Lyrics for DRIVER, available at CD Baby.com
and on iTunes.

R’n’R

You don’t rock and roll like you used to
You don’t rock and roll like you used to

You don’t want to do the twist
You got a new dance, it goes like this

You don’t rock and roll like you used to
You don’t rock and roll like you used to

You don’t want to jump and shout
You just want to sit and pout

You don’t rock and roll like you used to
You don’t rock and roll like you used to

You yell and curse about how you’re pissed
I’d rather play a song that’ll get me kissed

You don’t rock and roll like you used to
Whoo hoo

I never did get the whole techno thing
What does it mean if it ain’t got that swing?
Emo’s dark and metal’s fast
It might, uh, work for some, but I think I’ll pass

You don’t rock and roll like you used to
Whoo hoo

NOVOCAIN

You’ve gotten tough
Your heart’s been beat up
You said it only hurt a little bit
You’ve had enough
Disingenuous love
And everything that comes with it
You get a thrill
When you reel ‘em in a little
Then you turn away
What’s a boy t’ do
With a girl like you
But give his heart a shot of Novocain

Give your heart a shot of Novocain
Don’t feel anything
Nothin’ gonna get to you

Give your heart a shot of Novocain
Don’t feel anything

There are nights
When you feel all right
You don’t need anyone around
Other times
When your words don’t rhyme
You wish he was there to write you a poem
You wanna keep ‘im on a string
When it looks like he’s a driftin’
You can pull him back
Makes a boy wonder
About your previous lovers
And what they could’ve done to make you act like that

Gave your heart a shot of Novocain
Don’t feel anything
Nothin’ gonna get to you

Give your heart a shot of Novocain
Don’t feel anything
No joy, no pain

I know about that condition
Be careful what you wish upon yourself
Might help to get you by like any temporary fix
Or hollow you out unlike anything that you had ever felt

Give your heart a shot of Novocain
Don’t feel anything
Nothin’ gonna get to you

Give your heart a shot of Novocain
Don’t feel anything
No joy, no pain

Give your heart a shot
Give your heart a shot of Novocain

HARD KISSER

I bet anything you’re a hard kisser
I bet you put your lips right through mine
Take the breath right outta my lungs
You sweet, seductive serpentine

One night with you, I know
I would never be the same
I bet anything you’re a hard kisser
And I don’t even want to know your name

You could have me walkin’
On my knees to your door
Oh yeah, I know
Like every other lusting man before

Let’s just say for argument’s sake
I put the make on and you take the bait
Don’t want to see a misty look in your eyes
I’m not invitin’ you to go look at a sunrise

I’m no the kind that you want to dismiss for
Your baby-toothed, momma’s little well-wisher, naw
Think of me as a man on a mission
I bet anything you’re a hard kisser

You could have me walkin’
On my knees to your door
Could be everything ever dreamed
Only one way we can know for sure

I bet anything you’re a hard kisser
I bet you put your lips right through mine
Here’s a key and the number to my door
Why don’t ya come up and see me sometime

FALL IN LOVE
(CJ Watson, Greg Klyma)

Fall in love

I don’t know what to expect
Except that I’ll find out in time
Time has never been my friend
Spending it waiting for a sign to see
If there’s time for me

I seek comfort from my friends
My friends say to let you go
Go on tell me that they’re wrong
Tell me something so I’ll know what to do
Should I show I feel somethin’ for you

So much time all alone
Reached some conclusions on my own
But this one’s got me stumblin’, trippin’
Lord, could I be slippin’, tumblin’
From this humpty dumpty wall
What would happen if I fall in love?

Fall in love

No use wasting all this time
This time you’ve got to decide
Which side of this thing you’re on
On the move or on my mind, what’s it gonna be?
Is there time, is there time for me?

So much time all alone
Reached some conclusions on my own
But this one’s got me stumblin’, trippin’
Lord, could I be slippin’, tumblin’
From this humpty dumpty wall
What would happen if I fall in love?

CHAT IT UP

Talk talk talk roll out the red carpet
For the communications’ age
I emailed my fax machine to dial up your cell phone
Did you get the page
Nowadays there isn’t anywhere you can go
Where you can’t reach everyone and they can’t reach you
While some people thrive in this other’s in self-defense
Simply do not chat it up like they used to

Cell phone society talk is cheap you should see
My pricing plan
I can talk to my girlfriend in town for as much
As it costs me to talk to this girl in Japan
She don’t speak my language and I don’t speak hers
A computer chip translates as we chortle and coo
When my girl in town found out she blew a fuse and now
We just do not chat it up like we used to

Email retrieval syndrome Orwell was onto something
Screens casting images in everyone’s room
Information super highway surf surf surf surf safari
Help me Rhonda yea you got to chat me up soon
Online breeds cowardice as everyone’s alias
Keeps them anonymous in their points of view
With capital letters Rhonda said that I upset her and now
We just don’t chat it up like we used to… in the chit chat room

Once upon a time in my neighborhood you could see
All the way down to the end of the street
Neighbors were neighborly we sat on our porches
I knew all their names they knew me
Now folks keep to themselves all locked up in their houses
Eight foot high fences obscuring the view
We wave to each other as we exit our driveways
But we just do not chat it up like we used to

I need a tonic for talk electronic
While others just cannot get enough of it
Yes, my cell phone is handy but I have a pet peeve
Can I get a witness where’s the etiquette
At movies and concerts libraries and restaurants
They talk on the cell phone and don’t have a clue
I’m told I should accept it but I find it rude
There are some things that I just don’t care to get used to

There are certain subjects you don’t chat up in polite company
But all this talk about talking has me feeling quite odd
I was torn over which to pick so I flipped a coin to decide the topic
Tales down no politics for now heads up God
Born again Christians praying to a born again Jew
And this one says like Abraham he speaks with you know who
Well I’ve read from scripture and I’ve talked to God too
But He just does not chat it up like He used to
She just does not chat it up like She used to
It does not chat It up

FEAR
(CJ Watson, John Brady, Greg Klyma)

Fear is a powerful master
Ruling with an iron glove
Imposing limitations upon you
Keeping you from things that you love

The questions you need to be askin’
What are you lookin’ for here
Do you stand to gain more from avoiding your hopes or
Overcoming your fear

You’re afraid of losing her
That’s a natural fact
She’s afraid of having you
How natural is that

The questions you need to be askin’
What are you lookin’ for here
Do you stand to gain more from avoiding your hopes or
Overcoming your fear
The questions you need to be askin’
What are you lookin’ for here
Do you stand to gain more from avoiding your hopes or
Overcoming your fear

YOU KNOW ME BETTER

You are my very best friend
You are my very best friend
You are my very best friend, you are
You are my very best friend
You are my very best friend
That’s great and we just met tonight

You know me better than anyone
You know me better than anyone else
You know me better than anyone
You know me better than anyone does
You know me better and that’s great
Cause we just met tonight

We’ve got so much in common
You know my hopes and fears
I never seen it comin’
I’ve waited all these years
You know me better and that’s great
Cause we just met tonight

I think we should go back to my place and have sex…

You are my very best friend
You are my very best friend
You are my very best friend, you are
You are my very best friend
You are my very best friend
That’s great and we just met tonight

You know me better than anyone
You know me better than anyone else
You know me better than anyone
You know me better than anyone does
You know me better and that’s great
Cause we just met tonight

SPENDING THE NIGHT

Why aren’t we spending the night together
Why aren’t we lying in each other’s arms
Why aren’t we sharing our sides of the stories
Of the lives we’ve live so far

And we don’t have to do anything but talk
And we don’t have to do anything at all
I could just look at you in the moonlight’s glow
You were sleepin’
You didn’t have to know
You didn’t even know

Why aren’t we spending the night together
Why aren’t we lying in each other’s arms
Why aren’t we sharing our sides of the stories
Of the lives we’ve live so far

THE SADDEST WAY

Lookin’ for a way to get through to you
Searchin’ for the words to say
Wonderin’ if there’s anything nice that I could do
Probably wouldn’t matter much anyway

I’d probably just be crossin’ some line
Isn’t it a cryin’ shame
You spend so much time searchin’ for a someone like her
And the ya find ‘er only to find out that she doesn’t feel the same

Oh ooh whoa
I heard somebody sayin’ it was beautiful

Well, don’t ya think I know it is
Oh ooh whoa
So beautiful in the saddest way

I blame myself if things got to feelin’ just a little uncomfortable
I’ve always been the awkward kind
I was just thinkin’ maybe, perhaps we
I don’t know what put such a silly idea in my mind
Now maybe I should go
Don’t wanna think about a love no more

Oh ooh whoa
I heard somebody sayin’ it was beautiful
Well, don’t ya think I know it is
Oh ooh whoa
So beautiful in the saddest way

Oh ooh whoa
I heard somebody sayin’ it was beautiful
Well, don’t ya think I know it is
Oh ooh whoa
So beautiful
In the saddest way

WHAT'S SO GREAT ABOUT LOVE
(John Brady BMI)

What’s so great about love?
Falling in and out of maybe
Seems it only makes you crazy
What’s so great about love?

