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2003 |
1. | |
2. | |
3. | Always Leaving Always Gone |
4. | Shine on Ruby Mountain |
5. | Ticket to Nowhere |
6. | |
7. | |
8. | |
9. | |
10. | |
11. | Where Does Rosie Go? |
12. | |
13. | |
14. | We All Got to Help Each Other |
15. | |
16. | |
17. | What Am I Gonna Do? |
18. | |
19. | |
20. | Someone Who Cares |
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. . .
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You've painted up your lips
And rolled and curled your tinted hair
Ruby are you contemplating
Going out somewhere
The shadow on the wall
Tells me the sun is going down
Oh Ruby
Don't take your love to town
It wasn't me
That started that crazy Asian war
But I was proud to go
And do my patriotic chore
And yes, it's true that
I'm not the man I used to be
Oh, Ruby I still need some company
It's hard to love a man
Whose legs are bent and paralyzed
That my wants and needs of a woman of your age
Ruby, I realized
Oh Ruby
Don't take your love to town
She's leaving now cause
I just heard the slamming of the door
The way I know I've heard it
Some 100 times before
And if I could move I'd get my gun
And put her in the ground
Oh Ruby
Don't take your love to town
. . .
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Don't look so sad, I know it's over
But life goes on
And this old world just keeps on turning
Let's just be glad, we had this time
To spend together
There's no need to watch the bridges
That were burning.
Lay your head on my pillow
Hold your warm and tender body next to mine
Hear the whisper of the raindrops
Beating soft against the window
And make believe you love me one more time
For the good times.
I get along you'll find another
And I'll be here if you should find
You ever need me.
Don't say a word
About tomorrow or forever
There'll be time enough
For sadness when you leave.
Lay your head on my pillow â¦
. . .
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Always Leaving Always Gone |
. . .
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. . .
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. . .
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Traveling down a different road
Trying hard to leave the load
We take it there but we can't let go
It's so hard to lay it down
Back in Eden we were tried
Found ourselves disatisfied
Seeking wisdom that she denied
Trying hard to lay it down
Lay it down, brother,lay it down
It's so hard to lay it down
Hide in me,confide in me
Don't you think it's time to be
Everything we tried to be
You and me should lay it down
Speak to me, be unashamed
There's no time for playing games
After all we're all the same
Just trying hard to lay it down
Lay it down, brother,lay it down
It's so hard to lay it down
Lay it down, brother,lay it down
It's so hard to lay it down
Wish my words could make it well
Wish that I might break the shell
Take us from our self-made well
Find a way to lay it down
Burdened by the things i've learned
Hurting cause i'm too concerned
Nonetheless i confess i yearn
To find a way to lay it down
Lay it down, lay it down
It's so hard to lay it down
Lay it down, lay it down
It's so hard to lay it down
Lay it down, lay it down
It's so hard... to lay it... down
. . .
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Sunshine, you may find my window
But you won't find me
And sunshine, I've got my friend of darkness here
Tonight to hide me.
So sunshine, as far as I'm concerned
I'm where I want to be
And sunshine, as far as you're concerned
Don't be concerned for me.
'Cause she doesn't love me anymore
She doesn't want me, Lord
She doesn't need me anymore
She grew tired of chasing rainbows
But I loved her true
And God you know I tried.
And I guess she was right
'Cause I'm at the end
I found the part but there's no golden sun.
So sunshine, can't you see I'm not alone
Don't bother me
And sunshine, pick up your dawn
And move on down the street...
. . .
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Reuben James
In my song you live again
And the phrase that I rhyme
Are just a footstep out of time
From the time when I knew you
Reuben James
Reuben James, all the folks around Hadison County
Cussed your name
You're just a no-count, sharecropping colored man
You'd steal anything you can
And everybody laid the blame on Reuben James
Reuben James, for you still walk
Over fields of my mind
Faded shirt, weathered brow
Colored hands upon the plow
Loved you then and I love you now
Reuben James
For a grave
The gossiper of Hadison County died with chide
Although your skin was black
You were the one that didn't turn your back
On the hungry white child with no name
Reuben James, Reuben James
With your mind on the soul
And a bottle in your right hand
You said turn the other cheek
For there's a better world awaiting for the meek
In my mind these words remain from Reuben James
Reuben James one dark cloudy day
They brought you from the field
And to your lonely crambox
Came just a preacher
Me and the rain
. . .
