1.- Ain't goin' down 'till the sun comes up
2.- Friend in low places
3.-Burning Bridges
4.- Callin' baton rouge
5.- The river
6.- Much too young (to feel this damm old)
7.- The thunder rolls
8.- American Honky-Tonk bar Association
9.- If tomorrow never comes
10.- Unanswered prayer
11.- Standing outside the fire
12.- Rodeo
13.- What she's doing now
14.- We shall be free
15.- Papa loved mama
16.- Shameless
17.-Two of a kind, workin' on a full house
18.- That summer
19.- The red strokes
20.- The dance
.......................................................................................................
AIN'T GOIN' DOWN 'TILL THE SUN COMES UP
Six o'clock on Friday evening Mama doesn't know she's leaving
'Till she hears the screen door slamming rubber squealin' gears a jamming
Local country station just a blarin' on the radio
Pick him up at seven and they're headin' to the rodeo
Mama's on the front porch screamin' out her warning
Girl you better get your red head back in bed before the morning
Nine o'clock the show is ending but the fun is just beginning
She knows he's anticipating but she's gonna keep him waiting
Grab a bite to eat and then they're headin' to the honky tonk but loud crowds and line dancing
Just ain't what they really want
Drive out to the boondocks and park down by the creek and whre it's george Strait 'til real late
And dancing cheek to cheek
Ain't goin' down 'til the sun comes up ain't givin' in until they get enough
Going 'round the world in a pickup truck ain't goin' down 'till the sun comes up
Ten to twelve is wine and dancing midnight starts the hard romancing
One o'clock that truck is rocking two is coming still no stopping
Break to check the clock at three they're right on where they wanna be
And four o'clock get up get going five o'clock the rooster's crowing
Yeah ain't goin' down 'til the sun comes up ain't givin' in until they get enough
Going 'round the world in a pickup truck ain't goin' down 'till the sin comes up
Six o'clock on Saturday her folks don't know he's on his way the stalls are clean and the horses fed
They say she's grounded 'til she's dead well here he comes around the bend
Slowing down she's jumping in hey Mom your daughter's gone
And there they go again
Ain't goin' down 'til the sun comes up ain't givin' in until they get enough
Going 'round the world in a pickup truck ain't goin' down 'till the sin comes up
.......................................................................................................
FRIENDS IN LOW PLACES
Blame it all on my roots
I showed up in boots
And ruined your black tie affair
The last one to know
The last one to show
I was the last one You thought you'd see there
And I saw the surprise
And the fear in his eyes
When I took his glass of champagne
And I toasted you
Said, honey, we may be through
But you'll never hear me complain
'Cause I've got friends in low places
Where the whiskey drowns
And the beer chases my blues away
And I'll be okay
I'm not big on social graces
Think I'll slip on down to the oasis
Oh I've got friends in low places
Well, I guess I was wrong
I just don't belong
But then, I've been there before
Everything's all right
I'll just say goodnight
And I'll show myself to the door
Hey, I didn't mean
To cause a big scene
Just give me an hour and then
Well, I'll be as high
As that ivory tower
That you're livin' in
(Chorus)
(Chorus)
(Chorus)
.......................................................................................................
BURNING BRIDGES
Yesterday she thanked me
For oilin' that front door
This morning when she wakes
She won't be thankful anymore
She'll never know how much I cared
Just that I couldn't stay
And I'll never know the reason
Why I always run away
Burning bridges one by one
What I'm doin' can't be undone
And I'm always hoping someday
I'm gonna stop this runnin' around
But every time the chance comes up
Another bridge goes down
Last night we talked of old times
Families and home towns
she wondered if we'd both agree
On where we'd settle down
And I told her that we'd cross that bridge
Whenever it arrived
Now through the flames I see her
Standin' on the other side
(Chorus)
Like ashes on the water
I drift away in sorrow
Knowing that the day
My lesson's finally learned
I'll be standing at a river
Staring out across tomorrow
And the bridge I need to get there
Will be a bridge that I have burned
(Chorus)
Another bridge goes down
.......................................................................................................
CALLIN' BATON ROUGE
I spent last night in the arms of a girl in Louisiana and though I'm out on the highway my thoughts are still with her
Such a strange combination of a woman and a child such a strange situation stoppin' every hundred miles callin' Baton Rouge
A replay of last night's events roll through my mind except a scene or two erased by sweet red wine and I see a truck stop sign ahead so I change lanes I need a cup of coffee and couple dollars change
Callin' Baton Rouge
Operator, won't you put me on through I gotta send my love down to Baton Rouge
Hurry up, won't you put her on the line I gotta talk to the girl just one more time.
