I went to the river
once there, I wandered in
I went to the river
and washed away my sin
i came back from the river
I found my truck up on the road
i came back from the river
ready to re-load

I'm not sure if this is how to say it
drinking with the devil takes it's toll
you have to walk away instead of staying
for if you stay the devil gets your soul

you can live a life of excess if you want to
an endless circle pushed to the extremes
the party seems like it is never ending
but when it does, you're left with broken dreams

you can reload if you want but just be cautious
the devil knows your weakness after all
he knows you wash your sins out in the river
but, he also knows, one day you'll hear his call

I went to the river
once there, I wandered in
I went to the river
and washed away my sin
i came back from the river
I found my truck up on the road
i came back from the river
ready to re-load

you have a choice when you go to the river
do you follow it, and just avoid the road
get on a boat and see where it is leading
or just have a splash, and meet at the cross road

life is full of twists and turns and effort
the river is just a stop along the way
but, the devil knows you never really mean it
once you wash your sins, you head on back to play

in the end you'll end up on the roadway
the river bed is dry and is long dead
the sins you washed away there are just dust now
because there was no truth in what you said

I went to the river
once there, I wandered in
I went to the river
and washed away my sin
i came back from the river
I found my truck up on the road
i came back from the river
ready to re-load

I went to the river
once there, I wandered in
I went to the river
and washed away my sin
i came back from the river
I found my truck up on the road
i came back from the river
ready to re-load

Smiling face
and laughing eyes
I can't believe
I fell for all those lies
I think it's best
we share goodbyes
You're just an actor in lifes play

Standing there
upon the stage
reciting speeches
from the page
while i sit fuming
full of rage
You're just an actor in life's play

To me you're just an empty shell
Who I will meet again in hell
With others words, such tales you tell
And I believed them.....I believed

I thought that
what you said was true
That you loved me
like I loved you
Then I found out
That's what you do
You're an actor on life's stage

The real you
is a mystery
You've got a
blackened history
I can't believe
you did this to me
You're an actor on life's stage

Another play
Another role
Crawl on back
into your hole
You're an empty vessel
With a blackened soul
You're an actor on life's stage

The real you
you will find no more
it's just a role
you played before
so many lives
that you've lost score
you're an actor on life's stage

Silence falls
as you will find
No actor's mask
to hide behind
The play will end
Time is not kind
You're an actor with no stage

To me you're just an empty shell
Who I will meet again in hell
With others words, such tales you tell
And I believed them.....I believed

I play ***** tonks
and run down bars
I play mandolin
And two guitars
I play where you
can smoke cigars
I'm the best that's ever been

Name a song
I'll play it loud
I'll sing louder
than the crowd
My name is
Billy Joe Mc Cloud
I'm the best that's ever been

I'm the best **** four stringed six string
and eight stringed twelve string
or Three stringed mandolin player
That you will ever hear
And if you don't believe me
Listen up, and have a beer
You may think I'm crazy
But deep down you know it's true
I play a four stringed six string
eight stringed twelve string
three string mandolin
A hell of a lot better than you

I grew up
with little hands
Couldn't make it
In real bands
So, I cut some strings
You understand
And I'm the best that's ever been

So I miss some
minor notes
It still hits home
and the music floats
It's not the same
as what was wrote
But, I'm the best that's ever been

You'll love me
yes, I know you will
Just listen once
To get that thrill
One song in ,
your doubt I'll ****
I'm the best that's ever been

Little hands
and short of strings
But when i play
The guitar sings
Just have a beer
And some hot wings
I'm the best that's ever been
Yes, I'm the best that's ever been

I'm the best **** four stringed six string
eight stringed twelve string
Three stringed mandolin player
That you will ever hear
And if you don't believe me
Listen up, and have a beer
You may think I'm crazy
But deep down you know it's true
I play a four stringed six string
and an eight stringed twelve string
or athree string mandolin
A hell of a lot better than you

She worked in the market
She sold flowers and jewellery
but, nobody there knew her name

With fifty young vendors
Of flowers and jewellery
Each teenaged young girl looked the same

No one remembered the smiling blue eyes
The child like lilt to her voice
No one remembered the smiling blue  eyes
Or the way that she blushed for the boys
No one remembered the smiling blue eyes
They all could be one and the same
No one remembered the smiling blue  eyes
or her hair, or her smile or her name

She was hitch hiking home
From the market one night
A car pulled on up for a ride

He told her he'd take her
If she needed a lift
It was cold,  so the girl  got inside

No one remembered the smiling blue eyes
The child like lilt to her voice
No one remembered the smiling blue  eyes
Or the way that she blushed for the boys
No one remembered the smiling blue eyes
They all could be one and the same
No one remembered the smiling blue  eyes
or her hair, or her smile or her name


No one has seen her
She's been gone for three days
She never arrived at her home

Nobody saw him
All cars look the same
And besides he was travelling alone

No one remembered the smiling blue eyes
The child like lilt to her voice
No one remembered the smiling blue  eyes
Or the way that she blushed for the boys
No one remembered the smiling blue eyes
They all could be one and the same
No one remembered the smiling blue  eyes
or her hair, or her smile or her name


The market still bustles
With sellers of flowers
Where everyone looks, shops or buys

But, something is missing
A young girl is gone
The girl with the smiling blue eyes

No one remembered the smiling blue eyes
The child like lilt to her voice
No one remembered the smiling blue  eyes
Or the way that she blushed for the boys
No one remembered the smiling blue eyes
They all could be one and the same
No one remembered the smiling blue  eyes
or her hair, or her smile or her name

Life is for the living
It's something I just know
Love is more than giving
Love is something that you show

Black and White, shades of grey
Right or Wrong, no words were said
Love was something hidden
Love was always dead

I don't need your fancy presents
They make me feel like I'm in jail
Show me with your actions
Because this heart is not for sale

I'm not your prized possession
I'm not happy when you buy
Pretty things, say I messed up
Your actions, show you try

I've had more gifts throughout my life
Than most guys have had trucks
Don't buy me something, show me love
Or else you're out of luck

I don't need your fancy presents
They make me feel like I'm in jail
Show me with your actions
Because this heart is not for sale

I don't need your fancy presents
They make me feel like I'm in jail
Show me with your actions
Because this heart is not for sale

Just got back from a little trip
wasn't planned, down the mississip
started out from just one sip
of a drink I can't remember

went on down to the land of cotton
woke up really feeling rotten
I can't remember the drink i'd gotten
but, I needed one again

head was fuzzy, vision blurred
one more down, and i'd be cured
instead, now my speech is slurred
but, ****...that drink was smooth

chose to go down to the river
my brain not working, nor my liver
my eyes were closed down to a sliver
I had to find that drink

I saw a re-enactment of a battle
I didn't listen to the prattle
the armies were just led like cattle
to their deaths without a chance

I knew that I saw lots more men
than were actually there right then
my vision saw five score times ten
while there was only twenty two

I relaxed and I loved the feeling
this drink had set my mind a reeling
I feel I could dance on the ceiling
all of this from just one drink

no matter, I swore I'd behave
no comments made about a slave
or I'd be in a shallow grave
and would never drink again

I searched around for near a week
my throat was closed, I could not speak
I hadn't eaten and was weak
but, **** I needed more

i'm sure it had some blue cacao
I need to find out, find out now
i'm not sure when, but I know how
I'll go back to the start

I flew on home and went to where
i'd had the drink on someone's dare
another one of the dog's hair
and i'd start it all again

they told me that the drink i'd drunk
was just some automotive gunk
they moved it cause it smelled like skunk
and I chose to drink it down

some oil and some antifreeze
was the drink that brought me to my knees
they thought i'd die, or at least sieze
but, I guess I proved them wrong

so next time when I have a drink
I think i'll take some time to think
will I notice if it has a stink
before I choose to drink the brew

before I go some sage advice
don't be like me, at least think twice
if you want a trip with added spice
order up one drink from me.

