramblin down in the street
Now they got me used to that clean white linen
And that fancy French cologne
Oh, Carey, get out your cane
Ill put on my finest silver
Well go to the Mermaid Café
Have fun tonight
I said, oh, youre a mean old Daddy
But youre out of sight |
Rows and floes of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
Ive looked at clouds that way
But now they only block the sun
They rain and snow on everyone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way
Ive looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down, and still somehow
Its cloud illusions I recall
I really dont know clouds at all
Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way you feel
As every fairy tale comes real
Ive looked at love that way
But now its just another show
You leave em laughing when you go
And if you care, dont let them know
Dont give yourself away
Ive looked at love from both sides now
From give and take, and still somehow
Its loves illusions I recall
I really dont know love at all
Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say I love you right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
Ive looked at life that way
But now old friends are acting strange
They shake their heads, they say Ive changed
Well somethings lost, but somethings gained
In living every day
Ive looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
Its lifes illusions I recall
I really dont know life at all
Ive looked at life from both sides now
From up and down and still somehow
Its lifes illusions I recall
I really dont know life at all |
Caught in the middle
Carol were middle class
Were middle aged
We were wild in the old days
Birth of rock n roll days
Now your kids are coming up straight
And my childs a stranger
I bore her
But I could not raise her
Nothing lasts for long
Nothing lasts for long
Nothing lasts for long
Down at the Chinese Cafe
Wed be dreaming on our dimes
Wed be playing Oh my love, my darling
One more time
Uranium money
Is booming in the old home town now
Its putting up sleek concrete
Tearing the old landmarks down now
Paving over brave little parks
Ripping off Indian land again
How long how long
Short sighted business men
Ah nothing lasts for long
Nothing lasts for long
Nothing lasts for long
Down at the Chinese Cafe
Wed be dreaming on our dimes
Wed be playing You give your love, so sweetly
One more time
Christmas is sparkling
Out on Carols lawn
This girl of my childhood games
With kids nearly grown and gone
Grown so fast
Like the turn of a page
We look like our mothers did now
When we were those kids age
Nothing lasts for long
Nothing lasts for long
Nothing lasts for long
Down at the Chinese Cafe
Wed be dreaming on our dimes
Wed be playing
Oh my love, my darling
Ive hungered for your touch
A long lonely time
And time goes by so slowly
And time can do so much
Are you still mine?
I need your love
I need your love
God speed your love to me
(Time goes - where does the time go
I wonder where the time goes) |
Its coming on Christmas
Theyre cutting down trees
Putting up reindeer
Singing songs of joy and peace
Oh, I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
But it dont snow here
It stays pretty green
Im gonna make a lot of money
Gonna leave this crazy scene
Oh, I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
Oh, I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh, I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I made my baby cry
You tried hard to help me
You know, you put me at ease
And you loved me so naughty
Made me weak in the knees
Oh, I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
Im so hard to handle
Im selfish and Im sad
Now Ive gone and lost the best baby
That I ever had
Oh, I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
Oh, I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh, I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I made my baby say goodbye
Its coming on Christmas
Theyre cutting down trees
Putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
Oh, I wish I had a river
I could skate away, away, away, away |
He is three
Ones in the middle unmoved
Waiting
To show what he sees
To the other two
To the one attacking so afraid
And the one that keeps trying to love and trust
And getting himself betrayed
In the plan oh
The divine plan
God must be a boogie man!
Ones so sweet
So overly loving and gentle
He lets people in
To his innermost sacred temple
Blind faith to care
Blind rage to kill
Whyd he let them talk him down
To cheap work and cheap thrills
In the plan oh
The insulting plan
God must be a boogie man!
Which would it be
Mingus one or two or three
Which one do you think hed want the world to see
Well world opinions not a lot of help
When a mans only trying to find out
How to feel about himself
In the plan oh
The cock-eyed plan
God must be a boogie man! |
Its coming on Christmas
Theyre cutting down trees
Theyre putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on
But it dont snow here
It stays pretty green
Im gonna make a lot of money
Then Im gonna quit this crazy scene
I wish I had a river I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on
I made my baby cry
He tried hard to help me
You know, he put me at ease
And he loved me so naughty
Made me weak at the knees
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on
Im so hard to handle
Im sеlfish and Im sad
Now Ive gone and lost the bеst baby
That I ever had
I wish I had a river I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on
I made my baby say goodbye
Its coming on Christmas
Theyre cutting down trees
Theyre putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
I wish I had a river I could skate away on |
I came upon a child of God
He was walking along the road
So I asked him: Where are you going?
And this he told me:
Im going on down to Yasgurs Farm
Im gonna join in a rock and roll band
Im gonna camp out on the land
Im gonna try and set my soul free
We are stardust
We are golden
And weve got to get ourselves back to the garden
Then can I walk beside you?
I have come here to lose the smog
And I feel to be a cog in something turning
Well maybe it is just the time of year
Or maybe its the time of man
I dont know who I am
But you know life is for learning
We are stardust
We are golden
And weve got to get ourselves back to the garden
By the time we got to Woodstock
We were half a million strong
And everywhere there was song and celebration
And I dreamed I saw the bombers
Riding shotgun in the sky
Turning into butterflies
Across our nation
We are stardust
We are golden
And weve got to get ourselves back to the garden |
Sitting in a park in Paris, France
Reading the news and its all bad
They wont give peace a chance
That was just a dream some of us had
Still a lot of lands to see
But I wouldnt wanna stay here
Its too old and cold and settled in its ways here
Oh, but California
California, Im comin home
Im going to see the folks I dig
Ill even kiss a Sunset pig
California, Im comin home
I met a redneck on a Grecian isle
Who spent my money very well
He gave me back my smile
But he kept my camera to sell
Oh, the rogue, the red, red rogue
He cooked good omelets and stews
And I might have stayed on with him there
But my heart cried out for you, oh, California
California, Im comin, comin, comin, home
Oh, make me feel good rock n roll band
Im your biggest fan
California, Im comin home
Oh, it gets so lonely
When youre walking in a street of strangers
All the news of home you read
Just give you the blues
So I bought a ticket
I caught a plane to Spain
Went to a party down a red dirt road
There were lots of pretty people there
Reading Rolling Stone, reading Vogue
They said, How long can you hang around?
I said a week, maybe two
Just until my skin turns brown
And then Im going home to California
California, Im comin home
Oh, will you take me as I am?
Strung out on another man
California, Im comin home
Oh, it gets so lonely
When youre walking
And the streets are full of strangers
All the news of home you read
More about the war
And the bloody changes
Ohh, will you take me as I am?
Will you take me as I am?
Ohh, will you take me as I am?
Will you? Will you?
Will you take me as I am?
Hmmm mmmmm
Will you take me as I am? |
Theres a man whos been out sailing
In a decade full of dreams
And he takes her to a schooner
And he treats her like a queen
Bearing beads from California
With their amber stones and green
He has called her from the harbor
He has kissed her with his freedom
He has heard her off to starboard
In the breaking and the breathing
Of the water weeds
While she was busy being free
Theres a man whos climbed a mountain
And hes calling out her name
And he hopes her heart can hear three thousand miles
He calls again
He can think her there beside him
He can miss her just the same
He has missed her in the forest
While he showed her all the flowers
And the branches sang the chorus
As he climbed the scaly towers
Of a forest tree
While she was somewhere being free
Theres a man whos sent a letter
And hes waiting for reply
He has asked her of her travels
Since the day they said goodbye
He writes Wish you were beside me
We can make it if we try
He has seen her at the office
With her name on all his papers
Through the sharing of the profits
He will find it hard to shake her
From his memory
And shes so busy being free
Theres a lady in the city
And she thinks she loves them all
Theres the one whos thinking of her
Theres the one who sometimes calls
Theres the one who writes her letters
With his facts and figures scrawl
She has brought them to her senses
They have laughed inside her laughter
Now she rallies her defenses
For she fears that one will ask her
For eternity
And shes so busy being free
Theres a man who sends her medals
He is bleeding from the war
Theres a jouster and a jester and a man who owns a store
Theres a drummer and a dreamer
And you know there may be more
She will love them when she sees them
They will lose her if they follow
And she only means to please them
And her heart is full and hollow
Like a cactus tree
While shes so busy being free
Like a cactus tree
Being free |
Sitting in a park in Paris, France
Reading the news and it sure looks bad
They wont give peace a chance
That was just a dream some of us had
Still a lot of lands to see
But I wouldnt wanna stay here
Its too old and cold and settled in its ways here
Oh, but California
California, Im coming home
Im going to see the folks I dig
Ill even kiss a Sunset pig
California, Im coming home
I met a redneck on a Grecian isle
Who did the goat dance very well
He gave me back my smile
But he kept my camera to sell
Oh, the rogue, the red red rogue
He cooked good omelets and stews
And I might have stayed on with him there
But my heart cried out for you, California
Oh, California, Im coming home
Oh, make me feel good rock n roll band
Im your biggest fan
California, Im coming home
Oh, it gets so lonely
When youre walking
And the streets are full of strangers
All the news of home you read
Just gives you the blues
Just gives you the blues
So I bought me a ticket
I got on a plane to Spain
Went to a party down a red dirt road
There were lots of pretty people there
Reading Rolling Stone, reading Vogue
They said, How long can you hang around?
I said a week, maybe two
Just until my skin turns brown
Then Im going home to California
California, Im coming home
Oh, will you take me as I am
Strung out on another man
California, Im coming home
Oh, it gets so lonely
When youre walking
And the streets are full of strangers
All the news of home you read
More about the war
And the bloody changes
Oh, will you take me as I am?
Will you take me as I am?
Will you?
Will you take me as I am?