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Elvira, Elvira
My heart's on fire for Elvira.
We look like dough, lips like sherry wine
She can sure enough make my little light shine
I get a funny feelin' up and down my spine
'Cause I know that my Elvira's mine.
Giddy up, oom poppa, omm poppa, mow mow
Giddy up, oom poppa, omm poppa, mow mow
Heigh-ho silver, away.
Elvira, Elvira
My hear's on fire for Elvira
Tonight I'm gonna meet her to hungry house cafe
And I'm gonna give her all the love I can
She's gonna jump and holler
'Cause I saved up two dollars
She's gonna search and find that preacher man.
Elvira, Elvira
My hear's on fire for Elvira
Elvira, Elvira
Elvira, na, na, na, na, na, na, na.
Elvira, na, na, na, na, na, na, na.
Elvira, na, na, na, na, na, na, na...
. . .
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Busted flat it Baton Rouge, headin' for the trains
Feelin' nearly faded as my jeans
Bobby thumbed a diesel down, just before it rained
Took us all the way to New Orleans.
I took my mouth harp out of my old dirty red bandana
I was playin' sad while Bobby sang the blues
With those windshield wipers slappin' time
And Bobby's clappin' hands we finally
Sang up every song that driver knew.
Woe, freedom's just another word
For nothin' left to lose
And nothin' ain't worth nothin', but it's free
Oh oh oh feelin' good was easy, Lord
When Bobby sang the blues
Feeling good was good enough for me, Bobby McGee.
From the coalmines of Kentucky to the California sun
Bobby shared the secrets of my soul
Standing right beside me, Lord, through everything I'd done
And every night she kept me from the cold
Then somewhere near Salinas, Lord
I let her slip away
Looking for that home and I hope she'd find
I'd trade all of my tomorrows for a single yesterday
Feelin' Bobby's body next to mine.
Woe, freedom's just another word
For nothin' left to lose
Nothin' left was all she left for me
Woe, feelin' good was easy, Lord
When Bobby sang the blues
Feeling good was good enough for me and by McGee.
Woe, freedom's just another word
For nothin' left to lose
Nothin' ain't worth nothin', but it's free
Woe, feelin' good was easy, Lord when Bobby sang the blues'
. . .
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. . .
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I'm gonna sing you a sad song, Susie
I'm gonna sing you a sad song, girl
I'm gonna sing you a sad song, Susie
I'm gonna sing a love song
All about you and me, girl
Oh girl, you know you lied to me
You said you love me more than anything
And all the time I was just a fool
Another fool in your care
I'm gonna sing you a sad song, Susie
I'm gonna sing you a sad song, girl
I'm gonna sing you a sad song, Susie
I'm wanna sing a love song
All about me and you, girl
Oh girl, you still don't know what love's all about
To you it's just another game too
I may be hurting now but in the end
Oh, in the end, girl, you knew
I'm gonna sing you a sad song, Susie
I'm gonna sing you a sad song, girl
I'm gonna sing you a sad song, Susie
I'm gonna sing you a sad song, girl
Sing you a sad song, Susie, I'm gonna sing you
. . .
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Oh Lord, I wish I had never been stoned.
'Cause when I get high I can't leave the women alone.
Omaha Sheriff and his boys getting ready for slaughter.
Looking for the man that turned on the Mayor's daughter.
Omaha honey had a whole lot a hell of a thing.
Down in a holler, in the evening you could hear her sing.
She said I'm funky but showed me the Tulsa Turnaround.
Stepped on my toes, turned me on and turned me down.
Fit me like a hand in a glove.
Taught me how to love, Ya'll.
Five miles I rode between me and the hounds.
Rosy-throated Sheriff and his Deputy are tracking me down.
Well, I wish I was back in Macon taking it easy.
But, if a man's gonna eat fried chicken he's gotta get greasy.
Omaha honey had a whole lot a hell of a thing.
