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Lyrics: Old Ways
Song List
Other non-Album songs from this period
Some of these were on the original Old Ways (sometimes known as
"Old Ways 1") album that was rejected by Geffen. Others are part
of a set of out-takes that's become known as "Old Ways 3".
The Wayward Wind
In the lonely shack by the railroad track
I spent my younger days
And I guess the sound of the outward bound
Made me a slave to my wanderin' ways.
And the wayward wind is a restless wind
A restless wind that yearns to wander
And I was born the next of kin
The next of kin to the wayward wind.
Oh, I met him down in the border town
He vowed we'd never part
Though he tried his best to settle down
Now I'm all alone with a broken heart.
And the wayward wind is a restless wind
A restless wind that yearns to wander
And I was born the next of kin
The next of kin to the wayward wind.
And the wayward wind is a restless wind
A restless wind that yearns to wander
And I was born the next of kin
The next of kin to the wayward wind.
The next of kin to the wayward wind.
Get Back To The Country
When I was a younger man
Got lucky with a rock 'n' roll band
Struck gold in Hollywood
All that time I knew I would
Get back to the country
Back where it all began
Get back to the country
Back in the barn again.
Now when we hit the road
Big buses and trucks unload
After the curtain falls
Load up and then we all
Get back to the country
Back where it all began
Get back to the country
Back on the road again.
When I was a younger man
Got lucky with a rock 'n' roll band
Struck gold in Hollywood
All that time I knew I would
Get back to the country
Back where it all began
Get back to the country
Back in the barn again.
Are There Any More Real Cowboys
Are there any more real cowboys
Left out in these hills?
Will the fire hit the iron
One more time?
And will one more dusty pick-up
Coming rolling down the road
With a load of feed before the sun gets high?
Well, I hope that working cowboy never dies.
Not the one that's snortin' cocaine
When the honky-tonk's all closed
But the one that prays for more rain
Heaven knows
That the good feed brings the money
And the money buys the clothes
Not the diamond sequins shining on TV
But the kind the working cowboy really needs.
Are there any more country families
Still working hand in hand
Trying hard to stay together
And make a stand?
While the rows and rows of houses
Come creepin' up on the land
Where the cattle graze and an old grey barn still stands
Are there any more real cowboys in this land?
Are there any more real cowboys in this land?
Once An Angel
Once an angel
Always an angel
You're as close to heaven
As I'll ever be
It's been six years now
Since my ring slipped on your finger
And those years have made
A better man out of me.
Once an angel
Always an angel
You're as close to heaven
As I'll ever be.
There've been times when
I've treated you so badly
I've done things I know
You'll never understand.
But you take me back
Turn your eyes towards the window
Where you hide the tears
You don't want me to see.
Once an angel
Always an angel
You're as close to heaven
As I'll ever be.
Once an angel
Always an angel
You're as close to heaven
As I'll ever be.
You're as close to heaven
As I'll ever be.
Misfits
Up in that new space station
Living Kennedy's dream
There was an automatic camera
Shooting elephantine.
Well the crew was relaxing
Before the video screen
Watching old re-runs
Of Mohammed Ali.
The voice of Houston callin'
Brought them back to the scene
Except the sky is fallin'
Do you know what that means?
Out on that Texas sidewalk
Through the hotel mezzanine
There walked a see-thru' hooker
To a suite with two TVs.
But by the elevator
She began to sneeze
With an attack so uncontrolled
It brought her to her knees.
And then the hotel doctor
With nurse and stethoscope
Announced the worst is over
But for her there is no hope.
Way down in South Dakota
On the Needles Highway
There's a lone red rider
On the road today.
And though his war is over
He's fightin' on anyway
Although he's seldom sober
He's drinking whisky all day.
Down in that old box canyon
Where only misfits can go
He rides with no companion
But saloon and rodeo.
Up in that new space station
Living Kennedy's dream
There's an automatic camera
Shooting elephantine.
Well the crew is relaxing
Before the video screen
Watching old re-runs
Of Mohammed Ali.
The voice of Houston callin'
Brought them back to the scene
Except the sky is fallin'
Do you know what that means?
California Sunset
I remember long ago
How I wondered where I'd go
While the blizzards, cold wind and snow
Pounded outside my window.
California sunset
Going down in the West
All the colors in the sky
Kiss another day goodbye.
Land of beauty, space and light
Land of promise, land of might
You're my home now and it's true
California, here's to you.
California sunset
Going down in the West
All the colors in the sky
Kiss another day goodbye.
California sunset
Going down in the West
All the colors in the sky
Kiss another day goodbye.