Hmmm mmmmm
Take me as I am |
See the stretching sun at dawning
Wipe the stardust from his eyes
Feel the morning breezes yawning
Telling me its time to rise
Telling me its time to rise
I was born to take the highway
I was born to chase a dream
Any road at all is my way
Any place is where Ive been
Anything is what Ive seen
Gamblers gold is meant for squandering
Misers silver is to hoard
My gold cross the sky goes wandering
My silver is a drinking gourd
My silver is the drinking gourd
I was born to take the highway
I was born to chase a dream
Any road at all is my way
Any place is where Ive been
Anything is what Ive seen
Ive skipped on concrete, danced on cobbles
Stepped on pavement in the heat
Ive seen where children crouched at marbles
Drew chalk circles in the street
Found a penny at my feet
I was born to take the highway
I was born to chase a dream
Any road at all is my way
Any place is where Ive been
Anything is what Ive seen
Now, I know a road that winds forever
Through the land the rainbows run
You cross the bridge from now til never
Take the first turn past the sun
Take the first turn beyond the sun
I was born to take the highway
I was born to chase a dream
Any road at all is my way
Any place is where Ive been
Anything is what Ive seen |
Its coming on Christmas
Theyre cutting down trees
Theyre putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on
But it dont snow here
It stays pretty green
Im gonna make a lot of money
Then Im gonna quit this crazy scene
I wish I had a river I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on
I made my baby cry
He tried hard to help me
You know, he put me at ease
And he loved me so naughty
Made me weak in the knees
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on
Im so hard to handle
Im sеlfish and Im sad
Now Ive gone and lost the bеst baby
That I ever had
I wish I had a river I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on
I made my baby say goodbye
Its coming on Christmas
Theyre cutting down trees
Theyre putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
I wish I had a river I could skate away on |
Theres a crow flying
Black and ragged, tree to tree
Its black as that highway thats leading me
Now hes diving down to pick up
On something shiny
Im like that black crow flying
In a blue sky
Took the ferry to a highway
Then I drove to a pontoon plane
Took the plane to a taxi
And a taxi to a train
Ive been traveling so long
Howm I ever going to know my home
When I see it again
Im like that black crow flying
In a blue sky
In search of love and music
My whole life has been illumination, corruption
And diving, diving, diving, diving
Diving down to pick up
On every shiny little thing
Just like that black crow flying
In a blue, blue sky
I saw the back crow flying, flying, flying
In a blue, blue sky
I looked at the morning
After being up all night
I looked at my haggard face
In the bathroom light
I looked out the window
And I saw that ragged soul take flight
I saw the back crow flying, flying, flying
In a blue sky |
Rows and flows of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
Ive looked at clouds that way
But now they only block the sun
They rain and snow on everyone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way
Ive looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down and still somehow
Its clouds illusions I recall
I really dont know clouds at all
Moons and Junes and ferries wheels
The dizzy dancing way you feel
As every fairy tale comes real
Ive looked at love that way
But now its just another show
You leave em laughing when you go
And if you care, dont let them know
Dont give yourself away
Ive looked at love from both sides now
From give and take and still somehow
Its loves illusions I recall
I really dont know love at all
Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say I love you right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
Ive looked at life that way
But now old friends theyre acting strange
They shake their heads, they say Ive changed
Well somethings lost, but somethings gained
In living every day
Ive looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
Its lifes illusions I recall
I really dont know life at all
Ive looked at life from both sides now
From up and down, and still somehow
Its lifes illusions I recall
I really dont know life at all |
Help me
I think Im falling
In love again
When I get
That crazy feeling
I know
Im in trouble again
Im in trouble
Cause youre a rambler
And a gambler
And a sweet-talking
Ladies man
And you love your loving
But not like you
Love your freedom
Help me
I think Im falling
In love too fast
Its got me
Hoping for the future
And worrying
About the past
Cause Ive seen
Some hot hot blazes
Come down to smoke
And ash
We love our loving
But not like
We love our freedom
Didnt it feel good
We were sitting
There talking
Or there not talking
Didnt it feel good
You dance with the lady
With the hole
In her stocking
Didnt it feel good
Didnt it feel good
Didnt it feel good
Didnt it feel good
Help me
I think Im falling
In love with you
Are you going to
Let me go
There by myself
Thats such
A lonely thing to do
Both of us
Flirting around
Flirting and flirting
Hurting too
We love our loving
But not like
We love our freedom |
The last time I saw Richard was Detroit in 68
And he told me all romantics meet the same fate someday
Cynical and drunk and boring someone in some dark café
You laugh he said you think youre immune
Go look at your eyes theyre full of moon
You like roses and kisses and pretty men to tell you
All those pretty lies pretty lies
When you gonna realize theyre only pretty lies
Only pretty lies just pretty lies
He put a quarter in the Wurlitzer and he pushed
Three buttons and the thing began to whirr
And a bar maid came by in fishnet stockings and a bow tie
And she said Drink up now its getting on time to close
Richard, you havent really changed I said
Its just that now youre romanticizing some pain thats in your head
You got tombs in your eyes but the songs you punched are dreaming
Listen, they sing of love so sweet, love so sweet
When you gonna get yourself back on your feet?
Oh and love can be so sweet Love so sweet
Richard got married to a figure skater
And he bought her a dishwasher and a coffee percolator
And he drinks at home now most nights with the TV on
And all the house lights left up bright
Im gonna blow this damn candle out
I dont want nobody comin over to my table
I got nothing to talk to anybody about
All good dreamers pass this way some day
Hidin behind bottles in dark cafes dark cafes
Only a dark cocoon before I get my gorgeous wings and fly away
Only a phase these dark café days |
No tongue in the bell
And the fishwives yell
But they might as well be mute
So you get to keep the pictures
That dont seem like much
Cold white keys under your fingers
Now youre thinking
Thats no substitute
It just dont do it
Like the song of a warm warm body
Loving your touch
In the court they carve your legend
With an apple in its jaw
And the women that you wanted
They get their laughs
Long silk stockings
On the bedposts of refinement
Youre too raw
They think youre too raw
Its the judgement of the moon and stars
Your solitary path
Draw yourself a bath
Think what youd like to have
For supper
Or take a walk
A park
A bridge
A tree
A river
Revoked but not yet cancelled
The gift goes on
In silence
In a bell jar
Still a song
Youve got to shake your fists at lightning now
Youve got to roar like forest fire
Youve got to spread your light like blazes
All across the sky
Theyre going to aim the hoses on you
Show em you wont expire
Not till you burn up every passion
Not even when you die
Come on now
Youve got to try
If youre feeling contempt
Well then you tell it
If youre tired of the silent night
Jesus well then you yell it
Condemned to wires and hammers
Strike every chord that you feel
That broken trees
And elephant ivories conceal |
Rows and flows of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
Ive looked at clouds that way
But now they only block the sun
They rain and snow on everyone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way
Ive looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down and still somehow
Its clouds illusions I recall
I really dont know clouds at all
Moons and Junes and ferries wheels
The dizzy dancing way you feel
As every fairy tale comes real
Ive looked at love that way
But now its just another show
You leave em laughing when you go
And if you care, dont let them know
Dont give yourself away
Ive looked at love from both sides now
From give and take and still somehow
Its loves illusions I recall
I really dont know love at all
Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say I love you right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
Ive looked at life that way
Oh but now old friends
Theyre acting strange
They shake their heads and they tell me that Ive changed
Well somethings lost
But somethings gained
In living every day
Ive looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
Its lifes illusions I recall
I really dont know life at all
Joni Mitchell - Both Sides Now © Crazy Crow Music / Siquomb Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management |
Turning and turning
Within the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer
Things fall apart
The center cannot hold
And a blood dimmed tide
Is loosed upon the world
Nothing is sacred
The ceremony sinks
Innocence is drowned
In anarchy
The best lack conviction
Given some time to think
And the worst are full of passion
Without mercy
Surely some revelation is at hand
Surely its the second coming
And the wrath has finally taken form
For what is this rough beast
Its hour come at last
Slouching toward Bethlehem to be born
Slouching toward Bethlehem to be born
Hoping and hoping
As if by my weak faith
The spirit of this world
Would heal and rise
Vast are the shadows
That straddle and strafe
And struggle in the darkness
Troubling my eyes
Shaped like a lion
It has the head of a man
With a gaze as blank
And pitiless as the sun
And its moving its slow thighs
Across the desert sands
Through dark indignant
Reeling falcons
Surely some revelation is at hand
Surely its the second coming
And wrath has finally taken form
For what is this rough beast
Its hour come at last
Slouching toward Bethlehem to be born
Slouching toward Bethlehem to be born
Raging and raging
It rises from the deep
Opening its eyes
After twenty centuries
Vexed to a nightmare
Out of a stony sleep
By a rocking cradle
By the Sea of Galilee
Surely some revelation is at hand
Surely its the second coming
And wrath has finally taken form
For what is this rough beast
Its hour come at last
Slouching toward Bethlehem to be born
Slouching toward Bethlehem to be born |
Die Weihnachtszeit ist bald da
Sie fällen alle Tannen
Stellen alles auf und
Überall Gesang
Oh, ich wünschte ich hätte einen Fluss
Auf dem ich fortfließen kann
Dieses Jahr gibt es keinen Schnee
Es bleibt ziemlich grün
Ich wünscht ich hätte so viel
Könnte einfach fliegen
Oh, ich wünschte ich hätte einen Fluss
Auf dem ich fortfließen kann
Der Fluss wär dann so lang
Fließe ich davon
Oh, ich wünschtе ich hätte einen Fluss
Auf dеm ich fortfließen kann
Sie weint wieder wegen mir
Sie wollte mir nur helfen
Dinge leicht zu nehmen
Doch Liebe ist auch Angst und
Ich hab weiche Knie
Oh, ich wünschte ich hätte einen Fluss
Auf dem ich fortfließen kann
Mit mir ist es nicht leicht
Und ich denk oft an mich
Jetzt bist du weg und alles
Schöne nimmst du mit
Oh, ich wünschte ich hätte einen Fluss
Auf dem ich fortfließen kann
Der Fluss wär dann so lang
Fließe ich davon
Oh, ich wünschte ich hätte einen Fluss
Auf dem ich fortfließen kann
Die Weihnachtszeit ist bald da
Sie fällen alle Tannen
Stellen alles auf und
Überall Gesang
Oh, ich wünschte ich hätte einen Fluss
Auf dem ich fortfließen kann |
I came upon a child of God
He was walking along the road
And I asked him where are you going
And this he told me
Im going on down to Yasgurs farm
Im going to join in a rock n roll band
Im going to camp out on the land
Im going to try an get my soul free
We are stardust
We are golden
And weve got to get ourselves
Back to the garden
Then can I walk beside you
I have come here to lose the smog
And I feel to be a cog in something turning
Well maybe it is just the time of year
Or maybe its the time of man
I dont know who I am
But you know life is for learning
We are stardust
We are golden
And weve got to get ourselves
Back to the garden
By the time we got to Woodstock
We were half a million strong
And everywhere there was song and celebration
And I dreamed I saw the bombers
Riding shotgun in the sky
And they were turning into butterflies
Above our nation
We are stardust
Billion year old carbon
We are golden
Caught in the devils bargain
And weve got to get ourselves
Back to the garden |
Rows and flows of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
Ive looked at clouds that way
But now they only block the sun
They rain and snow on everyone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way
Ive looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down, and still somehow
Its cloud illusions I recall
I really dont know clouds at all
Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way you feel
As evry fairy tale comes real
Ive looked at love that way
But now its just another show
You leave em laughing when you go
And if you care, dont let them know
Dont give yourself away
Ive looked at love from both sides now
From give and take, and still somehow
Its loves illusions I recall
I really dont know love at all
Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say I love you right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
Ive looked at life that way
But now old friends are acting strange
They shake their heads, they say Ive changed
Well somethings lost, but somethings gained
In living every day
Ive looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
Its lifes illusions I recall
I really dont know life at all
Ive looked at life from both sides now
From up and down, and still somehow
Its lifes illusions I recall
I really dont know life at all |
I pulled up behind a Cadillac
We were waiting for the light
And I took a look at his license plate
It said Just Ice
Is justice just ice?