Down in a holler, in the evening you could hear her sing.
She said I'm funky but showed me the Tulsa Turnaround.
Stepped on my toes, turned me on and turned me down.
Fit me like a hand in a glove.
Taught me how to love, Ya'll.
Omaha honey had a whole lot a hell of a thing.
Down in a holler, in the evening you could hear her sing.
She said I'm funky but showed me the Tulsa Turnaround.
Stepped on my toes, turned me on and turned me down.
Fit me like a hand in a glove.
Taught me how to love, Ya'll.
. . .
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We All Got to Help Each Other |
. . .
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You lie in chair sleep beside me
I hear your warm breathing
I take your hands and hold it tightly
Listen, can you hear our young hearts beating
I kiss the slip from your eyes
Your smile is sweeter than the morning
And here it comes
Can you feel it baby
Can you feel it, here it comes
Feel it (fire)
(Something's burning)
I don't forget your love
And now the sun is burning brightly
We lie in love so close together
I get the feeling deep inside of me
My love for you will burn forever
I kept my hands to touch your face
And once again I feel your fine love
And once again I feel your fine love
And here it comes
Can you feel it baby
Can you feel it, here it comes
Feel it (fire)
(Something's burning)
. . .
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A little baby's born
Daddy's up and gone
You see his mama cry
Don't you turn away
She's needing you today
To help her dry her eyes.
All God's lovely children
Sometimes lose their ways
All God's lovely children
Need your love today.
Met a little man
Reaching out his hand
He's reaching out for you
Won't you take his hand
Help him understand
And try to see him through.
All God's lovely children
Sometimes lose their ways
All God's lovely children
Need your love today.
People
People
People
People
Love my people
It's right in the steeple
It's in your heart and in your hands
Open up your heart
Reach out your hands
And then you'll begin to understand.
Why all God's lovely children
Sometimes lose their ways
All God's lovely children
Need your love today.
People.
People.
People.
People.
People.
People...
. . .
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He works hard to give her all he thinks she wants
A three car garage, her own credit cards
He pulls in late to wake her up with a kiss good night
If he could only read her mind, she'd say:
Buy me a rose, call me from work
Open a door for me, what would it hurt
Show me you love me by the look in your eyes
These are the little things I need the most in my life.
Now the days have grown to years of feeling all alone
And she can't help but wonder what she's doing wrong
'Cause lately she'd try anything to turn his head
Would it make a difference if she said:
Buy me a rose, call me from work
Open a door for me, what would it hurt
Show me you love me by the look in your eyes
These are the little things I need the most in my life.
And the more that he lives the less that he tries
To show her the love that he hold inside
And the more that she gives the more that he sees
This is a story of you and me.
So I bought you a rose on the way home from work
Opened the door to a heart that I hurt
And I hope you notice this look in my eyes
'Cause I'm gonna make things right.
I'm gonna hold you tonight
Do all those little things
For the rest of your life...
. . .
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(Writers Kenny Rogers, Kin Vassey)
I see the town where we were born,
I see the place we were raised,
I see all the things you wanted
That I never gave.
I see sadness, I see sorrow,
I see pain in your face,
But I just can't see
A stranger in my place.
I can see now where we quarrelled,
I can see now I was wrong,
I can see where you might weaken
When I wasn't strong.
I see mem'ries of a love gone bad
That time cannot erase,
But I just can't see
A stranger in my place.
No one seems to know you quite like I do,
No one knows the thigs that make you cry.
Looking back it seems I never showed you,
And now I lay alone and wonder why.
I can see now where you might grow tired
Of dreams that don't come true,
I can see where I have fallen short
Of the things I promised you.
I can see now through my tear filled eyes
No love on your face,
I must get used to seein'
Strangers in my place...
. . .
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2002 |
1. | |
2. | |
3. | |
4. | |
5. | Good Lady of Toronto |
6. | Where Does Rosie Go? |
7. | What Am I Gonna Do? |
8. | |
9. | |
10. | Tulsa Turnaround |
11. | |
12. | Love Woman |
13. | I'm Going to Sing You a Sad Song Susie |
14. | |
15. | Shine on Ruby Mountain |
16. | |
17. | Molly |
18. | Camptown Ladies |
19. | We All Got to Help Each Other |
20. | After All |
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. . .