Hello, Samantha dear I hope you're feelin' fine and it won't be long until I'm with you all the time but until then I'll spend my money up right down to my last dime callin' Baton Rouge
Operator, won't you put me on through I gotta send my love down to Baton Rouge
Hurry up, won't you put her on the line I gotta talk to the girl just one more time
Callin Baton Rouge
Sweet Baton Rouge
My Baton Rouge
.......................................................................................................
THE RIVER
You know a dream is like a river ever changing as it flows and the dreamer's just a vessel that must follow where it goes
Trying to learn from what's behind you never knowing what's in store makes each day a constant battle just to stay between the shores
And I will sail my vessel 'till the river runs dry like a bird upon the wind these water's are my sky
I'll never reach my destination if I never try so I will sail my vessel 'till the river runs dry
Too many times we stand aside and let the waters slip away 'til what we put off 'til tomorrow has now become today
So don't you sit upon the shoreline and say you're satisfied choose to chance the rapids and dare to dance the tide
Yes I will sail my vessel 'till the river runs dry like a bird upon the wind these water's are my sky
I'll never reach my destination if I never try so I will sail my vessel 'till the river runs dry
And there's bound to be rough waters and I know I'll take some falls but with the good Lord as my captain
I can make it through them all
Yes I will sail my vessel 'till the river runs dry like a bird upon the wind these water's are my sky
I'll never reach my destination if I never try so I will sail my vessel 'till the river runs dry
Yes I will sail my vessel 'till the river runs dry
'till the river runs dry
.......................................................................................................
MUCH TOO YOUNG (TO FEEL THIS DAMNED OLD)
This old highway's getting longer Seems there ain't no end in sight
To sleep would be best But I just can't afford to rest
I gotta ride in Denver tomorrow night
I called the house, but no one answered For the last two weeks no one's been home
I guess she's through with me To tell the truth, I just can't see
What's kept the woman holding on this long
And the highway's gettin' longer and the saddle's gettin' cold,
Lord I'm much too young to feel this damned old.
All my cards are on the table with no ace left in the hole,
Lord I'm much to old to feel this damned old
The competition's getting younger Tougher broncs, you know I can't recall
A worn out tape of Chris LeDoux Lonely women and bad booze
Seem to be the only friends I've left at all.
And the highway's gettin' longer and the saddle's gettin' cold,
Lord I'm much too young to feel this damned old.
All my cards are on the table with no ace left in the hole,
Lord I'm much to old to feel this damned old
Lord I'm much to young to feel this damned old.
.......................................................................................................
THE THUNDER ROLLS
Three thirty in the morningNot a soul in sight
The city's lookin' like a ghost town On a moonless summer night
Raindrops on the windshield There's a storm moving in
He's headin' back from somewhere That he never should have been
And the thunder rolls And the thunder rolls
Every light is burnin' In a house across town
She's pacin' by the telephone In her faded flannel gown
Askin' for miracle Hopin' she's not right
Prayin' it's the weather That's kept him out all night
And the thunder rolls And the thunder rolls
The thunder rolls And the lightnin' strikes
Another love grows cold On a sleepless night
As the storm blows on Out of control
Deep in her heart The thunder rolls
She's waitin' by the window When he pulls into the drive
She rushes out to hold him Thankful he's alive
But on the wind and rain A strange new perfume blows
And the lightnin' flashes in her eyes And he knows that she knows
And the thunder rolls And the thunder rolls
She runs back down the hallway To the bedroom door
She reaches for the pistol Kept in the dresser drawer
Tells the lady in the mirror He won't do this again
Cause tonight will be the last time She'll wonder where he's been
.......................................................................................................
