Bruce Springsteen [E Street Band]

You and me we were the pretenders
We let it all slip away
In the end what you don't surrender
Well the world just strips away
Girl ain't no kindness in the face of strangers
Ain't gonna find no miracles here
Well you can wait on your blessings darlin'
But I got a deal for you right here
I ain't lookin' for prayers or pity
I ain't comin' 'round searchin' for a crutch
I just want someone to talk to
And a little of that human touch
Just a little of that human touch
Ain't no mercy on the streets of this town
Ain't no bread from heavenly skies
Ain't nobody drawin' wine from this blood
It's just you and me tonight
Tell me in a world without pity
Do you uthink what I'm askin's too much?
I just want something to hold on to
And a little of that human touch
Just a little of that human touch
Oh girl that feeling of safety you prize
Well it comes with a hard hard price
You can't shut off the risk and pain
Without losin' the love that remains
We're all riders on this train
So you been broken and you been hurt
Show me soomebody who ain't
Yeah I know I ain't nobody's bargain
But hell a little touchup
And a little paint...
You might need somethin' to hold on to
When all the answers they don't amount to much
Somebody that you can just talk to
And a little of that human touch
Baby in a world without pity
Do you think what I'm askin's too much?
I just want to feel you in my arms
And share a little of that human touch...

Rode through forty nights of the gospels' rain
Black sky pourin' snakes, frogs
And love in vain
You were down where the river grows wider
Baby, let me be your soul driver
Well if something in the air feels a little unkind
Don't worry darlin'
It'll slip your mind
I'll be your gypsy joker your shotgun rider
Baby let me be your soul driver


Now no one knows which way love's wheel turns
Will we hit it rich
Or crash and burn
Does fortune wait
or just the black hand of fate
This love potion's all we've got
One toast before it's too late
If the angels are unkind or the season is dark
Love just falls apart
Well then here's to our destruction
Baby let me be your soul driver
then here's to our destruction
Baby let me be your soul driver

I bought a bourgeois house in the Hollywood hills
With a trunkload of hundred thousand dollar bills
Man came by to hook up my cable TV
We settled in for the night my baby and me
We switched 'round and 'round 'til half-past down
There was fifty-seven channels and notin' on

Well now home entertainment was my baby's wish
So I hopped into town for a satellite dish
I tied it to the top of my Japanese car
I came home and I pointed it out into the stars
A message came back from the great beyond
There's fifty-seven channnels and nothin' on

Well we might' a made some friends with some billionaires
We might' a got all nice and friendly
If we'd made it upstairs
All I got was a note that said "Bye-bye John
Our love is fifty-seven channels and nothin' on"

So I bought a .44 magnum it was solid steel cast
And in the blessed name of Elvis well I just let it blast
'Til my TV lay in pieces there at my feet
And they bsted me for disturbin' the almighty peace
Judge said "What you got in your defense son ?"
"Fifty-seven channels and nothin' on"
I can see by your eyes friend you're just about gone
Fifty-seven channels and nothin' on
Fifty-seven channels and nothin'...

First time I crossed my heart
I was beggin' baby, please
At your bedside, down on my knees
When I crossed my heart
I crossed my heart, pretty baby over you


Second time I crossed my heart
Rain came in from the south
I was lyin' there with something sweet and salty in my mouth
When I crossed my heart
When I crossed my heart
When I crossed my heart, pretty darlin' over you


Well, you may think the world's black and white
And you're dirty or you're clean
You better watch out you don't slip
Through them spaces in between


Where the night gets sticky
And the sky gets black
I grabbed you, baby, and you grabbed me back
And we crossed our hearts
We crossed our hearts
Yeah, I crossed my heart...


