Lyrics

Please

Hang your dirty laundry, don’t care where it’s been.
You’re my one and only, despite those other friends.
All those power lines, hanging with their rambling vines
Traveling down the road right back to you.

Saw you down on South Street, far off look in your eye.
Dirty coat and coffee, black as midnight skies.
All those red street lights, hanging with the broken kites.
Drifting down like raindrops on the roof.

Tattered, hanging from the limbs, when the flood comes in.
Bend the branches of the trees, under the weight of you and me.
Please, come take me home. Please, don’t let me roam.

Walked right out your side door, thinking you were young.
Memories of the decades replaced by foreign tongues.
All those bygone years, hanging with the boys out there
Fade away like flowers in the sun.

Tattered, hanging from the limbs…when the flood comes in.
Bend the branches of the trees, under the weight of you and me.
Please, come take me home. Please, don’t let me roam.

The Things That We Carry

A rock on my back, a hole in my heart.
She’s not coming back, I brought it so far.
A stone in my shoe, pockets turned out.
Empty of you, emptied of doubt.

The things that we carry, the things we let go.
Brought out and shown off or left by the road.
Lines we have written, words that we read.
The things that we carry are all that we need.

A memory tucked in, a faded goodbye.
A lost promise stuck in the back of my mind.
A load I let settle, a weight lifted off,
So sentimental, so heavy and soft.

The things that we carry, the things we let go.
Brought out and shown off or left by the road.
Lines we have written, words that we read.
The things that we carry are all that we need.

A wish that I once had, a thought of that time.
Carried you back, to the end of the line.
An old faded picture, lost in the box.
I only wish that I still had that rock.

The things that we carry, the things we let go.
Brought out and shown off or left by the road.
Lines we have written, words that we read,
The things that we carry are all that we need.

How Do You?

I say I’m never going to do it again,
I’m doing it again.
Funny how the tales we tell grow tall,
That’s how the story stands.

How do you pick a fight with someone?
Someone who won’t fight back?
What you say and what you really mean,
Two trains different tracks.

I say I’m never going to think of you.
I’m thinking of you now.
Funny how the tales we tell grow tall,
The story goes around.

How do you make someone remember you?
When they come on down?
What you say and what you really mean,
Two trains different towns.

I say I’m gonna get the hell out of here,
Well here I am.
Funny how the tales we tell grow tall,
That’s how the story ends.

How do you tell someone you die for them?
When they barely know your name?
What you say and what you really mean,
Two trains, just the same.

Anthracite

I wish I was there when the light left your eyes.
Coal dust in your blood.
Could we have kept the dark clouds from our town?
Dirty and wet as the winter rains came down.

Tattoos of anthracite.
Dragged to the dim daylight.
Nothing to clean this rain.
Yesterday’s window pane.

Children throw rocks, bare feet followed the steps.
Past the fields where Grandfathers rest.
Could we have left the dark holes in the ground?
Pulling our boats when anchors went down.

Tattoos of anthracite.
Dragged to the dim daylight.
Nothing to clean this rain.
Yesterday’s window pane.

Halifax Hurricane

Bomb blasted windows, 1917.
2000 people were lost.
The unladen Imo, for wartime relief,
Danced into Mont Blanc in the Cove.

How could a woman as light as a bird
Blow winds cross the prairie so cold?
A Halifax hurricane bore down on North End,
Had nothing on that woman’s soul.

We ducked in that bar, out of the storm
And away from the forces that blew.
I didn’t know how lightning that struck
Was all of that fury from you?

My cold hearted woman named after a storm,
Gets what she came here to take.
The bombs in the harbor couldn’t sleep through the fire,
Left nothing but ruin in its wake.

We ducked in that bar, out of the storm
And away from the forces that blew.
I didn’t know how lightning that struck
Was all of that fury from you?

When fisherman find my body and clothes,
Lay me to rest in St. Paul.
That’s nowhere she’ll find me or look for my bones
She blew off the coast at landfall.

We ducked in that bar, out of the storm
And away from the forces that blew.
I didn’t know how lightning that struck
Was all of that fury from you?

How could a woman as light as a bird
Blow winds cross the prairie so cold?
A Halifax hurricane bore down on North End,
Had nothing on that woman’s soul.

