Album: Murmur
1. RADIO FREE EUROPE
2. PILGRIMAGE
3. LAUGHING
4. TALK ABOUT THE PASSION
5. MORAL KIOSK
6. PERFECT CIRCLE
7. CATAPULT
8. SITTING STILL
9. 9-9
10. SHAKING THROUGH
11. WE WALK
12. WEST OF THE FIELDS
Album: Chronic Town
13. WOLVES, LOWER
14. GARDENING AT NIGHT
15. CARNIVAL OF SORTS (BOX CARS)
16. 1,000,000
17. STUMBLE
Album: Reckoning
18. HARBORCOAT
19. SEVEN CHINESE BROTHERS
20. SO. CENTRAL RAIN (I'M SORRY)
21. PRETTY PERSUASION
22. TIME AFTER TIME (ANNELISE)
23. SECOND GUESSING
24. LETTER NEVER SENT
25. CAMERA
26. (DON'T GO BACK TO) ROCKVILLE
27. LITTLE AMERICA
Album: Fables of the reconstruction
28. FEELING GRAVITY'S PULL
29. MAPS AND LEGENDS
30. DRIVER 8
31. LIFE AND HOW TO LIVE IT
32. OLD MAN KENSEY
33. CAN'T GET THERE FROM HERE
34. GREEN GROW THE RUSHES
35. KOHOUTEK
36. AUCTIONEER (ANOTHER ENGINE)
37. GOOD ADVICES
38. WENDELL GEE
Album: Lifes rich pageant
39. BEGIN THE BEGIN
40. THESE DAYS
41. FALL ON ME
42. CUYAHOGA
43. HYENA
44. UNDERNEATH THE BUNKER
45. THE FLOWERS OF GUATEMALA
46. I BELIEVE
47. WHAT IF WE GIVE IT AWAY?
48. JUST A TOUCH
49. SWAN SWAN H
50. SUPERMAN (The Clique)
1. RADIO FREE EUROPE
Beside yourself if radio's gonna stay.
Reason: it could polish up the grey.
Put that, put that, put that up your wall
That this isn't country at all
Raving station, beside yourself
Keep me out of country in the word
Deal the porch is leading us absurd.
Push that, push that, push that to the hull
That this isn't nothing at all.
Straight off the boat, where to go?
Calling on in transit, calling on in transit
Radio Free Europe, radio
Beside defying media too fast
Instead of pushing palaces to fall
Put that, put that, put that before all
That this isn't fortunate at all
Raving station, beside yourself
Calling on in transit, calling on in transit
Radio Free Europe, radio.
Decide yourself, calling all of the medias too fast
Keep me out of country in the word
Disappoint is into us absurd
Straight off the boat, where to go?
Calling on in transit, calling on in transit
Radio Free Europe
Radio Free Europe
Calling on in transit, calling on in transit
Radio Free Europe
Radio Free Europe
2. PILGRIMAGE
Take a turn, take a turn
Take our fortune, take our fortune
They called the clip a two-headed cow
Your hate clipped and distant, your luck, pilgrimage
Rest assured this will not last, take a turn for the worst
Your hate clipped and distant, your luck a two-headed cow
The pilgrimage has gained momentum
Take a turn, take a turn
Take our fortune, take our fortune
Speakin' in tongues, it's worth a broken lip
Your hate clipped and distant, your luck, pilgrimage
Rest assured this will not last, take a turn for the worst
Your hate clipped and distant, your luck a two-headed cow
The pilgrimage has gained momentum
Take a turn, take a turn
Take our fortune, take our fortune
Pilgrimage. Pilgrimage.
Speakin' in tongues, it's worth a broken lip
Your hate clipped and distant, your luck
Rest assured this will not last, take a turn for the worst
Your hate clipped and distant, your luck two-headed
The pilgrimage has gained momentum
Take a turn, take a turn
Take our fortune, take our fortune
Pilgrimage. Pilgrimage.