The golden state!
Old Ways
Old ways, it sure is hard to change 'em
Come what may
It's hard to teach a dinosaur a new trick
Lately I've been finding out
I'm set in my ways
Old ways, can be your ball and chain.
Oh, I'm gonna stop that grass
And give up all this drinking
Really gonna make my life last
Clean up my whole way of living
Up until the party last night
I was a different man
But old ways got their way again.
The economy was getting so bad
I had to lay myself off
Well, working was a habit I had
So I kept showin' up anyway
Then one day things turned around
I got my back pay
Old ways comin' through again.
I got old ways.
My Boy
Why are you growin' up so fast
My boy?
Oh, you'd better take your time.
Why are you growin' up so fast
My son?
Almost time to live your dream
My boy.
Oh, you'd better take your time.
Almost time to make some plans
My son.
Vacation gone, school is out,
Summer ends year in year out.
Oh, you'd better take your time
My boy.
I thought we had just begun.
Why are you growin' up so fast
My son?
Vacation gone, school is out,
Summer ends year in year out.
Why are you growin' up so fast
My boy?
Why are you growin' up so fast
My son?
Bound For Glory
Out on the trans-Canada highway
There was a girl hitchhiking with her dog
Fireflies buzzin' round her head
Like candles in the fog.
He was three miles down the road
Tryin' to stay up, but he knew that he couldn't
She was looking for a ride through the night
But out there, who wouldn't.
They were bound for glory
Bound for living on the edge
They were bound for each other
Like two comets heading for a bed.
She had a new way of living
New way of looking at life
He had an '84 International and two kids
He left back home with his wife.
He was tired of writin' letters to himself
And living in the dark
She was open to suggestions
And some say she had a broken heart.
He had everything he wanted
'Til it all turned out to be a job
One fallen asleep trucker
And a girl hitchhiking with her dog.
They were bound for glory
Bound for living on the edge
They were bound for each other
Like two comets heading for a bed.
She had a new way of living
New way of looking at life
He had an '84 International and two kids
He left back home with his wife.
Out on the trans-Canada highway
The sun came climbing up the cab
By the time it hit the window they were wakin' up
From what little sleep they had.
When that heat hit the blankets
They were looking for love at second sight
Just starin' in each others' eyes
Findin' it in the mornin' light.
They were bound for glory
Bound for living on the edge
They were bound for each other
Like two blankets layin' on a bed.
She had a new way of living
New way of looking at life
He had an '84 International and two kids
He left back home with his wife.
Where Is The Highway Tonight?
I would be feelin' so low
She'd have a new place to go
She'd take me in her arms
And show me all her charms
Until my troubles were gone.
Then when I left her behind
Never a tear could I find
Just a haunting melody
Comin' back to me
Where is the highway tonight?
Where is the highway tonight?
Where are those old days and crazy nights?
Now the house is all quiet and still
Coyote house on the hill
How far did I go
Before we said hello
Where is the highway tonight?
Darlin', you'll always be mine
I'll never treat you unkind
But a haunting melody
Keeps comin' back to me
Where is the highway tonight?
Where is the highway tonight?
Where are those old days and crazy nights?
A haunting melody
Keeps comin' back to me
Where is the highway tonight?
Amber Jean
Every morning got sun to shine
Every day got plenty of time
Every night there's a moon so fine
There for you, my Amber Jean.
Still some lines that should get crossed
Still some coins that might be tossed
Still some love that hasn't been lost
There for you, my Amber Jean.
Amber Jean, oh, Amber Jean,
Prettiest eyes I've ever seen.
Every morning got sun to shine
Every day got plenty of time
Every night there's a moon so fine
There for you, my Amber Jean.
Razor Love
I got to bet that your old man
Became fascinated with his own plans
Turned you loose, your mama too
There wasn't a thing that you could do.
I got faith in you, it's the kind of love
That cuts clean through.
I got faith in you, it's a razor love
And it's true.
And you really made my day
With the little things you say
Right now I'm looking through the window at a silhouette
Trying to find something I can find yet
Imagination is my best friend
Got to watch out for the greedy hand, greedy hand
Make a living like a rolling stone
On the road there's no place like home
Silhouettes on the window.
Who was it made your eyes flicker like that
Tell me baby, where do get a man
I came to you with open arms
And I really took you down the track
Now all I've got for you is the kind of love
That cuts clean through.
All I got for you is razor love
That cuts clean through.