Governed by greed and lust?
Just the strong doing what they can
And the weak suffering what they must?
And the gas leaks
And the oil spills
And sex sells everything
And sex kills
Sex kills
Doctors pills give you brand new ills
And the bills bury you like an avalanche
And lawyers havent been this popular
Since Robespierre slaughtered half of France!
And Indian chiefs with their old beliefs know
The balance is undone crazy ions
You can feel it out in traffic
Everyone hates everyone!
And the gas leaks
And the oil spills
And sex sells everything
And sex kills
Sex kills
All these jackoffs at the office
The rapist in the pool
Oh and the tragedies in the nurseries
Little kids packin guns to school
The ulcerated ozone
These tumors of the skin
This hostile sun beating down on
This massive mess were in!
And the gas leaks
And the oil spills
And sex sells everything
And sex kills
Sex kills
Sex kills
Sex kills
Sex kills |
It was a rainy night
We took a taxi to your mothers home
She went to Florida and left you
With you fathers gun, alone
Upon her small white bed
I fell into a dream
You sat up all the night and watched me
To see, who in the world I might be
I am from the Sunday school
I sing soprano in the upstairs choir
You are a holy man
On the FM radio
I sat up all the night and watched thee
To see, who in the world you might be
You called me beautiful
You called your mother - she was very tanned
So you packed your tent and went
To live out in the Arizona sand
You are a refugee
From a wealthy family
You gave up all the golden factories
To see, who in the world you might be |
Just before our love got lost you said
I am as constant as a northern star
And I said, Constantly in the darkness
Wheres that at?
If you want me Ill be in the bar
On the back of a cartoon coaster
In the blue TV screen light
I drew a map of Canada
Oh, Canada
With your face sketched on it twice
Oh, you are in my blood like holy wine
You taste so bitter and so sweet
Oh, I could drink a case of you, darling
And I would still be on my feet
Oh, I would still be on my feet
Oh, I am a lonely painter
I live in a box of paints
Im frightened by the devil
And Im drawn to those ones that aint afraid
I remember that time you told me, you said
Love is touching souls
Surely you touched mine
Cause part of you pours out of me
In these lines from time to time
Oh, you are in my blood like holy wine
You taste so bitter and so sweet
Oh, I could drink a case of you, darling
Still Id be on my feet
I would still be on my feet
I met a woman
She had a mouth like yours
She knew your life
She knew your devils and your deeds
And she said
Go to him, stay with him if you can
But be prepared to bleed
Oh, but you are in my blood, you are my holy wine
Youre so bitter, bitter and so sweet
Oh, I could drink a case of you, darling
Still Id be on my feet
I would still be on my feet |
Cold Blue Steel out of money
One eye for the beat police
Sweet Fire calling
You cant deny me
Now you know what you need
Underneath the jungle gym
Hollow-grey-fire-escape-thief
Looking for Sweet Fire
Shadow of Lady Release
Come with me
I know the way she says
Its down, down, down the dark ladder
Do you want to contact somebody first?
Leave someone a letter?
You can come now
Or you can come later
A wristwatch, a ring, a downstairs screamer
Edgy - black cracks of the sky
Pin-cushion-prick-
Fix this poor bad dreamer!
Money cold shadows reply
Pawnshops crisscrossed and padlocked
Corridors spit on prayers and pleas
Sparks fly up from Sweet Fire
Black soot of Lady Release
Come with me
I know the way she says
Its down, down, down the dark ladder
Do you want to contact somebody first?
Does it really matter
You can come now
Or you can come later?
Red water in the bathroom sink
Fever and the scum brown bowl
Blue Steel still begging
But its indistinct
Someones HI-Fi drumming Jelly Roll
Concrete concentration camp
Bashing in veins for peace
Cold Blue Steel and Sweet Fire
Fall into Lady Release
Come with me
I know the way she says
Its down, down, down the dark ladder
Do you want to contact somebody first?
I mean what does it really matter?
Youre going to come now
Or youre going to come later |
I met a friend of spirit
A drunk with sages eyes
And I sat before his sanity
I was holding back from crying
He saw my complications
And he mirrored me back simplified
And we laughed how our perfection
Would always be denied
Heart and humor and humility
He said Will lighten up your heavy load
I left him for the refuge of the roads
I fell in with some drifters
Cast upon a beachtown
Winn Dixie cold cuts and highway hand me downs
And I wound up fixing dinner
For them and Boston Jim
I well up with affection
Thinking back down the roads to then
The nets were overflowing
In the Gulf of Mexico
They were overflowing in the refuge of the roads
There was spring along the ditches
There were good times in the cities
Oh radiant happiness
It was all so light and easy
Till I started analyzing
And I brought on my old ways
A thunderhead of judgment was
Gathering in my gaze
And it made most people nervous
They just didnt want to know
What I was seeing in the refuge of the roads
I pulled off into a forest
Crickets clicking in the ferns
Like a wheel of fortune
I heard my fate turn turn turn
And I went running down a white sand road
I was running like a white-assed deer
Running to lose the blues
To the innocence in here
These are the clouds of Michelangelo
Muscular with gods and sungold
Shine on your witness in the refuge of the roads
In a highway service station
Over the month of June
Was a photograph of the earth
Taken coming back from the moon
And you couldnt see a city
On that marbled bowling ball
Or a forest or a highway
Or me here least of all
You couldnt see these cold water restrooms
Or this baggage overload
Westbound and rolling taking refuge in the roads |
Yesterday a child came out to wonder
Caught a dragonfly inside a jar
Fearful when the sky was full of thunder
And tearful at the falling of a star
Then the child moved ten times round the seasons
Skated over ten clear frozen streams
Words like when youre older must appease him
And promises of someday make his dreams
And the seasons they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
Were captive on the carousel of time
We cant return we can only look
Behind from where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game
Sixteen springs and sixteen summers gone now
Cartwheels turn to car wheels thru the town
And they tell him take your time it wont be long now
Till you drag your feet to slow the circles down
And the seasons they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
Were captive on the carousel of time
We cant return we can only look
Behind from where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game
So the years spin by and now the boy is twenty
Though his dreams have lost some grandeur coming true
Therell be new dreams maybe better dreams and plenty
Before the last revolving year is through
And the seasons they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
Were captive on the carousel of time
We cant return we can only look
Behind from where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game |
I came upon a child of God
He was walking along the road
And I asked him where are you going
And this he told me
Im going on down to Yasgurs farm
Im going to join in a rock n roll band
Im going to camp out on the land
Im going to try an get my soul free
We are stardust
We are golden
And weve got to get ourselves
Back to the garden
Then can I walk beside you
I have come here to lose the smog
And I feel to be a cog in something turning
Well maybe it is just the time of year
Or maybe its the time of man
I dont know who I am
But you know life is for learning
We are stardust
We are golden
And weve got to get ourselves
Back to the garden
By the time we got to Woodstock
We were half a million strong
And everywhere there was song and celebration
And I dreamed I saw the bombers
Riding shotgun in the sky
And they were turning into butterflies
Above our nation
We are stardust
Billion year old carbon
We are golden
Caught in the devils bargain
And weve got to get ourselves
Back to the garden |
Everybody looks so ill at ease
So distrustful so displeased
Running down the table
I see a borderline
Like a barbed wire fence
Strung tight strung tense
Prickling with pretense
A borderline
Why are you smirking at your friend?