The pilgrimage has gained momentum
Take a turn, take a turn
Take our fortune, take our fortune
Take a turn, take a turn
Take our fortune, take our fortune
3. LAUGHING
Laocoon and her two sons
Pressured storm, tried to move
No other more, emotion bound
Martyred, misconstrued
Lighted in a room, lanky room
Lighted, lighted, laughing in tune
Lighted, lighted, laughing
Laocoon and her two sons
Run the gamut, sated view
Know them more, emotion bound
Martyred, misconstrued
Lighted in a room, lanky room
Lighted, lighted, laughing in tune
Lighted, lighted, laughing
In a room, lock the door, latch the room
Lighted, lighted, laughing
Laocoon and her two sons
Ran the gamut, settled new,
Find a place fit to laugh,
Lock the doors, latch the room
Lighted in a room, lanky room
Lighted, lighted, laughing in tune
Lighted, lighted, laughing in tune
Lighted, lighted, laughing in tunes
Lighted, lighted, laughing in tunes
4. TALK ABOUT THE PASSION
Empty prayer, empty mouths, combien reaction
Empty prayer, empty mouths, talk about the passion
Not everyone can carry the weight of the world
Not everyone can carry the weight of the world
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
Empty prayer, empty mouths, combien reaction
Empty prayer, empty mouths, talk about the passion
Combien, combien, combien du temps?
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
Not everyone can carry the weight of the world
Not everyone can carry the weight of the world
Combien, combien, combien du temps?
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
Talk about the passion
5. MORAL KIOSK
Scratch the scandals in the twilight
Trying to shock but instead
Idle hands all orient to her
Pass a magic pillow under head
It's so much more attractive inside the moral kiosk
Inside, cold, dark, fire, twilight
Inside, cold, dark, fire, twilight
They scratch the scandals in the twilight
She was laughing like a Horae
Put that knee in dour landslide
Take this step to dash a roving eye
It's so much more attractive inside the moral kiosk
Inside, cold, dark, fire, twilight
Inside, cold, dark, fire, twilight
Scratch the scandals in the twilight
Trying to shock but instead
Idle hands all orient to her
Pass a magic pillow under head
It's so much more attractive inside the moral kiosk
Inside, cold, dark, fire, twilight
Inside, cold, dark, fire, twilight
Inside, cold, dark, fire, twilight
Inside, cold, dark, fire, twilight
6. PERFECT CIRCLE
Put your hair back, you get to leave
Eleven gallows on your sleeve
Shallow figure, winner's pain
Eleven shadows way out of place
Standing too soon, shoulders higher in the room
Standing too soon, shoulders higher in the room
Standing too soon, shoulders higher in the room
Pull your dress on and stay real close
Who might leave you where I left off?
A perfect circle of acquaintances and friends
Drink another, coin a phrase
Heaven assumed, shoulders high in the room
Heaven assumed, shoulders high in the room
Heaven assumed, shoulders high in the room
Try to win and suit your needs
Speak out sometimes and try to win
Standing too soon, shoulders high in the room
Standing too soon, shoulders high in the room
Standing too soon, shoulders high in the room
Standing too soon, shoulders high in the room
Standing too soon, shoulders high in the room
7. CATAPULT
Oohhh, we were little boys
Oohhh, we were little girls
It's nine o'clock, don't try to turn it off
Cowered in a hole, ugly mouth. Question:
Did we miss anything? Did we miss anything?
Did we miss anything? Did we miss anything?
Catapult. Catapult. Catapult. Catapult.
Oohhh, we were little boys
Oohhh, we were little girls
It's nine o'clock, don't try to turn it off
Cowered in a hole, ugly mouth.
We in step, in hand, your mother remembers this.
Hear the howler that wrote the question,
Did we miss anything? Did we miss anything?
Did we miss anything? Did we miss anything?
Catapult. Catapult. Catapult. Catapult.
Porch could be darker. Much could be darker.
Catapult. Catapult. Catapult. Catapult.
(Repeat 2nd verse)
8. SITTING STILL
This name I got we all agree
See could stop stop it will rid
We could bind it in the cist
We could gather, throw a fit
Up to buy, Katie buys a kitchen-size, but not me in
See them try for the big kill, wasting time sitting still
I'm the sign and you can read.
I'm the sign and you're not deaf.
We could bind it in the cist.
