Yellow Ledbetter

Unsealed on a porch a letter sat.
Then you said, "I wanna leave it again."
Once I saw her on a beach of weathered sand. And on the sand I wanna leave it again. Yeah.
On a weekend I wanna wish it all away, yeah.
And they called and I said that "I want what I said" and then I call out again.
And the reason oughta' leave her calm, I know.
I said "I know what I wear not the boxer or the bag."

Ah yeah, can you see them out on the porch? Yeah, but they don't wave.
But I see them round the front way. Yeah.
And I know, and I know. I don't want to stay.
Make me cry...

I see... Ooh I don't know why there's something else.
I wanna drum it all away... [ ;-) ]
Oh, I said, "I don't, I don't know wheather I was the boxer or the bag."

Ah yeah, can you see them out on the porch? Yeah, but they don't wave.
But I see them round the front way. Yeah.
And I know, and I know. I don't wanna stay at all.
I don't wanna stay. Yeah.
I don't wanna stay. (x2)
I don't... Don't wanna, oh... Yeah. Ooh... Ohh...

Black

Hey ooh.
Sheets of empty canvas.
Untouched sheets of clay were laid spread out before me as her body once did.
All five horizons revolved around her soul. As the earth to the sun.
Now the air I tasted and breathed has taken a turn.
Ooh, and all I taught her was everything.
Ooh, I know she gave me all that she wore.

And now my bitter hands shade beneath the clouds of what was everything.
All the pictures have all been washed in black. Tattooed every day.

I take a walk outside. I'm surrounded by some kids at play.
Oh, I can feel their laughter. Oh, so why do I sear?
Ooh, and twisted thoughts that spin around my head.
I'm spinning. Oh, I'm spinning.
How quick the sun can drop away.

And now my bitter hands cradle broken glass of what was everything.
All the pictures have all been washed in black. Tattooed everything.
All the love gone bad turned my world to black.
Tattooed all I see. All that I am. All I'll be. Yeah.

Uh huh... Uh huh... Ooh.
I know someday you'll have a beautiful life.
I know you'll be a star in somebody else's sky but why, why, why can't it be, oh, can't it be mine?
Oh... Ohh yeah oh.
Do do do do do do do (x20 total) Yeah... Yeah...
Hi. (x6)
Yeah. (x3)

Thumbing My Way

I have not been home since you left long ago.
I'm thumbing my way back to heaven.
Counting steps. Walking backwards on the road.
I'm counting my way back to heaven.

I can't be free with what's locked inside of me.
If there was a key you took it in your hands.
There's no wrong or right but I'm sure there's good and bad.
The questions linger overhead.

No matter how cold the winter, there's a spring time ahead.
I'm thumbing my way back to heaven.
I'd wish that I could hold you. I'd wish that I had.
Thinking about heaven.

I let go of a rope. Thinking that's what held me back.
And in time I've realized it's now wrapped around my neck.
I can't see what's next from this lonely overpass.
Hang my head and count my steps as another car goes past.

All the rusted signs we ignore throughout our lives.
Choosing the shiny ones instead.
I turned my back. Now there's not turning back.

No matter how cold the winter, there's a spring time ahead.
I smile but who am I kidding.
I'm just walking the miles. Every once in a while I get a ride.
I'm thumbing my way back to heaven. (x3)

Alive

"Son," she said, "Have I got a little story for you.
What you thought was your daddy was nothing but a...
While you were sitting home alone at age thirteen your real daddy was dying.
Sorry you didn't see him but I'm glad we talked."

Oh, I... Oh, I'm still alive.
Hey, I... Oh, I'm still alive.
Hey, I... Oh, I'm still alive.
Hey, ooh.

Oh, she walks slowly across a young man's room.
She said, "I'm ready for you."
Why I can't remember anything to this very day?
'Cept the look. The look.
Oh, you know where. Now I can't see I just stare.

I... I'm still alive.
Hey I... But, I'm still alive.
Hey I... Boy, I'm still alive.
Hey I... Oh, I'm still alive. Yeah.
Ooh yeah. Yeah yeah yeah. Oh. Ooh.

"Is something wrong?" She said. Of course there is.
"You're still alive." She said. Oh, and do I deserve to be?
Is that the question? And if so, if so, who answers? Who answers!