What so great about love?
Thought a lot about it lately
It’s full of lots of ifs and maybes
What so great about love?

Did she mean what she just said
Or was I reading into that?
There’s the phone, well, maybe that’s her now

Does she want to be with me?
Or is it in my mind or maybe
She will take my arm and say “don’t go”
How do I know?

What so great about love?
It isn’t really realistic
You really gotta be a mystic
What so great about love?

I feel like I’m just seventeen
Ridiculous, but true, it seems
It’s like I wanna meet you after school
I wanna run, I wanna hide
I wanna pull ya to my side
I wanna know what I’m supposed to do
What do I do?

What so great about love?
The evidence is on the table
It’s better in rhymes and fables
I’m ready but I feel unable
What so great about love?

Maybe we’ll have coffee and we’ll talk an hour or more
It gets late, she stands up, so do I, we eye the door
Man, I feel stupid. Does she know it? Does it show?
Then the silence roars like thunder and it’s time somebody stays
And someone goes
The tension grows

What’s so great about love?
Falling in and out of maybe
Seems it only makes you crazy
What’s so great about love?
What’s so great about love?
What’s so great about love?

GOOD ABOUT ANYTHING

I ain’t feelin’ too good about anything
And it’s been hard to pinpoint just what it is that’s wrong
Makes me want to run off to the hills or some place
Where I can just sit for awhile
Underneath the sun
Write it all down in a journal
Bury it there and move on

Hey, I adore ya, Just like I said I did
What I’ve learned about you ain’t too flattering
So, I’ll keep it hid
I only think about ya, Every now and then
When I ain’t feeling too good about anything

Who needs you, who needs anything
When you’ve got a radio, four wheels and an open road
Got a station comin’ in from some place far away
Ain’t that the way it goes
Just when ya find a song that’s good
You’ve taken that car just a mile too far
And the signal’s gone but you’ve just gotta move on

Hey, I adore ya, Just like I said I did
What I’ve learned about you ain’t too flattering
So, I’ll keep it hid
I only think about ya, Every now and then
When I ain’t feeling too good about anything

So what I’m a dreamer
Makin’ wishes is what I do
So what if some of ‘em fall flat
Even dreamers know that they can’t all come true

Hey, I adore ya, Just like I said I did
What I’ve learned about you ain’t too flattering
So, I’ll keep it hid
I only think about ya, Every now and then
When I ain’t feeling too good about anything

Good about anything

DRIVER
(Brenton, Klyma)

You give me somethin' then ya take it back
Tell me driver what you're drivin' at
Stated your case, I thought that that was that
You give me somethin' then ya take it back

I might’ve guessed you was deceivin’ me
Now all my dreams lay across the sea
The driver can not take that road
Gonna build a ship and sale it on my own

You give me somethin' then ya take it back
Tell me driver what you're drivin' at
Stated your case, I thought that that was that
You give me somethin' then ya take it back

Tell me now Driver what’s your song
A few good lines but it lasts too long
Sorry now Driver I can’t stay
Patience for a moment then it fades away

It kind of fades away
It kind of fades away
It kind of fades away
It kind of fades away

You give me somethin' then ya take it back
Tell me driver what you're drivin' at
Stated your case, I thought that that was that
You give me somethin' then ya take it back

It kind of fades away
It kind of fades away
It kind of fades away
It kind of fades away

NOT A COMPLICATED GUY -- THE LYRICS

Another Town - December 18, 2001
(c)(p)2002 Gregory F. Klima

There's a place in the cement
Where you put your hands when you were five
Sixteen years ago it made you giggle
Now, it just chews you up inside

To think, that sidewalk isn't goin' anywhere
That handprint is an artifact
They'll both be in this town forever
But you don't want to end up like that

There must be more to livin'
That's comin' through loud and clear
You want the end of the rainbow
That rainbow doesn't touch down here
When moonlight burns to ashes
This place just brings you down
If you can't find something to believe in here
Start lookin' in another town

Your parents gave you freedom and affection
Your parents taught you how
To make your own decisions
Hey! you're a big girl now

There won't be no goin' away party
You'll just pack up all your stuff
Yeah, this town's been good t' you
Somehow good just isn't good enough

There must be more to livin'
That's comin' through loud and clear
You want the end of the rainbow
That rainbow doesn't touch down here
When moonlight burns to ashes
This place just brings you down
If you can't find something to believe in here
Start lookin' in another town

So what are you waitin' for?
I mean, like, what is it gonna take
For you to be sure?
The longer that you wait
The harder it's gonna be
Just start packin'
Don't look back
The world is waitin' for you to shout:
"I'm free!"

There must be more to livin'
That's comin' through loud and clear
You want the end of the rainbow
That rainbow doesn't touch down here
When moonlight burns to ashes
This place just brings you down
If you can't find something to believe in here
Start lookin' in another town

Start lookin' in another town
Start lookin' in another town

Earn Your Reward - March 30, 1997
(c) (p) Gregory F. Klima 2002

You say it's not easy
Nothing worth having ever is
You've got to sweat your own blood
Earn your reward
You say you are weary
Ah, what do you know of weary
Has your road been so long?
Your journey so hard?

Walk on my brother,
Your road has not ended, your road has not ended
Walk on my sister,
Your brother's in need of your love
Oh my sweet mother,
Lay down your weary head
You've traveled long enough
You've traveled long enough

Sail on now stranger
Sail on to a distant shore
Find what you seek there and
Call it your home
Sail on now stranger
When you should arrive at my door
I shall welcome your family
As it were my own

Walk on my brother,
Your road has not ended, your road has not ended
Walk on my sister,
Your brother's in need of your love
Oh my sweet mother,
Lay down your weary head
You've traveled long enough
You've traveled long enough

Look all around you
At the things you give names and the things you give values
Tell me now, truthfully
What is it all worth?
And what say you of freedom
As something you can not hold in your hand
Ah, but you've got it like it was placed in your pocket
On the day of your birth

Walk on my brother,
Your road has not ended, your road has not ended
Walk on my sister,
Your brother's in need of your love
Oh my sweet mother,
Lay down your weary head
You've traveled long enough
You've traveled long enough

You say it's not easy
Nothing worth having ever is
You've got to sweat your own blood
Earn your reward

Bean Bag Chair - July 21, 2001
(c)(p)2002 Gregory F. Klima

My name is Stan
I'm a man
I have a flat on the east side
Because that's where it's at
I like to come home in the evenin' and rest my bones
Maybe talk on the telephone
Or send out some emails

I like to rest my derrière in my bean bag chair
In my bean bag chair

My favorite hobby is mindin' my own business
What the other people in my apartment building do
In their living room
Well, it don't confront me none
I just turn up my stereo machine
Slip out of my blue jeans and shake my booty

When I'm not dancin' in my underwear you find me sittin'
In my bean bag chair
In my bean bag chair

I'm not a complicated guy
I like to keep things simple
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine
I like to keep things simple
I've had a pretty good life I guess
Might even say that I've been blessed
'Cause I've found ecstacy to which nothing else compares
I'm my bean bag chair
In my bean bag chair

My name is Stan
I'm a man
I have a flat on the east side
Because that's where it's at
I like to come home in the evenin' and rest my bones
Maybe turn on the television
Crack open a cold one and watch the W.W.F

Every now and then I have to get up to go to the Fridgidere
But then I get right back in my bean bag chair
In my bean bag chair
In my bean bag chair

Too Far Gone - November 30, 2001
(c)(p)2002 Gregory F. Klima

Hound dog howlin' in your ear
You can feel the vibrations, but you can't hear
Julia's standin' there in front of you as sweet as can be
She's handin' you a blanket but you can't see

Oh whoa oh oh oh, look at you now
Can't catch a rabbit 'cause you're too far gone (2X)

Sittin' on a barstool like a bump on a log
You're only happy when you're feelin' like all is lost
Got some good friends around you want to give you help
But you ain't goin' nowhere, man, you said it yourself

Oh whoa oh oh oh, look at you now
Can't catch a rabbit 'cause you're too far gone (2X)

Funky Evan and the ghost-rider cyclin' by
Stick out your thumb maybe they'll give you a ride
Give you a ride, yeah right
Sticker on the fender reads: "You're No Friend of Mine."

