My Morning Jacket

at dawn they ride again, they'll haul you out to the streets.
They'll burn your papers and your empty trash cans,
beat this thought into your head, singin over and over again:
"all your life is obscene!"
"forget the papers, forget your musical dreams!"
but that's when my knife rises,
their life ends and my life starts again!

sometimes I walk around town looking at faces
wonderin why their bodies go to silly places.
Walkin past the carpet mills looking in and takin stills,
your ass it draws me in like a Bermuda highway.
Oh, don't carve me out! Don't let your silly dreams,
fall in between the crack of the bed and the wall.
Two times I fell asleep in a dirty basement
snoozing in cobwebs and the cement.
Sometimes I wonder why that meek guy got all the fame,
maybe im to blame for his short bitter fucked up life.

some say, death is the easy way and I think they're right.
Cause nights tick, by like a long week except when you stop by.
And I know that tryin gets nothing done and I see you're about dry.
Cause nothing gets you high, you're poor the day you die,
and alcohol it only makes you tired.
But seein you feels good, and its always understood.
That anything much sweeter would make me die.

try to walk this earth an honest man,
but eveil waves at me its ugly hand.
The radar watches me from above, shouting down:
"I hope you make it on this earth."
Sometimes this world will leave you, lord,
kickin and a screamin, wonderin if you'll see the next day through.
But as for me I do believe that good luck comes from tryin,
so until I get mine ill work me the whole day through.

I wont ask you where you're goin.
I wont ask you where you been.
I know after a million times you get sick of all my lines,
but I just wanna see you safe again.
Hopefully it occurs to me that there's one thing I cant stand.
That's the thought of a single day, without your head in my hand.
I know that just now I aint been showin,
the kind of love you know that I can.
So gimmie a little time and you'll be knowin your good lovin
baby is back on top again.
I always hoped you'd be showin,
and now you've shown as much as you can.
But after each time im still glowin
with a good lovin smile that's yours until the end.

I needed it most, when I was eighteen.
But now that im older, I don't need many things.
Just someone to hold, that's what you give me.
When dark touches your skull baby,
aw babe you can drop that on me.
So I say lord, all the heavens you've made,
cant hold back the ghosts that haunt my baby and me.
Oh cant ye hold em back, form comin on in,
to a lovely woman, that jus wans her mind back again.
I cannot crumble, what you want this to be.
Or bring peace of mind, if it aint there to see.
Aw if you don't know yourself, how could you ever know me.
But to have and to hold you, yeah that's the way its gotta be.

whos going to care if it smashes down
or flips you up in the air. Its justa really fast, risky ride at a fair.
On these lovely trips,
the conductor likes your soft brown eyes on his hair.
No need to shut er down, go round and round in the air.
In the air.

I go light, every night, and just because I do:
im writin off a letter, to keep from losin you.
I saw it in a letter.
Every night you talk in disguise, and girl that aint like you.
Im wishin you'd get better, to save yourself some glue.
I go blind, every night and just because I do:
im hopin you'll get better, and ill get rid of you.
Then I'll get rid of you.

lowdown, cheatin, aint no need for repeatin,
so love, dawg, cant ye see? That you never gotta fight with me.
Hurtin. Beatin. Aint no need for repeatin,
so love dawg cant ye see, that you never gotta bleed for me.
Chancing, glancing, sho nuff mood for romancing
so love dawg cant ye see that you only gotta dance with me.

strangulation
I don't wanna feel a thing.
When your hands close tight around my neck,
and force the air that I breathe.
I don't wanna feel a thing.
Yes she was a young girl.
Bout the age of 23.
but somehow the lord never smiled down upon her,
so she flew out on a breeze.
Said: "I don't wanna feel a thing, I don't want to feel a thing."
Sure he was a good kid. But his phone it'd never ring.
He got tired of walkin a tightrope,
needin too much to drink.
So he got on a knee.
"I don't want to feel a thing"
but I know there's someone that loves up above
and want to fix you a dream.
He wants to sit down and think.
He wants to pour you a drink.
And you wont feel a thing. You wont feel a thing.

Why's it so strange when they say that the world's movin' upwards?
Why's it surreal when my hands feel they can't roll the dice?
Why's it so great just to wake every day alive and by your side?

It's a mystery, I guess
There's lots of things that I can't find
Not the way that you look
But your move that catches my eye

Why's it so soft when the cannons unload on the others?
Why are we so loud when we say it won't happen to us?
Why does my mind blow to bits every time they play that song?