AMERICAN HONKY TONK BAR ASSOCIATION
If your paycheck depends on the weather and the clock
if your conversation calls for a little more than a coffee pot
if you need to pour your heart out and try to rectify some situation that you're facin
contact your American Honky Tonk Bar Association
When Uncle Sam dips in your pocket for most things you don't mind
But when your dollar goes to all of those standing in a welfare line rejoice you have a voice
If you're concerned about the destination of this great nation
it's called the American Honky Tonk Bar - Association
It represents the hard hat, gun rack, aching-back overtaxed, flag-wavin', fun lovin' crowd
Their heart is in the music and they love to play it loud
There's no forms or no applications there's no red-tape administrations
It's the American Honky Tonk Bar - Association
We're all one big family throughout the cities and the towns we don't reach for handouts we
reach for those who're down
And every local chapter has a seven day a week available consultationfor your frustration
It's called the American Honky Tonk Bar - Association
It represents the mud flap six pack bare crack overtaxed flag wavin' fun lovin' crowd
Their heart is in the music and they love to play it loud there's no forms or no applications
There's no red tape administrations it's the American Honky Tonk Bar Association
Go join your American Honky Tonk Bar - Association
Do not delay contact today your AHBA your AHBA
.......................................................................................................
IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES
Sometimes late at night I lie awake and watch her sleeping
She's lost in peaceful dreams So I turn out the lights and lay there in the dark
And the thought crosses my mind If I never wake up in the morning
Would she ever doubt the way I feel About her in my heart
(Chorus)
If tomorrow never comes Will she know how much I loved her
Did I try in every way to show her every day That she's my only one
And if my time on earth were through And she must face this world without me
Is the love I gave her in the past Gonna be enough to last
If tomorrow never comes
'Cause I've lost love ones in the past Who never knew how much I loved them
Now I live with the regret That my true feelings for them never were revealed
So I made a promise to myself To say each day how much she means to me
And avoid that circumstance Where there's no second chance to tell her how I feel
Repeat Chorus
So tell that someone that you love
Just what youe thinking of
If tomorrow never comes
.......................................................................................................
UNANSWERED PRAYERS
Just the other night at a hometown football game
My wife and I ran into my old high school flame
And as I introduced them the past came back to me
And I couldn't help but think of the way things used to be
She was the one that I'd wanted for all times
And each night I'd spend prayin' that God would make her mine
And if he'd only grant me this wish I wished back then
I'd never ask for anything again
Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs
That just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers
She wasn't quite the angel that I remembered in my dreams
And I could tell that time had changed me
In her eyes too it seemed
We tried to talk about the old days
There wasn't much we could recall
I guess the Lord knows what he's doin' after all
And as she walked away and I looked at my wife
And then and there I thanked the Good Lord
For the gifts in my life
Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs
That just because he may not answer doesn't mean he don't care
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered
Some of God's greatest gifts are all too often unanswered...
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers
.......................................................................................................
STANDING OUTSIDE THE FIRE
We call them cool Those hearts that have no scars to show the ones that never do let go and risk the tables being turned
We call them fools who have to dance within the flame who chance the sorrow and the shame That always comes with getting burned
But you got to be tough when consumed by desire 'cause its not enough just to stand outside the fire
We call them strong those who can face this world alone who seem to get by on their own
Those who will never take the fall
We call them weak who are unable to resist the slightest chance love might exist and for that forsake it all
They're so hell bent on giving walking a wire convinced it's not living if you stand outside the fire
(Chorus)
Standing outside the fire
Standing outside the fire
Life is not tried, it is merely survived
If you're standing outside the fire
There's this love that is burning deep in my soul constantly yearing to get out of control
Wanting to fly higher and higher I can't abide standing outside the fire
Repeat Chorus
.......................................................................................................
RODEO
His eyes are cold and restless and his wounds have almost healed and she'd give half of Texas just to change the way he feels
Well she knows his love's in Tulsa and she knows he's gonna go well it ain't no woman flesh and blood it's that damned old rodeo
(Chorus)
Well it's bulls and blood it's the dust and mud it's the roar of a Sunday crowd it's the white in his knuckles the gold in the buckle that he'll win in the next go round
It's boots and chaps it's cowboy hats it's spurs and latigo it's the ropes and the reins and the joy and the pain and they call the thing rodeo
She does her best to hold him when his love comes to call but his need for it controls him and her back's against the wall
And it's so long girl I'll see you when it's time for him to go You know the woman wants her cowboy like he wants his rodeo
Repeat Chorus
It'll drive a cowboy crazy it'll drive the man insane and he'll sell off everything he owns just to pay to play the game
And a broken home and some broken bones is all he'll have to show for all the years that he spent chasin' this dream they call rodeo
Repeat Chorus
It's the broncs and the blood and the steers and the muc and they call the thing rodeo
.......................................................................................................
