Songs

took the kids for a ride to see the wildlife
they were all whining about being bored
so I took away their electronic devices
and loaded ’em up in my old Ford

they wondered where we were headed
kept asking if we were going to the zoo
I said it was a surprise and they’d find out
wasn’t what they expected, ‘tween me and you

I pulled onto the highway south of Fairfield
went down 84 towards Teague
I’ve done this drive up in South Dakota
but that’s way out of my kids’ league

“Now, off to the right you’ll see an armadillo
thought his armor’d protect him from a car
and he rolled up in a ball and hopped a bit
and the car rolled on, and, well, there you are.”

“Up here on the left is a family of squirrels
chasing nuts on the wrong side of the road
and further along there’s couple snakes
and they were chasing what might have been a toad.”

“And over there down in that ditch
is a deer who crossed when he shouldn’t.”
Asked ’em all how they liked the tour
They might have tried to answer, but, well, you know

When we got home they were kinda quiet
two of ’em went and cleaned their room
the oldest one took out the trash
youngest was on the patio with a broom

Their mother wondered what was going on
wondered why the kids were all so quiet
I told her I took ’em for a drive
and she said sometime she oughta try it

You know everything I think and everything I do
Everything I say before it’s spoken
You could see it all Back when I was small
You could see the ways that I was broken

You can see inside me See the things I’m not
See the things I want to try to be
I don’t understand It’s beyond my reach
How it is that you can really see me

No matter where I go
Up above or down below
Even in the darkest night
You’re the brightest light

All the ways you love me All the ways you care
Like trying to count the grains of sand
You know when I’m anxious When I lie awake
I feel the gentle touch of your hand

You know I mean no harm I try to do what’s right
I slip and fall and hurt myself, and you
But I know you still see How very hard I try
In everything I think and say and do

No matter where I go
Up above or down below
Even in the darkest night
You’re the brightest light

Back when I was small You could see it all
I was broken but you could see right through
You know that I’ll keep trying For as long as I may live
Someday I’ll see myself the way you do

Had a dream
Had a dream last night
Had a dream last night and it gave me a fright
Now why do you think that is?

There’s a fish
There’s a fish in the sea
There’s a fish in the sea looks nothing like me
Now why do you think that is?

Ate a peach
Ate a peach with a stone
Ate a peach with a stone and it made me groan
Now why do you think that is?

Kissed a girl
Kissed a girl who could twirl
Kissed a girl who could twirl and it made my toes curl
Now why do you think that is?

Like the wigwam and the tipi
I gave you present tents
You’re thinking somewhere down the line
This will all make sense

Ran a mile
Ran a mile down the aisle
Ran a mile down the aisle and I fell in a pile
Now why do you think that is?

Saw the sun
Saw the sun on my run
Saw the sun on my run and I ran till I won
Now why do you think that is?

Like the time I took your dollar
Cause I didn’t have no cents
You’re thinking somewhere down the line
This will all make sense

Took a nap
Took a nap in my cap
Took a nap in my cap with a wooly earflap
Now why do you think that is?

Made a bet
Made a bet you’d forget
Made a bet you’d forget what I haven’t sung yet
Now why do you think that is?

Like the time I wandered through your yard
and then you took offense
You’re thinking somewhere down the line
This will all make sense

Found the end
Found the end my friend
Found the end my friend and that’s all I penned
Now why do you think that is?

F
by a certain age
Eb [0011]
should have more sense
F
I’ve seen it all a dozen times, done
Bb c
most of it twice

on the path for fifty years
I know where to go
then I lose my mind and lose my way
and wander off again

Bb C F
check the map to see where I went wrong
Bb C F
not the first time I’ve had to sing this song
Bb C
dying of thirst
F Bb
should have checked it first
Bb F
I know I should have known it all along
Bb C F
should’ve checked the map before I went wrong

singing birds
in the branches overhead
see something tasty
just out of reach
a step or two is all it takes
to satisfy the urge
then turn around
no idea where I am

chorus

Eb Bb F
look around and realize you’re lost
Eb Bb C
look ahead and recognize the cost
C
and know you’re not the only one who’ll pay

I’ve had this map
all my life
got it from my father
when I was young
I put it in a drawer
forgot it for too long
best to keep it handy
for when I get off the path

chorus

clouds push in front of the sun
then the rain falls, so that’s okay
soaks the dirt, runs off down the street
work done, they drift away

and then we get the sun
warm and dry and bright
even days when it’s too hot
always darken to night

everything every day
comes along and it goes away
good or bad, it’s what you make it
how you think is how you take it
paint the clouds, dance in the rain
not much to lose, whole lot to gain
love it all, find a way
everything every day

a million years ago when I was young
so many things I wasn’t allowed to do
these days, a million years old
I’d rather not if it’s all the same to you

everything every day
comes along and it goes away
good or bad, it’s what you make it
how you think is how you take it
paint the clouds, dance in the rain
not much to lose, whole lot to gain
love it all, find a way
everything every day

it’s my nature to grumble some
even when I know I’ve got it good
but I try to recognize how good I’ve got it
be thankful for it all, like I should

everything every day
comes along and it goes away
good or bad, it’s what you make it
how you think is how you take it
paint the clouds, dance in the rain
not much to lose, whole lot to gain
love it all, find a way
everything every day