It's just the way that he sings
Not the words that he says or the band
I'm in love with this soul
It's a meaning that I understand

Hey
The Christmas curtain falls on lawbreakers who pave the way
For thoughtless folks like me and J. who'd pay
But can't afford the finer things in life
So we heist them all
We're criminals that never break the law

So
To all you frowns, go down to town square and get some action
From the Christmas girl that lives inside your womb
She's always there, I think that I'm certain
You pay to get behind her Christmas curtain
You're the criminal that never breaks the law

butch cassidy i could've been your friend,
and rode with you and the sundance kid.
we'd laugh awhile and we'd smile a bit,
cause crimes like our arent counterfit.
they say you never even killed a man,
till it came right down to your final stand.
bullets flyin and the wounded cryin
and your buddy he's goin down.
get lower and the feelins show
and you gave off the final sound.
cause a soldiers death is so much better than defeat just hangin around.
defeat just hangin around.

you said, evan, is comin over again.
and i said, if he does, i'll kick his head in.
i've known you for years, i know all your moves,
i just cant believe that it caved in this soon.
and i'm playin it over and over again in my head.
you said evan is comin over again.
i asked where you go'd, and you said where you went:
he took you to movies and carnival tents.
bought you big houses and payed all the rent.
and i'm playin it over and over again in my head.
oh but Los Angeles ain't that far,
and the rest of the girls said they'd be there, by my car.

ev-O-lyn i hope this cant be true.
ev-O-lyn, you know my hearts with you.
dont try to tell me there's another boy,
don't try to use me like a lovers toy.
ev-O-lyn you know this cant be true.
from what i found the ground remains with you.
don't try to tell me theres another boy,
don't try and use me like a lovers toy.
"aw take it away johnny!!!"

2o times i wish you'd understand, that you're breakin the
heart of this heartbreakin man.
20 times i wish you'd use the door, cause
you're makin this heart want some more. oooooo

joe was born in new york city, son of paul and catherine.
always down and always out,
but his morals always seemed just fine.
there will be bigotry and there will be open minds.
there will be days of peace you'll never have the time.
AS LONG AS YOU KEEP A STRAIGHT FACE,
i will be there when you die
i was born in east kentucky, home of where the grass is dyed.
always down and always out,
but my morals always seemed just fine.
there will be bigotry and there will be open minds.
there will be days of peace you'll never have the time.
as long as you keep a straight face,
i will be there when you die.

surely your lips deceive me. surely i know you're fine.
and if we get too close this evening, well apart we'll grow in time...
and i know (that you're mine). oooo.
sherie your heart, i'll take you there, it ain't far.
and if all else fails, i'll come running back,
wonderin where you went with my heart.
sherie your arms deceive me, sherie i know you're fine...
and i know (that you're mine) sherie your heart,
i'll take you there, it ain't far.
and if all else fails, i'll come running back,
wonderin where you went with my heart.

from nashville to kentucky, my heart it draws the line,
somewhere someone thinks of me,
i just wish it was somewhere i could find.
TAKE ME OUT of this dead-end nightmare.
TAKE ME OUT of this hell im in.
TAKE ME OUT of this dead end nightmare,
and put me back in a world i can live.

All alone at the end of the day, really tired it's time to hit the hay.
It was always good to hear you say:"you never were a
drawback, you always were an asset, you never were a drawback,
no you weren't."
Put away your corset, put away your shoe,
put away the old september blues

i've got the ocean blue.
i've got a picture of you with green green eyes
and a cocaine smile and a little worry anymore.
i've got a house in a court, i've got a car and a door and a big left arm.
and a little worry any more, cause i tried, i did.
sorry, you know im sorry you know i'd give you anything on a dime.
sorry again. cut your little head.
but sorry don't mean nothin, if sorry's still in bed.
you dont say "i'll wait up"

It's a bad idea, to go down to the pier by yourself after dark.
It's a bad idea, cause they're down on their luck
and they've lost touch with their bleeding hearts.

Bad idea, cause I've felt that way and I know I shouldn't have gone.
The time is near, to come forward with whatever killed your spark.

There's still time, for you,
to change your mind or whatever else you do.
There's still time.

Ooh...

It's a bad idea, to go down to the pier by yourself after dark.
It's a bad idea, cause they're down on their luck
and they've lost touch with their bleeding hearts.

Bad idea, cause I've felt that way and I know I shouldn't have gone.
The time is near, to come forward with whatever killed your spark.

There's still time, for you,
to change your mind or whatever else you do.
There's still time.

Ooh...

