1. _ Caribbean Wind
She was the rose of sharon from paradise lost
From the city of seven hills near the place of the cross.
I was playing a show in miami in the theater of divine comedy.
Told about jesus, told about the rain,
She told me about the jungle where her brothers were slain
By a man who danced on the roof of the embassy.
Was she a child or a woman, i can't say which
From one to another she could to easily switch
We went into the wall to where the long arm of the law could not reach.
Could i been used and played as a pawn?
It certainly was possible as the gay night wore on
Where men bathed in perfume and celebrated free speech.
And them caribbean winds still blow from nassau to mexico
Fanning the flames in the furnace of desire
And them distant ships of liberty on them iron waves so bold and free,
Bringing everything that's near to me nearer to the fire.
She looked into my soul through the clothes that i wore
She said, "we got a mutual friend over by the door,
And you know he's got our best interest in mind."
He was well connected but her heart was a snare
And she had left him to die in there,
There were payments due and he was a little behind.
The cry of the peacock, flies buzz my head,
Ceiling fan broken, there's a heat in my bed,
Street band playing "nearer my god to thee."
We met at the steeple where the mission bells ring,
She said, "i know what you're thinking, but there ain't a thing
You can do about it, so let us just agree to agree."
And them caribbean winds still blow from nassau to mexico
Fanning the flames in the furnace of desire
And them distant ships of liberty on them iron waves so bold and free,
Bringing everything that's near to me nearer to the fire.
Atlantic city by the cold grey sea
I hear a voice crying, "daddy," i always think it's for me,
But it's only the silence in the buttermilk hills that call.
Every new messenger brings evil report
'bout armies on the march and time that is short
And famines and earthquakes and hatred written upon walls.
Would i have married her? i don't know, i suppose.
She had bells in her braids and they hung to her toes
But i kept hearing my name and i had to be movin' on.
I saw screws break loose, saw the devil pound tin,
I saw a house in the country being torn from within.
I heard my ancestors calling from the land far beyond.
And them caribbean winds still blow from nassau to mexico
Fanning the flames in the furnace of desire
And them distant ships of liberty on them iron waves so bold and free,
Bringing everything that's near to me nearer to the fire.
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2. _ Up To Me
Everything went from bad to worse, money never changed a thing,
Death kept followin', trackin' us down, at least i heard your bluebird sing.
Now somebody's got to show their hand, time is an enemy,
I know you're long gone,
I guess it must be up to me.
If i'd thought about it i never would've done it, i guess i would've let it slide,
If i'd lived my life by what others were thinkin', the heart inside me would've died.
I was just too stubborn to ever be governed by enforced insanity,
Someone had to reach for the risin' star,
I guess it was up to me.
Oh, the union central is pullin' out and the orchids are in bloom,
I've only got me one good shirt left and it smells of stale perfume.
In fourteen months i've only smiled once and i didn't do it consciously,
Somebody's got to find your trail,
I guess it must be up to me.
It was like a revelation when you betrayed me with your touch,
I'd just about convinced myself that nothin' had changed that much.
The old rounder in the iron mask slipped me the master key,
Somebody had to unlock your heart,
He said it was up to me.
Well, i watched you slowly disappear down into the officers' club,
I would've followed you in the door but i didn't have a ticket stub.
So i waited all night 'til the break of day, hopin' one of us could get free,
When the dawn came over the river bridge,
I knew it was up to me.
Oh, the only decent thing i did when i worked as a postal clerk
Was to haul your picture down off the wall near the cage where i used to work.
Was i a fool or not to try to protect your identity?
You looked a little burned out, my friend,
I thought it might be up to me.
Well, i met somebody face to face and i had to remove my hat,
She's everything i need and love but i can't be swayed by that.
It frightens me, the awful truth of how sweet life can be,
But she ain't a-gonna make me move,
I guess it must be up to me.
We heard the sermon on the mount and i knew it was too complex,
It didn't amount to anything more than what the broken glass reflects.
When you bite off more than you can chew you pay the penalty,
Somebody's got to tell the tale,
I guess it must be up to me.
Well, dupree came in pimpin' tonight to the thunderbird cafe,
Crystal wanted to talk to him, i had to look the other way.
Well, i just can't rest without you, love, i need your company,
But you ain't a-gonna cross the line,
I guess it must be up to me.
There's a note left in the bottle, you can give it to estelle,
She's the one you been wond'rin' about, but there's really nothin' much to tell.
We both heard voices for a while, now the rest is history,
Somebody's got to cry some tears,
I guess it must be up to me.
So go on, boys, and play your hands, life is a pantomime,
The ringleaders from the county seat say you don't have all that much time.