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You've painted up your lips
And rolled and curled your tinted hair
Ruby are you contemplating
Going out somewhere
The shadow on the wall
Tells me the sun is going down
Oh Ruby
Don't take your love to town
It wasn't me
That started that crazy Asian war
But I was proud to go
And do my patriotic chore
And yes, it's true that
I'm not the man I used to be
Oh, Ruby I still need some company
It's hard to love a man
Whose legs are bent and paralyzed
That my wants and needs of a woman of your age
Ruby, I realized
Oh Ruby
Don't take your love to town
She's leaving now cause
I just heard the slamming of the door
The way I know I've heard it
Some 100 times before
And if I could move I'd get my gun
And put her in the ground
Oh Ruby
Don't take your love to town
. . .
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Busted flat it Baton Rouge, headin' for the trains
Feelin' nearly faded as my jeans
Bobby thumbed a diesel down, just before it rained
Took us all the way to New Orleans.
I took my mouth harp out of my old dirty red bandana
I was playin' sad while Bobby sang the blues
With those windshield wipers slappin' time
And Bobby's clappin' hands we finally
Sang up every song that driver knew.
Woe, freedom's just another word
For nothin' left to lose
And nothin' ain't worth nothin', but it's free
Oh oh oh feelin' good was easy, Lord
When Bobby sang the blues
Feeling good was good enough for me, Bobby McGee.
From the coalmines of Kentucky to the California sun
Bobby shared the secrets of my soul
Standing right beside me, Lord, through everything I'd done
And every night she kept me from the cold
Then somewhere near Salinas, Lord
I let her slip away
Looking for that home and I hope she'd find
I'd trade all of my tomorrows for a single yesterday
Feelin' Bobby's body next to mine.
Woe, freedom's just another word
For nothin' left to lose
Nothin' left was all she left for me
Woe, feelin' good was easy, Lord
When Bobby sang the blues
Feeling good was good enough for me and by McGee.
Woe, freedom's just another word
For nothin' left to lose
Nothin' ain't worth nothin', but it's free
Woe, feelin' good was easy, Lord when Bobby sang the blues'
. . .
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Poem for my little lady
She's young and soft and kind
And she deserves a whole lot better
than a guitar picking drifter
who never gave a damn.
And if loving me is all
she ever wants some gonna let her
And I've tried to be kind of man
She thinks I am.
She makes those little kitten sounds
and ( that ) trembles when I love her
she makes me feel so bad and strong in me
She whispers how she can not wait
to be my baby's mother
She's the only glimpse of God
I've ever seen.
Her mama sure had warned her
Never take out with a poet
For poets travel rocky roads
In search of truth and life.
I'm the only blemish on
Her virgin soul but she don't know it
and I thank the Lord she's lying gentle
by my side tonight.
La-la-la-la-la-la-la
I thank god she's lying gentle, by my side tonight
. . .
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Don't look so sad, I know it's over
But life goes on
And this old world just keeps on turning
Let's just be glad, we had this time
To spend together
There's no need to watch the bridges
That were burning.
Lay your head on my pillow
Hold your warm and tender body next to mine
Hear the whisper of the raindrops
Beating soft against the window
And make believe you love me one more time
For the good times.
I get along you'll find another
And I'll be here if you should find
You ever need me.
Don't say a word
About tomorrow or forever
There'll be time enough
For sadness when you leave.
Lay your head on my pillow â¦
. . .
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. . .
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. . .
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. . .
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A little baby's born
Daddy's up and gone
You see his mama cry
Don't you turn away
She's needing you today
To help her dry her eyes.
All God's lovely children
Sometimes lose their ways
All God's lovely children
Need your love today.
Met a little man
Reaching out his hand
He's reaching out for you
Won't you take his hand
Help him understand
And try to see him through.
All God's lovely children
Sometimes lose their ways
All God's lovely children
Need your love today.
People
People
People
People
Love my people
It's right in the steeple
It's in your heart and in your hands
Open up your heart
Reach out your hands
And then you'll begin to understand.