We could gather, throw a fit.
Up to buy, Katie buys a kitchen-size, but not me in
See them try for the big kill, wasting time sitting still
I can hear you. I can hear you. I can hear you.
This name I got we all agree
See could stop stop it will rid
We could bind it in the cist
We could gather, throw a fit.
Up to buy, Katie buys a kitchen-size, but not me in
See them try for the big kill, wasting time sitting still
I can hear you. I can hear you. I can hear you.
You can gather when I talk, talk until you're blue
You could get away from me. Get away from me.
Up to buy, Katie buys a kitchen-size, but not me
See them try for the big kill, wasting time sitting still
I can hear you. I can hear you. I can hear you.
I can hear you. I can hear you. I can hear you.
Can you hear me?
9. 9-9
Steady repetition is a compulsion mutually reenforced.
Now what does that mean?
Is there a just contradiction?
Nothing much.
Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord, don't hesitate.
Got to punch
Right on target
Twisting tongues
Gotta stripe down his back
all nine yards down her back
Give me a couple,
Don't give me a couple of pointers,
Turn to lies and conversation fear
Got to punch
Right on target
Twisting tongues
Gotta stripe down his back
all nine yards down her back
Give me a couple,
Don't give me a couple of pointers,
Turn to lies and conversation fear
Steady repetition is a compulsion mutually reenforced.
Now what does that mean?
Is there a just contradiction?
Nothing much.
Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I should die before I wake, oh come on, hesitate, hesitate.
Got to punch
Right on target
Twisting tongues
Gotta stripe down his back
all nine yards down her back
Give me a couple,
Don't give me a couple of pointers,
Turn to lies and conversation fear
Conversation fear. Conversation fear. Conversation fear.
10. SHAKING THROUGH
Could it be that one small voice doesn't count in the world?
Yellow like a geisha gown, denial all the way
Could this by three be turned? Honor marches on.
Yellow like a geisha gown, denial all the way
Shaking through, opportune. Shaking through, opportune.
Are we grown way too far?
Taking after rain
Yellow like a geisha gown, denial all the way
Shaking through, opportune. Shaking through, opportune.
In my life.
Is that a steal?
Children of today on parade,
Yellow like a geisha gown, denial all the way
Shaking through, opportune. Shaking through, opportune.
Shaking through, opportune. Shaking through, opportune.
11. WE WALK
Up the stairs to the landing, up the stairs into the hall
Take oasis, Marat's bathing
We walk through the wood we walk
Up the stairs to the landing, up the stairs into the hall
Take oasis, Marat's bathing
We walk through the woods we walk
Take oasis take oasis take oasis take oasis
Up the stairs to the landing, up the stairs into the hall
Take oasis, Marat's bathing
We walk through the world we walk
Up the stairs to the landing, up the stairs into the hall
Take oasis, Marat's bathing
Up the stairs to the landing, up the stairs into the hall
Take oasis, Marat's bathing
Up the stairs to the landing, up the stairs into the hall
Into the hall
12. WEST OF THE FIELDS
Long gone, intuition to assume are gone when we try.
Dream of a living jungle in my way back home when we die.
West of the fields. West of the fields. West of the fields. West of
the fields.
Long gone. Long gone. Long gone. Long gone. West of the fields.
Dreams of Elysian, to assume are gone when we try
Tell now what is dreaming
When we try to listen with your eyes oversimplify
The animals, how strange. Try, try to stick it in.
The animals, how strange. Try, try to stick it in.
Dreams of Elysian, to assume are gone when we try
Tell now what is dreaming when we try.
Listen through your eyes when we die.
West of the fields. West of the fields. West of the fields. West of
the fields.
Long gone. Long gone. Long gone. Long gone. West of the fields.
13. WOLVES, LOWER
Suspicion yourself, suspicion yourself, don't get caught.
Suspicion yourself, suspicion yourself, let us out.
Wilder lower wolves. Here's a house to put wolves out the door.
In a corner garden, wilder lower wolves.
House in order. House in order. House in order. House
in order.
Down there they're rounding a posse to ride.