Is this to be the night when
All well-wishing ends?
All credibility revoked?
Thin skin thick jokes!
Can we blame it on the smoke
This borderline?
Every bristling shaft of pride
Church or nation
Team or tribe
Every notion we subscribe to
Is just a borderline
Good or bad we think we know
As if thinking makes things so!
All convictions grow along a borderline
Smug in your jaded expertise
You scathe the wonder world
And you praise barbarity
In this illusionary place
This scared hard-edged rat race
All liberty is laced with
Borderlines
Every income every age
Every fashion-plated rage
Every measure every gauge
Creates a borderline
Every stone thrown through glass
Every mean-streets-kick ass
Every swan caught on the grass
Will draw a borderline
You snipe so steady
You snub so snide
So ripe and ready
To diminish and deride!
Youre so quick to condescend
My opinionated friend
All you deface all you defend
Is just a borderline
Just a borderline
Another borderline
Just a borderline |
Old Beale Street is coming down
Sweeties Snack Bar boarded up now
And Egles the Tailor and the Shine Boys gone
Faded out with ragtime blues
Handys cast in bronze
And hes standing in a little park
With a trumpet in his hand
Like hes listening back to the good old bands
And the click of high heeled shoes
Old Furry sings the blues
Propped up in his bed
With his dentures and his leg removed
And Ginnys there
For her kindness and Furrys beer
Shes the old mans angel overseer
Pawn shops glitter like gold tooth caps
In the grey decay
They chew the last few dollars off
Old Beale Streets carcass
Carrion and mercy
Blue and silver sparkling drums
Cheap guitars eye shades and guns
Aimed at the hot blood of being no one
Down and out in Memphis Tennessee
Old Furry sings the blues
You bring him smoke and drink and hell play for you
Lts mostly muttering now and sideshow spiel
But there was one song he played
I could really feel
Theres a double bill murder at the New Daisy
The old girls silent across the street
Shes silent waiting for the wreckers beat
Silent staring at her stolen name
Diamond boys and satin dolls
Bourbon laughter ghosts history falls
To parking lots and shopping malls
As they tear down old Beale Street
Old Furry sings the blues
He points a bony finger at you and says
I dont like you
Everybody laughs as if its the old mans standard joke
But its true
Were only welcome for our drink and smoke
W. C. Handy Im rich and Im fey
And Im not familiar with what you played
But I get such strong impressions of your hey day
Looking up and down old Beale Street
Ghosts of the darktown society
Come right out of the bricks at me
Like its a Saturday night
Theyre in their finery
Dancing it up and making deals
Furry sings the blues
Why should I expect that old guy to give it to me true
Fallen to hard luck
And time and other thieves
While our limo is shining on his shanty street
Old Furry sings the blues |
Im traveling in some vehicle
Im sitting in some cafe
A defector from the petty wars
That shell shock love away
Theres comfort in melancholy
When theres no need to explain
Its just as natural as the weather
In this moody sky today
In our possessive coupling
So much could not be expressed
So now Im returning to myself
These things that you and I suppressed
I see something of myself in everyone
Just at this moment of the world
As snow gathers like bolts of lace
Waltzing on a ballroom girl
You know it never has been easy
Whether you do or you do not resign
Whether you travel the breadth of extremities
Or stick to some straighter line
Now heres a man and a woman sitting on a rock
Theyre either going to thaw out or freeze
Listen
Strains of Benny Goodman
Coming through the snow and the pinewood trees
Im porous with travel fever
But you know Im so glad to be on my own
Still somehow the slightest touch of a stranger
Can set up trembling in my bones
I know no ones going to show me everything
We all come and go unknown
Each so deep and superficial
Between the forceps and the stone
Well I looked at the granite markers
Those tribute to finality to eternity
And then I looked at myself here
Chicken scratching for my immortality
In the church they light the candles
And the wax rolls down like tears
Theres the hope and the hopelessness
Ive witnessed thirty years
Were only particles of change I know I know
Orbiting around the sun
But how can I have that point of view
When Im always bound and tied to someone
White flags of winter chimneys
Waving truce against the moon
In the mirrors of a modern bank
From the window of a hotel room
Im traveling in some vehicle
Im sitting in some cafe
A defector from the petty wars
Until love sucks me back that way |
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
Its 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
I want to make you feel free |
Im down to a roll of dimes
Im stalking the slot thats hot
I keep hearing bells all around me
Jingling in the lucky jackpots
They keep you tantalized
They keep you reaching for your wallet
Here in fools paradise
I talked to a cat from Des Moines
He said he ran a cleaning plant
That cat was clanking with coin
Well he must have had a genie in a lamp
cause every time I dropped a dime I blew it
He kept ringing bells
Nothing to it!
He got three oranges
Three lemons
Three cherries
Three plums
Im losing my taste for fruit
Watching the dry cleaner do it
Like Midas in a polyester suit
Its all luck!
Its just luck!
You get a little lucky and you make a little money!
I followed him down the strip
He picked out a booth at Circus Circus
Where the cowgirls fill the room
With their big balloons
The cleaner was pitching with purpose!
He had Dinos and Pooh Bears
And lions pink and blue there
He couldnt lose there!
Des Moines was stacking the chips
Raking off the tables
Ringing the bandits bells
This is a story thats a drag to tell
Since I lost every dime
I laid on the line
But the cleaner from Des Moines
Could put a coin
In the door of a John
And get twenty for one
Its just luck! |
Its coming on Christmas
Theyre cutting down trees
Theyre putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on
But it dont snow here
It stays pretty green
Im gonna make a lot of money
Then Im going to quit this crazy scene
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
I wish I had a river I could skate away on
I made my baby cry
He tried hard to help me
You know, he put me at ease
And he loved me so naughty
Made me weak in the knees
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on
Im so hard to handle
Im selfish and Im sad
Now Ive gone and lost the best baby
That I ever had
I wish I had a river I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I made my baby say goodbye
Its coming on Christmas
Theyre cutting down trees
Theyre putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on |
Blue songs are like tattoos
You know Ive been to sea before
Crown and anchor me
Or let me sail away
Hey Blue, here is a song for you
Ink on a pin
Underneath the skin
An empty space to fill in
Well therere so many sinking now
Youve got to keep thinking
You can make it thru these waves
Acid, booze, and ass
Needles, guns, and grass
Lots of laughs lots of laughs
Everybodys saying that hells the hippest way to go
Well I dont think so
But Im gonna take a look around it though
Blue I love you
Blue here is a shell for you
Inside youll hear a sigh
A foggy lullaby
There is your song from me |
Rows and flows of angel here
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
I’ve looked at clouds that way
But now they only block the sun
They rain and snow on everyone
So many things I would have done
The clouds got in my way
I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down, and still somehow
It’s cloud illusions that I recall
I really don’t know clouds at all
Moons and tunes and Ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way that you feel
As every fairy tale comes real
I looked at love that way
But now it’s just another joke
You leave them laughing when you go
And if you care, don’t let them know
Don’t give yourself away
I looked at love from both sides now
From give and take, and still somehow
It’s love’s illusions that I recall
I really don’t know love at all
Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say I love you right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
I’ve looked at life that way
Oh but now, old friends are acting strange
They shake their heads, they say I’ve changed
Well something’s lost, but something’s gained
In living every day
I’ve looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose, and still somehow
It’s life’s illusions that I recall
I really don’t know life at all |
Look out the left, the captain said
The lights down there, thats where well land
Saw a falling star burning
High above the Las Vegas sand
It wasnt the one that you gave to me
That night down south between the trailers
Not the early one that you wish upon
Not the northern one that guides in the sailors
Youve got that touch so gentle and sweet
But youve got that look so cryptical
Cant talk to you babe, you know I get so weak
Sometimes I think that love is just mythical
Up theres a heaven, down theres a town
Blackness everywhere any little lights shine
Blackness, blackness draggin me down
Come on light a candle in this heart of mine
Starbright, starbright, youve got the lovin that I like
Turn this crazy bird around
Should not have got on this flight tonight
Im drinkin sweet champagne, got the headphones up high
Cant numb you, cant drum you out of my mind
Theyre singin, Goodbye baby
Baby bye-bye
Ooh! Love is blind
Up go the flaps, down go the wheels
Hope you got your heat turned on, baby
Hope theyve finally fixed your automobile
Hope its better when we meet again, babe
Starbright, starbright, youve got the lovin that I like
Turn this crazy bird around
Should not have got on this flight tonight
Should not have got on this flight tonight |
Just before our love got lost you said
I am as constant as a northern star
And I said Constantly in the darkness
Wheres that at?
If you want me Ill be in the bar
On the back of a cartoon coaster
In the blue TV screen light
I drew a map of Canada
Oh Canada
With your face sketched on it twice
Oh youre in my blood like holy wine
You taste so bitter and so sweet
Oh I could drink a case of you darling
Still Id be on my feet
Oh I would still be on my feet
Oh I am a lonely painter
I live in a box of paints
Im frightened by the devil
And Im drawn to those ones that aint afraid
I remember that time you told me you said
Love is touching souls
Surely you touched mine
Cause part of you pours out of me
In these lines from time to time
Oh, youre in my blood like holy wine
You taste so bitter and so sweet
Oh I could drink a case of you darling
And I would still be on my feet
I would still be on my feet
I met a woman
She had a mouth like yours
She knew your life
She knew your devils and your deeds
And she said
Go to him, stay with him if you can
But be prepared to bleed
Oh but you are in my blood
Youre my holy wine
Youre so bitter, bitter and so sweet
Oh, I could drink a case of you darling
Still Id be on my feet
I would still be on my feet |
I am a woman of heart and mind
With time on her hands
No child to raise
You come to me like a little boy
And I give you my scorn and my praise
You think Im like your mother
Or another lover or your sister
Or the queen of your dreams
Or just another silly girl
When love makes a fool of me
After the rush when you come back down
Youre always disappointed
Nothing seems to keep you high
Drive your bargains
Push your papers
Win your medals
Fuck your strangers
Dont it leave you on the empty side
Im looking for affection and respect
A little passion
And you want stimulation-nothing more
Thats what I think
But you know Ill try to be there for you
When your spirits start to sink
All this talk about holiness now
It must be the start of the latest style
Is it all books and words
Or do you really feel it?
