I got a mother, I got a father
Diamond lace and a stark white collar
She looks good, He makes the dollars
I’m just free to do what I wanna,
oh, I gotta run, run run, I gotta run
Momma’s at ease in socialite graces
Poppa remembers the names with the faces
I can speak on the topic of religion
I just can’t seem to make a clear decision
So I gotta run- run, run, run to the City of Refuge
I gotta run, I gotta run
Momma’s got a lover, Poppa’s thinks he’s sober
Pray on my knees the clouds keep rolling over
torn diamond lace, and booze on his collar
They never ask if the secrets pull me under
Under white sheets where all I do is wonder
When I’m gonna run- run, run, run
Run to the City of Refuge
Where everyone is made new
I gotta run, I gotta run
Where there’s a mother, where there’s a father
Adam’s on the roof and Eve is in the gutter
Eden’s on the far side where the circle started
To run with the Gods you gotta run harder
Run run run
Run to the City of Refuge
Where everyone is made new
Where our burdens lay in the towns where we came from
Take all my money
Take all my dreams
I’ll swim all across your ravaging seas
Just don’t play me the fool
Don’t make it all new
It’s time time time time time
Bring me my queen
She takes all my love, takes all my notions
Tears them all down til the earth loses motion
Bring me my queen (2)
She takes all my love, takes all my notions
Tears them all down to the ground
Oh, bring me my queen
She takes all your friends
Takes all your lovers
Buries all their bodies in her heart’s deepest cover
Just don’t play her the fool
Don’t make it all new
It’s time time time time time
Bring me my queen
She takes all my love, takes all my notions
Tears them all down til the earth loses motion
Bring me my queen (2)
She takes all my love, takes all my notions
Tears them all down to the ground
Oh, bring me my queen
The first day I stepped foot in this fair country
Border man took my paper, told me I would be free
Border man took my paper, told me I was now free
Walkin’ out into the open air, well, what did I see
Birds flyin on a west wind, sure an omen for me
Opened up my momma’s suitcase, saw the holes in my shoes
Kicked off my old home soil knowin’ I couldn’t lose
I kicked off that dried-up soil knowin’ I couldn’t lose
Wear my hands down on three jobs from morning thru night
Weary eyes don’t see the difference’tween the dark and the light
Weary eyes don’t see the difference’tween the dark and the light
10 years later poppa wrote me sayin mama had died
Wish that I could see her face now, the hope in her eyes
Wish that I could see her face now, the hope in her eyes
I’m just old now, all alone, in a land of fertile lies
I see my unborn babies, tired birds in the sky
I see my unborn babies, tired birds in the sky
Before I die grant me one thing, grant one thing to me
Don’t let me dream of nectar, make me the fruit on the tree
Rails don’t run in circles
Like this gun they only shoot straight lines
Can’t stop trying to bend the ground I’ve covered now
And the clock ticks louder when I try to slow it down
None can judge the things I done here
I did what I had to do, and just a little bit more
Rows of faces who would never see me anyhow
I’ll hitch to Juneau ‘fore they figure it out
Can't you hear that last train come rollin'
Come to carry old days away
Can't you hear the hard times and high times
Slippin away
A sideways rain won’t hurt ya, Like memories it only sharpens time
He had the lost look of an angel in a broken town
And I could just as well have thought to never come around
Love didn’t have it in her
Dark and heavy like a twisted child
Spilt the waters of a rough and trashed out sea
Left me running on the frontage road off Highway 3
People lie for a reason
Like the law they make up your mind
Police never found me when I needed’em anyhow
And I sure don’e need’em now
It started out simple, started out clean
like a starlit night, smell of rain
But the days stacked up and the air grew thin
Gravity pullin. pullin me down in
Push up from the bed, feel my feet hit the floor
Dreamt I was runnin thru a field of fog
Now there's shandows in my tracks but I ain't lookin' back
at the rest of you
Hey I’m trying so hard to see the light, see the light
To see it burn thru
