Disc 1 | ||||||
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1. |
| 2:54 | ||||
When I was still a kitten, daddy told me, Son,
There's just one thing that you should know As through this world you ramble and through this world you roam Just take this little suitcase when you go And when the evening sun goes down and you're tired of rambling round Just set her on the ground and climb right in You won't ever have to worry about the cold night wind When you got your little suitcase in your hand Little suitcase in my hand, I'm rolling through this land A mansion is much too big for me When the stars come out at night everything will be alright 'Cause I got my little suitcase in my hand Now a hard-boiled egg's yellow inside There's some in every crowd you will find Now they're afraid to have to do an honest day of work So the'll blame the workingman every time But the harder they come, the bigger they fall Just hold your ground and take your stand 'Cause the free and independent life's still the best of all When you got your little suitcase in your hand Little suitcase in my hand, I'm rolling through this land A mansion is much too big for me When the stars come out at night everything will be alright 'Cause I got my little suitcase in my hand |
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2. |
| 5:03 | ||||
Well I had an Uncle Charley, back in my hometown
Said, Don't take no mice to be your friend 'Cause they'll wait till you're asleep and steal your money and your food And rat you out when the police come around Later on I started travellin', seeing something of this world And I learned to know a thing or two Just because you've been told a story back in your hometown Don't have to mean that story's always true I remember it was winter and things were goin' bad It rained and it snowed all day long Nobody would feed me and I couldn't find no job In a factory or workin' on a farm I was laying in my suitcase and the snow was falling down I didn't know what I was gonna do When I heard a tiny voice out there in the dark Saying, Brother, can I come in there with you? Well right here in my bag I got some real good cheese And a crust of bread or two If you let me come in and get out of the snow I'll share what I got with you Don't take no mice to be your friend Was the rule Uncle Charley always told But the north wind kept howling and the snow kept blowin' down And I couldn't leave him out there in the cold Well he said his name was Lefty and he'd been traveling round The secrets of this world to share with you Mouse traps are set right-handed, get your cheese out from the left We are many, Buddy, they are few He said, They'll tell you lies to make you doubt your fellow man Like cats and mice just can't get along Well it suits the bosses, Buddy, and it serves them fine 'Cause it keeps us working folks from bein' strong There's a better world a coming, Buddy Which side are you on? Don't let the big men take it, Buddy Which side are you on? It's your country, too, Buddy Which side are you on? It's time to take a stand, Buddy Which side are you on? Play! Boy, it's a fact mice ain't no good -- Old Charley always said they'll treat you bad But I'm here to tell you people, and I want it understood Lefty is the truest friend I'd ever had |
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3. |
| 5:08 | ||||
Well I got off the train one evening in a little mining town
I started walking up the main street when the sun was going down When I heard some voices singing, so I went to see what for Might just be a birthday party, and it might be room for just one more But it was miners and their families, they had left the mine that day Walked out for safe conditions, on strike for decent pay And they sang about their struggle, and their spirit never failed Keep your hand upon the dollar and your eye upon the scale Union miners stand together, heed no operator's tale Keep your hand upon the dollar and your eye upon the scale Well all at once police came running, they came running everywhere They broke up that miner's meeting, and they carried everyone to jail But the miners kept on singing and they sang the whole night through When the sun rose in the morning I had learned that miners song Now the judge he asked the police captain, What's that red cat doin' here? Get all the reds off the streets, sir, was your orders loud and clear Now they turned me out of the jailhouse back door, but I wouldn't leave my miner friends I jumped back to that jailhouse winder and I sang that miner songs again Union miners stand together, heed no operator's tale Keep your hand upon the dollar and your eye upon the scale |
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4. |