Little boys, little girls
They know their wrongs from their rights
Once you cross your heart
You ain't ever supposed to lie
Well, life ain't nothin'
But a cold hard ride
I ain't leavin' 'til I'm satisfied
I cross my heart
Yeah, I cross my heart
Well, I cross my heart, pretty darlin' over you

When I crossed my heart

I was your big man I was your prince charming
King on a white horse hey now look how far I've fallen
I tried to trick you yeah but baby you got wise
You cut me cut me right right down to size
Now I'm just a fool in Gloria's eyes

Swore I'd get you back I was so sure
I'd get you back life I done so many times before
A little sweet talk to cover over all of the lies
You came runnin' back but to my surprise
Well there was somethin' gone in Gloria's eyes

Well in the dark when it was just me and you
I asked the question that I knew the answer to
Is that a smile my little dolly on the shelf
Tell me is that a smile
Or is it somethin' else ?

Now I work hard to prove my love is true
Now I work hard and I bring it on home to you
At night I pray as silently you lie
Some day my love again will rise
Like a shining torch in Gloria's eyes

I was your big man I was your prince charming
King on a white horse now look how far I've fallen

Ol' catfish in the lake, we called him Big Jim
When I was a kid, my only wish was to get my line in him
Skipped church one Sunday rowed out and throw'd in my line
Jim took that hook pole and me right over the side
Went driftin' down past old tires and rusty cans of beer
The angel of the lake whispered in my ear
"Before you chose your wish son
You better think first
With every wish there comes a curse"


I fell in love with beautiful Doreen
She was the prettiest thing this old town'd ever seen
I courted her and I made her mine
But I grew jealous whenever another man'd
Come walkin' down the line
And my jealousy made me treat her mean and cruel
She sighed, "Bobby oh Bobby you're such a fool
Don't you know before you choose your wish
You'd better think first
'Cause with every wish there comes a curse"


These days I sit around and laugh
At the many rivers I've crossed
But on the far banks there's always another forest
Where a man can get lost
Well there in the high trees love's bluebird glides
Guiding us 'cross to another river on the other side
And there someone is waitin' with a look in her eyes
And though my heart's grown weary
And more than a little bit shy
Tonight I'll drink from her waters to quench my thirst
And leave the angels to worry
With every wish...

Well I've been a losin' gambler
Just throwin' snake eyes
Love ain't got me downhearted
I know up around the corner lies
My fool's paradise
In just another roll of the dice
All my elevens and sevens been comin' up
Sixes and nines
But since I fell for you baby
Been comin' on changin' times
They're just waitin' over the rise
Just another roll of the dice
I've stumbled and I know I made my mistakes
But tonight I'm gonna be playin' for all of the stakes
Well it's never too late so come on girl
The tables are waiting
You and me and lady luck well tonight
We'll be celebrating
Drinkin' champagne on ice
In just another roll of the dice


High-rollers lay down your bets and I'll raise 'em
Well I know the odds ain't in my favor
Maybe I'm just a clown throwin' down
Lookin' to come up busted
I'm a thief in the house of love
And I can't be trusted
Well I'll be making my heist
In just another roll of the dice
Just another roll of the dice

Move on up Move on up

Come on heaven Come on heaven

Roll me baby In this fool's heaven

Just another roll

Just another roll of the dice

Mister Trouble come walkin' this way
Year gone by feels like one long day
But I'm alive and I'm feelin' all right
Well I run that hard road outta heartbreak city
Built a roadside carnival out of hurt and self-pity
It was all wrong well now I'm moving on
Ain't no church bells ringing
Ain't no flags unfurled
It's just me and you and the love we're bringing
Into the real world
Into the real world
I built a shrine in my heart it wasn't pretty to see
Made out of fool's gold memory and tears cried
Now I'm headin' over the rise
I'm searchin' for one clear moment of love and truth
I still got a little faith
But what I need is some proof tonight
I'm lookin' for it in your eyes
Ain't no church bells ringing
Ain't no flags unfurled
Just me and you and the faith we're bringing
Into the real world
Into the real world


Well tonight I just wanna shout
I feel my soul waist deep and sinkin'
Into this black river of doubt
I just wanna rise and walk along the riverside
And when the morning comes baby I don't wanna hide
I'll stand right at your side with my arms open wide


