Lyrics

Type in phrase and title will highlight below.

Boulevard

 

If I should meet you on the avenue

would you take the time for a word or two

or walk on by pretending we are strangers

on a summer Sunday on the boulevard

would you tell me life's been treating you hard

lost its mystery lost its danger

 

You're a gracious lady in the latest style

with your summer dress and your summer smile

and the time to forget the memories in your eye

But hold me baby you said back then

make me love you so, make us one again

don't you let me go, or you know I'm gonna die

 

There's a rainy sidewalk with some cafe chairs

we could take a moment, pass a memory there

if we're not in a hurry to spend no moments together

I know I'm dressed in no finery

when you come down to it I look like me

but I won't be on this boulevard forever

 

You had my dreams and I had yours too

can you tell me yours are coming true

have you learned to laugh, do you know when to cry

But hold me baby you said back then

make me love you so, make us one again

don't you let me go, or you know I'm gonna die

 

If I should meet you on the avenue

on a sunny day when the sky’s so blue

can I take your hand, see what it might show me

on a summer Sunday on the boulevard

would you tell me life's been treating you hard

or just walk on by, pretending you don't know me

 

 

In Every Dream

 

Everytime I look into another pair of eyes

it all comes back that I’m living lies, comparing her to you

I’ve been to LA and just got bored with empty heads

and liquor stores and the walking dead and lonely sunshine too

 

In every dream I see

what could never be and still I’d

have you lying next to me

If I could be tonight all right with you

 

Ten thousand miles I’ve roamed and still I’m left with memories

that tear the heart right out of me and leave my feelings blues

I move alone and can’t stand to be with anyone who gets close to me and that makes me sad and that makes me missing you

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Broadway I Know

 

Suzette crepe ain’t got no place, no place to call it home

and I’m a sucker for a mango shake and a belly full of provolone

Don’t buy my dinners with a credit card

Just pickin’ up the quarters in my own backyard

Woking on the sidewalk for an extra bar of chocolate

 

(chorus)

You’ve got to win if you even show

Don’t buy your ticket til it’s time to go

and they say it’s so on the Broadway I know

 

On the Sunday streets the old men meet, lining piles of dominoes

Oh the lucky man with the top hand, calling hey now, away it goes

There’s some music in a doorway and I gotta dance

Senorita won’t you come on give me just one chance

Gliding down the sidewalk for an extra chunk of romance

 

And hey in the window they’re crawling down the firehose

runnin’ cross the rooftops

bet they didn’t teach you ‘bout that in Great Neck

 

I don’t understand a single word of Spanish,

I can’t call a spade a spade

And sometimes I stand out llike a white man’s handout

Sittin’ out the world he made

I can cruise through the stickball game around my feet

Slalom through the traffic when I cross the street

Smile at being left the way I want to be in this town

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The King

 

I took a walk down Green Street,, I wasn’t breakin’ no rules

I went to see some friends of mine, coming back from school

comin’ back from school

They were just singing on Green Street, joining a big parade

and the soldiers shot them down in the street, and left them where they lay

left them where they lay….singing

 

(chorus)

Long Live the King, long live the king (3x)

the King has lived too long

 

The priest comes out and he’s on his knees, cryin’ in his face-filled hands

and he says was this the work of the KIng, was this done by his plans

Was this a part of his plans?

‘Cause I do remember the King came here, back just before the war

and the soldiers smile and say the King don’t have to say any more

don’t have to say any more

 

Now the King he comes on the tv show, says “I love the human race.”

And the King he’s stopping everybody from sliding away from the faith

sliding away from the faith

And he’s just keeping these soldiers around to keep the country free

and he sends them around just about midnight to make sure you agree

to make sure you agree

 

Nobody says it on the tv show, ‘cause the King keeps up on the news

and nobody says it on the telephone ‘cause the King hears all that too

the King hears all that too

and nobody says it in uniform, ‘cause they’re just marching his tune

but the King’s gonna fall before too long, it’s gonna be very soon

it’s goin’ to be very soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marcie Jane

 

Marcie Jane says come on down

to the river and walk me round in circles,

and please don't ask me why

Marcie Jane she knows the score

been around and seen much more

than I believe I could ever hope to try

 

chorus

 

And she says one of these days you're gonna go too far

climb too high and cross that star

step in one of those open cracks in your mind

But I want to follow every ocean wave

play the symphonies I'll never play

and someday tell that Marcie Jane

goodbye

 

I'm dancing down on a full moon road

going nowhere and lost in circles

and falling on a tiptoed ledge and singing

Marcie Jane she takes my hand

makes me love her right where I stand

til I'm sinking through and that morning sun comes aching

 

Take me baby I'm six feet down

cross my heart I'm six feet down

and lying on my back just ain't my style

Burn me baby I can't feel a thing

shake my bones loose and make me sing

I've got to be somewhere flying miles and miles

 

 

 

 

Everybody’s Leavin’ Town

 

These old streets just don’t seem the same

without my friends by the door

The all-night restaurant don’t know my name

it’s a cup of coffee and no one’s to blame

if everybody’s gone off searching for fame

and I find that more and more

 

The empty basement where I once learned my songs

is just a shop for selling hides

And all the faces seem from another time

You’re sellin’ or you’re bummin’ for a dime

and I hung around and waited til I realized the line

was heading out, not going inside

 

I heard a train whistle blow in my heart

I tuned my car radio

Everybody’s leavin’ town

and I’m the last one to go

 

Duke’s Dilemma’s really no choice at all

and any way you turn seems wrong

I met a girl with her guitar inside her case

Told me “don’t it always seem to be your fate

Just when you finally get there, you find it’s too late

and it’s all gone”

 

Last night I stood in a café of tears

listiening to a guitar man

Singing his songs like he’s leavin’ them behind

Beatin’ in his anger at the strings on his mind

And all the people tapping on an empty glass of beer

Nodding at the sawdust like no one could hear

that scream from the canyon floor

 

 

Train I’m On

 

If you could ride this train I'm on

you wouldn't miss your happy home

it wouldn't take too much to make you wander

out here where the wind is free

and there's nothing much but you and me

and a whole wide world to discover

 

(chorus)

you might hear the sound of people crying

laying down a lifetime, they've quit trying

feeling everything they love won't be long

if you could ride this train I'm on before it's gone

 

If you could walk this road awhile

You might know a naked mile

With nothing but the feeling of these mountains

Before they strip them down for ore

And pave them over for department stores,

With room for parking cars and marble fountains

 

If you could meet a man I know

stormed the beach at Anzio

and his right arm's torn into patriotic pieces

he's got a son who can't come home

til he's ready to say he was wrong

to quit on Vietnam and follow his Jesus

like an engine on a rusted track

we're hiding all our folks way out back

we're a one way railroad going nowhere

 

People say we've lost our time

this old country's past its prime

there's no room left for a man to move in

and can we ever wash it clean

of all the sadness that we're seeing

there's nothing left but you and me to believe in

 

 

Second Spring

 

It’s a second spring with you and all I really need to do

Is drive down the drive on a bicycle built for two

And maybe we’ll see maybe you and me will be

Together every spring just rollin’ down the avenue

 

It’s another Sunday afternoon and I’ve got a tune for you

‘bout rollin’ through the forest with the sun warmin’ you right through

And maybe we’ll see maybe you and me will be

Together every Sunday feeling too good to be true

 

Who would’ve thought we’d make it through the year

Never had time for feeling blue down here

Winter came and went and before you know

I couldn’t let you go

 

Everything is turning greeen and from everything I’ve seen

I can’t get over this feeling, this feeling like I’m sweet sixteen

And maybe we’ll see maybe you and me will be

Together in the spring when I’m an old man of twenty-three

 

Starlight

 

Walk along a street with bright lights flickering

and voices float from empty halls

groups of two are passing, arm in arm they’re passing

and I’m just one, that’s all

 

Sometimes the blues’ll take you where you should not go

where a woman holds a promise in her charms

you reach for someone just to have any someone

and spend a lonely night in her arms

 

Just because there’s that starlight

Just because it’s another sleepless night

Just because she’s gone from sight

That’s no reason not to be alone tonight

 

It’s toast and coffee in a silent room

and a mirror staring at my eyes

If I had someone just to have any someone

would it be enough to hear her sighs

 

So I walk on out into another night

watch the people fill up the square

it’s just like numbers, you can count the numbers

there’s no reason I should care

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ll Be Your Brother

 

I was your soldier when you needed one

I was your sailor under the sun

I was your mirror where you shone like gold

and I’ll be your brother I’ll let you go

 

I was your saviour when you were wine

I was your servant when you were blind

I was your lover your only love I know

and I’ll be your brother I’ll let you go

 

I was your driftwood up on your beach

I was the illusion you couldn’t reach

I was your island when all your seas ran cold

and I’ll be your brother I’ll let you go

 

If this were a movie I played every role

If this were a graveyard, I’d rest your soul

If this were an alley, I’d knock you cold

and I’ll be your brother I’ll let you go

 

 

Miles The Frog

 

Well, now once upon a time when the moon was filled

and the old haunted house stood up on the hill

and down along the road by the old mill bog

came a little green critter named Miles The Frog

 

Now Miles didn’t like to play in the mud

‘cause he had good breeding back in his green blood

and he didn’t want to be like any other frog

lapping up flies back home in the bog

 

See, Miles had learned to play the guitar

So he went to the house where the big stars are

went to the door and he looked inside

and there they all were before his eyes

 

There was Peter the Beaver on a silver piccolo

and ten black crickets in a violin row

and Maurice the Owl sitting on the piano sayin’

“Whos set to do the next solo?”

 

There was a foxy lady reading for a part

and Monk the Skunk sat painting in the dark

and Vito the Mosquito with his latest review

was buzzin’ all around with a word or two

 

Now a fly came over and took up a chair

Miles woulda ate him up, but he was too scared

the fly looked up and said “Time to go

You’re just in time for the afternoon show.”

 

But Miles said quickly “I came to play”

and the fly looked up and said “Not today

You gotta make a name before you can stay

and before you make a name you gotta pay your way.”

 

So Miles paid a dollar and he walked inside

there were all these animals clapping in time

a man at the front was waving his hand

and every little motion brought a note from the band

 

Then a weasel on his right said “Oh dear

You’re only so young and already you’re here

we’re all the people who only got to cheer

and I’m just the ghost of an old trumpeteer.”

 

Well Miles thought it over and it didn’t take long

picked up his guitar and he went back home

married his girlfriend back in the bog

and he’s lappin’ up flies like all the other frogs

 

So if you see morale here you ain’t wrong

you don’t need a haunted house to sing your song

and the next time you hear a-croakin’ coming from the bog

that’s just MIles way of telling you

you can be just as happy sittin’ on a log

 

 

Song For Bob

 

I’m sitting here again in a roomful of friends

and I wonder if words can be found

to place laughing eyes in the faces that cry

coming up from so far underground

And I’ve lost all my dreams and there’s no way it seems

to go back to dreaming again

but if silence is best, lay me down to rest

the hour that ship comes in

 

Oh I once found a friend in the words that you’d send

they were stronger than one man could be

Instead of hollow refrains we sang only in games

we took comfort in what you could see

But the children must try for the old folks must die

It’s always the wheel that’s in spin

and if silence is best, lay me down to rest

the hour that ship comes in

 

Though cities turn to sand and the mountains that stand

may crumble, and words turn to stone

still the morning begins and the questions in the wind

are still calling out for a song

so if I sing on a street and our shadows should meet

I’ll take pride just to stand where you’ve been

and if silence is best, lay me down to rest

the hour that ship comes in

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fragile

 

 

The finest piece of crystal glass

will tear my hand if it breaks

and a clumsy hand on your fragile love

will shatter whatever it takes

 

(chorus)

I’ve got nothing

I’ve got nothing

I’ve got nothing without you

I’ll keep singing, keep on singing

this song that can’t go on without you

 

Brittle words unanswered now

leave ashes as their only traces

and little burns show through somehow

in the frozen smiles of your embraces

 

A quiet night isn’t still somehow

with your restless sleeping breathing

and another night would kill me now

to drink the dream that you’re leaving

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maggie

 

Didn’t we walk so many miles, Maggie

Didn’t we climb so many hills

and didn’t we spend so many nights, Maggie

close together lyin’ still

and didn’t we take some time to wonder

what was growing deep within

Now walk me tonight out in the fields, Maggie

and tell me you love me again

 

Didn’t we fight for what we knew, Maggie

Didn’t we do the things we should

and didn’t we fight for what was true, Maggie

and didn’t we say we always would?

and didn’t we put our backs together

to have the strength of every hand

Now walk me tonight out in the fields, Maggie

and tell me you love me again

 

Oh didn’t they try to feed us lies, Maggie

Didn’t they wrap their words in grins

and didn’t they try to hide their eyes, Maggie

and didn’t we know that we would win?

And didn’t we always say that nothing

could keep us from the things we planned

Now walk me tonight out in the fields, Maggie

and tell me you love me again

 

Morning comes easy in the rain, Maggie

coming up softly in a dream

It’s another day and everything does change, Maggie

you just can’’t sit there where you’ve been

I will die before my freedom

and I will live to show you when

I’ll walk you tonght out in the fields, Maggie,

and tell you I love you again.

 

 

 

Since You’ve Gone

 

Since you’ve gone I’ve taken up drinkin’

beer and whiskey, and very fine wine

Since you’ve gone I’ve taken up women

no one special they’re around all the time

 

(chorus)

So you might be in Chicago, maybe in LA

deep down in Texas, somewhere far away

Wherever you are babe, won’t you hear me say

Wherever you are, babe, I hope that’s where you stay

 

Without you, I’ve taken up sleeping

Every night, and every day

Without you, I’ve taken up smoking big cigars

that drive my friends away

 

(bridge)

Now I’m alone and there’s nothing but a different woman every night

a different kind of feeling right and wrong

Now I’m alone and there’s nothing but peace and quiet

And I wake up in the morning singing a song

 

Since you’re gone, I’ve taken up eating

regular meals I can finally afford

Since you’re gone I’ve given up working

I’m just hanging around and I never get bored

 

 

 

 

 

Eye Of The Storm

 

Crazy Ted cut a hole in his head

pulled out his brain, put in a tv set

now Ted just smiles as he flips those dials

stayin’ in tune is his latest style

He’s got no load on his mind ‘cause his line

is finely tuned by Central

 

Crazy Tom he’s got the bomb

rolled up inside his sweaty palm

You know Tom, he’s never missed

givin’ it to you with his exploding fist

and like a bad dream, like a Hitchock twist,

you never know it’s comin’

 

Now wouldn’t you feel so good and warm

wouldn’t you feel like you belong

standing in the arms of someone strong

in the eye of the storm

 

Anna Lee lost her memory

somewhere back in 1973

she’s got a face filled with divine light

when she says: babe, the future’s bright

and walks off softly into the night

with no one in particular

 

Hank and Frank each have someone to thank

each took $10,000 from the citizens’ bank

Frank was a director and Hank had a gun

Frank gave his to Nixon and said let justice be done

They put Frank in the cabinet and Hank in the tank

and said be grateful we don’t shoot you

 

They came to my house and stripped it clean

of every single book and magazine

They said you don’t need to read or sing

‘cause love, love, love is everything

Five minutes later my doorbell rings,

and you walk in and say “I love you.”

 

 

Red Sky Morning

 

With nobody waking and the streets on fire

I’ll raise up my head behind the miles and miles of wire

as the hound dogs are howling their morning song

red sky morning’s gonna find me gone

 

I’ll be abandoned like the warehouse I am

where people come and deliver whatever they can

and tear at your insides like it was their own

red sky morning’s gonna find itself alone

 

The beggars point to businessmen, the businessmen point to thieves

and they all call for the cops who come and point to the priests

and the priests point to the flames and say “he’s coming your way

red sky morning gonna make you pay.”

 

With traces of cosmic discussions still warm

they’ll tear out your memory and put in a storm

and when lightning comes flashing every corner of your mind

red sky morning’s gonna drive you blind

 

With the wild wolves a-sleeping and the jokers in dreams

on the trail of tarantulas I’ll follow the streams

and I’ll trade down my life like a werewolf at dawn

red sky morning’s gonna find me gone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

streaks of light snake thru the darkness
on a landscape low and deep
and then there on the horizon
as if rising from its sleep
the mosaic of tower windows awakens
awakens in the winter air
and i'm flying home to the city
in just minutes i'll be there in
New York the magic city of my heart

we cross the river and in an instant
there's traffic all around
people walking hand in hand,
horns blasting, sirens sound
Chinatown is still awake,
the Bowery throbs with the beat
of a band waiting to be discovered
and a crowd up on its feet

how can i explain how it feels like home
when i live somewhere else and my neighborhood's gone
and the people i once knew have scattered to the wind
still i never could forget how it always took me in
New York the magic city of my heart

it's freezing out and in the suburbs
the cops are saying "just stay home"
but there's a full house here tonight
in the lights when i look around
New Yorkers are tough and
so what if it's cold
you can stay in and watch television
if you ever get old

how could i ever forget the kind hearted people
who took me in off the street and gave me someplace to sleep, til
i had a place of my own, somewhere i could belong
and the friendships we made when we lived for a song, in
New York the magic city of my heart

i stand here on Bleecker St
watching the sun
rise like a fire
on the deserted morn
there's no one around me
as the past falls behind
and i know in that moment
the city is mine

i've been to the desert
i've been over the sea
i've heard the great silence
known love's mystery
and i've stood on my front steps
seen the dreams as they curled
up like smoke from the people who've come
from all over the world

the skyscrapers fade off as the plane takes flight
like the last drops of music and the final spotlights
and the friends i will miss and the streets that i know
i carry them with me wherever i go from
New York the magic city of my heart

don’t speak to me of God
if you just mean white on black
speak to me of justice
and when you have done justice
you can speak to me of God

and don’t shout to me of freedom
if all you mean is profit
whisper your compassion
and when you’ve shown compassion
you can speak to me of freedom

tell me then of science
of knowledge, of wisdom
some light’s bound to find the cracks
if you’ve pre-paid for your opinions
and pre-ordered your ignorance
you should demand your money back

don’t sing to me of love
and then assault my body
show some understanding
and when you’ve shown your understanding
you can sing to me of love

you can’t sell peace and quiet
if all you mean is status quo
and there’s a necessary change in the wind
if you won’t speak for justice
you have to know that justice
will speak for herself again

don’t preach to me of faith
yours, or any others
speak to me of justice
and when you have done justice
you can speak to me with love

i'd love to be wrong but here's what i see
millions of people eyes glued to the tv
they have no idea what's about to come down
they think it's a game show with celebrity clowns
it's gonna get ugly the stench will be strong
but hey like i said i'd love to be wrong

i'd love to be wrong but here's what i feel
the workingman thinks he's gonna get a good deal
when all they’re gonna do is enrich themselves
carve out some new breaks and screw everyone else
you better not get sick or your money's all gone
but hey like i said i'd love to be wrong

i'd love to be wrong but it looks very plain
betraying one's country for one's private gain
is a game the authorities should stop this very hour
but they're doing nothing they just want more power

so they can finally take it all away
your health, your retirement, your bright sunny day
your wilderness, your freedom to love who you please
your public school system, your kids' chance to succeed
your right to speak freely, your right to belong
but hey like i said, i'd love to be wrong

i'd love to be wrong i'd love to relax
i'd love to invent my own set of facts
but i think facts should be true so i can't agree
that what you imagine is at all real to me

i'd love to be wrong and have everyone free
instead of having your freedom be punishing me
i'm expecting more rain, and much bigger floods
more corporate judges, more morons in trucks
taking over the streets and waving their guns
small countries invaded by much bigger ones
the free world in crisis its leader denying
he's already been paid off for those bullets flying
and when it all falls apart, and
they start to crack down
on the weak and the helpless
will you just go along
well i hope you don't mind my little song
cause hey like i said, i'd love to be wrong

there's so many pythons in the Everglades
they're paying hunters a minimum wage
to catch the pythons the state has put
an extra bonus on every foot

pythons are endangered in their Asian homes
hunted for their skins til they're almost gone
like Pilgrims and Protestants of history
pythons have come to the land of the free

they're heading for the USA
heading for the USA

pythons are eating every thing it's true
the deer, the rabbits and the raccoons too
there's a video of a python in the swamp
trying to eat a gator with just one chomp

but nothing eats pythons, that's a fact
they're big and strong and move real fast
pretty soon they may run out of food
and start showing up in your neighborhood

so they had a contest winner take all
went into the swamp and they had a ball
1000 men looking but they all missed
10,000 snakes and caught 106

experts from India who already know
how to catch the snakes were brought to Key Largo
Irula tribesmen with special dogs
yes, just more immigrants taking our jobs

you want to get rid of pythons? here's the way
feed them the American diet from the buffet
lots of pesticides, sugar and fat
they'll get sick and die off just like that

put on my jacket, went out to the car
turned on the radio, didn’t get far
when the news of a man
interrupted my shopping jag

he was gunned down just for standing
in some part of this land
I couldn’t buy a thing I couldn’t understand
black friday just ain’t my bag

there’s a fever goin’ round
could easily catch it
get a new tv
then you’d have to watch it
black friday just ain’t my bag

if you’re a late bloomer
and you’re still not a consumer
what is it you expect to prove
by not doing your duty
to make that merchandise move

well, it’s Thanksgiving
and i’ll shop if i want to
shop if i want to
shop if i want to
but black friday just ain’t my bag

it’s the end of day
i let it all waste away
i have nothing to show or to say
but give me one more minute of moonlight
one more minute of moonlight
and i’ll pay what i have to pay

i’ve no need to run
and i’m hurting no one
the light shining here has only begun
so give me one more minute of moonlight
one more minute of moonlight
and i’ll do what must be done

i watch the time slip quietly past
and though i know it cannot last

i know that you’re near
everything is so clear
and the silence is everything i need to hear
so give me one more minute of moonlight
one more minute of moonlight
and i will shed no tear

well the wind from the west
is finally at rest
and the shadows are off on some starry  quest
so give me one more minute of moonlight
one more minute of moonlight
and i will know i’m blest

give me a sign
a moment that shines
as bright as you are in this heart of mine
give me one more minute of moonlight
one more minute of moonlight
and Ii’ll never more be blind

it feels like midnight’s stopped on a dime
and just can’t move along this time

how can i be alone
where has everyone gone
she’s there in the window
her hair hanging down
so give me one more minute of moonlight
one more minute of moonlight
and i will carry on

in another teenage dream, she was only seventeen
he was the handsomest boy in town
but he was a poor boy in blue jeans so he joined the US marines
to have a future when he came back home
and a new President was voted in promising with a forceful grin
we won’t let the enemy push us around
after training him to be a man they sent him to Afghanistan
leaving his wife and newborn son behind

two tours later, when he's home he's in a world of his own
his eyes seem so far away
she tries to remember when he was her lover and best friend
before he saw the things he couldn't say
until the day the word comes back he's returning from Iraq
with a flag draped over his remains
she'll go back to their hometown and raise their son on her own
and try to start her life over again

and the leaders of the USA sit down on a rainy day
making plans they later will deny
who will bear the sacrifice, the children, husbands and the wives
and do they ever ask themselves why?

in another foreign land where the wind breathes only sand
a young man in a village must decide
to live there and be occupied or join the other side and fight
an enemy with weapons in the sky
that can pinpoint his parents' home and blow up everyone in his town
from a trailer near Las Vegas where they view
the funeral by his village wall, and when he comes, they kill them all
and they know there's nothing he can do

and the leaders of the USA say we're making progress every day
soon the enemy will give up the fight
a single man, bomb on his chest, blows up a market in the west
and do you ever ask yourself why?

and the people of the USA get down on their knees and pray
for victory and mercy from on high
but forgiveness waits around the bend in a war that never ends
and do you ever ask yourself why?