| 2:38 | ||||
Down on the farm we had a pig, J. Edgar was his name
He'd eat up all our victuals and start back up again Just like them vacuum cleaners they sell down in the lane Well, that's how J. Edgar Hoover got his name Now, momma baked a cherry pie and set it out to cool So we'd have something good to eat when we got home from school J. Edgar climbed up on the porch and ate up all that pie When we got home that mornin' we heard our mamma cry J. Edgar, J. Edgar, just look what you've done You ate up the cherry pie that was for everyone We made it through the dusters, and the hoppers too But God help us, J. Edgar, 'cause nothin's safe from you We had an extra man named Bob he wouldn't work a lick He drank bad moonshine likker, and it always made him sick We rode to church on Sunday and stayed a while in town When we reached home at suppertime, poor Bob could not be found He wasn't in the parlor, and he wasn't in the lane Drinking in the pantry or sleepin' in the hay His hat was in the pigpen, that he always wore Poor Bob won't be drinking moonshine likker anymore J. Edgar, J. Edgar it just don't seem fair You ate Bob our hired hand while we were at prayer Let's say a prayer for old Bob, and our country too God help us J. Edgar, nobody's safe from you |
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5. |
| 3:07 | ||||
Well, some folks like the summertime they can walk about
Strolling through the meadow green it's pleasant there's no doubt But to me the wintertime is the best of all 'Cause I found her when the snow on the ground Now, I traced her little footprints in the snow I found her little footprints in the snow I bless that happy day when Nellie lost her way 'Cause I found her when the snow was on the ground Now the Ladies Garment Workers walked out last wintertime One little union kitty was a dear sweetheart of mine She walked around all winter on the picket line But I found her when the snow was on the ground Now, the Union Strike Committee didn't like me hangin' round: Don't interfere with sisters while the strike is on Don't go around behaving like a ring-tailed tom But I found her when the snow was on the ground 'Cause I traced her little footprints in the snow I found her little footprints in the snow And I bless that happy day when Nellie lost her way 'Cause I found her when the snow was on the ground She's somewhere out there marching with the union band We'll get back together when the pension check comes in But every time the snow falls, it brings back memories 'Cause I found here when the snow was on the ground I traced her little footprints in the snow Yah, I found her little footprints in the snow I bless that happy day when Nellie lost her way 'Cause I found her when the snow was on the ground |
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6. |
| 2:57 | ||||
7. |
| 7:34 | ||||
Walkin' cross the desert, it ain't no fun
Too hot in the daytime, too much sun Lefty says we'll cross at nighttime Like my people always have done Keep moving, quit nagging Walk, don't run I ask Lefty, Why'd we bring so much cheese? Coyotes, Buddy, just you wait and see Coyotes eat anything, Buddy, long as it's free Suppose they want a little something extra, Lefty? Might be you and might be me Well the desert's dark and the desert's deep, stars everywhere Something like you never see sittin' in your easy chair Watch out, Lefty, something strange is comin' down Look out! It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a flyin' tin can Got those coyotes on the run Out steps a green dog, as green as he can be Or maybe she, 'cause when they're wearin' space suits You can't tell, 'cause you can't see "In my world, toads are purple, mice are blue, and I declare A red cat is really something new I'm so far from home, can you tell me what should I do?" "Do you think there is room for me in this strange land? I'm sorry I scared your friends I write poetry, teach astronomy, how about me?" "In my world everyone is a friend Shaking hands, saying how do you do Guess you'll notice we all look the same, it's so tame I'd rather take a chance here with you" Let's ride, says Lefty, let's see how fast this crate can fly Va Va-va-voom, says Lefty, watch the coyotes scatter, and watch the towns go streaking by Kingman, Barstow, San Bernardino just won't do Go west, you green dog, Hollywood's the place for you Green dog, green dog, green dog, you're so rare, so rare |
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8. |
| 4:56 | ||||
Well, we made our way up 99 in the springtime of the year