what doesn't **** you makes you stronger
you'll never know unless you try
face your demons and live longer
if you don't you'll surely die

Susie wilkins had some problems
tried to keep them all at bay
kept her secrets deep inside
but sometimes they would want to play

If you've toasted with the devil
he'll get your soul with just one glass
drink with him, he'll find your weakness
he'll get your soul, with just one glass

Susie thought she'd beat the needle
many years, the scars were healed
but, just one lonely drink with our dear devil
and all her demons were revealed

Susie, went back to her trailer
Another drink and then she'd try
One more needle couldn't hurt her
Her secrets out, and so she'll die

Otis Watson was a coward
Hit his wife for him to please
No one ever really wondered
Why she always wore long sleeves

He got his fill from all the torment
But, in the end  he needed more
A simple punch would not appease him
To him, she was a cheating *****

If you've toasted with the devil
he'll get your soul with just one glass
drink with him, he'll find your weakness
he'll get your soul, with just one glass


A little man with many demons
A simple drink with you know who
His inner issues had now surfaced
The devil now would get his due

He came home drunk his wife was waiting
She knew the beating that what would come
He came in hard his fists were flailing
As he met her brand new gun

There'll always be another bottle
And there will be another name
Just sell your soul and tell your demons
Just drink with him, it's all a game

Life is not a game of simple
It doesn't take a lot to lose
But if you're drinking with the devil
To him your demons are old news

If you've toasted with the devil
he'll get your soul with just one glass
drink with him, he'll find your weakness
he'll get your soul, with just one glass

I've been back
To where I came from
I've been back
To where I started out
I've been back
To where I came from
I've been back
To where I started out

Nothings changed
but, all is different
It's a place
I don't belong
Nothings changed
but, all is different
I just feel
that something's wrong


Trees are bigger
as expected
I see where I carved
my name
House is old
and been repainted
but, it just doesn't
feel the same

Play  the hand that you were dealt
Bet, the river or the flop
Play the hand that you were dealt
Life will tell you when to stop
You can't go back and do it over
Play the hand that you were dealt
Win or lose, the cards are over
Play the hand that you were dealt

Seeing places
long forgotten
of where you once held court
empty fields
and empty school yards
no longer home to sport

two lane roads
now four lane highways
a river long since dry
little stores
now parking places
built up as time went by

Play  the hand that you were dealt
Bet, the river or the flop
Play the hand that you were dealt
Life will tell you when to stop
You can't go back and do it over
Play the hand that you were dealt
Win or lose, the cards are over
Play the hand that you were dealt




cloudy skies
and ***** water
and trees that once stood tall
something's wrong
it's gotten hotter
and the trees are now a mall

picnic tables
by the beach
initials carved in hearts
beach is closed
with long forgotten
the initials in our hearts

Play  the hand that you were dealt
Bet, the river or the flop
Play the hand that you were dealt
Life will tell you when to stop
You can't go back and do it over
Play the hand that you were dealt
Win or lose, the cards are over
Play the hand that you were dealt

Better days were in the past
For the bar and all inside
Windows broke and lights burned out
The bar had long since died

Carpets gone and floors all worn
Scorch marks on the wall
Smells of stale beer in the air
the bar had it's last call

Welcome to the Stagger Inn
Good Food and Cold Beer Too
Live bands every single night
And it's air conditioned too
Welcome to the Stagger Inn
A bar befits it's name
We'll take you the way you are
And we're mighty glad you came

The stage was now an eyesore
As was most of what was here
Way back in the corner
Sat a woman with her beer

Hair was streaked with boot black
From a time, who knows when
The bar was dead or dying
As were most in this old den

A few nights folks would still come here
To see the towns old jewel
What once was gold and glistened
Now was just no longer cool

The lady way back in the corner
Hadn't danced since eighty three
Ten times a night she'd go and
Play the jukebox tune  5B

A song about the devil
calling him silver tongued was  her pick
She'd hit the worn out buttons
While giving her  chapped lips a lick

Sitting in the back and nursing
A beer as dead as the bar
On a steady diet of Winstons
That had made her voice as thick as  tar

Welcome to the Stagger Inn
Good Food and Cold Beer Too
Live bands every single night
And it's air conditioned too
Welcome to the Stagger Inn
A bar befits it's name
We'll take you the way you are
And we're mighty glad you came


Maybe fifteen people came here
When the other places were full
You could see the worn out tiles
Where there once was a mechanical bull

Trends were never big here
Though they tried a few to survive
The bar was dead and dying
Housing folks who now were barely alive

The last band that they had here
Was a cover group from down in NC
They didn't last the evening
Getting out done by  old 5B

The woman in the corner
With the boot black streak of wild
closed her eyes and listened
To the memories she had compiled

If you ever choose to come here
I don't think you'll stay long
But, I know you'll hear a singer
Talk of the devil in that 5B song

The door is always open
At the dead and dying Stagger Inn
A place that still lives through the ages
And the folks remembering what might have been

Welcome to the Stagger Inn
Good Food and Cold Beer Too
Live bands every single night
And it's air conditioned too
Welcome to the Stagger Inn
A bar befits it's name
We'll take you the way you are
And we're mighty glad you came

There is a story of the beach that's been told
Of shipwrecks and pirates and their ***** of gold
Of devils and angels and souls that were sold
For the location that's hiding the treasure so old

During the day, the beach is quite full
Of tourists and locals and such
But, when the sun's going down
The locals don't go there so much

Most nights in movies there's groups at the beach
Singing songs round a large burning fire
But, this beach is different, no one goes there
Cross my heart, you can call me a liar

Out at the end of the breakers and rocks
Is a graveyard of old pirate ship hulls
Divers have checked them and nothing was found
Now they're home to just crayfish and gulls

The story is told of the pirate....Muldoon
And the treasure buried round in these parts
It's protected by witchcraft and devilish lore
And is covered by ten pirates hearts

They say that Muldoon took down ships by the score
From Jamaica on up to Gaspe
But whatever he took, no one knows where he left
his treasure from then to this day

His ghost it is said, roams the dunes in the night
His wailing is heard near the sea
Folks don't stick around when the day is done
There's nary a soul there to see

Muldoon was a man with a penchant for gold
He made deals with the devil as well
Witches have said that the last deal he made
Let him take all his ***** to hell

Pirates and Ghosts and Witches and ships
These are tales that will play on your mind
But for all that he took, and through all the years past
Not one single dubloon will ye find

From cradle to grave the folks in these parts
Know the story of the Pirate Muldoon
The tree where he died still stands by the shore
Glowing bright when there is a blood moon

The word is that he, was hung from the tree
And Muldoon cursed the beach as he dropped
He said that his gold would never be found
Though the searching never has stopped

Fires go out, and the wind whips his cry
Is it Muldoon or just tricks of the air
It doesn't much matter, for no one will know
Because at night, there is nobody there

Muldoon walks the beach with his leg made of wood
Guarding treasure, of jewellery and gold
He will stay there forever, for it will not be found
This I say, being ever so bold

If you should find yourself down at the beach
And the sun starts to set in the west
You'd best make a move and get home where it's safe
Or meet Muldoon who is guarding his chest.