WHAT'S SHE DOING NOW
Last time I saw her it was turnin' colder but that was years ago last I heard she had moved to Boulder but where she's now I don't know
There's somthin' 'bout this time of year that spins my head around takes me back and makes me wonder what she's doin' now
'Cause what's she's doin' now is tearin' me apart fillin' up my mind and emptying my heart
I can hear her call each time that cold wind blows and I wonder if she knows what she's doin' now
Just for laughs I dialed her old number but no one knew her name hung up the phone and sat there and wondered if she'd ever done the same
I took a walk in the evenin' wind to clear my head somehow but tonight I lie here thinkin' what she doin' now
'Cause what's she's doin' now is tearin' me apart fillin' up my mind and emptying my heart
I can hear her call each time that cold wind blows and I wonder if she knows that
What's she's doin' now is tearin' me apart fillin' up my mind and emptying my heart
I can hear her call each time that cold wind blows and I wonder if she knows what she's doin' now
.......................................................................................................
WE SHALL BE FREE
This ain't commin' from no prophet just an ordinary man, when I close my eyes I see
the way this world shall be when we all walk hand in hand...
When the last child cries for a crust of bread when the last man dies for just words that he said
When there's shelter over the poorest head we shall be free
When the last thing we notice is the color of skin and the first thing we look for is the beauty within
when the skies and the oceans are clean again then we shall be free
We shall be free, we shall be free
Stand straight and walk proud
'Cause we shall be free
When we're all free to love anyone we choose when this worlds big enough for all different views
when we all can worship from our own kind of pew then we shall be free
We shall be free, we shall be free
Have a little faith and hold out
'Cause we shall be free
And when money talks for the very last time and nobody walks a step behind
And there's only one race and that's mankind then we shall be free
We shall be free we shall be free stand straight walk proud have a little faith hold out
We shall be free we shall be free stand straight have a little faith walk proud hold out
We shall be free
We shall be free we shall be free stand straight have a little faith walk proud hold out
We shall be free
......................................................................................................
PAPA LOVED MAMA
Papa drove a truck nearly all his life you know it drove Mama crazy being a trucker's wife
The part she couldn't handle was the being alone I guess she needed more to hold than just a telephone
Papa called Mama each and every night just to ask her how she was and if us kids were alright
Mama would wait for that call to come in but when Daddy'd hang up she was gone again
Mama was a looker Lord how she shined Papa was a good'n but the jealous kind
Papa loved mama and mama loved men Mama's in the graveyard Papa's in the pen
Well it was bound to happen one night it did Papa came home and it was just us kids
He had a dozen roses and a bottle of wine if he was lookin' to surprise us he was doin' fine
I heard him cry for Mama up and down the hall then I heard a bottle break against the bedroom wall
That old diesel engine made and eerie sound when papa fired it up and headed into town
Well the picture in the paper showed the scene real well Papa's rig was buried in the local motel
The desk clerk said hes saw it all real clear he never hit the brakes and was shiftin' gears
.......................................................................................................
SHAMELESS
Well, I'm shameless when it comes to loving you I'll do anything you want me to I'll do anything at all
And I'm standing here for all the world to see oh, baby that's what's left of me don't have very far to fall
You know now I'm not a man who's ever been insecure about the world I've been living in
I don't break easy I have my pride but if you need to by satisfied
I'm shameless baby I don't have a prayer every time I see you standing there I go down upon my knees
And I'm changing swore I'd never compromise aw, but you convinced me otherwise I'll do anything you please
You see in all my life I've never found what I couldn't resist what I couldn't turn down
I could walk away from anyone I ever knew but I can't talk away from you
I have never let anything have this much control over me I worked too hard to call my life my own
And I've made myself a world and it's worked so perfectly But it's your world now I can't refuse
I've never had so much to lose
Oh, I'm shameless
You know it should be easy for a man who's strong to say he's sorry or admit when he's wrong
I never lost anything I ever missed but I've never been in love like this it's out of my hands
I'm shameless, I don't have the power now I don't want it anyhow so I've got to let it go
I'm shameless, shameless as a man can be you could make a jealous fool of me I just wanted you to know
Oh, I'm shameless
.......................................................................................................
