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Water's Edge
"don't go there" I heard her say.
"you can't stomach what you're going to see"
It's down there, by the water's edge
wasted and bloated and waiting for someone else
funny how, these little things come about
when you're tied to the teeth and mouth
no sound or fury, no shot of pain
there was no real reason, no gain
I can't go down to the water's edge
I didn't do it... I saw who did it
Don't go down to the water's edge
they did it once and they can do it again
it ain't no secret to me
how she got there down by the stream
I'd seen her a minute before the van pulled up and opened
the door (took all my love)
but I can't say a single word
about what I saw of her
her killers...they got their friends
in familiar places, I tell you man
this ain't no fucking game
and I'm feeling so ashamed
because I didn't do anything
I didn' do a thing
I swear
Cumbersome
she calls me Goliath and I wear the David mask
I guess the stones are coming too fast for her now
you know I'd like to believe this nervousness will pass
all the stones that are thrown are building up a wall
I have become cumbersome to this world
I have become cumbersome to my girl
I'd like to believe we could reconcile the past
resurrect those bridges with an ancient glance
but my old stone face can't seem to break her down
she remembers bridges, burns them to the ground
I have become cumbersome to this world
I have become cumbersome to this girl
too heavy too light, too black or too white, too wrong or too right, today or
tonight
cumbersome
too rich too poor, she's wanting me less and I'm wanting her more
the bitter taste is cumbersome
there is a balance between two worlds
one with an arrow and a cross
regardless of the balance life has become
cumbersome
Roderigo
"he's a real cannibal." she goes:
"I think I'll call him roderigo"
dress him up in darker clothes, sell him away
standing underneath her gun
"sit up straight or I'll hurt you"
you know he's not her only son, just the strongest
"I'm the real animal," she goes
she wants to call me roderigo
tie me down with all her rope until I can't breathe
she can't help but beat me down
into a brand new roderigo
I'll slip away without a sound, into the air
tied him down to her tree
stayed fit to name him what's he's going to be
tied him up with her rope
you know it stained her neck but it can't hold roderigo
Devil Boy
I slept through Easter yesterday
right through Christmas just the same
the priest came up to me all up in arms
he said, "devil boy what have you done?"
the Jesuits rolled in their tanks to my front door
while the capuchins held a love-in on my front porch
the augustinians kept to themselves, stuck their tongues out in a row
they said, "devil boy, it's off to hell you go!"
so I'll sit and pray for her to call me there
and I'll burn that bridge a 1000 times, on the cross I bear
just to wonder if you're listening from a soap box in the sky
to finally realize my price, was it you or I?
hey devil boy
we're going to blow you're house in
hey devil boy
what do you think of that?
for heaven's sake
it's only been 2000 years
and I can't wait any longer for you
for heaven's sake
I'd give away eternity
if you would come back to me, if would come back to me
if you would come back to me, if would come back to me
My My
my my stomach hurts again tonight she says:
and crashes on her floor
cuts what she can't untie
ties it to a door
if mercy was a cattle call
she didn't hear
she didn't want to play the role
of the fool again
won't be fooled again
indifference as my witness
I think she'd take me back
she tears down my front door
just to see my photograph
my my head is getting so confused she says
what's she trying to do to me?
put my sticker on her car
bought a CD
if mercy was a cattle call
she didn't hear
she didn't want to play the role of the fool again
won't be fooled again
indifference as my witness
I think she'd take me back
she tears down my front door
just to hear my phonograph
it spins...
i ain't too proud to beg sweet darlin
don't you leave my baby don't you go
i ain't too proud to beg sweet darlin
don't you leave me
my my skin can't take much more of this, she says
you're scaling over me.
every time I wash it off, I find you underneath
and if mercy was a cattle call
she didn't hear...
she didn't want to play the role of the fool again
won't be fooled again...