And the girl with me behind the shades, she ain't my property,
One of us has got to hit the road,
I guess it must be up to me.
And if we never meet again, baby, remember me,
How my lone guitar played sweet for you that old-time melody.
And the harmonica around my neck, i blew it for you, free,
No one else could play that tune,
You know it was up to me.
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3. _ Jet Pilot
Well, she's got jet pilot eyes from her hips on down.
All the bombardiers are trying to force her out of town.
She's five feet nine and she carries a monkey wrench.
She weighs more by the foot than she does by the inch.
She got all the downtown boys, all at her command
But you've got to watch her closely 'cause she ain't no woman
She's a man.
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4. _ Percy's Song
Bad news, bad news,
Come to me where i sleep,
Turn, turn, turn again.
Sayin' one of your friends
Is in trouble deep,
Turn, turn to the rain
And the wind.
Tell me the trouble,
Tell once to my ear,
Turn, turn, turn again.
Joliet prison
And ninety-nine years,
Turn, turn to the rain
And the wind.
Oh what's the charge
Of how this came to be,
Turn, turn, turn again.
Manslaughter
In the highest of degree,
Turn, turn to the rain
And the wind.
I sat down and wrote
The best words i could write,
Turn, turn, turn again.
Explaining to the judge
I'd be there on wednesday night,
Turn, turn to the rain
And the wind.
Without a reply,
I left by the moon,
Turn, turn, turn again.
And was in his chambers
By the next afternoon,
Turn, turn to the rain
And the wind.
Could ya tell me the facts?
I said without fear,
Turn, turn, turn again.
That a friend of mine
Would get ninety-nine years,
Turn, turn to the rain
And the wind.
A crash on the highway
Flew the car to a field,
Turn, turn, turn again.
There was four persons killed
And he was at the wheel,
Turn, turn to the rain
And the wind.
But i knew him as good
As i'm knowin' myself,
Turn, turn, turn again.
And he wouldn't harm a life
That belonged to someone else,
Turn, turn to the rain
And the wind.
The judge spoke
Out of the side of his mouth,
Turn, turn, turn again.
Sayin', "the witness who saw,
He left little doubt,"
Turn, turn to the rain
And the wind.
That may be true,
He's got a sentence to serve,
Turn, turn, turn again.
But ninety-nine years,
He just don't deserve,
Turn, turn to the rain
And the wind.
Too late, too late,
For his case it is sealed,
Turn, turn, turn again.
His sentence is passed
And it cannot be repealed,
Turn, turn to the rain
And the wind.
But he ain't no criminal
And his crime it is none,
Turn, turn, turn again.
What happened to him
Could happen to anyone,
Turn, turn to the rain
And the wind.
And at that the judge jerked forward
And his face it did freeze,
Turn, turn, turn again.
Sayin', "could you kindly leave
My office now, please,"
Turn, turn to the rain
And the wind.
Well his eyes looked funny
And i stood up so slow,
Turn, turn, turn again.
With no other choice
Except for to go,
Turn, turn to the rain
And the wind.
I walked down the hallway
And i heard his door slam,
Turn, turn, turn again.
I walked down the courthouse stairs
And i did not understand,
Turn, turn to the rain
And the wind.
And i played my guitar
Through the night to the day,
Turn, turn, turn again.
And the only tune
My guitar could play
Was, "oh the cruel rain
And the wind."
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5. _ Abandoned Love
I can hear the turning of the key
I've been deceived by the clown inside of me.
I thought that he was righteous but he's vain
Oh, something's a-telling me i wear the ball and chain.
My patron saint is a-fighting with a ghost
He's always off somewhere when i need him most.
The spanish moon is rising on the hill
But my heart is a-tellin' me i love ya still.
I come back to the town from the flaming moon
I see you in the streets, i begin to swoon.
I love to see you dress before the mirror
Won't you let me in your room one time 'fore i finally disappear?
Everybody's wearing a disguise
To hide what they've got left behind their eyes.
But me, i can't cover what i am
Wherever the children go i'll follow them.
I march in the parade of liberty
But as long as i love you i'm not free.
How long must i suffer such abuse
Won't you let me see you smile one time before i turn you loose?
I've given up the game, i've got to leave,
The pot of gold is only make-believe.
The treasure can't be found by men who search
Whose gods are dead and whose queens are in the church.
We sat in an empty theater and we kissed,
I asked ya please to cross me off-a your list.
My head tells me it's time to make a change
But my heart is telling me i love ya but you're strange.
One more time at midnight, near the wall
Take off your heavy make-up and your shawl.
Won't you descend from the throne, from where you sit?