Why all God's lovely children
Sometimes lose their ways
All God's lovely children
Need your love today.
People.
People.
People.
People.
People.
People...
. . .
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Traveling down a different road
Trying hard to leave the load
We take it there but we can't let go
It's so hard to lay it down
Back in Eden we were tried
Found ourselves disatisfied
Seeking wisdom that she denied
Trying hard to lay it down
Lay it down, brother,lay it down
It's so hard to lay it down
Hide in me,confide in me
Don't you think it's time to be
Everything we tried to be
You and me should lay it down
Speak to me, be unashamed
There's no time for playing games
After all we're all the same
Just trying hard to lay it down
Lay it down, brother,lay it down
It's so hard to lay it down
Lay it down, brother,lay it down
It's so hard to lay it down
Wish my words could make it well
Wish that I might break the shell
Take us from our self-made well
Find a way to lay it down
Burdened by the things i've learned
Hurting cause i'm too concerned
Nonetheless i confess i yearn
To find a way to lay it down
Lay it down, lay it down
It's so hard to lay it down
Lay it down, lay it down
It's so hard to lay it down
Lay it down, lay it down
It's so hard... to lay it... down
. . .
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Tell it all brother, before we fall
Tell it all brothers and sisters
Tell it all
How much you're holding back on me
When you say you're giving all?
And in the dungeons of your mind
Who you got chained to the wall?
Tell it all brother, before we fall
Tell it all brothers and sisters
Tell it ah-ah-aal
Did you plant your feet on higher ground
To avoid life's mud and stone?
Did you ever kick a good man
When he was down, just to make yourself feel strong?
Tell it all brother, before we fall
Tell it all brothers and sisters
Tell it ah-ah-aal
Tomorrow just might be too late
Now is the time
To get your jumbled mind straight
And seek a new design
Did you ever walk for a crippled man
Pretending you were lame?
And what made you think one feeble hand to God
Was gonna make him call your name?
Tell it all brother and sisters
Tell, Tell it all
Tell it all brother, before we fall
Tell it all brothers and sisters, tell
Tell it all brother, before we fall
. . .
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. . .
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I'm Going to Sing You a Sad Song Susie |
. . .
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Like a leaf caught in the wind he drifted a while
With no purpose or direction too his life
He tried to get himself together and pacify his mind
And forget about the things he left behind.
The cryin' woman standing helpless in his door
With a two month old baby in her arms
His little black book laying torn up on the floor
And God only knows he never meant to do her wrong.
A careless weekend on the other side of town
Has torn the king of Oak Street's Castle down
And all week long he's tried to call her but she won't let him explain
Now Sunday morning finds him walking in the rain.
He sits down in a phone booth and he prays
That she'll forgive him and she'll believe he's changed his ways
With shaking hand he deposits his last dime
And he's still praying that she won't hang up this time.
Then the sweetest voice he's ever heard says hello
Breakfast's almost ready baby, come on home
I've thought the whole thing over and I think I understand
That the king of Oak Street is just an ordinary man.
I've thought the whole thing over and I think I understand
That the king of Oak Street is just an ordinary man...
. . .
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Have you been listening, (Listen to the music)
Have you been sleeping (The sermon's in the music)
(The man standing next to you, he must surely be your brother)
(So brother please) heed the call
(The piper he's still piping)
The magic in the music
(The drummer he's still drumming)
The message in the music
(Sweet song of loving you should be singing)
(So brother please) heed the call
Listen to the music, Listen to the music
(Listen to the music) heed the call
(Listen to the music) heed the call
Heed the call of the music
Heed the call of the music
Heed the call of the music
Heed the call of the music
(It's still early in our morning)
There's still time for singing
Let's not waste our morning
Join in the singing
The outlaw of the midnight
He all too soon comes winging
(So brother please, please) heed the call
(Listen to the music) (Listen to the music) yeah
(Listen to the music) (Listen to the music) oh oh
(Listen to the music) oh oh oh (Listen to the music)
(Listen to the music)
. . .
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. . .
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. . .
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We All Got to Help Each Other |
. . .
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. . .