I... Oh, I'm still alive.
Hey I... Oh, I'm still alive.
Hey I... But, I'm still alive.
Yeah I... Ooh, I'm still alive.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Woh uh huhu. Yeah uh huhu. Ohh woh uh huhu. Yeah uh huhu. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Even Flow

Freezing. Rests his head on a pillow made of concrete. Again.
Oh, Feeling maybe he'll see a little better set a days. Ooh yeah.
Oh, hand out faces that he sees time again ain't that familiar. Ooh yeah.
Oh, dark grin. He can't help when his happy looks insane. Ooh.

Even flow. Thoughts arrive like butterflies.
Oh, he don't know so he chases them away-yeah. Ooh.
Oh, someday yet he'll begin his life again.
Life again. Life again.

Kneeling. Looking through the paper though he doesn't know to read. Ooh yeah.
Oh, praying now to something that has never showed him anything.
Oh, feeling understands the weather of the winters on its way.
Oh, ceilings few and far between all the legal halls of shame. Yeah.

Even flow. Thoughts arrive like butterflies.
Oh, he don't know so he chases them away.
Oh, someday yet he'll begin his life again.
Oh, whispering hands gently lead him away.
Him away. Him away.
Yeah.
Woo. Ah Yeah. Fuck your money.

Even flow. Thoughts arrive like butterflies.
Oh, he don't know so he chases them away.
A-someday yet he'll begin his life again. Yeah.
Oh, whispering hands gently lead him away.
Him away. Him away.
Yeah.
Woo. Uh huh yeah. Yeah yeah, momma mommy.

Betterman

Waiting, watching the clock. It's four o'clock.
It's got to stop. Tell him. Take no more.
She practices her speech as he opens the door, she rolls over.
Pretends to sleep as he looks her over.

She lies and says she's in love with him. Can't find a better man.
She dreams in color, she dreams in red. Can't find a better man.
Can't find a better man.

Talking to herself, "There's no one else who needs to know," she tells herself.
Memories back when she was smooth and strong and waiting for the world to come along.
Swears she knew him now she swears he's gone.

She lies and says she's in love with him. Can't find a better man.
She dreams in color, she dreams in red. Can't find a better man.
She lies and says she still loves him. Can't find a better man.
She dreams in color, she dreams in red. Can't find a better man.
Can't find a better man.

She loved him, yeah. She don't want to leave this way.
She feeds him, yeah. That's why she'll be back again.
Can't find a better man.

Nothingman

Once divided. Nothing left to subtract.
Some words when spoken can't be taken back.
Walks on his own with thoughts he can't help thinking.
Future's above, but in the past he's slow and sinking.
Caught a bolt of lightning. Cursed the day he let it go.

Nothingman.
Isn't it something, nothingman.

She once believed in every story he had to tell.
One day she stiffened. Took the other side.
Empty stares from each corner of a shared prison cell.
One just escapes. One's left inside the well.
And he who forgets will be destined to remember.

Nothingman.
Isn't it something, nothingman.

She don't want him (she don't want him).
She won't feed him after he's flown away.
Into the sun.
Burn, burn, burn.
Nothingman.
Isn't it something, nothingman.
Nothingman.
Coulda' been something, nothingman.

Elderly Woman Behind That Counter In A Small Town

I seem to recognize your face.
Haunting familiar, yet I can't seem to place it.
Cannot find the candle of thought to light your name.
Lifetimes are catching up with me.
All these changes taking place.
I wish I'd seen the place but no one's ever taken me.

Hearts and thoughts they fade, fade away. (x2)

I swear I recognize your breath.
Memories, like fingerprints, are slowly raising.
Me you wouldn't recall for I'm not my former.
It's hard when your stuck upon the shelf.
I changed by not changing at all.
Small town predicts my fate.
Perhaps that's what no one wants to see.
I just want to scream, "Hello."
My god its been so long. Never dreamed you'd return.
But now here you are and here I am.
Hearts and thoughts they fade away.

Hearts and thoughts they fade, fade away. (x2)
Hearts and thoughts they fade away. Yeah.
Hearts and thoughts they fade, fade away. (x3)
Hearts and thoughts they fade...