(repeat verse twice)
14. GARDENING AT NIGHT
I see your money on the floor, I felt the pocket change.
Though all the feelings that broke through that door
just didn't seem to be too real.
The yard is nothing but a fence, the sun just hurts my eyes.
Somewhere it must be time for penitence. Gardening at night is
never where.
Gardening at night. Gardening at night. Gardening at night.
The neighbors go to bed at ten.
Call the prayer line for a change.
The charge is changing every month.
They said it couldn't be arranged.
We ankled up the garbage sound, but they were busy in the rows.
We fell up, not to see the sun, gardening at night just didn't grow.
I see your money on the floor, I felt the pocket change.
Though all the feelings that broke through that door
just didn't seem to be too real.
Gardening at night. Gardening at night. Gardening at night
Your sister said that you're too young.
They should know they've been there twice.
The call was 2 and 51.
They said it couldn't be arranged.
I see your money on the floor, I felt the pocket change.
Though all the feelings that broke through that door
just didn't seem to be too real.
We ankled up the garbage sound, but they were busy in the rows.
We fell up not to see the sun, gardening at night just didn't grow.
Gardening at night. Gardening at night. Gardening at night
15. CARNIVAL OF SORTS (BOX CARS)
There's a secret stigma, reaping wheel.
Diminish, a carnival of sorts.
Chronic town, poster torn, reaping wheel.
Stranger, stranger to these parts.
Gentlemen don't get caught, cages under cage. Gentlemen don't
get caught,
Boxcars (are pulling) out of town. Boxcars (are pulling) out
of town.
Boxcars (are pulling) out of town.
(repeat 1st verse and chorus)
Cages under, cages under, cages under cage.
Cages under, cages under, cages under cage.
(repeat chorus)
There's a secret stigma, reaping wheel.
Stranger, stranger to these parts.
Chronic town, poster torn, reaping wheel.
Diminish, stranger.
(repeat chorus)
16. 1,000,000
Secluded in a marker stone
Not only deadlier but smarter too smarter too
All along the tomb, secluded in the ruin
Secluded in a marker stone
Not only deadlier but smarter too smarter too
I could live a million, I could live a million, I could live a million,
I could live a million years.
(repeat 1st verse and chorus)
All along all along all along the tomb
Secret in secret in secret in the ruin
Secluded in a marker stone
Not only deadlier but smarter too smarter too
17. STUMBLE
We'll stumble through the yard
We'll stumble through the yard
We'll stumble through the A-P-T
We'll stumble through the yard
Force fields. Explorer racing home, the ancient star.
Yellow mixed with golden hue.
Scan the graveyard, dead there be.
Ball and chain. Ball and chain.
Ball and chain. Ball and chain.
(Repeat 1st verse 3 times)
It was round about midnight. Hipster town.
Imagine going for a walk.
Things get around to taking place. It's not a waste of time.
The rich got a little poorer.
Things get around to taking place. If they're gonna happen at
all.
Don't need that jazz. Don't need that stuff.
It was round about midnight. Hipster town.
It was round about midnight. Hipster town.
(Repeat 1st verse)
18. HARBORCOAT
They crowded up to Lenin with their noses worn off
A handshake is worthy if it's all that you've got
Metal shoes on wood push through our back
There's a splinter in your eye and it reads "REACT"
They shifted the statues for harboring ghosts
Reddened their necks, collared their clothes
Then we danced the dance till the menace got out
She gathered the corners and called it her gown
Please find my harborcoat, can't go outside without it
Find my harborcoat, can't go outside without it
They crowded up to Lenin with their noses worn off
A handshake is worthy if it's all that you've got
Metal shoes on wood push through our back
There's a splinter in your eye and it reads "REACT", R-E-A-C-T
They shifted the statues for harboring ghosts
Reddened their necks, collared their clothes
Then we danced the dance till the menace got out
She gathered the corners and called it her gown
She said...
