Damien Jurado

Standing with my feet deep in the ground
Was I nothing but a landslide in your mind?
Am I no one until someone calls me out?
Are you just pretending when we talk?

You should have seen me
Keeping watch at dawn

Picture now a car ride through the plains
Where east meets west and only sky remain
Were you faking death to only gain concern?
The cut out lights and signals told us wrong

You should have seen us
Carefree behind the wheel

Lover I am still here breaking chairs
Will I ever be the hero in your song
Or forever in your shadow so unseen?
Trapped between the lines that you write down?

You should have told me
Broken jaw and all
Crippled in your glory
Restless till my death

She walked in with sadness in her eyes
I could tell she'd been sleeping with the stars
"Well hello I'm dawn..."
"Yes I've seen you around..."
"I just live down from here..."

She has a dad she doesn't know
Who sends her letters with no return address...
"I don't know his name..."
"He don't know my face..."
"I am better off this way..."

On the weekends I drive her into town
In a car that I borrowed from my mom
She makes hotel beds
Where the sidewalks end
And I wait for her to come home...
Please come home

The one day she finally stops coming around
My best friend said she probably moved out of town
Not a letter was sent...
Not a phone call was made
And I hope she comes back here
Someday

He motioned to me from across the street
His arms waving madly "Come over to me"
I saw the panic as he approached
We both ran quickly to the house
Where the windows were shot out

He lay there bleeding on the floor
My mother beside him screaming "Dear Lord...
Someone shot my boy"

I held his hand till the ambulance came
Then onto a stretcher they took him away
I followed close from the car behind
The lights and the sirens both dull in my mind
November 9

Killed by a bullet from a jealous gun
It rattled his eyelids and pierced through his lungs
The damage now done

He was seem by her lover the night before
Swearing to kill him outside her door
To her defense my brother walked out
Raising his fist and screaming "Get out...
It's me she's with now!"

Hotel hospital the tears burned my eyes
I slipped into the nighttime and deep into dying
Without even trying

I would rather hide behind you or stand in your eclipse
The sun does not move e like it used to...
Neither do you

And Greenland I am with you... I was once unwanted.
In the front seats all with strangers I too was Earth's ceiling
I lost all feeling

And now I'm in your shadow
I am motionless
I am black

I'll be a crash landing who can change the landscape talking
And when I begin to stutter the land will be shaking
God will be clapping

When I left you alone to fight your battles
Of long winters and motels what went through your mind?
How is it that you made it? How is it that you noticed?
It wasn't me who was looking at you
Through foggy glass or windows... it was them.

I was out in Coolidge with my head on a counter
Drinking down my chance to ever return to anyone.
No I wasn't faking it... the hurt I felt was real
And all that was holy just slowly disappeared
Or just appeared in parking lots of truck stops.
The lights all blinking and now all I'm thinking is
"How the hell did I get here?"

Does your husband know that I call you sweetheart?
Does he know that I call you at all?
It's not like you are cheating we're only meeting
In hotels and not your home.
Would you change your last name to mine?
I think your kids will mind.

I was in the desert waving planes and burning phone books
To a tune that was famous the year I was born.
Do not leave me dancing alone.
Pick up the phone and call me lover
Say come and get me I am home...

I drove from Montesano to Aberdeen.
From Aberdeen to Pacific Beach.
A pocket full of wrong numbers.
Has anybody seen Shannon Rhoads?

I see her from the window of my memory
Standing like an angel down the hall.
I'll call when I get home this evening.
Has anybody seen Shannon Rhoads?

Some say she moved in with her lover.
The man her mother could not stand.
"Ma he only hits me when he's angry."
Has anybody seen Shannon Rhoads?

Four miles from the highway they found her.
Lying in the tall grass by the road.
Murdered by the hands of her lover.
Goodbye, goodbye, Shannon Rhoads.

Yesterday I went out to her grave site
The same day that her lover stood his trial
At her grave I stood there and remembered
All my days with Shannon Rhodes.