everybody’s talking ‘bout fake news & alternative facts
tell me which is true
Mars is called the red planet ‘cause it’s Chinese, or
scientists say climate is coming for you

you gotta love fake news & alternative facts
you tell me which is true
too many people are voting, or
fewer than half the people chose you

fake news, fake news, Facebook is talking about
hiring 3000 new workers just to keep the Russians out

hey it’s fake news & alternative facts all the time
you tell me which is true
immigrants took the jobs when the factories closed, or
millions will lose their health if it’s up to you

yeah, it’s fake news & alternative facts for the dumb and blind
you tell me which is true
Jesus died so gays couldn’t marry, or
prison investors are counting on you

fake news, fake news, the Wall St Journal says listen to them
the NY Times is digging in, so they won’t have to print

fake news & alternative facts every morning
you tell me which is cool
that inaugeral was the greatest ever, or
the truth says: you got to pity the fool

let's talk about genius what is it really
is it just the ability to do something well
like throw a baseball or smile for the camera
or rip everybody off to enrich yourself

they call some people genius because they can sing
or program ones and zeros to do anything
but i think real genius is to see what's ahead
turn that into art and art into bread

well i've been to the mountain, i've been to the sea
and it's you and me baby in love's mystery
you've stolen my heart, i've forgiven your crime
and we'll figure it out one day at a time

i once knew a genius he always looked cool
he could get any girl and he always did
in the eleventh grade he dropped out of school
to marry that cheerleader having his kid

you want to be a genius you want to have fame
you want everyone to remember your name
why don't you feed the hungry give the people their health
or do you think genius is just about wealth

if i were a genius i'd never let on
i'd just sit and write music from moonlight til dawn
maybe no one would hear it like that forest and tree
but somewhere in the world, there would be peace

i'll tell you what's genius it's just to keep going
when the hot air surrounds you and the wind is blowing
and the end of the road is out of sight, down the line
all you've got is the journey, and that suits you fine

in a doorway in San Francisco
for a month of winter days
two hours every afternoon
i stood there and earned my pay

it was in the middle of Chinatown
January in the air
singing for people on their way somewhere
trying to make them lend an ear

it was my first school as a singer
watching all the people react
some would stop for a song or a minute
some would wave as they walked past

some would walk right into traffic
so they wouldn't have to pass near
some guy singing  in a bank doorway
that's the very last thing you’d want to hear

well i guess i’ve come a long way
at least far enough to say
if i knew then what i know now
i’d head right back to Chinatown
and do it all again, my friend
yes i’d do it all again

there was one pretty girl in the afternoons
came by every single day
with a different guy, she’d go upstairs
into the hotel across the way

i never did meet her or know her name
but she always gave me a smile
i want to thank her for those $5 bills
you know, they kept me alive awhile

he used to trust the government
til he realized they lied
he thought for awhile he could
even join the other side
but it wasn’t long at all
before he realized
they were all the same
and when he got wise
he went inside and killed the lights
and pulled down all the shades
while outside in the world
outside in the world
outside in the world
promises were made
billions were paid

yes, paid to the idiot boxes
perched somewhere on a shelf
the faces and the other faces
all talking to themselves
between the million advertisements
against the other guy
all paid for by somebody who
no one could identify
he unplugged the box up on the shelf
and sat down in the sun
while outside in the world
outside in the world
outside in the world
deals were done
the race was run

and he said
wake me when it's over
don't tell me who wins
i'm beginning again
beginning again

til only one was standing,
in a shaken, fearful land
the sun rose up, the sun went down
the days were close at hand
the news was playing in the bar
the night he walked right in
somebody bombed the market place
the drones were closing in
the preacher wore an automatic
the streets were bathed in sin
beginning again
beginning again
beginning again
he trusted no one
had no friends

let’s build a wall 30 feet tall
only cost 4 billion to
keep them all out
you know who they are
drug dealers criminals thugs and
probably some very nice people too
it’ll only cost 6 billion and
here’s the best part
someone else will pay for it
yeah that’s it
let someone else pay for it
only cost 8 billion
and while we’re at it
let’s do something about
those already here
after all we have to defend our freedom
to hate and discriminate and anyway
it’ll only cost 10 billion
to keep them all out
you know who they are

let’s build a wall
concrete and steel
we’ll bring it in by truck
only cost 12 billion
we’ll use the land along the river
we’ll take it if we have to
‘cause that’s what freedom is
to build a wall to keep them out
you know who they are

those ones who want to be
here in the land of the free
only cost 15 billion
and if they invent a 31 foot ladder
we’ll make it 40 feet tall
only cost 20 billion
to keep them all out
you know who they are

and you better love God
you better love God as we love God
or we're going to hurt you
we’re going to make you do everything
God tells us to make you do
until you love God as we do
but to begin with, let’s build a wall
‘cause that’s what freedom needs
a wall to keep them all out
only cost 50 billion
you know who they are

for 50 billion we could
teach some kids to read
probably feed a hungry family or two
or cure some small disease
but that won’t please the people
no, they don’t even care
they’re more afraid of what’s out there
so let’s build a wall
only cost 100 billion
what will it cost your soul
you know you’re never ever
gonna have control

and while we’re at it,
let’s hire 100,000 men and
give each one a rifle
to shoot anyone on a 31-foot ladder
100,000 jobs and 100,000 guns
the NRA’ll go for that
only cost 200 billion
so let’s build a wall
to keep them all out
you know who they are

the devil came knockin' at my door i said "come on in
tell me what's been on your mind my good old devil friend
would you like a cup of coffee, how the hell you been?"
he sank down in my easy chair and broke into a grin
and he said "everything is as it should be
i got two pretty girls chasin' after me
now neither one can get her fill
if one won't love me to death, the other one will."

i looked that devil in the eye, i said "you've got some nerve
you come around here like a friend, discontentment's all you serve
with all your talents, devil, why do you have to be so blind?
whatcha doing all the time, with the women on your mind?"
and he said "everything is as it should be
you're gettin' excited, i can see
you like to think i'm wrong tonight
but in the morning you will see that i am right."

next day i met a pretty woman on a lonesome street in town
i held her close i knew that she would never hold me down
but she had to leave to get back on to the one she was lovin' up
and i heard that devil laughing as i drained my whiskey cup,
and he said "everything is as it should be
you ain’t so bad off, you’re still free
yesterday you were so proud
now you don't walk so tall, you don't talk so loud."

i said "old devil you proved your point, I guess i was wrong
i thought that i was quite content to be here all alone
but once in awhile i wish love was something else
than a educational experience to put up on my shelf"
and he said "everything is as it should be
just listen to yourself talk to me
now who's the one who's walking blind?
you're walkin' around, your head hangin' down, you got the women on your mind."

i didn't see the devil for quite awhile, til he showed up one night late
sank down in my easy chair, said "i made a big mistake.
i went and fell in love, i would've changed to treat her well
but all she wanted was a one night stand in my private hell."
And i said "everything is as it should be
hey i can spare the sympathy
think of all you taught to me
‘you can stay right down here in hell, or get up off your knees.’ “

the woods are up in smoke
the Gov’nor says nope
you can’t mention that climate stuff
he says he’s not a scientist
but he clearly knows enough
to know the scientists are wrong
the scientists are wrong
and you know you can believe him
while we sing this little song

so make me a pallet on your floor
hand me down my walkin’ shoes
throw my troubles out the door
i got them deep bullshit blues

the Gov’nor says those billions
the polluters were to pay
we won’t need that for the government
we’ll take it another way
just give it directly to my party
‘cause we got a party goin’ on
and you notice he’s not kiddin’
when we sing this little song

the Gov’nor must have been no fool
he must have learned the ropes
to profitize the public schools
and as for the hopes
of those who want to educate
without jumping through a million hoops
remember the prisons need inmates
for his investment groups

so make me a pallet on your floor
hand me down my walkin’ shoes
throw my troubles out the door
i got them deep bullshit blues

Hole In The Bible ©2014 Rod MacDonald/Blue Flute Music (ASCAP)

Somebody shot a hole in the Bible
They blew it apart from the back
They must’ve snuck up behind it
To leave it in pieces like that
Now whenever you try to read it
You have to quit where the words fall apart
Somebody shot a hole in the Bible
I don’t even know where to start.

Well now when you reach for the good book
To tell you how things ought to be
You pass the begetting and the killing
And the soldiers all drowned in the sea
Then you get to the part where it tells you
Everything everybody has to do
Somebody shot a hole in the Bible
Right there you can see right through

There he was minding his own business
Thinking there was no one around
When out of the cloud came a message “Behold,
I am standing my ground.”
Who saw why the shots were first fired
Who knew why the gun was at hand
Somebody shot a hole in the
Bible Please don’t let it happen gain

Somebody shot a hole in the Bible
Back when you were out on the road
40 days and nights of rain followed
Til the banks on Wall Street overflowed
When it was time for white doves to come flyin’
And the sun to come shinin’ again
Somebody shot a hole in the
Bible There’s no tellin’ how this will end

One More Heartbreak Song ©2014 Rod MacDonald/Blue Flute Music (ASCAP)

One more heartbreak song,
who needs it? One more
song for losing love again
I don’t even want to hear
myself sing it One more time
for the one who never wins

Who’s that guy who always
keeps saying Think of all the
great songs you can write
Maybe he ought to be the one
to live them Maybe he ought
to be standing here tonight

Darlin’ it’s not just for myself I’m asking
But for all those people who’d be
grateful to you If you give me all
your love and it ends up lasting
And I don’t have to write a heartbreak song for you

We’re All One
©2014 Rod MacDonald/Blue Flute Music (ASCAP)

It’s not just you who are suffering
It’s not just you who are scared
It’s not just because I was wondering
How many would die til you cared
You say it’s mental illness
Still you’ll sell anyone a gun
It’s not just someone else who was murdered
We’re all one

Somebody told you he was psycho
Somebody told you he was alone
Somebody gave him everything legally
The handguns and weapons he owned
If a semi automatic assault rifle
Is your idea of freedom or fun
Why don’t you just
We’re all one

Every morning the metal detectors
Run their fingers over your clothes
The kids learn to keep their heads down
In walks the man no one knows
Meanwhile the cowards in Congress
Do their sponsor’s bidding downtown
And remove all the gun restrictions
We’re all one

Imagine if everyone was packing
Imagine if every one stood proud
When the killer came to Arizona
Walked into the center of the crowd
Imagine if everyone fired
How many could fall all at once
How many deaths will it take til he knows
We’re all one

It was Christmas time in Connecticut
When amid all the sorrow and pain
It’s people not guns who kill, you said
As if washing the blood from your hands
And then seizing the moment to profit
You certainly turned on the charm
Arm people in every school, you said
We’re all one

It’s not just you who are suffering
It’s not just you who are scared
It’s not just because I was wondering
How many will die til you care
Say a prayer for the young ones of this land
Their elders are insane as they come
They care more for their guns than for their children
We’re all one

You’re Already My Wife ©2014 Rod MacDonald/Blue Flute Music (ASCAP)

You walked into the room my heart went boom
I couldn’t take my eyes off of you
With a smile so grand and a wave of your hand
You took everyone into your view
And I knew right then i would give anything just to have you in my life
And the best thing of all is you’re already my wife

You’re already my wife we can mess around We can be alone together
We can paint the town stay out all night long
We can come home whenever
And now that it's quiet, won't you come by my side
Ineed your love all my life
The best thing of all is you’re already my wife

Yeah i know what you’re thinking: what’s he been drinkin’?
All the lovin’ we did was so good and righteous
And so very delicious, that’s how we got these kids

You move through the crowd like the moon through the clouds
Leaving nothing but starlight behind
And if they would ask me, I’d say you amaze me
Looking so real and so fine
Well, if you’re dreamin’ of living the sweet life with someone
Who loves you near and far
Take a good look baby, ‘cause you already are
Somebody pinch me baby ‘cause you’re already my wife

Big Time Record Contract ©2014 Rod MacDonald/Blue Flute Music (ASCAP)

I see you got your
Big time record contract
Some magazine called you
A developing act
You must do quite a show, ‘cause you
Pass me on the street without sayin’ hello
Since you got your big time record contract
You got your people all around you
Everyone you go and everywhere you’ve ever been
And that manager beside you
He must be earning his percent
Tell me, are you inside or outside the fence?
Now that you can’t talk to your own friendsSince you got your big time record contract
Now some’ll love you for your video on tv
Some’ll love you for the famous people singing on your cd
Some’ll love you ‘cause you’re who they always wanted to be
Some’ll love you for the way you never let them see
Who’s there lost inside that big time record contract

Don’t Come Knockin’ ©2014 Rod MacDonald/Blue Flute Music (ASCAP)

Down below the sweltering palms, I had some money, I laid it down
Work all night, I sleep all day, in my little trailer by the way
My baby’s rockin’ it makes me grin
I hear you knockin’ but you can’t come in
Don’t come knockin’, don’t come knockin’
Don’t come knockin’, the trailer’s rockin’ tonight
It ain’t no mansion on a hill, on blocks and springs it’s kinda still
Most of the neighbors watchin’ tv, got a aerial on every tree
It ain’t much but I like the whine
When them springs get singin’ in double time

Got no gas, got no car
Bottle of wine and a cheap guitar
One thin candle providing’ light
This trailer’s gonna be smokin’ tonight
Maybe sometime we’ll save some coin, move ‘cross town to some rich man’s joint
Drink margueritas while the sun goes down, hire the neighbor’s kids o mow the lawn
That’s allright I don’t mind too much
Long as me and my baby don’t lose our touch

Joe Public ©2014 Rod MacDonald/Blue Flute Music (ASCAP)

Joe Public smokes two packs a day
Drives home from work on the interstate highway
After drinking three beers, cell phone in hand
He’s doing 80 in his oversized van
But Joe Public’s not afraid of dying
From tobacco or drinking or even his driving
He’s got the radio on, the reception is clear
He’s hearing all the things he should fear
Joe Public is afraid of al-Qaeda
They’re coming to get him, sooner or later
Joe Public is afraid of terror
It keeps getting closer in the rear view mirror
And all those illegals crossing the border
Crawling through the desert, coming for his daughter
Joe Public’s got a lot on his mind.

Joe Public makes 35 thousand
Has two kids in high school, trying for college
He walks in the door and their music is playing
He can’t understand a thing that it’s saying
But Joe Public’s not afraid that his kids
Will find the handgun where he keeps it hid
Joe’s afraid of the United Nations
Gun laws, gay rights and peace demonstrations
So he went to Home Depot, bought duct tape and plastic
In case the real enemy does something drastic
Like mailing him anthrax and causing a panic
Or requiring everyone to learn to speak Spanish
Joe’s ready for freedom to happen
When the government comes to take away his weapons
Joe Public’s got a lot on his mind.

Joe Public got asthma at 40
His health insurance costs more than his mortgage
The state stopped testing cars for emissions
Joe’s glad ‘cause he would’ve had to fix his
But Joe’s not afraid of pollution
Thinks less regulation is the only solution
And don’t get him started on health care
“Everyone knows that’s a socialist nightmare”
Joe's down with the troops, he supports every mission
That'll keep his gas under four bucks a gallon
But why do they hate us, he can’t understand
When we never ever did nothing to them
He can’t wait for the next election
To re-elect the guy who took away your pension
Joe Public’s got a lot on his mind.

Many Can’t Be Moved ©2013 Rod MacDonald (Blue Flute Music (ASCAP)

Church bells ringing in the heart of town
Long lines of people with their sad clothes on
Schools are closed and the flag is low
People crying everywhere they go
Oh, but many can't be moved, though they hear the choir sing
They look into their neighbors' eyes and wouldn't change a thing

Black limousines, flags flapping on the fenders
The man who brought this on has no defenders
The whole world mourns the deed he's done
Sadness sings in the candlelit town
Still, many can't be moved to the church bells ring
They look into the parents' hearts and wouldn't change a thing

A flower floats down on the breeze like an angel in the rain
Non-believers on their knees struck silent by the pain
There'll be promises to the future: this time things are gonna change
It doesn't matter who can't see it, it doesn't matter who's to blame
And many can't be moved to see these souls take wing
They watch the children laid to rest and wouldn't change a thing

Raven ©2014 Rod MacDonald/Blue Flute Music (ASCAP)

Everytime I think of you it makes me stop and listen
Songs may come and songs may go but you go right on singing
You make a man feel bolder to see you stand so proud
And you look just like a raven, a raven out on a cloud

Take a walk down by the sea, the gulls and children yearn
For sailing ships out on the water, some never do return
And I will take you by the hand and feel the four winds blow
And you look just like a raven, a raven out on the snow

Chances come and chances are we do not linger long
Dancing down the water’s edge the waves break castles down
And I will take you in the sand as the sunlight fades away
And you look just like a raven a raven out on the gray

So you see I only stand here braced against your trust
Touching you is touching me I’d thought that feeling lost
And I will see you safe to harbor and if we never meet again
I’ll remember you like a raven, a raven out on the wind

Sleepless Nights ©2014 Rod MacDonald/Blue Flute Music (ASCAP)

There’s no music, there’s no sound
There’s no window through the clouds
All I get’s a restless, moaning kind of wind
There’s no flame, there’s no light
There’s no love in sight tonight
All I know’s these sleepless nights got end

There’s no smell of sweet perfume
There’s no magic in my room
And even my old guitar’s gone and packe d it in
And every bird out on the wire
Is taking a break from the all-night choir
All I know’s these sleepless nights got end

Give me love, any kind will do
Give me somebody to wake up to
And I won’t mind the night rolling round again
But the fire’s out inside my mind
No matter what I do I find
I just can’t bring these sleepless nights to an end

Think I’ll put my shoes on, walk a mile
Sun’ll be up in a little while
Maybe I’ll go to the river and not jump in
Newspaper blowing across the road
Just like me, another day old
All I know’s these sleepless nights got end

That’s Why You Play The Game
©2012 Rod MacDonald & Michael Lydon/Blue Flute Music (ASCAP)

Did you hear about the guitarist
Broke his arm in an automobile
They told him he’d never play again,
But he refused to take that deal
He had the doctors fix his elbow
To hold a guitar where his fingers curled
At 94 he was still one of the
Great guitarists in the world

That’s why you play the game
‘Cause you never ever know
What you can do til you do your best
Til you put yourself to the test
Then win or lose, you showed
You stood tall just the same
My little darling, that’s why you play the game

There was a woman who tried to go
To a school that wouldn’t let her in
They told her to just get married
Let men do the important things
But she’d earned her grades and she sued that school And to that school she went
And now that university
Has a woman president

There once was a champion boxer
Who refused to go to war
He said “I got nothing against anybody
I don’t know what they’re fightin’ for”
He stood up for his convictions
They declared him a free man
And that title that they took away
Well, he won it back again

When I was a young man
Someone said I was wasting my time
Trying to sing my songs for you
Livin’ my life in rhyme
Its’ true I don’t ride in limos
Or own a mansion in Malibu
But ladies and gentlemen
I’m singing this song for you

And hey how about that scientist
He was completely paralyzed
He had to speak through a voice encoder
That read the movement of his eyes
He could’ve wasted away in a wheelchair
But he had too much on his mind
He won a Nobel Prize for the books he wrote
One blink at a time

There’s always someone to tell you
You can’t live out your dream
They’ll say you’ll never be good enough
Never make it in that scene
You can work hard and take your chances
Or be finished before you start
And who are you going to believe anyway
Someone else or your own heart?

The Girl Songwriter
©2014 Rod MacDonald/Blue Flute Music (ASCAP)

The girl songwriter broke up with her boyfriend
She wrote a song about it, then her career began
The song’s a hit, the singer’s famous too
All over the world they love that song about you

The girl songwriter walked in the house one day
Said to the man “well, i’m on my way”
That song about leavin’ peaked at number two
She’s up on tv singing that song about you

You there in the corner drinkin’ a beer
You don’t even know the sound that you hear
Is the girl songwriter describing her fall
But the rest of us all see her standin’ tall

The girl songwriter loves to rock and roll
And repeat that chorus like the queen of soul
That song about freedom never will grow old
See her smiling face telling the world
How she kicked off the dust from her shoe
Whenever she’s singing that song she wrote about you
About you

The Last American Worker
©2011 Rod MacDonald Blue Flute Music/ASCAP

He was born in a land of plenty, served his country overseas
Worked hard to raise his family and have some security
He was looking forward to retirement, a little condo somewhere in the sun
Now they say we just can’t afford him ‘cause all of the money is

He’s the last American worker
And they’ve got him dead in their sights
They’re taking away every thing that he worked for Somebody turn out the lights

He invested his savings on Wall Street, now they’re worth 2 cents on the dime The boys who lost all his money got a bailout and a bonus at the same time
His house is worth less than his mortgage, he can’t make the payments anymore And the bank is talking foreclosure since they shipped his job off to Bangalore.

He used to go and see a doctor before his waistline got thick
Now his insurance takes half his income, still won’t cover him when he gets sick They passed a national health program for all the people to share
Now they say we just can’t afford it and gave a tax cut to all the millionaires

The Governor had a vision of the future: all the children in public school
Were staring at the same onscreen teacher broadcasting from Bombay or Fanjul They all memorize the same test answers, they grow up a nation of fools
And re-elect the same politicians who send their own kids to private school

He still votes in every election for God-fearing candidates each and every one They tell him they’ll end abortion and they’re never gonna take away his gun They go to Washington or Tallahassee, play the corporate ‘n millionaires game
They send his kids off to war ‘til there’s no money anymore
Then they tell him he’s the one to blame

To My Dearest One
©2014 Rod MacDonald/Blue Flute Music (ASCAP)

She was cleaning out some boxes one afternoon
When she heard a tune float in like an old friend
She opened up a book, and a page fell down
She opened up the paper to read
“To my dearest one: I see you found this song
Here where you’re looking round
And I’m a long time gone since I wrote this song
For you, only for you
I can still remember when we were young
You’re standing in the sun waiting for my train to come
And though I was a long time gone I knew I was coming home

To you only to you
We had a good life together, me and you
Oh the years just flew, and we’d both loved a time or two
But I can tell you true there was no one but you
For me always for me

If I could be there now I would give anything For a moment of that spring
When love was everything
And if I can say one truth it’s that I loved you And if there’s someone new
Well, that’s all right, too

Please tell the kids for me their daddy wasn’t wrong
Someday they’ll hear a song and they’ll know they belong
In a world where love is strong
Though I’m a long time gone
My love lives on, my dearest one
For you always for you”

She folded up the paper in her hand, then she tried to stand
Went outside to sit down, til the setting sun
Was a long time gone away, long gone away

Young Republicans In Love
©2012 Rod MacDonald (Blue Flute Music/ASCAP)

She looked in his eyes, said “I want to restore all your benefits
Build up your defenses, lower your deficits too”
He said “just as long as you never ever raise my taxes
I could fall for you”
Young Republicans in love there in the hotel restaurant
Young Republicans in love

He held her hand, said “I need a constitutional amendment
Life begins at conception, all children must be born”
“Would you make no exception,” she asked, “for incest or rape?”
“No,” he said, and she said, “Let's escape to where we can be alone”
Young Republicans in love workin' the bank of telephones
Young Republicans in love pale riders on the storm
Young Republicans in love

Freedom, he said; USA, said she; I want to invade, he said; said she, I agree
Then, he declared, we need to do some serious drilling
Let the oceans rise, she replied, can't you see I'm willing?

She woke in the morning and before she put on her dress
She asked “Do you still want to cut taxes and lower your deficits?”
“Oh yes,” he said, “oh yes,” and held her close
“I’m sorry we lost,” she whispered, “that’s what hurts the most”
Young Republicans in love making more and more and more
Young Republicans in love just say no to global warming
Young Republicans in love got no need for health care
Young Republicans in love

White Flour
words by David LaMotte, music by Rod MacDonald ©2014 Blue Flute Music/Lower Dryad Music (ASCAP)

The day was bright and sunny as most May days tend to be
In the hills of Appalachia down in Knoxville, Tennessee
A dozen men put on their suits and quickly took their places
In white robes and those tall and pointed hoods that hid their faces

Their feet fell down in rhythm as they started their parade
They raised their fists into the air, they bellowed and they brayed
They loved to stir the people up, they loved when they were taunted
They didn’t mind the anger, it’s exactly what they wanted

As they came around the corner, sure enough the people roared
But they couldn’t quite believe their ears, it seemed to be support!
Had Knoxville finally seen the light? Were people coming ‘round?
The men thought for a moment that they’d found their kind of town
But then they turned their eyes to where the cheering had its source
As one their shoulders crumpled when they saw the mighty force
The crowd had painted faces and some had tacky clothes
Their hair and hats outrageous, each had a bright red nose

The clowns had come in numbers to enjoy the grand parade
They laughed and danced that other clowns had come to town that day
And then the marchers shouted, and the clowns all strained to hear
Each one tuned in intently with a hand cupped to an ear

“White power!” screamed the marchers, and they raised their fisted hands
The clowns leaned in and listened like they couldn’t understand
Then one held up his finger and helped all the others see
The point of all this yelling, and they joined right in with glee

“White flour!” the clowns shouted, and they reached inside their clothes
They pulled out bags and tore them and huge clouds of powder rose
They poured it on each other and they threw it in the air
It got all over baggy clothes and multi-colored hair

Now all but just a few of them were joining in the jokes
You could almost see the marchers turning red beneath white cloaks
They wanted to look scary! They wanted to look tough!
One rushed right at the clowns in rage and was hauled away in cuffs

But the others chanted louder, marching on around the bend
The clowns all marched on too, of course, supporting their new friends
“White power!” came the marchers’ cry, they were not amused
The clowns grew still and thoughtful—well, perhaps they’d been confused…?