Phoenix

Walk through that door one last time.
Changed your name, made up your mind.
Build a path of broken bricks.
Swim away from sinking ships.

She doesn’t have to say anything.
I see the place she wore her ring.
Build a path of broken hearts.
Swim away from hungry sharks.

Lay down the rocks to make that path.
Lifted up from burning ash.
Built a map with open hands.
Swim away to welcome lands.

Walk through that door one last time.
Changed your name, made up your mind.
Build a path of broken bricks.
Swim away from sinking ships.

Maybe

Can’t have you running around,
Sneaking downtown, putting me down.
You’ll find me, head in the sand.
Glass in my hand. Out with the band.

Ooh, I really got to tell someone.
Want to walk when I should run.
Wake me up when this is fun.
Ooh, you really got me good this time.
Shoulda spent that extra dime.
Could’ve maybe made you mine.

Now I see, your point of view,
This side of you, it’s all brand new.
Did you think this is how it would be?
Now that you’re free. What did you see?

Ooh, I really got to tell someone.
Want to walk when I should run.
Wake me up when this is fun.
Ooh, you really got me good this time.
Shoulda spent that extra dime.
Could’ve maybe made you mine.

Can’t have you running around,
Sneaking downtown, putting me down.
You’ll find me, head in the sand.
Glass in my hand. Out with the band.

Ooh, I really got to tell someone.
Want to walk when I should run.
Wake me up when this is fun.
Ooh, you really got me good this time.
Shoulda spent that extra dime.
Could’ve maybe made you mine.

Lies I Believe

Lie to me – I’ll believe what you say.
Sing to me – I won’t go away.
Hide with me – I’ll show you the way.
Lie with me – I want you to stay.

Man holds his head full of losses he grieves.
A bird hits the window ’cause of lies it believes.
Woman’s sweet sadness brings man to his knees.
A bird hits the window ’cause of lies it believes.

Sing me a verse that’s better than this.
Throw me a curse I can add to my list.
Give me a chance, I swear I won’t miss.
Hold out your hands, give me a kiss.

Carry me home on the song that you sung.
Whispering lies at the top of your lung.
Tell me again how it was when you were young
Your lies always were as pure as they come.

Time Got A Mistress

The way your hair shined,
The way they watched you as you float by.
I think of that time, and how I wondered if you
Could ever be mine.

Those days the snow fell,
The way you fit inside my raincoat.
I think of those days and I wonder if you
Always were my best hope.

Now time got a mistress
Time went out and came home drunk.
And pages turned much faster,
I had to close my eyes – to leave the dark.

Now take my last word,
As a testament to first love.
I’m thinking that’s fine, and I’m wondering if this
Could be our courage.

Now time got a mistress
Time went out and came home drunk.
And pages turned much faster,
I had to close my eyes – to leave the dark.

Such tarnished earrings,
Still brighten the eyes that look for mine.
I’ll take the slow lane and I never knew –
Who moved – the finish line.

Now time got a mistress
Time went out and came home drunk.
And I finished what I started
I had to close my eyes – to leave the dark

Waiting In The Wings

May you never have to worry,
May you never have a sleepless night.
May you never have troubles
Or demons you have to fight.

May you never wait for the shoe to drop
Or the building around you to fall.
May you never have to lie awake
Waiting for that midnight call.

Call it what you want
Or don’t call it anything.
We get what life has given us
Just waiting in the wings.

May you never know the things I see,
May you never lose your way.
May you always hope for us to find
Your stories of yesterday.

May you never give a second thought,
May you hold your head up high.
May you always know you’ve done your best
And always do it right.

Call it what you want
Or don’t call it anything.
We get what life has given us
Just waiting in the wings.

Standing In The River

Standing in the river in the mud up to my knees.
Standing in the river in the mud up to my knees.
Ask the passing clouds forgive me please.

Sugar tastes sweeter than a handful of dirt.
Sugar tastes sweeter than a hand full of dirt.
Money don’t come easy if you don’t do the work.

What do we build when we play with dust?
Carved our names in vain in the crumbling rust.
Concrete jungle meets the treehouse sky.
Can’t complain – were all going to die.