There goes your man
There goes your man
He's walking by, and shaking like a leaf
There goes your man

Here comes your death
Here comes your death
Keeping our breath safely in the trees
Here comes your death

Come now, you widow
Come now, you widow
Com and rest, so quiet in the meadow
Here comes your man

I stood alone there in the driveway
Till I saw your headlights fade
Disappear
Burn out like stars
A Chevrolet train that rolls in the night

I must have had a hundred nightmares
Of you falling asleep at the wheel
I send my prayers
Where are you now?
I am still here and going nowhere

Here is a photo of our first baby
Here is a photo of our wedding day
Nothing has changed
My love still the same
I am still here and here I remain

When you come back we'll have a party
We'll hang up the christmas lights
You'll be my bride
I'll be your groom
I miss you so much please make it home soon

Your mother said that you called this morning
"Tell him I love him, but won't be returning"

This gasoline makes on fine drink
All I need is trouble
Flicker in the sunlight dawn
They'll find my dead body cold
I used to wither just like winter
And now all I am is useless

So now is the time
To say all I wished I could have said
But I can't get my tongue out
And I can't get my sword to work
I'll just talk loads of bullshit anyhow

Your mother in torn garments
Like Jesus Christ denied
Blood in all her pockets
And you inside her eyes

Let's shut it down

Let's kill the lights

I quit my job
I moved away
I kept in touch
With all my old friends

From time to time
I hear about you
Are you still married?
Are you still happy?

How about your sister
Is she still running?
I ran into her
Last year in Denton

She spoke so quiet
Like I remember
I asked about you
She gave no answer

I'd always planned
To come back for you
But we both know how
You'd never leave

In a landslide

I can hear you...

Hear you walk away

First came the scream and blood on the floor
The alcohol and magazines
In my flashlight you were a star
A razor blade that cuts you clean

Smile for the camera take off that dress
Twenty dollars for a kiss
It's me who made you
It's me who will take you

I am not an evil man
I just have a habit I can't kick
It starts with an urge
And ends with picking up the phone
I ain't finished yet

The cowboy of Omaha drives with his three kids
To the house where they live, where you been

This country will know us by name
This country will know us by name

We've been out driving and seeing the sights
The land of Nebraska is beautiful at night

This country will know us by name
This country will know us by name

Our car was the ship and daddy the captain
He let us steer and pretend we were driving

This country will know us by name
This country will know us by name
This country will know me by name

I fell in love with a girl of nineteen
A black-haired girl i called abilene
'young girl, where's your husband?'
'sadly,' she replied, 'i do not have one.'
'then it's you i'll marry with your parents' permission.'

'no, fine sir, they will not let me marry
For i am a young girl
And you are a man without money.'
'then i'll come by your window
Tonight when they both will be sleeping

Outside your window
In a carriage, i will be waiting
They'll awake, find you gone,
Rub their eyes, and think they're dreaming.'
And never did they think
That their abilene would leave them

'now, fine sir, where is it you shall take me?
Is it in the mountains high
Or is it the deep blue sea?'

From the window to the doorway
This is the way we planned our escape
Five miles of road, three hours of conversation
My feet & ears could only take so much

From texas to ohio is too long a walk
Even if it's with someone you love
Five miles in the walk you already want to do them in

Through the heat & humidity
My mind keeps going back to the first time i met you
How weeks after dating, i could never get ahold of you

'i don't know where she's at
You should try calling back tomorrow'

From the window to the threshhold
This is the way we learn from our mistakes
You leave all your friends for someone you think you love

Through the for the better and the worse
My mind keeps going back to the first time i met you
How weeks after dating, i could never get ahold of you

'i don't know where she's at
You should try calling back tomorrow'

I am looking at a beautiful window
That window is your eyes
And the only time i saw rainfall
Was the day your mother died

And i am looking at a beautiful rainbow
The rainbow is your smile
O, the only time i heard laughter
Was the day i took you as my bride

I am looking at a beautiful window
The window is your eyes
O, the only time i saw rainfall
Was the day your mother died

And i am walking with my Savior
My Savior walks with me
O, He will guide me up to heaven
Where you & i shall meet

I can't get over
No, i can't get over you
Seems no matter what i do
I can't get over you

I have tried sleeping
Just to get over you
And i have tried dreaming
But all of my thoughts were of you

I can't get over
No, i can't get over you
Seems no matter what i do
I can't get over you

It seems no matter what i do
I can't get over you
No, i can't get over you

She took advantage of intoxicated hands
And he pretended to be asleep
But underneath the blankets
Their legs linked like a chain

Now come tomorrow morning
How will you explain?

