Burton Cummings

When the troubles of the day
Tell me my thoughts have gone astray
One person still can listen
Talkin' 'bout the times of life
Troubles, happys, good and strife
Just vaguely reminiscin'
His eyes are always open
Though he sometimes doesn't see
The chain is never broken
And he is a friend to me

When I cannot find myself
And wish that I were something else
I listen to him talkin'
A story teller from the fold
And though I've heard the ones he's told
The come back when I'm walkin'
In the jingle jangle jungle
Of things I dare not know
His door is always open
And I know where I can go
And I know where I can go

I think back to days when we were both so much younger
Sometimes we really never had a lot to say, no
No one ever told us growing up would be easy
Maybe that's why we help each other try to find the way

I was a workshop owner in the gulch for the people
And I offered myself to the world
I was a workshop owner
I was a workshop owner

I was a diesel fixer, fixed a diesel, diesel fixed me
What a weasel
And baby was a workshop owner
Baby was a workshop owner

Baby and me were ripe for the pickin'
That was the day we ran into Albert Flasher

It was a cold, snowy, rainy afternoon
And we were sittin' there in high school, my school
And Michael was a moonbeam maker
And Michael was a moonbeam maker

I was a diesel fixer, fixed a diesel, diesel fixed me
What a weasel, oh no
Baby was a workshop owner
Baby was a workshop owner

Baby and me were ripe for the pickin'
That was the day we ran into Albert Flasher

------ lead guitar ------

I was a workshop owner in the gulch for the people
And I offered myself to the world
I was a workshop owner
I was a workshop owner
I was a workshop owner

American woman gonna mess your mind
American woman, she gonna mess your mind
Mm, American woman gonna mess your mind
Mm, American woman gonna mess your mind
Say A
Say M
Say E
Say R
Say I
C
Say A
N, mm
American woman gonna mess your mind
Mm, American woman gonna mess your mind
Uh, American woman gonna mess your mind

Uh!

American woman, stay away from me
American woman, mama, let me be
Don't come a-hangin' around my door
I don't wanna see your face no more
I got more important things to do
Than spend my time growin' old with you
Now woman, I said stay away
American woman, listen what I say

American woman, get away from me
American woman, mama, let me be
Don't come a-knockin' around my door
Don't wanna see your shadow no more
Coloured lights can hypnotize
Sparkle someone else's eyes
Now woman, I said get away
American woman, listen what I say, hey

American woman, said get away
American woman, listen what I say
Don't come a-hangin' around my door
Don't wanna see your face no more
I don't need your war machines
I don't need your ghetto scenes
Coloured lights can hypnotize
Sparkle someone else's eyes
Now woman, get away from me
American woman, mama, let me be

Go, gotta get away, gotta get away
Now go go go
I'm gonna leave you, woman
Gonna leave you, woman
Bye-bye
Bye-bye
Bye-bye
Bye-bye
You're no good for me
I'm no good for you
Gonna look you right in the eye
Tell you what I'm gonna do
You know I'm gonna leave
You know I'm gonna go
You know I'm gonna leave
You know I'm gonna go, woman
I'm gonna leave ya, woman
Goodbye, American woman...

When she sits down,
Her piano
Gives her a warm
Welcoming smile, don't you know
When she begins
Playin' those chords
Everyone looks
Lost in a moment of midnight and rapture
And everyone starts feelin' the same

She looks good in the spotlight's glimmer
She won't be left behind, she's a winner
She looks good in the spotlight's glimmer
She will never be left, for she's a winner

When she begins
Blowin' those kisses
Everyone looks
Lost in the joy of her thoughts
When she begins
Singin' those songs
Everyone looks
Lost in a moment of midnight and splendor
And everyone starts feelin' the same

She looks good in the spotlight's glimmer
She won't be left behind, she's a winner
No, she looks good in the spotlight's glimmer
She won't ever be left behind a winner

She looks good in the spotlight's glimmer
She won't be left behind, she's a winner

Thirty-two bars
Never could say
All of the things I like sayin' about Blossom, you know
Thirty-two bars
Never could say
All of those good things
And that is why love songs should be much longer
Yes longer, yes much longer than this.