Hey I’m trying so hard to see the light, see the light
To see it burn thru, hey hey hey
I’m not going down with the rest of you
I’m not going down with the rest of you
No you're asking for answers, you want a clarion call
But your drowning in echoes, bouncing off walls
I ain't no prophet, I got no horn to blow
So let the darkness fall, let the sky char to black
Let the animals out, let the plague come back
I say now rock me in the morning burn my body out
til the light comes thru, til ya gotta shout
We all want something else, we all want something else
This kiss is a crime
Let’s not waste time
The cover of night is breaking
They even the score
We capture 5 more
Make a forbidden offering
Our heads are two states
Let’s pull down the gates
Declaring freedom
Send out our armies
Bring death to our colonies
Our harmony drowns out the cries of our generals
Climb up to a treetop
I’ll be on a mountaintop
Looking for you across the valley
The birds pull you higher
While the sky’s on fire
Crying for the dying daylight
I need you, I need you, I need you
Our bodies are pyres
Waiting for fire
The judge and generals claim jurisdiction
The faithful assemble
The crowd starts to tremble
The gavel it rises and begins to fall
Treason proclaimed
Pyres burst into flames
Two souls ride the sparks into the blue
This world is a shackle
Let’s shout til it rattles
Bring down the walls of Jericho
On this road of life you have harbored pain and strife
standing at the gates of hell
Oh, but when you hear it ring it will end all suffering
It’s God’s Great Divine Bell
Hear it ring
Hear it ring
All the joy that it brings
How loud must be the sound to turn this world around
To God’s great Divine Bell
To God’s great Divine Bell
You have washed your hands of sin in the blood of the lamb
But you drank from Satan’s well
But when you here it toll heaven and earth are gonna roll
To God’s great Divine Bell
This world’s gone wrong and it won’t be long
Till man shall fall
But I’ll pay no mind to that earthly chime
When I hear that Divine Bell
Bright morning stars are rising
Day is a breakin in my soul
And where are our dear fathers
They're down in the valley a praying
Day is a breakin in my soul
And where are our dear mothers
They've gone up to heaven a shouting
Day is a breakin in my soul
Dark sky’s here, no one’s near Except I think I feel you
Sun comes round, and no sound Except the ringing blue
all too loud
Everywhere I go I look for you
Do you look for me where you go too?
Coldest day is here, skies are clear
Except your blinding constellation
Still you fall behind the west
Except this beating tune in my chest
Everywhere I go I look for you
Do you look for me where you go too?
Tomorrow is here, I’m further near
Except this losing revelation
You are closer yet in my mind
They say the tardy fruit’s
A fuller wine
Everywhere I go I look for you
Do you look for me where you are too?
There are strange things that happen everyday
I said there are strange things that happen everyday
There is one thing I do know, things are happenin’ never happened before
Strange things are happenin’ everyday
Well ships are sinking in the ocean
Planes are having collusion in the air
Well people you may not believe it
But there’s something wrong somewhere
Well no matter where you go, hear about a thing you never heard before
Strange things are happenin’ everyday
Some poor wish that they were dead
Some are glad to be alive
We have some who are killin’ eachother
Some are commitin’ suicide
Well there is a better way if you just fall on your knees and pray
Strange things are happening everyday
My God is riding on the water
And he’s riding through the stormy land
Well, people you better get ready
Do as my God command, he says
As you see me go today, I’ll be back the same old way
Strange things are happening everyday
You can tell a flower to bloom
On the other side of the moon
But for you and me it’s hard to see her glory in the sun
Even if she climbs high into an ashen sky
A fading light far out of sight
will signal her blooming day
So a spaceship we must build
Set off from our window sill
The journey’s long to carry on, especially in the dark
Even if we ask a distant star where the blooming flowers are
She may shoot us back on her jumbled ray
