jay brown

 Lyrics from Best Of Jay Brown 

Disc 1 

Maybe a Song 

What can we say, to make it real? 

The things we know, the ways we feel 

The strength we found, the hate we fear 

The rising tide, of fallen tears 

The coming dawn 

  

Maybe a song, can make it real 

A little truth, for all to feel 

To build a bridge, across our fear 

That what divides, may disappear  

However long 

  

Maybe a song, still holds the key 

To work it out, and let it be 

There is a bridge, beyond verse 3 

That we can cross, in unity 

And sing along 

  

Another song to sing as one, on its refrain 

Forget about which side you’re on, forget the game 

Time changes everything but songs, remain the same 

  

When darkness fades, and in the wings 

A shining star, lights up the scene 

Some act with grace, some just act mean 

But what remains, of this day’s dream? 

Maybe a song 

  

 

2. All the Old Legends 

There’s a song for the freeway 

There’s a song for the heartbreak 

There’s a song for the song’s sake 

A song for the loss of the thrill 

And there’s a song that you’re writin 

There’s a song still in hidin 

If you don’t try to find it 

Probably nobody will 

(Chorus #1)  Don’t bar the door she ain’t goin nowhere 

She’s seen better days but she smiles anyways 

Sayin go on and go where the lonely go dear 

Those swingin door might let a song through 

All the old legends are leavin us here 

They gave us their best then they laid down to rest 

Rivers of whisky and buckets of beer 

And the songs that we all sing along to  

  

There’s a song for a dragon 

And there’s a song to imagine 

There’s a song out of fashion 

That keeps getting better with age 

There’s a song for Muskogee 

There’s a song for the lonely 

There’s a song tryin to show me 

The key to that long lost refrain 

(Chorus #2)  The Muse is amused by her poet’s despair 

He’s seen better days but he tries anyways 

Sayin  “I’ve got to go where the lonely go dear 

Those swingin doors might let a song through 

All the old legends are leavin us here 

They gave us their best then they laid down to rest 

Rivers of whisky and buckets of beer 

And the songs that we all sing along to  

  

There’s a song for the changes 

Black birds and Brown Angels 

Blues caught up in tangles 

Ribbons that fall from the hair 

Heart of gold tryin to stay free 

Diamond shinin like crazy 

Purple rain kind of and hazy 

Fallin from heaven knows where 

(Chorus #3) You give all you got till you get what you need 

It all seems sublime when she whispers a rhyme 

Sayin I’ll meet you down where the lonely go dear 

Those swingin doors might let a song through 

All the old legends are leavin us here 

They gave us their best then they laid down to rest 

Rivers of whisky and buckets of beer 

And the songs that we all sing along to   

  

 

3. Soul to Soul 

I don’t have an enemy, not one enemy in all this world 

Its just the ones I love who ever hurt me 

Angels have been sent to me, been sent to me that’s for sure 

Only angels can shake my faith when they shout me down 

Falling tears are warm when souls are intertwining  

When we steal away in pride they’re steely cold 

Well no harm ever came from a little fightin 

Just as long as we’re fightin soul to soul 

  

Pain’s been a friend to me, been a friend, at least it stuck around 

When all the chips are down it won’t desert me 

The sweeter the memory the more the many tears come down 

Only angels can know the souls that I long to hold 

Its’ so warm to lay where souls are intertwining 

But our fears can leave us cold as any hole 

If loved sailed away we still could sail inside it 

Just as long as we’re sailin soul to soul 

  

 

4. Rainbow Children 

Turned on the news today, then I wondered what I’d done that for 

It’s another doozy of a day with the bombings and the guns and war 

Then the president will have his say, and he’ll say it like he just turned 4 

How did findin meanin get this hard? 

I walked out to feel the day and to hear a little morning song 

They sing it out as they jump and play and they never heard of singin wrong 

There is something make you feel alright when every other little thing feels wrong 

Rainbow Children, dancin in the yard 

Rainbow Children, that is what they are 

I started thinkin what the world could be if it didn’t have to be so tough 

If hungry people had their needs for free and all the wealthy said enough’s enough 

People say it isn’t nature’s way, but you’ll never see a greedy wolf 

How did greedy people get this far? 

If you take all their BS for true, well I guess that that’s the true you get 

If they get you in their game you’re through and you’re losin any way you bet 

Somethin true that I’ll bear witness to, a son and daughter sunny day duet 

Rainbow Children, dancin in the yard 

Rainbow Children, that is what they are 

They have nothin to do with all this misery 

They know it can be true that all the kids are free 

They can nurture the truth for all they wish to be 

There’s another loose tooth in this great mystery 

Walked out to feel the day and to hear a little morning song 

They sing it out as they jump and play and they never heard of singin wrong 

There is something make you feel alright when every other little thing feels wrong 

Rainbow Children, dancin in the yard 

Rainbow Children, that is what they are 

 

 

5. Nothing is Yours, Nothin is Mine 

My brother and me on the seashore, Still in the age of wonder 

Such colors we’d never seen before, and of them we made a plunder 

We carried those sea stones back home, across seven states 

But of all those magic colors, there was not a trace 

You lasso the moon,   you won’t see it shine 

Nothing is yours, nothing is mine, nothing is yours, nothing is mine 

You may be a bigshot billionaire, with your own jet airliner 

Buyin up houses everywhere, full of expensive china 

Losin your cool when they get, your order wrong 

You know all the best attorneys, but not the best songs 

Check out the birds,  you won’t hear them whine 

Nothing is yours, nothing is mine, nothing is yours, nothing is mine 

My children and me will see as one, I know they’ll give me their blessing 

Some good things are free like havin fun, jumpin in leaves and laughin 

But some things you have to pay for, so we go to work 

And there’ll be another day for, just goin bazerk 

So sing like a bird,  and feel like you’re flyin 

Nothing is yours,  nothing is mine, nothing is yours, nothing is mine 

  

 

6. Goin There With You. (chords and lyrics) 

               C                                                                G 

I don’t know, if we get to choose but I chose you 

               C                                                             G 

Movin slow, that’s a thing I used to like to do, do do do do 

  F                        e-         D                           C(addf#)  G 

Now its really flowin, not a chance of knowin where 

F                                  e-         D                      C(addf#)  G.  D. C 

Not sure where I’m goin, but I know I’m goin there 

            G. D C                G   D C        G. D. C                 G.  D. C.  G 

With you, there with you,   with you,  there with you… 

  

               C 

I don’t know how I fit into the whole grand scheme 

Let it flow, like the way you slip into my dream 

Soon as I could catch ya knew I had to letcha be 

I could walk on air-if I could getcha there with me 

With me, there with me, with me, there with me… 

    

  D/f#.   G               e-     F.   Fmaj7         D.    D7       G 

There with you ooo,   oh me oh my. Why wouldn’t I be over the moon? 