You really made my day
With the little things you say
Right now I'm looking through the window at a silhouette
Trying to find something I can find yet
Imagination is my best friend
Got to watch out for the greedy hand, greedy hand
Make a living like a rolling stone
On the road there's no place like home
Silhouettes on the window.
I got to bet that your old man
Became fascinated with his own plans.
Good Phone
Back in the days of covered wagons
A man had his own way
Whether talkin' to a woman
Or crossing the U.S.A.
No telephones were ringing
No angry words exchanged.
I wish I was back in the saddle now
Riding on the range.
Let your fingers do the walking
Call me up some time
I'm listed under Broken Hearts
Looking for a good time.
I can't reach out and touch you
You're hung up on the line
I'm your disconnected number now
And you're a private line.
Well, I used to be so happy,
When you gave good 'phone.
I could call you up from anywhere
For a little bit of home
But now my heart is aching
After every call
By the way you talk you'd think
You never gave good 'phone at all.
Let your fingers do the walking
Call me up some time
I'm listed under Broken Hearts
Looking for a good time.
I can't reach out and touch you
You're hung up on the line
I'm your disconnected number now
And you're a private line.
Let your fingers do the walking
Call me up some time
I'm listed under Broken Hearts.
Looking for a good time.
I can't reach out and touch you
You're hung up on the line
I'm your disconnected number now
And you're a private line.
Silver and Gold
Workin' hard every day
Never notice how the time slips away
People come, seasons go
We got something that never gets old.
I don't care if the sun don't shine
And the rain keeps pouring down on me and mine
'Cause our kind of love
Just never seems to get old
It's better than silver and gold.
I used to have a treasure chest
Got so heavy that I had to rest
I let it slip away from me
Didn't need it anyway.
So I let it slip away.
I don't care if the sun don't shine
And the rain keeps pouring down on me and mine
'Cause our kind of love
Just never seems to get old
It's better than silver and gold.
I don't care if the sun don't shine
And the rain keeps pouring down on me and mine
'Cause our kind of love
Just never seems to get old
It's better than silver and gold.
Better than silver and gold
Better than silver and gold
Better than silver and gold
It's better than silver and gold.
Hillbilly Band
There was an ill wind blowing
Through my hair last night
That froze me in my blue jeans.
I couldn't find a light
I know that something's coming
I can feel it in my bones
Thank God for those old country boys,
I ain't out here alone.
My friends all tell me
I got daggers in my eyes
There's an anger in my heart
That they don't realize
I'm mad as hell at something
That I don't understand
Thank God I'm on the road tonight
With this old hillbilly band.
Thank God I'm on the road tonight
With this old hillbilly band.
We may not be good looking
But we sure get outta hand
Was that The Devil's stagecoach
Flying over the Rio Grande?
Thank God I'm on the road tonight
With this old hillbilly band.
I swear that The Devil
Came visiting me last night
Surrounded my old stagecoach
With his eerie light
He was pounding on my windows
Rattling my wheels
I may not be The Devil
But I know just how he feels.
Thank God I'm on the road tonight
With this old hillbilly band.
We may not be good looking
But we sure get outta hand
Was that The Devil's stagecoach
Flying over the Rio Grande?
Thank God I'm on the road tonight
With this old hillbilly band.
Nothing Is Perfect
There's plenty of food on the table
Lots of love in the house
The children all do what they're able to do
We got so much to be happy about.
I got a woman standing beside me
She really knows how to stand by her man
She's strong and she's soft and she's honest to me
She really helps me to be a good man.
But nothing is perfect in God's perfect plan
Look in the shadow to see
He only gave us the good things so we'd understand
What life without them would be.
There's plenty of wheat on the prairies
Lots of coal in the mines
We got soldiers so strong they can bury their dead
And still not go back shooting blind.
There's women and men on the workforce
Doing forty hours plus overtime
So the hostages held at the airport
Can come home to something worthwhile.
But nothing is perfect in God's perfect plan
Look in the shadow to see
He only gave us the good things so we'd understand
What life without them would be.
And there's plenty of food on the table
Lots of love in the house
The children all do what they're able to do
We got so much to be happy about.
I got a woman standing beside me
She really knows how to stand by her man
She's strong and she's soft and she's honest to me
It really helps me to be a good man.
But nothing is perfect in God's perfect plan
He only gave us the good things so we'd understand.
No, nothing is perfect in God's perfect plan.
Grey Riders
The night was cold
And the wind was howling
I was awaken by the sound
Of hoof beats pounding.
Outside the window, on the ground
Our hound dog was growling
Grey Riders flew across my lawn
I looked again and they all were gone.
That voice was calling
And it cut through the night
Come on boys, let her go.