Do you really laugh?
Do you really care?
Do you really smile
When you smile?
You criticize and you flatter
You imitate the best
And the rest you memorize
You know the times you impress me most
Are the times when you dont try
When you dont even try |
Its coming on Christmas
Theyre cutting down trees
Theyre putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on
But it dont snow here
It stays pretty green
Im gonna make a lot of money
Then Im gonna quit this crazy scene
I wish I had a river I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on
I made my baby cry
He tried hard to help me
You know, he put me at ease
And he loved me so naughty
Made me weak in the knees
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on
Im so hard to handle
Im selfish and Im sad
Now Ive gone and lost the best baby
That I ever had
I wish I had a river I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on
I made my baby say goodbye
Its coming on Christmas
Theyre cutting down trees
Theyre putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
I wish I had a river I could skate away on |
Tomorrow is Sunday
Now theres only one day left to go
Till you walk by
Below my window
The weekends drive me mad
Holidays are oh too sad
Cause you dont go
Below my window
No one knows Im here
One day I just disappeared
And I took these two grey rooms up here
With a view
When you walk by
Below my window
You look so youthful
Time has been untruthful
Heaven knows I loved you
30 years ago
Hot days your shirts undone
Rainy days you run
Oh and then you fade so fast
Below my window
No one knows Im here
One day I just disappeared
And I took these two grey rooms up here
With a view
Only when you walk by
Below my window
When you walk by
Below my window
Below my window
Hey hey
Below my window
Below my window
Below my window |
Im traveling in some vehicle
I’m sitting in some cafe
A defector from the petty wars
That shell shock love away
Theres comfort in melancholy
When theres no need to explain
It’s just as natural as the weather
In this moody sky today
In our possessive coupling
So much could not be expressed
So now Im returning to myself
These things that you and I suppressed
I see something of myself in everyone
Just at this moment of the world
As snow gathers like bolts of lace
Waltzing on a ballroom girl
You know it never has been easy
Whether you do or you do not resign
Whether you travel the breadth of extremities
Or stick to some straighter line
Now heres a man and a woman sitting on a rock
Theyre either going to thaw out or freeze
Listen
Strains of Benny Goodman
Coming through the snow and the pinewood trees
Im porous with travel fever
But you know Im so glad to be on my own
Still somehow the slightest touch of a stranger
Can set up trembling in my bones
I know no ones going to show me everything
We all come and go unknown
Each so deep and superficial
Between the forceps and the stone
Well I looked at the granite markers
Those tribute to finality to eternity
And then I looked at myself here
Chicken scratching for my immortality
In the church they light the candles
And the wax rolls down like tears
Theres the hope and the hopelessness
I’ve witnessed thirty years
We’re only particles of change I know I know
Orbiting around the sun
But how can I have that point of view
When Im always bound and tied to someone
White flags of winter chimneys
Waving truce against the moon
In the mirrors of a modern bank
From the window of a hotel room
I’m traveling in some vehicle
Im sitting in some cafe
A defector from the petty wars
Until love sucks me back that way |
Theres a man whos been out sailing
In a decade full of dreams
And he takes her to a schooner
And he treats her like a queen
Bearing beads from California
With their amber stones and green
He has called her from the harbor
He has kissed her with his freedom
He has heard her off to starboard
In the breaking and the breathing of the water weeds
While she was busy being free
Theres a man whos climbed a mountain
And hes calling out her name
And he hopes her heart can hear
3,000 miles he calls again
He can think of her there beside him
He can miss her just the same
He has missed her in the forest
While he showed her all of the flowers
And the branches sang the chorus
As he climbed the scaly towers of a forest tree
While she was somewhere being free
Theres a man who sent a letter
And hes waiting for a reply
He has asked her of her travels
Since the day they said goodbye
He writes, Wish you were beside me
We could make it if we try
He has seen her at the office
With her name on all his papers
Through the sharing of the profits
He will find it hard to shake her from these memories
And shes so busy being free
Theres a lady in the city, and she thinks she loves them all
Theres the one whos thinking of her
Theres the one who sometimes calls
Theres the one who writes her letters
These facts and figures scrawl
She has brought them to her senses
They have laughed inside her laughter
Now she rallies her defenses
For she fears that one will ask her for eternity
While she is so busy being free
Theres a man who sends her medals
And he is bleeding from the war
Theres a jouster and a jester
And a man who owns a store
Theres a drummer and a dreamer
And you know there may be more
She will love them when she sees them
They will lose her, if they follow
And she only means to please them
And her heart is full and hollow like a cactus tree
While shes so busy being free
Like a cactus tree
Being free |
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot
With a pink hotel, a boutique, and a swingin hot spot
Dont it always seem to go
That you dont know what youve got til its gone?
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot
(Shoo-bop-bop-bop-bop
Shoo-bop-bop-bop-bop)
They took all the trees, put em in a tree museum
And they charged the people a dollar and a half just to see em
Dont it always seem to go
That you dont know what youve got til its gone?
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot
(Shoo-bop-bop-bop-bop
Shoo-bop-bop-bop-bop)
Hey farmer, farmer, put away the DDT now
Give me spots on my apples
But leave me the birds and the bees, please
Dont it always seem to go
That you dont know what youve got til its gone?
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot
(Shoo-bop-bop-bop-bop
Shoo-bop-bop-bop-bop)
Late last night, I heard the screen door slam
And a big yellow taxi took away my old man
Dont it always seem to go
That you dont know what youve got til its gone?
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot
I said, dont it always seem to go
That you dont know what youve got til its gone?
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot |
Theres a crow flying
Black and ragged
Tree to tree
Hes black as the highway thats leading me
Now hes diving down
To pick up on something shiny
I feel like that black crow
Flying
In a blue sky
I took a ferry to the highway
Then I drove to a pontoon plane
I took a plane to a taxi
And a taxi to a train
Ive been traveling so long
Howm I ever going to know my home
When I see it again
Im like a black crow flying
In a blue blue sky
In search of love and music
My whole life has been
Illumination
Corruption
And diving diving diving diving
Diving down to pick up on every shiny thing
Just like that black crow flying
In a blue sky
I looked at the morning
After being up all night
I looked at my haggard face in the bathroom light
I looked out the window
And I saw that ragged soul take flight
I saw a back crow flying
In a blue sky
Oh Im like a black crow flying
In a blue sky |
The wind is in from Africa
Last night I couldnt sleep
Oh, you know it sure is hard to leave here Carey
But its really not my home
My fingernails are filthy, I got beach tar on my feet
And I miss my clean white linen and my fancy French cologne
Oh Carey get out your cane
And Ill put on some silver
Oh youre a mean old Daddy
But I like you fine
Come on down to the Mermaid Café and I will
Buy you a bottle of wine
And well laugh and toast to nothing and smash our empty glasses down
Lets have a round for these freaks and these soldiers
A round for these friends of mine
Lets have another round for the bright red devil
Who keeps me in this tourist town
Come on Carey get out your cane
Ill put on some silver
Oh youre a mean old Daddy
But I like you
Maybe Ill go to Amsterdam
Maybe Ill go to Rome
And rent me a grand piano
And put some flowers round my room
But lets not talk about fare-thee-wells now
The night is a starry dome
And theyre playin that scratchy rock and roll
Beneath the Matala Moon
Come on Carey get out your cane
Ill put on some silver
Well go to the Mermaid Café
Have fun tonight
The wind is in from Africa
Last night I couldnt sleep
Oh you know it sure is hard to leave here
But its really not my home
Maybe its been too long a time
Since I was scramblin down in the street
Now they got me used to that clean white linen
And that fancy French cologne
Oh Carey get out your cane
Ill put on my finest silver
Well go to the Mermaid Café
Have fun tonight
I said, Oh, youre a mean old Daddy but I like you
But youre out of sight |
Its a long long way from Canada
A long way from snow chains
Donkey vendors slicing coconut
No parkas to their name
Black babies covered in baking flour
The cooks got a carnival song
Were going to lay down some place shady
With dreamland coming on
Dreamland dreamland
Dreamland dreamland
Walter Raleigh and Chris Columbus
Come marching out of the waves
And claim the beach and all concessions
In the name of the suntan slave
I wrapped that flag around me
Like a Dorothy Lamour sarong
And I lay down thinking national
With dreamland coming on
Dreamland dreamland
Dreamland dreamland
Goodtime Mary and a fortune hunter
All dressed up to follow the drums
Mary in a feather hula-hoop
Miss Fortune with a rose on her big game gun
All saints all sinners shining
Heed those trumpets all night long
Propped up on a samba beat
With dreamland coming on
Dreamland dreamland
Dreamland dreamland
Tar baby and the Great White Wonder
Talking over a glass of rum
Burning on the inside
With the knowledge of things to come
Theres gambling out on the terrace
And midnight ramblin on the lawn
As they lead toward temptation
With dreamland coming on
Dreamland dreamland
Dreamland dreamland
In a plane flying back to winter
In shoes full of tropic sand
A lady in a foreign flag
On the arm of her Marlboro Man
The hawk howls in New York City
Six foot drifts on Myrtles lawn
As they push the recline buttons down
With dreamland coming on
Dreamland dreamland
Dreamland dreamland
African sand on the trade winds
And the sun on the Amazon
As they push the recline buttons down
With dreamland coming on
Dreamland dreamland
Dreamland dreamland |
I met you on the Midway at a fair last year
And you stood out like a ruby in a black mans ear
You were playin on the horses, you were playin on the strings;
You were playin like a devil wearin wings
Wearin wings, you looked so grand, wearin wings
Do you tape them to your shoulders just to sing?