 D/f#.   G               e-        F.   Fmaj7         D.         D7         G 

There with me eee     all in your eyes, My wonderful dream over too soon 

  

            C 

I don’t know, if we get to choose but you chose me 

Goes to show, had my share of serendipity de de de de 

How my heart is growin I just wanna show and share 

Where the love is flowin, I know I’ll be goin there 

With you, there with you, with you, there with you… 

  

 

7.  Be Here Now 

It’s the age of communication 

But please don’t all talk at once 

We had a lot more peace and quiet  

Back when we communicated with grunts “huh” 

Sweet silence once was golden 

It’s a precious diamond now 

And if you ever wanna hear it shine 

Just try to Be Here Now 

Why would you try 

To carry ‘round the past so long? 

It’s like you’ll only hear the same old song 

And why would you cry 

And worry ‘bout what might happen? 

Ain’t no predictin’ where lightnin’ will be zappin’ 

And why would you lie 

And try to say that what is isn’t? 

Every moment is a gift 

That’s why they call it the present 

Be here now. 

Well some of these politicians lately 

They sure got a lot to learn 

But I don’t guess they ever will 

Cause they always fightin’ bout getting’ their turn 

They say just get me elected 

I promise I’ll getcha paid up somehow 

But we’d all be a lot better off if they’d just 

Be Here Now 

Why do they try 

To carry ‘round the past so long? 

It’s like they’ll only hear the same old song 

And why do they try 

To make us worry ‘bout what might happen? 

Ain’t no predictin’ where lightnin’ will be zappin’ 

And why do they lie 

And try to say that what is isn’t? 

Every moment is a gift 

That’s why they call it the present 

Be here now. 

  

It’s been a long time since I seen you baby  

And the mornin’s soon to come 

So let’s get right to music makin’ 

No time to tune the drum 

Mind as well get a little good lovin’ in 

Just as much as time will allow 

And I believe time will ‘low a little more 

If we just Be Here Now 

Why would we try 

To carry ‘round the past so long? 

Like we’ll only hear the same old song 

And why would we cry 

And worry ‘bout what might happen? 

Ain’t no predictin’ where lightnin’ will be zappin’ 

And why would we lie 

And try to say that what is isn’t? 

Every moment is a gift 

That’s why they call it the present 

Be here now. 

  

 

8. Dr. Sethi 

Doctor Sethi 

Your eyes and mine are fixed upon the same star 

Though we watch from worlds apart 

The sweetest sound to ever fill my humble home 

Is humming still within your heart 

I recall the tears you cried 

The night your child became my bride 

Seven times around the flame 

We share a life, a love, a name 

And though the years have moved her many miles 

When you see her now 

You see your smiling child 

Doctor Sethi 

You could have done what so many have done before 

You could have locked your daughter’s door 

But when I asked 

With humble heart and hair a mess 

Something made you tell me yes 

This child, you said, is touched by God 

I said I’d felt this all along 

You asked will I provide for her 

I said she’d be my pride in work 

And though these calloused hands no riches hold 

Each year a little more our garden grows  

Doctor Sethi 

So many times I stumble through my words to you 

Hoping not to sound untrue 

But after all 

There’s only one thing that I want to say to you 

Thank you 

  

 

9. Meditations on Mom 

The first smile I ever saw 

Was a smile that held life’s sweetness 

The promise of a poem 

The kind of smile that holds your heart 

And says you’re not alone 

That smile has been a gift to me 

As long as I’ve been around 

It’s still the sweetest smile 

I’ve ever found 

  

The first eyes that looked in mine 

Had a depth that can’t be measured 

A heart that shines in teardrops 

Eyes that look into troubled souls 

With love that lets the fear stop  

Those eyes have seen the best in me 

As long as I’ve been around 

Their still the gentlest eyes 

I’ve ever found 

  

The first song I ever heard 

Was a lullaby with blue notes 

Soothing as a gentle wind 

Even if the memory fades 

The melody will never end 

That song has been like a seed in my soul 

May it ever grow 

It’s still the sweetest song 

I’ll ever know 

  

 

10. Carmella 

Ray Charles was on the old stereo 

In the distance a train was whinin’ low 

I looked up and saw a smile sweet and mellow 

I was dancin’ on the feet of Carmella 

There were dumplins on the stove and in the air 

A lot of time love and soul had gone in there 

We couldn’t help but feel happy that day 

Carmella had made it that way 

  

And there were seven silly seventies girls 

Each one a unique little world 

And they all found their own lucky fella 

Who never fell out of love 

With Carmella 

Down the stairs come our old Papa Jack 

Heart of gold, dirty mouth, hair of black 

Everything that he’d say’d make you grin 

And Carmella would laugh like the wind. 

  

We were longing to be there again 

As we held on to each other’s hand 

Water flowed underneath our umbrella 

Seven roses at the feet of Carmella 

We had all been a babe in her arms 

Hel close to her heart like a charm 

We couldn’t help but feel happy that day 

Carmella had made it that way. 

  

 

11. Crazy Time 

Crazy Time. (Chords and Lyrics) 

D                                                 A                                      G                                  D 

Have you seen a brighter day to be outside or  Is it just the way it seems? 

                                          A                                             G                                                        D 

Nothing’s in a hurry, kind of makes a blurry  line between your days and dreams 

                                                           G                                                        A                                                       D 

What have you been feelin, where have you been healin, what have you found time to do? 