Well tonight I just wanna shout
I feel my soul waist deep and sinkin'
Into this black river of doubt
I just wanna rise and walk along the riverside
'Til the morning comes
I'll stand right by your side
I wanna find some answers I wanna ask for some help
I'm tired of running scared
Baby let's get our bags packed
We'll take it here to hell and heaven and back
And if love is hopeless hopeless at best
Come on put on your party dress it's ours tonight
And we're goin' with the tumblin' dice
Ain't no church bells ringing
Ain't no flags unfurled
It's just me and you and the hope we're bringing
Into the real world
Well into the real world
Oh into the real world

Said you'd give me just a little kiss
And you'd rock me for a little while
Well you'd slip me just a piece of it
Listen up little child
I want it all or nothin' at all
I want it all or nothin' at all

Said you'd take me for a little dance
If you had a little time on your hands
Well all I do is push and shove
Just to get a little piece of your love
I want it all or nothin' at all
I want it all or nothin' at all

Well now I don't wanna be greedy
But when it comes to love there ain't no doubt
You just ain't gonna get what you want
With one foot in bed and one foot out
You got to give it all or nothin' at all
All or nothin' at all

Now I only got a little time
So if you're gonna change your mind
Then shout out what you're thinkin' of
If what you're thinkin' of is love
I want it all or nothin' at all
I want it all or nothin' at all
I want to have it all or nothin' at all
I want it all or nothin' at all

I want it all or nothin' at all
I want to give it all or nothin' at all

Well you can go out with him
Play with all of his toys
But takin' care of you darlin'
Ain't for one of the boys
Oh there's somethin' in your soul
That he's gonna rob
And lovin' you baby lovin' you darlin'
Lovin' you woman is a man's man's job
Lovin' you's a man's job baby
Lovin' you's a man's job
Lovin' you's a man's job baby
Lovin' you's a man's job

Well now his kisses may thrill
Those other girls that he likes
But when it comes to treatin'
A real woman right
Well all of his tricks
No they won't be enough
'Cause lovin' you baby lovin' you woman
Lovin' you darlin' is a man's man's job
Lovin' you's a man's job baby
Lovin' you's a man's job
Lovin' you's a man's job baby
Lovin' you's a man's job

You're dancin' with him he's holding you tight
I'm standing here waitin' to catch your eye
Your hand's on his neck as the music sways
All my illusions slip away

Now if you're lookin' for a hero
Someone to save the day
Well darlin' my feet
They're made of clay
But I've got somethin' in my soul
And I wanna give it up
But gettin' up the nerve
Gettin' up the nerve
Gettin' up the nerve is a man's man's job
Lovin' you's a man's job baby
Lovin' you's a man's job
Lovin' you's a man's job woman
Lovin' you's a man's job

I love to see the cottonwood blossom
In the early spring
I love to see the message of love
That the bluebird brings
But when I see you walkin' with him
Down along the strand
I wish I were blind
When I see you with your man


I love to see your hair shining
In the long summer's light
I love to watch the stars fill the sky
On a summer night
The music plays you take his hand
I watch how you touch him as you start to dance
And I wish I were blind
When I see you with your man


We struggle here but all our love's in vain
And these eyes that once filled me with your beauty
Now fill me with pain
And the light that once entered here
Is banished from me
And this darkness is all baby that my heart sees


And though the world is filled
With the grace and beauty of God's hand
Oh I wish I were blind
When I see you with your man

My soul went walkin' but I stayed here
Feel like I been workin' for a thousand years
Chippin' away at this chain of my own lies
Climbin' a wall a hundred miles high
Well I woke up this morning on the other side
Yeah yeah this is the long goodbye
Hey yeah this is the long goodbye


Same old faces it's the same old town
What once was laughs is draggin' me now
Wailin' on rain hangin' on for love
Words of forgiveness from some God above
Ain't no words of mercy comin' from on high
Oh no just a long goodbye
Yeah yeah just one long goodbye