19. SEVEN CHINESE BROTHERS
This mellow, sweet, short-haired boy, woman offers pull up a seat
Take in one symphony now, we've just begun to battle
Wrap your heel in bones of steel, turn the leg, a twist of color
Autumn waited hold it to you in the colored come another
Seven chinese brothers swallowing the ocean
Seven thousand years to sleep away the pain
She will return, she will return
This mellow, sweet, short-haired boy, woman offers pull up a seat
Take in one symphony now, we've just begun to battle
Wrap your heel in bones of steel, turn the leg, a twist of color
Autumn waded seven seas swimming colored come another
Seven chinese brothers swallowing the ocean
Seven thousand years to sleep away the pain
She will return, she will return
This mellow, sweet, short-haired boy, woman offers pull up a chair
Take in one symphony now, I guest we lost that battle
Wrap your heel in bones of steel, turn the leg, a twist of color
Autumn waded seven seas swimming colored come another
Seven chinese brothers swallowing the ocean
Seven thousand years the Communi did reign
She will return, she will return
20. SO. CENTRAL RAIN (I'M SORRY)
(parts quoted by Michael Stipe
in Rolling Stone in a letter in Dec 1988)
Did you never call? I waited for your call
These rivers of suggestion are driving me away
The trees will bend, the cities wash away
The city on the river has a girl without a dream
I'm sorry
Eastern to Mountain, third party call, the lines are down
The wise man wrote his words upon the rocks
But I'm not bound to follow suit
The trees will bend, the conversation's dimmed
Go build yourself another home, this choice isn't mine
Did you never call? I waited for your call
These rivers of suggestion are driving me away
The ocean sang, the cities wash away
Go build yourself another dream, this choice isn't mine
21. PRETTY PERSUASION
It's what I want, hurry and buy,
all has been tried, follow reason and buy,
Cannot shuffle in this heat, it's all wrong
Try to put that on your sleeve it's all wrong it's all wrong
He's got a pretty persuasion
She's got pretty persuasion
God damn, pure confusion
She's got pretty persuasion
It's what I want, hurry and buy,
all has been tried, follow reasoning,
And I put that in this heat it's all wrong
Try to wear that on my sleeve it's all wrong all wrong
He's got a pretty persuasion
She's got pretty persuasion
God damn, pure confusion
He's got pretty persuasion
In the line of heart,
All is peeling away,
It's what I want, hurry and buy,
all has been tried, follow reason and buy,
Try to put that in this heat it's all wrong
Cannot wear that on your sleeve it's all wrong it's all wrong
22. TIME AFTER TIME (ANNELISE)
Ask the girl of the hour by the water tower's watch
If your friends took a fall, are you obligated to follow
Time after time after time
when the bull's on his hooves, when you gather friends by the tower
If you try to refuse, will they judge your worth by the hour?
If your tired and you're tried you can find me in my room
You can stay if you want and the third time you can't lose
Ask the girl of the hour, by the water tower's watch
We can fight if you want but who will turn out the light
23. SECOND GUESSING
Why're you trying to second guess me?
I am tired of second guessing
What will be your look this season?
Who will be your book this season?
Why're you trying to second guess me?
I am tired of second guessing
What will be your look this season?
Who will be your book this season?
Here we are
Why're you trying to second guess me?
I am tired of second guessing
What will be your look this season?
Be in my club, buy a book this season
24. LETTER NEVER SENT
It's been pretty simple so far, vacation in Athens is calling me
And knock, knock, knock on wood, I thought I'd left you behind
Heaven is yours, heaven is yours, heaven's yours where I live
The thought of the catacombs left my soul at home
This letter never sent
And it's so far, it's so dark, i'm so lost
Heaven's yours, heaven's yours, heaven's yours where I live
(Another story, another story for a while, someone show me)
When I'm moving too fast, where's my new address?
The water is evening now, the catacombs are filling in
If my soul was made of stone, no, not, not so dark, dark
And it's so far, it's so dark, i'm so lost
And it's so far, it's so far, it's so far
Heaven's yours, heaven's yours, heaven's yours where I live
(Another story, another story for a while, someone show me)
Heaven's yours, heaven's yours, heaven's yours where I live
(Another story, another story for a while, someone show me)
25. CAMERA
From the inside room when the front room greeting
Becomes your special book, it was simple then
When the party lulls, if we fall by the side
Will you be remembered? Will she be remembered?