Forever

trapped in gasoline, a lizard on a string, no one ever screams any more.
its called THE DARK. its not a sunny day for the dark.
let in the dark, then you you can sleep and fuck and park.
let in the dark, it's not another day for the dark.
let in the dark, then you can sleep and move and park.
so tight, i can't breathe, gods fingers chokin me,
like a prisoner on his knees,
beggin won't do a thing for me so c'mon (you can't fight it)
people, oh they're my thing these days,
they like to swim, and catch them rays.
MONEY, dont do a thing for me, im happy now, thats how i be.
it's called the dark.

somebody stole my lighter.
and where it go'd is higher.
i was another boy, down in another town.
armed with casino bars, tight
whores and tinseltown. but i stayed. oooo. oh but i stayed.
she had a cigarette and asked if i had a light.
out it came, and i gave it
to her, and off into the night.....
his arms were thin, and off into the
night, they ran. oooo they ran. oooo they ran.

Stolen as the war begun, this time your soul is my one.
I belong to a race of robots, drownin out my one.
Anytime your war gets out
of hand I'll take it on.
Stolen as the wars begun, this time your soul is my one.
I'D MOVE ON, but I know you'll need me some day.
I'D roll ON, but I know you'll need me some day

Cobra comes up next to me
Anywhere he goes, he's silently
How do you take speaking so much?
How do you live without a lover’s touch?
Dale always says it’s easy
I’m hooked on four like one, two, three
I got them moves, declared to me
You need to listen cuz I guarantee you’re for sure

Now I know I’ve been movin’ too much
I’m gonna live for my hottie’s touch

How do you take him speaking so much?
How do you live without a lover’s touch?

Covered in charcoal, head to toe
Sticky, stick charcoal, I want you to know
How I long till I get these off
They’re so convenient but at such a cost
King I go out to plead
Sticky, sticky warmth, come and rush to me
I want to know, I want to see
There’s life for me

Oh how I long till I get these off
They’re so convenient but at such a cost.

I know somebody, yes, I know someone
Who loves to wait, loves to wait for the policeman to come.
I know somebody, yes, I know them well
And I’m aware of the thought they call ringing the bell

Four on the floor and four in the air
I’m drinkin’ cold, cold lightning with the bugs in my hair
I knew a partner, yes, I knew his house (now)

I know somebody, yes, I know someone
Who likes to wait, likes to wait for the policeman to come.

I know somebody, yes, I know them well
And I’m aware of the thought they call ringing the bell
Four on the floor and four in the air
I’m drinkin’ cold, cold lightning with the bugs in my hair
I knew a partner, yes, I knew his house

Why do my toes always feel so cold?
How come? How come? How come?
Why’s all the soap always burn like a rope?
How come? How come? How come?
When I see your reflection, it always frightens me
So strong that I can hardly speak.
How come?

Mixed up potion, the summer’s ocean
I feel I’m swimming in tannin lotion
Too many car chairs, and not enough leads
How come? How come? How come?

Thank you for all the sleep
So I know the spark’s aside
Stuff that keeps me clean
Stuff that helps me breathe
The lamps, the lights, the kerosene
Beautiful, two gardenias spring
How come?

Why does all the soap always burn like the rope?
How come? How come? How come?
Why’s all my toes always seem so cold?
How come? How come? How come?

don't forget which way it goes
i could be the one to show you that
life is more than scenery
won't you please you please a place for me

i could prove that bitch is holy
but it would be the one that told me that
life is not pure misery
will you please you please a place for me

start out early in the mornin
they get up way before the sun
with flowin lights the city bustles
it truly grins for everyone

take their little Jim to Xavier
take him to slowly to the show
and in my eyes they show the loveliness
that brings me back to you so much

Sooner or later they come to see you
feed you power in the yellow sun
for all your days they keep you movin
quick as lightnin they'll be gone

i know the soul needs wine and kindness
i know the eye needs lots of fun
i know these things will come to see you
to prove it's true i'll tell everyone

Sooner or later I'll come to see you
and feel your power in the yellow sun
to all your days I wish you blindness
from all the evils in the world

Sooner or later I'll come to see you
feel your power in the yellow sun

Slowly, you stroll over where I sit,
you strain crystals but now im one within.
Sweetheart, lover, words you use for me,
I yearn to get you forever, to melt you into me.

(Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh)

(Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh)

(Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh-Ahhhhhhhh)

(Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh-Ahhhhhhhhhhhh)

(Ahhhhhhhhhh)

Slowly, I stroll, over where you sit,
it took so long, now im into it.