The San Joaquin was all in bloom, and songbirds everywhere We chanced upon a workingman, lying by the road I judged him for a truck driver by the clothes he wore We drew some nearer to him then, inquirin' of his name Well, here's three little angels come down for to carry me home Then, bear me up to Jesus now, my Savior I shall see You ain't no regular angels, boys, but that's alright by me Then Lefty, stepping forward, addressed the dyin' man Saying, We're no angels, brother, but we'll do all we can What cowards set upon you, sir, and dealt the fatal blow? We'll pull out every workingman from here to Ohio It was no vigilante gang, nor ranch-boss thugs this time But the meatloaf special dinner I had on Highway 99 A comely waitress served me there, and she cooled me with her fan But fatal meatloaf has struck down this old truck drivin' man Then Lefty reached down in his bag, saying, You ain't dyin', friend Just take a drink of whiskey now, you'll feel alright again All through the night we lingered there and passed that bottle round We hauled aboard at sunrise, lit out for Frisco town Now, the workingman must be we'll warned whenever headlines scream "Your rights must yield, the bombs must fall to save democracy" The flag they fly, their stew of lies served up at votin' time Like poison under the gravy on Highway 99 |
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9. |
| 3:28 | ||||
Well, you got no credit and I got no cash
Now that bonus they give us was nothing but trash You been laid off at Goodyear, I been laid off at Hughes It looks like a bad year, there just ain't no use 'Cause it's Christmas in Southgate, you been a true friend I ain't never been much of a churchgoing man But I'd even give up drinkin' whiskey and gin If Jesus and Santa Claus ever get back down to Southgate again Well, the telephone rang and it jumped off the wall Says, We're sorry, Buddy, but we can't place your call 'Cause Jesus don't answer, Santa ain't got back yet What's a poor old Red Cat got a right to expect? So I called up my banker to ask for a loan Said, It's Christmas Eve, Buddy, there ain't no one home Then I called up my preacher and he said, We're through What the heck is a poor old Red Cat gonna do? Now I'd work any job just to clear a day's pay Except for being President of the old USA Now that's dirty work, Lefty, no future, it's true I'd rather drink up my last nickel with you Well it's Christmas in Southgate, you been a true friend I ain't never been much of a churchgoin' man But I'd even give up drinkin' whiskey and gin If Jesus and Santa Claus ever come back down to Southgate again |
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10. |
| 4:09 | ||||
You been over at that jukebox, mister, all this afternoon
Playing Hank Williams records for a dime Well, I may be just a cat to you, but I know that heartbreak tune And I'm proud to say Hank Williams was a real good friend of mine I never asked for money or his autograph, you see 'Cause I don't need too much to get along I just liked to sit there with him and keep him company Who says cats can't understand a real good country song? You think you know the man inside your little radio All the trials and heartaches he's been through To you he's just a country star, to me he's just a friend No, you don't know Hank Williams like I do Some nights we'll go out riding in his great big car With the little radio that's built right in I'd sit up front there with him and his old guitar And listen while the DJ played "Your Cheatin' Heart" again "Well, Buddy, you know there's something mighty strange about trying to live a life of fame, you see It's supposed to make me happy, all it does is worry me Nobody else seems to understand the things that I go through Only time I feel peaceful is when I'm riding round with you" You've heard it on the radio, Hank has passed away In the back seat of that Cadillac, it's true To you he's just a legend now, to me he's still a friend No, you don't know Hank Williams like I do No, you don't know Hank Williams like I do |
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11. |
| 3:08 | ||||
12. |
| 5:02 | ||||
I'm going to tell you a story right here