Oh whoa oh oh oh, look at you now
Can't catch a rabbit 'cause you're too far gone (2X)

Lots of folks wonder what happened to you
You used to be a warrior, you used to be true
Well you kept the old name like you'd wear a disguise
It's a colorful mask but I can still see your eyes

Oh whoa oh oh oh, look at you now
Can't catch a rabbit 'cause you're too far gone (2X)

You ain't ever caught a rabbit, you're no friend of mine
You used t' have it in ya, now ya don't even try
Instead of readin' poetry, you've been handin' me lines
You said you was high class, but that's just a lie

Oh whoa oh oh oh, look at you now
Can't catch a rabbit 'cause you're too far gone (4X)

Look out!

When in Rome - May 2001
(c)(p)2002 Gregory F. Klima

Young man settin' out for somewhere
Young man lookin' hard for somethin'
Better make your mind up quick or
You might come away with nothin'

Old man sittin' back
Reflectin' hard on how the time was spent
Wond'rin' if he'd ever found it
Wond'rin' where the young man went

Sayin' I don't wanna roam no more
I don'd wanna be a stranger knockin' on the door
When in Rome do as the roamers do
You're gonna roam
Now you're on a brand new path
Travelin' hard to get back home

Some folks are gonna tell ya
Home is where ya hang your hat
For other folks it's where the heart is
There ain't nothin' wrong with that

Naw, there ain't nothin' wrong with feelin' connected
Like you're part of somethin'
Somethin' you can carry with ya
No matter what, or where ya've been

Singin' I don't wanna roam no more
I don'd wanna be a stranger knockin' on the door
When in Rome do as the roamers do
You're gonna roam
Now you're on a brand new path
Travelin' hard to get back home 

One Foot in the Grave (Ballad of the Self-Abusers)
written by GK and Bill Passalacqua, June 22, 2002
check out Bill at www.billpassalacqua.com
(c)(p)2002 Gregory F. Klima/Bill Passalacqua

I come from a long line of self-abusers
My great grandpa was an opium user
My old man, well, he liked the drink
That's where I get it from, I think but

Chorus:
We're only here for a short short while
You may as well go around in style
I was born with one foot in the grave
So who's life am I gonna save

My cousin Benny did yoga and always ate right
He got hit by a train last night
His wife Jenny never once sniffed glue
She was ridin' shotgun, now, she's dead too (CH)

My aunt Irene is a bit obscene
She likes the dirty movies and the magazines
She's rubbed off the zippers on all 'er jeans
And the corners of the tables have a glossy sheen (CH)

My buddy Ed has a garden and he gives me cucumbers
Found out he's got cancer and his days are numbered
So, he's replanted the garden with a different seed
Now, he throws away the veggies and he keeps the weeds (CH)

My granny's got the nerves, you should see her shake
But she swears that it's not from the pills she takes
Naw, she says it's the coffee that shakes 'er hand
But it ain' the percolator, it's the Percodan (CH)

My sister Kitty, she's got nine lives
She couldn't kill 'erself with guns and knives
She'd like to get it done without committin' a crime
Now, she smokes cigarettes and bides 'er time (CH)

Last night I dreamed that I met me ruin
From all of the alcohol I've been comsumin'
Had a smile on my face and my belly fat
Woke up, laughed it off and said "I'll drink to that."
People are uptight wherever you go
Someone's pointin' a finger and tellin' ya "No."
But when I'm dead and gone the plain truth will be
I never done harm to anyone but me (CH x2)

Song for the Patriot - October 3, 2002
(c)(p)2002 Gregory F. Klima

Have you heard about the new sensation?

Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools
Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism
That's what's been handed to your children and you
It's amazining what you can pull when people are afraid
You're never gonna believe what's gone down in the good ol' USA

Have you heard about the new sensation?

The House voted 356 to 66
That's just out of balance enough to make a patriot sick
The Senate vote came back 98 and one
At least someone had the courage enough to stand up against something that's wrong

Have you heard about the new sensation?

Now, a patriot is one who loves, supports and defends one's country
The things to love, support and defend in America are justice and liberty
Don't be handin' down an acronym
Don't be pullin' that stunt
Don't be coverin' up your weaknesses by compromising liberties
All the while usin' terrorism as a front, no

Have you heard about the new sensation?

Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools
Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism
They must take us for a nation of fools
342 pages hastily drafted while preying upon your fears
Best to talk about it now before the day comes when your freedom
To speak and gather peacealby disappears

Have you heard about the new sensation?

I want a leader, I want a leader, I want a leader
Who won't take my freedom from me
I want a leader, I want a leader, I want a leader
Who will lead, lead lead

Eeny Meeny Miny Moe - October 15, 2001
(c)(p)2002 Gregory F. Klima

Richard stuffs his ballot in the ballot box
Casting the obligatory vote
He had a hard time making this decision
Whether to flip a coin or just use eeny meeny miny moe

Jennifer will be voting for the first time this election
But she can't make up her mind which candidate is the best
Her mother says: "Just choose the lesser of two evils dear."
But when you do that you always get evil and you always end up with less

Eeny meeny miny moe
Catch a president by the toe
If he raises taxes, let 'im go
Oh whoa oh

Government for the people by the people
You've heard about a thousand points of light
Let me tell ya about a million points of view
So, how is it on election day
The powers that be expect of us to narrow it down to two?

America is a melting pot of people
The land of opportunity, get all that you can get
The adage is all people are created equal
Yet, it takes testosterone, white skin and cash to be the president
 
Eeny meeny miny moe
Catch a president by the toe
If he lowers taxes say "way to go"
Oh whoa oh

For just a little bit of progress you might try Congress
They've got white guys, black guys, tan guys, fat guys, tall guys,
Short guys too
And in 1916, Jeannette Rankin was the first to prove
Congress is not exclusive: they let girls in there too

If you go to a grocery store you can find all kinds of cheeses
If you go to an athlete store you can bounce all kinds of balls
It seems to me that Americans like their choices
And yet, when voting for the president we're not very picky at all

You've got choices, you've got voices, so remember what this boy says
You've got an open invitation to let your freedom ring
If the folks at parties one and two seem dull or narrow-minded to you
There's an open door and a lot of room at party number three

Eeny meeny miny moe
Catch a president by the toe
If he don't look good on t.v. you've got to let him go
Oh whoa oh

Eeny meeny miny moe
Catch a president by the toe
If he's a puppet on a string you've got to let him go
oh whoa

Immediate Reaction - Sept. 14 - 21, 2001
(C) (P) Gregory F. Klima

I woke up around 10 am
Grabbed a bite to eat
Put on some old blue jeans and a sweatshirt
Took a piss and brushed my teeth

Went outside and found some tools
I had to change the oil on my van
Mother and sister were coming up the drive
As the oil filled the pan

Mom was kind of silent
That's unusual for her
Sister just looked me in the face
And asked me, "Have you heard?"

Have you heard about what's gone on in New York town?
From the greatest height there came the greatest fall
Now just what in the hell is goin' on around here?
You can't make sense of something that don't make sense at all

Folks was shocked to silence
But there really isn't very much that anyone could say
They walked around with their heads bowed down from the weight of it all
Or maybe to pray

Other folks just mumbled
Shook their heads in disbelief
Thinkin': who would do such a thing?
What kind of evil being? What kind of thief?

And some would turn their eyes to the skies above
For their spirits to be led
Some would pray for the rebirth of a Jesus Christ
And got the reincarnation of a Hitler instead

And where you were when it all was happenin'
That's a memory you always will recall
Some future generation is gonna ask ya what you were thinkin'
What you were feelin'

But you can make sense of something that don't make sense at all

History repeats itself
It just manifests in different ways
We took it up to a whole other level
With the events that took place on that day

The Pope came on the TV and begged us
Not to make the same mistakes that other generations have made before
The President came on the TV too and said
"We're gonna win this war."