Well I went to leave twenty years ago
Since then I guess I been packin' kinda slow
Sure did like that admirin' touch
Guess I like'd it a little too much


The moon is high and here I am
Sittin' here with this hammer in hand
One more drink oughta ease the pain
Starin' at that last link in the chain
Well let's raise our glass and let this hammer fly
Hey yeah this is the long goodbye
Hey yeah this is the long goodbye
Kiss me baby and we're gonna fly
Hey yeah this is the long goodbye
Yeah yeah this is the long goodbye
Hey yeah this is the long goodbye
Kiss me baby 'cause we're gonna ride
Yeah yeah this is the long goodbye

Took my baby to a picture show
Found a seat in the back row
Sound came up lights went down
Rambo he was blowin' 'em down
I don't need no gun in my fist baby
All I need is your sweet kiss
To get me feelin' like a real man
Feelin' like a real man
Well you can beat on your chest
Hell any monkey can
But you got me feelin' like a real man
Oh feelin' like a real man


Me and my girl Saturday night
Late movie on channel five
The girls were droppin' they're droppin' like flies
To some smooth talkin' cool walkin' private eye
I ain't got no nerves of steel
But all I got to know is if your love is real
To get me feelin' like a real man
Oh feelin' like a real man
Well you can beat on your chest
Hell any monkey can
But you got me feelin' like a real man
Oh feelin' like a real man


I ain't no fighter that's easy to see
And as a lover I ain't goin' down in history
But when the lights go down and you pull me close
Well I look in your eyes and there's one thing I know
Baby I'll be tough enough
If I can find the guts to give you all my love
Then I'll be feelin' like a real man
Feelin' like a real man
Well you can beat on your chest
Hell any monkey can
You got me feelin' like a real man
Oh feelin' like a real man
Yeah I been feelin' like a real man
Feelin' like a real man

Pony boy pony boy
Won't you be my pony boy
Giddy-up giddy-up giddy-up whoa
My pony boy


Ride with me ride with me
Won't you take a ride with me
Underneath the starry sky
My pony boy


O'er the hills and through the trees
We'll go ridin' you and me
Giddy-up giddy-up giddy-away
My pony boy
Pony boy pony boy
Won't you be my pony boy
Giddy-up giddy-up giddy-up whoa
My pony boy


Down into the valley deep
'Neath the eaves we will sleep
Sky of dreams up above
My pony boy
Pony boy pony boy
Won't you be my pony boy
Giddy-up giddy-up giddy-up whoa
My pony boy
Pony boy pony boy
Won't you be my pony boy
Giddy-up giddy-up giddy-up whoa
My pony boy

Born down in a dead man's town
The first kick I took was when I hit the ground
You end up like a dog that's been beat too much
Till you spend half your life just covering up

Born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.

Got in a little hometown jam
So they put a rifle in my hand
Sent me off to a foreign land
To go and kill the yellow man

Born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.

Come back home to the refinery
Hiring man says "Son if it was up to me"
Went down to see my V.A. man
He said "Son, don't you understand"

I had a brother at Khe Sahn fighting off the Viet Cong
They're still there, he's all gone

He had a woman he loved in Saigon
I got a picture of him in her arms now

Down in the shadow of the penitentiary
Out by the gas fires of the refinery
I'm ten years burning down the road
Nowhere to run ain't got nowhere to go

Born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.
I'm a long gone Daddy in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.
I'm a cool rocking Daddy in the U.S.A.

The times are tough now, just getting tougher
This old world is rough, it's just getting rougher
Cover me, come on baby, cover me
Well I'm looking for a lover who will come on in and cover me
Promise me baby you won't let them find us
Hold me in your arms, let's let our love blind us
Cover me, shut the door and cover me
Well I'm looking for a lover who will come on in and cover me

Outside's the rain, the driving snow
I can hear the wild wind blowing
Turn out the light, bolt the door
I ain't going out there no more

This whole world is out there just trying to score
I've seen enough I don't want to see any more,
Cover me, come on and cover me
I'm looking for a lover who will come on in and cover me
Looking for a lover who will come on in and cover me