They huddled and consulted, this bright and silly crowd
They listened quite intently, then one said “I’ve got it now!”
“White flowers!” screamed the happy clown, and all the rest joined in
The air was filled with flowers, and they laughed and danced again

“Everyone loves flowers, and white’s a pretty sort
I can’t think of a better cause for people to support!”
Green flower stems went flying like small arrows from bad archers
White petals covered everything, including the mad marchers

And then a very tall clown called the others to attention
He choked down all his chuckles and said “Friends I have to mention That what with all this mirth and fun it’s sort of hard to hear
But now I know the cause that these paraders hold so dear!”

“Tight showers!” the clown blurted, as he hit his head in wonder
He held up a camp shower and the others all got under
Or at least they tried to get beneath, they strained but couldn’t quite
There wasn’t room for all of them, they pushed, but it was tight!

“White Power!” came the mad refrain, quite carefully pronounced
The clowns consulted once again, then a woman clown announced
“I’ve got it! I’m embarrassed that it took so long to see,
But what these marchers march for is a cause quite dear to me!”

“Wife power!” she exclaimed, and all the other clowns joined in
They shook their heads and laughed at how erroneous they’d been
The women clowns were hoisted up on shoulders of the others
Some pulled on wedding dresses, chanting “Here’s to wives and mothers!”

The men in robes were sullen, they knew they’d been defeated
They yelled a few more times and then they finally retreated
And when they’d gone a kind policeman turned to all the clowns
And offered them an escort through the center of the town

The day was bright and sunny as most May days tend to be
In the hills of Appalachia down in Knoxville, Tennessee
People joined the new parade, the crowd stretched out for miles
The clowns passed out more flowers and made everybody smile

And what would be the lesson of that shiny southern day?
Can we understand the message that the clowns sought to convey?
Seems that when you’re fighting hatred, hatred’s not the thing to use!
So here’s to those who march on in their big red floppy shoes

after a long hard winter
when every woman, child and man
seemed caught up in a darkness
no child should have to understand
we set out on the highway
where we’d never gone before
everybody was welcome
everyone was hoping for

springtime in america
something new under the sun
a moment to remember
in the hearts of everyone

you know the journey won’t be easy
nothing good can come too fast
there’ll be those who stand against us
they’re clinging on to the past
they’re afraid they’ll lose their privilege
they’ll be praying that we fall
ah, but if we only stand together
you know they just can’t stop us all

see the seasons turning
see the harvest grow so tall
may nobody have to go without
when the leaves begin to fall

we’re going to sing a song for freedom
one for equality
one for abraham and john and bobby
and all those who died so others could be free
we’ll sing one for dr king
what if he’d only lived to see
the far side of the mountain
where he always longed to be

springtime in america
something new under the sun
tell your children you were there then

google me baby
google me all night long
i want you to google me baby
til my back aint got no bone

i could change the world
i got to do my laundry first
'fore i can change the world
you know i got to change my shirt

i got a bird that can whistle
i got a bird that can sing (2x)
if you won’t google me baby
it don’t mean a thing

i asked a friend of mine about this year’s election
“who you gonna vote for, who’s gonna win?”
he said “let me ask you a question: are you a gambling man?
before you lay your cards down, you want to have the winning hand
vote for big money
since you got your choice of guys
why not for the very best that
big money can buy, vote for
big money
you know he’ll keep us strong
at least until the next time bigger money comes along”

i said to my friend “don’t you think it’s sad?
that’s the choice you’re making out of all the ones you had”
he said “you poor idiot, let me tell you what I’ll do
when big money wins the election there’ll be one per cent for you”

i said to my friend “now don’t you even care
who’s got the bigger tax cut or the nicer wife out there?”
he said “let ‘em sell their souls, for the future votes they owe
i just want to see who’s really rakin’ in the dough”

I love the great conventions with all the candidates
and all the private functions at 100 grand a plate
and when they get up to the great debates I love to hear them say
“this is the greatest country ever, let’s keep it that way
vote for big money”

the constitution says freedom of religion
well that’s what some think
no really it’s freedom
from religion from religion
to take you where you want to go
call it who and what you please
rain down your love on everyone
bring me to my knees

the freedom of religion
to give you something great to live for
something to believe in
something more than what you’re seeing
call it what you want
go where you want to go
shout it from the rooftops
let everybody know

freedom from religion
now there’s a different side
the freedom to believe in nothing
that it’s a non-existent ride
going nowhere, nothing in there
no real mystery goin’ on
make no excuses for it
and still be left alone

from the freedom of religion
that would require you to be
everything they believe in
instead of being free
from the freedom of religion
to tell your kids the dinosaurs
really lived 5000 years ago
‘cause that’s when the Bible says it was

the freedom of religion
to embrace the love divine
turn your attention deep inside
and let your love light shine
is the freedom of religion
the original guarantee
you can believe in a different secret
and still be free

it was election night at wal-mart
there was a party goin’ on
the stockboys were dancing in the aisles
singing their favority songs
over at the the checkout counter
the girls were wearing smiles
the party was just getting started
might go on a little while

all the big boys on the radio
were crying the finance blues
the economy spiraling downward
everybody had to pay his dues
but you’d never know it from the sound
of dancing high heel shoes
as i heard two young girls talking
over in aisle two

they said “for the first time in my life”
i feel like an american
not some stranger here by birth
i feel like i belong
i never thought this day would happen
i can’t believe this time would come”
it was election night at wal-mart
there was a party going on

the girls came around the corner
they saw me standing there
they both stopped talking immediately
ran a nervous hand through their hair
they didn’t know if i was listening
they didn’t know if i was one
who thought with this election
the end of the world had come

i said “girls, i heard you talking
and i believe what you say is true
you would never believe how many there are
feel just the way you do
i fell like i’ve been waiting all my life
to believe in the times to come
so come on i want to hear you celebrate
let’s get this party going”

the girls gave me a high five
they walked off with a smile
i heard them gigglin’ together as they
went on down the aisle
wiggling their hips for the stockboys
just to show ‘em a little style
the party was just getting started
might go on a little while
yeah, it was election night at wal-mart
might go on a little while

©2011 rod macdonald, ella macdonald, alena macdonald
blue flute music/ascap

i’ve got a secret i can tell
i know something new
i’ve got a secret i can tell
i’m gonna tell it to you

you’ve got a bellybutton,
he’s got a bellybutton
she’s got a bellybutton too
i’ve got a bellybutton
everybody’s gotta have one
no one’s better than you

it doesn’t matter if you’re black or white
or yellow or red or blue
it doesn’t matter if you’re tall or short
or a little bitty baby in a shoe

it doesn’t matter if you’re a boy or a girl
or a mommy or a daddy too
you can be the king of the world
or have something better to do

cinderella has a bellybutton
snow white has a bellybutton
santa has a bellybutton too
peter pan has a bellybutton
spiderman a bellybutton
no one’s better than you

dalai lama has a bellybutton
buddha had a bellybutton
jesus had a bellybutton
muhammed had a bellybutton
gandhi had a bellybutton
no one’s better than you

george goehring, jerry grant, rod macdonald
© 2011 blue flute music /ascap

i can’t forget the day
my baby went away
no matter how i try i seem to lose
i’m aching from the memory
faithful to my destiny
a guy who’s always true to the blues

all the world seems out of tune
my heart’s an empty room
when love is gone you sure do pay your dues
i’m tossing in my sleep at night
nothing that i do is right
the symptoms are all true to the blues

this time i thought i had found her
the only one designed to be my mate
now tonight there are other arms around her
i guess i’ve got to be resigned to my fate

now the song of love we made
is a lonesome serenade
that follows me on down the avenue
i wallk along and, pity me,
i’m happy in my misery
a guy who’s always true to the blues

whoever thought it could be so hard
learning to crawl
specially if whenever
you try it you fall
and you only just learned
to roll over and all
whoever thought it could be so hard
learning to crawl
then you pull yourself up
and you learn to sit tall
next thing you know you’re
learning to crawl

whoever thought it could be so hard
learning to walk
you need something to hold onto
something for luck
a table, a hand,
a pink plastic truck
whoever thought it could be so hard
learning to walk
then you land on both feet
and you learn to stand up
next thing you know you’re
learning to walk

whoever thinks about
learning to talk
trying to get across your
very first thoughts
then you learn a few words
a few building blocks
next thing you know
you just can’t stop

whoever thought it could be so hard
learning to love
a baby cries ‘cause she
can’t get enough
you’d think it gets easier
it can’t be so tough
but who can you trust when
push comes to shove
and everything starts looking
like a sign from above
next thing you know you’re
learning to love

and the bigger you love
the harder you fall
next thing you know you’re
learning to crawl

who can remember the very first time
you crawled on the carpet or hummed a line
back when you were one year old
who can remember their own first birthday
waiting all year for your second birthday
back when you were two years old

hey look at you, you’re already three
you’re growing up faster than me
oh, that’s the story i’ve been told
with everything you know how to do
i wonder if even you
can remember when you were two years old

what’s the first memory
your mind’s eye can see
a windy day a winding street
you step in from the cold
was it a word was it a kiss
or just someone you miss
or that you had a sister to hold

hey look at you already three
i wonder what your memories
will be when you’re as old as me
i can’t remember for myself it’s true
but i won’t forget knowing you
back when you were two years old

hey look at you already three
in a world only you can see
with lions and tigers and bears with eyes of gold
with everything you know how to do
i wonder if even you
can remember when you were two years old

if I could I’d like to write one good song for you
one good song for you to sing whenever you feel blue
when the world lets you down or tries to blow itself up
if I could write that song, that would be enough

if i could i’d like to sing a word to you so kind
a word so kind it would always bring you peace of mind
a light out in the world, some peace instead of war
that’s the kind of song you’d be looking for

i’d say love is the answer
love is the power
here is the place
now is the hour
let love be here with us all

if I could I’d like to sing one good song for you
one good song for you to sing whenever you feel blue
then if you ever need me, I’ll be there for you
what i’d give if I could sing one good song for you

now there’s a brand new boss
and all the gloves are off
the attack dogs are let out of their cage
the rich want to be sure
the fearful and the poor
stay forever locked up in their rage

and all this talk of change
makes the other guys deranged
it’s amazing how they love that status quo
that’s why they all maintain
the new boss is an alien
then sit back and rake in all the dough

on moron radio
tell the people what you know
we’re countin’ on you to save our liberty
and if your facts are wrong
just make it up as you go along
and you might get promoted to moron tv

it’s a dangerous world out there
everybody has to do his share
don’t let anybody take you for a fool
little johnny 8 years young
really ought to have a gun
in case some 9 year old shoots up his school

now hitler had two legs
the new guy has two legs
do you see where i’m going with this, my friend?
hitler’s number two was joe
the new number two’s a joe
oh my god the nazis are taking over again

the soldiers took 800 men to the edge of town
executed them on the spot, threw them in the ground
somebody video taped it all and asked the people what they thought
they didn’t believe it, said the video was fake without a doubt

‘cause no on wants to believe the people they believe in
would ever really do the things they do
their eyes, their ears, their noses, tell them they don’t want to know
and if it’s true there must be good reason why it’s so

the soldiers piled the prisoners in a human pyramid
put electrodes and a hood on, stripped them to their skins
when people saw the photographs they cried who made this hell
and made the man who legalized it all attorney general

there were two men awaiting trial for killing their wives
one was a celebrity, one was just a guy
they caught the famous actor with a towel full of blood
and a witness who said he offered him 10 grand to shut her up
they didn’t have much evidence on the regular guy
all they ever proved was he had a girlfriend on the side
everytime they asked him he denied the killing spree
they convicted him of murder, set the celebrity free

©1982, 2011 blue flute music/ascap

you don’t have to make conversation
i know you’re here
and here is where I hope you want to be
in the cool of the evening when you
open up your world to me

you’re not gonna need a reservation
you can’t buy a ticket
to security
don’t leave me standing in the station
come on, open up your world to me
i feel like i know you
someplace i can’t describe
and i want to show you
everything i feel inside
i’m right here for you
it’s something i can’t hide
i’m so in love with you
can’t you see that i’m

confessing that you are my inspiration
i’m searching for you
in every face i see
it’s gonna be a celebration when you
open up your world to me

my name it is john king, from liverpool i came
down to london in the spring for to make my name
for i had learned to work the silver, how to bend the blade
and i was carrying a sample of the finest i had made

i went into a shop filled with fine cutlery
and showed the man my handiwork, he just stared at me
and called for a policeman to whom he then did say
“this man’s a thief, he stole this knife, please take him away”

the judge said “son you stole that knife right up off the shelf”
says i to the judge “sir, i made that blade myself”
but i having no money, he a man of worth
he sent me to van deeman’s land, the bottom of the earth

we sailed out on the foamy sea, never to return home
with naught to do but sit below, chained, to weep and mourn
and sit in our own foulness, starving to our deaths
til we arrived in hobart town, eleven of us left

seven years was i a slave, then one day set free
and followed by a policeman who soon arrested me
from high upon his bench the judge said “you’ll be leavin’ soon”
and sent me to port arthur, that very afternoon

so choose your weapon wisely, boys
i’ll make for you a knife
you’re here in port arthur
for the rest of your natural life

port arthur prison is a place not fit for man nor beast
there’s no escape by land, by sea a man will freeze
it’s here the prisoners build the ships of his majesty’s line
to keep the king in empire, the governor in fine wine

there’s been a killing, no one knows whose hand took a life
we’re short a man to build the ships, a new prisoner arrives
here at the bottom of the world, is what my life is worth
it’s i who make the iron bars enslavin’ all the earth

so choose your weapon wisely, boys
i’ll make for you a knife
i’m here in port arthur
for the rest of my natural life

we sit together,
watching the birds
the herons, ducks, ibises, and pelicans.
yesterday we had a blue jay
and today an anhinga
dries its long black wings
in the dying afternoon

the window panes of houses across the lake
reflect a sky turning pink below the blue
and there are no stars yet,
as the sun sinks behind us
where we sit together
watching the birds

the birds of our childhoods
drift by on the breeze,
the robins, cardinals, the red-winged blackbirds
chase across forgotten fields
of soft brown cat-tails,
their shoulders hunched,
their feathers ruffling,
face first into the wind

“hey son, did i ever tell you
i was a catcher when i was sixteen
they asked me to come to Montreal
for the national bank baseball team
i thought about it all winter
finally i turned it down
i came to America
met your mother
and never did go back home”

A cooing dove interrupts the past
stepping into the silence
we hadn’t even noticed
the absence of jet aircraft
cars, trucks, and televisions,
sirens and motorcycles
and then we are back
here and now
where we sit together,
watching the birds

just because you’ve got a few stockholders holding out their hands
you think you have a right to do anything you want to public land
and you’ve lined up all the politicos, dotted all the i’s and crossed the t’s
you’ve thought of everything but one thing you must’ve overlooked is me

‘cause this is my land i own it just as much as you
and if i say we’re gonna keep it green
that’s just what we’re gonna do

just because the world is over-wired with every gadget you could buy
you think the power that we use gives you the right to rule the sky
and your smoke is drifting out over the forests just as far as you can see
you’ve got it all together but one thing you must’ve overlooked is me

‘cause this is my sky i own it just as much as you
and if i say we’re gonna keep it blue
that’s just what we’re gonna do

just because there’s oil ‘neath the waters and profits in the air
you look out on the clear blue sea, you want to drill most anywhere
and you’re fouling up the beaches and killing off a million birds and trees
you say nothing can be done but you’re never ever going to convince me

‘cause this is my sea i own it just as much as you
and if i say we’re gonna keep it clear
that’s just what we’re gonna do

just because it’s expensive to change the way you do the things you do
you want to ignore everything the things you do have brought the climate to
and it’s getting warmer everyday and still you pretend that you don’t see
you can go on like you’re doing but you’re gonna have to do it without me

‘cause this is my world i own it just as much as you
and if i say we’re gonna keep it cool
that’s just what we’re gonna do

listen can you hear it, the sound of a society
where no one ever takes any responsibility
everything’s presented as if it were all pre-ordained
no one can change anything, no need for someone to explain
the politician says the budget was unable to be balanced
justice failed to be observed, mass weapons undetected
the environment was unconcerned, the votes were not respected
the people failed to notice when their privates were inspected

well i just want to say the opinions in this or any song
don’t necessarily represent (my hosts or sponsors)
so if you have a problem with this or any other song
i just want to say so you don’t get it wrong
i’m singing this one on my own

imagine if you applied this principle to your own life
think of all the things you could say are out of your control
the material has not been learned, the exam failed to be studied for
sleep was not disturbed, my job was not attended

tthe television’s full of people killing each other randomly
the cinema’s aglow with psychos, vampires and the walking dead
the army’s building robots so it can invade just anyone
the well trained assassin says its just a job that must be done

chorus (my fellow musicians)

it must be wonderful to be a leader (the people were not educated)
to have the power to do so much (peace was not pursued)
to fix the problems of our time (poverty was unaffected)
pass the profits all around (no crimes were ever proven)

 

what if you make it personal, say: my addiction was predestined
my career failed to happen, my life was never lived
wouldn’t it be great if we could simply be restarted
so everything could be repaired with no effort from ourselves

chorus (my friends and family)

the general said “you’re young i guess you don’t understand
we’ve got to have these things in case it gets out of hand.”
i say “what if they are like you always got to be on top?
isn’t there some way to end it, isn’t there someplace to stop?”
“what if everyone thought like you?” the general said to me
“oh what a vulnerable country we would be.
what if everyone thought like you?” the general said to me
i say “there would be some peace...”

the broker said you’re young I guess you don’t comprehend
these people all walking around got to have some money to spend.
and how can there be any money if we don’t sell the things we can build?”
i say “why don’t you build something else to use without having to kill?”
“what if everyone thought like you?” the broker said to me
“oh what a poor nation this would be.
what if everyone thought like you?” the broker said to me
i say “there would be some peace...”

stop the war, stop the war, stop the war within yourself
and you won’t need to fight with someone else

the newsman said “you’re young I guess you don’t see the light.
it ain’t what goes on during the day, it’s what goes out to the people at night.
the people, they like a good show, how can you deny them their due?”
i say “what does that say about us and what does that say about you?”
“what if everyone thought like you?” the newsman said to me
“oh what a boring world this would be.
what if everyone thought like you?” the newsman said to me
i say “There would be some peace...”

last night i dreamed of my old home
my sister and i, when we were young
the yellow sun shone through flow’ring trees
we rode the old familiar streets
the faces of old friends were near
the smiles of childen bright and clear
my mother sang our favorite songs
my father worked his patch of ground

when i awoke i was far away
in a land where only yesterday
after forty years of tyranny
the foreign armies had to leave
and as i walked the streets of town
with my new friends who call it home
in the air so newly free
this is what they said to me:

“i would not love my country more
for victories in foreign wars
i did not love my country less
when it was occupied and oppressed
not for some politicians’ speech
but for the people strong and free
the land so green, the sky above
these are the country that I love”

now who can say what takes a man
far away from his own land
and yet his dreams will take him home
back to the land where he was born
to walk the old familiar roads
and see the faces young and old
the land so green the sky above
these are the country that i love

days of rain, when will it ever end
she stares out the window at the blackened sky
we watch the news of the passing hurricane
radar pictures of some giant eye
and the world looks very dark today she said
might as well go back to bed again
make some coffee, read the paper, watch the news on tv
make love to the rythym of the rain
make love to the rythym of the rain

days of rain, when will it ever end
seems like yesterday the water was running dry
fires were burning out on the edge of town
even this won’t be enough to get us by
and the world looks very dark today she said
might as well go back to bed again
make some coffee, read the paper, turn the tv off
make love to the rythym of the rain
make love to the rythym of the rain

the weatherman says it’ll pass us by this time
the big storm’s gonna miss us, we’ll survive
someone else on up the coast will have to dig out from the damage
someone else will be on tv saying ‘thank god we’re alive’

days of rain, when will it ever end
electricity’s in very short supply
lightless traffic signal swinging in the wind
no one driving, the water’s still too high
and the world looks very dark today she said
might as well go back to bed again
light some candles, make some music, nothing much to do
make love to the rythym of the rain
make love to the rythym of the rain

when i lived in new york city
i worked for a man from tel aviv
he ate lunch every day with ali
at the cafe up the street
ali came from lebanon
they’d eat lunch for just an hour
stand up, wave their hands and shout
say okay, see you tomorrow

the man from tel aviv said maybe
they should let the israeli army
go in and clean out every one
in lebanon who’s got a gun
and the man from beirut said oh really
look at the land israel is stealing
now you want to make us hunted
i thought peace was what you wanted

picture two americans in the land of the free
free to speak their minds, free to disagree
why can’t you and me?