And those words "We're gonna win this war."
Just kind of echoed in my brain
I had become so convinced that the world I was livin' in
Wouldn't know that kind of pain, what can I say

My world came to an end that day
And the one that replaced it felt so unusual
Why do so many thousand innocent people have to die?
I still sit and wonder, but

You can't make sense of something that don't make sense at all

I have always believed that we the people are all basically the same
My parents didn't raise me to believe you could judge somebody
By their religion,
or their color,
or their last name

In a city with a million people accustomed to turning their eyes away
All would notice each other, some for the very first time
So much in common
So much to say

It would take a terrible negative
To produce a powerful positive good
What a shame that it takes such a tragedy
Just to get people to act the way they always should

And you know you should, so has the lesson been learned?
'Cause t' forget it would be so regrettable
We respect human life and yet somehow we don't respect one another
Man, ya just can't make sense of somethin' that don't make sense at all

Somethin's gonna happen here
Of that you can be sure
Furthermore it's certain
Our true leaders will emerge

I hope they lead us with integrity
A sense of purpose and of grace
And for a change they might try honesty
About the challenges we face

It's unconscionable to think this could be linked
To the chain of capital pursuit
Yet how often do we learn how the deeds of man
Had money at the root, and then they shoot

And I'm terrified of a World War Three
If you aren't, man, ya sure've got a lot of gall
My opinion may change in the long term, but my immediate reaction was
You can't make sense of somethin' that don't make sense at all

And I'm not feelin' altogether too invincible here
From the greatest height, there came the greatest fall
No matter what happens somebody somewhere will be justified in sayin'
You just can't make sense of somethin' that don't make sense at all

Jesus was Jewish
The only son of Allah
Might have been a Buddhist
That could be true
Some say he was a white man
But he could have been darker
Ya know, no one took a picture
What were they thinkin'?

Everybody
Listen to the story
Think about it for a minute
Maybe two
It's really kinda simple
Doesn't need an explanation
Or are you missing the point
Like you always do

Davy Crockett was a marksman
Born in Tennessee
About 18-hundred years or so
After Jesus died
Davy was a Congressman
Died at the Alamo
And someone sang he killed a "bar"
When he was only three

Everybody
Listen to the story
Think about it for a minute
Maybe two
It's really kinda simple
Doesn't need an explanation
Or are you missing the point
Like you always do

Dennis was a Mexican
I met 'im on a bus once
I was on my way to Chicago
He was headed for Duluth
Thought he was Bob Dylan
Talked about religion
Or maybe he was fiction
I dare you to prove it

Everybody
Listen to the story
Think about it for a minute
Maybe two
It's really kinda simple
Doesn't need an explanation
Or are you missing the point
Like you always do

Now, Jesus was Jewish
But not really the only son of Allah
Someone told me once
He mighta been a Buddhist
And I can see how that might be true
A lot of white folk say he was a white folk
But he might've been darker
Ya know, no one took a picture

IN THE MEANTIME -- THE LYRICS

World of Love - March 14, 2001
(c)(p)2001 Gregory F. Klima

Don't wanna talk about hatred
I haven't got time for the hate
Wanna talk about love, love, love
Talk about needed love

Don't wanna talk just to pass the time
I haven't got the time to waste
Wanna talk about love, love, love
Talk about givin' love

The kind you give to your mama
The kind you give to your dad
The kind you give to a stranger
You know there isn't any love that's ever bad

I wanna celebrate diversity
'Cause the alternative seems so much worse to me
Nothin' better than love, love, love
Talk about understanding
And love

I wanna talk about Venus
Allah, Buddha and Jesus
Wanna talk about love, love, love
Talk about a World of Love

The kind you get from your mama
The kind you get from your dad
The kind you get unexpected
Might even be the best love that you ever had

I don't wanna talk about the media coverage
Of children takin' weapons to school
I wanna talk about love, love, love
Talk about, a cry for love

I wanna talk about love, love, love
Talk about needin' love

I wanna talk about love, love, love
Talk about a World of Love

I wanna talk about it
Love, love, love, love, love

How's It Goin' (February 20, 2001)
© (p) Gregory F. Klima

You've got the motivation son, you know you're capable
Sometimes you've got to push the cart when there ain't no horse t' pull it
It ain't no real big secret, it's just that you try
While others are content and wonder why oh why oh why

How's it goin', how you doin' my friend
It's been a long time since we had a conversation
How's it goin', how you doin' my friend

Yeah man I know what you're sayin', I felt that same way too
This time about a year ago I was feelin' just like you
I was standin' next to the lake, the water started gettin' high
I had to head for the hills, I didn't wanna die

How's it goin', how you doin' my friend
It's been a long time since we had a conversation
How's it goin', how you doin' my friend

Lately I've had lots of pictures runnin' through my brain
And some of 'em are desperados waitin' for a train
I didn't say it outright, but I left a lot of clues
And while some will understand, it will leave other quite confused

How's it goin', how you doin' my friend
It's been a long time since we had a conversation
How's it goin', how you doin' my friend

Pretty (May 9, 1999)
©(p) Gregory F. Klima

Once there was such a pretty young thing it was all my heart could do
From going thump thump thump when I'd hear her sing
Lie la lie, doodle loo

I was young, the world was spring and everything was new
And the world did spin with a song to sing
Lie la lie, doodle loo

There are no words that I know to describe a love as sweet and true
But frozen in time there's a song in my mind
Lie la lie, doodle loo

There isn't a day when the wind does blow 'neath a sky above so blue
That the breeze doesn't carry the sound of her voice singing
Lie la lie, doodle loo

Am I older now? I really couldn't tell
Am I older now? I suppose it's just as well
But for a moment I wasn't so afraid to try
Living for the moment, but now another has passed me by

Once there was such a pretty young thing it was all my heart could do
From going thump thump thump when I'd hear her sing
Lie la lie, doodle loo

Human, Like You (November 10, 1998)
© (p) Gregory F. Klima

We walk the same streets and breathe the same air
As far as you're concerned the similarities stop right there
But oh who are you to go and tell me what's right
Believe it or not I like my life
It's so hard to face but I'm afraid it's true
Like it or not I'm human, like you
Like it or not I'm human, like you

You preach at me the teachings of the Lord above
Then ya crucify me, hate me, for the way I love
But oh who are you to go and tell me what's right
Believe it or not I like my life
It's so hard to face but I'm afraid it's true
Like it or not I'm human, like you
Like it or not I'm human, like you

Was a time in our history
We couldn't get the different races to agree
If this is evolution, Lord help up now
'Cause homophobia's no place to find you common ground

So they beat his head in and tied 'im to a fence
Lookin' like a scarecrow, slowly dyin', it doesn't make any sense
We walk the same streets and breathe the same air
But it's our differences that define us and they'll always be there

Get use to it

'Cause oh who are you to go and say what's right
Believe it or not they like their lives
It's so hard to face, but I'm afraid it's true
Like it or not, human, like you
Like it or not, human, like you
Like it or not, I'm human, like you
Like it or not, I'm human

I'm Proud (February 9, 1998)
(c) (p) Gregory F. Klima

So many people come and go
They pass through our lives and they never know
They never know all the joy that they give
All the sunlight they bring to the lives that we live

Well you give my life meaning that I now understand
I believe you're the reason that I am who I am
Well you might not know it, 'cause I never said it out loud
But you've been a part of my life and I'm proud

You come to me on the darkest of nights
Well you take all that darkness and you make it light
When I'm lower than low, can't get up any higher
You put a song in my heart like a gospel choir

Well you give my life meaning that I now understand
I believe you're the reason that I am who I am
Well you might not know it, 'cause I never said it out loud
But you've been a part of my life and I'm proud

Livin' life has brought me to this conclusion
You ain't got nothin' brother if you ain't got love

I want to thank you all for your help so far
For bein' just exactly who you are
It's a list of names so long I don't know where to begin
It'd take me a year to try and fit 'em all in

Well you give my life meaning that I now understand
I believe you're the reason that I am who I am
Well you might not know it, 'cause I never said it out loud
But you've been a part of my life and I'm proud

Life's such a mystery of things we conceal
But it's sad when we don't share the way that we feel
For me it's just easier when the words sorta rhyme
So allow me to lay it on you just one more time

Yeah you give my life meaning that I now understand
I believe you're the reason that I am who I am
Well you might not know it, 'cause I never said it out loud
But you've been a part of my life and I'm proud

Well you might not know it dad, 'cause I never said it out loud
But you've been a part of my life and I'm proud

Ghost-Like Radio (April 1999)
(c)(p) Gregory F. Klima

Me and my friend Billy
Travelin' down the road
Billy's kinda bein' silly
But me I'm carryin' a heavy load

Let it roll baby roll
Jammin' to a ghost-like radio
Ain't lookin' for nothin' special
Just lookin' for another place to go

I don't know what I expect'll happen
I don't know what I expect to see
Billy say "You can read the map, boy."
"Leave all the drivin' to me."