                                                   G                                             A                                      D 

Maybe I could be wrong, but I heard a bird song  Tellin me to sing for you 

                G                            D                  A7                          b-           A G  f#- 

What a strange twist is this when distance is our power 

       e-                     D              A 

It’s unlike any war I’ve seen 

                           G                           D                        A7                 b-         A  G   f#- 

But what do you do when a kid wants to give you a flower 

             e-                     D           A 

In the middle of a quarantine?  

        e-              f#-        A                                 G                    A                 D 

And isn’t it a crazy time?  Now we’ve seen everything on Prime 

                  b-                   A               G             f#-             e-                            D         C         G 

Jack and Jill may be still goin up that hill, but now they go one at a time 

                           A           D 

And isn’t it a crazy time? 

  

We’re in this together, anyone can get it, anyone can spread it too 

Like misinformation it don’t take vacations, but it don’t lie like leaders do 

Kind of on our own here, up against our own fears, lookin for a chance to shine 

This could be rehersal, maybe something worse will make us be our best next time 

                G                            D                  A7                          b-           A G  f#- 

What a strange twist is this when distance is our power 

       e-                     D              A 

It’s unlike any war I’ve seen 

                           G                           D                        A7                 b-         A  G   f#- 

But what do you do when a kid wants to give you a flower 

             e-                     D           A 

In the middle of a quarantine?  

          e-             f#-       A        G       A              D 

And isn’t it a crazy time?  TP, THC and wine 

            b-                     A                             G        f#-         e-                               D              C         G 

Stock up but don’t hoard don’t go over board, save some for the next in line 

                           A           D 

And isn’t it a crazy time? 

  

 

 

12. Anachronistic Man 

Well I was born in the 1970s 

And I been there all my life 

All this new technology  

Is lost on the likes of me 

There’s nothing sounds so heavenly 

As a song that’s born from strife 

And every time I have the blues  

There’s a smile inside of me 

  

I have lived life like a hobo 

And a poet vagabond 

Made sure I had plenty of time 

Just to lay around and wonder why 

I have played some stages solo 

Till I joined in a one-man-band 

Got saved by a heavenly angel  

And I didn’t even have to die 

  

Anachronistic man 

Somehow that’s who I am 

Moving to some ancient rhythm 

Looking for some long lost rhyme 

Like a stranger in a strange land 

I’m anachronistic man 

A man who is old timey 

May be ahead of his time 

  

 

 

13. The Old Man in the Moon 

I’ve seen a billion buildings 

All tryin’ to scrape the sky 

I have to hold my laugh in 

To think they think they’re high 

And I’ve seen nations who revered me 

But they all ended way too soon 

I see everything so clearly 

For I’m the old man in the moon 

  

And I’ve heard all of your love songs 

And there’s three or four I dig 

All the ones that sing about me 

I guess I made it big 

Ah but if you saw what I’ve seen 

You’d sing a different tune 

No one knows just what the night brings 

Like the old man in the moon 

  

And I’ve been through every window 

And I never make a sound 

And I guess no one ever will know 

The times I been around 

And you’ve caught me in your gravity 

But I’m hip to all your doin’ 

A tawdry tragic comedy 

For the old man in the moon 

  

 

 

14. My Name is Truth 

Please pardon me 

I hate to beg your spare change, but I gotta eat 

Seems hard to see 

I still recall the strange days they called me elite 

My name was spoken with reverence 

Held in the highest regard 

Leaders enlisted my leverage 

Knowing I’d bestow rewards 

You ask me my name so I’ll tell you 

You knew me well in your youth 

These days I don’t know what they call me 

All the same my name is Truth, All the same my name is Truth 

  

These days it seems 

Positions of power are bought, with no thought for me 

Was it a dream? 

I still recall how they fought, and sought only me 

Children were taught to respect me 

A reverence for me was instilled 

Now they don’t know where to find me 

I don’t know if they ever will 

You ask me my name so I’ll tell you 

Just don’t expect any proof 

These days I don’t know what they call me 

All the same my name is Truth, All the same my name is Truth 

  

You ask me my name so I’ll tell you 

You knew me well in your youth 

These days I don’t know what they call me 

All the same my name is Truth, All the same my name is Truth 

  

 

 

15. In This Life 

In this life, you got to be so alive, in this life 

There are those that survive in this life 

Never knowing how to live 

Always rather take than give 

In this life, when you just look around in this life 

When the old walls come down in this life 

The truth will come to set it free 

But first you’ve got to let it be 

  

I can’t believe that you’d believe a ballot buyin billionair 

Blastin out his battle cries and bankin on them building fear 

Beatin down the bible belt and bettin that they’ll buy his prayer 

“Please let me win” 

In this life, have you no room for doubt in this life? 

Have you figured it out in this life? 

If you’re so sure of your belief, then why you always grit your teeth? 

In this life, where the days fall like rain in this life 

There’s no cause to complain in this life 

Listen to the birds’ refrain, they don’t know the word complain. 

I can’t believe that you’d believe a ballot buyin billionair 

Blastin out his battle cries and bankin on them building fear 

Beatin down the bible belt and bettin that they’ll buy his prayer 

“Please let me win” 

  

In this life, you got to be so alive in this life 

There are those that survive in this life 

Never knowing how to live 

Always rather take than give. 

  

 

 

16. Living Man 

Well when I look at you, I don’t see a dying man 

Oh no, I see a living man 

Lord knows we cannot know, The mysterious master plan 

But we can feel our way, And we can keep on living 

  

You might be thinkin you’ve lost your destiny 

But you still got time 

The work of living and finding harmony 

Doesn’t end with dyin 

  

Well when the master spoke, He spoke in poetry 

My Lord, Yes this is known to me 

I believe the Holy Ghost, Is part of you and me 

And the soul, Lives in eternity 

  

You might be thinkin you’ve lost your destiny 

But you still got time 

The work of living and finding harmony 

Doesn’t end with dyin 

  

And when I look at you, I don’t see a dying man 

Oh no, I see a living man 

The pain and tears in life, Bring grace and growth within 

My friend, I pray you keep on living 

  

 

 

17. Broken Wing 

Broken wing, what will you do? 