we do want peace said the man from israel
that’s why we’re doing what we’re doing
the man from beirut said it’s a pity
you can’t have peace and still keep shooting
and they drank coffee and shared a pastry
citizens of their adopted country
checked the papers for their portfolios
said ok, see you tomorrow

i asked my boss how can you stand
to eat lunch every day with this man
he said we share one thing together
back home, we’d be trying to kill each other

it brings us around to you and me
you can see what you want to see
you say we’ve got to go kill them there
or they’re gonna come and kill us here
well i don’t have to buy it
and if i were you i would get wise
but since you’ve already made your mind up
i hope you make it back alive

picture two americans in the land of the free
free to speak their minds, free to disagree
it’s just you and me

when you decide to return again to the land that raised you
you find yourself traveling back to your new england home
and you’re passing through
and you run into somebody i used to know
tell her i been thinking about her in the coming of the snow

and if you’re standing on the pier by the empty harbor
and the fishing boats are lying quiet until the spring
and you need a fire to sit beside while the winter weaves out its cloak
tell her i been thinking about her in the coming of the snow

and if you awaken with her long hair spread across your shoulder
and the day outside is as dark as her eyes
take care to hold her close into the morning
and she will be true to you if you love her more than i

and if you’re traveling in the woods i used to walk along
and you find her out there standing in the falling leaves
and a chill should pass through the arms that cradle her longing
you know you can take her hand one more time for me

used to know a ballerina
she could dance from her head to her toes
she came to me and said i could love you long
sometimes we whispered each other’s names out low

she said i could never be tied to being anybody’s fool
and we would linger in each other’s arms
in the evening when the nights got cool

she turned from me to another man
who said devoted she must be
and the price he paid for her accepting that
was to follow every order she would speak
soon he was dancing to her every line
sampled every song and every taste
he would tell her how she danced so well
but he would do the dancing in her place

ballerina why don’t you dance with me
ballerina darling can’t you see
the moon and the stars are moving over to make room for you to shine
you were so beautiful when you were all alive

i wished her well and they went off to marry
they moved to some pleasant town
i hear he’s making a living doing tax accounts
she dances when the weekends come around
i saw the ballerina in a dream last night
a butterfly who folded up her wings
crying for the beauty she’d left behind
she was crying for so many things

yes i knew a ballerina
everybody said she seemed to fly
and when the music stopped she reached for somebody
who’d keep on telling her those lies
ballerinas come and dancers go
i think about her every now and then
and i will dance again with you i know
but i don’t need no ballerina again

after the war
©1980, 2008 fred pohlman (blue flute music, ascap)

it seems like only yesterday
i held you in my arms this way
and told you that i love you
was that so wrong

now just one year has come and gone
i must admit the war’s been won
and i’ve lost you in the fires of my love song

yes it seems like just a dream ago
our children played on fields of snow
the rain would bring the flowers of may
and i told you that i love your ways

now the clouds they block the sun
in just one year the war’s been won
and i’ve lost you in the fires of my love song

they were so cold in here
i’m growing old my dear
but i’ll see you in my dream
and i’ll hold you in esteem
they were so bold in here

american jerusalem
©1978 rod macdonald (polygram international/ascap)

new york city rain
i don’t know if it’s making me dirtier or clean
went for the subway but there was no train
and the tunnel was crumbling for repairs again
and the sign said welcome to american jerusalem

i’ve been around
you could spend forever looking for a friend in this town
and all you get to do is lay your dollar down
till you’re stumbling drunk up the stairs again
and the sign says welcome to american jerusalem

in the temples of american jerusalem
they buy an ounce of south african gold
they don’t care who was bought or sold
or who died to mine it
in the temples of american jerusalem
they buy an ounce of marseilles white
somewhere on a street with no light
somebody dies trying it

and somewhere in a crowd
looking the kind of way that makes you turn around
will be somebody who knows what it’s about
and she’s going to take the ribbons from her hair again
and welcome you to american jerusalem

in the alleys of american jerusalem
the homeless lie down at the dawn
the pretty people wonder what they’re on
and how they afford it
in the ashes of american jerusalem
the prophets live their deaths out on the corner
the pretty people say there should’ve been a warning
but nobody heard it

then shadows lick the sun
the streets  are paved with footsteps on the run
somebody must’ve got double ‘cause i got none
i forgot to collect my share again
so go west to breath the cleansing air again
go niagara for your honeymoon again
go on the road if you’re going to sing your tune again
go to sea to learn to be a man again
till you come on home to american jerusalem

soldiers
©2007 rod macdonald (blue flute music/ascap)

some people are born to be soldiers
they’re the ones who answer the call
we gratefully accept their service
to stand up and fight for us all
we send them off to do our bidding
and if i were a fly on the wall
i’d hate to see even one soldier
die for nothing at all

i had a friend who  was a soldier
we sat out on my front lawn
he said i don’t know why i’m going
or what it is to be done
i mean isn’t it their country
who are we to be butting in
he went off to the jungle
and i never did see him again

some people aren’t born to be soldiers
but they end up soldiers anyway
me i was never a soldier
and i don’t regret it today

some people are born to be spectators
they stand on the sidelines and cheer
they’re never the ones who are going
but they support it, year after year
they invest in the oil and the weapons
make deals in the fine marble halls
and when the soldiers come home broken
they give them back nothing at all

some people say how ‘bout a little something
to support the men and women over there
some public statement it’s the right thing
some patriotic words of prayer
then why are they only called heroes
when their names end up on some wall?
i pray those born to be heroes
don’t die for nothing at all
some people are born to survive it
to watch their brothers in arms fall
me i was never a soldier
and i don’t regret it at all

some people are born to be soldiers
civilians tell them what to do
where to go and who to kill
and especially who to answer to
they fight the good fights and the bad fights
so we can all think we’re standing tall
‘cause we hate to see even one soldier
die for nothing at all

half heaven half heartache
words & music by shcroeder/goehring/gold
©1962 a schroeder international LLC

my arms reach out for you
i kiss you tenderly
but when you touch my lips
you’re kissing him not me
why must it be?

half heaven half heartache
my loving you darling
can’t you forget that other love you knew?

within your angel eyes
a world of dreams are there
but i keep wondering
if they are mine to share
oh it’s just not fair

half heaven half heartache
my loving you darling
oh let my love be strong enough
to take away the heartache
and make my life
a heaven on earth with you

i’ll walk in the highlands
©1993 rod macdonald (blue flute music/ascap)

whenever we measure life’s greatest treasures
the simplest of pleasures is often most high:
to hold and to cherish a love that won’t perish
and to walk in the highlands with you by my side.

oh, well i remember the first of november;
the frost on the heather, i followed the tide.
west through the islands our ship sailed in silence
and never the highlands again have i spied.

how many lifetimes i’ve wandered
since i took adventure my bride?
how many good lives squandered
victory and justice denied?

at the end of my story, come fortune or glory,
or only to answer for blindness or pride,
if there’s a heaven, one thing i believe in,
i’ll walk in the highlands with you by my side

after the singing
©1987 rod macdonald (blue flute music /ascap)

when we were sailors we had four songs
one for the girls in the harbor towns
two for the weather, three for the nightwatch
four for the rum that washed it all down
you can’t change the wind, only change the sail
after the singing we would sail on

when we were soldiers we had four dreams
one for the flashing bombs and terrified scenes
two for the stretchers, three for the marches
four for our sweethearts where our homes had been
some of us made it home, some went down alone
after the dreaming we would fight on

when we were magicians we had four fires
one for the transforming of desire
two for the cleansing, three for the healing
four for petitioning the heavenly choir
we made rings of stone to be remembered long
after the fires had cooled down

when we were children we had four cups
one for the songs our parents taught us
two for the wishes, three for the marbles
four for the seasons that came on us
through field and street, we played hide and seek
after the childhood we would play on

when we were outlaws we had four kings
one who wore his hair down in golden rings
two who went to war, three who were murdered,
four who claimed to rule over everything
and though they banned the green, they could not seed the queen
after the kingdown we were free men

when we were troubadors we had four songs
one for the legends we were handed down
two for the heroes, three for the dancers,
four for the stories we passed on
we walked together a time, down these roads of rhyme
after the singing we would move on

white buffalo
©1976 rod macdonald (blue flute music/ascap)

they say you’ve got to lose before you can win
they say you’ve got to choose before you can give in
and you’ve got to cut loose to get back again
and it’s a long way back home

they say you’ve got to fall before you can land
they say you’ve got to crawl before you can stand
and you’ve got to lose it all to get what you planned
and it’s a long way back home

(chorus)
and it’s a long way, a long way back home
when you’re standing on some place you’ve never known
and I might see you where the rivers flow
like me you’re looking for white buffalo

they say you’ve got to die before you can live
they say you’ve got to cry before you can give
and you’ve got to say goodbye before you can come back in
and it’s a long way back home

they say you’ve got to seed what you’re going to grow
they say you’ve got to need what you’re going to let go
and you’ve got to believe what you’re going to know
and it’s a long way back home

(chorus)

so i say to you farewell for we will meet again
in the hottest flames of hell i could only call you friend
and when you hear that final bell, do not ask whose round you’re in
til you’ve found your way back home

(chorus)

wings of light
©1981, 2008 rod macdonald (blue flute music /ascap)

wings of light come streakin’ in
this place where i am sleepin’ in
rays of light come streakin’ in
the world’s too tight or so it seems

wings of light come see me through
my body waits, i’ll follow you
wings of light come see me through
my body’s still, my soul’s with you

rays of light they seem alive
like someone’s waiting on the other side
someday my body will cease to shine
but i won’t need it at the time

if i raise my head to see your face
the shadows move, you fade away
if i light the candle to look around
you disappear before me now

every living thing
©1983 rod macdonald (blue flute music/ascap)

seems like there ought to be a way
to look each other in the eye
to see we’re all in this together
and put all thoughts of victory aside
seems like there ought to be a way to
turn some fear into trust
no matter what you say, there has to be a way
every living thing
is counting on us

seems like there ought to be way
to separate the freedom from the flag
to see what’s real in the illusion
sometimes a beauty walks around in rags
seems like there ought to be agreement
we would rather live in peace than fight
no matter what you say, there has to be a way
every living thing
is on our side

seems like if there’s a god in heaven
we must’ve been put here to get along
to see that life is for the living
to leave alive the living when we’re done
seems like this ship out on the ocean
must fly on the wings of the dove
no matter what you say, there has to be a way
every living thing

is reason enough

ray and ron died the same week, i knew them most of my life
their stories filled the tv news, that’s what happens when you die
ray was a musician ron was a president
when ray sang where’d the money go ron knew where it went

ray came from poverty was blind his adult life
ron came from california with his cowboy hat so white
ray played with an orchestra and a voice that’d make you cry
ron never met a weapons system he didn’t want to buy

when ray sat down at the piano bobbing ‘round the microphone
every word came from the heart and spoke to you alone
ron spoke on television in a voice you’d always known
so well he could sell you things you knew were completely wrong

ron said “ketchup is a vegetable we need more bombs in space
trees pollute more than people and nuclear power is safe
lower taxes on the rich will benefit the poor below”
ray got busted for drugs and ron said “just say no”

i wonder what ron would have to say if you asked him about ray
he’d probably make a great speech, that would be his way
he’d say “ray had so much soul it filled him to the brim
instead of naming all this stuff after me they oughta name it after him.”

yeah, ray and ron died the same week, i knew them most of my life
their stories filled the tv news, that’s what happens when you die
ray was a musician ron was a president
when ray sang where’d the money go ron knew where it went

you want to say who can and who can’t fly
you want to say who has and has no rights
you want to make some people disappear
give no explanation, year after year
you want to say what i can and cannot know
and always where i can and cannot go
what’s the reason for it all, haven’t you heard
terror is a very magic word

you tell me i should just do what i’m told
it’s been going on this way since days of old
you tell me i have to live in fear
and it’s going to keep goin’ on like this for years
you want to keep me in a constant state
and always give me somebody to hate
you’ve reasons for it all, i’ve been assured
terror is a very magic word

if there’s a danger that some passing stranger means violence instead of love
using fear for advantage you’re doing more damage than even your enemy does

you want the power to say who lives and dies
the power to say what’s true and what is lies
the power to keep yourself in power when
the people want to have your power end
you want to play the god and wield the fire
and always without questioning your own desires
how long until this disease is cured
terror is a very magic word

are you sure there’s no reason for the rise this season in threats from distant lands
what is it in your actions that breeds dissatisfaction with the work of your hired hands

you want to give the orders and be obeyed
you want to be supported in a luxurious way
you want it to be someone else’s health
jeopardized for the sake of your own wealth
you want to be the one who’s in control
and always tell me what’s good for my soul
when you’re so far from knowing, it’s absurd
terror is a very magic word

I get a card every couple days
a smiling face looks at me and says have you seen us,
we’re missing
here’s one from 1995 ten years she’s been alive
and already she’s
missing
here’s another 1994, red hair, brown eyes, five feet four, and already she’s
missing

where do the missing go
with who and do they even know they’re
missing
it says right here on this card
135 children have been recovered from what i believe was
missing
i haven’t seen you but if i did
i’d look you in the eye and say hey kid are you
missing

well if you’re out there and lost telephone home at whatever cost and say
hey remember me
i’m missing

let me tell you why i love america
it’s a place where a guy can rise so high
i started out with nothing but my brains and some muscles
now i’m reaching right up to the sky
hey look at me i’m the governor of california
they say i’ve no experience but they’ll see
in my last picture i saved the world from aliens
how hard can a simple budget be?

everybody wanted to be governor of california
that’s why i’m honored the voters elected me
all i had was friends and 30 million dollars
and the networks showing my movies every night on tv

some people say i’m no friend of women
just because i groped a few along the way
that’s why i brought my wife here to say a few words
not like that one in total recall i had to blow away

hey look at me i’m governor of california
they say i’ve no experience but they’ll see
in my last picture i saved the world from miami
how hard can a simple budget be?

here’s my program to deal with all those taxes
those deficits and blackouts and all that stuff
since every story deserves a happy ending
i’m gonna light a big explosion and blow everything up

hey look at me i’m governor of california
they say i’ve no experience but they’ll see
in my last picture I saved the world from myself
how hard can a simple budget be?
now who’s gonna save the world from me?

if we didn‘t have you we’d have to invent you
it surely wouldn’t do to have no one like you
don’t the people need someone, someone to be afraid of
and that’s you
that’s why i love you like i do
my beloved enemy

you’re the one who makes us rally, ready for the fight
the one who makes us rise up sure that we are right
to use our might and target someone who
is just like you
that’s why i love you like i do
my beloved enemy

you strike fear in our hearts
it’s important to our leaders
that we keep on believing you would
kill us if you could
still i wonder if you would
is that really you
why do i love you like i do?
my beloved enemy

children hide under your desks, someday you’ll study napalm
better ways to hit the target when you’re dropping bigger bombs
raise that flag on high boys, god must be on our side, boys
they’re hiring and daddy’s got a job to do
that’s why i love you like i do
my beloved enemy

send the soldiers overseas,
take the taxpayers’ money
we’re making making profits you won’t believe
get it back in contributions
to keep us re-elected,
it’s a wonderful solution thanks to you
no wonder i love you like i do
my beloved enemy

listen there it is again, that face up on the screen
the voice says there’s a danger, someone no one has seen
is going to try and hurt us, we must strike before they do
it doesn’t matter who
there will always be a you
my beloved enemy

while you were outside having a smoke some guy walked in the back way
gave everybody a $100 bill bought a round of drinks and after he paid
he slipped out again by the back door
i tell ya, this ain’t no joke
you missed a free drink and $100
while you were outside having a smoke

while you were outside having a smoke you wouldn’t believe what went down
a playboy playmate and her lesbian lover got out on the dance floor with each other
and everybody stared as chrissie and cheryl
got down to the wreck of the edmund fitzgerald
for the whole song nobody spoke
while you were outside having a smoke

while you were outside having a smoke, they had a two-for-one special on gin that was sloe
passed out free meatballs and glasses of beer, some guy hit a home run, everybody cheered
the guitar player tuned for what seemed a half hour
played two notes and a string broke
they had to sing some thing called a capella
while you were outside having a smoke

while you were outside having a smoke some guy was watching tv
took a piece of paper out of his pocket said “hey everybody i won the lottery!”
he bought this bar and fired the band
just so he could sing karaoke
i had to buy it back with my tip jar money
while you were outside having a smoke

while you were outside having a smoke they paid everybody back for enron
cleaned up all the air and water, disarmed all the nuclear bombs
taxed the billionaires to feed the hungry
made health care so cheap you could croak
that’s when world peace broke out all over
while you were outside having a smoke

what's that you're saying baby, why don’t i treat you right
don't love you anymore like i did that night
we checked into that motel after driving all day
had a couple drinks and got carried away
well here i am baby spread eagled on the bed
wearing nothing but a smile and the words you said

why don’t i treat you right
how ‘bout i treat you right
i’m gonna treat you right
right now
right now

you can pull my leg, baby, you can count my toes
you can touch my forehead trace my lips and nose
you can scratch my back send me deep into the zone
you can tickle me behind the knee and work my funny bone
you can cover me with kisses and see if i reply
you know there's so much more to me than meets the eye

you know i got up early, i been working all day
you stand there staring at me til i just got to say
baby take your shoes off, leave 'em on the rug
give your hair a little shake and give me that shoulder shrug
prepare to fight the good fight and go the extra mile
if we don’t make it back alive let’s leave here with a smile

hello there little girl
welcome to the world
i’m the one who’s driving you backwards down the road
you were born with your eyes open
soon enough you cried them closed
it’s a mean old world, yes i know
and who am i to say it’s all right, don’t be sad
hello there little girl
i’m your dad

hello there little girl
welcome to the world
i’m the one who’s checking you when you’re sleeping
you’re lying there so quiet in the middle of the night
i just want to make sure you’re still breathing
and who am i to say hush now, don’t be scared
hello there little girl i’m your dad

i’m the one who sang to you
so your mom could get some sleep
when you were kicking her so hard inside her
we could almost see your feet

hello there little girl
welcome to the world
i’m the one who’s singing you this song
it’s 3 a.m., your mom’s asleep
you’re wide awake here next to me
i will remember this my whole life long
And who am i to say this ol’ life ain’t so bad
hello there little girl i’m your dad
and who am i to say these are the best times i've ever had
hello there little girl
i’m your dad

we lost a fence and the power’s out
they say it’ll be down for days
our favorite tree’s been stripped of leaves
but the windows and roof are ok
there’s a curfew in town from dusk to dawn
to keep would-be looters at bay
and down in the tropics another hurricane’s coming
they say it’s only days away

and we’re the lucky ones
say a prayer for those who lost their homes t
hank you for asking, yes we’re fine
we’re the lucky ones this time

it’s too hot to sit in the house and sweat
so we went across town a few streets
sat in a bar with air conditioning
watching the news on tv
there’s a woman standing in her living room
with the water up over her knees
and all she has left is a photograph album
and a box of old jewelry

we’re the lucky ones
raise a glass to those who’ve come undone
thank you for asking, yes we’re fine
we’re the lucky ones this time

some sun-drenched morning we’ll cross the bridge to the island
we’ll go down and try on the ocean for size
turn ‘round in the water, watch the palm tres swaying
and we’ll say “so this is paradise”

we ran out of groceries and had to go shopping
in the heat of the afternoon
traffic was crawling around trees that had fallen
on the six lane avenue
we pulled up to a crossing where the lights were broken
wondering who’d make the first move
twelve lanes of drivers eye-balling each other
and every single one of us knew

we’re the lucky ones
say a prayer for those who've lost their homes
thank you for asking, yes we're fine
we're the lucky ones
raise a glass to those who’ve come undone
lend a hand on down the line
we’re the lucky ones this time

was that you i saw in the rain
last night at the ball and chain
when i went outside and got down on my knees
that’s when you went drivin’ by
you looked so warm and dry
you said “don’t let your dim light die til you hear from me.”

out back by the dry canal
the deputy took three-ring sal
and he polished his badge til she did her trick for free me
i melted into the woods
watching them would’ve done me no good
and i seen that trick so many times it’s killing me

the trucks and the tents unload
on down this back country road
and the people come out looking for some mystery
but me i’m barely alive
strapped to the wheel where the gypsy’s knives
say “don’t let your dim light die til you hear from me.”

the owner he’s got his cane
the snake charmer drives him insane
he sleeps with her wrapped around him like he was a tree
but me i got to hide
the fat lady says i must be her guy
i say “don’t let your dim light die til you hear from me.”

now the moon is full they say
but it’s been rainin’ here for days
i play poker with the gypsy and the girl from the trapeze
i took her for two barrel rolls
but the gypsy, he won my soul
he says “don’t let your dim light go til you hear from me.”

so was that you i saw in the rain
last night at the ball and chain
when i crawled outside and raised up on my knees
that’s when you went driving by
you didn’t even say goodby
just “don’t let your dim light die til you hear from me.”

i’m just as patriotic as the next guy
i love my country, want to look after my family
and i understand that freedom isn’t always free
no you sometimes have to sacrifice
fight for what you believe in
and i believe in freedom, toleration, peace and liberty

ah but those who say you have to go and fight
never send their own to battle, it’s always someone else’s sacrifice
that makes the system go
as long as there’s enough poverty
there’ll be volunteers for the military
while the ones who run the show sit back and watch their millions grow

chorus:
and sacrifice the young to feed the old
sacrifice the hot to serve the cold
sacrifice the patriotic for the gold
sacrifice the truth for the story being told
i’m all right, i’m just looking through the eyes
of my patriotic heart

i’m just as angry as the next guy
i don’t want to see suicide bombers over me
or breathe toxic microfibers in the hall
so they tell you to strike first
before the other guy can hurt you
what if the other guy was never going to strike you at all

ah but then it all gets marketed like a movie
some great adventure across the world, some documentary
and compared to wars in history fought for real causes
againsty slavery, tyranny,
extermination camps
how could there ever be enough oil wells to justify the losses?

(chorus)

i’m just as likely as the next guy
to drive the kids to school or heat the house with fuel
but it makes for strange relations with the world
to suck up to the countries
that sell it to us cheap
while their people hate us and want to kill us in our sleep

and now no one is afraid to bomb civilians
from so high above the soil you can’t even see the oil
or alone in a marketplace with bombs strapped on their chests
one side kills the other in return for killing them
when you look on the down the road, time and time again
all you do is is sacrifice the future for the past

(chorus)

peace now there’s a concept
is it something to maintain coddle, feed, love
or does it just exist on its own terms
a verb
and our job is to
get out of its way
and let it shine let it shine
all over the world
let it shine

peace here in the real world
that’s what we’re talking about
not just some fantasy, ideal, wishful-thinking well-intentioned delusion
but a real thing
alive and kicking up its heels in the face of war
and all you can do is
let it shine

peace peace
i even love the sound of the word
peace peace
what if the very next sound you heard was

peace now there’s an idea
think of all you could give away
what would power, fear, desire and greed have to say?
if all over the world everyone took a moment’s peace
and passed it on

i’ve been trying to find a way
to climb this mountain all day
a trail out on the sand
i’m overwhelmed by what i see
carved out by the centuries
barely touched by man

chorus:
and here i stand before you
my two legs in your wind
i bring my song before you
just to see your face again

i’m not a man who’ll often try
to climb on a place this high
but here i’m not afraid
there are things that go more high i know
the clouds make shadows down below
where my shadow stays
(chorus)

and if i’ve got a tale to tell i must sing my song so well
you will hear it somewhere
for just another man am i who stands here pressed against this sky
raising his voice on high
to you out there

i must go back to where i came
mind the wind, heed the rain
sing a song that’s true
and if this moment in the sun
could be shared by everyone
they’d see the work you do

(chorus)

when i first met her she moved right in
turned around and moved out again
left here sayin’ i don’t feel that way about you
i’d have let her leave, i’d have said farewell
how was i to know she’d ring my bell
stand there sayin’ i just can’t do without you

chorus:
true love, true love
must be a miracle to find
true love, true love
or is it just a state of mind?

then i had a woman who would have stayed
there i was in my own place
shrunk in a corner, avoiding her conversation
i asked her to leave she went away
i was hurting bad in a couple of days
sick of myself and my lonesome situation

(chorus)

and i’ve heard it said for everyone
there’s another soul under the sun
who’ll always know you, just want to be in your future
you have some lovers when you’re young
you have some others and when you’re done
you go on looking for someone who’ll never lose you

ah but i grow weary of starting again
gonna find a lover who’ll be a friend
reach across the night and try to find me
some lonesome highway, some crowded street
i know someday we’re going to meet
i know sometime, you’re gonna walk beside me

(chorus)

it was the best of times, it was the worst of times
in my tale of two americas
one side basking in the glare of self-congratulation everywhere
in my tale of two americas
“and for what” cried the other
“you reward yourselves like thieves
with your guns and your greed”
there were those who thought a military could be used to keep the peace
there were those whose thirst for war would never cease

there were some who say god wants laws based on their religion
in my tale of two americas
there are those who say religion is a personal decision
in my tale of two americas
some dream of a country where they could choose their partners freely
and have their love recognized
some dream of wilderness where wild animals roam free
and there’s not a single oil well in sight
you can buy up all the tvs, newspapers and radios
tell a lie til you convince yourself it’s true
you can spend a billion dollars to attack the other guy
hire some writers to report it like it’s news

and those who never knew war sent other people’s kids to battle
in my tale of two americas
they called each other warriors, sat real high up in the saddle
in my tale of two americas
those who never knew peace looked for someone to attack
hunted terror, left no child alone
they said to stand against them was an unpatriotic act
there are those who say “freedom starts at home”

you can steal a million votes, you can fill the air with lies
in the end you know it’s you who’s gonna lose
if i could have one question i could ask the wise:
what kind of future are you gonna choose?

if money is power
why can’t it buy passion?
if might is power
why can’t it stop these dreams?
if truth is power
then truth leads to knowledge
knowledge to wisdom
and wisdom to peace

chorus:
love is the common ground
the place we stand together
here’s the truth I’ve found
love is the common ground

and when we teach the children
who we are and what we know
we’re the ones who must remember
each of us is born
naked to the boundaries
and the fears of our teachers
so let the children teach us
to share the warmth of the sun

(chorus)

it’s not a simple journey
don’t know when we’ll meet again
here’s one thing I’ll carry with me
in memory of you, my friend

(chorus)

 in the last ten minutes five people have asked me
are you bob dylan?
are you bob dylan?

so i thought i’d come clean in case it was you who asked me
i am bob dylan
i am bob dylan

chorus:
and all i need to know is
what are you lookin’ at?
yeah, what are you lookin’ at?

in the last two weeks ten people have asked me
are you somebody?
are you anybody?
do ya think i look like bob dylan for nothin’?
i am somebody
yes, i am anybody

(chorus)

in the new milennium, the people will ask you
are you with somebody?
are you with anybody?
so if anybody asks you, you can just tell them
you’re with bob dylan
you’re with bob dylan

(chorus)

words & music by bob dylan
© 1963, 1991 special rider music

Oh my name it is nothin'
My age it means less
The country I come from
Is called the Midwest
I's taught and brought up there
The laws to abide
And that land that I live in
Has God on its side.