Let it roll baby roll
Jammin' to a ghost-like radio
Ain't lookin' for nothin' special
Just lookin' for another place to go

Life is just a big adventure
Things can and will go wrong
There ain't no place you can run and hide
But you can sure enough get lost in a familiar song

And let it roll baby roll
Jammin' to a ghost-like radio
Ain't lookin' for nothin' special
Just lookin' for another place to go

No we ain't lookin' for nothin' special
Just lookin' for another place to go

Bad ‘B’ Western (August 26, 2000)
(C) (P) Gregory F. Klima

It was a bad 'B' western movie
That can't be denied
The dialogue was shaky and the humor...dry
Still people came to see it
And everybody cried
When the stagecoach got all shot up
And the hero died

It had been at least a decade and a half since anyone
Had sent a script my way, I figured someone was just having fun
at my expense, like maybe a bad joke or somebody lost a bet
Well, it left a first impression that I carry with me yet

(Chorus)
Turned out the director'd be some punk about half my age
Who had never done a film before, his background was on the stage
Well, he tried to get Clint Eastwood,
The part was written for Clint ya see
But when Clint told him to piss off that's when someone remembered me

A nineteen year old Playboy model played the damsell in distress
She aspired to be an actress, she aspired to wear a dress
It took me 42 takes to get the scene right where she kissed me on the mouth
Ah, but just my luck, I'd left that damned viagra back at the house

(chorus)

Ah, it felt good just to be workin' again
Back in my day I could light up any scene
I could play 'em sweet and sensitive
I could play 'em hard and mean
Ah but, twenty years've drinkin'
Well it had torn my insides up
I was fightin' back the pains, and spittin' up some blood

Well you know the Oscars overlooked us
But we cleaned house at the People's Choice
And when they called me up as a winner
Well I had to clear my voice:
(mm mm mm) I sure has been a privelege for me to get this chance to work on
such a fine film with this young cast and crew..."
But then I had to smirk 'cause

(Chorus)

That night after the ceremony we all went out to celebrate
and I was glad to have Viagra in my jacket pocket, just in case
Got home that night I put my trophy on the mantel with a grin
Then I doubled over in pain muttered
"Roll the credits boys. That's the end."

NEW CLOTHES -- THE LYRICS

Work Some Old Things Out

I've been thinkin' about my situation
Nothin' to intriguin', maybe time to change up
Throw a curve ball, try a different route
Work some new things in, work some old things out

Sorta feels like I'm goin' nowhere fast
Judgin' from the scenery could it be I'm there at last
Send a postcard, tell you all about
How I worked some new things in and worked some old things out

The audience last night was dancin'
I knew right then I had 'em hooked
Liked the way I did the cover
Hoped that they might read the book
Took on that identity like it was comin' from my heart
And they made such a big deal of it:
Starin' at the smallest part

When I finished with the number I stumbled over what was next
I can make it simple for ya, I've developed quite a complex
Sometimes I look at the set list and in my mind I have my doubts
Time to work some new things in and work some old things out

The audience last night was dancin'
I knew right then I had 'em hooked
Liked the way I did the cover
Hoped that they might read the book
Took on that identity like it was comin' from my heart
And they made such a big deal of it:
Starin' at the smallest part
So I've been thinkin' about my situation
Nothin' to intriguin', maybe time to change up
Throw a curve ball, try a different route
Work some new things in, work some old things out

Hey pretty baby can I take you home
Got a ride right here with your name on it
Ain't bein' slick, don't get me wrong
Jus' cold outside kinda figured you'd want it

"So anyway, how do you do?"
See ya say with a smile "I'm only blue"
Don't act so surprised 'cause I think you knew,
That I've been feelin' that way too.

Go figure it, us bein' here at the very same moment
I must admit this bein' like this it's better than bein' lonely
It's better than bein' only blue

Look at me tryin' t' talk real tough
Goin' on and on about such and such
My life's kinda plain (playin'), could use a woman's touch
But if we don't go too far it won't matter too much

Go figure it, us bein' here at the very same moment.
I must admit this bein' like this it's better than bein' lonely.
It's better than bein' only blue.

There's a cold wind blowin' outside
But we won't feel the chill of it tonight
Don't know where this might be goin' to
I'll live for the moment with you.

Hey pretty baby can I take you home
Got a ride right here with your name on it
Ain't bein' slick, don't get me wrong
Jus' cold outside kinda figured you'd want it

Go figure it, us bein' here at the very same moment.
I must admit this bein' like this it's better than bein' lonely.
It's better than bein' only…
It's better than bein' only blue.

Beloved Companion

I never seen it comin', Guess I had my head held low
Guess I figured love was somethin' I had no right to know
I've never been with someone for too long a time
Now I seem to come undone when your hand isn't here in mine
 
You're my BELOVED COMPANION
You've got a lot of style
Havin' you around me for so long's somethin' I could get use to...
After a while
 
Some people got nothin' to win. Some people got nothin' to lose.
I guess it all depends upon the people you choose.
Just look at this life I'm leadin'. Just look at the mess I'm in.
Got me wonderin' just what you're seein',
When you just look at me and grin.
You're my BELOVED COMPANION
You've got a lot of style
Havin' you around me for so long's somethin' I could get use to...
After a while
Don't wanna be too serious but I can't see any reason to fight it.
This feels like somethin' I've never known:
Yeah, it feels all right.
I say some things just to make you smile.
I say some things just to get you in bed.
I wrote the verses tryin' to tell you I love ya.
I wrote the chorus just to mess with your head.
I never seen it comin' but I'd hate to see it gone.
Don't wanna be too serious, I just wanna finish this song.
You're my BELOVED COMPANION
You've got a lot of style
Havin' you around me for so long's somethin' I could get use to...
After a while
You're my BELOVED COMPANION
I love to see you smile.
Havin' you around me for so long's somethin' I could get use to...
After a while

New Clothes

I've been lookin' for a new direction
Kinda wore out from runnin' around in circles
Feel my soul's in need of a resurrection
But I'm runnin' outta time to wait for miracles
I've been feelin' all alone in this city
And I don't go out much I haven't been feelin' very pretty
I spent a lot of time offering the others help
Got a brand new plan in mind this time I'm gonna help myself

Chorus:
Think I might go for a walk this afternoon
Or take a ride with no one place in mind
Think it's time for me to buy some new clothes
And leave these rags I've been wearin' far behind

I've got holes that I just cover up with patches
And I've got tears a little trickier to mend
And I've been stained because I didn't pay attention
Swear I'll never be that careless again
Suits me just fine though some might say that I've been misfit
But it's not what you wear, it's more about how you wear it
So if I seem stressed out well that's my patience wearin' thin
I don't know where I'll go to next but I think I know where I'll begin

Need a change of style
Sure need somethin', it sure has been a while
Might not fit me down the road 'cause I'm still growin'
But never tryin's more like never knowin'

Fact or fiction the way we where our lives is strange
And when there's friction then it's time to make a change
Beauty bein' skin deep well that's half the story at best
No it doesn't take into account the ways we like to dress

Always

Once in a while a thought makes me smile
But then I'm right back breakin' down again.

I knew that this day would come
But it still makes me numb
It's left a heartache I know will take
Many years to mend

But you can spend a whole lifetime
And still not get it done
Funny thing about time
It always slips away
But one thing I know
You'll be with me where ever I go
For the rest of my days
For all of the time I have left in this life
Always

You were the one I could always count on
But there again I never counted on your leavin'

I know that we'll meet again
I can't say right now when
But I know that then
You can put an end to my grievin'

'Cause you can spend a whole lifetime
And still not get it done
Funny thing about time
It always slips away
But one thing I know
You'll be with me where ever I go
For the rest of my days
For all of the time I have left in this life
Always

For all of the time I have left in my life

Always

Diesel Taxi Boogie

Baby warm my coffee 'cause it's time for me to roll
Baby warm my coffee 'cause it's time for me to roll
I've got to get what needs the doin' done
Got a full tank of diesel and a midnight run
Grab my keys and my things, I'm out the door

Got a long night of drivin' gotta keep my motor clean
Got a long night of drivin' gots ta keep my motor clean
I love the sound of the gears and the highway whine
Diesel taxi is a friend of mine
There ain't nothin' in the world like the feel of my machine

There ain't nothin' I would rather do
Don't get much sleep but it's somethin' ya get used to
Got little white pills to get me through if I need to
Full throttle till the sunlight shines
Haulin' ass makin' real good time
Tomorrow I might be dead but tonight this highway's mine

Baby warm my coffee 'cause it's time for me to roll
Baby warm my coffee 'cause it's time for me to roll
I've got to get what needs the doin' done
Got a full tank of diesel and a midnight run
Grab my keys and my things, I'm out the door
I'm out the door
Baby, I'm out the door

Down Comes The Night (the Spirits)

Thinkin' 'bout a woman gave him a thrill
He knows she's gone but he longs for her still
Since she's been gone 'is life's gone to hell
Just spent his last dime in the wishing well

Down comes the night,
And the spirits cry.