When the skies seem stacked against you 

And the pain is too intense for you 

What was easy stuff is hard enough these days 

Flyin’s changed from what it used to be  

There’s so much beauty, so much agony 

Not as graceful, but somehow now 

Full of grace 

When the storm grows in intensity 

And the wind blows in uncertainty 

Father Time just seems to kick ya’ passin’ by 

All your plans held down with gravity 

What you had fell to what had to be 

Broken wing, what will you do? 

You’ll fly 

 

 

Disc 2 

1. Chair Dancin Girl 

I got a chair dancing girl yeah, she moves to the beat in her seat 

You never seen such movin when the band gets a groove that’s sweet 

You’d swear the chair’d start smokin from friction and steam and heat 

Chair dancin, chair dancin, that’s what my baby does 

Chair dancin, chair dancin, like a kid on a bumpy bus 

I got a chair dancing girl yeah, she dances on 6 legs 

She get a shimmy in her hip like a chicken on a soft boiled egg 

When she can’t find a chair catch her dancing on a pony keg 

Chair dancin, chair dancin, that’s what my baby does 

Chair dancin, chair dancin, like a kid on a bumpy bus 

I got a chair dancing girl yeah, she got me chair dancin too 

I’m really cuttin a rug and I don’t even tie my shoe 

Sometimes we get in synch and then 4 cheeks will move as 2 

Chair dancin, chair dancin, that’s what my baby does 

Chair dancin, chair dancin, like a kid on a bumpy bus 

I got a chair dancing girl yeah! I got a chair dancing girl yeah! I got a chair dancing girl yeah! 

 

 

 

2. Champaign Annie 

We found ourselves in the middle of the painted desert 

With the sun-baked rainbows jumpin’ at the sky 

And we found ourselves in the middle of the land of grizzlies 

Without a thing to do but wonder why 

And now we find ourselves out on this old road 

Creepin’ up on the same old sleepy town 

And it’s all that I can do 

To roll along with you 

Champaign Annie, please don’t let me down 

So many times I made you bear my burdens 

Just to leave you standin’ in the rain 

You’d smile your nervous smile 

And you’d go the extra mile 

And you never stopped to grumble or complain 

Now every stretch of road is paved with questions 

And every bend could spin this wagon round 

And it’s all that I can do 

To roll along with you 

Champaign Annie please don’t let me down 

You’ve always been the one to keep me movin’ 

You brought me out of many miles of pain 

And I guess I never guessed 

That you might need some rest 

I guess I always thought you’d stay the same 

No I never thought your backbone might be breakin’ 

And I might end up pushin’ you around 

But it’s all that I can do 

To roll along with you 

Champaign Annie please don’t let me down 

 

 

 

3. Where Time Goes. (Chords and Lyrics) 

E 

Well you can make enough, to make a little nest 

                            A 

You can make love even can make it last 

                               E                                       B7 

You can make a bet, and hope the dice pass 

                                      E 

But you can’t make time 

You can make me beg and you can make me wait 

You can make a move you can make the date 

You can make hay so it don’t get late cause you can’t make time 

(Bridge1)             A                              E 

You can’t make time, though you might can bend it some 

                     F#7                             (b5)                          B7 

But you’re still gonna wind up old, and start out young 

                       E                                                         A                                  E 

Make your case and make your break, make a face that’ll take the cake 

                                                                             B7                                           E 

There’s a whole bunch on things you can make but you can’t make time 

(Solo over verse) 

You can make jokes, and make believe 

…you can make like a tree and leave 

…you can keep an ace up your sleeve but you can’t make time 

You can make shine and you can raise cain 

Some people say they can make it rain 

You can make a whole lotta trouble and pain but you can’t make time 

(Bridge2 )             A                              E 

You can’t make time, though you might can bend it some 

But it’s still just a one way ride, that you gonna bum 

So make your case and make your break, make a face that’ll take the cake 

There’s a whole bunch of things you can make, but you can’t make time 

(Solo over verse) 

(Bridge 3)            A                              E 

You can’t make time, though you might can bend it some 

Well it may or may not run out but it’s gonna run 

So You can make a guess but who can say, Where time goes when it slips away 

But you can make the most out of every day, cause you can’t make time 

Yeah you can make the most out of every day, cause you can’t make time 

 

 

 

4. Back Roads Boogie 

I got a little gal down Georgia way 

She called me up just the other day 

She said “sweet daddy I’m here all alone” 

She might have said more but I done dropped the phone 

I did the back roads boogie 

Such an easy ride 

Back roads boogie, boogie down the countryside 

It’s rush hour traffic it’s a quarter past five 

A farmer on a tractor lettin’ his little boy drive 

I slam on the brakes and I stop with some screeches 

I see a roadside stand I gotta stop and get some peaches 

Doin’ the back roads boogie 

Such an easy ride 

Back roads boogie, boogie down the countryside 

Out on the interstate you just can’t win 

With all the big big-rigs pinning you in 

But the back roads boogie is just my style 

Open it up down the country miles 

And do the back roads boogie 

Such an easy ride 

Back roads boogie, boogie down the countryside. 

 

 

 

5. Full Moon 

Full moon, on the rise, 

With the sun, in your eyes 

You've seen, lows and highs, 

And on darkest of nights you have shown us your crooked smile 

You're always the same, you're ever true 

And you, always change, You're ever new 

You shine, out of sight, 

When some clouds, hide your light 

Then out, of the blue, 

You delight and surprise with our eyes wide and full of you 

You're always the same, you're ever true 

And you, always change, you're ever new 

My love, never fades, 

It just waxes and wanes 

Some doubts, cloud your mind,  

But in time you'll be sure you're adored by this heart of mine 

I'm always the same, I'm ever true 

And I always change, I'm ever new 

 

 

 

6. Rhythm in the Wind 

Rhythm in the wind it brings me back to you my friend 

I feel you beside me 

Rhythm in our song it seems with us you still belong 

Always here to guide me 

Rhythm in my day sometimes I feel I’m swept away 

In this drum roll that time is 

Rhythm in the night in darkened dreams I’ll have the sight 

Your eyes smile in kindness 

Bridge:    I’ll, hold your melody, that you showed to me 

Like a holy key to be with you, more than in my mind, 

More like in the times I’d sing beside you 

Rhythm from your hands the skin would sing at your command 

Dancing in the thunder 

Rhythm in my heart would jump as soon as you would start 

Smiling at the wonder 

Rhythm in my soul throughout the ages it will roll 

Easy as your laughter 

Rhythm of our lives the story’s end never arrives 

With each closing chapter 

(Bridge, then 1st verse) 

 

7. Aditi. (instrumental) 

 

8. Dhin Nanaki (Punjabi) 

 

9. Like a Bird With a Broken Wing 

Do you ever feel like you’re part of a puzzle 

And yet you’re a puzzle yourself? 