Someday soon they’ll take me down to the well.
Someday soon they’ll take me down to the well.
Say jump in there boy if you got to prove yourself.

What do we build when we play with dust?
Carved our names in vain in the crumbling rust.
Concrete jungle meets the treehouse sky.
Can’t complain – were all going to die.

Walking Backwards

Give me strength, give me something right.
I’m not leaving till I make this right.
I’m not leaving till I make this night,
Get me to the morning light.

Like finding darkness after daylight shone,
Walking backwards, drinking alone.

Once I knew a girl so fine.
Thought I’d make that girl be mine.
Thought I’d make it last this time.
Turns out nothings ever mine.

Like finding darkness after daylight shone,
Walking backwards, Living alone.

Here I am where I was before.
Looking for something, searching for more.
Looking for something that was there before.
Find the key to unlock the door.

Like finding darkness after daylight shone,
Walking backwards, sleeping alone.

Pick the lock with the skeleton key.
Open the door that was close to me.
Open the door, going to break free.
Find somebody just like me.

Like finding darkness after daylight shone,
Walking backwards, being alone.

Under the willow by the river bend,
Lonely place to lay my head.
Lonely place to meet my end,
Till something makes me start again.

Like finding darkness after daylight shone,
Walking backwards, dancing alone.

Comfort Me

Black sea surrounds us
So deep it might drown us
I’ve jumped aboard a lifeboat with no oars

Fading horn reminds us
Fog won’t lift around us
But we’ve steered ships through more than rocky shores

Comfort me baby won’t you comfort me
I need time with better company
Cover me baby won’t you cover me
Don’t let no one share my sympathy

Starlight will show us
Dimness can’t control us
You can’t see color in the darkest sky

Seabird found a rest stop
Perching on a pole top
No one minds its weary wait till next sunrise

Comfort me baby won’t you comfort me
I need time with better company
Cover me baby won’t you cover me
Don’t let no one share my sympathy

Black sea surrounds us
So deep it might drown us
I’ve jumped aboard a lifeboat with no oars

Fading horn reminds us
Fog won’t lift around us
But we’ve steered ships through more than rocky shores

Comfort me baby won’t you comfort me
I need time with better company
Cover me baby won’t you cover me
Don’t let no one share my sympathy

Rhode Island Street

The house burned down on Rhode Island Street
Up on Potrero Hill
You showed me the room where you used to sleep
With the broken windowsill

I watch those flames soar through the sky
Fingers of fire and silk
You said you made breakfast for all of your friends
Out of bread and honey and milk

That’s when we were young and hungry and played
All through the night until dawn
But you never thought that house would burn down
Without taking us all along

Our names on the paper faded and grey
Are lost somewhere in the dirt
It was never no good for nothing at all
But man it was good for a burn

Now they’re thinking that I am to blame
But I swear my fingers are clean
But if thoughts could set sparks then I am the one
Who’s been torching down everything

That’s when we were young and hungry and played
All through the night until dawn
But you never thought that house would burn down
Without taking us all along

The house burned down on Rhode Island Street
Up on Potrero Hill

Cut My Hair For You

I’d cut my hair for you come clean and walk the other way
Lay down my life for you confess and give it all away

I shot a hole in the sky hitched a ride to the moon
Never thought my mind was breaking this soon

You give your last dime confused when I turned it down
Put out your hand to me waiting till I came around

I shot a hole in the sky hitched a ride to the moon
Never thought my mind was breaking this soon

I take a picture of you wear it pinned to my heart
Sit by your bed with you until it got dark

I shot a hole in the sky hitched a ride to the moon
Never thought my mind was breaking this soon

Stand in the doorway of the hospital ward
Cutting the silence cut down the cord

I shot a hole in the sky hitched a ride to the moon
Never thought my mind was breaking this soon

Catch Me

If you want to catch me you gotta stand in my shoes
Gotta walk a mile in my place
And if you want to love me you gotta get in my skin
And never give up on the chase

Cause no love is ever not love
Heaven above won’t send a white dove
But some love is better than none
Got to find it fast cause it’s on the run

When you find me you’re gonna find me
Somewhere where that I ain’t
And if you lose me you know you lost me
to someone who’s not a saint

Cause no love is ever not love
Heaven above won’t send a white dove
But some love is better than none
Got to find it fast cause it’s on the run