Waitin' on a mem'ry won't shake your blues
Just plays ya when you're down and you're bound to lose
There are others in this bar that've lost like you
Now the spirits are the only ones they'll listen to

Down comes the night,
And the spirits cry.

Holdin' on to her ain't worth the pain
Especially when the woman has gone away
Clouded in your mem'ry like a sky in rain
Now you're runnin' when the spirits call out your name.

Down comes the night,
And the spirits cry.

Thinkin' 'bout a woman gave him a thrill
He knows she's gone but he longs for her...
Still

Let It Play
(Jim Whitford and Gregory F. Klima)

There's a handful of events that I look back on with regret
And so many more seemed so big at the time now I forget
Not a day goes by your not bein' around has it's effect
But what stays with me the most is all the time I can't get back

So let it roll on away
Take me to another day
When our eyes did meet beneath a summer sky
That never grayed
Let it play on and on
Like that ole familiar song
When we're standin' arm in arm I hear you say
Let it play

There's a wind before a storm, it blows dry and it blows warm
Bends the grass across the field in a flame's crazy form
It's kickin' up some dust, it's rattling the corn
I could swear I heard you laughin' just before the sky was torn

So let it roll on away
Take me to another day
When our eyes did meet beneath a summer sky
That never grayed
Let it play on and on
Like that ole familiar song
When we're standin' arm in arm I hear you say
Let it play

There is a Wind

There is a wind
Blows through the chimes
Like passing times
Movin' free

And somethin' leaves
Ev'rytime it blows
Somethin' new takes hold
Like a planted seed

And there's a rain
Fallin' from the skies
Brings with it life
It does not thieve

So don't you weep
No not a tear
I will not fear
For I believe

There is a lord
On high above
Showers down love
For all below

Like passin' time
Kinda heals the pain
Like a fallin' rain
Or a wind that blows

There is a day with and early morn
Like a baby's born
Endless possibilities of things
Diff'rent rhyme schemes
I don't know that it means
Anything
Just have to wait and see what the outcome brings
Could be a cloudy day
Or it could be blue all the way
You blew me away
Certainly did
Every word you said registered with me

There was a man
Who lived a life
And then he died
All men do
So now you
Yeah, I'm talkin' t' you
Ya know whatcha gotta do
So go on and do it
Now's the time to get down to it

'Cause there's a wind...

Someday
(Steve Earle)
Lorimar Music A Corp./ ASCAP
Still (c)(p) 1986

For lyrics visit the fine Steve Earle page listed on our links page or pick up a copy of his MCA release: Guitar Town

A Couple More Lines

Standin' here naked
Lyin' still
Thinkin' about dyin'
Wonderin' if he ever will
Knowin' that he did

Think you're gonna hear a dead man's tale
I'd have to guess you hit that nail
Right on the head

But it's just a couple lines
'Cause we all fade in time
Every heart has to beat
Until that faithful day when once again we all shall meet

Them not living still not dead
I've got this living image of 'm in my head
Que sera sera

Don't wanna talk about this no more
Right now
There's only one thing that I know for sure:
I miss my Grandpa

Just a couple more lines
'Cause we all fade in time
Ev'ryone has to grieve
Until that faithful day when once again we all shall meet

From Mmmm! Pie.

AIN'T NO GREENTHUMB'S BLUES

Somethin' in me snapped this mornin'
I took off without a warnin'
Time t' do a little livin'
Life 'round here got kinda borin'

Just leave that motor runnin'
Not quite sure where I'm goin'
I'll bet the home folks sayin'
My God what has that boy done now

I lost my mind on highway
I'm goin' back t' find it
I got my kicks, got into a fix
Went down the next road blinded

Just leave that motor runnin'
Ya got somethin' t' do - I've done it
I'll bet the home folks sayin'
My God what has that boy done now

Didn't pack a single thing of mine. I just disappeared
And I suppose that my poor mother shed a tear
Maybe I'll swing back around again sometime next year
Hey, ya never know.

Didn't do a single thing I was told
Most that stuff just left me puzzled
Paid no mind t' "Easy does it!"
No tellin' how much drink I guzzled

Just left that motor runnin'
Won't shut it down 'til I'm done
I'll bet the home folks sayin'
My God what has that boy done now

Maybe I could-a been a gard'ner leanin' on a garden wall
Watchin' veg'tables grow up so very green and tall
Maybe I'll look back someday and feel I missed my call
Hey, ya never know

Papa's in the backyard mowin'
I'm out on the highway thumbin' I
imagine some ol' woman's crowin'
"That boy's done come down with somethin'!"

Just leave that motor runnin'
You turn your back and I'll be gone
I bet the home folks sayin'
My God what has that boy done now.

WORN-DOWN GYPSY MAN

Standin' on the shoulder was a worn-down gypsy man
He's payin' his fare with his thumb in the air
And goin' just as far as he can
With a little money in his pocket and a guitar across his back
He'll go into town bringin' his sound
And play for whatever he'll get
He lives a life apart from the joy of a woman by his side
'Cause ev'ry day is just a one night stay
Ain't no lady comin' 'long fir the ride
Born with ramblin' fever and a guitar pick in his hand
He left his home with a case full of songs
He's a worn-down gypsy man

Life ain't easy with a complex mind & few that you call friends
But 'e thinks he's right & if he died tonight
Lord he swears he would do it again
The world keeps turnin', desire's burnin',
Neither of 'em ever stop
With a dime and a dream and a town in between
He'll be climbin' his way to the top
He's lived in a box, he's slept in the street, and motels - when he can
There's a lot that he's seen since he was seventeen
He's a worn-down gypsy man

And then someday if luck finds a way
Somebody's gonna see what he's got
Then the dues through the years and the blood, sweat, and tears
Will've fin'ly made their way to the top
He'll be comin' on strong singin' his songs
Right until the bitter end
He'll be lain in his grave but you know he won't stay
He's a worn-down gypsy man

Kickin' back with a friend of mine
Smokin' cigarettes and drinkin' $2 wine
Just sittin' on the front porch watchin' the sun set on another day
Tellin' stories 'bout the escapades and such of our youth
Neither one lyin', but maybe stretchin' the truth
Just a little bit where the memory gray
Ya know man I'm just a little bit older now but the life is good
There's not a lot I'd like t' change but sometimes I wish I could
Make my days just a little bit longer
Spend the hours with my little darlin'
Say baby I wanna make love to you
Hold 'er tight til the mornin' sun comes
Swear my baby is second to none
Lawd, lawd life sure's been good to me

Once and a while when I'm walkin' around
Ev'rything goes black and I find myself down
At MacGruder's farm on a Saturday night
Shakin' in the barn with the ol' man's daughter
Me'n'her, well now, we was jus' kids
Man I could go on about the things that we did
But my fav'rite memory was slippin' off the terry cloth dress
That the ol' man bought 'er
Now I never did tell 'er that I loved 'er but I know that I should've
Lookin' back on it all now man ya know I would've if I could've
Made my days just a little bit longer
Spend the hours with MacGruder's daughter
Say baby I wanna make love to you
Lay in the hay until the mornin' sun comes
Whisper in 'er ear "You're second to none baby,
Lawd, lawd, life sure's been good to me"

Now and again at the end of a day I'll just sit-n-watch the neighborhood children play
Ev'ry once and while if the feelin' is right
Well the moments just seem to freeze
Me and my baby sittin' on a porch swing
Snuggled up close, not regrettin' a thing
Just sippin' on an ice tea and swayin' with the breez
Give 'er a wink and tell 'er with a smile
Ya know if I could start my life a new
Well there's not a lot I'd wanna change
But one thing that I'd sure like t' do is
Make my days just a little bit longer
Spend the hours with you little darlin'
Hey baby I wanna make love to you
I'll hold ya tight until the mornin' sun comes
Swear by God you're second to none baby
Lawd, lawd, life sure's been good to me
Lawd, lawd, life sure's been good to me

Baby baby you know I got my eye on you
Baby baby you know I give my heart to you
Girl let's spend some time together
I won't hurt ya baby never
Girl I promise you

Little darlin' you know I want your love for sure
Little darlin' I could give you so much more
That boy your with don't deserve ya he'll soon forget ya
Baby I could love you better Girl
I promise you

Little darlin' come on and give my heart a whirl Little darlin' come on and give my heart a whirl I'll just wait for sweet surrender Then I'll love you baby tender Girl I promise you

Let me tell ya 'bout a gal named Sara Jo
She was the finest gal I'd known
She had a hot-rod engine and a bucket full of sassy
With an invitation home
She used t' call me up when I was down
And she in'erduced me to the way folks live
On the other side of town