Lame
there's a tall, a mulatto, boy I know
and he comes to every party -- he stands alone
viewing them the rest, from the corner of his glance
it gets so clear, he's not judging anyone
the way his arms float around his cage, he's caged
canary sings, silently rings, his voice to rage
the way they stop and stare, the way they turn their heads
it's enough to make him want to run away
but he stays he stands his ground
and I'm so lame
the way I condescend without ever knowing his name
he keeps it in a box, hangs it from his ear
looks at everyone without the slightest fear
it's making me so ashamed
slender body, slip through his glance
I don't give him a single chance
the way he's rocking back and forth
makes a buzzing in my ear
constantly reminding me that I never stop to hear
him say hello, hello
and I'm so lame
like a moth bumping off his godless flame
I cannot condescend or even apprehend, what comes over me
when I see his shameless face
so rage, please rage, against me
beat me down, beat me down, forgive me
for what I've done, I'm so lame, I'm so lame, I'm so lame
so lame, so lame, so lame
Headstrong
headstrong is willing to live like a rat in a hole
headstrong... unwilling to listen to anyone at all
keeps her head above the water,
keeps her head upon her shoulders
I know, I know, I know she has heard this all before
she don't break, she don't sink, don't think, a thing of me
headstrong can fake an awkwardness,
silenced by the price of love
don't get too close in case, push comes to shove
won't be your favorite girl, won't hear our favorite song
she's heard it all before
I don't mind she knows the words I'm writing
--we all need some pain
and remember, what you told me, we all bleed the same
headstrong is making a list so long, of all the people she has
done and undone again -- my name engraved
she doesn't notice the things that I take for granted were my
own to give, my own to give and take
she don't break, she don't think don't sink
don't want to give or take my love
don't break don't sink don't think of me
headstrong headstrong headstrong headstrong
headstrong headstrong headstrong headstrong
Anything
Indivisible, you are the one
Impossible to hear what you say to me at night
can I have some covers back? It's so cold
on the wrong side of the bed
are you awake are you aware are you anything?
pictures high, high above the shelf
letters from me to you, you to me, us to them
do they mean anything? anything at all?
I know I'm not the man of her dreams
daddy said she'd marry rich, rich, richer than me
I know I'm not her man, but she can take anything
anything she wants
Do you think it's just enough to know
how I wanted you to feel
read things back to me, back up
to see from where I am
there is nothing more than this, more than this
Is it enough to say that I want you to keep it close to me
me, me is all I think about, but every word you say
do I mean anything?
anything at all?
Margaret
Margaret came to me was all he said
before she know my name she was in my bed
she was only sweet sixteen
20,000 days younger than me
Margaret feels the world beneath her feel
shaking like a leaf falls from the tree
she don't care he's ten years older than me
as long as they're together happily
"marry me" she said I don't reply
"daddy said you better, or you'll die"
she wants a house and fifteen kids I guess
and I can't find a state we're legal in
Punch In Punch Out
I wake up
to beat the sun from her glory
I'm only
one cigarette
away from mobility
It's always
punch in punch out
go to work and go back home
there's only one chance left
and I know
and I know
where she is waiting
Favorite Dog
that's my other hand, open and empty
it wants one too I guess
that's my other jaw, swollen and shameless
it talks too much I know
and another singer is born, with every sip I take
wash away my words, just like my flesh and bone
and they're barking of me, yeah they're working on me
just like my favorite dog
geronimo, look out below
I love that rusty water like it was my favorite dog
geronimo, look out below
I love that rusty water like it was my favorite dog
that's my other head, open and bleeding
it thinks too much I guess
that's my other eye, swollen by fearless
it's seen too much I know
and another singer is killed with every sip I take
drain away my words, just like my flesh and bone
and they're working on me, yeah they're working on me
just like my favorite dog
Shelf Life
Words keep falling from my mouth,
Trying just to slow them down.
Keep on spilling around,
Saying, "Why do you hurt me?"
And if anger is my gift,
The only gift I'm fit to bring,
Then put me on your shelf,
See the winter in me.
(Chorus)
If it's the only gift I'm fit to give,
Then put me on your shelf,
I don't want to live.
What's in that suitcase?
A picture and a name.
Brought here from someplace,
Not brought here to stay.
She picks up the pieces,
Puts down the phone.
Yes baby's not speaking to her angel anymore, no.
(C)
If it's the only gift I'm fit to give,
Then put me on your shelf,
I don't want to live.
If it's the only gift I'm fit to give,
Then put me on your shelf,
I don't want to live, this way, this way, my love,
This way, this way, my love.
All of my actions
Of no consequence of you.
My love and affection just doesn't know what to do...
How can I love anyone else,
When I can't trust my...
Lucky
Mean Mr. Mustard says he’s bored
of life in The District.
Can’t afford the French Quarter high
says it gets old real quick
and he pales up next to me
scrawled on the pavement
It says: Son, time is all the Luck
you need.
And if I stay Lucky then my tongue
will stay tied, and I won’t betray
the things that I hide.
There’s not enough years underneath
this belt, for me to admit the way
that I felt.
Mean Mr. Mustard says don’t be
the wave that crashes
From a sea of discontent, he says
he’s wrestled with that blanket...