Break it to them gently when you tell my mom and dad
When you see my baby sister, be as kind as you can
And break it to my grandma, who said "That boy's wild and bad"
Break it to them gently when you tell them that I won't be comin' home again

'Cause I'm running with a gun and it isn't any fun as a fugitive
Fighting for my life and I don't know if I'll make it alone
Running with a gun and it isn't any fun as a fugitive
God, I wanna go home
Lord, I wish I was home

When you see my lady with the twinkle in her eyes
Tell it to her softly and hold her if she cries
Tell her that I love her and I will 'til the day I die
Tell it to her gently when you tell her that I won't be coming home again

I got in too deep with strangers
Thinking they could help me find my way
But nobody warned me of the dangers
And it's always the young and foolish that have to pay

So break it to them gently when you tell my mom and dad
Thank them for the good years and all the loving that I had
And break it to my grandma, who said "The boy is wild and bad"
Break it to them gently when you tell them that I won't be coming home again

Running with a gun and it isn't any fun as a fugitive
Fighting for my life and I don't know if I'll make it alone
Running with a gun and it isn't any fun as a fugitive
Lord, I wanna go home
Lord, I wanna go home

You gotta break it to them gently
Break it to them gently
Gotta break it to them gently
Gotta roll try to it

Gotta break it to them gently
Gotta really try to soothe them
Gotta really try to soothe them
Gotta really try to roll them

You gotta roll it to my mother
Gotta roll it to my grandma
Gotta roll the old lady
Roll it to my mother
Roll it to my mother and
Roll the old lady

Roll it to my grandma
She's damn near eighty
Roll the old lady

Break it to them gently when you tell my mom and dad
When you see my baby sister, be as kind as you can
And break it to my grandma, who said "That boy's wild and bad"
Break it to them gently when you tell them that I won't be comin' home again

'Cause I'm running with a gun and it isn't any fun as a fugitive
Fighting for my life and I don't know if I'll make it alone
Running with a gun and it isn't any fun as a fugitive
God, I wanna go home
Lord, I wish I was home

When you see my lady with the twinkle in her eyes
Tell it to her softly and hold her if she cries
Tell her that I love her and I will 'til the day I die
Tell it to her gently when you tell her that I won't be coming home again

I got in too deep with strangers
Thinking they could help me find my way
But nobody warned me of the dangers
And it's always the young and foolish that have to pay

So break it to them gently when you tell my mom and dad
Thank them for the good years and all the loving that I had
And break it to my grandma, who said "The boy is wild and bad"
Break it to them gently when you tell them that I won't be coming home again

Running with a gun and it isn't any fun as a fugitive
Fighting for my life and I don't know if I'll make it alone
Running with a gun and it isn't any fun as a fugitive
Lord, I wanna go home
Lord, I wanna go home

You gotta break it to them gently
Break it to them gently
Gotta break it to them gently
Gotta roll try to it

Gotta break it to them gently
Gotta really try to soothe them
Gotta really try to soothe them
Gotta really try to roll them

You gotta roll it to my mother
Gotta roll it to my grandma
Gotta roll the old lady
Roll it to my mother
Roll it to my mother and
Roll the old lady

Roll it to my grandma
She's damn near eighty
Roll the old lady

Burch magic has wrapped you around in a circle
Not different yet really quite never the same
You got to learn about losin' and throwin' it all away
And tryin' just a bit too hard
And I can feel myself slippin'
When I think about what's deep in her eyes

Lord, Lord, Lord, I been draggin' my heels down a different road
I'm tryin' to be more than her friend
If I could straighten out long enough to know who I am
I'd bring my wrong feelings to an end
Bring 'em to an end, Lord
Bringin' my feelings to an early end, early end
My feelings hittin' early end, Lord

Burch magic has you wrapped around on its finger
Not different yet really quite never the same
You got to learn about wonderin' and dividing your time
Emotion just a-startin' to show
And I can feel myself slippin'
When I think about what's deep in her mind

Boo hoo hoo, hoo hoo hoo, hoo hoo hoo, hoo hoo hoo...

She got a red dress
Kickin' up pretty heels
She was playin' the money game
Givin' those men a thrill
Spendin' nights in Sin City
Wearin' all the upper class women down
But she did not, no she could not
Change her name to Jezebel
Never once did she try
No, no, no, she couldn't change her name to Jezebel

I got an army
Then I gave them spears
Then I siezed the power
And I went around for a hundred years
I was doin' alright
Taking what I need and what I wantede to
But I did not, and I could not
Change my name to Charlemagne
Never once did I try
No, no, no I didn't change my name to Charlemagne
No way!

Sailin' off past Jupiter
Venus and my skies
Then I'm headin' back for the water
It's comin' as no surprise
That I'm doin' alright
They're even gonna check my fingerprints
But I was not and I never could be
Never could be no astronaut
Never once did I try
No, no, no I never could be no astronaut
And I did not and I could not
Change my name to Charlemagne

She got a red dress
Kickin' up pretty heels
She was playin' the money game
Givin' those men a thrill
Spendin' nights in Sin City
Wearin' all the upper class women down
But she did not, no she could not
Change her name to Jezebel
Never once did she try
No, no, no, she couldn't change her name to Jezebel

I got an army
Then I gave them spears
Then I siezed the power
And I went around for a hundred years
I was doin' alright
Taking what I need and what I wantede to
But I did not, and I could not
Change my name to Charlemagne
Never once did I try
No, no, no I didn't change my name to Charlemagne
No way!