Alone in a crowd, a bartered lantern borrowed
If I'm to be your camera, then who will be your face?
I fell by your bed once, I didn't want to tell you
I should keep myself in between the pages
Of the green light room if we fall by the side
From the inside room when the front room greeting
Becomes your special book, it was simple then
When the party lulls, if we fall by the side
I still like you, can you remember?
26. (DON'T GO BACK TO) ROCKVILLE
Looking at your watch a third time waiting in the station for a bus
Going to a place that's far, so far away and if that's not enough
Going where nobody says hello, they don't talk to anybody they don't
know
You'll wind up in some factory that's full time filth and nowhere left
to go
Walk home to an empty house, sit around all by yourself
I know it might sound strange, but I believe
You'll be coming back before too long
Don't go back to Rockville
And waste another year
At night I drink myself to sleep and pretend
I don't care if you're not here with me
'Cause it's so much easier to handle
All my problems if I'm too far out to sea
But something better happen soon
Or it's gonna be too late to bring you back
It's not as though I really need you
If you were here I'd only bleed you
But everybody else in town only wants to bring you down and
That's not how it ought to be
I know it might sound strange, but I believe
You'll be coming back before too long
27. LITTLE AMERICA
I can't see myself at thirty, I don't buy a lack of thirty
Caught like flies, preserved for tomorrow's jewelery, bookend
Lighted in the amber yard, a green shell back, green shell back
Preserved for tomorrow's eyes, in tree beer tar-black brer sap,
The biggest wagon is the empty wagon is the noisiest
The consular horse, Jefferson I think we're lost
Who will tend the farm museums? Who will dust today's belongings?
Who will sweep the floors, engineer the givens?
Rally round your leaders it's the mediator season
Diane is on the beach, do you realize the life she's led?
The biggest wagon is the empty wagon is the noisiest
The consular horse, oh man I think we're lost
The biggest wagon is the empty wagon is the noisiest
A matter of course, Jefferson, Trevor
Lighted in the amber yard, a green shell back, green shell back
Sky-lied, sty-tied, Nero pie-tied, in tree tar-black brer sap,
He's in there son, it's the tame, a lodging, not stockader's game
Another Greenville, another Magic Mart, Trevor, grab your fiddle,
The biggest wagon is the empty wagon is the noisiest
The consular horse, Jefferson I think we're lost
The biggest wagon is the empty wagon is the noisiest
The consular horse, Jefferson I think we're lost
28. FEELING GRAVITY'S PULL
I fell asleep and read just about every paragraph.
Read the scene where gravity is pulling me around
Peel back the mountains peel back the sky
Stomp gravity into the floor
It's a Man Ray kind of sky
Let me show you what I can do with it
Time and distance are out of place here
Step up, step up, step up the sky is open-armed
When the light is mine, I felt gravity pull
Somewhere near the end it said
"You can't do this", I said "I can too"
Shift sway rivers shift, oceans fall and mountains drift
It's a Man Ray kind of sky
Let me show you what I can do with it
Step up, step up, step up the sky is open-armed
When the light is mine, I felt gravity pull onto my eyes,
holding my head straight (looking down).
This is the easiest task I've ever had to do...
I fell asleep and read just about every paragraph
Read the scene where gravity is pulling me around
Shift the swaying river's shift
Oceans fall and mountains drift
It's a Man Ray kind of sky
Let me show you what I can do with it
Time and distance are out of place here
Step up, step up, step up the sky is open-armed
When the light is mine, I felt gravity pull onto my eyes,
holding my head straight (looking down).
This is the easiest task I've ever had to do...
Reason had harnessed the tame
Holding the sky in their arms
Gravity pulls me down
29. MAPS AND LEGENDS
(for the Rev. Howard Finster, "a man of vision and feeling -
a fine example to all")
He's not to be reached, he's to be reached.
He's not to be reached, he's to be reached.
Called the fool and the company,
On his own where he'd rather be.
Where he ought to be, he sees what you can't see, can't you see that?
Maybe he's caught in the legend,
maybe he's caught in the mood.
Maybe these maps and legends
have been misunderstood.