Can you fly? I heard you can. Can you fly?
Like an eagle doin your huntin from the sky
I followed with the sideshows to another town
And I saw you on a trailer on the camping grounds
You were betting on some lovers, you were shaking up the dice
And I thought I saw you cheatin once or twice
Once or twice, I heard your did, once or twice
Were you wondrin was the gamble worth the price?
Pack it in, I heard you did, pack it in
Was it hard to fold a hand you knew could win?
So lately youve been hidin, it was somewhere in the news
And Im still at these races with my ticket stubs and blues
And a voice calls out the numbers, and it sometimes mentions mine;
And I feel like Ive been workin overtime
Over time, Im gettin tired, over time
Always playin one more hand for one more dime
Slowin down, Im gettin tired, slowin down;
And I envy you the valley that youve found
Cause Im midway down the Midway
Slowin down |
Bows and flows of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
I looked at clouds that way
But now they only block the sun
They rain and snow on everyone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in the way
I looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down, and still somehow
Its cloud illusions I recall
Oh no, I really dont know clouds now at all
Moons and Junes and Ferris wheel
The dizzy dancing way you feel
As every fairy tale comes real
You know, Ive looked at love that way
But now its just another show
You leave them laughing when you go
And if you care, dont let them know
Dont give yourself away
And I looked at love from both sides now
From give and take, but still somehow
Its loves illusions I recall
Oh no, I really dont know love at all
Now, tears and fears and feeling proud
To say I love you right out loud
And dreams and schemes and circus crowds
You know, Ive looked at life that way
Oh but now, old friends, are acting strange
They shake their heads, they say Ive changed
Well, somethings lost but somethings gained
In living every day
I looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose, but still somehow
Its lifes illusions I recall
Oh no, I really dont know clouds now
And I really dont know love
And I really dont now life at all |
Peridots and periwinkle blue medallions
Gilded galleons spilled across the ocean floor
Treasure somewhere in the sea and he will find where
Never mind their questions theres no answer for
The roll of the harbor wake
The songs that the rigging makes
The taste of the spray he takes
And he learns to give
He aches and he learns to live
He stakes all his silver
On a promise to be free
Mermaids live in colonies
All his seadreams come to me
City satins left at home I will not need them
I believe him when he tells of loving me
Something truthful in the sea your lies will find you
Leave behind your streets he said and come to me
Come down from the neon nights
Come down from the tourist sights
Run down till the rain delights you
You do not hide
Sunlight will renew your pride
Skin white by skin golden
Like a promise to be free
Dolphins playing in the sea
All his seadreams come to me
Seabird I have seen you fly above the pilings
I am smiling at your circles in the air
I will come and sit by you while he lies sleeping
Fold your fleet wings I have brought some dreams to share
A dream that you love someone
A dream that the wars are done
A dream that you tell no one but the grey sea
Theyll say that youre crazy
And a dream of a baby
Like a promise to be free
Children laughing out to sea
All his seadreams come to me |
All the people at this party
Theyve got a lot of style
Theyve got stamps of many countries
Theyve got passport smiles
Some are friendly
Some are cutting
Some are watching it from the wings
Some are standing in the centre
Giving to get something
Photo beauty gets attention
Then her eye paints running down
Shes got a rose in her teeth
And a lampshade crown
One minute shes so happy
Then shes crying on someones knee
Saying laughing and crying
You know its the same release
I told you when I met you
I was crazy
Cry for us all beauty
Cry for Eddie in the corner
Thinking hes nobody
And Jack behind his joker
And stone-cold Grace behind her fan
And me in my frightened silence
Thinking I dont understand
I feel like Im sleeping
Can you wake me
You seem to have a broader sensibility
Im just living on nerves and feelings
With a weak and a lazy mind
And coming to peoples parties
Fumbling deaf dumb and blind
I wish I had more sense of humor
Keeping the sadness at bay
Throwing the lightness on these things
Laughing it all away
Laughing it alI away
Laughing it all away |
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot
With a pink hotel, a boutique
And a swinging hot spot
Dont it always seem to go
That you dont know what youve got til its gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot
They took all the trees
And put them in a tree museum
And they charged the people
A dollar and a half just to seem them
Dont it always seem to go
That you dont know what youve got til its gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot
Farmer farmer, put away the DDT, now
Give me spots on my apples
Now leave me the birds and the bees
Please!
Dont it always seem to go
That you dont know what youve got til its gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot
Late last night
I heard the screen door slam
And a big yellow taxi
Took away my old man
Dont it always seem to go
That you dont know what youve got til its gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot
Dont it always seem to go
That you dont know what youve got til its gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot |
Bows and flows of angel hair and ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere, Ive looked at clouds that way
But now they only block the sun, they rain and snow on everyone
So many things I would have done but clouds got in my way
Ive looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down and still somehow
Its clouds illusions I recall
I really dont know clouds at all
Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels, the dizzy dancing way you feel
As every fairy tale comes real; Ive looked at love that way
But now its just another show. You leave em laughing when you go
And if you care, dont let them know, dont give yourself away
Ive looked at love from both sides now
From give and take and still somehow
Its loves illusions I recall
I really dont know love at all
Tears and fears and feeling proud, to say I love you right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds, Ive looked at life that way
But now old friends are acting strange, they shake their heads, they say Ive changed
Somethings lost but somethings gained in living every day
Ive looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose, and still somehow
Its lifes illusions I recall
I really dont know life at all |
The way I see it he said
You just cant win it
Everybodys in it for their own gain
You cant please em all
Theres always somebody calling you down
I do my best
And I do good business
Theres a lot of people asking for my time
Theyre trying to get ahead
Theyre trying to be a good friend of mine
I was a free man in Paris
I felt unfettered and alive
There was nobody calling me up for favors
And no ones future to decide
You know Id go back there tomorrow
But for the work Ive taken on
Stoking the star maker machinery
Behind the popular song
I deal in dreamers
And telephone screamers
Lately I wonder what I do it for
If l had my way
Id just walk through those doors
And wander
Down the Champs Elysées
Going cafe to cabaret
Thinking how Ill feel when I find
That very good friend of mine
I was a free man in Paris
I felt unfettered and alive
Nobody was calling me up for favors
No ones future to decide
You know Id go back there tomorrow
But for the work Ive taken on
Stoking the star maker machinery
Behind the popular song |
Up in a sterilized room
Where they let you be lazy
Knowing your attitudes all wrong
And you got to change
And thats not easy
Dragon shining with all values known
Dazzling you-keeping you from your own
Where is the lion in you to defy him
When youre this weak
And this spacey
So what are you going to do about it
You cant live life and you cant leave it
Advice and religion you cant take it
You cant seem to believe it
The peacock is afraid to parade
Youre under the thumb of the maid
You really cant give love in this condition
Still you know how you need it
They open and close you
Then they talk like they know you
They dont know you
Theyre friends and theyre foes too
Trouble child
Breaking like the waves at Malibu
So why does it come as such a shock
To know you really have no one
Only a river of changing faces
Looking for an ocean
They trickle through your leaky plans
Another dream over the dam
And youre lying in some room
Feeling like your right to be human
Is going over too
Well some are going to knock you
And somell try to clock you
You know its really hard
To talk sense to you
Trouble child
Breaking like the waves at Malibu |
I met a child a year ago
Whose eyes would never see
She asked me with a timid smile
What colour is a tree?
In summertime a tree is green;
In autumn gold and red;
In winter they are frosted white
When all their leaves are shed.
I know the sky is blue, she said
And silver is the sand;
And apples are the brightest red
What colour is a man?
Man is many colours child:
Some are yellow, some are brown
And some are black as sightlеssness
Some white as еiderdown.
She took her crayons from a box
And placed them in my glove
And said, By mixing all of these
Comes my favourite colour--love. |
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot
With a pink hotel, a boutique, and a swingin hot spot
Dont it always seem to go
That you dont know what youve got til its gone?
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot
(Shoo-bop-bop-bop-bop
Shoo-bop-bop-bop-bop)
They took all the trees, put em in a tree museum
And they charged the people a dollar and a half just to see em
Dont it always seem to go
That you dont know what youve got til its gone?
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot
(Shoo-bop-bop-bop-bop
Shoo-bop-bop-bop-bop)
Hey farmer, farmer, put away the DDT now
Give me spots on my apples
But leave me the birds and the bees, please
Dont it always seem to go
That you dont know what youve got til its gone?
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot
(Shoo-bop-bop-bop-bop
Shoo-bop-bop-bop-bop)
Late last night, I heard the screen door slam
And a big yellow taxi took away my old man
Dont it always seem to go
That you dont know what youve got til its gone?
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot
I said, dont it always seem to go
That you dont know what youve got til its gone?