There ain’t no deal on hearts by the dozen 

Ain’t no spare on the shelf 

In my head I can hear, all your parts played so clear 

Every song seems to miss you tonight 

Even though you hang back, you play clear and direct 

It seems wrong you’re not here on my right 

There ain’t no way to play some of these songs 

If you ain’t here to sing 

But I guess we’ll keep tryin, at best we’ll be flyin 

Like a bird with a broken wing 

Every dream that we catch, is like sand in a net 

But the band has the heart of the town 

Like the strings that we stretch, ‘cross the body and neck 

We’re bound as a part of a sound 

There’s a hole where there should be your banjo 

We could sure use that ring 

But I guess we’ll keep tryin, at best we’ll be flyin 

Like a bird with a broken wing 

 

 

 

10. End of the World Blues 

It was the day, they were callin’ for the end of the world 

When the sky, was gonna fall on the wicked world 

They said the good would be taken home 

While us sinners would be left alone 

And that’s just what happened on the day 

For the end of the world 

Well they said, that the signs couldn’t be more clear 

Armageddon gettin’ closer in the rearview mirror 

People quit their jobs and packed their grips 

Gettin’ ready for the ‘pocalypse 

The day came and went 

But it still was the end of the world 

She disappeared in the blink of an eye 

What was weird was she didn’t say why 

On the day, they were callin’ for the end of the world 

When a fire, was gonna fall on the wicked world 

They said the good would be taken away 

While us sinners would be left to stay 

And that’s just what happened on the day 

For the end of the world 

She disappeared in the blink of an eye 

What was weird was she didn’t say why 

On the day, they were callin’ for the end of the world 

When a fire, was gonna fall on the wicked world 

People profit from these prophesies 

But it’s just another rapture tease 

But the start of my heart’s decease 

Was the end of the world 

Yeah the start of my heart’s decease 

Was the end of the world 

 

 

 

11. Big Business 

Gonna give all my business to the small business leave big business alone 

The big corporations done warped the nation with carbon copies and clones 

Mister Quick Fix turns cheap tricks into grist he grinds into greed 

While Miss Mother Nature gets cold dissed while she holds all that we need 

Gonna go back to the old time ways that never got goin’ back then 

Try to live as if big business never been 

The small business man does the best he can but he holds a hard heavy hand 

Cause the rent collector’s got no respect for the sweat that his debts demand 

Creativity tends to atrophy from complacency with the known 

It takes soul power to be the small flower in the field where tall weeds have grown 

Gonna go back to the old time ways that never got goin’ back then 

Try to live as if big business never been 

So let your TV be a novelty so it don’t sleep in your soul 

It’s a big distraction it’s a small fraction that tries to seem like the whole 

All the noise makers and the music fakers, the greedy takers and drones 

 Let ‘em have their business cause they’re sure gonna miss us 

When we get our own 

Gonna go back to the old time ways that never got goin’ back then 

Try to live as if big business never been 

 

 

 

12. The Great Reuniting 

There’s been a great reuniting 

On the banks of Galilee 

‘Cross the river Jordan 

They’re together again 

Doc and Merle and Rosalie 

The songs of the Blue Ridge Mountains 

Like our souls they’ll never die 

And the heavenly ring 

Of that old steel string 

Unbroken in the By and By 

Were the old time founding fathers 

There to greet you at the golden gate? 

Were the Singin’ Brakeman 

And Uncle Dave Macon 

Among the angels there to celebrate 

Troubles trials and tribulations 

You had ‘em plenty in your pilgrim years 

Now your life crown is won 

And you’re back with your son 

And you both see straight and clear 

There’s been a great reuniting 

Of a soulful family 

On a high mountain wind 

Carried to Beulah Land 

Where their cares have been set free 

Salt Creek will keep on runnin’ 

Deep River never will run dry 

And those old mountain blues 

Still proclaim the good news 

That the soul will never die. 

 

 

 

13. Talkin Sugar Mountain Blues 

Well I was standing on an Appalachian peak 

And them hills just seemed to roll on through the week 

I felt high and I felt wholesome and my mind was overdosin 

On a view that left me holy, mild and meek 

Well I gazed south and I felt a rush of heavenly bliss 

I gazed north and tears of joy I could not resist 

I gazed west and I wished I had with me 

Ma and Pa for this epiphany 

But then I gazed east and godalmighty was I pissed 

For there was no way my eyes could get around 

This obtrusive, odd obstruction they had found 

And in the middle of God’s great wonder 

Plain as day and loud as thunder 

Sugar Mountain resort stood there on sacred ground 

You don’t hang Van Gogh in the bathroom 

You don’t sing Handel’s Messiah Karaoke 

You don’t put no frame round the sunshine 

Sugar Mountain, you just don’t belong 

Well I peered through my binoculated glasses 

And I spied the sign on the front lawn where fresh cut grass is 

It said “welcome to Sugar Mountain where the fun flows like a fountain 

And we welcome all the upper social classes 

Well there were limousines and slot machines 

And putting greens and winey teens 

And a hair saloon with some frizzy hairs 

And a petting zoo with some grizzly bears 

And indoor Jacuzzis and 3-D movies 

And any time tellers and real-estate sellers 

And the view from it was effervescent 

But the view of it was less than pleasant 

You don’t hang Van Gogh in the bathroom 

You don’t sing Handel’s Messiah Karaoke 

You don’t put no frame round the sunshine 

Sugar Mountain, you just don’t belong 

Well you can steal the beauty and then collect the pay 

Let your fancy flow like the stream from a baday 

But in time your walls will tumble and all your greenback dollars crumble 

And the hill where you once stood will softly say… 

You don’t hang Van Gogh in the bathroom 

You don’t sing Heebie Jeebies Karaoke 

You don’t put no frame round the sunshine 

Sugar Mountain, you just don’t belong 

 