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|
1969 |
1. | |
2. | |
3. | New Design |
4. | Always Leaving Always Gone |
5. | Listen to the Music |
6. | |
7. | Once Again She's All Lone |
8. | Girl Get a Hold of Yourself |
9. | Time Liberator |
10. | |
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. . .
|
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You've painted up your lips
And rolled and curled your tinted hair
Ruby are you contemplating
Going out somewhere
The shadow on the wall
Tells me the sun is going down
Oh Ruby
Don't take your love to town
It wasn't me
That started that crazy Asian war
But I was proud to go
And do my patriotic chore
And yes, it's true that
I'm not the man I used to be
Oh, Ruby I still need some company
It's hard to love a man
Whose legs are bent and paralyzed
That my wants and needs of a woman of your age
Ruby, I realized
Oh Ruby
Don't take your love to town
She's leaving now cause
I just heard the slamming of the door
The way I know I've heard it
Some 100 times before
And if I could move I'd get my gun
And put her in the ground
Oh Ruby
Don't take your love to town
. . .
|
|
Busted flat it Baton Rouge, headin' for the trains
Feelin' nearly faded as my jeans
Bobby thumbed a diesel down, just before it rained
Took us all the way to New Orleans.
I took my mouth harp out of my old dirty red bandana
I was playin' sad while Bobby sang the blues
With those windshield wipers slappin' time
And Bobby's clappin' hands we finally
Sang up every song that driver knew.
Woe, freedom's just another word
For nothin' left to lose
And nothin' ain't worth nothin', but it's free
Oh oh oh feelin' good was easy, Lord
When Bobby sang the blues
Feeling good was good enough for me, Bobby McGee.
From the coalmines of Kentucky to the California sun
Bobby shared the secrets of my soul
Standing right beside me, Lord, through everything I'd done
And every night she kept me from the cold
Then somewhere near Salinas, Lord
I let her slip away
Looking for that home and I hope she'd find
I'd trade all of my tomorrows for a single yesterday
Feelin' Bobby's body next to mine.
Woe, freedom's just another word
For nothin' left to lose
Nothin' left was all she left for me
Woe, feelin' good was easy, Lord
When Bobby sang the blues
Feeling good was good enough for me and by McGee.
Woe, freedom's just another word
For nothin' left to lose
Nothin' ain't worth nothin', but it's free
Woe, feelin' good was easy, Lord when Bobby sang the blues'
. . .
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. . .
|
Always Leaving Always Gone |
. . .
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. . .
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Sunshine, you may find my window
But you won't find me
And sunshine, I've got my friend of darkness here
Tonight to hide me.
So sunshine, as far as I'm concerned
I'm where I want to be
And sunshine, as far as you're concerned
Don't be concerned for me.
'Cause she doesn't love me anymore
She doesn't want me, Lord
She doesn't need me anymore
She grew tired of chasing rainbows
But I loved her true
And God you know I tried.
And I guess she was right
'Cause I'm at the end
I found the part but there's no golden sun.
So sunshine, can't you see I'm not alone
Don't bother me
And sunshine, pick up your dawn
And move on down the street...
. . .
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Once Again She's All Lone |
. . .
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Girl Get a Hold of Yourself |
. . .
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. . .
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Reuben James
In my song you live again
And the phrase that I rhyme
Are just a footstep out of time
From the time when I knew you
Reuben James
Reuben James, all the folks around Hadison County
Cussed your name
You're just a no-count, sharecropping colored man
You'd steal anything you can
And everybody laid the blame on Reuben James
Reuben James, for you still walk
Over fields of my mind
Faded shirt, weathered brow
Colored hands upon the plow
Loved you then and I love you now
Reuben James
For a grave
The gossiper of Hadison County died with chide
Although your skin was black
You were the one that didn't turn your back
On the hungry white child with no name
Reuben James, Reuben James
With your mind on the soul
And a bottle in your right hand
You said turn the other cheek
For there's a better world awaiting for the meek
In my mind these words remain from Reuben James
Reuben James one dark cloudy day
They brought you from the field
And to your lonely crambox
Came just a preacher
Me and the rain
. . .
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