Oh the history books tell it
They tell it so well
The cavalries charged
The Indians fell
The cavalries charged
The Indians died
Oh the country was young
With God on its side.

Oh the Spanish-American
War had its day
And the Civil War too
Was soon laid away
And the names of the heroes
I's made to memorize
With guns in their hands
And God on their side.

Oh the First World War, boys
It closed out its fate
The reason for fighting
I never got straight
But I learned to accept it
Accept it with pride
For you don't count the dead
When God's on your side.

When the Second World War
Came to an end
We forgave the Germans
And we were friends
Though they murdered six million
In the ovens they fried
The Germans now too
Have God on their side.

But now we got weapons
Of the chemical dust
If fire them we're forced to
Then fire them we must
One push of the button
And a shot the world wide
And you never ask questions
When God's on your side.

In a many dark hour
I've been thinkin' about this
That Jesus Christ
Was betrayed by a kiss
But I can't think for you
You'll have to decide
Whether Judas Iscariot
Had God on his side.

So now as I'm leavin'
I'm weary as Hell
The confusion I'm feelin'
Ain't no tongue can tell
The words fill my head
And fall to the floor
If God's on our side
He'll stop the next war.

You who sleep beside me here in this quiet night
Do you ever wonder how you first came in sight?
the bells of the cathedral were dying in the wind
you looked at me and smiled across your crowd of friends
and I felt a recognition not of someone from the past
but of a true beauty that was meant to last
and I wanted to speak to you or even say your name and get it right
you who sleep beside me here in this quiet night.

You who sleep beside me here in this quiet life
Do you ever wonder how it was you became my wife?
the room was lit by just a candle over by the bed
you walked across the room, stopped and turned your head
and I felt a recognition not from another time
but of the meaning of the words will you be mine
and I wanted to hold you safe from every sorrow or strife
you who sleep beside me here in this quiet life.
˛
You who sleep beside me here in this quiet place
Do you ever wonder about the future we face?
at the sound of thunder I look for shelter for two
and I walk through this world knowing I’ll come to rest with you
and I feel a recognition not of habit or right or wrong
but a feeling of arriving at the place where I belong
and I whisper I love you and leave you to your own state of grace
you who sleep beside me here in this quiet place

(instrumental)
you who sleep beside me here in this quiet night.

The Man Who Dropped The Bomb On Hiroshima
sat eating in a Georgia restaurant
some chicken salad and potatoes
talking ‘bout the one big thing he’d done

I asked him “was there ever a moment
when you wondered ‘am I doing something wrong?’
Did you ever have a moment’s doubt inside you,
you shouldn’t let this one big thing be done?”

He said “You know they never told us what we were carrying
they didn’t want to risk we’d change the flight
when we flew over the pre-programmed co-ordinates
that bomb fell out on everything in sight.”

The Man Who Dropped The Bomb On Hiroshima
said “You know I toured Japan after the war
I had to go see for myself
what it was we dropped that one big thing for.

“In every little airport and hanger
were planes all tooled for suicide attacks
I left there thinking we’d made that war end sooner
and man, I never did go back.”

Then the Man Who Dropped The Bomb On Hiroshima
sat back in his chair and looked my way
He said “All my life I been explaining
the one big thing I did one day.

“All I ever did was serve my country
I loved my wife and worked to raise my kids
and sometimes when the phone rings at midnight
a voice says ‘how could you do what you did?’

“Someday, when I meet my maker
I’ll know if my one big thing was right.”
Then The Man Who Dropped The Bomb On Hiroshima
saluted me, and walked into the night.

Standing by the foot of the driveway
all the stars are shining brightly
trying to talk so quietly
so they won’t wake her family
through the town, they’ve been walking
all evening they been talking
he says You know, I’ve been thinking
would you do one thing for me?
(chorus)
Just one kiss
That’s all I’m asking for
just one kiss
I won’t ask for more
just one kiss

All the streets are dark and empty
his heart’s beating fast and steady
she says You know I’m not ready
to play around with anyone
He hears al!l the words she’s saying
folds his hands like he’s praying
looks in her eyes, says I’m not playing
it’s what I really want
(chorus)

(bridge)
How can goodnight last an hour?
Goodnight and goodnight again
and if he had his way about it
goodnight would never end....

Then he walks her to the entrance
she takes her keys out in the silence
says It was never my intention
to stay so late with you
He says Well then since we’re dreaming
can I see you tomorrow evening
she says Yes and since you’re leaving
there’s one more thing you can do
(chorus)

My neighbors in Delray ate out on Federal Highway
there’s a waitress at Denny’s who remembers
they had loud conversations and hit on all the waitresses
and they weren’t very good tippers
My neighbors in Delray went to Miami one day
worked out on a flight simulator
then my neighbors in Delray stole a plane bound for L.A.
flew it into the World Trade Center

My neighbors in Delray worked out at the gym every day
rented a condo, studied to be pilots
they had rental cars, cell phones, used the library computers in town
struck out with girls in local nightspots
but my neighbors in Delray hated the American Way
and lived only to die for a heaven
where virgins train to serve and Allah is observed
gratefully awaiting to reward them

“Love thy neighbor,” the Bible says
“God is great,” the prophets say
wouldn’t I love to know what God will say
to my neighbors in Delray.

My neighbors in Delray came from countries far away
and lived here freely among us
they studied all the ways of the good ol’ USA
devising ways to destroy us
and my neighbors in Delray got on their knees and prayed
for the strength to leave life behind them
so my neighbors in Delray wouldn’t be around to pay
the price for all of their victims

“Love thy neighbor,” the Bible says
“God is great,” the prophets say
wouldn’t you love to know what God will say
to my neighbors in Delray.

My neighbors in Delray well I really couldn’t say
I would even recognize them
walking thru the mall, or anywhere at all
I know my neighbors all despise them
across the world from Delray they don’t care what the neighbors say
so they would only criticize me
but if my neighbors in Delray are in Paradise today
it would very much surprise me

“Love thy neighbor,” the Bible says
“God is great,” the prophets say
don’t you really know what God will say
to my neighbors in Delray.

Vincent Van Gogh made a painting of Dr Gachet
in 1890, just before he died
the doctor didn’t buy, it in fact Vincent Van Gogh
never sold a painting while he was alive.
It was 15 years later that Vincent’s brother Theo
sold the painting for a price that broke his heart
to a local art collector who sold it some years later
to a genuine dealer of art.

(chorus)
Now the painting Van Gogh couldn’t sell
has become too valuable
for anyone to ever see again
sterilized, humidified, safe from all the prying eyes
wouldn’t Van Gogh be surprised to see his work so highly prized today?
Or maybe he’d turn over in his grave...

Vincent Van Gogh rarely traveled, he never saw America
spent his whole life painting bridges and hay on farms
he didn’t go to cocktail parties or do commercial endorsements
or hit the town with starlets on his arm.
But the painting crossed some borders and the dealer made a profit
when he sold it to a German businessman
who took it to America when he emigrated
just before the Holocaust began.

In America the buinessman’s estate was liquidated,
and a corporate oil executive and his wife
bought the painting for an investment, and took a tax deduction
when he loaned it to a museum all his life.
Then America changed its tax laws and the oil executive’s widow
couldn’t deduct it so she had to change her plan
she put the Doctor up for auction, it sold for 50 million
to a certain businessman from Japan
who took it home to his place, where he’d designed an airless case
and the painting could be safely stored away
for some future businessman to see, but I believe that you and me
have seen the last of Dr Gachet.

He walked into the building, aimed his gun straight down the hall
The enemy ducked out of the doorways, he barely had time to shoot them all
It seemed so real he almost came, but it was just a video game

They were lyin’ on the floor he stepped up to the closest one
He laughed out loud to watch them die as he reloaded his gun
If it was real he’d be insane, but it was just a video game

In the next booth in the arcade the enemy came over the hill
They were threatening from all sides, he had just an instant for the kill
He made their bodies burst in flame, but it was just a video game

He went home to his house, he locked himself into his room
called up his only friend said are you ready for some doom?
I hate my parents, you know I hate everybody in this town
I’m gonna make myself a statement, I’m gonna take somebody down

He flew the plane over the city looking for industrial sites
Hit a hospital by accident, took out the radio tower’s blinking lights
He pretended it was Belgrade, but it was just a video game

He’s hunted invisible alien warriors by ultraviolet light
Assassinated naked cheerleaders from a radio-guided satellite
The only thing he thinks is a shame is that it’s just a video game

Now he’s a poster boy for gun control and the family values crowd
Wants to get him on his knees so youth won’t act so proud
You talk about your freedom as if weapons were your wealth
But when are you going to rise above the violence in yourself?

He walked into the building, took a gun out of his coat
By the time the police got there he’d put a bullet through his own throat
He thought he would have fame, but it was just a video game
No, don’t tell me his name, it was just a video game
If it was real he’d be insane, but it was just a video game

When Angel gets blue, she walks into town
past the bright lights and people, down to the chapel alone
she sits where no one can see her, the bruises and black eyes too
she’s got some thinking to do
when Angel gets blue

He says the “harder I’m workin’, the more I’m falling behind”
til he can’t see his own light for the darkness outside
He takes a drink in the evening, one drink leads to two
and when she tries to break through
that’s when Angel gets blue

When Angel gets blue, she thinks she could leave him
he could be such a good man, if he had someone to believe in
she says Lord I do love him, don’t you love him, too?
What do you want me to do?
When Angel gets blue

So I’m here to tell you something you need to know
there’s someone who loves you, though you’ve hurt her so
what if this were the last time she came walking home to you?
tell me what will you do when Angel gets blue

You see it’s all up to you
when Angel gets blue

We got a little house in town
a few flowers in the ground
couple cars out in the yard
we’re working long and working hard.
People say life is tough
and you can never get enough
Well, I don’t need all that stuff
just as long as we got love.

We got it good and that ain’t bad
the best of times is what we’ve had
I’m loving you and I’m so glad, glad glad
We got it good and that ain’t bad.

Pick any day that you can choose
there’s some disaster in the news
someone who’s life seems born to lose
somebody singin’ the lonesome blues.
People say they would be free
if they’d just win the lottery
I may not be a billionaire
but as long as we got love to share

We got it good and that ain’t bad
the best of times is what we have
I’m loving you and I’m so glad, glad, glad
We got it good and that ain’t bad.

We got it good and that ain’t bad
the best of times is what we’ll have
I’m loving you and I’m so glad, glad, glad
We got it good and that ain’t bad.

There’s a little girl with a great big smile
who keeps walking in front of me
she’s got sun in her hair and an ice cream too
she keeps losing her family
and I’m standing on the midway with my two-inch smile
and a guitar in my hand
while the clowns and the soldiers and the cowboys and Indians
follow the marching band
and with tickets and sodas and cameras and maps
the parents run around in a swirl
I just want to get home to my girl
but I’ve got hours to go
here in Mickey World

There’s a tv set in every corner
there’s a game on every screen
they got hockey and baseball and surfing and golf
and the women’s beach volleyball team
and I’m standing in the corner with my two-beer grin
and a microphone in my face
and the crowd st |ops talking for just a second
when the waitress drops her tray
and I’m Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Danny Boy, Elvis
a diver for yesterday’s pearls
as the couples get up for a twirl
once around the floor
here in Mickey World

Mickey World, can’t you smile a little wider?
Mickey World, can’t you jump a little higher?
Mickey World, can’t you sing a little louder?
Mickey World, it’s so real it almost feels like you’re alive.

There’s a brand new band with a new hit song
from the new hit movie this week
and the entertainment news says I gotta see
their new documentary
and I’m sitting on the couch with my two a.m. sandwich
balanced on my knee
and the movie, the song, the band, and the news
are all the same company
and with the agents and handlers watchin’ me from the shadows
the singer shakes his curls
I head upstairs to my own sweet girl
and leave it all behind down in Mickey World

A little bit of rain, it won’t blind us
we walk along barely noticing
leaving all the troubles of the world behind us
moving like a sail on the ocean

we dance by lightning
you’re so beautiful, out of the dark
we dance by lightning
I believe it’s going to light the spark for us

Why sit at home feeling sorry for yourself
listening to the rain rattling the windows
I can feel you moving like you’re part of myself
C’mon take my hand, step out of the shadows

and dance by lightning
you’re so beautiful, out of the dark
we dance by lightning
I believe it’s going to light the spark for us

Who can explain this natural wonder
we’re together in this spell we’re under
and before the thunder comes the flashing light
we taste the rain on each other’s faces
the sky streaks white with our embraces
and by this grace we find our way in the night

A little bit of rain, it won’t blind us
we walk along barely noticing
leaving all the traffic of the world behind us
moving like a sail on the ocean

© 2000 Rod MacDonald/Steve Eriksson Blue Flute Music (ASCAP)

Steve Eriksson plays this on Recognition in open tuning.

There are so many songs about Ireland
can there be anything left to say?
Still, I find myself singing of Ireland
here in a land far away

Oh I stood on the white cliffs of Dover
seen the sun going down in Key West
and the people come in from all over
all having but one same request

(chorus)
sing me a song of the land that I left
and all of my loved ones I don’t forget
Ireland, Ireland sing me back home again.

There’s something about the music of Ireland
you can go in the world anywhere
and the people love the music of Ireland
even those who have never been there

Where the mountains run down to the sea and
the hills are all covered in green
and the young hearts are broken forever
by the loveliest girls ever seen. (chorus)

So pour me another tall glass and
I’ll sing you one more song
and if you listen real close than the fiddler
and the piper will carry it on
and if you close your eyes and imagine
you’ll find a reason to smile
when you overhear somebody asking
“Can you go back a few thousand miles?” (chorus)

Down in Texas it’s a new century
they’re leading the world in the first degree
Fidel Castro and China too
are executing fewer people than you
the Governor looked at the evidence
found not a single case of innocence
and signed those warrants with his own hand:
137 executions and not one innocent man.

Down in Texas they like to keep it short
get you a county lawyer who‘s a friend of the court
he’s drunk at the trial, you appeal to the state
the judges say “sorry, son, it’s too late.”
If you weren’t poor, if you were white
you’d had a better lawyer and got off light
the judges say “son, you’re just a link in the chain”
138 executions and not one innocent man.

Investigators toured death rows all around
one in seven convicted were eventually found
innocent of murder and falsely tried
how many men in Texas wrongfully died?
some people say we’re too soft anyway
if we kill mistakenly that’s the price you got to pay
and they made that Governor the President
139 executions and not one innocent man.

Tell me how does it feel to have blood on your hands?
145 executions and not one innocent man.

A snake he loves to slither
a cow is born to moo
a porcupine to quiver
and a morning loves the dew
the world loves its balance as a gambler loves a chance
and all the boys love watching when the little girls love to dance.

there’s always a bigger fish
and more than meets the ear
a fool born every minute
maybe there’s one right here
the world loves its balance and without a second glance
it sets the wheels in motion when the little girls love to dance.

there was a man in my hometown
one day he said to me
don’t I remember when you were just
sitting on my knee?
with your cowboy hat and pistols
and your head all full of plans
I stole your gun and said “stick ‘em up”
you threw up both your hands.

The piano loves a tuning
the choir an organ chord
the good knight a cathedral
and a well-tempered sword
the world loves its balance as a psychic loves a trance
and all the lights shine brighter when the little girls love to dance.

A mime loves the silence
the actor a curtain call
the trees love to lose their leaves
when summer turns to fall
the world loves its balance as surfers love their tans
and all the bands play better when the little girls love to dance.

(By Hoyt Axton)

Sometimes I think about the folks back home
and the twelve mile road I used to roam
sometimes I think about a girl name Wille Jean
did she ever get as far as New Orleans?

We used to watch the riverboats from a grassy bank
yeah and drink hot water form a railway drain tank
sometimes I think about a girl name Wille Jean
did she ever get as far as New Orleans?

Sometimes I think about ol’ Saturday’s child
yeah and all the times we were runnin’ wild
sometimes I think about a girl name Wille Jean
did she ever get as far as New Orleans?

People always told me, they said “Boy, you’re gonna come to harm”
now look at me working here on this Hatfield county farm
sometimes I think about a girl name Willie Jean
did she ever get as far as New Orleans?

I know you’re sad
sad at the leaving
I know you hate
for me to see you cry
and as for me
I wish I weren’t going
you know how I always
hate to say goodbye

And then you say
I will always love you
And then you say
I will always be here
that’s when I say
now you’re talkin’, baby
let me kiss away
each and every tear

They say parting
is such sweet sorrow
that’s when you know
how deep it feels
but as for me
I know tomorrow
this love of mine
will still be real.

Have you ever noticed, when you’re being disregarded,
there’s a singular phrase the politicos say
For the good of the country pretend nothing’s happened
Just close your eyes and make it all go away, hear them say

(chorus)
“For the good of America, forget it, cause it’s time to move on”
but the truth is, you know it when you hear it
their lips are moving but they’re doing you wrong

There was a President popularly elected
in the prime of his life gunnned down in his car
they bamed it all on some guy who couldn’t e ven shoot
swore in a new President and went off to war, and they said

There was a ship anchored in a Vietnam harbor
on one summer evening it was blown all to hell
we invaded, lost 40,000 soldiers
years later we found out we blew it up ourselves, and we said

Down in Chile a great democracy was ended
by the military takeover of General Pinochet
who murdered thousands of his own countrymen
under the watchful eye of the CIA, and we said

In Iran they took American hostages and
held them prisoner til our election was done
they released them when our new President was sworn in
who sent them 8 billion worth of weapons in return

All my life I’ve heard people talking
about some sinister conspiracy referred to as “they”
and I wondered who exactly “they” are
but now I know the answer when I hear them say

So remember sometime in your future
some pretender will want to be your leader one day
first he’ll tell you how all your votes just disappeared
then step up to the microphone and give himself away when he says

i went down to St Luke's colisseum
to smoke me an afternoon chunk
it was down to the very last inning
and the usual crowd was drunk
what be the score i inquired
but that crowd so quickly turned glum
for two batters were retired
and that score was none to none

it looked a sad day for the hometeam
to settle for a tie at best
with only one chance left for victory's dream
the next batter being the last
now some folks would be satisfied
to have a tie on a day like this
with that sun gone down in that blue sky
some would go to their beer in bliss

but the Flukes, the Flukes, that's different
the coach squinted like Woody the Great
and unraveling his gnarled fingers
he sent a pinch hitter up to the plate
the umpire adjusted his spectacles
the crowd gasped as if it were one
it was Mojo the loose joints dealer
who'd been sleeping all day in the sun

Mojo he stepped into that batter's box
he stood there straight as a tower
he looked out through his mirrored sunglasses
that hadn't been looked out through for hours
the pitcher he reared back and fired
down that forty five feet sailed that ball
Mojo he just stood there looking tired
and that umpire said nothin' at all

one two three four five pitches
sailed down cross that forty five feet
Mojo he just hitched his britches
till that count was full and complete
that pitcher he looked in there one time
he gave it his very best case
Mojo just blinked one little eye
"Ball four!" said that ump "To first base"

"Well let him go, let him go, God bless him"
sang that coach down there at the base
and the next batter hit a two bouncer
like a grapefruit that shortstop could taste
but Mojo he's heading for second
he calls out to the shortstop "hey freeze"
and that shortstop looks up for a second
and that grounder skipped right through his knees

he threw down his Bucky Dent model
he let out a hellacious word
something like "fluke" but more frontal
and Mojo starts heading for third
then over there on the side line
a dust cloud came into view
took a right turn at the third base line
and straight on down to home plate it blew

the ball came to a stop in the outfield
you could see all its seams at rest
and Mojo he's a-rounding that corner
he's putting the scoreless tie to its test
outfields converged on that spheroid
the catcher he braced for his due
and into that primeval sandstorm
face first the Mojo man flew

from somewhere the far side of baseball
came the sound of leather on man
both benches emptied in unison
"you're out!" came that voice from the sand
"you're crazy" that coach screamed in anguish
as he tore loose his arm from its cast
but that umpire he'd made his decision
he'd called this ball game over at last

but then Mojo says "Uh, Mr Mr Umpire
now don't you be so quick to quit
before you go calling this game over and tired
how bout a look in that there catcher's mitt?"
"Yeah, let's see that ball" came the cry of the home team
and that catcher he stood there so tall
but soon he was lookin' so sheepish
cause that glove was holdin’ nothin’ at all

well they searched for that ball in the backstop
they inquired of sidewalk passersby
they even searched over in Hoboken
'case it crossed the river on the fly
they put Mojo up on their shoulders
they made him king for a day
they took him to the bar and said "Mojo man
how you make that ball disappear in smoke like a j?"

Mojo he says "boys one thing i found
if you're going to survive in the woods
when the men in blue start sniffing around
best thing to do's to just eat the goods"
then Mojo gets up off his barstool
runs into that porcelain goddess and he pukes
and he coughs up the game ball while the players look on
the astonished St Luke's Flukes

"well i'll be a crazy man" says the coach
"i never seen this in the game plan"
and they went to that scorebook and somebody wrote
hello flounder in the sand
now whenever they talk about baseball
they remember that old catcher's mitt
and they say of old Mojo he's the greatest of all
he's that Fluke that won't never say quit

Seven Days
Mark Dann--bass
Bradley Ditto--slide guitar
Evi & Gin Weintraub--harmony vocals
Rod MacDonald--harmonica, acoustic guitar and vocal
©1998, 1999 Rod MacDonald/Blue Flute Music (ASCAP)

Seven days, gonna see my baby
Seven days, gonna see my girl
Seven days, gonna ride that airplane
Seven days, all round the world

Seven days, I will be working
Seven days, I will be here
Seven days, I will imagine
Seven days, you waiting there

Seven days, it takes a letter
Seven days, the telephone
Seven days, is so much better
Seven days, than being alone

Seven days, seems like forever
Seven days, when we're apart like this
Seven days, a hundred sixty-eight hours
Seven days, until we kiss

Seven days, a lot can happen
Seven days, Lord made the world
Seven days, I'll make a living
Seven days, til I see my girl

Seven days, seems like forever
Seven days, til I'm with my wife
Seven days, til I start living
Seven days, the quiet life

No Problem
Ric Pattison--congas
Mark Dann--acoustic bass
Rod MacDonald--kalimba, harmonica, acoustic guitar and vocal
© 1998, 1999 Rod MacDonald/Blue Flute Music (ASCAP)

Remember when life meant you were living
some little apartment on some city street
with the chicken factory across the courtyard
you opened your windows in the summer heat
now you go out shopping, you got to wear a sweater
to go to the mall in a hundred-degree weather
come home to your townhouse and your swimming pool
lie around in the sun looking cool

I have no problem with this
I have no problem with this at all

Remember when life meant hanging out on the street
with the sound of the city pounding all night
sitting on the park bench strumming to the beat
til the skyscrapers faded out in the morning light
now you drive the beach road for the moonlight ride
with the jasmine surf flowing in on the tide
come home to your parking space with the radio on
sit in the courtyard til the stars are gone

I have no problem with this
I have no problem with this at all

I was talking to my wife the other day
wait a minute--when did I get a wife?
she said "y'know, we don't change so much 
we just put on different clothing."
I was looking 'round the house the other day
wait a minute--when did we get a house?
she said "y'know, it's gonna need some work
if it's gonna be worth owning."