Was it that whiskey talking
Or is it your heart
That made you say I love you to me
As you held me in your arms
And you'll have the explination
For that, what has come about

I loved you, seven long years
And now, that you found me out
Just get out

I was just like the others
I wanted to be more

Shame it took that whiskey baby
To bring me to your door
You'll have the explinations
For that what has come about
When I loved you seven long years
My boy and
Now that you found me out
Just get out

Come, o come
Come away, heather
Who is the boy
That you keep by your arm?

That drags a cat
Around by a tether
Who is the boy
That you keep by your arm?

I must say
He looks not familiar
Is he a stranger
From some other town?

The townfolks say
He looks quite peculiar
They've never seen
His kind come 'round

Tell me, o tell me
Will he be your husband?
Will you, o will you
Will you be his bride?

Will you stay in the house
& provide him with children?
Are you sure
He will not leave your side?

When tears fill your eyes
Whom shall you run to?
You can run
To the house on the hill

In this house
You will find me standing
By a window
Waiting for you

We all cried at the ending
We all stayed for the credits
And i kept my ticket as a souvenir

We found our way by the usher's light
To the place outside where we parked the bikes
Underneath a neon sign

Matinee
Hey hey
Why go late
When the movies are cheaper during the day?

We come down about twice a week
To put our feet on the theatre seats
Admission's cheap & the soda's free

Well, my best friend's girl works the ticketstand
When the boss is gone, she gets us in
We all see a matinee

Matinee
Hey hey
Why go late
When the movies are cheaper during the day?

Mmm

We all cried at the ending
We all stayed for the credits
And i kept my ticket as a souvenir

O, my best friend's girl works the ticketstand
When the boss is gone, she gets us in
We all see a matinee

Matinee
Hey hey
Why go late
When the movie is cheaper during the day?

Matinee
Hey hey
Why go late
When the movies are cheaper during the day?

I have fell victim to you
Troubles I have seen, many years
From high windows I have called you
So come, save me from this fire

Forget all who hurt you, they don't know you
Come rest your tired body in my arms
From the bedroom I have called you
So come, save me from this fire

And I have bad dreams
I've done so many bad things
So come, save me from this fire

Heard he shot another
No one knows a reason
It didn't make the paper
It's just another white lie
Here in white center
Here in white center
Here in white center
Here in white center

Can I take out the flowers?
Sunday packed the churches
Morning comes too slowly
For us who feel like victims
Here in white center
Here in white center
Here in white center
Here in white center

Turn off your headlights
Here comes a cop car
Music for the bad boys
Music for the good boys
Here in white center
Here in white center
Here in white center
Here in white center

Misfortune, got you like a sickness
The saints and angels all agree
Trouble sure as trouble sees it
I need it in writing to believe
To believe

The target was your heart in the beginning
Now there digging soft ground for your grave
I hope the mourners will bring plastic flowers
They'll drink to your death with pink champagne
Pink champagne

Now I hear your widow crying
Her weaping I made into this song
It's popular with the disco dancers
They'll play it on the radio all week long
All week long

Misfortune, got you like a sickness
And the saints, the angels all agree
Trouble sure as trouble sees it
I need it in writing to believe
To believe

Made a big decision
Think I left you out
Made a big decision
Think I left you out

Got a lot of problems
Think I'll work it out
Got a lot of problems
Think I'll work it out

Made a big decision
Think I left you out
Made a big decision
Think I left you out

Got a lot of problems
Think I'll work it out
Got a lot of problems
Think I'll work it out

We said goodbye a year ago
We sat within the farmhouse
So you know, don't you?

I went to the house alone
The power out, no telephone
You know, you'll know

The gun in the drawer
The long distance call
A story to tell

Patience drifts into the sound
You are nothing to me now
I made time to figure out
Save us now before we drown

Hello, goodbye I said last we met
I'll be easy to forget
You know, you'll know

An empty beer, the sealing broke
The saddest song we ever wrote
You'll know, don't you?