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot |
If theres one rule to this game
Everybodys gonna name
Its be cool
If youre worried or uncertain
If your feelings are hurtin
Youre a fool if you cant keep cool
Charm em
Dont alarm em
Keep things light
Keep your worries out of sight
And play it cool
Play it cool
Fifty-fifty
Fire and ice
If your heart is on the floor
Cause youve just seen your lover
Comin through the door with a new fool
Be cool
Dont get riled
Smile-keep it light
Be your own best friend tonight
And play it cool
Play it cool
Fifty-fifty
Fire and ice
Dont get jealous
Dont get over-zealous
Keep your cool
Dont whine
Kiss off that flaky valentine
Youre nobodys fool
Be cool fool
Be cool
Play it cool
Play it cool
Fifty-fifty
Fire and ice
So if theres one rule to this game
Everybodys gonna name
Its--be cool
If youre worried or uncertain
If your feelings are hurtin
Youre a fool if you cant keep cool
They want you to
Charm em
Dont alarm em
Keep things light
Keep your worries out of sight
And play it cool
Play it cool
Fifty-fifty
Fire and ice |
Born with the moon in Cancer
Choose her a name she will answer to
Call her green and the winters cannot fade her
Call her green for the children whove made her
Little green, be a gypsy dancer
He went to California
Hearing that everythings warmer there
So you write him a letter and say Her eyes are blue
He sends you a poem and shes lost to you
Little green, hеs a non-conformer
Just a little green
Like thе color when the spring is born
Therell be crocuses to bring to school tomorrow
Just a little green
Like the nights when the Northern lights perform
Therell be icicles and birthday clothes
And sometimes therell be sorrow
Child with a child pretending
Weary of lies you are sending home
So you sign all the papers in the family name
Youre sad and youre sorry but youre not ashamed
Little green, have a happy ending
Just a little green
Like the color when the spring is born
Therell be crocuses to bring to school tomorrow
Just a little green
Like the nights when the Northern lights perform
Therell be icicles and birthday clothes
And sometimes therell be sorrow |
I awoke today and found the frost perched on the town
It hovered in a frozen sky
Then it gobbled summer down
When the sun turns traitor cold
And shivering trees are standing in a naked row
I get the urge for going
But I never seem to go
I get the urge for going
When the meadow grass is turning brown and
Summertime is falling down and winter is closing in
I had me a man in summertime
He had summer-colored skin
Not another girl in town
My darlings heart could win
But when the leaves fell trembling down
Bully winds did rub their faces in the snow
He got the urge for going
And I had to let him go
He got the urge for going
When the meadow grass was turning brown and
Summertime was falling down and winter was closing in
The warriors of winter
They gave a cold triumphant shout
And all that stays is dying
All that lives is getting out
See the geese in chevron flight
Flapping and racing on before the snow
Theyve got the urge for going
And theyve got the wings to go
They get the urge for going
When the meadow grass is turning brown and
Summertime is falling down and winter is closing in
I ply the fire with kindling now
I pull the blankets up to my chin
I lock the vagrant winter out
And fool my wandering in
Id like to call back summertime and
Have her stay for just another month or so
Shes got the urge for going
So I guess shell have to go
She gets the urge for going
When the meadow grass is turning brown and
All her empires are falling down and
Winters closing in
And I get the urge for going
When the meadow grass was turning brown and
Summertime is falling down and winter is closing in
And winters closing in
And winters closing in |
Its coming on Christmas, theyre cutting down trees
Theyre putting up reindeer, singing songs of joy and peace
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on
But it dont snow here, it stays pretty green
Im gonna make a lot of money, quit this crazy scene
And I wish I had a river that I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
Id teach my feet to fly
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on
I made my baby cry
But she tried hard to help me, she put me at ease
She loved me so naughty, made me weak in the knees
I wish I had a river I could skate away on
Im so hard to handle, Im selfish and Im sad
Now Ive gone and lost the best baby that I ever had
I wish I had a river that I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
I wish I had a river that I could skate away on
I made my baby say goodbye
Its coming on Christmas, theyre cutting down trees
Theyre putting up reindeer, singing songs of joy and peace
I wish I had a river I could skate away on |
Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way you feel
With every fairy tale comes real
Ive looked at life that way
But now it’s just another show
You leave them laughing when you go
And if you care, dont let them know
Dont give yourself a way
I’ve looked at love from both sides now
From win and lose, and still somehow
Its loves illusions I recall
I really dont know love at all
Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say I love you right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
Ive looked at life that way
But now old friends are acting strangе
They shake their hеads
They say Ive changed
Well somethings lost
But somethings gained
In living every day
I’ve looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It’s lifes illusions I recall
I really don’t know love at all |
Fly silly seabird
No dreams can possess you
No voices can blame you
For sun on your wings
My gentle relations
Have names they must call me
For loving the freedom
Of all flying things
My dreams with the seagulls fly
Out of reach out of cry
I came to the city
And lived like old Crusoe
On an island of noise
In a cobblestone sea
And the beaches were concrete
And the stars paid a light bill
And the blossoms hung false
On their store window trees
My dreams with the seagulls fly
Out of reach out of cry
Out of thе city
And down to the seaside
To sun on my shouldеrs
And wind in my hair
But sandcastles crumble
And hunger is human
And humans are hungry
For worlds they cant share
My dreams with the seagulls fly
Out of reach
Out of cry
I call to a seagull
Who dives to the waters
And catches his silver-fine
Dinner alone
Crying where are the footprints
That danced on these beaches
And the hands that cast wishes
That sunk like a stone
My dreams with the seagulls fly
Out of reach
Out of cry |
Yesterday a child came out to wonder
Caught a dragonfly inside a jar
Fearful when the sky was full of thunder
And tearful at the falling of a star
Then the child moved ten times round the seasons
Skated over ten clear frozen streams
Words like When youre older must appease him
And promises of someday make his dreams
And the seasons they go around and around
And the painted ponies go up and down
Were captive on the carousel of time
We cant return, we can only look
Behind from where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game
Sixteen springs and sixteen summers gone now
Cartwheels lost to car wheels through the town
And they tell him Take your time it wont be long now
Til you drag your feet to slow the circle down
So the boy who dreamt tomorrow now is twenty
Though his dreams have lost some grandeur comin true
Therell be new dreams maybe better dreams and plenty
Before the last revolving year is through
And the seasons they go around and around
And the painted ponies go up and down
Were captive on the carousel of time
We cant return, we can only look
Behind from where we came
And go round and round and round
Round and round and round
Round and round and round
In the circle game |
Rows and flows of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
Ive looked at clouds that way
But now they only block the sun
They rain and snow on everyone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way
Ive looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down and still somehow
Its clouds’ illusions I recall
I really dont know clouds at all
Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way you feel
As every fairy tale comes real
Ive looked at love that way
But now its just another show
You leave em laughing when you go
And if you care, dont let them know
Dont give yourself away
Ive looked at love from both sides now
Both sides now
From give and take and still somehow
Give and take, still somehow...
Its loves illusions I recall
I really dont know love at all
dont know love at all ...
Ooh ooh, ooh ooh
Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say I love you right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
Ive looked at life that way
But now old friends, theyre acting strange
They shake their heads, they say Ive changed
Well somethings lost, but somethings gained
In living every day
Ive looked at life from both sides now
Both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
Win and lose, still somehow...
Its lifes illusions I recall
I really dont know life at all
Dont know life ...
Ive looked at life from both sides now
Both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
Win and lose, still somehow...
Its lifes illusions I recall
I really dont know life at all
Dont know life at all |
Im always running behind the time
Just like this train
Shaking into town
With the brakes complaining
I used to count lovers like railroad cars
I counted them on my side
Lately I dont count on nothing
I just let things slide
The station masters shuffling cards
Boxcars are banging in the yards
Jealous lovinll make you crazy
If you cant find your goodness
Cause you lost your heart
I went looking for a cause
Or a strong cat without claws
Or any reason to resume
And I found this empty seat
In this crowded waiting room
Everybody waiting
Old man sleeping on his bags
Women with that teased up kind of hair
Kids with the jitters in their legs
And those wide, wide open stares
And the kids got cokes and chocolate bars
Theres a thin man smoking a fat cigar
Jealous lovinll make you crazy
If you cant find your goodness
Cause youve lost your heart
What are you going to do now
Youve got no one
To give your love too
Well Ive got this berth and this pull down blind
Ive got this fold up sink
And these rocks and these cactus going by
And a bottle of German wine to drink
Settle down into the clickety clack
With the clouds and the stars to read
Dreaming of the pleasure Im going to have
Watching your hairline recede
My vain darling
Watching your hair and clouds and stars
Im rocking away in a sleeping car
This jealous lovins bound to make me crazy
I cant find my goodness
I lost my heart
Oh sour grapes
Because I lost my heart |
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot
With a pink hotel, a boutique, and a swingin hotspot
Dont it always seem to go
That you dont know what youve got till its gone?
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot
They took all the trees, put them in a tree museum
And they charged the people
A dollar and a half just to see em
Dont it always seem to go
That you dont know what youve got till its gone?
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot
Hey farmer, farmer, put away the DDT now
Give me spots on my apples
But leave me the birds and the bees, please
Dont it always seem to go
That you dont know what youve got till its gone?
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot
Late last night, I heard the screen door slam
And a big yellow taxi took away my old man
Dont it always seem to go
That you dont know what youve got till its gone?
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot
I said, dont it always seem to go
That you dont know what youve got till its gone?
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot
Ah ha ha ha |
He is three
Ones in the middle unmoved
Waiting
To show what he sees
To the other two
To the one attacking so afraid
And the one that keeps trying to love and trust
And getting himself betrayed
In the plan oh
The divine plan
God must be a boogie man!
Ones so sweet
So overly loving and gentle
He lets people in
To his innermost sacred temple
Blind faith to care
Blind rage to kill
Whyd he let them talk him down
To cheap work and cheap thrills
In the plan oh
The insulting plan
God must be a boogie man!