It leaves you cold and wet
any way you stretch it
Divine apathy! Disease of my youth
watch that you don’t catch it.
RockCrown
Well I haven’t seen a doctor
since I can’t remember when
But she tells me I’ve been a talker
since 1976
We went up to the lake and I, I remember
this: my family secret
Pits in my skin where I let you in
This RockCrown never let you down
I’m a season in Hell- 20 years
from showing up, down on your scene
without a semblance of what I’ve seen
Tell me what I’ve seen
Tell me what I’ve seen
Enough to make this young man
Filthy. Filthy. Clean...
Pits in my skin where I let you in
This RockCrown never let you down
Needle Can't Burn (What the Needle Can't Find)
I don’t want to spend the rest of my life
starin’ at a man, Looking down a line
what’s he say? “Not my style"
Just a stylized version of an obsolete file
I don’t want to spend the rest of my time
lookin’ for the words I’m never going to find
You read them in a book and apply them to your life
but how can I be as pretty as she writes?
I know I’m all right. Because
the needle can’t burn what the needle can’t find
She don’t want to spend the rest of her heart
waste it on a job, and never get a start
Part of her says she should be herself
and part of her says she should be with someone else
I don’t want to spend the rest of my life
looking for a girl I’m never gonna find.
Starin’ back at me when I come home at night
but how can she be as pretty as I write?
It will be hard, but I know I’m all right,
because the needle can’t burn
what the needle can’t find
And the money won’t save what the money can’t buy
And part of me is safe
And part of me is lies
So be mine tonight.
Honey of Generation
What’s your mother say?
"You never listen to me"
I know you want back in
you don’t get it for free
You better read the book, and
hear what they say
Best learn the rules
and sit up straight
What’s your daddy say?
"You never listen to me"
I know you’re trying hard
you don’t get a reprieve
Did you read good book?
Did you bid good time?
Did you push ahead?
Bet you stood the line.
Liquid used to surround me
my freedom- swimming and drowning
Today we throw it up for sale.
Today we’re giving it away
It’s the Honey of Generation
makes you forget where you came from.
It’s the Honey of Generation
and it’s yours...
Home Stretch
Yeah you in your mother’s new shoes
bet you like them as much as her blues
Don’t tell anyone - but I plan to move
the first time you look away
Tell me the new apron strings
taste to you, yes
my pretty young things
You tell me that hatred is king
(It’s to the weak and the manor born)
Like a trick that you’ve fallen for,
you recognize me because:
there’s only one sound to love
Bye bye Bye bye Bye baby Good
Bye bye Bye bye Bye baby Good
Bye bye Bye bye Bye baby Good-bye
Tell me you in your mother’s new shoes
bet you like them as much as her blues
Don’t tell anyone, but I’m born to move
like the first star you ever saw.
Tell me the new apron strings
trace to you, yeah.
My pitied young things
I tell you that love can be king
(It’s to the meek and the manner born).
But like a trick that you’ve fallen for
you recognize me because:
there’s only one sound to love
People Like New
Yeah the roads are right tonite
they are twisting
My mouth is dry - like cool air inside
And maybe I worry
do things in a hurry
and follow the dust
of people like new
There’s people like me
and there’s people like you
Yeah the roads are right tonite
they are turning
I know that deep inside the pines
an answer is lurking
And maybe I worry
do things in a hurry
and follow the dust
of people like new
There’s people like me
and there’s people like new
Make Up Your Mind
Oh yeah
she says: we can’t tell them
Oh yeah
she wants up front
I can’t do that
Oh yeah
She’s got backup
Boyfriend and I’m him
When you gonna’ make up your mind?
When you gonna’ make up your mind?
When you gonna’ make up your mind?
Because you know that I have made up mine
Gone Away
It’s not the clothes that she borrows
just call me out - you know I’ll follow
Back thru the backdoor into June
Luck will sleep the October June
Sometimes in deep thought I’m 31
she’s wanting kids
sounds like fun,
I’ll teach them to sing along
sure beats the end of a smoking gun
And I know that god exists
because I feel him sometimes
when she takes up the sheets
or my telephone lines, but
when I’m home she says:
"Baby you’re a lie..."
"You’re not really here."
"You’ve gone away..."
Times Like These
A young girl give me a good luck charm.
Put a snake on my neck and a bird on my arm.
Got one good leg ‘cause the other went South.
Got a brand new crutch and a brand new mouth.
I got a sheriff’s name branded where I should
have kept clean.
If you get too close you’re going to know what I
mean.