To the land from whence we came
but from space we’ll see
They built a great big wall in China
Built it up to the pearly gates
I wanna land right beside her
Hither come what may
The storyteller stands
Upon the city gate and says,
“I too have seen a coming dream
I talked to stars,
got close to mars,
got shot back to where we are
I wish all could see what I have seen
The trembling light of a distant flower in the night
They built a great big wall in China
Built it up to the pearly gates
Gotta take down the banner boys
Hope it’s not too late
Grain falling from the sky
What a vision oh me, oh my
Leave the chaffe for a bitter rain
The gods knew you’d call my name
No, I don’t know why, I don’t know why,
No, I don’t know why you love me
No, I don’t know why but, oh, you do
Spider crawling up my thigh
What a vision oh me, oh my
Laid its silk along my vein
The gods knew you’d stake this claim
Thistle hair and a mangey train and no one no one no one else to blame
Laden steps on a drifting plane and two more two more steps
and I’ll make my way to you
Celestial body in your blinking eye
What a vision oh me, oh my
Stayed its course to ease my pain
The gods knew which stars to hang
Oh the water, oh the water, so clear and blue and free
Thought I heard old big leg Lula
Calling me boys, singing come on home
If I can just make it through January and February
I’ll march on through boys, I’ll march on through
Oh the water, oh the water, so clear and blue and free
I asked the foreman what time of day it was
He was so hard-hearted, he just walked away
I asked the judge what be my crime
He said if I don’t hang you I’ll give you 99
If you wanna please your captain
Sink’em low boys, raise’em high
Sink’em low boys, sink’em low boys
Sink’em low boys, raise’em high
Hail the Captain, hail his gun
Hail the chiefman and his prodigal son
I’ve seen him preaching, and I’ve seen him run
I’ve read his bible, I don’t owe him none
I don’t owe him none boys, I don’t owe him non
I’ll be a witness to the rising sun
If you wanna please your captain
Sink’em low boys, raise’em high
Sink’em low boys, raise’em high
Goin’ around this world baby mine
Goin’ around this world baby mine
Goin’ around this world, I’m a banjo pickin’ girl
I’m goin’ around this world baby mine
Goin’ to Tennessee baby mine
Goin’ to Tennessee baby mine
Goin’ to Tennessee don’t you try and follow me
Goin’ to Tennessee baby mine
Goin’ around this world baby mine
Goin’ around this world baby mine
Goin’ around this world, I’m a banjo pickin’ girl
I’m goin’ around this world baby mine
Goin’ to Chattanooga baby mine
Goin’ to Chattanooga baby mine
Goin’ to Chattanooga and from there on to Cuba
Goin’ to Chattanooga baby mine
Goin’ to North Carolina baby mine
Goin’ to North Carolina baby mine
Goin’ to North Carolina and from there off to China
I’m goin’ off to China baby mine
I’m goin’ across the ocean baby mine
I’m goin’ across the ocean baby mine
I’m goin’ across the ocean no, now don’t you change my notion
I’m goin’ across the ocean baby mine
They been thinking all day and the day before
But now they’re tired don’t wanna think no more
So they call you sugar and they call you pie
They say you’re pretty and they get you high
And that’s alright with me
Nothin’ wrong with feelin’ good, nothin’ wrong with feelin’ good, nothin’ wrong with feelin’ fine
He been drinking all day and the day before
Got so tired, he’d never drink no more
So he went down to 5th street and MLK
Bought some cocaine and there he stayed
I sat up all night and the night before
Thought he’d come back, sure as I was born
So I turned on the TV, watchin’ reality crime
Strapped’er up, wait for the end of time
But that’s all right with me
Nothin’ wrong with feelin’ good, nothin’ wrong with feelin’ good, nothin’ wrong with feelin’ fine
I been sorry all day and the day before
But now I’m tired, don’t wanna hurt no more
I’m gonna get on a plane, go up to the sky
Clouds won’t bother, won’t ask me why
So call me sugar and call me pie
Say I’m pretty and get me high
Nothin’ wrong with feelin’ good, nothin’ wrong with feelin’ good, nothin’ wrong with feelin’ fine
I know, I know, I know you
I know you know you know me too
So, when the sun went down
And I lost your eyes
I prayed to God let the light
Shine off you again