Red Mosquito

Watched from the window with a red mosquito.
I was not allowed to leave the room.
I saw the sun go down and now it's coming up.
Somewhere in the time between I was bitten.
Must have been the devil.
He was just paying me a little visit.
Reminding me of his presence.
Letting me know he's a-waiting. Ohh...

Red man's your neighbor. Call it behavior.
While you're climbing up slippery hills.
Two steps ahead of him. Punctures in your neck.
Hovering just above your bed. (x2)

I was bitten must have been the devil.
He was just paying me a little visit.
Reminding me of his presence.
And letting me know he's a-waiting.
He's a-waiting ohh there. Yeah.

If I had known then what I know now... (x4)

Rearviewmirror

I took a drive today. Time to emancipate.
I guess it was the beatings, made me wise.
But I'm not about to give thanks or apologize.

I couldn't breathe. Holding me down.
Hand on my face. Pushed to the ground.
Enmity gauged. United by fear.
Forced to endure what I could not forgive.

I seem to look away. The wounds in the mirror waved.
It wasn't my surface. Most defiled.

Head at your feet. Fool to your crown.
Fist on my plate. Swallowed it down.
Enmity gauged. United by fear.
Tried to endure what I could not forgive. Yeah.

Saw things... (x4) ...clearer. (x2)
Oh, once you were in my Rearviewmirror.
I gathered speed from you fucking with me.
Once and for all I'm far away.
Hard to believe. Finally the shades are raised. Hey, yea.
Saw things so much clearer once you, once you... Rearviewmirror.
Saw things so much clearer once you, once you... Rearviewmirror.
Saw things so much clearer once you, once you... Rearviewmirror.
Saw things so much clearer once you... Oh yeah.

Satan's Bed

It's not all been said, been said and done.
I've never slept in Satan's bed.
Although, I must admit, still visits my place.
Uninvited, as you know he don't wait.
Funny how he always seems to fit in.
Funny how I always want to give in.
Sundays, Fridays, Tuesdays, Thursdays the same.
Sometimes this special guest he don't like to leave.

Already in love.

Who made, who made up, made up the myth that we were born to be covered in bliss?
Who set the standard? Born to be rich.
Such fine examples, skinny little bitch.
Model, role model. Roll some models in blood.
Get some flesh to stick so they look like us.
I shit and I stink. I'm real join the club.
I'd stop and talk but I'm already in love.

Already in love.

Torture follows reward, follows torture, follows reward. Oh my word.

Never shook Satan's hand. Look, see for yourself.
You'd know it if I had that shit don't come off.
I'll rise and fall, let me take credit for both.
Jump off a cliff don't need your help so back off.
I'll never suck Satan's dick.
Again you'd see it, you know, right round the lips.
I'll wait for an angel but I won't hold my breath.
Imagine they're busy. Think I'm doing okay.

Already in love.

Soon Forget

Sorry is the fool who trades his soul for a corvette.
Thinks he'll get the girl he'll only get the mechanic.
What's missing? He's living a day he'll soon forget.

That's one more time around. The sun is going down.
The moon is out but he's drunk and shouting.
Putting people down. He's pissing. He's living a day he'll soon forget.

Counts his money every morning. The only thing that keeps him horny.
Locked in a giant house that's alarming.
The townsfolk they all laugh.

Sorry is the fool who trades his love for hi-rise rent.
Seem the more you make equals the loneliness you get.
And it's fitting. He's barley living a day he'll soon forget.

That's one more time around and there is not a sound.
He's lying dead clutching Benjamins. Never put the money down.
He's stiffening. We're all whistling a man we'll soon forget.

1/2 Full

Climbing on a mountain.
Floating out on the sea.
Far from lights of a city.
The elements they speak to me.

Whispering that life.
Existed long before breed.
Balancing the world.
On its knee.

Don't see some men as half empty.
See them half full of shit.
Thinking that we're all but slaves.
There's ain't gonna be.

No middle anymore.
It's been said before.
The haves be having more.
Yet still bored.

Won't someone save?
Won't someone save, the world?

Rival

(dog playing tug-of-war)

All my rivals will see what I have in store. My gun.
I've been harboring fleets in this reservoir. Red sun.
And this nations' about to explode.