 

 

14. Some Sweet Day 

Well let us see the sunrise 

From your eyes 

Some sweet day, some sweet day 

When we leave all fear behind 

We will find you all the time 

Let us see the sunrise 

From your eyes 

Some sweet day, some sweet day 

Let us feel the cool breeze 

Of sweet peace 

Some sweet day 

This old road is getting hotter 

Takin us further from the Father 

But let us feel the cool breeze 

Of sweet peace 

Some sweet day, some sweet day 

Well let us take the cross down 

Stand on solid ground 

Some sweet day, some sweet day 

So the next time there come a savior 

We won’t show him such bad behavior 

Let us take the cross down 

Stand on solid ground 

Some sweet day, some sweet day 

Well let us see the sunrise 

Through your eyes 

Some sweet day 

When we leave all fear behind us 

We will see the tie that binds us 

Let us see the sunrise 

Through your eyes 

Some sweet day, some sweet day 

 

 

 

15. Trouble With the Mailman. (Chords and Lyrics) 

E 

I been havin trouble with the mailman 

                                                    F#- 

Never bring me nothin I can use 

D                              A                       C#- 

Bunch of wasted paper tryin to sell me something 

B7                                   E 

Reminders about my dues 

E 

I know there’s a letter in that mail bag 

                                                F#- 

From my lovin darlin far away 

D                      A                          C#- 

All that I can do is dream its been delivered 

B7                             E 

Imagine what it’ll say 

A 

“How you been my baby I been missin your touch 

G 

I just had to write you cause I love you so much 

E                                                    A 

I been too forlorn to call you now my tears are fallin for you 

E                                                                    A    B7+ 

And they blurred some of my words I lerf yerf” 

E 

I been havin trouble with the mailman 

                                                             F#- 

What he’s got against me I can’t say 

D                              A                     C#- 

He won’t put the letter in my poor old mailbox 

B7                            E 

From my darlin far away 

 

 

 

16. Bye Bye Baby (trad/Jay Brown) 

Oh it’s bye bye pretty baby,  baby bye bye 

Bye bye pretty baby,  baby bye bye 

If I never see you any more 

May God bless you every where you go 

And it’s bye bye pretty baby,  baby bye bye 

Oh it’s even the best of friends surely must part 

Even the best of friends surely must part 

If we just couldn’t stand to see the end 

We never should have made a start 

And it’s bye bye pretty baby,  baby bye bye 

It’s a long lonesome road and it never ends 

It’s a long lonesome road and it never ends 

It’s a long lonesome road, pretty mama and it never ends 

But I know it sure is callin me back again 

Oh it’s bye bye pretty baby,  baby bye bye 

Bye bye pretty baby,  baby bye bye 

If I never see you any more 

May God bless you every where you go 

And it’s bye bye pretty baby,  baby bye bye 

 

 

 

Disc 3 

1. Dance Till We Drop 

We’ll dance till we drop rules and reservations 

We’ll dance till we drop heady hesitations 

We’ll dance till we drop every non-elation 

When we dance till we drop 

We’ll dance till we drop spinal rigiditus 

We’ll dance till we drop tryin to win uptightest 

We’ll dance till we drop all that don’t delight us 

When we dance till we drop 

Get up and get down with me 

Lock in with the tambourine 

 

 

 

2. Troublesome Times 

Troublesome times, anywhere you travel its troublesome times 

Changes on changes, pavement on gravel, money on minds 

The people shout more, the more they stop listenin 

Who is gonna hear the whisperin pines? 

Troublesome times, anywhere you travel its troublesome times 

River of Time, have you been polluted by man unkind? 

We build on your banks, but you just flow through it, leave it behind 

The things that ought to change will hold on for ages 

Things that ought to stay the same always change 

River of Time, have you been polluted by man unkind? 

Troublesome times, anywhere you travel its troublesome times 

Hard to hear the chimes of freedom through the clamor 

of angry closed minds 

While we’re tossed on the storm out on this ocean 

May you be strong, beware and be kind 

Troublesome times, anywhere you travel its troublesome times 

 

 

 

3. Revelry 

Sometimes I don’t feel,  this thumpin heart of mine 

But I love you,  I’ll prove it every time 

Daydreams can feel more real,  than dayjobs and deadlines 

But I’d love to,  daydream side by side 

Sometimes I don’t feel,  like talkin on the phone 

But I love you,  so I pick up and say hello 

Yeah I know that’s the deal,  and I know where I’m at home 

And I’d love to,  never let you go 

Revelry, well I know it won’t be long 

Till you drop in on me 

Dancin free, like we don’t know right from wrong 

But just what’s meant to be 

Sometimes I don’t feel,  like singin these old songs 

But I’d love to,  if you’ll just sing along 

Some guys cheat and steal,  just to have more empty homes 

But I’d love to,  have just this one with you 

Revelry… 

Sometimes don’t you feel,  like we got swept away 

In a river, that only flows one way 

Riddles hold what’s real,  like how did we end up here 

But I love you,  forever and today 

 

 

 

4.Maybe it’s the Weather 

Maybe it’s the weather but I been feelin overcast and grey 

I don’t think I’m alone in 

Lookin up and groanin 

It’s just that it feels that way 

Even if I never saw another golden sunlight ray 

If I could see your dark eyes 

I wouldn’t mind the dark skies 

And you could kiss the clouds away 

Maybe it’s the weather but I can’t get you off my mind tonight 

The way the restless wind blows 

Rain against my windows 

Just shows me how I’ve been so dry 

If a star was fallin I’d be callin it my guiding light 

Clouds hang around and cover 

Skies of star-crossed lovers 

And I can’t see no stars tonight 

Maybe it’s the weather but I don’t see me getting out today 

I’ll hold up in my shelter 

Remembering how it felt here 

When I had you here to stay 

Rain don’t last forever and the sun will shine again, they say 

If I could hold you to me 

It wouldn’t seem so gloomy 

And you could kiss the clouds away 

 

 

 

5. Stage By the Bar 

I give thanks for the kindness of strangers 

They open their mangers, put tips in my jar 

Songs have their lines and their changes 

Days have their dangers, nights have their charms 

And the hours run circles round me 

Flowers fade fast when they’re free 

Stars come and go, on with the show 

Love is the one trick I know 

I give thanks for the road that I’ve traveled 

The gold and the gravel, got me this far 

Songs find a way to unravel, I’m back in the saddle 

The stage by the bar  (chorus) 

 

 

 

6. Little Brother is Watchin 

Little Brother is watchin, with a billion eyes 

Anything you’d wanna hide 

Could be busted open wide 

Just over night 

Little Brother is watchin 

Catch you by surprise 

You’d better act as though you mother 

Sees the way you treat your brother 

Cause she just might! 