Down the way the road's divided,
Paint me the places you have seen.
Those who know what I don't know
refer to the yellow, red and green
Maybe he's caught in the legend,
maybe he's caught in the mood.
Maybe these maps and legends
have been misunderstood.
He's not to be reached, he's to be reached. (4 times)
The map that you painted didn't seem real.
He just sings whatever he's seen
Point to the legend, point to the east,
Point to the yellow, red and green
Maybe he's caught in the legend,
maybe he's caught in the mood.
Maybe these maps and legends
have been misunderstood, been misunderstood. (Maps and legends)
(Maps and legends) Is he to be reached? He's not to be reached.
(Maps and legends) Is he to be reached? He's not to be reached.
(Maps and legends) Is he to be reached? He's not to be reached
anymore.
30. DRIVER 8
The walls are built up, stone by stone,
the fields divided one by one.
And the train conductor says
"Take a break Driver 8, Driver 8 take a break
We've been on this shift too long"
And the train conductor says
"Take a break Driver 8, Driver 8 take a break
We can reach our destination, but we're still a ways away"
I saw a treehouse on the outskirts of the farm.
The power lines have floaters so the airplanes won't get snagged.
Bells are ringing through the town again,
Children look up, all they hear is sky-blue, bells ringing
And the train conductor says
"Take a break Driver 8, Driver 8 take a break
We can reach our destination, but we're still a ways away"
Way to shield the hated heat.
Way to put myself to sleep.
Way to shield the hated heat.
Way to put myself, my children to sleep.
Violet did this song in a plane like that one.
She is selling faith on the Go Tell crusade.
Locomotive 8, Southern Crescent, hear the bells ring again.
Field of wheat is looking thin
And the train conductor says
"Take a break Driver 8, Driver 8 take a break
We've been on this shift too long."
And the train conductor says
"Take a break Driver 8, Driver 8 take a break
We can reach our destination, but we're still a ways away"
31. LIFE AND HOW TO LIVE IT
Burn bright through the night, two pockets lead the way
To doors to go between the wall was raised today
To doors remain before your others and your own
Keep these books well stocked away and take your happy home
My carpenter's out and running about, talking to the street
My pockets are out and running about
Barking in the street to tell what I have hidden there
Burn bright through the night, two pockets lead the way
Two doors to go between the wall was razed today
Raze the walls, it's got its flaws, the carpenter should rest
So that when you tire of one side the other serves you best
My carpenter's out and running about, talking to the street
My pockets are out and running about
Barking in the street to tell what I have hidden there
The hills ringing hear the words in time
Listen to the holler, listen to my walls within my tongue
Can't you see you made my ears go tin?
the air quicken tension building inference suddenly
Life and how to live it
Raze the walls, it's got its flaws, the carpenter should rest
So that when you tire of one side the other serves you best
Read about the wisdom lost, a knock, a knock, a knock
A secret knock one hammer's locked the other wisdom lost
My carpenter's out and running about, talking to the street
My pockets are out and running about
Barking in the street to tell what I have hidden there
My carpenter's out and running about, barking in the, listen to the
holler
My pockets are out and running about
Barking in the street to tell what I have hidden there
Listen, listen to the holler,
I will write a book it will be called "Life and How to Live It"
32. OLD MAN KENSEY
Old Man Kensey wants to be a sign painter
First he's got to learn to read
He's gonna be a clown on TV
Flexes his elbow taunt and free
That's my folly, I believe
Drink up the lake Kensey's awake
That's my folly, that's my mistake
Old Man Kensey wants to be a goalie
First he's got to learn to count
He's gonna be a clown on a circus mount
Letters to be signed and dropped off
Kensey's going far
John, Bill and Ed, stand on your head
That's my folly, I'm ready to go
Old Man Kensey wants to be a dog catcher
First he's got to learn to stand
He's gonna be a clown in a marching band
Letters to be signed ransom greed
That's my folly, I believe
Drink up the lake, John, Bill and Ed,
That's my folly, that's my mistake
Kensey's awake, stand on your head
That's my folly, I'm ready to go
33. CAN'T GET THERE FROM HERE