If you catch up you gotta watch out
Cause the fire can get hot
When the steam runs out I’ll scream and shout
Here I am ready or not

Cause no love is ever not love
Heaven above won’t send a white dove
But some love is better than none
Got to find it fast cause it’s on the run

Grief Is A Canyon

Grief is a canyon with only one side
Hope you got something to keep you alive
When you get down there got nowhere to hide
When you get down there got nothing but time

Someone once told me my luck would run out
Can’t remember who that was
Now runaway angels hush crying and shouts
Can’t bear the thought of no love

Grief is a canyon with only one side
Hope you got something to keep you alive
When you get down there got nowhere to hide
When you get down there got nothing but time

Her place on the sidewalk starstruck the night
Now the daylight refuses to shine
I guess they want something to make it alright
I guess they chose something of mine

Grief is a canyon with only one side
Hope you got something to keep you alive
When you get down there got nowhere to hide
When you get down there got nothing but time

A sweet face come visit to talk for awhile
And take a long sip on my drink
Your shoulders and solace forces a smile
Patience don’t care if I speak

Grief is a canyon with only one side
Hope you got something to keep you alive
When you get down there got nowhere to hide
When you get down there got nothing but time
Grief is a canyon with only one side
Hope you got something to keep you alive
When you get down there got nowhere to hide
When you get down there got nothing but time

Ashes

You’re a hard one to know
You’re driving fast but you’re moving slow
You settle down then you pull up stakes
You’re a habit I can’t shake

Country boy city girl
One shot heard all around the world
No one listened no surprise
There’s no reason to open your eyes

It was good most of the time
One step up three to the side
What goes in must come out
Bitter fruit turned ash in my mouth

Gypsy woman once said to me
Fame and fortune are yours to keep
But once you bite that fruit so sweet
Can’t go back down from the tree

It was good most of the time
One step up three to the side
What goes in must come out
Bitter fruit turned ash in my mouth

Blue Moon Atlas

A blue-moon atlas bruise on your heart
These are the things that make you fall apart

A backstreet survivor in the waiting room
Calling your mama baby come home soon

Blisters on your fingers carry heavy loads
Let me remind you gotta let it go

Chance a bad encounter for something sweet
Save a little room for hotcakes and tea

A killer whale with a killer smile
Dragged me home that last bloody mile

Bruise on my heart match the ones on my knees
Begging for something I don’t really need

Throw down the covers keys out the door
Many days behind room for many more

A blue-moon atlas shows where you’ve been
Fold back the pages where you found all your friends

A blue-moon atlas bruise on your heart
These are the things that make you fall apart

A backstreet survivor in the waiting room
Calling your mama baby come home soon
Calling your mama baby come home soon
Calling your mama baby come home soon

Parking Brake

She worked hard earned her dollars
Didn’t quit when it got rough
Raise three kids raised her husband
Didn’t leave when it got tough

One more time call me Captain
One more time take the reins
Pick me up put me back on
Ride the horse till sunset ends

Made their mark marked off time
Gave up things did without
Held no grudge just one secret
Spoke in whispers never shouts

One more time put my hat on
One more time grab your change
Kick up dust calling shotgun
Roll the wheels ride the range

Held each other when times got harder
Held out arms held things back
Brought home tales of other glories
Built a chalet out of a shack

One more time to grab the brass ring
Walk on coals charm the snake
Feed the flames arcing skyward
Setting free the parking brake

What Did You Take?

Dragging a sack of Ancient dust floating on air suspended by smoke
Packing again if you think that you must leaving behind the things you broke

Whoa oh the old river flows
We turn right around right to tomorrow
Whoa oh that’s how it goes
What did you take what did you borrow?

If your boots come too heavy to wear if you’re feeling like a souvenir
I know of something lighter than air you’ll know when you feel it getting near

Whoa oh the old river flows
We turn right around right to tomorrow
Whoa oh that’s how it goes
What did you take what did you borrow?

So take a deep breath and let it all go Did you forget how to breathe again? Imagine you’re something whiter than snow and start from he storybook end

Whoa oh the old river flows
We turn right around right to tomorrow
Whoa oh that’s how it goes
What did you take what did you borrow?