Broken web you been spinnin 

Left a sticky mess 

Cookin the books and getting burned 

Well it looks as thought you learned 

It from the best 

You can think you are winnin 

When your time is passed 

And the truth you thought you’d crushed 

Grew like weeds and spread like rust 

It never rests 

Little Brother is watchin 

Every glass eye sees 

Yeah the truth will set you free 

But if you don’t turn the key 

Enjoy your stripes 

Little Brother is watchin 

Fearsome fast and free 

You’d better act as though your mother sees the way you treat your brother 

Cause she just might 

You better act as though your brother sees the way you treat your mother 

Cause he just might 

You better act as though you lover sees the way you treat another 

Cause she just might 

And he just might 

And we just might! 

 

 

 

7. Old Rebels 

Old rebels the dust settles and then 

There you are on your own, again 

Lost battles with dark forces of greed 

Who said that love is all you need? 

Don’t turn the tv on 

You’ll just loose all hope 

Old tire on the rope swing’s gone 

Now it’s just a rope 

Old rebels this cold meddlesome world 

Never gave you your just reward 

Old rebels the storm settles you down 

Feel your feet firm on shaky ground 

Lost causes that you fought for the most 

When never give up gave up the ghost 

Songs on the radio 

Fed the fire in your soul 

Now they play songs you don’t know 

That never rock or roll 

Old rebels you raised hell for some peace 

But what will it take till war retreats? 

 

 

 

8. Good Old Young Love 

That good old young love 

We’re both catchin the same shootin stars above 

Day dreamin, moon swoonin 

Free feelin, soul soothing 

Talkin bout good old young love 

That good old young love 

When the moment’s right we seem to feel a shove 

Strange feelings, new teachings 

Nights full of no sleepin 

Talkin bout good old young love 

The way you bake your cake you make mw wanna take 

A piece of you or two 

I wanna wake up with a new love every day 

And that new love is you 

That good old young love 

Time runs so fast one day it will catch up 

Fast fly the fleet fates 

The heart is a clean slate 

Growin old with good old young love 

 

 

 

9. Down Spiral Blues 

Things are goin’ from bad to worse 

But I guess they’re getting’ better 

Ever get the feelin’ the autopilot’s blown a fuse 

Tried to get the message out 

But nobody read my letter 

Run here pretty mama 

I got them down spiral blues 

TV’s got a sales pitch on 

Then they cut to the commercial 

Ever get to wonderin’ just what happened to the news? 

Tried to get the C-span on 

But they must have missed rehearsal 

Run here pretty mama 

I got them down spiral blues 

We been wearin’ the tread out 

We could crash this turn 

If the banks would just get the lead out 

We’d all have cash to burn 

Money’s an elite disease 

But the dirty hands won’t spread it 

Ever get the notion to occupy some hobo shoes? 

Tried to patent love and peace 

But someone already said it 

Run here pretty mama 

I got them down spiral blues 

 

 

 

10. The Radio These Days 

Well where is the love on the radio these days? 

There’s mountains of music just wasting away 

This country’s been blessed with a billion great songs 

So why do they keep playing Bang a Gong? 

We shouldn’t have to listen to Barracuda 

5 times a day if we’re not in the mooda 

And the same goes for Ratt, and White Snake and Poison 

Take the tight pants off boys and put corduroys  on 

These days don’t it seem like the radio’s sole function 

Is to decrease uniqueness while increasing production 

But I don’t feel like workin, I feel more like dyin 

Every day, when they play that some song by White Lion 

And where is the love on the radio these days 

Jimi Hendrix did more than just Purple Haze 

And the DJ keeps sayin he was born to rock 

But I bet he just says that when he’s on the clock 

And where is the love on the radio now 

Rock and Roll ain’t a brand on a corporate cash cow 

But even if it was, and it just said “moo” 

It still would sound better than the swill that they spew 

And where is the love on this radio abyss 

Only one place, and that’s public access 

So send your contributions, to keep em around, 

And thank em for being the saviors of sound 

 

 

 

11. In Your Laughin Smile 

I never knew you in your prime, but I can see it in my mind’s eye 

Corduroy professor findin joy and pleasure in your work and play 

You could be a wise guide and you could also be a wise guy 

Spicin up your story risin for the glory of the day 

That was another time and time’s moved on a while 

But somehow I see it all in your laughin smile 

In your laughin smile, in your laughin smile 

Somehow I see it all in your laughin smile 

Well once you cross the silver line sometimes the world can turn a blind eye 

When you should get a medal for getting past the middle of this bumpy ride 

You seen a lot of stardust fly before it burned out of the night sky 

Seen a lot of livin with your lovin lady by your side 

That was another time and time’s moved on a while 

But somehow I see it all in your laughin smile 

In your laughin smile, in your laughin smile 

Somehow I see it all in your laughin smile 

 

 

 

12. Not Made of Stone 

Precious people in my life 

I don’t want to see a world 

Without you 

I found out that my home 

Is a feelin’ 

Than I get any time when I’m with you 

Every day is a gift and a thief 

Every loss is also a relief 

Every dream that I’ve ever achieved 

Has left me with one less dream 

I know we’re not made of stone 

Winds of time have no trouble 

Sweeping through 

And everything I’ll ever hold 

Will be healing me 

While it’s breaking this true heart in two 

I know we’re not made of stone 

But I don’t want to see a world 

Without you 

I found out that my home 

Is a feelin’ 

That I get anywhere when I’m with you 

 

 

 