Sweetheart, lover, I wanted you before,
but when the heart beats next to me I want it even more.

Daybreak, nightfall, long as I believe
There ain't nothing glowing like the skin you're showin' and the keys you gave to me
Nightjails, poolhalls, some things are everywhere
So for the past I'm diggin' a grave so big, it will swallow up the sea
Oh I know... that it's easy... there's no trouble waitin' for me
Dancefloors, headlights, in my blood there's gasoline
For an urban boy on a dirty tour I never felt so clean
Loaded questions in an automatic world
You just won't be seein' the things you need, as if you thought you would
Oh, I know... it's never easy... when there's trouble waitin' for me

well the easy mornin rebel, well he has come.
come down from heaven, all bathed in sun
he'll take to flyin, he'll take to the road...
as long as he's movin to get dey blood!
he'll be the water if you'll be the wine.
sent down from heaven in this earthly disguise
well the evening rebel, his heart is stone.
this earthly body... just a temporary home
a dream of movin moves on thru the night
and he sure looks good when he moves in the light
he'll be the water if you'll be the wine.
sent down from heaven in this earthly disguise
black hearted ruler? I only knew...
that loving moment I had with you

"Watchin' this stretch of road,
Miles of light explode,
Driftin' off the thing I've never done before.

Watchin' the crowd roll in,
Out go the lights, It Begins.
Feeling in my bones I've never felt before.

People always told me,
That bars are dark & lonely,
And talk is often cheap & filled with air.
Sure sometimes it thrills me,
But nothing could ever chill me,
Like the way they make the time just disappear.

Feelin' you're here again,
Hard on my skin again,
Feelin' good a thing, I've never known before,
What does it mean to feel?
Millions of dreams come real,
Feeling in my soul I've never felt before.

And you, you always told me,
No matter how long it holds me,
If it falls apart or makes us millionaires,
We'll be right here forever,
Go through this thing together,
And on Heaven's Golden Shore, We'll lay our heads."

I will sing to you of greater things... money, gold, and diamond rings.
Just don't make it last any longer thatn it has to
Stories of the greater years... fill your heart and soul with beer (tears)
Just don't make it last any longer than it has to
I will sing to you of greater things... money! gold! and diamond rings.
Just don't make it last any longer than it has to
Stories of the greater years... what's in here won't disappear
Just don't make it last any longer than it has to

baby. there's just one thing
one thing that does it
does it for me
baby. we'll find a way
we'll go out
out for a day
and I want it so bad! it's the first thing I see when I wake
so bad! it's the first thing I see when I wake

Sittin' here with me and mine, all wrapped up in a bottle of wine
Little we can do... we gon' see it thru somehow
So... now are you ready to go? my lady
I been waitin' on the boat here I been waitin' so long
"Can he see me? does he feel me? does he know me at all?"
"Does it shiver? always deliver? does it know me at all?"
Bang! Bang! goes the night, all wrapped up in the firelight
Don't "rock bottom", just listen, just slow down
So... now are you ready to go, my lady?
I been waitin' on the boat here, I been waitin' so long...

I've got a masterplan babe, I been workin on it from the start.
pluggin in all of the numbers, watchin it on all of the charts.
just cause it starts off slow babe, doesn't mean it don't have a heart.
you'll be walkin round showin off someday
and it'll take you right back to the start.
it's everything that you want babe.
it's everything that you need.
soft and warm al the time, make you want it over and over.
strong on the horizon, but ends up bein really so sweet... oh so sweet.
sometimes I wanna lay down babe. sometimes I wanna stand up and fight.
sometimes it runs its course in a day. sometimes it goes for night after night.
know that it will start off strong babe, and it will end up weak in the end.
just like the heart you break of a love babe, just like the hand you take of a friend.
it's everything that you want babe.
it's everything that you need.
soft and warm all the time, make you want it over and over.
strong on the horizon, but ends up bein really so sweet... oh so sweet...