I'm drinking for tomorrow
I gave up drinking for today
Because tomorrow never comes
Or so they say

I figure if I'm drinking
and tomorrow does arrive
then I have found a new way to survive

I was drinking yesterday
towards tomorrow, now today
It's a deep dark endless circle
that keeps tomorrow far away

I'm going to continue
Until tomorrow is today
though tomorrow never comes
or so they say

Somewhere there's a bottle
with my name there on the label
I have to find the tavern
and I have to find that table
one day I will find it
as long as I am able
to reach into tomorrow from today

so, right now I do my drinking
for tomorrow, not today
I did some drinking yesterday
but, that's now far away
I'll try to reach tomorrow from today

it is an endless circle
on a track without a train
tomorrow holds the sunshine
but today is filled with rain
one day I know i'll reach it
and forever I will gain
the fact I reached tomorrow from today

Listen to me and I'm sure you'll see
That because of the brave
We all live free

Freedom to choose what we will be
Because of the brave
We all live free

I pledge my alliegence
I honor my flag
I honor my country
My support will not drag

We whine about government
We whine about crime
We whine about taxes
We whine about time

The freedom to choose
Of how life will be
Is because of the brave
That we all live free

We live life as free men
and women as well
For if we did not have freedom
Then we'd be in hell

We complain to the masses
Because that is our right
We enjoy that freedom
Because of the ones who did fight

They sacrificed all
So our ideals we'd save
We're the land of the free
Because of the brave

I remember leaving
I'll not forget the in between
There's nothing in the world
Can erase the things I've seen

But, today I got my papers
got a call upon my phone
My duty now is over
and I am coming home

I've missed a lot
since I've been gone
I've never seen my son
I've never held him in my arms
I missed seeing him turn one

coming home my time is over
coming home my time is through
coming home to be a father
and a husband dear, to you
coming home a tired soldier
coming home but, not the same
coming home to be a person
I'm not a rank and a last name


I missed his second birthday too
But, I won't miss any more
I wasn't there when he turned three years old
But, I'll be there when he turns four

Things have changed
Things will be new
I know this will be tough
I can only promise that I'll try
And hope that  it will be enough

I've thought about you every day
You're in my heart and soul
I'm coming home to you my love
And then together, we'll be whole

coming home my time is over
coming home my time is through
coming home to be a father
and a husband dear, to you
coming home a tired soldier
coming home but, not the same
coming home to be a person
I'm not a rank and a last name

I think back to the sixties
taking charge of our new  life
two hippies lost in limbo
that's when I took you as my wife

we grew up very quickly
the time to play was done
we sold out and got established
now that we weren't two but one

I close my eyes just to focus
I close my eyes to make you clear
I close my eyes so I remember
I close my eyes to bring you near
I close my eyes and wer'e together
I close my eyes so I can see
I close my eyes because I miss you
I close my eyes , once more we're we

we hit the disco era running
more run away than run toward
on every street there was a prophet
selling the new word of the lord

the beatles quit and that was tragic
elvis died and that was worse
our music wasn't just evolving
our music was leaving in a hearse

I close my eyes just to focus
I close my eyes to make you clear
I close my eyes so I remember
I close my eyes to bring you near
I close my eyes and wer'e together
I close my eyes so I can see
I close my eyes because I miss you
I close my eyes , once more we're we

the eighties was about consumption
we took *******, like all the rest
you were judged by your possessions
to have the most made you the best

in the nineties things were different
our lives were both put deep on hold
the doctor called and said a tumor
I remember all I felt was cold


I close my eyes just to focus
I close my eyes to make you clear
I close my eyes so I remember
I close my eyes to bring you near
I close my eyes and wer'e together
I close my eyes so I can see
I close my eyes because I miss you
I close my eyes , once more we're we

decades no longer counted
time went by just day by day
stage four was the conclusion
I mean what else was there to say

I lost you late that summer
you passed away after a fight
you battled hard to keep on living
before you ventured to the light

I close my eyes just to focus
I close my eyes to make you clear
I close my eyes so I remember
I close my eyes to bring you near
I close my eyes and wer'e together
I close my eyes so I can see
I close my eyes because I miss you
I close my eyes , once more we're we

I have the pictures to remind me
but, you are clearer to me when
I close my eyes, let my mind wander
I go back now to way back then

I can't describe you to another
unless I see you in my mind
I close my eyes and I am happy
my life is better when i'm blind

I close my eyes just to focus
I close my eyes to make you clear
I close my eyes so I remember
I close my eyes to bring you near
I close my eyes and wer'e together
I close my eyes so I can see
I close my eyes because I miss you
I close my eyes , once more we're we

I'm looking for an answer
As I move from town to town
I leave a trail of empty bottles
For the voices I must drown

Nothing in each bottle
Not an answer in the glass
But, I'm still looking for an answer
To a question life has asked

Bottle after bottle
In each tavern and each bar
I travel round by greyhound
I long sold off my car

I leave a trail of empties
And of cigarettes and dope
Looking for an answer
Looking for some hope

I'm sure it was a question
And I know I heard it clear
I think I was on my seventh bourbon
Or maybe my ninth beer

I can not quite remember
Where I heard the voices first
Were they asking me a question
Or responding to my thirst
I'm looking for the answer
To a question, that I think
Was asked to me by voices
That I heard once in a drink



The voices are much louder now
They will not quiet down
I have to find the answer
I just have to find the town

Nowhere in my memory bank
Is there space for one more voice
I have to find the answer
Or I have to make a choice

Do I keep on looking for
The answer in the glass
How do I turn the voices off
And put them in the past

I know a million taverns
Like some folks know the stars
They look up to find their answers
I just keep looking for the bars

I leave trail of bottles
And I look in every glass
'cause somewhere there's an answer
To a question I was asked

I can not quite remember
Where I heard the voices first
Were they asking me a question
Or responding to my thirst
I'm looking for the answer
To a question, that I think
Was asked to me by voices
That I heard once in a drink

Constantly in motion
Crafting a commotion
A sign of scared devotion
Of a love you can not lose

Lightning you must grab
Before you end up on a slab
You just have to take a stab
At the love you can not lose

Keep the butterflies in check
They'll want to leave and they will try
ou both have got to have them
Or what you have will die
Let them live forever
If you have them don't ask why
Keep the butterflies in motion
Don't let them settle, let them fly

A nervous situation
That causes consternation
Makes your mind go on vacation
Because of a love you can not lose

You both feel it together
Regardless of the weather
That is weightless as a feather
But, it's a love you can not lose


Keep the butterflies in check
They'll want to leave and they will try
You both have got to have them
Or what you have will die
Let them live forever
If you have them don't ask why
Keep the butterflies in motion
Don't let them settle, let them fly

I was thinking I didn't quit on love
Love done quit on me
As I pulled into the roadhouse
at US 36 and K383

I rode this road a million times
And I don't remember this
But, I needed to pull over
Before heading to Ole Miss

The devils work is never done
He'll get you what you need
You've got to be the stronger man
If you are too succeed

The place was really rocking
No cars, but it was full
And for once I'd found a roadhouse
Without that **** electric bull

I ordered from the barkeep
A fellow known as Slim
And as he turned to fill my order
I could swear I could see through him

I looked around in amazement
Why did I not know this place
But, when I looked at all the people
I knew most every face

I listened to the music
A fellow played a fiddle of gold
I couldn't get him quite in focus
And a clear thought I'd not hold

Everyone was familiar
Though, something was not right
I could see clear on through them
Was it me, or just the light

I ordered up another
to tell the truth, Slim poured it first
It was like he read my mind
And was in tune with my thirst

A voice came from the distance
Although the voice sounded quite near
There was no one there beside me
But, I could hear it loud and clear

You didn't give up love
Love done quit on you
That's why you found this roadhouse
While you were passing through

Your wishes will be granted
Here on K 383
But, first you have to realize
Nothing comes for free

Silent from the shadows
Came a man all dressed in red
From his red leather boots
To the fedora on his head

He said I am the owner
I can fulfill your desire
But, remember if I do it
You must spend time in the fire

I didn't know quite what he meant
And another drink was poured
I think it was my third or fourth
But, who was keeping score

Love is what you're after
That's what brought you to me
That's why you found this roadhouse
at 36 and 383