Remember when life was in a book you read
something you watched on television
you neglected your body and fed your head
trying to figure out what it was you were missing
now you don't believe there could be anything too drastic
that you can't fix with a little piece of plastic
and you're gonna find the answer, you know you will
but first you got to step outside and fire up the grill

I have no problem with this
I have no problem with this at all

You must be where you belong
or you won't be there very long

I have no problem with this
I have no problem with this at all

Best Defense
Mark Dann--bass and drums
Bob Noble--piano, organ and keyboards
Rod MacDonald--harmonica, acoustic guitar and vocal
©1997, 1999 Rod MacDonald/Blue Flute Music (ASCAP)

In these strident times
a quiet song can be the best defense
just a simple melody
can be a sacrament
a single note resting on a silken thread
can be all the difference between being alive or dead
oh, but you have to be listening
in this I yield to the Mona Lisa
she doesn't shout
she just stares out from behind her bulletproof glass

I've got an old car lots of miles
just won't go too fast
I sit in the right lane
watching all of you go past
I may be late for my own funeral
I may not make it there at all
but at least it's paid off
though it has no air conditioning
in this I yield to Abraham Lincoln
he'd never rush
and he never blushes from behind his marble face

I've been working in a factory that manufactures silence
like pure water it's more and more in demand
and it once was everywhere
and now it's truly rare
but you can buy us at the stock exchange
for fifty bucks a share

Now if you can't get to heaven
there's always the web site
you can get yourself two tickets
 to ride behind that comet
there's just a few of us who know
but hey, if you really want to go
you can pre-order your own harp
if you've got credit
in this I yield to Crazy Horse
he never died
he's still fighting for his people up on that mountain

Days Of Rain
Ric Pattison--congas
Mark Dann--acoustic bass and drums
Bob Noble--organ and keyboards
Evi & Gin Weintraub--harmony vocals
Rod MacDonald--harmonica, acoustic guitar and vocals
©1997, 1999 Rod MacDonald/Blue Flute Music (ASCAP)

Days of rain, when will it ever end
she stares out the window at the blackened sky
we watch the news of the passing hurricane
radar pictures of some giant eye
And the world looks very dark today she says
might as well go back to bed again
make some coffee, read the paper, watch the news on tv
make love to the rythym of the rain
make love to the rythym of the rain

Millionaires in Congress passed another law
tax breaks for all the millionaires and their sons
the party with the money launched an investigation
into where the other party gets its money from
And the world looks very dark today she says
might as well go back to bed again
make some coffee, read the paper, turn the tv off
make love to the rythym of the rain
make love to the rythym of the rain

Weatherman says it'll pass us by this time
the storm won't hit us, we'll survive
someone else on up the coast will have to dig out from the damage
someone else will be on tv saying 'thank God we're alive'

Days of rain, when will it ever end
electricity's in very short supply
lightless traffic signal swinging in the wind
no one driving, the water's still too high
And the world looks very dark today she said
might as well go back to bed again
light some candles, make some music, nothing much to do
make love to the rythym of the rain
make love to the rythym of the rain

Here's A Song For You
Ric Pattison--congas
Mark Dann--bass and drums
Bob Noble--organ and keyboards
Evi & Gin Weintraub--harmony vocals
Rod MacDonald--harmonica, acoustic guitar and vocals
©1997, 1999 Rod MacDonald/Blue Flute Music (ASCAP)

Here's a song for you, doesn't say anything
just a melody and some words to sing
I wouldn't presume to say
what you're feeling on your special day

Here's a song for you just to say it's grand
seeing the two of you walking hand in hand
I'll blow a kiss just to say
may you always feel this way
(bridge)
And may your love pull you through
in all the things that you do
for you've already seen how much better
all that you do is, when you do it together

As for free advice, I've none to give you
But I want to share something intimate with you
Each of us here is blessed
just to share in your happiness

(repeat bridge)

Here's a song for you, let's make a video
turn the lights down low so no one else will know
it's only a song, it's true
and you'll have to share it between you two
so give us a kiss, please do
'cause it's only a song
but it's a song for you

It's A Tough Life
Ric Pattison--congas
Mark Dann--bass and drums
Bob Noble--keyboards
Tracy Sands--harmony vocal
Rod MacDonald--kalimba, harmonica, acoustic guitar and vocal
©1996, 1999 Rod MacDonald/Blue Flute Music (ASCAP)

Here in Florida we know what life is worth
we watch the weather channel, see what's going on up north
then we call up some old friend
say "Charlie, I see it's snowing again;
Me, I'm sitting in my underwear on the porch."

It's a tough life
somehow we make it through
making sure that ocean is still blue
and that warm breeze blows at night 
and that sun still shines it's light
I don't know how we do it, but we do
it's a tough life,
somehow we make it through

I went up north to have a look around
it was five below zero in that rusty town
I took a plane back the same week
I made it directly to the beach
I was in that water before the sun went down

Sure the tourists, they do clog up the roads
and once a year I gotta put on those hurricane boards
but if the wind don't blow us away
and those tourists don't all decide to stay
I think we're gonna make this place our home.

Six Strings & A Hole Big & Round
Rod MacDonald--acoustic guitar and vocal
©1997, 1999 Rod MacDonald/Blue Flute Music (ASCAP)

Went to a concert the other night
big old band, laser lights
girl singers in tight skirts in a row
Eight semis with generators
a dozen cops all wearing heaters
several number one hits in the show

I went home and sat in the dark
took out my old guitar
'cause that's my favorite sound
sat staring at the moon
just picking on this tune
six strings and a hole big and round

You might call me a cliche
but who cares what you say
you weren't there when this was goin' on
And I admit it got me thinking
I could easily be out drinking
with some good friends I have found

But you can't play this 
on the piano
you can't blow this on the slide trombone
let me hear this melody
on your drum machine, give me
six strings and a hole big and round

I know a guy in software design
he's online all the time
just trying to duplicate this sound
But it will never sound as clean
as my old wood machine
six strings and a hole big and round

So all you people out there in the dark
picking on those old guitars
just remember, you are not alone
'Cause somewhere you never knew
there's somebody just like you with
six strings and a hole big and round

 Aucilla River Song
Ric Pattison--congas
Mark Dann--bass and drums
Rod MacDonald--acoustic guitar and vocal
©1996, 1999 Rod MacDonald/Blue Flute Music (ASCAP)

In the long history of Florida
let's go back 12,000 years
when the land was roamed by mastodons
mammoths and short-faced bears
the sea was 100 feet lower then
the coast 70 miles further out
survival depended on finding fresh water
for the first few people coming south

(chorus)
and the Aucilla River flowed under the ground
in its own world of limestone and sand
you could almost believe it was hiding
hiding from human hands

the bisons, the horses, the camels moved on
the sabre-tooth cats all died
along with the glyptodonts and the giant ground sloths
when the first few humans arrived
for the only fresh water was in limestone holes
and ravines deep in the ground
and the human beings with their sharp-tipped spears
were always hanging around

the land grew warmer, the waters rose
the ice age came to an end
rivers flowed over the limestone holes
warm was the winter rain
everything that survived adapted
the river of grass was born
mosquitos and gators found it to be
an excellent hunting ground

twelve thousand years later, what have we learned
the sabre-tooth cats are gone
blue herons, chameleons and plastic flamingoes
are drinking at the country club pond
development harvests the river of grass 
to create more suburban homes
whole species of life are dying of thirst 
as we water our beautiful lawns

Deep Down In The Everglades
Mark Dann--bass and drums
Bob Noble--piano, organ and keyboards
Tracy Sands--harmony vocal
Bradley Ditto--acoustic guitar and harmony vocal
Ric Pattison--congas
Rod MacDonald--harmonica, acoustic guitar and vocals
©1996, 1999 Rod MacDonald/Blue Flute Music (ASCAP)

A plane went down in the Everglades
disappeared without a trace
just a few pieces of metal left around
the people in the seats, the luggage in the bays
the carry-on bags and the beverage trays
all vanished deep into that swampy ground.

The park rangers built a special street
so they could go out and search the debris
but everyone was believed to be lost
by the time they arrived that plane had gone
no one even knew how far it had sunken down
all they could find was a little black box

(chorus)
When a plane goes down the whole world watches
the whole world says "How fragile is
that thread of life we weave our fabric on"
Yeah, but deep down in the Everglades 
we can only stare at the space 
where an airliner from the great sky went down,
rested for a moment and was gone.

The media did their job all right
they had a twenty-four hour crew at the site
they even interviewed the guy who missed the plane
somebody invented a special suit 
so they could go down in pursuit
in that primeval soup and get out the same

The victims' families came there too, 
they said there was nothing else they could do
but stand on that swampy ground and say goodby
and in the halls of power and high finance
they speculated on the chance
that airline could win the lawsuits and survive.

Lightning Over The Sea
Ric Pattison--congas
Mark Dann--bass and drums
Bob Noble--organ and keyboards
Tracy Sands--harmony vocal
Rod MacDonald--kalimba, harmonica, acoustic guitar and vocals
©1997, 1999 Rod MacDonald/Blue Flute Music (ASCAP)

The life he's been living is not what he expected
so far from what he always thought were his dreams
workin' in the bars, driving a beat-up car
down in the southland, making the scene

And at night he likes to go down and stand by the ocean
watch all the lightning out over the sea
lay down the situation, feel part of creation
til the waves wash his feet clean of memories

The life she's been living is not what she expected
she always had the mountains outside the window
but she loved herself a man, down in the southland
and she wouldn't leave him, and he couldn't go

And at night he likes to take her down to the ocean
and watch all the lightning out over the sea
there in the moonlight they hold each other tight
til the waves wash their feet clean of memories

And the loved ones you've known
and the place where you've grown up 
stay in your memory while the rest fades away
but new friends will come
and new dreams will turn up
still you cling to each other at the end of the day

Now there's plastic flamingos growing in the garden
and it's either that sunlight or two feet of rain
but they still run hand in hand into the breakers
and walk on the sand just before hurricanes

And at night they like to go and stand by the ocean (etc.)

Into The Blue
Allan Aunapu--acoustic guitar
Tracy Sands--harmony vocals
Bradley Ditto--acoustic guitar
Ric Pattison--congas
Mark Dann--bass
Rod MacDonald--acoustic guitar and vocals
©1996, 1999 Rod MacDonald/Blue Flute Music (ASCAP)

Got me a Cessna with a single propeller
I keep it at the airport right down the street
I bought my house right next to the airfield
so I can go flying whenever I please
'Cause you gotta keep up on it, there's so much to remember
anyway, there's nothing I'd rather do
than open the throttle and lift off the runway
up through the clouds, into the blue.

Now some guys are flying for big-time airlines
they spend lots of hours in the pilots' lounge
they got perfect haircuts, real good looking uniforms
they're flying thousands of people around
Me I can take any three of you with me
you can leave the window open if you want to
and we'll all be in Key West by sunset
up through the clouds, into the blue.

It's a night landing, we're coming in for a niner
look at those lights down there on the ground
two reds means we're too low, one white, now that's better,
we're all alone here, there's no one around
no one around
no one around

So attention all traffic, we're clear for departure
if you listen you can hear the propeller say
fasten those seat belts and that shoulder harness
a couple of seconds and we're on our way
Look at those cars lined up down there on that highway
where they're all going, I never knew
but I'll tip my wings and I'm taking you with me
up through the clouds, into the blue.

Fear
Rod MacDonald--acoustic guitar and vocal
Mark Dann--bass
©1997, 1999 Rod MacDonald/Blue Flute Music (ASCAP)

I live in a country with the greatest military in the history of the world
why then am I so afraid?
afraid for the starving children who need my contribution
when it's three o'clock in the morning and I'm watching my television

Afraid for my loved ones
afraid they'll leave me alone
afraid there's no heaven
and hell's on the phone

Afraid for my job, I'll wake up and it's gone
afraid of my neighbors, and of the cops in town

In fact, if you gave me a chance
I'd be afraid of everyone different than me

I'd be afraid I'm not afraid enough
but I'm afraid that to be so afraid
misses the point, you see:

I live in a country with the greatest military in the history of the world;
why can't they protect me?

Sundancer
Mark Dann--bass
Bob Noble--strings and keyboards
Michael Moses--frame drum, clay pot, shaker and kalimba
Rod MacDonald--ankle bracelets, acoustic guitar and vocal
©1987, 1999 Rod MacDonald/Blue Flute Music (ASCAP)

From the dark of the earth you come, to the depths of the earth you go
for all of your travelling there's one thing for certain you know
from the moment you're born to the moment you die
takes no longer to pass through time than the twinkling of an eye

Wake up Sun Dancer
feel the warmth of the sun
in all of the many around you
you are the one
wake up Sun dancer
your time has come
and know that in this great hour
you are not alone

Feel the wing of the bird in your hand, feel the breath of the wind in your feet
every movement you make speaks to the heart of me
As you trace the directionless sky, as you as you step to the unnumbered beat
know that your are the Creator of everything you see

Oh my father the sun
my mother, the earth
with our prayers and our souls and our bodies
we come seeking rebirth
into a world of peace
now I can hear it call
and a hundred and forty-four thousand
shall dance for us all

Oh let the sun beat down on my weary eyes
I've no use for these tears anymore, I've come to bid them goodby
tell the cities and the towns this prayer before I fly
in this great land I was born and for all countries I cry

Wake up Sun Dancer
feel the flowing of the sun
for so long you've been just a dream
now you are the one
wake up Sun Dancer
your time has come
and know that in this time of living, this lifetime
you are not alone

The Cure For Insomnia (instrumental)
Michael Moses--gourd, marimba, triangle
Rod MacDonald--kalimba
Bill Walach--mandolin
©1999 Rod MacDonald (Blue Flute Music-ASCAP)

My girl told me she’d had enough
of all my songs about losing love
She said “What are you afraid of, that you’re gonna lose
your audience if you give up the blues?”
So I took out some paper, and I did what I do:
I wrote up a song, Ma, just for you.
Well, it’s not very deep and it’s not very long;
it’s just to tell you, Ma, what’s going on:

I didn’t have time, I didn ‘t have money
I didn’t have love, and that ain’t funny
then I found me a girl and a job with pay
I’m telllin’ ya, Ma, everything’s okay
I’m happy all the time

Now I never get sorrow, I never get blue
I don’t even get lonesome and you know what’s new
I ask no questions, I tell no lies
I’m telling ya, Ma, you’d be surprised
I’m happy all the time

Used to be a sad sack, whinin’ and a-cryin’
I was sick of my life and afraid of dyin’
now I’m feeling so much better, just the other day
the woman I love said she just might stay

So tell all the ladies down at the club
your boy’s all right, Ma, he’s in love
she’s pretty and clean, she loves me, too
she’s smarter than me, and nothing like you, and
I’m happy all the time

Black haired man, leanin’ on a fence,
local people say “It don’t make no sense,
sittin’ and watchin’ that evenin’ sun go down.”
Sittin’ and munchin’ on a piece of grass,
watchin’ them local folks walkin’ past,
sittin’ and watchin’ that evenin’ sun go down.

Now the local fellow says “I shoulda knowed
we got a black haired man leanin’ by the road,
sittin’ and watchin’ that evenin’ sun go down.
Hey, black haired man, by whose okay
are you just sittin’ there munchin’ that hay,
sittin’ and watchin’ that evenin’ sun go down?”

The black haired man says “You talkin’ to me?
I work for the Department of Scenery,
sittin’ and watchin’ that evenin’ sun go down.
And every day when that sky gets clear
I get twenty-five dollars for sittin’ right here,
sittin’ and watchin’ that evenin’ sun go down.”

Now the local fellow says, “I do declare,
we got a smart one sittin’ right over there,
sittin’ and watchin’ that evenin’ sun go down.
You know, smart ones have been known to disappear,
you don’t see ‘em leave but they ain’t around here,
sittin’ and watchin’ that evenin’ sun go down.”

The black haired man says “As for me,
I go where I like, I do as I please,
sittin’ and watchin’ that evenin’ sun go down.
And Mister, I got me a job to do,
if you don’t mind I’d like to get back to
sittin’ and watchin’ that evenin’ sun go down.”

Now the local fellow says ”Well, is that so,
I guess we’re gonna have to let you go,
sittin’ and watchin’ that evenin’ sun go down.
But I know that if I was you
I wouldn’t be there when that sunset’s through,
sittin’ and watchin’ that evenin’ sun go down.”

And the black haired man, he whispers low
“Forgive those ones who just don’t know
sittin’ and watchin’ that evenin’ sun go down.
That sun is big and it’s red and it’s gone,
I believe it’s time I’m movin’ on,
sittin’ and watchin’ that evenin’ sun go down.”

She was sittin’ in a restaurant one Sunday afternoon,
watchin’ her older sister work the tables in the room.
She ordered up the special: seven courses and dessert,
sat there at the counter in her blouse and her skirt.
He was sittin’ at a table on the edge of the crowd
with a group of people who were partyin’ loud.
She looked over disapprovingly; alone, he caught her eye.
When he winked at her she looked away
and just let it go by.

Chorus:
Ain’t it funny how your life can change.
In a moment’s glance it’s all re-arranged.
You find yourself singing (2d v: humming, 3rd V: living) a different tune,
on any old Sunday afternoon.

She polished off her soup and salad and her entree,too,
and went off to the ladies’ room to tighten up her do.
When she got back her dessert had been mysteriously moved
to the chair at that table in the corner of the room.
At first she was offended, thought someone had done her dirt,
but the more she thought about it, the more she wanted that dessert:
a pile of whipped cream on top of green jello cubes.
She went over and sat down at that table across the room.

“Hello” said my father. “You look very nice today.”
“Thank you,” said my mother, and shyly looked away.
He said there quietly until she was through
eatin’ every one of those green jello cubes.

It was a beautiful concert hall, every single seat was filled,
a hush went up as the lights went down.
At first the people, they all clapped, but soon they began to laugh
as he stood up there at the microphone.
At first he couldn’t figure out what it was they were laughing about
til he realized he had no pants on.
In preparing to do his best, he’d forgotten to get dressed,
he was up there naked from the guitar down.

Then he woke up, the dream faded away.
The concert hall that night was just some neighborhood cafe
where he sang until his clothes were soaking wet.
Thirty people said it was his best concert yet.

Then he was back in his hometown, with all his old friends walking around,
when he realized he’d left his guitar somewhere.
He searched the old swimming hole, the old backyard the grammar school,
but he couldn’t find that guitar anywhere.

Then he woke up in some cheap hotel room
underneath the moonlight overlooking the avenue.
His guitar was leaning on the wall to his right.
He couldn’t sleep at all, so he played that thing all night:

Chorus:
There’s a song for sinners and for saints
there’s a song for baseball players who hit ‘em where they ain’t
there’s a song for young lovers and old lovers too
there’s a song for dreamers, and
here’s one for you

There he was at a festival, big crowd, spotlights and all,
when he realized his guitar had no strings.
By the time he’d slapped that metal on, somebody’d broken the microphones.
The crowd all left before he could even sing.

The he woke up inside his lover’s arms.
When she felt him shaking, she held him good and strong.
The festival that night was in some rundown bar,
A man there in a hat said “Son, you’re gonna be a star!”

(chorus)

In a gunboat outside Santiago the Americans received the news:
“Allende is dead”, and the generals said
“We’ve made a successful coup.”

In the stadium Victor Jara was recognized by a soldier in charge.
“Are you here to sing?” “Yes I am here to sing.”
They took him under guard.

And the years will pass, and the memories fade
and the hands of the poet still forever wave.
Oh, the years will pass, Victor Jara’s dead
but the hands of the poet, I can’t forget.
No, I can’t forget.

With knives they cut off the fingers that were made to play the guitar.
Six thousand saw his hands bleeding raw.
“Sing now,” the soldiers snarled.

And the years will pass, and the memories fade
and the hands of the poet still forever wave.
Oh, the years will pass, Victor Jara’s dead.
But the hands of the poet, they’re bleeding yet.
They’re bleeding yet.

With his bleeding hands he led them, six thousand united in song;
but the soldiers most fear a vision so clear.
They machine gunned every one of them down.

And the years will pass, and the memories fade
and the hands of the poet still forever wave.
Oh, the years will pass, we'll forgive if not forget
But the hands of the poet, they’re waving yet.
They’re waving yet.

Me and Uncle Joe were sittin’ around, watchin’ t.v. and swattin’ flies,
when Johnny walked in, sat down between us and looked me in the eye.
And he said “Y’know I came here yesterday with a question for Uncle Joe,
but he hasn’t answered yet, and now I gotta go.”
And Uncle Joe, he just sat there watching the game show on t.v.,
and Johnny said, “I don’t know, what would you do if you was me?”

“Well, Johnny,” I said, “I can’t speak for Uncle Joe.
Maybe he didn’t answer ‘cause he just didn’t know.
And as for me, I don’t even know what you asked him yesterday,
so whatever Uncle Joe is thinking, I couldn’t say.”
And Johnny, he just sat there, his face all in a frown;
and Uncle Joe, he looked at me, and he nodded up and down.

Then Johnny said, “I usually dance around this time of year
for Uncle Joe and all the people on the reservation here.
But there’s a man up in Idaho who says my name has got around
and I can make some money when the Sundance comes to town.
But I don’t know what Uncle Joe would say if I did that.
That’s what I asked him yesterday, but he hasn’t answered yet.”

“Well, Johnny,.” I said, “like I said, I can’t speak for Uncle Joe.
But if it was up to me, I sure don’t know.
In fact, it seems to me the only one who can answer this is you:
you’re the one who’s gotta live with whatever it is you do.
So I can’t say, johnny, if you should stay or you should go,
and like I said, I can’t speak for Uncle Joe.”

Then Johnny he sat back and smacked his forehead with his palm;
and Uncle Joe, he looked at me, and he nodded up and down.
“That’s it!” said Johnny, “That’s what he was waiting for me to know!
It just goes to show you how very wise is Uncle Joe.”
And he stood up and he shook my hand and he went out to the yard,
and he waved goodby to Uncle Joe with one foot in his car.

I had to leave a few days later for a job out on the coast,
and I never did see Uncle Joe again, that’s what I regret the most.
As for Uncle Joe, he never said another word;
but then he never did speak English, that’s what I always heard.
And I wonder ‘bout that Johnny, did he ever get to Idaho?
I hope I see him sometime, I’d really like to know.

I can’t believe how good you've been to me.
I can’t believe how good you've been to me.
You rock me like a newborn baby,
roll me like the deep blue sea.

Bring me coffee in the morning, with my favorite wake up call.
Bring me coffee in the morning, with my favorite wake up call.
By the time I hit that sidewalk,
I feel about ten feet tall.

I hear her singing in the morning, I see her smiling late at night.
I hear her singing in the morning, I see her smiling late at night.
I love to drive that woman crazy,
I love to keep her satisfied.

When I got to earn my money, you know she understands,
long as I do my duty as her lovin’ man.
I can’t believe how good she's been to me.
If that woman don’t watch out, she ain’t never goin’ to get rid of me.

The last train to Pontiac pulled into the station,
switched off the lights, and cut the engines.
But no passengers came calling, no conductor counted tickets,
for the last train to Pontiac had been declared finished.
Somebody had decided they could save a few million
to pay for that big tax cut and that extra twelve billion
they budgeted for the Pentagon next year.

Chorus:
But isn’t that what you wanted when you stood behind that curtain?
Isn’t that what you wanted when you pulled on that lever?
Isn’t that what you wanted? Well, then
you got exactly what you asked for, didn’t you?

The last train to Pontiac sat rusting through the winter
while rich white men debated the future of welfare mothers.
And they said “If a few people starve, it’s still worth the difference
if it gets the lazy mothers to get a job to feed their children.”
Then they passed a big tax break for the corporate bondholders
and a new federal subsidy for the tobacco growers
and they gave away some prime wilderness to some well-connected developers
and they did away with the agency
that would have kept them from ripping off the public trust.

(chorus)

The last train to Pontiac, the last train to Montreal,
the last train to Milwaukee, the last train through St. Albans
were quieted forever to pay for one superbomber,
or just to please some banker who never travels without his chauffer
or gives a dime when his tanker kills a billion birds and fishes.
He won’t watch them close the station, he won’t see them shut the lights off;
he’s too busy buying politicians, so they can afford the advertising
so they can afford to tell you how much they’re doing for you.

(chorus)

It’s hard to find the words to sayj exactly what you see
words just don’t describe the feeling when you’re close to me.
But if you want to understand, let me take you by the hand,
and I’ll show you how’s it goin’ to be

Love for all seasons
come rain or shine
love for all seasons
yours and mine
through the days to come,
the ups and downs
for all the good times, too
let me give to you my
love for all seasons.

Now wiser men than I have said love is just a game;
and others say that love is just a feeling you can’t name.
But all those who philosophize never looked into your eyes
and knew that you felt the same

Love for all seasons....