It's all for the best
It's not what it seems

The gun in the drawer
The long distance call
A story to tell

Patience drifts into the sound
You are nothing to me now
I made time to figure out
Save us now before we drown

I was born in this town
My name taken from here
3 sisters and a brother
Who all died before me

When wickedness takes you
Like a child of it's own
Nobody will befriend you
Nobody will defend you

I murdered the law here
I took on God here
So in place of your sins I bring you Judas

So mother, burn my body
For fuel
Oh, mother, burn my body
For fuel

They say I'm a story
But the legend's all wrong
I was forced out of town
But kept in this song

See it was you who made me
It is you who must take me
Love me or hate me
I'm still your son

So mother, burn my body
For fuel
Oh, mother, burn my body
For fuel

So mother, burn my body
For fuel.

Simple hello would've been nice
Instead you walked right by
I do recall we used to be friends
Has that slipped your mind

I used to call you on the telephone
Each and every night
Every time I see you with him
I think, "Why even try?"

Think I've had enough
Think I've lost my mind
This time

We used to be the best of friends
I guess now things have changed
Far too busy with your own friends
Do you still know my name

Think I've had enough
And I think I've lost control
So it goes

Think I've had enough
Think I've lost my mind

With both eyes closed I blew out his windows
A cheap shot I know but someone had to do it
It isn't like he deserves it that's easy for you to say
He's not our kind, he's not your type
Just look into his eyes

On my side of town
We let the lights go down
Get out our knives and go for a long drive
I'm nothing special, a yard sale collectable for your table
Eventually you'll too gather dust like the rest of us
Left out to rust

Tell me tongith, can we be magnetic
Lightning will strike and all of us will get in
Now that I'm social I'm at your disposal
A chair at the table
Eventually you'll too gather dust like the rest of us
Left out to rust

Hello dessert heat
When did you leave me undone?

A bastard son to the wind
It blows me your direction

The houses in the meadows
Have all but shed their skin
And now a boneless shadow
That lies among the lillies

How long can you keep your distance
Who shall be my witness
How long can you keep your distance
Who shall be my witness

The mountain said to his daughter
The hill shall be your husband
So leave me now volcano
To destroy all God has given

How long can you keep your distance
Who shall be my witness
How long can you keep your distance
Who shall be my witness
How long can you keep your distance
Who shall be my witness
How long can you keep your distance
Who shall be my witness

Surely I don't blame you
I wanted to hang out tonight
I'm all that you accuse me
I'm a sinking ship tied to my lover's waist

When I open up
Is when you're closing down
Surely why don't we

Surely what you're asking
And I'm not sure what you want from me
I can't be all you wish for
I'm a sinking ship tied to my lover's waist

When I open up
Is when you're closing down
Surely why don't we

Northbound open, use left hand lane
I drive to a place where no one knows who I am
Tail lights broken, stop lights out
I speed without caution on a road made of ice

My body an engine, my car is a train
I don't feel guilty for the hurt or pain
Telephone message we all ring twice
I speed without caution on a road made of ice

I did not recognize you.
You're playing with your face
Through your eyes I do despise you
There's not a person that I hate
But you.

When I could reach you from a distance
When I could sail upon the horizon
I left behind all those who mattered
The memories gone, they're foggy to me

You'll see

I will not argue with you
There's only blackness in your heart
In the buildings that you tore down with your mind

No on told me you had feelings
They kept it secret and away from me
What would I give to have them silent
Their mouths all taken from them

When I could reach you from a distance
When I could sail upon the horizon
I left behind all those who mattered
They're all not gone, just blurry memory

You'll see

I will not argue with you
There's only blackness in your heart
In the buildings that you tore down
With your mind

I woke up this morning
With death at my window,
Singing.
Come out, come with me,
It's friendship that i seek,
And conversation.
I left you a widow,
A dress made of shadow,
You can't see through.
While he's out swimming,
He leaves you drowning in sorrow.
You've convinced me
He loves you
But he doesn't love you like i do.
And i'll bring you treasure,
A love you can't measure
And i live
With a hard knock
A castle
And a grave site you can't sleep in.
So while he's out swimming,
He leaves you drowning in sorrow.
While he's out swimming,
He leaves you drowning in sorrow.
Grow old with me
Grow old with me
Grow old with me

I am dead weight, I am no one.

You would notice I am a hurricane.

I drop houses my breath, my wind.

Strong like an oxen chained to a fence.

I will not vent lucky I guess.