Huh, you may not believe it I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night, standin' in the prison yard They were taking poor Joe, chained and bound, to a Utah firing squad Well he turned and looked at me right then, sayin', Don't you be misled They're trying to tear our free speech down, and Buddy, they ain't near quit yet See, they framed me on a killin' charge, you know I wouldn't lie to you But the only crime here that I done was three chords and the truth Three chords and the truth, oh three chords and the truth Well the only crime that Joe Hill done was three chords and the truth Well he sang his good old union songs, he got his message through But they couldn't stand to hear a workingman sing three chords and the truth I see you don't believe you're old friend Buddy here Heh, take a drink, I think you need it Oh J. Edgar Hoover liked to hear the darkies sing, till one man changed that all around Paul Robeson was a man that you couldn't ignore, and that's what drove J. Edgar down (Yah drove him down) He called up his New York Klan boyfriends, sayin', I got something good for you Get right down there to Peekskill, New York town, and kill three chords and the truth Three chords and the truth, oh, three chords and the truth Well the only crime you ever got from Paul was three chords and the truth Now if this is the land of democracy, I got one question for you Why wasn't Paul Roberson set free on three chords and the truth? I see you still don't believe it I'll bother you one more time I'll bother you one more time, right mister Now they took Pete Seeger before the law and put him on the witness stand But he stood right up to tyranny with just a banjo in his hand Such a righteous banjo picker, watchin' out for me and you That was just a man who wouldn't back down on three chords and the truth Three chords and the truth, three chords and the truth Well the only crime Pete Seeger done was three chords and the truth Yah, he sang his freedom songs real good, he's still getting his message through Better check out old Pete Seeger on three chords and the truth Three chords and the truth, well its three chords and the truth Well you better check out your old friend Buddy right now on three chords and the truth Better check out old Harlan Howard, personal friend of mine Check out old Harlan on three chords and the truth ??? |
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13. |
| 3:13 | ||||
Now my name is Buddy, don't you pity me
Don't you pity me, don't you pity me My name is Buddy, don't you pity me Don't you pity me, don't you pity me Just because I ain't so big, you think I'm small Well, you think I'm small, now you think I'm small You go around with your head up in the clouds You just tall, that's all, you just tall, that's all Now, if you like your tree, better watch out for your tree Watch out for your tree, Lord, that tree ain't free The birds won't be round just to keep you company, no Keep you company, no keep you company Now if you like your little backyard, watch out for your backyard Don't let them put a toll road right through your backyard If you like your little backyard, watch out for your backyard Don't let them put a toll road right through your backyard Now You go around with your head up in the clouds Head up in the clouds, your head up in the clouds You go around with your head up in the clouds Your head up in the clouds, oh your head up in the clouds You ain't so big, now, you just tall, that's all Now this land was made for you and me Better watch out for your land, better watch out for your land This land was made just for you and me Better watch out for your land, better watch out for your land |
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14. |
| 4:16 | ||||
15. |
| 4:34 | ||||
Well, thank you for the drink my friend, that's alright with me
Let's drink to the workingman, wherever he might be Remember what he stood up for and the struggles he went through Then let us take a little stroll down Cardboard Avenue Down on the street where I live, when evening comes around No T.V. or radio, never hear a lonesome sound Except some poor Joe cryin', Lord, can I make it up to you? But he never gets an answer down on Cardboard Avenue Well here's my little heartbreak hotel, now don't you be let down When the ghost of Hobo Bill comes a-shufflin' around He might pause by your side, saying, Buddy, can you spare a dime or two? Then he'll just drift off into the night on Cardboard Avenue Now, I hear the whistle blowing now, must be the Red Ball train We'll see you in the North Country, when the springtime comes again Just ask any workingman, wherever you might be The whereabouts of Reverend Tom, Lefty Mouse, and Buddy And if he asks you, Were you in the fight, did you join the strike of 1932? Just tell him that you knew us down on Cardboard Avenue |
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16. |
| 3:55 | ||||
17. |
| 4:49 | ||||
Well there's a bright side somewhere, there's a bright side somewhere
Now I ain't gonna rest until I find it There's a bright side somewhere And there's more love somewhere, and there's more peace somewhere I ain't gonna rest until I find it There's a bright side somewhere People got a good job somewhere, got a lot of good friends somewhere Got a little suitcase, got a little family, over on the bright side somewhere |