You're disciples are riddled with metaphors. Well hung.
Better pony up and bring both your barrels full. Not one.
As we release this unspeakable toll. Woh.

Every grain of sand equals all the stars around the world.
Ahh.

How's our mother to damn these contributors. With mud.
How will the man who made chemicals difficult. Shed blood.
How's our father supposed to be told.
I don't... ...know.

All Those Yesterdays

Don't you think you oughtta rest?
Don't you think you oughtta lay you head down?
Don't you think you want to sleep?
Don't you think you oughtta lay your head down, tonight.
Don't you think you've done enough?
Oh, don't you think you've got enough? Well, maybe yea.
You don't think there's time to stop.
There's time enough for you to lay your head down, tonight.
Tonight.

Maybe it'll wash away all those yesterdays.

What are you running from?
Taking pills to get along.
Creating walls to call your own.
So no one catches you drifting off and doing all the things that we all do.

Oh, let it wash away all those yesterdays.

All those yesterdays. (All those yesterdays. All those yesterdays.)
All those paper plates. (All those yesterdays. All those yesterdays.)
You've got time. You've got time to escape.
There's still time. It's no crime to escape.
It's no crime to escape.
There's still time so escape. It's no crime, crime...
All those yesterdays.

Norah Jones

Come Away With Me

Come away with me in the night
Come away with me
And I will write you a song

Come away with me on a bus
Come away where they can't tempt us
With their lies

And I wanna walk with you
On a cloudy day
In fields where the yellow grass grows
knee-high
So won't you try to come

Come away with me and we'll kiss
On a mountain top
Come away with me
And I'll never stop loving you

And I wanna wake up with the rain
Falling on a tin roof
While I'm safe there in your arms
So all I ask is for you
To come away with me in the night
Come away with me

Humble Me

Went out on a limb
Gone too far
Broken down at the side of the road
Stranded at the outskirts and sun's creepin' up

Baby's in the backseat
Still fast asleep
Dreamin' of better days
I don't want to call you but you're all I have to turn to

What do you say
When it's all gone away ?
Baby I didn't mean to hurt you
Truth spoke in whispers will tear you apart
No matter how hard you resist it
It never rains when you want it to

You humble me Lord
Humble me Lord
I'm on my knees empty
You humble me Lord
You humble me Lord
Please, please, please forgive me

Baby Teresa got your eyes
I see you all the time
When she asks about her daddy
I never know what to say

Heard you kicked the bottle
And helped to build the church
You carry an honest wage
Is it true you have somebody keeping you company ?

What do you say
When it's all gone away ?
Baby I didn't mean to hurt you
Truth spoke in whispers will tear you apart
No matter how hard you resist it
It never rains when I want it to

You humble me Lord
Humble me Lord
I'm on my knees empty
You humble me Lord
You humble me Lord
Please, please, please forgive me

Be Here To Love Me

Your eyes seek conclusion in all this confusion of mine
Though you and I both know it's only the warm glow of wine
That's got you to feeling this way, but I don't care,
I want you to stay
and hold me and tell me you'll be here to love me today

Children are dancin', the gamblers are chancin' their all
The window's accusing the door of abusing the wall
But who cares what the night watchmen say
The stage has been set for the play
Hold me and tell me you'll be here to love me today

The moon's come and gone but a few stars hang on on to the sky
The wind's runnin' free but it ain't up to me ask why
The poets are demanding their pay
They've left me with nothin' to say
'cept hold me and tell me you'll be here to love me today
Just hold me and tell me that you'll be here to love me today

What Am I To You?

What am I to you?

Tell me darlin' true
To me you are the sea
Vast as you can be
And deep the shade of blue

When you're feelin' low
To whom else do you go?
I'd cry if you hurt
I'd give you my last shirt
Because I love you so

Now if my sky should fall
Would you even call?
I've opened up my heart
I never want to part
I'm givin' you the ball

When I look in your eyes
I can feel the butterflies
I'll love you when you're blue
Butt tell me darlin' true
What am I to you?

If my sky should fall
Would you even call?
I've opened up my heart
I never wanna part
I'm givin' you the ball

When I look in your eyes
I can feel the butterflies
Could you find a love in me?
Would you gave me a tree?
Don't fill my heart with lies
I will love you when you're blue
But teel me darlin' true
What am I to you?