The ship will not leave you
Land will make sure to keep you
And I have no money for my debts

Told you I was with it
You said I should forget it and move on
So I did

Cathy, do you feel the movement
Every time I walk into the room

Fear it will not leave you
Ghosts intend to keep you
And I have no more candy for the kids

Told you that you'd hate it
But it'd take so much convincing so move on
And you did

Cathy, I feel the movement
Every time I walk into the room

Surely I don't blame you
I wanted to hang out tonight
I'm all that you accuse me
I'm a sinking ship tied to my lover's waist

When I open up
Is when you're closing down
Surely why don't we

Surely what you're asking
And I'm not sure what you want from me
I can't be all you wish for
I'm a sinking ship tied to my lover's waist

When I open up
Is when you're closing down
Surely why don't we

"i love you," i think that's what she told me; "i'm falling for you and i can want you only
And if you give me money then i could want you always."
"it's nothing," she said and then she hit me;
"i love you sometimes so much it kills me
Sometimes so much it kills me
Sometimes so much it kills me
Sometimes so much it kills me
Oh if you give me more..."

Let's pull over ahead
Brake failure and a flat tire
No water no power and an engine fire

If I kill you can I call you collect
I don't mean to be a bother
To make you upset
50 miles of broken bones
I've got 50 miles of broken hearts
Something tells me that
How long is this ___ or maybe that way

Here's a road map let's find Nevada
We've got places to stay
Busted taillights and no water
And sunburns and an engine fire

Here comes that big let down
It anchors your soul
In sadness she left you
Holding your own

Where's the love that binds us?
Not this time
Where lies the true forgiveness?
Not this time

Here comes that big let down
It anchors your soul
In sadness she left you
Holding your own

Where's the love that binds us?
Not this time
Where lies the true forgiveness?
Not this time
Do you think you could forget this?
Not this time
Can you please erase this?
Not this time

Sat on the couch for hours talking
About the current situation
Today is the day that we part
Today is the day we fall apart

If you want to talk about it
Darling you know where I'll be

Sat on the porch for hours talking
About the current situation
Today is the day that we part
Today is the day we fall apart

If you want to talk about it
Darling you know where I'll be
If you want to talk about it
Honey you know where I'll be

Make up your mind

Out from my window across from the city
I have what’s considered a good view
Two blocks from the subway, three from the fountain
Where I walk to break in new shoes

She stands on the sidewalk just waving at taxis
Like horses in parades in passing
I ask where she’s headed she tells me,
‘Ohio, I’ve not seen my mother in ages
It’s been a long time, a real long time.’
a real long time..
...

Out from my window ‘How far is Ohio?’
She laughed and pointed out east
She said, ‘I grew up there with my dear mother
And I haven’t seen her since thirteen.

You see, I was taken while she lay sleeping
By my father’s hired man
We moved to the city so far from my family
I haven’t been back there since.
It’s been a long time, a real long time.’
a real long time..

Out from my window please hear me Ohio
Your daughter wants to come home
She longs to be with you to hug you to kiss you
To never leave her alone

And I’ve gotten know her to live with to love her
It’s hard to see her leave
She belongs to her mother and the state of Ohio
I wish she belonged to me

See you sometime, see you sometime...

Girl that I’ve been leading
With the lying and the cheating is hard
You got yourself a boyfriend and
Treats you like a lady and friend

No one sees the tragedy except for me

Girl that I’ve been leading
With the drinking and the cheating in good
You had yourself a boyfriend and
Used him like the others you did

Trust me, you’re in deep
It’s no good
...

Trust me, you’re in deep
It’s no good... x2

I would come out just see you
Dancing freely by the sunset
Like the sun you’d shine brightly

We’d spend hours by the curbside
Telling stories under streetlights
How your words would amaze me

Now those days are gone
Slowly they slip away
Now those days are gone
Slowly..
...

I still go out by the old house
Where I met you our first summer
Where are you now, you’re with another

I am sitting by the curbside
Where we’d hang out under streetlights
How those times still are with me

Now those days are gone
Slowly they slip away
Now those days are gone
Slowly..

I spent the last night in your bedroom sleeping
Your head was laid upon my pillow dreaming

Is this the first time baby
Is this the last time, well maybe..x2

I’d spend the last night in your room
Kicking these wishes to the moon
to the moon..