Let me feel your love one more time before i abandon it.
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6. _ Baby, I'm In The Mood For You
Sometimes i'm in the mood, i wanna leave my lonesome home
And sometimes i'm in the mood, i wanna hear my milk cow moan
And sometimes i'm in the mood, i wanna hit the highway road
But then again, but then again, i said oh, i said oh, i said
Oh babe, i'm in the mood for you.
Sometimes i'm in the mood, lord, i had my overflowin' fill
Sometimes i'm in the mood, i'm gonna make out my final will
Sometimes i'm in the mood, i'm gonna head for the walkin' hill
But then again, but then again, i said oh, i said oh, i said
Oh babe, i'm in the mood for you.
Sometimes i'm in the mood, i wanna lay right down and die
Sometimes i'm in the mood, i wanna climb up to the sky
Sometimes i'm in the mood, i'm gonna laugh until i cry
But then again, i said again, i said again, i said
Oh babe, i'm in the mood for you.
Sometimes i'm in the mood, i'm gonna sleep in my pony's stall
Sometimes i'm in the mood, i ain't gonna do nothin' at all
Sometimes i'm in the mood, i wanna fly like a cannon ball
But then again, but then again, i said oh, i said oh, i said
Oh babe, i'm in the mood for you.
Sometimes i'm in the mood, i wanna back up against the wall
Sometimes i'm in the mood, i wanna run till i have to crawl
Sometimes i'm in the mood, i ain't gonna do nothin' at all
But then again, but then again, i said oh, i said oh, i said
Oh babe, i'm in the mood for you.
Sometimes i'm in the mood, i wanna change my house around
Sometimes i'm in the mood, i'm gonna make a change in this here town
Sometimes i'm in the mood, i'm gonna change the world around
But then again, but then again, i said oh, i said oh, i said
Oh babe, i'm in the mood for you.
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7. _ I Wanna Be Your Lover
Well, the rainman comes with his magic wand
And the judge says, "mona can't have no bond."
And the walls collide, mona cries,
And the rainman leaves in the wolfman's disguise.
I wanna be your lover, baby, i wanna be your man.
I wanna be your lover, baby,
I don't wanna be hers, i wanna be yours.
Well, the undertaker in his midnight suit
Says to the masked man, "ain't you cute!"
Well, the mask man he gets up on the shelf
And he says, "you ain't so bad yourself."
I wanna be your lover, baby, i wanna be your man.
I wanna be your lover, baby,
I don't wanna be hers, i wanna be yours.
Well, jumpin' judy can't go no higher.
She had bullets in her eyes, and they fire.
Rasputin he's so dignified,
He touched the back of her head an' he died.
I wanna be your lover, baby, i wanna be your man.
I wanna be your lover, baby,
I don't wanna be hers, i wanna be yours.
Well, phaedra with her looking glass,
Stretchin' out upon the grass.
She gets all messed up and she faints
That's 'cause she's so obvious and you ain't.
I wanna be your lover, baby, i wanna be your man.
I wanna be your lover, baby,
I don't wanna be hers, i wanna be yours.
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8. _ John Brown
John brown went off to war to fight on a foreign shore.
His mama sure was proud of him!
He stood straight and tall in his uniform and all.
His mama's face broke out all in a grin.
"oh son, you look so fine, i'm glad you're a son of mine,
You make me proud to know you hold a gun.
Do what the captain says, lots of medals you will get,
And we'll put them on the wall when you come home."
As that old train pulled out, john's ma began to shout,
Tellin' ev'ryone in the neighborhood:
"that's my son that's about to go, he's a soldier now, you know."
She made well sure her neighbors understood.
She got a letter once in a while and her face broke into a smile
As she showed them to the people from next door.
And she bragged about her son with his uniform and gun,
And these things you called a good old-fashioned war.
Oh! good old-fashioned war!
Then the letters ceased to come, for a long time they did not come.
They ceased to come for about ten months or more.
Then a letter finally came saying, "go down and meet the train.
Your son's a-coming home from the war."
She smiled and went right down, she looked everywhere around
But she could not see her soldier son in sight.
But as all the people passed, she saw her son at last,
When she did she could hardly believe her eyes.
Oh his face was all shot up and his hand was all blown off
And he wore a metal brace around his waist.
He whispered kind of slow, in a voice she did not know,
While she couldn't even recognize his face!
Oh! lord! not even recognize his face.
"oh tell me, my darling son, pray tell me what they done.
How is it you come to be this way?"
He tried his best to talk but his mouth could hardly move
And the mother had to turn her face away.
"don't you remember, ma, when i went off to war
You thought it was the best thing i could do?