Turn Me On

Like a flower waiting to bloom
Like a lightbulb in a dark room
I'm just sitting here waiting for you
To come home and turn me on

Like the desert waiting for the rain
Like a school kid waiting for the spring

I'm just sitting here waiting for you
To come on home and turn me on

My poor heart, it's been so dark since you been gone
After all, you're the one who turns me off
You're the only one who can turn me back on

My hi-fi's waiting for a new tune
The glass is waiting for some fresh ice cubes
I'm just sitting here waiting for you
To come on home and turn me on
Turn me on

Don't Know Why

I waited 'til I saw the sun
I don't know why I didn't come
I left you by the house of fun
I don't know why I didn't come (2x)

When I saw the break of the day
I wished that I could fly away
Instead of kneeling in the sand
Catching teardrops in my hand

My heart is drenched in wine
But you'll be on my mind
Forever

Out across the endless sea
I would die in ecstasy
But I'll be a bag of bones
Driving down the road alone

My heart is drenched in wine
But you'll be on my mind
Forever

Something has to make you run
I don't know why I didn't come
I feel as empty as a drum
I don't know why I didn't come (3x) 

Blessid Union of Souls

My Friend

Put your head on my shoulder
No need to worry 'bout a thing
I'll be the cure for your lonliness
I'll make you feel like you're whole again
And you can always count on me wherever I may be
When this world's got you feelin' blue
Call on me and I'll run to you
My friend

On my wings we both can fly
Cause there's no burden big enough
And when you're hurtin' baby so am I and we'll both cry
There's nothing stronger than our love
And you can always count on me, wherever I may be
Oh I'm gonna find the way
To a better day
My friend

So let me be the one to save ya
Cause it's the least that I can do
And you don't have to return the favor
Cause I promise you
Oh we're gonna make it through
My friend

Put your head on mny shoulder
No need to worry bout a thing
If you need me I'll be there in a hurry
Call on me, time and time again
Cause you're my friend

I Believe

Walk blindly to the light and reach out for his hand
Don't ask any questions and don't try to understand
Open up your mind and then open up your heart
And you will see that you and me aren't very far apart

'Cause I believe that love is the answer
I believe that love will find the way

Violence is spread worldwide and there are families on the street
And we sell drugs to children now oh why can't we just see
That all we do is eliminate our future with the things we do today
Money is our incentive now so that makes it okay

But I believe that love is the answer
I believe that love will find the way
I believe that love is the answer
I believe that love will find the way

I've been seeing Lisa now for a little over a year
She said she's never been so happy but Lisa lives in fear
That one day daddy's gonna find out she's in love
With a nigger from the streets
Oh how he would lose it then but she's still here with me
'Cause she believes that love will see it through
And one day he'll understand
And he'll see me as a person not just a black man

'Cause I believe that love is the answer
I believe that love will find the way
I believe I believe I believe I believe that love is the answer
I believe that love will find the way
Love will find the way
Love will find the way
Love will find the way
Please love find the way
Please love find the way