Love is yours forever
Though forever will soon end
I can give love everlasting
But, it isn't free my friend

You must want what I am giving
As he stared with eyes of coal
I will fulfill your hearts desire
But, in the end it costs your soul

The music had now faded
The crowd was there, but not
He moved a little closer
And I started feeling hot

The barkeep poured another
And I looked down and did see
A contract and a feather quill
With two names, and one was me

Was love worth what he's asking
I mean  my soul, that's quite a price
But, true love everlasting
Man, that sure sounds rather nice

He said sign at the bottom
And you can always drink for free
At this little outback roadhouse
At US 36 and 383

I told him I'd consider
And I got up to get some air
I told him I felt pressured
And I thought it quite unfair

He pushed the quill toward me
And said I can free you of your load
Just sign and stay forever
At our bar on this old road

I pushed back from the bar rail
Got outside and got some air
I turned when I got outside
And the roadhouse wasn't there

All I saw was just two highways
And I felt the wind sting  my face
I then knew I was at the crossroads
This was the devil's trading place

I survived here at the crossroads
Of US 36 and 383
And thought I didn't quit on love
Love done quit on me

So next time you're out driving
whether by truck or by car
just keep on a moving
if you see "Crossroads Bar"

All is forgiven
When one side gives in
You know that it's over
And will happen again

Two sides, one victor
But who does decide
If a man died a hero
Regardless of side

A President taken down too soon
In a Dallas motorcade
A hero now has fallen
And to rest a hero's laid

Two more shot dead
No war involved
both supporters of a cause
The questions answer never solved
It makes us think, take time to pause

Another hero laid to rest
Now his time is done
Some are resting where they fell
And some in Arlington
It doesn't matter much to me
They fought for their beliefs
Now they lay where heroes lay
May their soul now find relief


A simple man with nothing
Just a family by his side
Gunned down by errant gun shots
He still deserves a hero's ride

What makes someone a hero
Not war, not even peace
The fact they are remembered
And the battle does not cease

Two men of music passed our way
Both died within a year
They were both considered heroes
Though one, you rarely hear

Man, woman or child
A hero has no age
No colour, race or interest
Will mark a hero's page

Another hero laid to rest
Now his time is done
Some are resting where they fell
And some in Arlington
It doesn't matter much to me
They fought for their beliefs
Now they lay where heroes lay
May their soul now find relief

I was one drink in on Friday night
I heard the church bells 'cross the square
When the barkeep signalled next one's free
And to me, this was quite rare

There was Billy, me, two drunks and Sue
and a waitress name of Shirley
She said "that bell just rang on sixteen times"
I said "that means it's early"

the bell rang on four days one time
found a cat locked in the tower
sister mary nice as pie
thought our bell had found the power

she ran through town spouting off
how Christ has come again
when it was a 42 pound tabby cat
making out like old big ben

the pastor ran to city hall
you see he'd lost his keys
someone had to stop that noise
made by a fat cat full of fleas

fourteen rings meant two o'clock
fifteen meant half eight
eleven meant eleven and
twenty one meant you were late

it hadn't rung for fifteen years
then the new pastor came to town
I never really trusted him
he wore a smile, not a frown

i'm here to bring the church to you
i'm a pastor of the people
I laughed when I heard him say this
I wasn't going near his steeple

the church had been built catholic
turned Lutheran for a bit
United, Pentecostal too
And then the Baptist group bought it

they had a real fine choir
did great shows, and fixed the bell
it hasn't rung right since that day
Now the Baptists left as well

They run a new age service now
you know, electric candles and fake wine
confession is a long dead ghost
and you get penance points on line

they don't hold service Sunday's
the pastor, he sleeps in
they pray together through the week
and to me that is a sin

the bells go off eight times a day
sometimes nine, or even more
they keep the pigeons from the square
and shake the paint right off the door

I sit and worship faithfully
at the bar, with my drunk friends
with some cotton ***** for our poor ears
to use until the **** bell ends

i'm one drink past the last one
we've bet on how many times the bell
will ring in the next hour
you can never really tell

For now, i'll stay here drinking
with the gang here and the cat
he's deaf as any post you'll see
but he's still near twice as fat

he can't hear the bell's loud ringing
oh.....twenty three...this one's on me
maybe next time will ring sixteen more
and i'll get another beer for free.

Every where there's secrets
some are dark, some light
Everywhere there's secrets
Some best kept out of sight
Everywhere there's secrets
Of the living and the dead
Everywhere there's secrets
Some are better left unsaid

Would you listen to what you heard
If these walls could talk
Would you be scared to hear
If these walls could talk
Sounds of when you sat and cried
If these walls could talk
Of the day that Mama up and died
If these walls could talk


Look about and you will see
A secret in disguise
Look about and you will see
Just don't look through your eyes
Look about and you will see
A secret, full of lies
Just look about and you will see
Where secrets soar and rise


Secrets buried in the walls
If these walls could talk
Of playing games in upstairs halls
If these walls could talk
Fighting behind bedroom doors
If these walls could talk
Would you listen to the open sores
If these walls could talk

Secrets hidden in plain sight
But absorbed by an old house
Secrets hidden in plain sight
Silent, quiet like a mouse
Secrets hidden in plain sight
of a hero or a louse
Secrets hidden in plain sight
Behind the walls of an old house

Scars and cuts and verbal stones
If these walls could talk
Could break our hearts and break our bones
If these walls could talk
Sounds of laughter and of moans
If these walls could talk
Would you hear the ancient, haunted tones
If these walls could talk

I thought I knew just what love was
But, I guess that I thought wrong
I never knew what love could be
Until you came along

I thought that I loved someone
But, it turned out to be lust
I found out I knew nothing
Until I learned to trust

You opened up my heart to love
You opened it to life
There's things that I'm still learning
From my lover, you, my wife

I thought that I had felt a love
Like no one else before
But, in the end I found that I was wrong
And that love is something more

I know what love is and it hurts
I just can not describe
I now know that I found love
It's a feeling deep inside

You opened up my heart to love
You opened it to life
There's things that I'm still learning
From my lover, you, my wife

Land is disappearing
ok, farms to be exact
swallowed up by cities
they're gone, and that's a fact
developers are buying
what the farmers now will sell
for the subdivision builders
who are waiting at the well

standing in a parking lot
of what used to be a farm
I remember corn and animals
and I remember a red barn
now, it is a big box store
selling food from somewhere else
grown in little laboratories
from little dishes on a shelf

there used to be a farm right here
a place that grew our food
we knew what we were buying
now we don't and we are *******
the big box stores keep coming
and they're starting to intrude
we once had farms and churches
now we don't and we are *******

I remember driving out of town
twenty minutes at the most
you'd pass by at least four farms
now the farmland is the host
to development and wind farms
No parks, just urban sprawl
no fields of cows and horses
just another **** strip mall

There used to be a farm here
it was sold to pay the tax
it was auctioned off in silence
behind the farmers backs
no more farms or farmers
no more barns with painted names
just big houses with no back yards
where you don't know your neighbors names

there used to be a farm right here
a place that grew our food
we knew what we were buying
now we don't and we are *******
the big box stores keep coming
and they're starting to intrude
we once had farms and churches
now we don't and we are *******

The word was out around the street
Tonight, behind Giannis bar
There would be really something special
From the bluesman and his guitar

For locals not for punters
Just for those upon the street
You'd better bring a lawn chair
If you wanted a good seat

The word spread fast and no one
Would miss this once they heard
New works from the bluesman
You had to take in every word

The bluesman was a legend
In this flawed, dark part of town
He only played back in the alley
That was where his show went down

At precisely eleven seventeen
The bluesman took his place
Upon his beat up orange crate
In his same familiar space

It was just like a cathedral
Underneath the golden moon
Quiet and forboding
As he started his first tune