Which would it be
Mingus one or two or three
Which one do you think hed want the world to see
Well world opinions not a lot of help
When a mans only trying to find out
How to feel about himself
In the plan oh
The cock-eyed plan
God must be a boogie man! |
Look out the left, the captain said
The lights down there, thats where well land
Saw a falling star burning
High above the Las Vegas sand
It wasnt the one that you gave to me
That night down south between the trailers
Not the early one that you wish upon
Not the northern one that guides in the sailors
Starbright, starbright
Youve got the lovin that I like
Turn this crazy bird around
Should not have got on this flight tonight
Should not have got on this flight tonight
Youve got that touch so gentle and sweet
But youve got that look so critical
Cant talk to you, babe, you know I get so weak
Sometimes I think that love is just mythical
Up theres a heaven, down theres a town
Blackness everywhere any little lights shine
Blackness, blackness draggin me down
Come on light a candle in this heart of mine
Starbright, starbright
Youve got the lovin that I like
Turn this crazy bird around
Should not have got on this flight tonight
Should not have got on this flight tonight
Im drinkin sweet champagne, got the headphones up high
Cant numb you, cant drum you out of my mind
Hope you got your heat turned on, baby
Hope its better when we meet again
Starbright, starbright
Youve got the lovin that I like
Turn this crazy bird around
Should not have got on this flight tonight
Should not have got on this flight tonight
Should not have got on this flight tonight
Should not have got on this flight tonight |
Rows and floes of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
Ive looked at clouds that way
But now they only block the sun
They rain and snow on everyone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way
Ive looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down, and still somehow
Its cloud illusions I recall
I really dont know clouds at all
Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way you feel
As every fairy tale comes real
Ive looked at love that way
But now its just another show
You leave em laughing when you go
And if you care, dont let them know
Dont give yourself away
Ive looked at love from both sides now
From give and take, and still somehow
Its loves illusions I recall
I really dont know love at all
Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say I love you right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
Ive looked at life that way
But now old friends are acting strange
They shake their heads, they say Ive changed
Well somethings lost, but somethings gained
In living every day
Ive looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
Its lifes illusions I recall
I really dont know life
At all
Ive looked at life from both sides now
From up and down and still somehow
Its lifes illusions I recall
I really dont know life
At all |
Its coming on Christmas
Theyre cutting down trees
Theyre putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
But it dont snow here
It stays pretty green
Im going to make a lot of money
Then Im going to quit this crazy scene
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I made my baby cry
He tried hard to help me
You know, he put me at ease
And he loved me so naughty
Made me weak in the knees
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
Im so hard to handle
Im selfish and Im sad
Now Ive gone and lost the best baby
That I ever had
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh I wish I had a river
I made my baby say goodbye
Its coming on Christmas
Theyre cutting down trees
Theyre putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on |
These days
Seem like everybody trippin
People wild’n out
Problem solving with prescription
Legal all around
Nothing new, nothing different
Feeble as a crown
Fuck a view, an cop a vision
Uh
Be considerate
Y’all must have forgot
Ain’t your family
Ever teach yo ass how to talk
I remember when my gramma told me
Honey you my heart
I swear baby, you is special
You a blessing straight from God
But
Ya best be being grateful
Because i know that ya smart
An don’t stress it
Just be patient
Cause
You really
Don’t know
What you got
Said
You really don’t know
What you’ve got
Till what you got
Really gone
Shit up an got
Dont it always seem to go
That you dont know what youve got til its--
Dont it always seem to go
That you dont know what youve got til its--
Dont it always seem to go
That you dont know what youve got til its--
You dont know what youve got til its gone
So
The fact of the matter is
We have to react
To the moments as they happening
Snap into focus
So’s to grasp what the Hatter said
have i gone mad?
Matter of fact
Ya ass a psychopath
But i’ll share with you a secret
The best of em, are
Look at johnny Depp or Yeezy
Look at Ghandi , Nikki Tes
Joanie Jett, or Lil Wheezy
Bunch of real wild minds
But even more achievement
Believe in what you speaking
An don’t let anybody tell you
Not to keep dreaming
Penning epics like the Greeks made
An i did it all for Pete’s sake
Dont it always seem to go
That you dont know what youve got til its--
Dont it always seem to go
That you dont know what youve got til its--
Dont it always seem to go
That you dont know what youve got til its--
You dont know what youve got til its gone
Let’s reevaluate
Time to reconsider
Is life really such a drag
Or you just being bitter
Ain’t tryna knock you down a peg
Just tryna stop the litter
My world too polluted
An lord knows Imma fix her
So i’d like to take a minute
To say that i appreciate my life
An everything that’s in it
Know i can get caught up
They say the grass is always greener
Must of meant my blunt
SHIIIIT |
Trina wears her wampum beads
She fills her drawing book with lines
Sewing lace on widows weeds
And filigree on leaf and vine
Vine and leave are filigree
And her coats a second hand one
Trimmed with antique luxury
She is a lady of the canyon
Annie sits you down to eat
She always makes you welcome in
Cats and babies round her feet
And all are fat and none are thin
None are thin and all are fat
She may bake some brownies today
Saying you are welcome back
She is another canyon lady
Estrella, circus girl
Comes wrapped in songs and gypsy shawls
Songs like tiny hammers hurled
At bevelled mirrors in empty halls
Empty halls and bevelled mirrors
Sailing seas and climbing banyans
Come out for a visit here
To be a lady of the canyon
Trina takes her pins and her threads
And she weaves a pattern all her own
Annie bakes her cakes and her breads
And she gathers flowers for her home
For her home she gathers flowers
And Estrella, dear companion
Colors up the sunshine hours
Pouring music down the canyon
Coloring the sunshine hours
They are the ladies of the canyon |
Cherokee Louise is hiding in this tunnel
In the Broadway bridge
Were crawling on our knees
Weve got flashlights and batteries
Weve got cold cuts from the fridge
Last year about this time
We used to climb up in the branches
Just to sway there in some breeze
Now the cops on the street
They want Cherokee Louise
People like to talk
Tongues are waggin over fences
Waggin over phones
All their doors are locked
God she cant even come to our house
But I know where shell go
To the place where you can stand
And press your hands like it was bubblebath
In dust piled high as me
Down under the street
My friend
Poor Cherokee Louise
Ever since we turned thirteen
Its like a minefield
Walking to the door
Going out you get the third degree
And comin in you get the third world war
Tuesday after school
We put our pennies on the rails
And when the train went by
We were jumpin round like fools
Goin Look no heads or tails
Goin Look my lucky prize
She runs home to her foster dad
He opens up a zipper
And he yanks her to her knees
Oh please be here please
My friend
Poor Cherokee Louise
Cherokee Louise is hiding in this tunnel
In the Broadway bridge
Were crawling on our knees
Weve got Archie and Silver Screen
I know where she is
The place where you can stand
And press your hand like it was bubblebath
In dust piled high as me
Down under the street
My friend
Poor Cherokee Louise
Oh Cherokee Louise |
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot
With a pink hotel, a boutique, and a swingin hotspot
Dont it always seem to go
That you dont know what youve got till its gone?
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot
They took all the trees, put them in a tree museum
And they charged the people
A dollar and a half just to see em
Dont it always seem to go
That you dont know what youve got till its gone?
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot
Hey farmer, farmer, put away the DDT now
Give me spots on my apples
But leave me the birds and the bees, please
Dont it always seem to go
That you dont know what youve got till its gone?
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot
Late last night, I heard the screen door slam
And a big yellow taxi took away my old man
Dont it always seem to go
That you dont know what youve got till its gone?
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot
I said, dont it always seem to go
That you dont know what youve got till its gone?
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot
Ah ha ha ha |
Theres a man whos been out sailing
In a decade full of dreams
And he takes her to a schooner
And he treats her like a queen
Bearing beads from California
With their amber stones and green
He has called her from the harbor
He has kissed her with his freedom
He has heard her off to starboard
In the breaking and the breathing
Of the water weeds
While she was busy being free
Theres a man whos climbed a mountain
And hes calling out her name
And he hopes her heart can hear three thousand miles
He calls again
He can think her there beside him
He can miss her just the same
He has missed her in the forest
While he showed her all the flowers
And the branches sang the chorus
As he climbed the scaly towers
Of a forest tree
While she was somewhere being free
Theres a man whos sent a letter
And hes waiting for reply
He has asked her of her travels
Since the day they said goodbye
He writes Wish you were beside me
We can make it if we try
He has seen her at the office
With her name on all his papers
Through the sharing of the profits
He will find it hard to shake her
From his memory
And shes so busy being free
Theres a lady in the city
And she thinks she loves them all
Theres the one whos thinking of her
Theres the one who sometimes calls
Theres the one who writes her letters
With his facts and figures scrawl
She has brought them to her senses
They have laughed inside her laughter
Now she rallies her defenses
For she fears that one will ask her
For eternity
And shes so busy being free
Theres a man who sends her medals
He is bleeding from the war
Theres a jouster and a jester and a man who owns a store
Theres a drummer and a dreamer
And you know there may be more
She will love them when she sees them
They will lose her if they follow
And she only means to please them
And her heart is full and hollow
Like a cactus tree
While shes so busy being free
Like a cactus tree
Being free |
Rows and floes of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
Ive looked at clouds that way
But now they only block the sun
They rain and snow on everyone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way
Ive looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down, and still somehow
Its cloud illusions I recall
I really dont know clouds at all
Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way you feel
As every fairy tale comes real
Ive looked at love that way
But now its just another show
You leave em laughing when you go
And if you care, dont let them know
Dont give yourself away
Ive looked at love from both sides now
From give and take, and still somehow
Its loves illusions I recall
I really dont know love at all
Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say I love you right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
Ive looked at life that way
But now old friends are acting strange
They shake their heads, they say Ive changed
Well somethings lost, but somethings gained
In living every day
Ive looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
Its lifes illusions I recall
I really dont know life at all
Ive looked at life from both sides now
From up and down and still somehow
Its lifes illusions I recall
I really dont know life at all |