I decided not to write a song
as you can tell that didn’t last long
got stuff to do and I don’t have time
for chord progressions, rhythm and rhyme

inevitability
my idiosyncrasy
my predisposition
family tradition
music is integral to me

that stuff I got to do won’t do itself
put that song back up on the shelf
but just try telling that to my poor brain
like facing down an oncoming train

inevitability
my idiosyncrasy
my predisposition
family tradition
music is integral to me

pressure builds up in my head
oozes out and starts to spread
gets down in my fingers pretty soon
nothing else to do but write the tune

inevitability
my idiosyncrasy
my predisposition
family tradition
music is integral to me

hardly ever me that’s done the leaving
hardly ever me said goodbye
but I’m still on my own
left here all alone
and it doesn’t even seem to matter why

but I can’t take another leaving
I can’t take another useless goodbye
I know that you can’t promise
you won’t ever go away
but I can’t take another goodbye
so promise me, at least you’ll try

I thought that you and I would be forever
Thought that you and I would see the end of time
but I fear you’ll hear the call
ticking down the hall
and you’ll fade away like the midnight chime

but I can’t take another leaving
I can’t take another useless goodbye
I know that you can’t promise
you won’t ever go away
but I can’t take another goodbye
so promise me, at least you’ll try

I hear you laugh and tell me that you love me
I feel your arms around me every morning, every night
I know I’ve got it far too wrong
far too many times
but I hope that you and I will be alright

but I can’t take another leaving
I can’t take another useless goodbye
I know that you can’t promise
you won’t ever go away
but I can’t take another goodbye
so promise me, at least you’ll try
promise me, at least you’ll try

G
by a certain age
F
should have more sense
G
I’ve seen it all a dozen times, done
C D
most of it twice

on the path for fifty years
I know where to go
then I lose my mind and lose my way
and wander off again

C D G
check the map to see where I went wrong
C D G
not the first time I’ve had to sing this song
C D
dying of thirst
G C
should have checked it first
C G
I know I should have known it all along
C D G
should’ve checked the map before I went wrong

singing birds
in the branches overhead
see something tasty
just out of reach
a step or two is all it takes
to satisfy the urge
then turn around
no idea where I am

chorus

F C G
look around and realize you’re lost
F C D
look ahead and recognize the cost
D
and know you’re not the only one who’ll pay

I’ve had this map
all my life
got it from my father
when I was young
I put it in a drawer
forgot it for too long
best to keep it handy
for when I get off the path

chorus

shirtsleeve wipe the window grime
your bark weaker all the time
don’t see you but you’re out there I can tell
shaggy coat too far away to smell

back and forth, closer every pass
you think you see me looking through the glass
shadow of coal pacing hot
you think you’re gonna take me but you’re not

hand on the doorknob, I know

I won’t turn my back
I won’t turn my back
I won’t turn my back
for you
today

I don’t pace I don’t shake I don’t freak out
once in a while I can’t help but peek out
you’re not close enough to bite
you’re still there prowling my night

I lean against the door, I know

I won’t turn my back
I won’t turn my back
I won’t turn my back
for you
today

I hit the light your eyes glow red
you whimper and cower and duck your head
thought you’d come to me to get fed
I’ll laugh out loud when I know you’re dead

you used to knock me down, get on my back
work your fangs to hear my spine crack
worry my neck like you were killing a rat
you and I we’re way past that

kick that door open, now I know

I won’t turn my back
I won’t turn my back
I won’t turn my back
for you
today

thought I was a snappy dresser
then I met you
eyeful of your natural style
nothing I could do

your fancy tie knot
sharp lapels
pocket square design
Italian loafers
razor creases
man you’re looking fine
your fancy tie knot
Rolex watch
studded pinky ring
thought I was a snappy dresser
but I don’t know a thing

my double-Windsor silk Garcia
hid inside my coat
your double-breasted mohair suit
really got my goat

your fancy tie knot
sharp lapels
pocket square design
Italian loafers
razor creases
man you’re looking fine
your fancy tie knot
Rolex watch
studded pinky ring
thought I was a snappy dresser
but I don’t know a thing

some tie a fancy bow
or stick it with a pin
but when they see your fancy tie knot
they take it on the chin

your fancy tie knot
sharp lapels
pocket square design
Italian loafers
razor creases
man you’re looking fine
your fancy tie knot
Rolex watch
studded pinky ring
thought I was a snappy dresser
but I don’t know a thing
thought I was a snappy dresser
but I don’t know a thing