The alley was the bluesmans church
As he sang to the street people
But this church had no walls or pews
No bells, it had no steeple

The bluesman sang of love and loss
Of dragons, ships and gin
He sang of Shubert, Bach and Liszt
He sang of constant sin

He looked but he saw no one
He was zoning, all alone
He sang songs of faith and hunger
Time to give the dog a bone

He played and drank his med-cin
For sometimes he got dry
The bluesman had the crowd entrapped
Beneath the shining moonlit sky

He talked of how his smoking
Through the years gave him his sound
It only took me fifty years
I'm surprised I'm still around

He sang of love and window panes
Of jealousy and trust
Of walruses and potholes
Of people turned to dust

As people sat in wonder
Of this prophet in disguise
You could see a certain twinkle
Deep in the bluesmans eyes

Gianni, stood off to the side
Timekeeper of the show
He signalled to the bluesman
One more and we must go

He had to close the restaurant
Turn the lights off in the back
So the bluesman took another sip
And grabbed a song from his minds pack

He finished up with something
Singing songs for all who came
He made them feel it was their heartsong
Although he never said a name

He sang of waitresses and barkeeps
Pawn brokers and of guests
of family and train tracks
of watchers and of quests

He finished up and packed away
His crate and his guitar
And he collected appreciation
In a two quart mason jar

The crowd left thirty dollars
almost ninety cents a seat
A fortune to the bluesman
And the folks here on the street

I woke up tasting yesterday
I stumbled out of bed to make my way
On up the street to find a place
To erase the cobwebs from my face
And finish what I started last night

I passed an old man shining shoes
He looked at me, staring clear on through
He didn't have to say a word
He shook his head and I turned, stumbled onward
To finish what I started last night

Another day and nothing changes
The only thing I find strange is
Reactions that I get thought out my day
I hide among the doors and alleys
My day is full of hills and valleys
I listen to the crap that people say

I cannot function in the real world
Too much time there, I get unfurled
It's nothing that I can explain to you
The only thing I feel I need to do
Is finish what I started last night

I don't know how the money comes
But at days end there's always some
From normal folk who aren't ****** down in the silt
They give me cash to help relieve their guilt
And I finish what I started last night

I know tomorrow I'll wake up tasting yesterday
I'll stumble past the shine man on my way
To find a place to clear my mind
and dream the dreams I left behind
And once more finish off last night

I took a break behind the bar
Just resting on a beat up car
Strumming on my old guitar
And she came walking by

Playing music in the night
With only me in the moonlight
I saw her moving to my right
The third time she came by

I play music to the air
It's nice that no ones there
It's not something that I share
It's for me, the moon, the stars

she sat down with out a sound
she sat cross legged on the ground
there was no one else around
I now played my song for one

I watched her as she closed her eyes
beneath the moon and starry sky
I wonder if she'd realized
my singing now was done

she came out to hear me play
almost every single day
this was the first time she did stay
and I made sure that she heard

the songs I sang in broken parts
were songs of love and broken hearts
but to love, you must fall to start
and that was in my words

she never said a thing to me
she'd come on out where I could see
and I give a show for free
but it never grew from there

time has passed and I still play
the girl has grown and gone away
I sometimes wonder where she is today
and if she wonders...

I'm a better man for leavin'
Than just staying here decievin'
Myself into believin'
That we've something left worth fighting for

I couldn't stay here lyin'
Inside I would be dieing
It's best I give up trying
There's nothing here worth fighting for

I still must thank you baby
For showing me to stay'd be
More no instead of maybe
We've nothing left worth fighting for

It's time to get a move on
In the morning I'll be long gone
I guess you lose and I won
We've nothing left worth fighting for

Went our hunting, shot a tree
Sure looked like a deer to me
It don't matter, I can't see
I'm an American Hunting Man

I like hunting, but, I'm blind
My dogs always stay behind
I can't shoot what I can't find
I'm an American Hunting Man

Three years ago I shot a moose
It looked to me just like a goose
Man, they're fast when they cut loose
I'm an American Hunting Man

Give me beer and loaded guns
I'm sure we're gonna have some fun
I dress in camo when I can
I'm an American Hunting Man
I'm an American Hunting Man


When I'm hunting my friends are fishin'
They don't like the competition
They even give me ammunition
I'm an American Hunting Man

I've hunted deer to wild turkey
Most things I make into jerkey
My vision *****, it's kind of murky
I'm an American Hunting Man

Went fishing once and snagged my ear
Flipped the boat and spilled the beer
I gave up fishing to hunt deer
I'm An American Hunting Man

Give me beer and loaded guns
I'm sure we're gonna have some fun
I dress in camo when I can
I'm an American Hunting Man
I'm an American Hunting Man


I was shooting ducks one time
I shot a truck, but that was fine
Until I found out it was mine
I'm an American Hunting Man

Give us weaponry and beer
Then get away when we are near
There's nothing more that you can fear
Than an American Hunting Man

I have the shakes and I can't see
When I shoot once I bring down three
One for real and two for free
I'm an American Hunting Man

Give me beer and loaded guns
I'm sure we're gonna have some fun
I dress in camo when I can
I'm an American Hunting Man
I'm an American Hunting Man

my crocuses are frozen
my hyacinths are wilted
my snow drops are still hiding
and my tulips all are stilted

my lawn is buried deeply
my door bell doesn't ring
all of these together are
signs of Canadian spring

lawn all ripped to ratshit
flyers frozen to the fence
*** holes every fifty feet
student residences to rent

icicles on my eavestrough
and the damage that they bring
all of these together are
signs of a Canadian spring.

I remember when I saw you
The night that you walked in
I knew I had to meet you
Or just think what might have been
It was something in my brain
That told me something in the stars
Brought you there that evening
And brought you to my bar

We did the verbal game plays
That strangers always do
I think you felt the same about me
As I did about you
Things progressed quite quickly
From the signals you did send
We were set to be together
Together 'till the end

You never want to say goodbye
Not until the day you die
You plan to be together
Until the day you die
You never think of this all ending
Until the day you die
You just want to be together
Until the day you die

We'd fight like cats and dogs would do
But, the make up *** was great
Our friends all kept their distance
When we'd fight out on a date
They could see the future
In fact bets were all laid down
On how long we'd be together
And which one would leave town

We had the perfect life to some
Two kids, a house, some pets
But, the truth of what we really had
Was still riding on those bets
Goodbye was never mentioned
At least I didn't hear
Because the words might just have been drowned out
As that bottle passed my ear

We'd fight all night and clean it up
Broken bottles, busted glass
The kids would spend more time at friends
As time would come to pass
You'd cook a meal, I'd come in late
And in the end you'd cover me
With whatever meal you made
Followed by some ice cold tea

They say that Tortellini
Makes me look good in the light
I think because it goes so well
With my clothes, the sauce so white
We planned to never say it
Until the very end
But one of us will say goodbye
And we sure will not part friends

We don't have matching glasses
At least one is smashed to bits
Thank god you're aim is awful
When you throw one of your fits
I know I'm not an angel
And I guess laughing isn't right
But, most times I sit there thinking
What meal I'll wear tonight

You never want to say goodbye
Not until the day you die
You plan to be together
Until the day you die
You never think of this all ending
Until the day you die
You just want to be together
Until the day you die

You don't hear it much
My music, my muse
My soul was taken away
That's something big to lose

Contracts signed and sealed
Delivered...not to me
Money never came my way
Not a penny did I see

Follow the music and you will find
Musicians like me,
We all went and signed
Contracts worth nothing
Not to us, not a cent
Follow the money
And see where it went

We poured our emotions
Our hearts and our souls
We gave them our music
Which they all then stole

Producers, execs
all down the line
All made the money
On songs that were mine

I heard all the rumours
But, they must be wrong
Then I wrote and signed off
On another hit song