And I know when I’m old the only runnin’ gonna
come.
Away from lips and the fork of my tongue.
It only gets to me in times like these.
And times like these are getting to me.
Put your hand in the oven there’s a heaven
inside.
It burns straight through but the devil don’t
mind.
Because he takes what he wants and he finds what
you hide.
And it will buy you a place on the Lower East
Side.
I rolled a number last night and I walked in my
sleep.
I could feel all the nerves in the tips of my
teeth.
As they crumbled into dust and washed into the
sea.
Finally shut my mouth so I could hear myself
think.
It only gets to me in times like these.
It only gets to me in times like these.
It only gets to me in times like these.
And times like these are getting to me.
I Could Be Wrong
My good looks won’t save my kids
from their dad’s predicament.
They won’t see my face like this
see my face as a shadow
I could be wrong
or I could be strong
The penny-rate my love collects
could set your ass on fire
Instead of praying thankful hallelujahs
on the wire
You turn on your radio regardless
as you start your car
But baby don’t believe it
when he tells you who you are
He could be wrong and
you could be strong
You’re finding out you’re selfish
because you like your happiness
Don’t sacrifice it to the average
Keep it for yourself
They’ll buy your butterflies
and price them down
to clean the racks
Until a kid like you
can buy them back
I could be wrong
or I could be strong
What Angry Blue?
I know how the good wind blows
and it gives me my time
Don’t let them drag your hatred off the line
I know how the anger goes so I bury mine
You know they had me working overtime
I want no part of your blackheart causes
empty speeches
broken promise
I know how the anger flows so I carried time
Don’t let them drag the needle through your dime
I know how the hatred goes so I buried mine
Lucky seven Lucky rolls the dice
Yeah that’s right.
I want no part of your blackheart causes.
All this preaching and still no progress
What angry blue has got into you?
Houdini’s Angels
Do you think that people get tired of themselves?
Is that why the T.V.’s on all the time?
It don’t take much to get it right back on track,
but it won’t fall from the sky right into your
lap.
I’ve made the most of Luck.
You get a brand new chance
in a brand new town.
And if I don’t read what they wrote about me,
I might turn you on to something I’ve found:
Silence. Priceless. Silence.
The only way we talk.
What if people get everything they expect?
What becomes of hope?
I’ll bet she’s a nervous wreck.
What’s the genius in a cushion on your couch?
You better find yourself something that drags you
out.
I’ve made the most of Love.
You get a brand new chance in a brand new town.
And if I don’t hear what they whisper about me,
I might turn you on to something I’ve found:
Silence. Priceless. Silence.
The only way we talk.
This Evening’s Great Excuse
Time will pack a bag on you, my love
organize, re-organize your Luck
Pretty face, a pretty smile,
a pretty shame you can’t defile
The message you have made for them to see
And it will be
And it will be
H Y P O C R I S Y HYPOCRISY
This evening’s great excuse is this:
To make your peace.
And make a list
of everything that’s trivial and wide
Handshake man, how could you be?
A sweeter, softer, gentler king
Spread out for every queen to see
And it will be
And it will be
H Y P O C R I S Y HYPOCRISY
Player Piano
Play me like a player piano
roll me from the corners
of your dark and dusty shadows
Like a player piano,
I sit useless
most of the time
The bar gets darker
it swallows up the scarlet
The barkeep’s looking thin
We sit together
until only the piano
of the player remains
Tell me why you won’t keep it
Tie me up in a shoe-string box
She don’t keep it if
she don’t need it
Get me out of the deep end
my legs are dangling over the roof
The room gets brighter
when I can see inside her
when I can turn the switch
But she’s so together
I can do the damage and
she can manage the flames
Oven
Get down and pray to the oven
She thinks that god is there, in there
Do you see Sylvia in the oven?
Colossal Fact, Daddy’s ex don’t let you read.
Here’s what she sees.
In the end her only friend, keeps herself wide
open
looks into a higher ground
What did husband say was found?
She found - a daughter going on with her life
I can’t juggle this
I can’t juggle this
I can’t juggle this
When it slips she says:
This Kansas wheat won’t break me
and another drink won’t take me
I can make it if you can
Strip it down wide open still
Was your head caught in that pill?
Was your life one big regret?
The smartest man she ever met
was not buried or put up on a cross
And she thinks it’s over, still
if that light won’t go on
There’s no hope in life at all
if the oven won’t burn
This Kansas wheat won’t break us
and another drink won’t make us free
The oven’s wide open, hold your breath and see.
Hold your breath and see . . .
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