13. Jack’s Song 

Once there was a boy, he was wise beyond his years 

Wiser than most old men that I’ve known 

He was full of love for life, and death he did not fear 

He always seemed to know where he was goin 

He was just a boy, he had a smile so free 

But he was something like the man from Galilee 

Everywhere that he did go he preached the holy word 

Praising God in pain as well as pleasure 

Never one for judgment he was meek yet self assured 

Always with his eye upon the treasure 

He was just a boy, no whiskers on his chin 

But he was something like the man born in Bethlehem 

Like the morning sun he shined his light for just a while 

Fading from our view to new horizons 

Close your eyes and you will see his handsome holy smile 

Hear his words of mirth and mysticism 

He was just a boy,  he loved to eat ice-cream 

But he was something like the man called the Nazarean 

Once there was a boy, he was a teacher to us all 

Worthy of our tears and celebration 

Bound together we shall be, all creatures great and small 

Strengthened by the pain of separation 

The child of a carpenter, and mother Mary 

And he knew that he had not much time to tarry 

 

 

 

14. Leaving Winter 

Winter has come in with the wind 

Frozen branches out on a limb 

Christmas slipped off on a sleigh 

Now it’s a new year today 

Even the coldest mountain winter 

Couldn’t freeze time at all 

Your thoughts melt the ice in my mind 

When with you I feel life is kind 

Dark phantoms left from a curse 

With your soft breath they’re dispersed 

After the long cold mountain winter 

You’ll hear a robin call 

This winter’s just fine for snowmen 

But me I’m down the line once again 

The next drink of shine from this moon 

Spring will be priming her tune 

Even the coldest mountain winter 

Couldn’t freeze time at all 

Your smile has the warmth of sunshine 

Dancin dresses on a clothesline 

What of the ice and the snow? 

Water for flowers to grow 

After the long cold mountain winter 

You’ll hear a robin call 

 

 

15. One Windy Day 

A boy and a dog 

And a little green ball 

Were playin one day on the beach 

They were havin great fun 

Runnin under the sun 

Laughin and barkin in the sand 

Till along came a breeze 

Blew the ball out to sea 

Too far for the boy and dog to reach 

And the undertow was strong 

So it wasn’t too long 

The little ball was miles away from land 

Well the little green ball seemed exceedingly small 

If you saw it floating on the mighty sea 

To the seagulls it seemed 

Just a little speck of green 

The fishes thought it was a bobber 

But to one boy and girl 

It seemed big as the world 

The two little castaway fleas 

Two lovebugs in June 

On a fleas honeymoon 

Lyin out by the pool of dog slobber 

Well the little green ball floated on and on 

And the fleas multiplied and prospered 

Flocks of fleas of every color 

Every class and every creed 

Living in peaceful harmony 

Days and nights drizzled down 

As they floated around 

Riding on waves and crosscurrents 

And they never did fight 

Or act out of spite 

None of them would even harm a flea 

Till there came the dark hour 

When the weather turned sour 

And many a flea lost his life at sea 

That was when there appeared 

The dark shadow of fear 

And the fleas began pleas for security 

But on how to provide it 

The fleas were divided 

Flea unity flew out the window 

And though the weather had cleared 

They still lived in fear 

For uncertainty grows like the wind blows 

Flealigion appeared 

To fight off the fear 

And the fleas began praying to Dog 

Each Flealigion claimed 

To know Dog’s name 

And each one hated the other 

Some fleas got mad 

And had a jihad 

For the glory of their Dog Chuallah 

Other fleas got saved 

And waged a crusade 

For the glory of their Dog Jerover 

Flea countries emerged with their flea flags flyin 

Fighting for their place in the sun 

The Chi-fleas fought the So-fleates 

The Redcoats fought the Blues 

The Euro-fleans fought The Aflea-kans 

The Flea-rabs fought the Flews 

The United Fleas fought in Fleat-nam 

Nobody knows who won 

The Flea Flux Flan fought in Birmingham 

And they all fought eachother ‘fore it was all said and done. 

But the country that won 

The place in the sun 

Was the one called United Fleas 

Round the top of the ball 

They put up a wall 

But of course any flea could hop over it 

And to make matters worse 

Their leader was cursed 

With the flip floppin fib flea affliction 

He jabbered and jeered 

And stirred up the fear 

And he secretly worked for the Sofleates 

Well no one ever saw 

That little green ball 

Since that one windy day on the beach 

Didn’t bother the boy 

He had other toys 

And the dog never once missed the fleas 

But it still floats along 

Like some lonesome old song 

With never a soul within ear’s reach 

Just a planet of fleas 

A drift on the sea 

In the middle of ball war 3 

 

 

 

16. Are You Gonna Be the One? 

Sun burnin’ from the light of the moon 

Table’s turnin’ on the old silver spoon 

Fingers yearnin’ for the touch of a tune 

To turn them on 

Two voices in the same pair of shoes 

New noises leave you too scared to choose 

Some choices stick with you like tattoos 

You burn them on 

Are you gonna be the one 

Are you gonna be the one 

Are you gonna be the one 

To break my heart? 

Eye lashes out at old flame’s gleam 

Time clashes with a beautiful dream 

Light flashes on a free flowin’ stream 

And then it’s gone 

Your lips tremble from the things that you heard 

My thoughts are nimble but I trip on the words 

Just remember that the heart of o bird 

Is in its song 

Are you gonna be the one 

Are you gonna be the one 

Are you gonna be the one 

To break my heart? 

 

 

17. Glad You Did 

Never seen your face before 

I guess I’m gonna see it more 

Never thought the time would come 

I didn’t want you on the run 

Never thought that I’d begin 

To think of you with more than sin 

Never thought that you could break 

The spell of my first bad mistake 

But you did, and I’m glad you did 

Yes you did, and I’m glad you did 

Never heard you sing out loud 

But I bet that it would thrill my soul 

Never really heard the lines 

Or known the moments in the times 

That fall between the notes I play 

Till you showed me where they are one day 

Never thought you’d like to guess 

At wonders of the wilderness 

But you did, and I’m glad you did 

Yes you did, and I’m glad you did 

Always thought you came across 

As just another coin to toss 

Always thought the world was blind 

Everybody slipped my mind 

The only thing to free my soul 

If someone lost my self control 

But you did, and I’m glad you did 

Yes you did, and I’m glad you did