TWO OF A KIND (WORKING ON A FULL HOUSE)
Yeah, she's my lady luck and I'm her wild card man together we're buildin' up a real hot hand
We live out in the country and she's my little queen of the south
Yeah we're two of a kind workin' on a full house
She wakes me every morning with a smile and a kiss her strong country lovin' is hard to resist
She's my easy lovin' woman and I'm her hard workin' man no doubt
Yeah we're two of a kind workin' on a full house
Yeah a pickup truck is her limousine and her favorite dress is her faded blue jeans
She loves me tender but when the goin' gets tough sometimes we fight just so we can make up
Lord I need that little woman like the crops need the rain she's my honeycomb and I'm her sugar cane
We really fit together if you know what I'm talkin' about yeah we're two of a kind working on a full house
This time I got a keeper I made up my mind Lord the perfect combination is her heart and mine
The sky's the limit no hill is too steep we're playin' for fun but we're playin' for keeps
So draw that curtain honey turn the lights down low we'll find some country music on the radio
I'm yours and your mine that's what it's all about yeah we're two of a kind workin' on a full house
Lordy mama we'll be two of a kind workin' on a full house
.......................................................................................................
THAT SUMMER
I went to work for her that summer a teenage kid so far from home
She was a lonely widow woman hell bent to make it on her own
We were a thousand miles from nowhere wheat fields as far as I could see
Both needin' something from each other not knowin' yet what that might be
Till she came to me one evening hot cup of coffee and a smile
In a dress that I was certain she hadn't worn in quite a while
There was a difference in her laughter there was a softness in her eyes
And on the air there was a hunger even a boy could recognize
She had a need to feel the thunder to chase the lightnin' from the sky
To watch the storm with all it's wonder raging in her lovers eyes
She had to ride the heat of passion like a comet burnin' bright
Rushin' headlong in the wind out where only dreams had been
Burning both ends of the night
That summer wind was all around me nothing between us but the night
And when I told her that I'd never she softly whispered that's alright
And then I watched her hands of leather turn to velvet in a touch
There's never been another summer when I have ever learned so much
We had a need to feel the thunder to chase the lightnin' from the sky
To watch the storm with all it's wonder ragin' in each others eyes
We had to ride the heat of passion like a comet burnin' bright
Rushin' head long in the wind out where only dreams had been
Burning both ends of the night
I often think about that summer the sweat the moonlight and the lace
And I have rarely held another when I haven't seen her face
And everytime I pass a wheat field and watch it dancing with the wind
Although I know it isn't real I just can't help but feel
Her hungry arms again
She had a need to feel the thunder to chase the lightnin' from the sky
To watch the storm and all it's wonder ragin'in her lover's eyes
She had to ride the heat of passion Like a comet burnin' bright
Rushing headlong in the wind out where only dreams have been
Burnin' both ends of the night
Rushin' head long in the wind out where only dreams have been
Burnin' both ends of the night
.......................................................................................................
THE RED STROKES
Moonlight on canvas midnight and wine two shadows starting to softly combine
The picture they're painting is one of the heart and to those who have seen it
It's a true work of art
Oh the red strokes passions uncaged thundering moments of tenderness rage
Woah the red strokes tempered and strong burning the night like the dawn
Steam on the window salt in a kiss two hearts have never pounded like this
Inspired by a vision that they can't command erasing the borders with each brush of a hand
Oh the red strokes passions uncaged thundering moments of tenderness rage
Woah the red strokes tempered and strong burning the night like the dawn
Ah the blues will be blue and the jealousies green but when love picks its shade it demands to be seen
Oh the red strokes passions uncaged thundering moments of tenderness rage
Woah the red strokes fearlessly drawn burning the night like the dawn
Oh the red strokes passions uncaged thundering moments of tenderness rage
Woah the red strokes fearlessly drawn burning the night like the dawn
Steam on the window salt in a kiss two hearts have never pounded like this
.......................................................................................................
THE DANCE
Lookin back on the mem'ry of the dance we shared
neath the stars above.
For a moment all the world was right how could I have known
that you'd ever say good bye
And now, I'm glad I didn't know the way it all would end
the way it all would go.
Our lives, are better left to chance. I could have missed the pain
but I'd had have to miss the dance
Holding you I held everything for a moment wasn't I the king?
If I'd only known how the king would fall. Hey who's to say
You know, I might have changed it all.
And now, I'm glad I didn't know the way it all would end
the way it all would go.
Our lives, are better left to chance. I could have missed the pain
but I'd had have to miss the dance
Yes my life, it's better left to chance.
I could have have missed the pain,
but I'd had have to miss the dance
.......................................................................................................