I spent the last night in your bedroom sleeping
Your head was laid upon my shoulder dreaming

Is this the first time baby
Is this the last time, well maybe..x2

I’d spend the last night in your room
Kicking these wishes to the moon.. x2
to the moon..
...

Is this the first time baby
Is this the last time, well maybe

Is this the first time baby
Is this the last time,
maybe...

I used to be a someone you would run to
My eyes, they were the windows you would look through
Now much to your surprise looking through these eyes
You found beauty

I used to be a someone you would talk to
My eyes, they were the windows you would look through
Now much to your surprise looking through these eyes
You saw beauty
Now much to your surprise looking through these eyes
You found it

Goodbye angel hands in your pockets
Maybe tomorrow maybe you’ll come back sometime
She boards a Greyhound, a ticket to Jersey
A grey-colored backpack full of all her belongings

There’s a kiss from the window, tells me she loves me
And how she’s sending letters and drawings
But the letters never came

So I waited by the phone to hear it ring...

Goodbye angel hands in your pockets
Maybe tomorrow maybe you’ll call me sometime
Small time still city she one day calls me
Tells me she’s married, I took it badly

Moments of silence, sounds of her laughing
When are you sending letters and drawings
But the letters never came

So I waited by the phone to hear it ring....

Goodbye angel hear you’re successfull
Maybe tomorrow, well maybe you’ll come back sometime
Hands in your pockets here’s where you left me
Only with memories when we were just sixteen
But the letters never came

So I waited by the phone to hear it ring......

You don’t love me that way
The words that you say
Make it obvious now
Why try pretending you care
When feelings aren’t there
Just be honest with me

It’s not getting easier
With the two of us just standing here
Knowing we don’t love the same
love the same...

I said, ‘Don’t feel ashamed
Feelings just change
It’s so clear to me now.
Don’t cry you can’t deny
Both of us tried for each other.’

It’s not getting easier
With the two of us just standing here
Knowing we don’t love the same
love the same... Mmmm

You don’t love me that way
The words that you say
Make it obvious now

Saturday
Blue eyes fading
Not a word, not one
You will say
‘It all has changed me.’
Now you’ve gone
Nothing left to see

Saturday
Sad eyes closing
Not a tear, not one
You will say,
‘Love can change me.’
And you were wrong
To think it could

She spends her time with other boys
He spends his time fixing cars
She doesn’t mind that he’s gone
It gives her more time to talk

He’ll come around when he’s bored
And she’ll pay him no mind
‘We must stop meeting like this,’
He said with a grin while walking in
And she just slammed the door in his face

‘We must stop meeting like this,’
He said with a grin while walking in
And she just slammed the door in his face

I’ll see you around..
I’ll see you around sometime..x2
..

She hangs her coat on the door
He hangs his head on her hopes
She sleeps alone with her thoughts
She dreams of good times

He’ll come around when he’s old
She’ll pay him no mind

‘We must stop meeting like this,
Coming to bed with no words said
Makes it tougher on both of us.’..x2

And I’ll see you around...
I’ll see you around sometime....x2
...

It used to be much better than this.........

It used to be so much better than this
It used to be..

I’ll come down tomorrow morning
And meet you at our new location
In front of City Bookstore
Across the street from the railway station

She tells me how her night was spent
Nursing coffee and cigarettes
You waited til your husband left
To pack your things and off you went

He wouldn’t notice that you’d left
Til morning when the drink wore off
He stayed out all night with his friends
Never to return again

In front of City Bookstore
Across the street from the railway station
You show up with your suitcase
Ten dollars and a sad expression

She tells me that it’s all over now
She’s done her time and now she’s out
From the prison that she calls a house
Where she stayed put while he went out

She left him a note taped to the door
Saying, ‘Babe I won’t be back no more
I can’t find reasons for me to stay
Married to you and your cheating ways.’

Walked her out to the train
Couldn’t hide my pain
Or these tears that flow
From my eyes like rain
That September morning, 1959

It just so happens I have many concerns
My brother's down the road and my lover in town
They both need affection
And some kind of love

Well I'm the one who gives it at any given time
From two in the morning to six
Call me up and cry

My lover keeps it secret that we meet under covers
When asked by her man if we two are lovers
She says, "I hardly know him.
Besides, he's not my type."