Sailin' off past Jupiter
Venus and my skies
Then I'm headin' back for the water
It's comin' as no surprise
That I'm doin' alright
They're even gonna check my fingerprints
But I was not and I never could be
Never could be no astronaut
Never once did I try
No, no, no I never could be no astronaut
And I did not and I could not
Change my name to Charlemagne

Clap for the wolfman, he gonna rate your record high
Clap for the wolfman, you gonna dig him till the day you die
Clap for the wolfman, he gonna rate your record high (Umm, yes gracious)
Clap for the wolfman, you gonna dig him till the day you die (Heh heh heh, oh wow)

Doo Ron Ron and The Duke of Earl, they were friends of mine
And I was on my moonlight drive
Snuggled in, said "Baby just one kiss.." she said "No, no, no"
"Romance ain't keeping me alive!"
Said "Hey babe, d'you wanna coo, coo, coo?" she said "Ah, ah, ah"
So I was left out in the cold
I said "You're what I've been dreaming of" she said "I don't want to know!"
(Oh you know, she was diggin' the cat on the radio!)

Clap for the wolfman, he gonna rate your record high (Yes baby I gonna, doctor love!)
Clap for the wolfman, you gonna dig him till the day you die
(Everybody's talking about The Wolfman's "pompatous of love")

Seventy-five or eighty miles an hour she hollered "Slow, slow, slow..."
Baby, I can stop right on a dime
I said "Hey baby, give me just one kiss" she said "No, no, no.."
But how was I to bide my time?
Said "Hey babe, d'you wanna coo, coo, coo?" she said "Ah, ah, ah"
Said "I'm about to overload"
I said "You're what I been living for" she said "I don't know want to know!"
(Oh you thought she was diggin' you but she was diggin' me, nyha ha)

Clap for the wolfman, he gonna rate your record high
(As long as you got the curves baby I got the angles)
Clap for the wolfman, you gonna dig him till the day you die
(It's all according to how your boogaloo situation stands, you understand)

Clap for the wolfman, he gonna rate your record high
(You ain't gonna get 'em, 'cause I got 'em)
Clap for the wolfman, you gonna dig him till the day you die
(You might wanna try, but I gonna keep 'em, ain't that right girls?)

Clap for the wolfman

Daddy's on the road
Daddy's on the road
Such a heavy load when
Daddy's on the road

Sister's at the wheel
Sister's at the wheel
Life's so real when
Sister's at the wheel
One more

Mommy plays guitar
Mommy plays guitar
Lady's such a star, that
Mommy plays guitar

Brother makes the deal
Brother makes the deal
Life's so real when
Daddy's on the road

When I was a boy, I dreamed that Phillip Marlowe
He took me as his partner, took me as his friend
Gave me his fedora, gave me shotgun fever
Took me as his partner to the end

When I was a child, I dreamed I was a jeweller
With a family business that was free and clear
Selling golden earrings to Mrs. Mickey Mantle
Trying to be gentle while I stuck it in her ear

Dream of a child, the song of a man
The key and the time are at his command
Dream of a child, the song of a man
The key and the time are at his command

When I was a boy, I dreamed I saved my sister
From the Rosicrucians, for the love of God
I threw myself among them, slaughtering their numbers
Hit them where they least expected, in the name of God

Dream of a child, the song of a man
The key and the time are at his command
Dream of a child, the song of a man
The key and the time are at his command

When I was a boy, I dreamed that Elvis Presley
Was standing on my corner, kissing Brenda Lee
Mama always told me true love was born in heaven
She told me how my best friend could steal my love from me

I love Brenda Lee...
Brenda Lee loves me...