Driving in to Darlington County
Me and Wayne on the Fourth of July
Driving in to Darlington County
Looking for some work on the county line
We drove down from New York City
Where the girls are pretty but they just want to know your name
Driving in to Darlington City
Got a union connection with an uncle of Wayne's
We drove eight hundred miles without seeing a cop
We got rock and roll music blasting off the T-top singing

Sha la la la la la la la la, Sha la la la la la la

Hey little girl standing on the corner
Today's your lucky day for sure all right
Me and my buddy we're from New York City
We got two hundred dollars we want to rock all night
Girl you're looking at two big spenders
Why the world don't know what me and Wayne might do
Our pa's each own one of the World Trade Centers
For a kiss and a smile I'll give mine all to you
Come on baby take a seat on my fender
It's a long night and tell me what else were you gonna do
Just me and you we could

Sha la la...

Little girl sitting in the window
Ain't seen my buddy in seven days
County man tells me the same thing
He don't work and he don't get paid
Little girl you're so young and pretty
Walk with me and you can have your way
And we'll leave this Darlington City
For a ride down that Dixie Highway

Driving out of Darlington County
My eyes seen the glory of the coming of the Lord
Driving out of Darlington County
Seen Wayne handcuffed to the bumper of a state trooper's Ford

Sha la la...

Friday night's pay night guys fresh out of work
Talking about the weekend scrubbing off the dirt
Some heading home to their families some looking to get hurt
Some going down to Stovell wearing trouble on their shirts

I work for the county out on 95
All day I hold a red flag and watch the traffic pass me by
In my head I keep a picture of a pretty little miss
Someday mister I'm gonna lead a better life than this

Working on the highway laying down the blacktop
Working on the highway all day long I don't stop
Working on the highway blasting through the bedrock
Working on the highway, working on the highway

I met her at a dance down at the union hall
She was standing with her brothers back up against the wall
Sometimes we'd go walking down the union tracks
One day I looked straight at her and she looked straight back

Working on the highway...

I saved up my money and I put it all away
I went to see her daddy but we didn't have much to say
"Son can't you see that she's just a little girl
She don't know nothing about this cruel cruel world"

We lit out down to Florida we got along all right
One day her brothers came and got her and they took me in a black and white
The prosecutor kept the promise that he made on that day
And the judge got mad and he put me straight away
I wake up every morning to the work bell clang
Me and the warden go swinging on the Charlotte County road gang

Working on the highway...

I had a job, I had a girl
I had something going mister in this world
I got laid off down at the lumber yard
Our love went bad, times got hard
Now I work down at the carwash
Where all it ever does is rain
Don't you feel like
you're a rider on a downbound train
She just said "Joe I gotta go
We had it once we ain't got it any more"
She packed her bags left me behind
She bought a ticket on the Central Line
Nights as I sleep, I hear that whistle whining
I feel her kiss in the misty rain
And I feel like
I'm a rider on a downbound train

Last night I heard your voice
You were crying, crying, you were so alone
You said your love had never died
You were waiting for me at home
Put on my jacket, I ran through the woods
I ran till I thought my chest would explode
There in the clearing, beyond the highway
In the moonlight, our wedding house shone
I rushed through the yard
I burst through the front door
My head pounding hard
up the stairs I climbed
The room was dark, our bed was empty
Then I heard that long whistle whine
And I dropped to my knees
hung my head and cried
Now I swing a sledge hammer
on a railroad gang
Knocking down them cross ties
working in the rain
Now don't it feel like
you're a rider on a downbound train

Hey little girl is your daddy home
Did he go away and leave you all alone
I got a bad desire
I'm on fire

Tell me now baby is he good to you
Can he do to you the things that I do
I can take you higher
I'm on fire

Sometimes it's like someone took a knife baby
edgy and dull and cut a six-inch valley
through the middle of my soul

At night I wake up with the sheets soaking wet
and a freight train running through the
middle of my head
Only you can cool my desire
I'm on fire