She had a dog she called "The General"
Ya know he only stood about a half foot tall
She loved that pup more than she'd ever love a fella
Boys I tried hard not t' fall
But no matter how I tried I couldn't help but be sucked in
She didn't teach me much about Christian livin'
But she showed me how t' sin

She took me home an in'erduced me to 'er folks
Her genuine love for me turned out to be a hoax
There ain't no way no how
I ever could've known
What she'd have in store for me when she got me alone
Ya see nobody let me know when I was born
But Sara Jo she let me know
Ya see Sara Jo was well informed
It seems ev'ry boy in town would like t' think he knew 'er well
I'd have t' say I thunk the same
Ya see I went with her a spell

Mr. Piano-man, do ya think you can play me somethin' soft & slow
I'd like t' reminisce a while before I go
She broke my heart and left all the pieces kinda scattered on the floor
But it makes me smile when I think about it
See, I loved my Sara Jo

I call you up on the phone
It's been days and I can't help but miss you
I hate this bein' alone
I know you know just exactly what I'm goin' through…

(Chorus)
I don't wanna be here I wanna be there by you( there by you )
I stare out my window like a child forsaken
I'm crestfallen, baby
And I just can't take it no more

I sit and write a few lines
I get lost in the thoughts escapin'
It helps to soften the time
You read my letter and you know just what I'm sayin' baby…

I lie alone on my bed
Light through the window's castin' shadows on the ceilin'
Got this vision of you in my head
I know you're feelin' just exactly what I'm feelin'

Just a customary day
Not unlike anything I hadn't seen before
Watching the moments pass into decay
Nothing less and nothing more
Everywhere you look abuse
Everybody's got their own way to deal
Everyone's got some form of escape they subscribe to
Somewhere to turn when it's too much to feel

(Chorus)
When I'm floating in an open space it gives me somethin' I can hold on to
When all else is forsaken 'round here I turn to you

Might be a very private thing
So you look the doors and keep it to yourself
Might be in a public gathering
Only works for you if it's shared with someone else
Helps to put your mind at ease
Might do some good, may do some harm Might have you down upon your knees
Might be serene, might be cause for alarm

Doesn't matter who you are
Doesn't matter what you do
It's the reality of being human
Sooner or later friend it catches up to you
It depends on your circumstances
Guess it depends on a lot of different things
But when it comes to you your wishes will command it
It depends on where you are in life and what it is you need

I got the sweets for my baby and my baby got the sweets for me
She got me rockin' and a-rollin', Be-bop a-strollin'
All lit up like a Christmas tree
Well when she puts 'er arms around me and she give me lovey dovey
Well it always makes me feel all right
But sometimes she gets to bitchin' and even though I'm itchin'
She says I'm not in the mood tonight
Well got my daddy's car
We're gonna take it just as far as we can go
Sometimes she says yes to me
Sometimes she says no

Now I'm just a common boy that's all I've ever been
I work hard to make a dollar so when I give my babe a holler
I always have a dollar to spend
And she knows how to make me smile so I treat 'er good
She's my #1 girl and I'd give to her the world
On a silver platter if I could
Well I hope it won't be to long
Before that d.j. plays our song on the radio
Sometimes she says yes to me
Sometimes she says no( no no )

Well I swing by 'er place around seven 'cause we made a date
And 'er daddy wants 'er back by eleven so I won't be late
She puts 'er lovin' arms around me reaffirmin' I'm 'er only guy
Then we do a little smoochin' underneath a star-filled sky
Well I know she knows I need 'er
But I don't wanna seem to eager so I take it slow
Ya know sometimes she says yes to me
Sometimes she says no( no no )

Greatest Hits and Assorted Mood Swings

I'M AM IDEOLOGIST

I like to go out and be social but I don't think I'm a Socialist
I like to go out and socialize but I don't think I'm a Socialist
She's so sociopolitical
She's so___
She's so sociopolitical
Cousin Patrick bought the farm
Cousin Patricia is a pharmacist
Cory's some fella I know without any arms
Corrine's a sado-masochist
She's so sado-masochistic
She's so___
She's so sado-masochistic
It's not enough to say that she's attractive cause I love her mind
Sometimes her conversation gets distractive
A little lexiphanic but that ain't no need to panic, no
Tommy owns a tommy gun
Terry is a terrorist
Tiny sure is a tiny one
Thelma is his therapist
She's so psychoanalytical
She's so___
She's so psychoanalytical
I believe in ideology, I'm an Ideologist
I believe in ideology, I'm an Ideologist
I'm an Ideologist

In my life I've screwed up some
I'll probably screw up some more in the years to come
But I've long sinced stopped wonderin'
About better things that might have been
Relationships have been good and bad
So I cling to all those good I have
Of those though but one is best
And it stands alone among the rest

CH:
Tonight I raise my voice to proclaim a brother's code,
United we understand that divided we'd corrode,
Through thick and thin we ride
Down through time, side by side
A strong foundation of love and trust and the ability to adjust,
When all the others waver or rust.

I know sometimes I let you down
I'm not the easiest person to have around
But I won't waste time with that now
Besides we always seem to work it out somehow
Mistakes get made, promises get broken
And we pass through days with the love unspoken
So I wrote a song to make it known
To the world at large and the folks at home

Bridge: You and me have a history since before I can recall
Like the muskateers, man, through the years
It's been all for one and one for all

I set out from my home lord I left my little darlin' far behind,
I saddled up my pony boys just a-lookin' for whatever I might find,
Came upon a stranger who convinced me that he was a friend of mine,
He justified his actions boys I can't say he'd ever treated me unkind.

We pulled into a minin' town, stopped at a saloon to quench our thrist,
I got pulled into a card game but I didn't want no trouble soes I played my worst,
Started gettin' lucky, man beside me jumped up to his feet and cursed,
He'd've shot me dead boys had my stranger-friend not pulled his pistol first.

So we got outta there boys rode our ponies just as far as they would go,
Still we wasn't satisfied, climbed off their backs and hiked five miles more,
Made it to the next town, in the mornin' got our supplies from the General Store,
Startin' out we was headed South, but we changed our minds, turned back for the North.

We rode through the night boys tellin' stories til the light of mornin' came,
Yeah, he told me about an uncle of his who'd one time robbed a bank with Jesse James,
With ev'rything got said that night he never once made mention of his name,
And he never knew my daddy but I'd treat 'm like a brother just the same.

By the time we hit Wyoming I had myself a bad case of the chills,
But we had t' keep a-going 'cause our sites was set upon Montana's hills,
The way the wind was blowin' I knew it was luck kept us from bein' killed,
You know there ain't no way a-knowin' what yer in for when you're lookin' for a thrill.

We stopped off in a small town that we'd found between the Powder and the Tongue,
Grabbed me a job in a sawmill 'cause it is work & when a man needs money that's what he does,
Found out we'd been runnin' for the same damn reason, bein' just because,
Then one day he took his hat off, started laughin' at me, and told me who he was.

Repeat Verse 1

Tag: Give my regards to my woman boys & let 'er know I tried my very best.

CH:
Keep what you found but won't you please return my hand-me-downs,
Peacefully I will rest with these sins that I've confessed.

Acts of forgiveness carefully timed,
Dignitaries scrounging what the poets left behind,
Facedown in the gutter to you should seem as strange,
As begging hounds for table scraps and lepers for spare change.

BRIDGE:
Come now madam from this place,
Your chariot awaits, your grace.
Hurry now, the tide is turning,
Feverstrike! My God I'm burning.
(My God I'm burning.)

Notions of laughter, voices that yield,
To oceans of foreign sighs that rise to flood the field,
Queen of three remember me in settings you engrave,
Temptation calls to you my love, beware how you behave.
 

There's something very much wrong with me,
Don't know what it is, can't put my finger on it.
I just ain't felt like I'm supposed to be,
It may be passing but it feel so chronic.

Try to understand it isn't you, my little darlin'
I'm just in a phase I must live through, not so alarmin' ah

It's like I'm lyin' in a spinnin' room,
But it's somethin' within that won't let me sleep.
Can't explain it logically so I assume,
My subconscious must be doin' evil things.

Oh I would love to try to make you understand this, my little darlin'
I just need some time to grow and I'll get passed it, my little darlin', ah

Sometimes I slip away into another mood that drags me under.
Makes me wonder at just how far it drags me down.
Won't you comfort me until I come around.

A little outta touch with what's goin' on,
Don't wanna think too much, don't wanna think at all.
Just sit on the sofa and turn on the tube,
Watch "Beavis & Butt-head" like all the cool kids do.
I got the perfect view, got cable too, baby how 'bout you?