When I was a boy, I dreamed that Phillip Marlowe
He took me as his partner, took me as his friend
Gave me his fedora, gave me shotgun fever
Took me as his partner to the end

When I was a child, I dreamed I was a jeweller
With a family business that was free and clear
Selling golden earrings to Mrs. Mickey Mantle
Trying to be gentle while I stuck it in her ear

Dream of a child, the song of a man
The key and the time are at his command
Dream of a child, the song of a man
The key and the time are at his command

When I was a boy, I dreamed I saved my sister
From the Rosicrucians, for the love of God
I threw myself among them, slaughtering their numbers
Hit them where they least expected, in the name of God

Dream of a child, the song of a man
The key and the time are at his command
Dream of a child, the song of a man
The key and the time are at his command

When I was a boy, I dreamed that Elvis Presley
Was standing on my corner, kissing Brenda Lee
Mama always told me true love was born in heaven
She told me how my best friend could steal my love from me

I love Brenda Lee...
Brenda Lee loves me...

sunlight creepin'
And it feels all wrong, feels all wrong
I know I got to try and fix it
It's just hard knowin' where to start
I just expect the unexpected

'Bout nine A.M. and I been leafin' through the mail on the table
Pictures come a-dancin', confusin' like the night before
Promises, promises, I tell you I'll be there if I'm able
But it feels all wrong, Oh it feels all wrong
You know I got to try and fix it
Sometimes it's so frustrating
I never know where I should be starting

Five A.M. and I been wonderin' if I'll ever be sleeping
Confusion come callin', stayin' like a long lost friend
Woe betied, I do believe I see the sunlight creepin'
And it feels all wrong, honey it feels all wrong
And I need some time to fix it
But it's so frustrating
I suspect the unexpected

Huh?

Life goes on day after day
Hearts torn in every way
So ferry cross the mersey
Cause this land's the place I love
And here I'll stay.

People they rush everywhere
Each with their own secret care
So ferry cross the mersey
And always take me there
To the place I love

People around every corner
they seems to smile and say
We don't care what your name is, boy
We'll never turn you away.

So, I'll continue to stay
Here I always will stay
So ferry cross the mersey
Cause this land's the place I love
And here I'll stay

People around every corner
They seem to smile and say
We don't care what your name is, boy
We'll never turn you away.

So, I'll continue to stay
Here, I always will stay
So ferry cross the mersey
Cause this land's the place I love
And here I'll stay
And here I'll stay
And here I'll stay
Here I'll stay.

When I had my wheels in motion
Never did you think of me
Fine thing, fine state of affairs...
If I had my mind in motion
Never would I think of you
'Cause it's my fate, fine state of affairs
No one cares, no, no

You're not supposed to want nobody
Not supposed to need nobody
(Nobody... Nobody cares)
You're not supposed to touch nobody
(Nobody cares)
Don't you dare go love nobody

Ooh I miss the real exciters
Anything with anyone
Such a fine thing, fine state of affairs... ooh yeah
Lining up for fast one-nighters
When the final show was done
Such a fine thing, fine state of affairs
No one cares, no, no

You're not supposed to touch nobody
(Nobody cares)
Not supposed to love nobody

Fine state, state of affairs
Fine state, state of affairs

Well I was walkin' down the street
Mindin' my own affairs
When two policemen come up from behind
And grab me unawares
They said "You big bad Burton Cummings?"
I said "Why sure!"
They said "You're the cat we been lookin' for!"

Well, I was framed.
Framed, framed, framed I was blamed
Framed, framed, framed
Well I never do nothin'
But I always get framed

Well they took me to the lineup
And let those bright lights shine
There were 6 poor souls like me
Standin' up there in that line
The judge got a witness
And got her way up on the witness stand
A woman jump up, start screamin'
"That's your man!"

I was framed.
Framed, framed, framed I was blamed
Framed, framed, framed
Well I never do nothin'
But I always get framed

Well the prosecutin' attorney started prosecutin' me
Man, I mean that cat let loose and gave me the third degree
He says "Where were you on the night of July 16th, 1963?"
I said "I was cruisin'... just my sweetie and me..."

I was framed.
Framed, framed, framed I was blamed
Framed, framed, framed
Well I never do nothin'
But I always get framed

I get framed
I get set up
With circumstantial evidence
Innocent bystander, stand by me
I'm gon' need you

"I call this...IF Gordon Lightfoot's favourite singer were Rod Stewart. There are many IFs that preface this scenario. IF you were walking through Rosedale past Gordon's huge pretentious mansion, and IF the window were open about this wide, and IF Gordon had just been listening to the stereo, and IF on the stereo had been a disc of his favourite artist, and IF that artist were Rod Stewart, and IF he had been inspired by the listening, you might hear something that sounded vaguely like this...only IF Gordon Lightfoot's favourite singer were Rod Stewart."

Ah, wake up Maggie,
I think I got something to say to you.
It's late September.
And I really should be back in school
Or find myself a rock-and-roll band,
That needs a helping hand.
Oh, Maggie, I wish I'd never seen your face.
You made a first class fool out of me,
Now I'm as blind as a boy can be,
Oh, Maggie, I wish I'd never...ah, seen your face...