Her man's a policeman with a keen sense of trouble
He's known just by danger
And all kinds of liars

Brother called this morning in a terrible panic
Spies in the closet, bugs in the attic
He screams bloody murder saying,
"We're all gonna die.

Death is upon me, I know 'cause he showed me
Pictures of graveyards and us underneath."

I'm losing my hearing from my brother screaming,
"They're coming to get me and
Someone call the police."

Two in the morning, the phone disconnected
Her man knows I'm calling, it's what I expected
A note on my backdoor saying, "Baby not tonight."

So I sit with my brother who is nursing a cut wrist
He's mumbling "Forgive me."
And "Don't let them take me away."

I can be a good boy and stay out of trouble
Jackie I love you and
Don't let them take your brother

Strapped to a table, go in electrodes
"Jackie come save me the doctors will kill me."
"No, they're here to help you
Straighten out your mind."

The TV is blaring with some preacher saying that
God is among us and he hears our cries

Lord, do me a favor
It's wrong but I ask you
Take my brother's life

'Cause he's sick of the suffering
The pills he's inhaling
The cross he is bearing
That is his trouble mind

Tell me when tomorrow comes
I'll be the first to ride
Start the car and honk the horn
I'll be right outside

Pour a drink and open wide
I have things to tell
I have seen the brighter side
Of the roads that lead to hell

Yesterday is miles away
You'll miss it if you blink
And I've found my salvation in
The places where you drink

You can say you're on my side
And I know that's a lie
'Cause given the chance you'd stab my back
And leave me here to die

Just give me the keys tonight
I'm happy when I drive
Revenge is the perfect word
For what I have in mind

Desert lives bring deserted lives
I know from first hand
We're moved around like circus clowns
When laughter's in demand

Johnny let's go out riding
to a place outside of town
I go there every Sunday
To watch the sun go down

There's plenty of girls who know you
They've been asking where you've been
Johnny don't disappoint them
They'd all like to you see you away again

Willy, I don't think I'm ready
To leave this house of mine
You go out and tell them
I'm not the social kind

Some men they are lovers
And others the fighting type
Me, I'm in the middle of
Choosing which one I'd like to be

Judy, she's out catching
Rides in passing cars
The memories of me and her
Have burned out like the stars

But me, I'm not disappointed
In knowing that she's free
Someday down the line
I knew she'd up and leave

Willy, forget you're troubles
And lay back on the grass
There's no need to get nostalgic
Thinking about the past

What's gone is gone, what's here is now
She standing by a fence
She's wearing a beautiful party dress
And wanting you to dance

Have the potential to be great today
Everyone I know will see the change
To be greater than I have before
Drawing lines that drag me to the floor

You could be so much better

Something tells me that you're on my side
Feeding me words that one day will kill my pride
You're too much for me that's what you said
You're too much for me that's what you said

I see potential
You'll be so much better

You could be so much better

Tonight I Will Retire

Oh tonight I will retire
To the arms of my lover
The sweetest kiss she will give
As I lay down beside her

What will she think
When she awakes
Just to find I have left here

Oh tonight I will retire
To these hands with revolver
And I don't fear death
I will commit
Like an old friend I've known forever

So come on in, take me on
No I won't stay here no longer

And if I should taste fire
Save me not, I deserve to die

And oh tonight I will retire
To loving arms of my savior
And we will walk through his gates
To the skies of Heaven

And no more tears will I cry
Are my sins, are they forgiven

And if I should taste fire
Save me not, I deserve to die

I've see you walk desert highways
Come on out they're waiting for you
Mother lost her one and only
Fear the worst for dead are many

And I've seen the ghost of David
In the house of his childhood
Forget him not, still he loves you
Life is short but love's eternal

Come on out we're waiting for you
Come on out we're waiting for you

In the window by a phone
She waits for him at home
She waits along time

In the vacant parking lot
Watching couple with their kids
Where did we go wrong

Words were spoken words were lost
Rings were given vows forgot
Where did we go wrong

Monday comes you find a note
I've left town this time for good
What did I do wrong

Vacant bedrooms pictures fade
Moments when the times were good
When did it all go bad

She don't keep you moving
I know how to move you
Does it every time
You're gonna lose your mind

She don't keep you and [move you]
Presents you can't give her
She does it every time
She's gonna lose her mind
She's talking to herself at night