I don't read the paper, I don't watch the news,
I don't have an opinion on the different issues.
I don't know about politics so I never vote,
I don't have a relationship 'cept with my remote.
I got the perfect view, got cable too, baby how 'bout you?

Thumbin' through the pages of my TV Guide, plannin' out my days routine.
Only ambition I have ever had is to get me a bigger screne.

Got Tom & Jerry, got Scooby Doo,
Got Ren & Stimpy, Fred and Barney too.
I've scene every sit-com that's ever been done,
The ones I missed on the first time through ya know I caught'em in the re-run.
I got the perfect view, got cable too, baby how 'bout you?

In the mornin' when I'm yawnin' I don't want no newsman's warnin'
When I turn on my TV
You know what I really want is the Andy Griffith marathon on Channel 53.

Got morning games shows, got "Donahue,"
Got infomercials, Oprah Whinfrey, got "The Munsters" & "The Addams Family"
Gong show re-runs, "Dobbie Gillis" too.
I've seen every episode of Gilligans Is.
I control my destiny with the flick of a dial.
I got the perfect view, got cable too, baby how 'bout you?

Baby stop your messin' with what's left of my possessions
Get your grubby fingers outta my cookie jar
What was it you was thinkin' when you came in here sneakin'
You can't believe that I'd believe you didn't mean me any harm
Just start your walkin' now, I don't even wanna think about it.

Did you think in its conception you found a new form of deception
What was on your brain baby when you came to that conclusion
Now don't try to convince me that you don't know what it is or where it's at
I've seen you readin' your magazines, I know you know the score
Just start your walkin' now, I don't even wanna think about it.

You're a snake in the grass, public enemy number one.
I never thought I'd see the day when I'd have you on the run.
In all the time I been with you there's still one thing I don't know,
Ya just got to tell me babe, how low will you go?

Now I don't want to push the issue but if you think I'm gonna miss you
I hope you don't take it too hard baby when you don't see any tears.
I've had enough with your excuses, I haven't any use for them.
The sacrifices made baby all have faded with the years.
Just start your walkin' now, I don't even wanna think about it.

It's been a long time since I been down to Allegany
Takes me back in my memory to when I was just a child
I sure would like to find some time to spend down in Allegany
Inner conflicts ragin', Think it's time I reconciled.

CH:
Drift back to days behind when the weight of the world didn't bend my shoulders.
I'm feelin' older I could use the break to ease my mind...
Oh oh, wouldn't you like to go there,
No place in the world seems half as fine.
Hey hey, maybe we could spend a couple of days there,
Doin' nothin' but wastin' our sweet, precious time.

It's been a long time since I swam in the Genesee River
Or skipped stones while Neil Young sang "Helpless" on the radio
Sure'd be nice to find me some time to take a ride to the Genesee River
Just to sit beneath the bridge and dream away lettin' every little worry go

Bridge:
We won't need any reservations, won't be draggin' along any excess baggage.
It's emancipation from civilization, the change is overdue.

We take it for granted.  

With all that I've been thinkin' of people I remember this,
The way she enveloped me with her love and sealed it with a kiss.
Then she said goodbye and the blackened sky was overcast with rain,
But for forty days and nights it could not wash away my pain.
Like that flood I swear my love was running just as deep,
Now I pray to God and Moses to bring her back to me.

If I only knew to where she flew I'd follow anywhere,
I'd walk across the water people I have my cross to bear.
Three times I offered up my love and yet I stand denied,
She doubted my intentions and she left me to be tried.
Exodus! I stand alone. She wanted to be free,
Now I pray to God and Moses to bring her back to me.

SOLITUDE
It's an eternity from dusk til dawn,
When there's nothing to keep the moments from dragging on,
And all your peaceful dreams have gone away.
Morning comes but no sun will enter now.
Solitude is all around,
And the world awake remains outside your door.
All the plans that you have made do not come about,
So your spirits are down and your mind is full of doubt,
And the urgency of it makes you shout,
Aloud.
But the thunder quakes and falls silent there,
And the room is filled with emptied chairs,
And this emptiness is everywhere,
Or so it seems.
The crowded streets lay in barren waste.
Isolation has taken there place.
You realize the picture framed is just a face,
Upon your wall.  

WHERE ARE YOU TONIGHT?

Where are you tonight?
Where are you tonight?
I need you here by me, I'm helpless without your company.
Where?
Where are you tonight?

It's a lonely man who knows not what he wants,
Like a child I cry for you and wait on your response.
I shiver and I dim the light,
You're far away and it don't feel right tonight,
Where? Where are you tonight?

I have been here for hours,
Patiently waiting to get through,
Night has risen too, there's not much I can do,
I'm calling where are you?

Just a vision in the haze,
While a melody in the distance somewhere far off softly plays:
Solitude is nothing new, as ancient as the sky is blue,
Where? Oh where?
Where are you tonight?  

I never been out of old Oklahoma
Gonna drive southwest hard lookin' for my Ramona
Gonna track 'er down down, I don't want no other
And I ain't comin' home until I get my fill

'Cause I never had nothin' short of nothin'
But I never wanted much anyway
Sure I've been lonesome but that's beside the point
I just felt it's time that I had a change

I got a good job and sure sometimes the work gets hard
But I've been there seven monthes and I haven't missed one day so far
But I gotta go now, ya see, I'm lookin' for my lover
And I ain't comin' back until I get my fill

'Cause I never had nothin' short of nothin'
But I never wanted much anyway
Sure I've been lonesome but that's beside the point
I just felt it's time that I had a change

No I never had nothin'... ...short of nothin'.

MINUS ZERO

High above the Gulf Coast plain,
Eye to eye with a huricane,
In your days you've seen hard rains,
You can't complain boy but can you sustain?
It's minus zero, underground
You're lookin' for something that just can't be found.

The more you look the more you find,
The more you find the more you look,
The more you read the more you realize,
You realize that something ain't right here.
It's minus zero, underground
You're lookin' for somethin' that's no longer around.

It's deja vu, you swear you've been here before,
Your friends all call you the dinosaur,
You react to situations ahead of time,
It's like you see the future but you're goin' blind.
It's minus zero, underground
You're takin' for granted what has yet to be found.

You're a singin' gypsy on a winding road,
You're a rapid river but your banks don't erode,
Got a head full of ideas feels like you're gonna explode,
You talk a lot to try and lighten the load,
It minus zero, underground
You're diggin' for gold in the lost and found.
It's minus zero, underground
You're lookin' for somethin' that's no longer around.

I was feelin' pretty good for a while,
Tall in the saddle man ridin' in style,
Pat you on the back and give you a smile,
I was a happy man.
I was ridin' on high octane fuel,
Feelin' pretty damn cool, challenge you to a duel,
Sittin' on top of the world,
This I'll have ya understand.

CH:
So won't you tell me if you can why it is that I cannot stand,
Just ain't got the motivation today.
Sometimes I wish that I was dead just to stop what's runnin' through my head,
Cause nothin' here seems to make it go away.
La da da da

I've never been one to pick me a fight,
You could ask anybody I'm a pretty nice guy,
Give you my left arm if that'll make you feel all right,
It's just the way I am.
Call it tootin' my horn but I think I should say,
I've even been known to brighten up some people's day,
So much love to give,
Ya know I try to give it when I can.

(Chorus)

Bridge:
Swore that I was through
Swore that I'd have nothin' t' do
But then I went ahead and let down defenses
Started to enjoy the experiences
Now here I am puttin' up all the same ole fences again

So won't you tell me if you can why it is that I cannot stand
Just ain't got the motivation today
Sometimes I get so damn depressed but I brought it on myself I guess
But nothin' here seems to make it go away

(Chorus)

Another day done, sinkin' like a sun, won't ya take me to the mountain (4X)

I never harmed a soul in my life, Lord I'm a peaceful man
Thinkin' 'bout how it all went down, I still don't understand
Warm night, barroom fight, heavy words passed
Light flash from a shotgun blast, no time to think just get outta there fast

Shotgun, another life gone, won't ya take me to the mountain
Run run, get away son, won't ya take me to the mountain
Lost one come and look at what you done, won't ya take me to the mountain
Another day done, sinkin' like a sun, won't ya take me to the mountain

I got to find me a place to hide cause it's hard to outrun destiny
Stay alive, got to survive, can't face the reality
Goin' up to the mountain, high up above this town
Fate will be the gravity, Lord it's bound to bring me down

World undone, sinkin' like a sun, won't ya take me to the mountain
Lost one come and look at what you done, won't ya take me to the mountain
Lonesome as a setting sun, won't ya take me to the mountain
Lord come for your wayward one, won't ya take me to the mountain

c 1995 Greg Klyma/ Alter Native Music ASCAP