LOVE MAKES IT HARD (TO MAKE YOU BLUE)

 

If I told a lie

I know you’d know

If I told the truth

It would hurt you so

 

If I spoke my mind 

What it would do to you

Love makes it hard 

To make you blue

 

Every time my heart aches

Your heart breaks its true

Love makes it hard 

To make you blue

 

I do just fine 

When I’m all alone

I’ve half a mind 

To pick up the phone

 

Say pretty babe 

Seems like we are through

Love makes it hard 

To make you blue

 

Every time my heart aches

Your heart breaks its true

Love makes it hard 

To make you blue

 

If I said goodbye 

On a sunny day

Blue skies 

Would forever look gray

 

I don’t mind the rain

But I know you do

Love makes it hard 

To make you blue

 

 

//

 

 

 

WHEN THE FIRE BURNS LOW

 

I promised myself I’d go

When the fire burns low

You’re all out of kerosine it seems

And I don’t mean to be mean

But I’m bound to say adieu

I got a dog to get home to

I promised myself I’d go

When the fire burns low

 

You throw on a pallet 

And you light a match

Don’t take but a moment 

For the thing to catch

You stand back, burn your hair

Five minutes later

You’re standing there

Burned so fast 

And it burned so bright

Left you without coals

I promised myself I’d go

When the fire burns low

 

You throw everything you find

In a great big pile

Your old straw hat 

And your neighbor’s tie

Cover it in oil and make a flame

Five minutes later it’s gone again

Burned so fast 

And it burned so bright

Left you without coals

I promised myself I’d go

When the fire burns low

 

So if you wanna have fun 

That’ll last all night

And you want me to sing 

By the fireside

Chop some wood

Cut a little kindling

I’ll be there until the morning

The brightest flames

They burn the fastest

So next time take it slow

I promised myself I’d go

When the fire burns low

 

 

 

//

 

 

 

LOOKING FOR A MAN

 

I heard you’re looking for a man

Well you’re in the wrong town

I heard you’re looking for a man

If I were you I’d turn around

 

Everybody’s wearing 

Their hair in style

Everybody acts so cool

As if they haven’t broken

Hearts by the dozen

There’s rust on the golden rule

 

Everybody’s talking 

‘Bout the walk they’re walking

Everybody seems in the know

But if you’re fixing to test conviction

See how he acts when you say no

 

I’ve been living here

For about ten years

Maybe it’s the same everywhere

That it’s one in a hundred

Who doesn’t make you wonder

Is it easy to pretend to care

 

 

//

 

 

 

FIVE MILES FROM HOME

 

With a taillight out

My insurance expired

Three o’clock in the morning

Driving on a spare tire

I saw the flashing lights 

I was all alone

Now I’m a thousand in debt

Only five miles from home

 

I was on my way home from the show

Had a twenty-four gas station cup of Joe

Going thirty-five in forty zone

I was almost home

 

He came up to the window

Flashlight in hand

I ain’t been drinking

I’m just tired man

He said why do you think

I pulled you over

My car gave a shudder 

And I shrugged my shoulders

 

He said call a cab

Before this thing combusts

You ain’t got insurance 

For this bucket of rust

The tow truck came

I was by the side of the road

I was almost home

 

 

 

//

 

 

 

BIG PARADE

 

Maybe someday

When the clouds pass away

I’ll rise with the desire to join the fray

Maybe someday 

Before I’m old and gray

I will join in the big parade

 

For now I sit at home

Turn off the telephone

Take a book down from the shelf

Won’t be bothered with nobody else

 

But there will come a day

Sooner or later I can’t say

I will join in the big parade

 

Some long nights 

Wish I could stand the neon lights

When all my friends go out

To see the sights

Instead I stay

Think to myself and say

I will join in the big parade

 

They dance til their feet get sore

I stay home and walk the floor

Write a new song to myself

Won’t be bothered with nobody else

 

But there will come a day

Sooner or later I can’t say

I will join in the big parade

 

 

 

//

 

 

 

FACTORY UPSTREAM

 

If I was a dog you would be the fleas

If I was a cat you would be the tree

If I was a turtle you would be the straw

If I was a thief you would be the law

 

Now I can see 

I thought you were a dream

But if I was a river

You’d be the factory upstream

 

If I was the corn you would be the boll weevil

If I was religion you would be the evil

If I was a clown you’d be the banana peel

If I was a vegan you would be the veal

 

Now I can see 

I thought you were a dream

But if I was a river

You’d be the factory upstream

 

If I was a slum you would be the landlord

If I was the pen you would be the sword

If I was the messenger you’d be the gun

If I was the troublemaker you’d be the nun

 

If I was the mountain you would be the mine

If I was the prisoner you’d be the time

If I was the window you would be the stone

If I was the sharecropper you would be the loan

 

Now I can see 

I thought you were a dream

But if I was a river

You’d be the factory upstream

 

 

 

//

 

 

 

EVERYBODY’S GOT A RIGHT TO CRY

 

Who’s the fool who said dry your eyes

You gotta feel low if you wanna feel high

If it’s been a while give it a try

Pay no mind to what you might look like

Whether you’re a child or a big tough guy

Everybody’s got a right to cry

 

Don’t let sadness pass you by

Greet it like a friend who you would wine and dine

Start the conversation by taking a sigh

Tears might come in the by and by

Whether you’re a dancer or a samurai

Everybody’s got a right to cry

 

If you’re feeling your feelings are tangled and tied

Cut an onion and let yourself try

Tears are like rain there’s an endless supply

When the clouds roll in go ahead don’t be shy

Whether you’re seven or seventy five

Everybody’s got a right to cry