Follow the music and you will find
Musicians like me,
We all went and signed
Contracts worth nothing
Not to us, not a cent
Follow the money
And see where it went



I was not famous
But, there must be some sales
Just follow the money
From the bargain bin pails

Somebody, somewhere
Was raking it in
As companies folded
In the business of tin

Houses of cards
Fold and collapse on the floor
But, the money went somewhere
'Cause I'm still in the stores

Follow the music and you will find
Musicians like me,
We all went and signed
Contracts worth nothing
Not to us, not a cent
Follow the money
And see where it went


Somebody made out
Like a bandit with me
My albums still selling
From around sixty three

Just follow the money
And see where it goes
Into some execs houses
And some dj's nose

I'm too old to go
And do a oldies rock show
I'm always invited
But, I never will go

My voice is all raspy
And one thing's still wrong
I get paid for the singing
But, I don't own the song

I know that I made it
But I hate the sound
Of my music creations
That I sold by the pound

Every time that they surface
On late night FM
I know somebody else
Made cash off of them

Just follow the money
And then you will see
The thousands of others
Who were ripped off like me

I remember the advice
I remember every word
Grandad sat me down and said
Kids should be seen,  not heard
Always turn the other cheek
Unless he hits you first
I'll always wash your mouth with soap
If I find out you've cursed
Always treat folks with respect
Be polite and never smoke
Always use good manners
And don't tell ***** jokes

He smiled when he said this
A little twinkle in his eyes
Don't believe a word of these
They're all confounded lies

No one learns a thing at all
By doing what they're told
I'm talking from experience
Listen son...I'm old

Read the good book daily
But, just use it as a guide
Remember, they're just stories
Not hard rules to abide

Grandad always had a drink
and his pipe was always full
He'd always wink at me
When he was spouting bull

Rules are to be broken
That's just how you learn
Respect is not a given
It's something that you earn

He'd let me sip a little beer
And sometimes smoke the pipe
But, he always took his hanky out
And gave them both a wipe

One thing Grandad always said to me
You always must be clean
People care about where you're going
They don't care where you've been

Grandad gave advice for free
Not the same as mum and dad
The advice I got from granddad
was the best I ever had

I'm almost 84 now
And I'm still breaking all those rules
I've found that those who never did
Ended up a bunch of fools

Remember the good book is for guidance
They're just stories someone told
You can learn more stuff if you listen
To someone who's grown old.

I remember helping bake
With my Granny....Elisie Boone
She always said
Whoever makes the mess
Gets to lick the spoon

I always liked to help her
I'd go see her every week
I liked that saying more than
Turn the other cheek

Granny always turned a phrase
And whistled a sweet tune
And whenever I helped make a mess
I got to lick the spoon

Time passed and my Grannies gone
But one thing still has clicked
whoever makes the mess still has
To make sure the spoon gets licked

Whether in the kitchen
making cookies or a cake
or ******* up with something else
I don't care what it may take

If you're the one who made the mess
you get what you deserve
It's your **** job to lick the spoon
No matter what gets served

Good advice, it don't come cheap
But good advice ....it stays
And lick the spoon is good advice
From back in grannies days

It doesn't matter what happened
I don't care how it tastes
You made the mess, now lick the spoon
Good advice don't go to waste

I still think of my granny
When I whistle that sweet tune
Remember, boy...you made the mess
Now...you've got to lick the spoon!

Every day I look at you
And I remember why
I may not remember when
But I look and  I know why

Whether you're awake or sleeping
Or you're just walking by
I'm not sure when
But I remember why

Why I fell in love with you
And why you won my heart
Why I asked to marry you
And why we'll never part
Why I'll always love you
And why you are my wife
Why you're mine and
why you are my life

I thought I did remember
The fine points of that day
Of when I asked you "marry me"
But those memories didn't stay

I know exactly why
But, I can't remember when
And if I could
I do it all again

Why I fell in love with you
And why you won my heart
Why I asked to marry you
And why we'll never part
Why I'll always love you
And why you are my wife
Why you're mine and
why you are my life

As I age my mind is clearer
To me that thought sounds fair
It's because I have forgotten things
But one thought is still there

I remember why I fell in love
And why I love you still
But, ask me when
And you'll have time to ****

Why I fell in love with you
And why you won my heart
Why I asked to marry you
And why we'll never part
Why I'll always love you
And why you are my wife
Why you're mine and
why you are my life

I am not a gambler
I might lie some, that's a sin
But, I am not a gambler
For a gambler thinks that some time he may win

Every thing you do involves selection
From picking what show to watch
To picking who will win the next election

There are two sides to every coin
You either stay or you get going
It doesn't matter much which one you choose
If the flop is ******
And the river comes up dry
You know that as a gambler ....son....you lose

You gamble on a ticket picked
From the boxes that you ticked
You roll the dice and hope it comes up right
But, gambling is gambling
I don't want to hear the rambling
I know you've crossed your fingers really tight

It doesn't matter what you say
I don't gamble, I don't play
You made the choice to abstain...heads or tales
But come the night of the big ***
You sit and pray with all you've got
hoping your numbers don't come up  chewing your nails

A gambler knows just what the odds are
A good one gets out, doesn't go far
But he sits and gambles all the same
It doesn't matter what you play
You have the choice to leave or stay
And if you lose, there's only you to blame

I admit I gamble some
Money goes and money comes
And if I lose too much, I take it hard
I can't believe that I sit here
Behind the smoke and day old beer
Playing for my life with a flipped card....

I am not a gambler
I might lie some, that's a sin
But, I am not a gambler
For a gambler thinks that some time he may win

If you don't know where you're going
And you have a heavy load
You can always change direction
And take another road

There's always more than one way to the finish
If one leads in, one leads out
Take another road to where you're going
And you'll find it round about

Life is never straight line
It's a circle never ending
To get to where you're going
Take another road that's bending

Things aren't going well at home
The cracks around you showed
It's time to get away and go
And Take another road

Find a different destination
kiss a frog, or kiss a toad
If a prince does not appear
Then take another road

Life is always in constant motion
Bear the weight, and you'll be bowed
Get away from a bad situation
And Take another road

Take another road away
You'll make good time, I'm sure
Another road will lead the way
That's what a road is for
If the road on which you travel
Is forked, there is a code
If you don't like one, then choose the other
And take another road

From Austin on to Pensacola
from there I went to South Dakota
Moved on back to Arizona
Just trying to start a life

Went from Flagstaff to Daytona
then headed out just past Pamona
hung around and hit Sedona
Just trying to start a life

It didn't matter where I was
I had to move on just because
She'd find me in my dreams
I shut my eyes but couldn't sleep
Her image in my mind would creep
She'd find me in my dreams

Spent some time down in L.A.
There she was so I couldn't stay
Went and moved to Spanish Bay
But there she was again

Found a place in Monte Ray
only stayed there for a day
went down south down by Queens Cay
But, she followed me again

I shut my eyes and I did find
Her image burned into my mind
The girl was in my dreams
Although I tried to start anew
There was nothing I could say or do
And you should have heard my screams

I tried again, but had no luck
I even slept inside a truck
I woke up cuddled with a duck
And again her in my dreams

I'd been all 'round this country side
I'd walked, and flew and hitched a ride
It may be better if I died
But, I'm sure she'd find those dreams

I'm sure it didn't matter where
She didn't really care
She would always haunt my dreams
Hair so blonde and eyes of blue
I just can not get rid of you
You'll never leave my dreams

She's dancing in her skin tight jeans
Little boots with little tassles
When in the bar another comes
And you just know they're gonna wrassle
Hair all up, and dressed the same
I mean, these two could be twins
You know that fur is gonna fly
There'll be someone slappin' skin