Up on a hill
They rode in one long column
They were freezing with the chills
Of the new day dawning.
Their hair long and grey
They heard just one voice calling
Grey Riders on the morning sky,
The sun made diamonds of their road-weary eyes.
That voice is calling
And it cut through the night
Come on boys, let her go.
The night was cold
And the wind was howling
I was awaken by the sound
Of hoof beats pounding.
Outside the window, on the ground
Our hound dog was growling
Grey Riders flew across my lawn
I looked again and they all were gone.
That voice was calling
And it cut through the night
Come on boys, let her go.
Beautiful Bluebird
One mornin' when I was ridin'
In my old pickup truck
A beautiful bluebird came flyin' down
My eyes caught the color
As it lead me down the road
Dippin' and bobbin' in the sun
I've never seen that blue before
'cept in one place
And she's not here with me right now
So I followed all the way
To the top of the hill
That's where she kept on climbin' Lord
Someday I will
Beautiful bluebird
See how she flies
Looks like she's always goin' home
If heaven had a window
Where the sun came shinin' through
Like a beautiful bluebird
I'd come flyin' back to you
Well it kind of struck me funny
Sort of made me smile
After all these years on this old road
How God could show me somethin'
Never say a word
There's so much that I don't know
I've never seen that blue before
Except in one place
And she's not here with me right now
I followed all the way to the top of the hill
That's where she kept on climbin' Lord
And someday I will
Beautiful bluebird
See how she flies
Looks like she's always goin' home
If heaven had a window
Where the sun came shinin' through
Like a beautiful bluebird
I'd come flyin' back to you
Beautiful bluebird
See how she flies
Looks like she's always goin' home
If heaven had a window
Where the sun came shinin' through
Like a beautiful bluebird
I'd come flyin' back to you
Leavin' The Top 40 Behind
Here comes another day
And another
I got so many ills and pills
I'm about to smother
Hit 39, leavin' the top 40 behind
Holdin' on to what I got
I tried to tell myself
It doesn't matter
It's just the time of life
Another rung in the ladder
Each morning I
Look in her sky-blue eyes
The downside of life looks better
That old man standin' on the corner
He should be proud of those lines on his face
'cos either he's been laughin' too much
Or feelin' too much pain
Here comes another day
And another
I sure am glad
I got you for a lover
Hit 39, leavin' the top 40 behind
Holdin' on to what I got
That old man standin' on the corner
He should be proud of those lines on his face
'cos either he's been smilin' too much
Or feelin' too much pain
Here comes another day
And another
I sure am glad
I got you for a lover
Hit 39, I'm leavin' the top 40 behind
Holdin' on to what I got
Hit 39, leavin' the top 40 behind
Holdin' on to what I got
Time Off For Good Behavior
My brother went to prison
He's in Kingston doin' time
He got seven years for sellin'
What I've been smokin' all my life
Time off for good behavior
But the boy don't feel too good
Locked behind those steel bars
I don't know if he should
Yeh a few years ago they called me
Back home to get a big award
They also called my brother
But they made him say "My Lord"
They locked me up in a Hall of Fame
And threw away the keys
But when they put my brother away
It really did somethin' to me
Now I'm guilty as hell for sayin'
"Boy you better go back home"
You know you'll get a fair shake there
We're running all alone
When he called me up from the border
With the Mounties on his tail
I said go back to Canada
We can raise the bail
Now I get these letters
From a cell with no TV
He says he's outside one hour
And inside twenty three
Time off for good behavior
But the boy don't feel too good
Locked behind those steel bars
I don't know if he should
Now I'm guilty as hell for sayin'
"Boy you better go back home"
You know you'll get a fair shake there
We're running all alone
When he called me up from the border
With the Mounties on his tail
I said go back to Canada
We can raise the bail
My brother went to prison
He's in Kingston doin' time
He got seven years for sellin'
What I've been smokin' all my life
Your Love Again
I don't wanna bring you down
I don't wanna change you
All I want is
Your love again
You and I want different things
But we need each other
All I want is
Your love again
Love is always changin' faces
Who knows what it means
The whole World is tryin' to find
The answer to its' dreams
Why should we lose what we got
We could rearrange it
All I want is
Your love again
I don't wanna break your heart
I just wanna hold you
All I want is
Your love again
You and I knew from the start
Now we gotta make it happen
All I need is
Your love again
When you walked into my life
On the heels of a dream
I thought I saw in your eyes
A little bit of me
I don't wanna change your life
I just wanna share it
All I want is
Your love again
All I want is
Your love again
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