It ain’t easy leavin’ you
Without a sound
I remove your crown
Your green dress glows
As the stars go round
I pray to God let the darkness
Cheat the dawning light
So, when the sun went down
And I lost your eyes
I prayed to God let the light
Shine off you again
It ain’t easy leavin’ you
I know, I know, I know you
I know you know you know me too
Lonely lake in Minnesota Dying tree in Ashtabula Rains came in yesterday Fleeting hearts are here to stay Sometimes I change my mind Sometimes I think its fine
Crying boy in Baton Rouge Troubled men in this town too Passing strangers touch my sleeve All I do is think of me Sometimes I change my mind Sometimes I think its fine
Burning house in tupelo Devil's fire from down below Politician sang to me Someday girl we'll all be free Sometimes I change my mind Sometimes I think its fine
Me and Dixie, we'd waste away Sleep thru the night and all the next day Sleep thru the sun, rain, and moon Here in this room
Oh, rockabye my Dixie child Oh, rockabye my Dixie child
Me and Dixie, we rolled and dreamed Time held us alone in this world it seemed Then morning broke and awoke You from me
So, come back Dixie, I’ll rock you to sleep Back to our dreams, our twisted sheets Cradle your fading stars In my arms
Some folks say the times are hard I just say oh my lord Coffee's cold and I been sold for half a dollar bill
Every seed that I do sow harvest time nothin's grown Coffee's cold and I been sold for half a dollar bill
Fore I have ten dollars saved I'll be resting in my grave Coffee's cold and I been sold for half a dollar bill
I been broke a thousand times no one cares to spare a dime Coffee's cold and I been sold for half a dollar bill
When I lay my burden down peace nor comfort have I found Coffee's cold and I been sold for half a dollar bill
Angels I am on my knees but you'll never sing for me Coffee's cold and I been sold for half a dollar bill
Some folks say the times are hard I just say, oh my lord Coffee's cold and I been sold for half a dollar bill
I must've been four when you touched my arm Skies were red and blazing I heard a moan in the elms above, and I knew that day was ending
I knew you'd seen your happiest day when the next morn the birds were singing We felt the same cold from the earth
It took the moon to hold the tide and set our hearts a-spinning You'd wait for dark to never come again
I'll turn my back to the calling sun if you'll rise and meet me I'll walk the road I took from you
Oh, stay a while in the red skies blazing Touch my arm and feel my burning for the day you left for the elms above to meet those birds a-singin
If a single drop of honey would bring you to me I'd break that sweet rock open And hold it out for thee
She asked him for a penny He gave her a dime She asked him to stay forever He said, "all will come in time"
She prayed for him to come back He sent a voice true She barely heard the words He said, "I'm not so far from you"
She grew old holding on He called her from afar, "You desire more than men are able Find me in your heart"Old folks told me you’re not coming home Old folks told me gotta move along Like a ripe ol' fruit on a borrowed vine I hang around, oh, lord, I hang around
Eve stole the apple from the tree good lord I know she could be me, I know she could be me
Big brother told me I got something wrong Big brother told me sing a different song Like a tolling bell in its final hour I'll make a sound, oh, lord, I'll make one sound
Another man done gone he sang this song good lord I know he could be me, I know he could be me
'Round the mountain there's another shore 'Round the corner there's another door Like a bleeding man on his native soil I'll stand my ground, oh lord, I'll stand my ground
They nailed him to the cross for no sin good lord' I know he could be me, I know he could be me
They nailed him to the cross Another man done gone Eve stole the apple From the tree good lord I know she could be me I know she could be me I know she could be me
Who's gonna shoe your pretty little feet Who's gonna glove your hand Who's gonna kiss your red ruby lips Who's gonna be your man
Poppa's gonna shoe my pretty little feet Momma's gonna glove my hand Sister's gonna kiss my red ruby lips I don't need no man