Light In Your Eyes

I can't remember the last time that we kissed goodbye

All our "I love yous" were just not enough to survive

Something your eyes never told me

But it's only now too plain to see

Brilliant disguise when you hold me

And I'm free

I've been thinking and here's what I've come to conclude

Sometimes the distance is more than two people can use

But how could I have known girl

It was time and not space you would need

Darling tonight I could hold you and you would know

But would you believe

There's a light in your eyes that I used to see

There's a place in your heart where I used to be

Was I wrong to assume that you were waiting for me

There's a light in your eyes

Did you leave that light burning for me

Cards and phone calls and photograph pictures of you

Constant reminder of all the things you get used to

Is there a chance in hell or heaven

That there's still something here to build on

Or do you just pick up the pieces after they fall

But after all

There's a light in your eyes that I used to see

And a song in the words that you spoke to me

Was I wrong to believe in your melody

There's a light in your eyes

Did you leave that light burning for me

Should I keep on waiting or does love keep on fading away

Fading away

It's been a while since I've seen you so how have you been

Did you get my letter I wrote you, but I did not send

I tried to call your old number

But the voice that I heard on the phone

I recognized but she told me the number was wrong

There's a light in my eyes but it's too bright to see

And a pain in my heart where you used to be

Guess I was wrong to assume that you were waiting here for me

There's a light in your eyes

Did you leave that light burning for me

Let Me Be The One

So you're scared to show your feelings

Baby I do understand

Well I don't make a promise I can't keep

And I vow to be a real good friend

In those big green eyes I see a glow of love

I just hope I'm the one you're dreaming of

Let me be the one to love you

Let me be the one to care

Let me be the one to light your flame

Oh baby Oh baby

Let me be the one

We spend all our time together

We can't stand to sleep alone

When you say you have to leave for now

I miss you before you're gone

All along we thought this was absurd (absurd)

Every moment we spend goes by too fast

Darling Darling take this chance with me

Cause I have eyes only for you

Oh baby

Let me be the one to love you

Let me be the one to care

Let me be the one to light your flame

Oh baby Oh baby

Let me be the one

Let me be the one to love you

Let me be the one to care

Let me be the one to light your flame

Oh baby Oh baby

Let me be the one

For you

Don't be scared to show your feelings

Cause baby I do understand

And I don't make promises that I can't
                                    keep

And I vow to be a real good man

I Wanna Be There

Won't you let me catch your fall
Won't you let me lend a hand
Those lonely eyes have seen it all
But love's too blind to understand

Cause you don't know what you have
’Til your everything is gone
You need someone to show you how to live again

I wanna be there when you're feeling high
I wanna be there when you wanna die
I'm gonna light your fire
Gonna feel your flame
I wanna be there when you go insane
I wanna be there when you're feeling' down
And I'll be there when your head is spinnin' round
Gonna be your lover
Gonna be your friend
I wanna be there til the end

You wouldn't know that I was there
Cause I have been there all the time
And if I had my way I'd hold you in my arms
And leave this madness all behind

Cause you got so much to give
But you throw it all away
And all you got to show for who you are is pain

And I've got so much to give
If you'd only let me in
I'm gonna take the time to show you I'm a friend
You'll believe in love again

I wanna be there in the pouring rain
I wanna be there when you call my name
I'm gonna light your fire
Gonna feel your flame
I wanna be there when you go insane
II wanna be there when I'm outta town
And when your whole damn world is crashing down
I'm gonna be your lover
Gonna be your friend
I wanna be there til the end
Cause you don't know what you have
Til your everything is gone
You need someone to show you how to live again

And I've got so much to give
If you'd only let me in
I'm gonna take the time to show you I'm a friend
You'll believe again

I wanna be there when your baby cries
I wanna be there when they tell you lies
I'm gonna light your fire
Gonna feel your flame
I wanna be there when you go insane
I wanna be there when your nights are long
And when you're feeling like you don't belong
Gonna be your lover
Gonna be your friend
Gonna be there til the end

I'm gonna be there in the morning
I'm gonna be there in the night
I'm gonna be there to make you strong when
you're tired
I'm gonne be there when you want me
I wanna be there when you don't
Gonna be your lover
Gonna be your friend
Gonna be there til the end

Peace And Love

Walking Off The Buzz

Amy woulda died for me
She would've had my baby
If I needed a favor
It was yes, she never said maybe
And all the time that we walked barefoot in the sand
Somehow we never felt the rain
Now I got nothin but time
Nothing but mine
I could walk off the hurt
Run through the pain
Wipe all the tears pouring down my face
Deny the dream, that just never was
Oh girl
I just can't walk off the buzz
Amy used to call me all the time
But she hasn't lately
I wonder if she goes out at all
And if she's dating
And every time I walk alone along the beach somehow
I always feel the rain
So many times I wished for my space
Now I wish I didn't feel so outta place
I could walk off the fear
Crawl through the hate
Beg you to forgive, my every mistake
Pretend you and I, it just never was
Oh girl
I just can't walk off the buzz
And now that I'm lonely
I see you were the only one
Who ever knew me and could
See right through me
I could walk off the hurt
Run through the pain
Wipe all the tears pouring down my face
Deny the dream, that just never was
Oh girl
I just can't walk off the buzz
I just can't walk off the buzz
I just can't walk off the buzz