[ ] come today
Because the medication kicked in
Beneath this big exterior
Is a heart that doesn't work

Leave me alone 'cause I'm
There's no telling what will go down

My head is on fire
I am on fire

Walk with me down the street
Walk with me to Water Street

Winter, put on your coat
They're expecting a cold one

Plenty of ice and snow
On the North Dakota plains

December, you killed a man
Trapped in his car for hours

He couldn't call for help
'Cause all of the lines were down

I found him in his car, hands stuck to the steering wheel

Winter, I found it out
How you can be so cruel

Boy you just watch you back
'Cause one day I'll kill you too

I'll find you in your car, hands stuck to steering wheel
I'll find you in your car, hands stuck to steering wheel

There's a little rosewood casket
That is resting on the stand
There's a package of old letters
Written by my loved one's hand

Go and bring them to me, brother
Come and sit upon my bed
Lay your head upon my pillow
While each cherished line is read

Read them gently to me, brother
Read them 'til I fall asleep
For the sleep to wake in heaven
Oh dear brother do not weep

Last night I saw him walking
With a lady by his side
And I thought I heard him tell her
She could never be his bride

When at last I'm gone forever
And my friends are gathered round
And my narrow grave is ready
In some lonesome church yard ground

There's a little rosewood casket
That is resting on the stand
There's a package of old letters
Written by my loved one's hand

Smoke that cigarette and down another drink
Call your other In Crowd friends instead of calling me

And it's who's got what and what can I take
Take what you got just try to make a fast break
It's who's got what and what can I take
Well I'll take what you got just try to make a fast break

Just sit down and go dancing

Smoke that cigarette and down another drink on me
Well you've got better things to be done
Than to be seen with me

Well it's who's got what and what can I take
Take what you got just try to make a fast break
It's who's got what and what can I take
Well I'll take what you got just try to make a fast break

Just sit down, there's no dancing

Now the sun is coming out
It's better than the rain
I finally wipe away the clouds
Leave me here and

Maybe I'll be fine
As long as I have you on the right

So much easier to get out
I'm breaking from my cage
Kill the lights and burn it down
Leave the keys and

Maybe I'll be fine
As long as I have you on the right

Open your eyes here comes a bigger part
And seek and define the answers are easy to read

Face that inevitable

Open your eyes here comes a bigger part
You seek and define the answers are easy to read

Face that inevitable

I am standing on her shore
With the anchor and the oars
She's gonna move you like the never ending tide

And I'm standing on her shore
With the mermaids and the whores
She's gonna move you like the never ending tide

It's like I told you
You'll never be as good
And there's someone always better
To take your place

Once you were the first in line
Now you're in the back
Receiving cards and thank you letters
PS please don't come back

It's like I told you
You'll never be as fast
And there's someone always faster
To take your place

Once I told you things look brighter
And now they're turning black
In this world without a compass
And you can't find your way back

It's like I told you

Once I told you that things look brighter
And now they're turning black
In this world without a compass
And you can't find your way back

It's like I told you

From the ceiling to the floor
I find I'm wanting more
It's so much a part of it

When I drop down from the sky
So much I could find
In a happy house so high above the clouds

It's not the way that you look, no
It all depends how you feel
It's just the way that it is
I wanna be you

Breaking hearts, they make no sound
In this I have found an excuse for jealousy
Kill the sun and make them blind
So much they will find
In a happy house so high above the clouds

It's not the way that you look, no
It all depends how you feel
It's just the way that it is
I wanna be you

Castles that you're building
Eventually come falling down

I will try to erase it all
From my mind, it's easy

People who you talk about
Eventually will find you out
People who you talk about
Eventually will hunt you down

I will try to erase it all
From my mind, it's easy

I'm coming to town, get ready to leave
Pack up the things, roll up the sleeves

So different

Can't tell the things your money saved
Get in the car for the parade

So different

I won't pretend not to see you looking
I smile and walk the other way

Kept alive in pictures
Still shots of you sleeping
And I play the movies in my mind

If I ever lose my head
Don't ever let me lose my head

High above me far from all who see you
You play the hero in my song

This is my blue one
That one makes me happy
Call in another round of cheer

If I ever lose my head
Don't ever let me lose my head