There's rules in bars
At times like this
The most important one I'll mention
Is get the bartenders eye just when
You can feel the building tension
The bartender's job is now
Not serving drinks to you
So when you know a fight is on
You'd better order two
That my friend is my advice
I give it to you free
But, when I am out and it is on
I make sure I get three

Bubba's had just one too many
And you know he's gonna blow
It doesn't matter what you say
He's right and you don't know
Just grab a seat and hold on tight
And bud, take my advice
Before the bartender leaves the bar
You'd better order twice

Dancing close is always good
It doesn't do no harm
Except when the one you're dancing with
Came on another's arm
You'd better get your order in
Because, the fists are gonna fly
And you'll be waiting for a while
Before another you can buy

There's rules in bars
At times like this
The most important one I'll mention
Is get the bartenders eye just when
You can feel the building tension
The bartender's job is now
Not serving drinks to you
So when you know a fight is on
You'd better order two
That my friend is my advice
I give it to you free
But, when I am out and it is on
I make sure I get three

Once the work days over
It's always Friday Night
It doesn't matter what the day is
Friday Night can be tonight
Don't worry 'bout tomorrow
Because tomorrow never comes
Tonight is Friday Night for sure
So get out and have some fun

Get your boots on and get ready
Party starts with the first beer
Music's playing on the jukebox
Right now, it's just me here
Doesn't matter, it's still Friday
And it's Friday right till close
Shake it out, let's get it started
It's Friday, let's see how this thing goes

Every day that ends in y
Has a sun up in the sky
From now until I die
Will be Friday Night to me
Yep...it's Friday Night to me

Now the party's getting started
Jukebox off and the band is on
It's Friday night regardless
We're here till the beer is gone
don't worry about tomorrow
Because tomorrow never comes
Now, the band is really flying
Get on up and shake yer buns

It really doesn't matter
If you take the time to think
It's always Friday with the music
It's always Friday with the drink
Got our friends around us
We'll party through the night
Friends, and drinks and music
We are gonna do it right

Don't worry about tomorrow
Because Tomorrow never comes
It's always Friday Night around here
Join in and have some fun

I was sitting playing slots
It was two a.m. and vacant
When a man came up and asked
Is this seat beside you taken?
I turned and told him no i'ts free
I looked deep and saw despair
He dropped his rumpled duffle bag
And plopped himself into the chair

He let his body acclimate
More to the warmth, than to the seat
I turned and played my game some  more
This man was basking in the heat
I watched him pull the tickets
From his pocket one by one
He laid them out before him
Until he'd counted twenty one
He fed them to the slot machine
Some kicked back, he got real tense
When he was finished I looked over
He had put in just ninety cents

The tickets were the remnants
of what others may have lost
But to him, they were a rental
To keep him not from getting tossed
He watched me for a while
Not hitting one button on his side
I could not help but look over
No matter how I tried

His hair was grey and matted
His fingers showed the stains
Of many years of nicotine
His eyes just showed the pain
He lit a smoke, second hand I'd say
He'd pulled a bag from in his coat
It was full of butts, all well worn down
Already ****** down someone's throat
He gave a cough and coughed a bit
Like he was getting set to speak
Then this man, slid over some
And in a voice, weary and weak
He said 'you got to line them up
I'll give you some advice
I knew that slots were random
But, this man....he had a price

He stared close at my empty glass
I'd just finished a cold beer
He coughed again and then he said
Son, it's surely dry in here
I waved a drink girl over
And I signalled to her "two"
I mean, it was cold outside
And I couldn't let him go  with out a brew
He kept eyeing up my ashtray
Where I'd left half a cigar
I knew that he would have it
in his grasp, before I went too far
I watched as he kept staring
Looking round, checking his back
He was fidgeting, and shaking
Waiting for the drink girl to come back
He had no bills to tip her
So as he saw her coming near
He got up to use the restroom
He said son....please watch my beer
I tipped her for the two of them
He was watching from the door
I guess when you've got nothing
You've got to learn just how to get more
I lit a second cigar up
clipped the end and took a puff
He sat back and breathed the smoke right down
Until his lungs had had enough
I asked him if he'd like one
His eyes lit up at this
He said thank you and was grateful
He said sir, I'd be remiss
But, can you cut it with your cutter
It's been so long since I've had one
I used to smoke them in Miami
When I used to winter in the sun
Lately, though, I've had hard times
I'm not half the man I was
I can't tell you what I used to have
I can't total up the loss
I lit the smoke, he ****** it in
Almost passed out from the taste
He said, I see these on the street some days
All crushed, son....what a waste
I used to winter in Miami
Watching jai lai, betting big
spending cash like it grew on trees
His eyes, they danced a jig

You know, now, when I think on back
I'm more thankful now than then
But, son, if I had the choice
I'd do it all again
Now, I come on in here
I pick my row seat in the fifth row, son
The fourth one in by the third glass door
The second seat, just over one
I listened to his seating plan
I looked around and tried to see
He said, you're looking at what seat I'm in
Looking for door number three
I'm kidding with you, there's no seat
I just move around to where it's warm
to where I might find some conversation
A place, some shelter from the storm
I knew he was a grafter
And in the end would be found out
He was looking for the easy way
Of this there was no doubt
whether he'd ever seen Miami
didn't matter all the same
But, in truth how many drifters
Know that jai lai is a sport and not a game
I finished up and told him
Keep warm and find a bed
He told me thanks, and shook my hand
And ran his hand over his head
I got up and I left him
Leaving five bucks on my machine
A fresh cigar in my ashtray
all where it could be seen
I walked away in silence
Heard the ticket get spit out
I then turned to see him leaving
Looking around for his next route
Whether he'd ever seen Miami
had cash, or food to eat
didn't matter in the long run
As he searched out another seat

I've had enough of winter
I've had enough of snow
I handle freezing weather
Just like an eskimo

My snowblower is finished
It's blown more than it should
It's blown more snow this winter
Than the whole **** neighborhood

Spring....when the hell you coming?
When will you be here?
I'll close my eyes and I might miss you
That is my biggest fear

Last summer we set records
With the **** oppressive heat
We did the same with snow this winter
We had nearly 7 feet!!

I saw some grass last Tuesday
But, by Wednesday it was lost
Buried by a fresh snow dumping
Preceeded by a sudden frost

The sidewalk plow has torn up
Ninety square feet of my lawn
I won't find all of the damage
Until all the snow is gone

I promise that next summer
I will not once complain
Because I'd rather have the heat way up
Than shovel snow...or pump out rain

Spring...when are you coming?
When will you be here?
I'll sleep with one eye open
So, I'll be up when you appear!!!

Heading back to where I'd started
Thirty years since I'd been gone
I can still remember leaving
Didn't think I'd be gone this long

Playing legions and house parties
On to clubs and smoky bars
Things have changed while I've been missing
Had more wives than I've had cars

Heading Home...I think it's time
That little town, sticks in my mind
Heading Home...my heart is talking
It tells my brain that it is time

Did some tv and four movies
Put out albums and cds
Played in places long forgotten
Here at home and overseas

Played on flatbed trucks in rainstorms
Played in shopping malls as well
Played some shows in Arizona
Man, that place is hot as hell

Time to get on home and settle
do some tours but work at home
Time to be a grandpa proper
Unlike the dad who was on the road

Got a ranch out in Alberta
George Canyon lives not far from me
Maybe we can get together
And I can do one more cd

Heading Home to where my heart is
Been gone so long, time slipped away
Home is where my folks are buried
Home is where I'm gonna stay