Lost in the memory that time cannot erase
Here I might linger for awhile, in the trace
Of the things, not too old
That since have gotten cold
And the thoughts from before
That told me so much more

And I've got to find another way
I've got to find another way
Got to find me another way
And get along without her

Friends now would mean so much to me
When I'm alone
Time to return to friendly ways
I'm headin' home
For the things, not too old
That since have gotten cold
And the thoughts from before
That told me so much more

And I've got to find another way
I've got to find another way
Got to find me another way
And get along without her

Changin' everything I'm doin'
Changin' everything I'm sayin'
Waitin' for the comeback
Maybe today
'Til then I'll find me another way
And try to get along

Lost in the memory that time cannot erase
Here I might linger for awhile, in the trace
Of the things, not too old
That since have gotten cold
And the thoughts from before
That told me so much more

And I've got to find another way
I've got to find another way
Got to find me another way
And get along without her

American hunter bring 'em up the North side
Guns, guns, guns
Run, take the money, here's a bullet for your boyfriend
Guns, guns, guns
Eagle all gone and no more caribou
Guns, guns, guns
You be the Red King, I'll be the yellow pawn
Aah...

God speed Mother Nature
Never really wanted to say goodbye
God speed Mother Nature
Never really wanted to say goodbye

Shoot a few, knock 'em down, cost you half a buck now
Guns, guns, guns
Babe give you kisses if you hit a rubber duck now
Guns, guns, guns
You be the Red King, I'll be the yellow pawn
Guns, guns, guns
Eagle all gone and no more caribou
Aah...

God speed Mother Nature
Never really wanted to say goodbye
God speed Mother Nature
Never really wanted to say goodbye

Couldn't be a fancy dancing girl and it couldn't be an "also-ran"
Couldn't be my mother cryin' softly after hearing from my old man
Couldn't be the guitar player wailin' even though I really liked the band
Had to be you
Had to be you

Couldn't be the nights with the drinkin' crowd when it was too late to be too young
Couldn't be the nights with the early flights when every mornin' meant time to run
Old men just never talkin' about it, always sayin' I was much too young
Had to be you
Had to be you

What you gonna do if you ever find out we're wrong...
Just come crashin' down like thunder
There's a danger sign that says we've had too much too long...
You go rollin' like a landslide
Lady luck will be cryin'
And if I ain't dead you know I'm gonna be dyin...

Couldn't be the days with the guitar craze when I never knew right from wrong
Couldn't be my friend behind the bar who kept it open just a little too long
Like a hundred other magic moments darlin', when your're there to find another song
Had to be you
Had to be you

Couldn't be the real-life movie night when I stole one teenage kiss
Couldn't even match stayin' out all night when the mornin' smelled just like this
Couldn't be something that I'd forgotten, because I can reminisce
Had to be you
Had to be you

Heavenly blue shade fallin' from a star
Is there no reason?
Heavenly blue eye glistening with a tear
Was it displeasin'?
Or was it just in season?
'Cause there was never anything to return to
No reason there for hangin' around
Nothin' you wer doin' could help me put both my feet back down on the ground
Now I'm heavenly blue, livin' with the ghost of you
Livin' with the ghost of you

Heavenly blue days fading with no sound
Sending me reeling
Heavenly blue night closing in all around
Moments for stealin'
Such a wonderful feelin'
But there was never anything to get back to
No reason there for hangin' around
Nothing like the time I found you such an impulsive ingenue
Makes me heavenly blue, livin' with the ghost of you
Livin' with the ghost of you...
With the ghost of you
In a story book, a story book about you
Watch 'em killing dragons
Climbing up the tower
In a story book about you...

Oh there's just nothin' left to get back to
No reason there for stickin' around
Nothing like the time I found you such an impulsive ingenue
Makes me heavenly blue, livin' with the ghost of you
Livin' with the ghost of you...

Could I get that lucky?
Is it in the cards for you?
Guess that's all dependin'
Just what it is I do

I do my vocals on the boat
I do my singin' on the water
I do my shuckin' best
In that hullaballoo
I do my vocals on the boat
I do my singin' where I oughta
Hopin' it's enough for a sweet little thing like you
I'm prayin' it's enough for a sweet little tart like you

If I've really had it
Baby one more night would tell
You know what you can do now
But you can drop my name in Hell!

'Cause I do my vocals on the boat
I do my singin' on the water
I do my shuckin' best
In that hullaballoo
I do my vocals on the boat
I do my singin' where I oughta
Hopin' it's enough for a sweet little thing like you
I'm prayin' it's enough for a sweet little tart like you