(last chorus)
Through the years to come,
the ups and downs
and for all the good times, too
let me give to you my
love for all seasons.

The street I grew up on was out in the country
between the mountain and the town.
We dug holes to China, played two-man baseball,
there were so few kids around.
In the summer I picked blackberries, put ‘em on a table
out by the edge of the road.
Everyday I’d take those quarters left there in the basket,
I must’ve been eight years old.

We built us a stockade out in the backwoods,
we slept there on the summer nights.
We’d build us a campfire, take a portable radio,
listen to the ballgames and the fights.
In the morning we’d cook up bacon and eggs in a skillet,
eat ‘em up and head for home,
spend the day out swimming down at Rocky Bottom,
I must’ve been twelve years old.

Chorus:
But I never knew, when I was a young man,
how much I would someday recall
the days of my life out in the country;
now I want to remember them all.

Then I got me a job loading peaches and apples,
I traded my bike in for a car.
School was just about finished, we’d go out with our girlfriends,
I’d always take my guitar.
We’d go to the drive-in, or maybe build us a campfire
‘Round midnight we’d take those girls home.
Then we’d climb that mountain and stay up there all night,
I must’ve been eighteen years old.

(chorus)

One day I went back home to the house of my family,
to help them retire to the south.
There were new streets all around and an interstate highway
and too many houses to count.
I said “That’s just the way of the world and it’s progress,
the old ways can’t forever hold.”
And we loaded up that car and drove into the distance,
I must’ve been twenty-eight years old.

Now I see a young boy riding on a bicycle,
easing his own way on down the road;
his ear to a radio, basket full of newspapers,
you just can’t imagine him old.
And I want to ask him “Have you seen my old girlfriend?”
and “Where do those blackberries grow?
Can you still see our house from the top of the mountain?”
Ah, but that was all so long ago.

Whenever we measure life’s greatest treasures,
the simplest of pleasures is often most high
to hold and to cherish a love that won’t perish,
and to walk in the highlands with you by my side.

Oh, well I remember the first of November;
the frost on the heather, I followed the tide.
West through the islands our ship sailed in silence,
and never the highlands again have I spied.

How many lifetimes I’ve wandered
since I took adventure my bride?
And how many good lives squandered
victory and justice denied?

At the end of my story, come fortune or glory,
or only to answer for blindness or pride,
if there’s a heaven, one thing I believe in:
I’ll walk in the highlands with you by my side.

More people write songs than listen to them
doesn’t mean you can’t write a song.
More people sing than get paid for it
doesn’t mean you can’t sing along.

Chorus:
On every highway in every town
somebody’s wise to the game:
give all the people a song and a dance
and be a keeper of the flame.

There’s more ways to travel than you can choose;
it doesn’t mean you can’t go.
More miles to get there than you ever knew
doesn’t mean you’ll never know.

(chorus)

You must understand, no magic hand’s
going to appoint you king of the deal.
The cards will be chance, the odds less than zero;
still you’ve got to play your hand for real.

There’s more to the beat than the sound of the drum
it doesn’t mean you can’t dance.
More to a man than where he comes from
doesn’t mean you can’t know where he stands.

Who built the bomb that blew Oklahoma City down?
“Not I,” said the Washington lobbyist, checking the names off on his list.
“We give money to candidates who vote exactly like we tell them to
to preserve all our basic rights to own a rifle with a scope sight
or an assault weapon to clear a street or a militia if we want to beat
down on anyone in our way until the revolution comes one day.
Okay, so one got out of line, you can’t say the blame is mine.”

Who bought the bomb that blew Oklahoma City down?
“Not I,” said the leader of Congress, busily beating on his chest,
celebrating the victory of his political party.
He rode his white horse to Washington, set up his targets and mowed ‘em down.
“The biggest need today,” he said, “is eliminating the government.
Boom the environment, boom health care, it’s a revolution, boom welfare.
As for some guy with a bomb on a bus, he’s totally unimportant to us.”

So who placed the bomb that blew Oklahoma City down?
“Not I,” said the action movie star as he derailed 15 railroad cars,
rode his ‘copter through the hotel and blew the bad guys straight to hell.
“I’m killin’ villians all over the world, so be like me and you’ll get the girl.
We don’t pay extras on this film, so there’s no bystanders to get killed.
As for the law it’s just a drag, at the end of the movie I get back my badge.
With a quip and smile in every frame, you can’t say I’m to blame.”

So who set the bomb that blew Oklahoma City down?
“Not I,” said the right wing radio host, “but then I can proudly boast
good people everywhere agree with me, there’s a liberal conspiracy
that must be stopped immediately if we’re gonna keep our country free
and sure I said the President and his wife are deviants
whose government has no authority and must be destroyed, but actually
I didn’t mean it literally, I was just trying to get myself on TV.”

So who lit the bomb that blew Oklahoma City down?
“Not I,” said the preacher, book in hand, with his personal knowledge of God’s great plan.
“God will punish those who do wrong and sometimes we need to help Him along.
It just shows how our morality has sunk to new lows with sex and free
speech and rock music and this generation, though in this case it was a right-wing Christian
gun nut, racist white man. I still say we need to make a stand
for God and Christ and this here station, so won’t you please send a donation?”

So who denied the bomb that blew Oklahoma City down?
“Not I,” said the people, eyes glued to the screen as they pulled the bodies out from the scene.
“Those Arabs shouldn't have done what they done; what do you mean it was an American?
There’s nothing I hate more than violence; I still say it would’ve made more sense
for them to go on Oprah for ‘Guys who can’t stop making war’
or to let our boys win in Vietnam or drop the big one on Iran;
but killin’ Americans, it ain’t the same. No, you can’t say we’re to blame.”

So who built the bomb that blew Oklahoma City down?

Timothy, the mirror maker, made a very special one for me.
Now I can see with no disguise, how I look in someone’s eyes,
what it is exactly that they see.

It was there when you came to see me, though you said you couldn’t stay very long.
I saw that I will never touch the woman that I love so much,
and, anyway, I’m no longer young.

In your eyes my fingernails were dirty,
my shirt is never going to be in style.
And If I live to be a hundred, you’d only look away
at the aging of my smile.

I put the mirror in the closet, locked the door and hid the key.
I knew that mirror wasn’t lying, and you will never be all mine,
but it was something I didn’t want to see.

Then one day I needed something,
I opened up that closet once again.
Just then a stranger came to visit;
that mirror shone all day from the light on my skin.

In her eyes my hands were gentle, but strong for the work they have done.
And the smile there on my lips tasted sweet to her kiss,
and I felt like I always will be young.

Who can say what the truth is?
The eyes will see what they want to see.
But I can’t stay with you, love,
knowing there’s someone there who sees the me I want to be.

Timothy, who makes the mirrors, has gone back to making normal ones again.
He says “No one really wants to know what makes their loved ones come and go.”
In fact, it nearly did his business in.

Zydeco

I remember when there was that first dance in school
The boys lined up on one side of the room
The girls lined up on the other side of the room
Everybody tryin’ to play it cool

Chorus:
And there was zydeco
Oh I was just want to dance all night to zydeco
Come on baby let me swing you to and fro
I just want to dance all night with you

Now the river’s flowing steady through the night and the day
I feel my life drifting out to sea
But I can feel my woman’s love flowing into me
I know tonight we’ll dance the night away

(chorus)

Sometime there’ll come an end to all the fighting and the pain
Sometime we’re going to follow the sun
Sometime there’ll be a world where all the hatred is gone
We’ll dance to that sweet song again

(chorus )

Yes, it’s a surprise to hear you
on the other end of this line
haven’t heard a word from you
in quite some time
thank you for asking how have I been
I’ve been fine
why don’t you do the talking?
it’s your dime

Yes I‘ve been keeping myself busy
if that’s what you called about
every now and then I get lucky
in fact, I was just on my way out
so if you don’t mind me asking
why don’t you tell me what’s on your mind?
why don’t you do the talking?
it’s your dime

There was a time you were everything
I though my life was about
I never knew I could be so forgiving
but it just doesn’t matter now

How are all those dreams you told me
you couldn’t have with me
Yes I’ve found someone to hold me
thank you for setting me free
I can barely remember
it seems such a mighty long time
why don’t you do the talking?
it’s your dime

You know I’ve always loved you
it seems like I dreamed of you
you were everything I wanted for me

This morning I got your letter
now the years we spent together
are raining down like dead leaves from a tree

I can’t see the reason
why two people with so much love
still can’t keep from leaving
sometimes love just isn’t enough

Alll right you want to stay in touch
I guess that’s not asking too much
feel free to call me anytime

I can’t see the reason
why two people with so much love
still can’t keep from leaving
sometimes love just isn’t enough

Don’t ask me to forget you
though you know I’m going to let you
go on your way without me

Last night I dreamed of my old home
my sister and I, when we were young
the yellow sun shone through flow’ring trees
we rode the old familiar streets
the faces of old friends were near
the smiles of children bright and clear
my mother sang our favorite songs
my father worked his patch of ground

When I awoke I was far away
in a land where only yesterday
after forty years of tyranny
the foreign armies had to leave
and as I walked the streets of town
with my new friends who call it home
in the air so newly free
this is what they said to me:

“I would not love my country more
for victories in foreign wars
I did not love my country less
when it was occupied and oppressed
not for some politicians’ speech
but for the people strong and free
the land so green, the sky above
these are the country that I love”

Now who can say what takes a man
far away from his own land
and yet his dreams will take him home
back to the land where he was born
to walk the old familiar roads
and see the faces young and old
the land so green the sky above
these are the country that I love

I’ve been all over this great big land of ours
from the seaside of Seattle to the hills of Arkansaw
where the Little Rockers gather at the Solar Cafe
and they tell a tale of Wild Bill back in his younger days
and they say

Chorus:
Hey, Mr. President, pass that doobie over here
if you’re not going to smoke it, don’t hold it in the air
are you just going to sit there, grinning like a jerk?
if you don’t inhale it, it’s never going to work

I guess I should’ve known it, I guess it had to come
I’ve seen it in the New York Times, right up on page one
Bob Dylan wrote a song about, least I’m pretty sure
I believe I know what Elvis would’ve done if he was there
he’d say

(Chorus)

Now whoever would’ve thunk it, whoever would admit
the President of the USA might’ve took a hit
next thing you’re gonna tell me, he’s got a working wife
I think I voted for a winner for the first time in my life

(Chorus)

One thing I like about America
is that you’re always free to leave
it doesn’t mean that I want to
but the feeling’s nice indeed

One thing I like about America
is that a man can speak his peace
it doesn’t mean anyone will hear you
but you’ll have your rights at least

One thing I like about America
any boy can grow up to shoot the President
it doesn’t mean they will understand you
but they will gladly pay your rent

One thing I like about America
a woman’s love is given free
and the way I like my lovin’
I want my woman free as me

One thing I like about America
is you can say you will not kill
and the government, they must respect you
though you won’t get the GI Bill

One thing I like about America
is even you might be rich someday
just don’t forget where you came from
in case you end up back that way

Slowin’ down to 45 through every little Oklahoma town
Comin’ in past miles and miles of shopping centers lit up in neon
Arriving at the apartment and waiting for a minute outside the door
Like a shadow hungry to stand in the light once more

Chorus:
Things I’ll remember about Dallas
I could remember anywhere
There’s nothing special about Dallas
except that you are there
To make me love again in my time
to see my life so clear
I will remember Dallas
everywhere I go from here

Lying on the bed alone, nothing much could happen there to me
Listening to the cars comin’ and goin’ outside, trying hard to sleep
Oh I’ve no right to ask someone to love me when I’m moving all the time
Like an outrider cruising down the highway, ignoring all the signs
(Chorus)

I saw the Dealey Plaza scene, the sixth floor window museum
Stood behind the grassy knoll, I fired a shot for rock and roll
I ate fajitas off handmade plates, cruised around the interstates
But the end of the road kept fading farther and farther
til it faded away altogether

Staying up til way too late, listening to the noises in the night
I believe I could hear a heart break if it were just a bit more quiet
But the hum of the traffic never dies, just like the highway never ends
I don’t know anyplace that I could stay that would ever take me in
(Chorus)

“I was never blessed with children,” said the man on the ledge
“at last none that I know of.
Of course, it’s possible for a man to have children he never knows.
It’s one of the little things that sets a man apart:
he can have children and never know they’re his own work of art.”

“I was never much of a success,” said the man on the ledge.
“At least, nobody ever told me.
Oh, sure they read my work in schools where that kind of thing is done.
But the kind of recognition that sets a man apart
never came my way, I know it in my heart.”

Chorus:
“Jump, jump, said the crowd, waiting in the street
as they passed out the popcorn and portable seats
They were just waiting for their fun
they didn’t know or care what the man on the ledge had done.

“I was never much of a listener,” I said to the man,
‘at least, that’s what everybody always told me.
But I’m listening now; tell me, how did this start?”
He said “Even when we were chidren I was a man apart
I never smoked cigarettes or ripped off the MIni Mart.

“I’m not even any good at this,” said the man on the ledge.
“At least, other people know how to die.
Even my lovers knew I’d never never say goodby
No matter how miserable or how we felt apart
Doing nothing at all has been my truest art.”
(Chorus)

“I’m gonna do something now,” said the man on the ledge.
“I’m gonna teach myself to fly.
Of course, this might be something you can only do one time.”
And off in the distance, I heard a siren whine
and the clouds moved off and the sun came out from behind.
All the windows in the skyscrapers,
all the water in the harbor began to shine.
Down on the ground a radio began to sound;
he said “Stairway to Heaven: I’ve always hated that song.
Even when you want to die they just want to bring you down.
Look at all those people standing around: they just want to, just want to
see me hit the ground.
Well, I will not be their sideshow freak
I will not be their sideshow freak
I will not be their sideshow freak
I will not be their circus clown.”
And he stood there all alone
looking into his heart
And stepped away from the ledge
a man apart.
A man apart.

Chorus 1,2,3:
I’m up on the mountain, high above a city
not eatin’ any food, I mean I will but I won’t
watching the night (2 day, 3 sky) go through all its changes
don’t want a woman, I mean I do but I don’t

Sometimes in the city you can feel the air change
there’s a kind of hunger goin’ around
Don’t matter if you run, boy, there’s no where to run to
sooner or later, you got to stand your ground
(Chorus 2)

Yes, and when you have a woman you might have to protect her
You might have to stand tall when you know you’re right
And there might come a day, boy, you have to defend her
by walkin’ away, boy, when you’d just as soon fight
(Chorus 3)

Goin’ down in the subway, lookin’ at the billboards
all the pretty people in their underwear
people rifling the trash cans, sleepin’ in the doorways
talkin’ ‘bout salvation to nobody there

I’m up on the mountain, high above a city
Listening to a song that’s playing in the night
Remembering a man who said “Come and walk with me
and forever after, you’re gonna walk in the light.”

And I’m out on the highway, lookin’ for a station
stoppin’ at the dance hall for a dosey doe
and I’m down in the basement strummin’ with a few friends
lookin’ for a wavelength on the radio

And I’m up on the mountain high above a city
listening to the music playin’ in the air
Watching my life go through all its changes
lookin’ in the darkness for a light out there

I think I’d like to say a word or two today
for all the women of the world
In my experience it makes a lot of sense
to know the women from the girls
Oh I don’t know if it’s me or if it’s you
but girls will be girls and women have a different point of view
and I admit it’s true I have known one or two
of the women of the world

Last night a woman said
I’m trying to clear my head of everything I’ve learned in life
I’ve been my parents’ child, did drugs and running wild,
I’ve been a girlfriend and a wife
now I want to think for myself and be for myself
and keep my own flag unfurled
why should I want a man? I want to play my hand
and be a woman of the world.

And I guess I’ve had my share of how the world’s unfair
and women get a lousy break
of money men get more, and keep the world at war
and always make the same mistakes
and men are always hungry for love, and afraid of love,
and runnin’ around after the pretty girls
I wish that you could see how hard it is to be
a simple woman of the world

Sometimes when I’m alone I hear the telephone
conversation in my dream
a voice is on the line: “How are you doing?” “Fine.”
“Oh really, I’m just in between.
Don’t I wish I had a home, a love of my own
a couple of baby boys and girls?
But then there’s my career, could you come over here
and love this woman of the world.”

New York City rain
I don’t know if it’s making me dirtier or clean
went for the subway but there was no train
and the tunnel was crumbling for repairs again
and the sign said “Welcome to American Jerusalem.”

I been around
you could spend forever looking for a friend in this town
and all you get to do is lay your dollar down
till you’re stumbling drunk up the stairs again
and the sign says “Welcome to American Jerusalem.”

In the temples of American Jerusalem
they buy an ounce of South African gold
they don’t care who was bought or sold
or who died to mine it
in the temples of American Jerusalem
they buy an ounce of Marseilles white
somewhere on a street with no light
somebody dies trying it

And somewhere in a crowd
looking the kind of way that makes you turn around
will be somebody who knows what it’s about
and she’s going to take the ribbons from her hair again
and welcome you to American Jerusalem

In the alleys of American Jerusalem
the homeless lie down at the dawn
the pretty people wonder what they’re on
and how they afford it
in the ashes of American Jerusalem
the prophets live their deaths out on the corner
the pretty people say there should’ve been a warning
but nobody heard it

Then shadows lick the sun
the streets are paved with footsteps on the run
somebody must’ve got double ‘cause I got none
I forgot to collect my share again
so go west to breath the cleansing air again
go Niagara for your honeymoon again
go on the road if you’re going to sing your tune again
go to sea to learn to be a man again
till you come on home to American Jerusalem

Upon their honor as Americans
They hired the bullets to fly
Straight from a window or some grassy knoll
To the place where people die
No one was found, and no one was guilty
Who wasn’t dead when he was tried
And the bullets keep ringing their questions out
Like ghosts coming back in the night

ChorusL
Part of the plan to hide in the darkness
In peace and in war, part of the plan
Part of the plan for somebody to take the fall
And after all, these were honorable men

Somebody had oil, somebody had money
To pay for guns and for lives
Somebody had secrets too much depended
On keeping locked up inside
Somebody had time to keep away the cops
Til killers were safely away
Somebody had time to put away a patsy
Who never had nothin’ to say
(Chorus)

They bring the bodies back home in coffins
Draped in American flags
To stand for the cameras one last time
For tv and photograph mags
And with every slain leader the soul of a people
Goes a little down in the well
In darkness and hiding these honorable men
Feel satisfied with themselves
(Chorus)

(Written by Francesco Guccini in Italian as "Bambino Nel Vento"
© Fama Music (Italy)
(translation © Rod MacDonald)

I died who was a child
I died like so many others
who passed through a chimney
and now are in the wind

At Auschwitz there was the snow
and the smoke rose slowly of so many people
but now there’s only a great silence
of so many people in the wind

It’s strange, but still I haven’t learned
to smile here in this wind
and I wonder, can man learn to live without killing
and will this wind ever end?

And still the cannons are sounding
and still he’s not contented
this blood thirst of the human beast
with so many people in the wind

And still the cannons are sounding
and still he’s not contented
we will be here always the smoke and the powder
of millions in the wind

I entered this world like a fable
a fox with no end of design
and wanted to have on my table
all the grapes on the vine

As a young man of thirst I was offered
enticements of every kind
but I never gave up my freedom
for all the grapes on the vine

And the beautiful lovers who gave me their passion
took me to the doors of Paradise
but the place where souls suffer always sounded distraction
and those doors never opened for me twice

Then I came to you in my sorrow
I cried all the tears that were mine
yours was the touch of forgiveness
for all the grapes on the vine

All the grapes on the vine that will never be mine
I close my eyes and still I can see
All the beautiful strangers dressed in ether and ashes
and I wonder will I ever be free?

Here’s to the fruit of life’s labors
here’s to the kiss of love’s wine
and once for our sweet companions
and once for the grapes on the vine
once for the grapes on the vine
once for the grapes on the vine

Mother, she’s just a stranger
she’s young, and it’s rainin’ out
she’s down at the motel
thought I’d go back and check her out
I just checked her in but there’s
something about her I can’t figure out
like she’s on the run from somewhere
with something she can’t talk about

Mother, she was a nice girl
we had dinner, she ate like a bird
‘though I don’t know why they use that expression
birds eat a lot, I’ve always heard
and we talked about taxidermy
and about you ‘cause she overheard
but you don’t have to worry Mother
I told her you were harmless, it was only words

Chorus:
And don’t it keep getting harder
living here year after year
since they built that new highway
only the lost come here
Guess I’ll go light the sign
wash the shower curtain clear
here on our highway to nowhere

Mother, you remember that girl
I told you about in the motel room
she fell down in the shower
now there’s all this blood, I don’t know what to do
She’s the first guest we’ve had check in since
I don’t remember when, do you?
And I had to drown her car
and all of her belongings, too

(chorus)

And Mother, I don’t know what to do
I can’t simply leave her there
she gave me a different name than
the one she wrote on the register
She left the water runnin’
now the tiles are in need of some repair
but you don’t have to worry, Mother
do you know someone can just disappear?

(chorus)

There’s a pause in the traffic
the first rays of the sun
blaze in the window, it’s the day
and I sit in this room
three thousand miles from home
watching the light reflect on the clay
time to turn the flame around
time to burn the white shroud
time to look beyond the gray
now that the rain has gone
now that the rain has gone away

Once I was a slave worker
a fact in the machine
by night I went to play
now I walk past that m window
every day I know my dream
comes closer til it come to stay
time to line the edge to stars
time to travel by the arts
time to say we’ll meet again another day
now that the rain has gone
now that the rain has gone away

And once I was a master
had a vision in my eye
no one’s freedom mattered in the balance weighed
if you’d come as a flower
I’d have made you you work each time
in a garden where you’d never own a place
time to treat you like a babe
time to dig for you no grave
time to let your blossoms fall where they may
now that the rain has gone
now that the rain has gone
now that the rain has gone away

when you decide to return again to the land that raised you
you find yourself traveling back to your New England home
and you’re passing through
and you run into somebody i used to know
tell her i been thinking about her in the coming of the snow

and if you’re standing on the pier by the empty harbor
and the fishing boats are lying quiet until the spring
and you need a fire to sit beside while the winter weaves out its cloak
tell her i been thinking about her in the coming of the snow

and if you awaken with her long hair spread across your shoulder
and the day outside is as dark as her eyes
take care to hold her close into the morning
and she will be true to you if you love her more than i

and if you’re traveling in the woods i used to walk along
and you find her out there standing in the falling leaves
and a chill should pass through the arms that cradle her longing
you know you can take her hand one more time for me

I once loved a woman, I dreamed her at night
Her face lit the darkness of my random flight
and in the reflection of my own desire
she gave me the moonlight, while I offered her fire

The love of a woman can blind any man
and she just kept on circling while I held out my hand
til her face to me darkened, the moonlight grew cold
But I knew the fire burned on in my soul

The world will keep turning, it stops for no tears
and her fragile crescent soon reappeared
Once more filled with beauty, her face bathed in light
Now she shone for another while I wandered the night

It’s an old tale of sorrow, of dreams never true
still with each rising morrow, my heart wakens to you
and I light the candle for this love you inspire
is this not the difference between moonlight snd fire?
Is this not the difference between moonlight and fire?

when we were sailors we had four songs
one for the girls in the harbor towns
two for the weather, three for the nightwatch
four for the rum that washed it all down
you can’t change the wind, only change the sail
after the singing we would sail on

when we were soldiers we had four dreams
one for the flashing bombs and terrified scenes
two for the stretchers, three for the marches
four for our sweethearts where our homes had been
some of us made it home, some went down alone
after the dreaming we would fight on

when we were magicians we had four fires
one for the transforming of desire
two for the cleansing, three for the healing
four for petitioning the heavenly choir
we made rings of stone to be remembered long
after the fires had cooled down

when we were children we had four cups
one for the songs our parents taught us
two for the wishes, three for the marbles
four for the seasons that came on us
through field and street, we played hide and seek
after the childhood we would play on

when we were outlaws we had four kings
one who wore his hair down in golden rings
two who went to war, three who were murdered,
four who claimed to rule over everything
and though they banned the green, they could not seed the queen
after the kingdom we were free men

when we were troubadors we had four songs
one for the legends we were handed down
two for the heroes, three for the dancers,
four for the stories we passed on
we walked together a time, down these roads of rhyme
after the singing we would move on

How in the world
can there be so many songs?
so many birds to fly on their own wings?
It must be that to each
there is a heart that it belongs
Everybody’s got their own song to sing

My good friend in New York sits alone up in his room
Writing symphonies the whole world ought to hear
A woman that I love flies to European soil
Trying to find her own music over there

And me, I sing a song
still looking for a home
a chapel where my freedom bell can ring
someone to recognize me
as her only one
but everybody’s got her own song to sing

I look at myself and wonder: am I a selfish man?
Can I hear the sound of another’s heart strings
I kiss a thousand lips and all I ever understand
Is everybody’s got her own song to sing

What if we ran out of songs?
where do they all come from?
are we all part of some orchestra out there?
and if I sing in the forest
and the wind takes it along
is there anyone to hear it anywhere?