I was on the battleground, you were home . . . acting proud.
You wasn't there standing in my shoes."
"oh, and i thought when i was there, god, what am i doing here?
I'm a-tryin' to kill somebody or die tryin'.
But the thing that scared me most was when my enemy came close
And i saw that his face looked just like mine."
Oh! lord! just like mine!
"and i couldn't help but think, through the thunder rolling and stink,
That i was just a puppet in a play.
And through the roar and smoke, this string is finally broke,
And a cannon ball blew my eyes away."
As he turned away to walk, his ma was still in shock
At seein' the metal brace that helped him stand.
But as he turned to go, he called his mother close
And he dropped his medals down into her hand.
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9. _ Lay Down Your Weary Tune
Lay down your weary tune, lay down,
Lay down the song you strum,
And rest yourself 'neath the strength of strings
No voice can hope to hum.
Struck by the sounds before the sun,
I knew the night had gone.
The morning breeze like a bugle blew
Against the drums of dawn.
Lay down your weary tune, lay down,
Lay down the song you strum,
And rest yourself 'neath the strength of strings
No voice can hope to hum.
The ocean wild like an organ played,
The seaweed's wove its strands.
The crashin' waves like cymbals clashed
Against the rocks and sands.
Lay down your weary tune, lay down,
Lay down the song you strum,
And rest yourself 'neath the strength of strings
No voice can hope to hum.
I stood unwound beneath the skies
And clouds unbound by laws.
The cryin' rain like a trumpet sang
And asked for no applause.
Lay down your weary tune, lay down,
Lay down the song you strum,
And rest yourself 'neath the strength of strings
No voice can hope to hum.
The last of leaves fell from the trees
And clung to a new love's breast.
The branches bare like a banjo played
To the winds that listened best.
I gazed down in the river's mirror
And watched its winding strum.
The water smooth ran like a hymn
And like a harp did hum.
Lay down your weary tune, lay down,
Lay down the song you strum,
And rest yourself 'neath the strength of strings
No voice can hope to hum.
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10. _ Sarah Jane
I got a wife and five little chillun
I'm gonna take a trip on the big McMillan
With Saro Jane
Saro Jane
Ain't nothin' to do
But to set down and sing
And rock about my Saro Jane
The boiler busted and the whistle squall
The Captain gone through the hole-in-the-wall
Oh Saro Jane
Saro Jane
Ain't nothin' to do
But to set down and sing
And rock about my Saro Jane
The engine give a crack and the whistle gave a squall
The engineer gone to the hole-in-the-wall
Saro Jane
Saro Jane
Ain't nothin' to do
But to set down and sing
And rock about my Saro Jane
Yankee built boats to shoot them Rebels
My gun's steady gonna hold it level
Saro Jane
Saro Jane
But to set down and sing
And rock about my Saro Jane
I got a wife and five little chillun
I'm gonna take a trip on the big McMillan
Saro Jane
Saro Jane
Ain't nothin' to do
But to set down and sing
And rock about my Saro Jane
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11. _ Mixed Up Confusion
I got mixed up confusion
Man, it's a-killin' me
Well, there's too many people
And they're all too hard to please
Well, my hat's in my hand
Babe, i'm walkin' down the line
An' i'm lookin' for a woman
Whose head's mixed up like mine
Well, my head's full of questions
My temp'rature's risin' fast
Well, i'm lookin' for some answers
But i don't know who to ask
But i'm walkin' and wonderin'
And my poor feet don't ever stop
Seein' my reflection
I'm hung over, hung down, hung up!
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12. _ Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window?
He sits in your room, his tomb, with a fist full of tacks
Preoccupied with his vengeance
Cursing the dead that can't answer him back
I'm sure that he has no intentions
Of looking your way, unless it's to say
That he needs you to test his inventions.
Can you please crawl out your window?
Use your arms and legs it won't ruin you
How can you say he will haunt you?
You can go back to him any time you want to.
He looks so truthful, is this how he feels
Trying to peel the moon and expose it
With his businesslike anger and his bloodhounds that kneel
If he needs a third eye he just grows it
He just needs you to talk or to hand him his chalk
Or pick it up after he throws it.
Can you please crawl out your window?
Use your arms and legs it won't ruin you
How can you say he will haunt you?
You can go back to him any time you want to.
Why does he look so righteous while your face is so changed
Are you frightened of the box you keep him in
While his genocide fools and his friends rearrange
Their religion of the little ten women
That backs up their views but your face is so bruised
Come on out the dark is beginning.
Can you please crawl out your window?
Use your arms and legs it won't ruin you
How can you say he will haunt you?
You can go back to him any time you want to.
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