Wakin' up, feelin', good and limber
When the telephone, it ring
Was a bad man from California
Tellin' of a stone he'd bring

And of, better days
From this town, we'd escape
If we, holler loud, and make our way
We'd all live, One Big Holiday

So we listened &, up the river
And recorded all the sounds
Was some shakin' & some, record playin'
All the leather kids were loud

on the way back home... how long did it seem?
3 days or 4? snow glazed all the trees
my mother held me... like a motorcycle, so warm...
we sang melody...
campin out all night... slow moves in the light...
of all the things that you've seen...
was the motorcycle so warm you sang melody?
at that moment I'd know... just how close we could be
and though it always was mine... it always seemed new to me
10,000 colors in all... eyes like caves on my cheeks
to all the people i've loved... don't think poor of me
it wasn't till I woke up...
that I could hold down a joke or a job or a dream
but then all three are one in the same
and ALL then are one in the same
and all us are one in the same

Just in the nick of time you got me while I was sittin' here
Time, I don't think I waste it, it just seems to disappear
Sippin' the wine you got me while eyes were rollin' back
Long hours and hard hard things just bring heart attacks

Oh, oh, oh, you had me, wrapped up in your mystery
When the light vanished from on high
Oh I'll never say I knew you, but my heart can't wait
To meet you on the other side

When I think about the story one thing seems pretty clear
The warm things you left behind they still want you here
But only in time you find that all things come back around
And just like the frown, we'll turn them upside down

Oh, oh, oh, you had me, wrapped up in your mystery
When the light vanished from on high
Oh, I'll never say I knew you, but my heart can't wait
To meet you on the other side

Oh shit run! oh shit run! oh shit run thru the ghetto.
They will hear you.
Mornin' bell tolls at home, rings loud back where I come from, calls me back.
Often times I would hope and pray, then faith came my way.
Oh shit run! oh..............
It's what appears to me, it's what appears to me.
Oh shit run! oh..............
It's what appears to me, it's wha appears to me.
It's what appears to me.
Ahhhhhhhh...................

So I do believe, none of this is physical
At least not to me
So, I do believe
That anywhere it goes
It's always with me
It's not the dream
That makes you weak
It's not the night that makes you sleep
But it's a voice, and it's a choice
To call you out, or stay at home
So, I do believe
None of this is physical
At least not to me
So I do believe
That anywhere it goes
It's always with me
It's not the beast, it's not the sheets
So soft and warm, all over me
But it's the touch, you need so much
To move around on this green earth
Take your money and your drugs
Take your money and your drugs
To anyone who wondered
What old jebus meant to me
Take him out to go diving
In red patoka sea
The brain melts in the twilight
With the boar and moving trees
Your skin looks good in moonlight
And Goddamn those shaky knees
The fact that my heart's beating
Is all the proof you need

So I do believe, none of this is physical
At least not to me
So, I do believe
That anywhere it goes
It's always with me
It's not the dream
That makes you weak
It's not the night that makes you sleep
But it's a voice, and it's a choice
To call you out, or stay at home
So, I do believe
None of this is physical
At least not to me
So I do believe
That anywhere it goes
It's always with me
It's not the beast, it's not the sheets
So soft and warm, all over me
But it's the touch, you need so much
To move around on this green earth
Take your money and your drugs
Take your money and your drugs
To anyone who wondered
What old jebus meant to me
Take him out to go diving
In red patoka sea
The brain melts in the twilight
With the boar and moving trees
Your skin looks good in moonlight
And Goddamn those shaky knees
The fact that my heart's beating
Is all the proof you need

If there was a place downtown
That they talked about every day
Then I'd wanna move uptown
Tell the microphone he can't play
Tell the acid man we don't want to
Tell the microphone he can't play
Tell the acid man we don't want to
Ohh
There's not a lot that you (you) can say
To make the microphone man go away
There's not a lot you can say

To make the microphone man go away
There isn't a lot you can say
I don't want to (I don't want to)
Ooh ooooooooh ooh ooh
I don't want to (I don't want to)
Ooh ooh ooooooooh ooh ooh
I don't want to

some say, death is the easy way and I think they're right.
Cause nights tick, by like a long week except when you stop by.
And I know that tryin gets nothing done and I see you're about dry.
Cause nothing gets you high, you're poor the day you die,
and alcohol it only makes you tired.
But seein you feels good, and its always understood.
That anything much sweeter would make me die.

baby. there's just one thing
one thing that does it
does it for me
baby. we'll find a way
we'll go out
out for a day
and I want it so bad! it's the first thing I see when I wake
so bad! it's the first thing I see when I wake

is this "climbing up to the moon?"
or is it bailing out too soon?
i hope we didn't wait too long.
all that i wanted to say - words only got in the way.
but then i found another way to communicate.
is this "climbing up to the moon?"
or is it fadin out too soon??
i know we didn't, i know we didn't wait too long -
cause anytime's a good time to move on.
things i could say to myself - i could never say to anyone else.
but what madonna said really helped -
she said: "boy - you better learn to express yourself!"
i know we didn't, i know we didn't wait too long.
cause anytime's a good time to move on.