You can walk along a city street on any summer night
see the faces yearn for what they’ve never known
I see a man and a woman and a child by their side
and I smile for them and go my way alone

You with your piano
and I with my guitar
let us make a a gift of what our music brings
and know we are two voices
in one choir
and everybody’s got her own sing to sing
everybody’s got his own song to sing

I remember the night, the band was playin’
she came down the stairs with a glass of red wine
Gave me a smile and sweet conversation
I was out looking for love at the time

Now I’ve spent time like so many others
watching the girls, their skins young and fine
This one as different, more of a woman
I was out looking for love at the time

I showed her lyrics written on a napkin
How love isn’t worth it, it just makes you blind
She admired the rhythm and tried not to notice
I was out looking for love at the time
Oh, love at the time

She had a man giving her shelter
she told me just to pay him no mind
I lay with her in the nights of forever
I was out looking for love at the time

A man learns his lessons in love from a lover
And for my hunger she paid me in kind
And gave herself freely to another
who came around looking for love at the time

Was that one two three four women so tender?
Sometimes I forget these ex-true loves of mine
I love ‘em all but of course I remember
I was out looking for love at the time
Oh, love at the time

There’s no signal out here in the open space
no flashing lights, no charts by the latest greats
just distant radios
where I do not know
listen: you can almost hear them calling

And all that city sounds like metal scraping
you can bind my hands, I will not stop escaping
to distant radios
quiet like the snows
listen: you can hear the chains a-breaking

Close your eyes, you can tune your dial into me
Are you wise enough to see through me?
Even as I see my way to you
We need no wires between us, it’s true

Who killed the owl, who has seen it’s spirit winging?
traded for a vow, what message was it bringing?
to distant radios
grasslands and zocolos
listen: you can laways hear it singing.

In the land of the dead I walked
as I traveled on alone
here was a pavilion out in the center
of the green expanse of lawn
clumps of flowers poking up where
the bodies lay asleep
and there I lay with
bright flowers over me

I parked my car I went walking
beside the old stone wall
a crowd had gathered to witness
this finalest of falls
the blackest of clothes, the wettest of tears
were in evidence
as I lay awaiting my
eternal recompence

Chorus:
You say we have loved before
always will, and evermore
now in another time and place
love is our saving grace

“Fear not,” cried he whose job it is
to laugh in Fear’s face
“Weep not,” said she who promised
I’d gone to a higher place
“Farewell,” sang she, a sparrow
flying from tree to tree
“Remember” said the rain as it
fell down on me

(chorus)

And now my love we meet again
bright bouquets in our hands
bearing love bearing wisdom
bearing freedom in our glance
I’m captured by your beauty
as I always knew I’d be
I bathe myself in flowers
and I lie down next to thee

(chorus)

Just like a well I’m dug in
at the center of town
the streets and all the people
go around and around
to them I am a stillness
quiet underground
underneath the surface
there is much going on
I keep this water clean

The people come and go
some do not stop to drink of me
for all that I may know
they do not even think of me
this is no blame:
they are no concern to me
others dry and thirsty
they may turn to me
I keep this water clean

There are those who bring their troubles
to the well
they sit and wait for answers
at the well
I do not give these answers
I am just the well
I am not the water
they must drink for themselves
I keep this water clean

As a galley slave I was given a name
that had nothing to do with my own
and learned to give twice for my bed at night
and again when the morning had come
and there was an old one among us
whose eye seemed fixed on afar
and I remember the night he stood watching
that light from that most brilliant star
and then breaking his chains in a frenzy
and stealing a sword from a guard
he said “Show me the way to Calvary
or I’ll kill you right where you are.”

Now I who care nothing for politics
or for the meaning of the stars in the sky
I said “Gather that key up and free me
and I’ll fight by your side til I die.”
We didn’t know then that the first born
were being slaughtered in Palestine
as we murdered our way to a lifeboat
and set into the dark maritime.
After three days we landed in mountains;
I said “What shall we eat as free men?”
he said ”Show me the way to Calvary
and you’ll never go hungry again.”

We passed that first winter in the mountains
huddled like wolves in a cave
as the snow formed its blanket of silence
I swore I’d no more be a slave.
Oh, he heard all of my boastful speeches
by the side of our pitiful fire
but his ears always seemed to be listening
to a music he heard somewhere higher.
And to me, who knew nothing of wise men,
who believe in no god you can’t see,
he said “Show me the way to Calvary
and no chains will ever hold thee.”

Now I, as a young man of passion
and him an old man nearly blind,
I’d have left him to fend for his own self
except for that promise of mine
and we abandoned our mountain shelter
for the long walk to Palestine
til I came back and found him a-dying
and me standing with blankets and wine
and with a grip of iron he held me
so close I could see through his eyes
and he said “Show me the way to Calvary
and we’ll meet again in Paradise.”

It was many years later I stood there
the last of my line to survive
and I watched Him climb up that mountain
with my own eyes barely alive
and they hung Him right there in that sunlight
and they wrapped up His body in white
and I heard that old man there beside me
as I cried all the day and the night:
“Now you, with your young years before you
you must see for these old eyes of mine.
Show me the way to Calvary
I’ve come to the end of the line.”

There's no home in this world anymore for a gentleman
an inmate in a tuxedo
strolling with indifferent partners beneath the chandelier
looking for someone to bleed to
but I would be your gentleman if you would only let this ragged heart please you
and there would be laughter, there would be shame
there would laughter in a gentleman again

Come riding riding riding
come running for your life
come take this song of my brothers
come take this healing knife

There's no home in this world anymore for a saint
with a salesman to franchise his sandals
to heal the faithful and hear all their complaints 
in the theaters of Los Angeles
to stand in the garden and ask for nothing
 there's nothing that would ever be more dangerous
there will be robes and gowns, there will be saints
there will be magic clowns dressed for the masquerade

My brothers are the ragged bones of volcanoes
piled as the walls of loneliness
my brothers are the scattered chunks of tombstones 
like weeds on abandoned mountains
my brothers are the windows of the hurricane 
that open on everyday heroes
there will be brutal times, there will be grace
there will be diamond eyes, the lights of an eloquent face

But there's no home in this world anymore for a wanderer,
a waistcoat a bow and arrow
a pioneer on the trails in the hills of Cumberland
riding logs on the river Ohio
but I seek another highway where they 
learn to heal the wings of a wounded sparrow
come stand before this fire, glowing on your skin
come take these searching eyes somewhere they've never been

There's an old barn outside on the far edge of town
where the ladies keep dancing so fine
their smiles touch their ears,
their dresses the ground
they got all their men in a line
and I thought for a second how fine it would be
to get dancing and feeling so free
take a few turns and get me a girl
and bring one of those smiles home with me.

But it just looked too easy
just too easy to be right
and I'm out on the road walking alone
one step ahead of the frost
and your baby ain't no baby anymore
he's doing the cross country waltz.

I had a lover, she walked thru my dreams
til one day she drifted away
and I got me a letter when some months had gone by
saying "Come back, I'll do what you say,"
but in a city I found a new wheel spinning round
like a carnival half of the time
and though I'm walking alone now and counting my dimes
I think I'll just let her go by.

I got me a letter yesterday from home, saying
"How long you think you'll be gone?"
as I looked at the sun, it was warming my hands
that letter fell down on the ground
'cause there's riverboats and drifters and a silvery moon
and the people they all ask your name
and if you never left home you'd never have to go back,
but once you go back you can't stay.

See the pretty girls out walking, a banquet for the eye
dressed in their finest colors, their faces how they shine
but don't let 'em catch you looking, they'll just think you're uncool
'casue the pretty girls don't like to be stared at
though there's exceptions to every rule.

And all around the streets
lovers in the park
going home to turn down the sheets
kissing in the dark.

Oh hear the pretty girls talking, their voices trill and flow
"It's so hard to find a good man these days, they're all such creeps you know"
but don't let them catch you listening, they'll just know you're a fool
'cause the pretty girls always have boyfriends
though there's exceptions to every rule.

Ah look at the hungry men standing, staring out in the street
hanging around in groups of four and five, saying "hey, hey, mmm mmm how sweet"
but don't let them get you to turn around, you'd only make them drool
and you wouldn't like that kind anyhow
though there's exceptions to every rule.

Oh hear the pretty girls breathing a cool breeze in the air
see all the men out on the sidewalk, imagination everywhere
but sometimes the pretty girls go for something a little less usual
and fall in love with other pretty girls
though there's exceptions to every rule.

I'd like to give a welcome to the Shah of Iran
Ferdinand Marcos, Nguyen Ky of Vietnam.
The United States extends you a hearty welcome hand; 
why do we send back Rosalita and Roseanne?

Oh, I know their governments have become our cause.
We sell them their weapons, we finance their wars;
and when the innocent escape to our fine peaceful land,
why do we send back Rosalita and Roseanne?

I believe in the Bible, I've seen where it reads
when a hungry one knocks, give him something to eat.
But with so many hungry how can we take them all in?
And when they're standing at youur door, how can you send them away again?

But hey, did I ask for the Shah of Iran,
Anastosia Somosa, President Thieu of Vietnam?
Let's hear it for sanctuary, how about a hearty hand?
and why do we send back Rosalita and Roseanne?

I took down an old volume of your letters to me
and laid them out read just yesterday
and though I tried to regain the feelings you named,
I couldn't bring them back in any easy way

So I built me a castle on the sand
I made them towers with my own hand
and just when you believe you made them strong enough
they go washing out to sea
when the waves get rough
(last verse: when the game gets rough)

So I took to the highway with a craving for the land
for people with a solid way of life
and I passed many a mile having good times all the while
but I couldn't turn my back on the city's silver lights

I took me a season by the oceanside
I took me a cottage far from my home
and I would nightly dance the sand to the diamond moonlight band
til the morning came and caught me dancing all alone

So I come to you with roses, I come to you again
I know we are just castles on some shore
and though the night be filled with darkness, I shall not close my eyes
til these petals fall down, forgotten to the floor 

They say you've got to lose before you can win
they say you've got to choose before you can give in
and you've got to cut loose to get back again
and it's a long way back home

they say you've got to fall before you can land
they say you've got to crawl before you can stand
and you've got to lose it all to get what you planned
and it's a long way back home

(chorus)
and it's a long way, a long way back home
when you're standing on some place you've never known
and I might see you where the rivers flow
like me you're looking for white buffalo

they say you've got to die before you can live
they say you've got to cry before you can give
and you've got to say goodbye to get back again
and it's a long way back home

they say you've got to seed what you're going to grow
they say you've got to need what you're going to let go
anf you've got to believe what you're going to know 
and it's a long way back home

(chorus)                               

so I say to you farewell for we will meet again
in the hottest flames of hell I could only call you friend
and when you hear that final bell, do not ask whose round you're in
till you've found your way back home

People will talk, friends will be shocked
say "How in the world do you do?"
Women will walk up to you and squawk
"Baby, wanna try something new?"

How you gonna take it, what are you gonna do
when it happens just like you been expecting it to?
How you gonna take it, what are you gonna do
ain't it gonna change your life?
You can't carry that load yourself, you go to stop on the road for water
You can't carry that load yourself, you go to stop on the road for water

The woman you love, she been waiting on you
you're gonna come around just like she knows you can do
those bums on the street with their outstretched hands
you're gonna take them all to dinner just because you can

The feds will do audits, your phone will be tapped
non-fiction writers will go through your trash
gurus will quote you, waiters rip off your lines
they'll name a turnpike rest stop after you when you die

She lay down in my arms and talked to me about her boyfriend
who she'd just walked out on 'cause he had too many girlfriends
and she said "You can stay, you can stay all night long
and if it's okay, I'll leave my clothes on"

And it's blues for the river
blues for my mind
blues for the true loves 
we leave behind

I woke up to the pounding of a jackhammer in the street
I reached around but she'd gone out of reach
an alarm clock was ringing as she sat down next to me
ran her hand through my hair and said "Hey it's time to leave"

Now all through the day I meet pretty ones
I don't give myself away 'cause I know who I want
but she wants another who loves another one tonight
so I sleep in my clothes and I leave on the light

The aliens came in business suits, that's why nobody knew
perfect haircuts looking smooth, just like me and you
they looked so much like they belonged, nobody looked their way
The aliens came in business suits, business suits, business suits
The aliens came in business suits
it was a fateful day

The aliens came in business suits, we thought they were our friends
short haircuts, white shirts and ties, the women and the men
they said "Business is our business", that's how they defined their ground
The aliens came in business suits, business suits, business suits
The aliens came in business suits
and took no money down

The aliens came in business suits they elected one of their own
nobody voted for him but everybody took him home
well, he did look good on camera, had a kind of handsome face
The aliens came in business suits, business suits, business suits
The aliens came in business suits
and took every parking space 

The aliens came in business suits and they invented megatons
they divided the whole world up in half and to each half they gave one
and they said "You better watch yourselves or there'll be nothing left but bugs"
The aliens came in business suits, business suits, business suits
The aliens came in business suits
it was like some ugly drug

The aliens came in business suits and they fooled us all the while
they gave each of us an ID card and put our faces in a file
well, they looked so much like they belonged, no one raised a fuss
The aliens came in business suits, business suits, business suits
The aliens came in business suits
the aliens were us

The general said "You're young I guess you don't understand
we've got to have these things in case it gets out of hand."
I say "What if they are like you always got to be on top?
Isn't there some way to end it, isn't there someplace to stop?"
"What if everyone thought like you?" the general said to me
"Oh what a vulnerable country we would be.
What if everyone thought like you?" the general said to me
I say "There would be some peace..."

The broker said you're young I guess you don't comprehend
These people all walking around got to have some money to spend.
And how can there be any money if we don't sell the things we can build?"
I say "Why don't you build something else to use without having to kill?"
"What if everyone thought like you?" the broker said to me
"Oh what a poor nation this would be.
What if everyone thought like you?" the broker said to me
I say "There would be some peace..."

Stop the war, stop the war, stop the war within yourself
and you won't need to fight with someone else

The newsman said "You're young I guess you don't see the light.
It ain't what goes on during the day, it's what goes out to the people at night.
The poeple, they like a good show, how can you deny them their due?"
I say "What does that say about us and what does that say about you?"
"What if everyone thought like you?" the newsman said to me
"Oh what a boring world this would be.
What if everyone thought like you?" the newsman said to me
I say "There would be some peace..."

In the town known as greed on the high plains of money
The men looked at the land, flowing with milk and honey
But a far greater need a few did desire
To harness and sell the unearthly fire

And the lovers of greed did exile the ones
Who believed in the arms of the earth and the sun
Wherefore they did build a magnificent pyre
And weighed down the land with the unearthly fire

Five thousand degrees in the mere hands of men
Soon darkened the rivers, soon hardened the land
With the sun came the sickness, with the wind came disease
Came the crying of children, to the lovers of greed

Til the earth could no longer stand the strain of such heat
And it shrugged its great shoulders, it cracked its great seams
And the unearthly fire spread over the vale
And lonely I live to tell you this tale

For he who scars the earth will have scars to bear
He who blackens the river, he who steals from the air
He who poisons the soil, does harm to the seed
Will know the high plains of the lovers of greed

And he who heals the earth, he who breathes long and deep
He who drinks the pure water and upon the soil sleeps
He who with his seed beckons for peace in our time
Will not see his blood ravaged by the unearthly fire

When I look into your eyes
I know that I believe in you
But it’s goin’ to take some time for you to believe it, too

I know you want it to be strong
Well is there anything that I can do
‘Cause it’s goin’ to take some time for you to believe it, too

In the morning feels so right
to have you lying by my side
Anyway, it’s so new, but tell me
Why can’t a dream come true

In the morning feels so right
to be lying by your side
Anyway, it’s so new, but tell me
Why can’t a dream come true

I love you yes, I do
All the angels on the head of a pin don’t compare to you
But it’s goin’ to take some time for you to believe it, too
It’s goin’ to take some time for you to believe it, too

Take the tape off the window, fix the toilet in the hall
Company’s a-comin’, send the roaches back into the wall
And boil up another plate of rice
What I like about you baby is you butter my bread on both sides

Life ain’t cotton candy, you can’t tear it off in hunks
Life ain’t so dandy when you spend it all in the dumps
But you don’t ever make me feel slight
What I like about you baby is you butter my bread on both sides

We’re just getting’ by, I know folks getting’ rich
they get good food, good drugs, and they get so good and sick
Of everybody treatin’ them so high and wide
What I like about you baby is you butter my bread on both sides

So put on the kettle, I’m gonna catch me a fish
We’re gonna sauce him up sideways, serve it like some famous dish
We’re having Poisson au Hudson tonight $32.95
What I like about you baby is you butter my bread on both sides

If you ever want to know
why I stay when I might go
There’s something beautiful in you
Darlin’ don’t I love you so

If you wonder why I call
When I’ve got nothing much to say at all
There’s something beautiful in you
Darlin’ don’t I love you so

When you turn and you catch me
Looking at you secretly
I may be blind as blind can be
But there’s something beautiful I see

Do you hear what I say
Or do the words just get in the way
There’s something beautiful in you
Darlin’ don’t I love you so

When you smile, I smile too
There’s nothing else that I could do
It ain’t your clothes or the color of your shoes
It’s that something beautiful in you

Do you hear what I say
Or do the words just get in the way
There’s something beautiful in you
Darlin’ don’t I love you so

New York town and it’s a quarter past four
Good night show’s over, over, here’s the door
You sung every tune you know and a couple more
Ain’t there someplace left you ain’t been before
You’re on the road in New York Town

You’ve got an apartment, you can call it home
But there’s no one there, you don’t want to be alone
You’re walkin’ around lookin’ for romance
You’re like a telephone that no one answers
On the road in New York Town

You’ve been on the highway and they’re all your friends
They give you rides, meals, highs, money, wave around the bend
Now you’re lookin’ round, standing in a mob
Lining up on Friday for a Wednesday job
You’re on the road in New York Town

Oh Latin lovers I wish I was you
Huddled in the subway makin’ one out of two
Bright lights, splatter, screech, brakes drownin’ out
Old drunk singin’ can you help a fella out
I’m on the road in New York Town

Stripped bicycles, bums, hunger everywhere
You’ve got a bank account but it’s nothing but air
Anyway the vampires are all around the bank’s
All night machine lookin’ for someone to fang
They’re on the road in New York Town

Long black limousine, Catherine Deneuve
You put your hand on the window and a cop says ‘Move’
Bag lady sleepin’ in a store doorway
This time the cop’s got nothing to say
She’s on the road in New York Town

Asshole tourist, struck out with the chicks
Breaks his big beer bottle on the bricks
Drives his big car home after blowin’ all his cash
Says ‘the trouble in New York is there’s too much trash’
He’s on the road in New York Town

What you wouldn’t give for someone to hold
But you had somebody and you turned her cold
There was one in Georgia but this is New York again
Nobody can hold you in the state you’re in
You’re on the road in New York Town

You got a warm bed but that’s inside
And there’s bars on the window and the moon is high
You can go to the square, you can sleep outside
Some guys are already there, but they won’t mind
They’re on the road in New York Town

Oh but you can’t sleep what are you gonna do?
You can go to the river, you can stare at the view
You been going to the river now for 17 nights
It’s the only thing’ll make you feel all right
You’re on the road in New York Town

New York City rain
I don’t know if it’s making me dirtier or clean
went for the subway but there was no train
and the tunnel was crumbling for repairs again
and the sign said welcome to American Jerusalem

I been around
you could spend forever looking for a friend in this town
and all you get to do is lay your dollar down
till you’re stumbling drunk up the stairs again
and the sign says welcome to American Jerusalem

In the temples of American Jerusalem
they buy an ounce of South African gold
they don’t care who was bought or sold
or who died to mine it
in the temples of American Jerusalem
they buy an ounce of Marseilles white
somewhere on a street with no light
somebody dies trying it

and somewhere in a crowd
looking the kind of way that makes you turn around
will be somebody who knows what it’s about
and she’s going to take the ribbons from her hair again
and welcome you to American Jerusalem

In the alleys of American Jerusalem
the homeless lie down at the dawn
the pretty people wonder what they’re on
and how they afford it
in the ashes of American Jerusalem
the prophets live their deaths out on the corner
the pretty people say there should’ve been a warning
but nobody heard it

then shadows lick the sun
the streets are paved with footsteps on the run
somebody must’ve got double ‘cause I got none
I forgot to collect my share again
so go west to breath the cleansing air again
go Niagara for your honeymoon again
go on the road if you’re going to sing your tune again
go to sea to learn to be a man again
till you come on home to American Jerusalem

Dear Grandfather my people are troubled these days
We put so much faith in things
And things aren’t worth the ways you have to pay for them

And Dear Grandfather so much our freedom depends
On how well we’ll pretend we’ll kill more of them
Then they’ll kill of us in the end

Chorus:
And I call to you wishing to serve you well
Is there a way I can heal what keeps us apart
For I am an orphan who’s come home to you in my heart

Dear Grandfather we tax all the land for what it’s worth
Til it has to make money and we build something ugly
An insult to the sky and the earth

And Dear Grandfather our rivers have suffered the worst
And I learned to drink before I learned to think
And still I am dying of thirst

(chorus)

Dear Grandfather I put my faith in a song
Til I’m learning to believe you get what you need
And sometimes you must lay it down

And Dear Grandfather to your silence I have come
For the wisest of men say we’ve spit on your hand
And soon your answer will come

Though my sails be torn and tattered
and the mast be turned about
let the night wind chill me to my very soul
though the spray might sting my eyes
and the stars no light provide
give me just another morning light to hold

Chorus:
I will not lie me down this rain a-ragin’
I will not lie me down in such a storm
and if this night be unblessed I shall not take my rest
till I reach another shore

Though the only water left
is but salt to wound my thirst
I will drink the rain that falls so steady down
and though night’s blindness be my gift
and there be thieves upon my drift
I will praise this fog that shelters me along

(chorus)

Though my mates by drained and weary
and believe their hopes are lost
there’s no need for their bones on that blackened bottom
and though death waits just off the bow
they shall not answer to him now
he shall stand to face the morning without us

What I wanted to do tonight was to come around
Turn down the front hall light, put my arms around you
Didn’t matter that much to me if we drank or smoked
Or listened to some new records or went for broke

What I wanted to do tonight was to spend my time
With the one who’s been calling me, been on my mind
Didn’t matter that much to me if we talked or kissed
Just being somewhere with you, that’s what I miss

But you say to make it clear what I want from you
I want to be your lover (3x)
It’s true, yes it is it’s true, yes it is it’s true

What I wanted to do tonight was to come around
Maybe look into your eyes, ‘stead of looking down
Didn’t matter that much to me if we didn’t behave
Just being somewhere with you that’s what I crave

Seems like there ought to be a way
To look each other in the eye
To see we’re all in this together
And put all thoughts of victory aside
Seems like there ought to be a way to
Turn some fear into trust
No matter what you say, there has to be a way
Every living thing is counting on us

Seems like there ought to be way
To separate the freedom from the flag
To see what’s real in the illusion
Sometimes a beauty walks around in rags
Seems like there ought to be agreement
We would rather live in peace than fight
No matter what you say, there has to be a way
Every living thing is on our side

Seems like if there’s a god in heaven
We must’ve been put here to get along
To see that life is for the living
To leave alive the living when we’re done
Seems like this ship out on the ocean
Must fly on the wings of the dove
No matter what you say, there has to be a way
Every living thing is reason enough