Fastest train I ever did ride Was a hundred coaches long The only woman I ever did love was on that train and gone
On that train and gone boys On that train and gone Only woman I ever did love Was on that train and gone
Who's gonna shoe your pretty little feet Who's gonna glove your hand Who's gonna kiss your red ruby lips Who's gonna be your man
Poppa's gonna shoe my pretty little feet Momma's gonna glove my hand Sister's gonna kiss my red ruby lips I don't need no man
I don't need no man I don't need no man Sister's gonna kiss my red ruby lips I don't need no man
Zai na yaoyuan de guxiang In that far distant land I call home
Wo shiluo liao yi ge gulao de meng I lost the ancient dream
Yi ge youshang de meng A sorrowful dream
Zai na yangyu wo de difang In that place that raised me
Wo fenbian buliao muse he chenguang I cannot discern the growing shadows of dusk and (first light) the first faint rays of the morning sun
Wo yanjuanliao chenmo he sixiang I’ve wearied in the silence and searching
Feng nanchui you zhuanxiang beifang Wind blows south and turns again north
Jianghe ben hai, hai que bu zhang River flows to the sea, yet the sea does not rise
Wo xin manliao choucheng My heart is filled with melancholy
Yu lai you shi qing bu jiuchang The rains come, clear skies will follow soon
Fuzu tianbuman linghun de kewang Even fortune and good blessings cannot quench the soul’s thirst
Zhihui dangbukai yongsheng de shuangjiang Wisdom cannot relieve us our eternal lot
Wo, Wo shi Yi zhi Mitu de gaoyang I am a lost lamb
Shei neng ying wo zouchu mimang Who will lead me from this haze?
Nar you wo chongsheng de xiwang What will bring me hope again?
O, muyangren ah Oh, shepherd
Ni zai hefang? Where are you?
Nobody's fault but mine Nobody's fault but mine If I die and my soul be lost nobody's fault but mine
I had a mother who could pray I had a mother who could pray If I die and my soul be lost nobody's fault but mine
I had a mother who could sing I had a mother who could sing If I die and my soul be lost nobody's fault but mine
Nobody's fault but mine If I die and my soul be lost If I die and my soul be lost nobody's fault but mine
Dark is the night Gray is the day It's cold outside but his halo lights my way
He says to me I wanna light you up I wanna light you up in the dark and the day My halo's bright Follow the way
It's hard to see It's hard to say I'm without knowing but his halo lights my way
The water is wide This side I can't stay I don't know where I'm going but his halo lights my way
World sits outside the door Men wai you ge shijie
A voice in your heart is calling Xinzhong you ge shengyin
The ends of the world await Sifang jiu deng ni lai
Traveling daughter Younu
Feel the sunshine on your face Lianshang gandao taiyang
Starlight guides your feet Jiaobu suizhao xingguang
Earth and Sky will carry you Tiandi zai ni zouyou
Journey after journey Zoule yi shan you yi shan
One mountain to the next Zhe shan guole ne shan lai
Voice in your heart is calling Xinzhong you ge shengyin
Deep in the night I hear the darkness Bones tell the body rest in its arms I hear the calling of life's sweet embrace resting too soon
Deep in the night I feel the stardust Blue tells the heavens fall from the sky I feel the shadows of time's own longing falling away
Deep in the night I pray a candle to tell the snowfall wait for sunrise I pray a halo of man's cold morning holds to the light
I pray a halo of man's cold morning holds thru the night
Momma, please tell me truly Even though life ain't what it should be Where can I go to fix these things inside
Cause, momma, it's hard to feel free When it's you running thru me Just take me now or throw away the key
And so it goes...
Life isn't easy and truth's a dreadful beauty And everyone wants to know where they go When they die
Momma, I can't help feeling That this pain is of your willing Cool rain from a cloud of strickenine
But maybe, just maybe This soul will die before my body And I'll live on earth in peace for evermore
And so it goes...
Lately I've thought about me Separate from your woeful morning And I can see a light ringing thru the sky
It sings of coming glory Strangely tied to this awful story It lifts the heart and gives us wings to fly
And so it goes...