Two kids
watching life go by
while learning
how to live it
moving slow
but learning fast
blink and
you will miss it

same two kids
ten years on now
still learning
and advancing
less watching
life as it moves on
but, a little
more romancing

holding hands out on the porch
drinking sweet tea too
knowing eyes are watching us
and everything we do
always must be proper
on the swing with you at night
they're watching us hold hands with one
while the other's out of sight

married now
and it's twenty years
since we
first sat out here
still watching life
and time pass by
holding hands
tea switched for beer

we've two kids
the house
is ours
thirty years
since we first sat
we're now the age
our parents were
sitting exactly
where we're at

holding hands out on the porch
drinking sweet tea too
knowing eyes are watching us
and everything we do
always must be proper
on the swing with you at night
they're watching us hold hands with one
while the other's out of sight


we've been married
forty years
we still sit
watching time pass
funny how
the simple things
stay a constant
from the past

fifty years now
we're still here
and just like it
used to be
we're still sitting
holding hands
still being watched
by grandkids three

holding hands out on the porch
drinking sweet tea too
knowing eyes are watching us
and everything we do
always must be proper
on the swing with you at night
they're watching us hold hands with one
while the other's out of sight


nothing changes
still the same
being watched
just like before
the house is now
our daughters
and the grandkids
number four

some days
we're still the
same two kids
moving slow
and learning fast
we don't watch
time go by no more
we close our eyes
and watch the past


still.....holding hands out on the porch
drinking sweet tea too
knowing eyes are watching us
and everything we do
always must be proper
on the swing with you at night
they're watching us hold hands with one
while the other's out of sight

Which way are you going?
What will you become?
Am I doing right by you?
Are you the right one?
Is there life beyond where we
Live and laugh and love?
Will you still be here for me
when pushing turns to shove?

Life's questions all need answers
And the answers can be found
You have to do some searching though
they come with out a sound
I've looked in spots
And found just what
I was searching for
The answers to life's questions
Are just beyond the door

Will I? Should I? Could I?
Is this just what I should do?
What would my life be?
If I wasn't here with you
Questions all around the place
Some answered, some are not
you might find some more answers
Once you've lost what you have got

I've looked in half filled bottles
The answers aren't in there
I thought they were when I dove in
But, the bottle didn't care
The answers to the questions posed
Are out there, just go look
Life is for the living
The answers won't be in a book
Life is for the living
Now ....get out there and look

I spent the summer at the ball park
I went down there every day
I was there more than most players
But, I never saw them play

The reason I was down there
Is one you need to hear
I was in  love with a concessionaire
I loved the girl who sold the beer

She'd sell her beer and peanuts
While they were playing 'tween the lines
They were taking batting practice
I was just there killing time

The team won eighty games that year
And I was there for half
I never went out on the road
But, I never saw one, there's the laugh

I'd stand off till the lines died down
Then she'd come back from the stands
While they were filling up her tray
We'd talk and just hold hands

It didn't go much further though
She was heading off to school
She was off to Minnesota
Where minus 20 was called cool

I got my tickets for next season
And next summer'll be the same
Unless my beer girl stays away
Then I'll have to watch the game

I spent the summer at the ball park
I went down there every day
I was there more than most players
But, I never saw them play

The reason I was down there
Is one you need to hear
I was in  love with a concessionaire
I loved the girl who sold the beer

Close your eyes
Count back from ten
Tomorrow
We can start again

Think of stars
Up in the sky
Count them now
That sleep is nigh

Sleep my gentle child
And fill your head with dreams
Of puppy dogs and baseball games
And hundreds of ice creams
Count the shining stars
Keep counting back from ten
Tonight, just sleep and dream your dreams
And tomorrow start again

You can skateboard to the moon
On golden beams of light
The moon's surrounded by the stars
That brighten up the night

I've counted down to one
And you are now asleep
God keep you safe my little one
As from your room I creep....

It was torn and slightly tattered
storms and wind had battered
The symbol....
The tree was strong and silent
As the winds tore through real violent
At the symbol.....

Look around you'll see it
There are many there to see
A simple yellow ribbon
Tied tight right around a tree
They're there for every soldier
Who is fighting to be free
They are waiting for their safe return
They are there for you and me

That yellow ribbon hangs on tough
To the tree bark that is worn and rough
A symbol...
On the day that they come home
Show them they were not alone
Show the symbol...

It's a simple ribbon on a tree
That shows them that we care
A yellow ribbon, nothing more
We're proud that they are there
When our soldiers come on home
I think that it would just be fair
To let them cut it down
And give them a ribbon they can wear
....a symbol

Freedom reigns where ever we are
It's the reason our warriors fight
Upon their return, show them support
So they know what they fought for was right

From Montezuma to Bataan
and the shores off of Japan
Show each woman, show each man
They were there for us at home

From the jungles of Vietnam
to Iraq and Afghanistan
Show each woman, show each man
they were not out there alone

When they come on home
Show them what is in your heart
Show the pride you have in them
the pride you had right from the start

Welcome them as heroes
To the land they left to fight
Let them sleep in freedoms home
A peaceful rest in the dark night

No matter where they battled
Show them exactly how you feel
Support them in their troubles
Let them know your love is real

Be there to share their stories
Say thanks to them with pride
Welcome them as heroes
They'll feel ten feet tall inside

From Montezuma to Bataan
And the shores off of Japan
Show each woman, show each man
They were there for us at home

From the jungles of Vietnam
To Iraq and Afghanistan
Show each woman, show each man
They were not out there alone.

Don't tell me you love me
I've heard it before
The words have no meaning
I need to have more
Don't tell me you need me
That might not be true
For words without substance
Mean less than they do

Actions speak louder than words
I know what you're saying
But, I haven't heard
You have to show more
In a physical way
You've got to show actions
If you want me to stay

If I hear "I'm sorry" again
I will show you the door dear
"I'm sorry" is empty, vacant, a veldt
It's not what I need, It's what you think I should hear
Show me some actions
Back up what you say
After all, words mean nothing
They're just the script for this play

Show me you love me
Don't just say "I do"
I want you to mean it
Show me something new
The words have no feeling
The emotion is gone
It's like you're reading the lyrics
To a music-less song

Actions speak louder than words
I can hear what you're saying
But, with no meaning it hurts
I need reinforcement, it's simple you see
Because Actions speak louder than words
So show me you love me
Don't tell me again
Your words have a hollow, dead sound
So show me with actions, that I am the one
If you want to keep me around

I'm going on an indoor picnic
Just a picnic for me and you
I'm going on an indoor picnic
While skies outside are grey, not blue

Nothing better than an indoor picnic
Fridge is full of food and lemonade
Nothing better than an indoor picnic
Don't have to look for trees for shade
Inside we've got it made

Just the two of us alone dear
That's the way that it should be
Just the two of us alone dear
An indoor picnic, just you and me
The way it should be...ah ha
Just for you and me

Turn on the music and we'll sit a while
No ants to give us trouble
Just the two of us sharing a smile
No way to burst our bubble

It doesn't matter that it's stormy
Liquid sunshine fills the drain
We're dry inside together
No singing in the rain..ah ha
No singing in the rain


We're both going on an indoor picnic
Just the two us, alone inside
It's so nice to have an indoor picnic
I've gone to heaven and died...ah ha
I've gone to heaven and died

You know they had to do it
I mean, you could see it from the start
You could see it wouldn't last long
They set the apple 'fore the cart

He was redneck country
Driving trucks and wearing jeans
She was old school classical
Jane Eyre type, a girl of means

Her family were descendants
His was only kin
He liked country fiddle
While she liked violin

She liked Bach and Handel
Vivaldi and Corelli
He liked Jones and Jennings
and thought Corelli was spaghetti

She spokes in terms of red and white
Meaning wine...and which to choose
To him one word was missing
And that word was the blues

Polar opposites at best
There was no other way to say
We couldn't see them ever lasting
One hour...'nor a day

She would listen to her Mozart
He...to Ronnie Dunn
They couldn't see it till it ended
We saw it from day one

Two divergent kinds of style
It was wrong right from the start
And in the end, when it was over
She had a truly, Baroque - n heart