(published in Guitar Magazine in 1985. a few lines
were reprinted
in Goldmine in 1987 and some appear in the video
as well)
When the world is a monster
Bad to swallow you whole
Kick the clay that holds the teeth in
Throw your trolls out the door
If you're needing inspiration
Philomath is where I go by dawn
Lawyer Jeff he knows the lowdown
He's mighty bad to visit home
I've been there I know the way
Can't get there from here
I've been there I know the way
Can't get there from here
I've been there I know the way
Can't get there from here
I've been there I know the way
When your hands are feeling empty
Stick head jumpin off the ground, 'round
Tris is sure to shirr the deers out
Brother Ray can sing my song
I've been there I know the way
Can't get there from here
I've been there I know the way
Can't get there from here
I've been there I know the way
Can't get there from here
I've been there I know the way
Hands down, Calechee bound
Landlocked kiss the ground
Dirt of seven continents going round and round
Go on ahead Mr. Citywide hypnotized, suit and tied
Gentlemen, testify
If your world is a monster
Bad to swallow you whole
Philomath they know the lowdown
Throw your trolls out the door
I've been there I know the way
Can't get there from here
I've been there I know the way
Can't get there from here
I've been there I know the way
Can't get there from here
I've been there I know the way
Thank you, Ray.
34. GREEN GROW THE RUSHES
The wheelbarrow's fallen
Look at my hands
They've found some surplus cheaper hands
Rubbing palms and pick and choose,
who will they choose? Here is the news.
Look at that building, look at this man
Haloed and whitewashed
Gone to find a cheaper hand
he'll offer a pound, offer a pound.
Green grow the rushes go
Green grow the rushes go
Green grow the rushes go
The compass points the workers home
Pay for your freedom, find another gate
Guilt by associate, the rushes wilted a long time ago
Guilty as you go
Stay off that highway, word is it's not so safe
The grasses that hide the greenback
The amber waves of gain again
The amber waves of gain
Green grow the rushes go
Green grow the rushes go
Green grow the rushes go
The compass points the workers home
35. KOHOUTEK
Who will stand alone?
She carried ribbons, she wore them out
Courage built a bridge, jealous tore it down
At least it's something you've left behind
Like Kohoutek, you were gone
We sat in the garden, we stood on the porch
I won't deny myself, we never talked
She wore bangles, she wore bells
On her toes and she jumped like a fish
Like a flyin' friend, you were gone
Like Kohoutek, can't forget that
Fever built a bridge, reason tore it down
If I am one to follow.. who will stand alone?
Maybe you're not the problem
scissors, paper, stone
If you stand and holler, these prayers will talk
She carried ribbons, she wore them out
Michael built a bridge...Michael tore it down
At least it's something you've left behind
Like Kohoutek, you were gone
Michael built a bridge... Michael tore it down
If I stand and holler... will I stand alone?
36. AUCTIONEER (ANOTHER ENGINE)
She didn't want to get pinned down by her prior town
Get me to the train on time, here take this nickel make a dime
Take this penny and make it into a necklace when I leave
What is at the other end, I don't know another friend
Another wife, another morning spent
Listen, listen to the auctioneer
Another engine, another engine
We never wrote the reasons that I need explained
Some things are givens, and others get away
This time its for myself you call it what you may
Okay, we won't say goodbye so long, so much more
Listen to the auctioneer
Another engine, another engine
Listen to the bargain holler
Listen to the barter holler
Listen to the auctioneer
Get me to the train on time here take this nickel make a dime
Take this penny and make it into a necklace when I leave
What is at the other end, an I don't know another friend
Another wife, another morning spent
Listen to the auctioneer
Another engine, another engine
Do I stand the bargain holler?
Listen to the barter holler
Listen to the auctioneer
37. GOOD ADVICES
When you greet a stranger look at his shoes
Keep your money in your shoes put your trouble behind
When you greet a stranger look at his hands
Keep your money in your hands put your travel behind
Who are you going to call for, what do you have to say
Keep your hat on your head home is a long way away
At the end of the day, I'll forget your name
I'd like it here if I could leave and see you from a long way away
When you greet a stranger, look at her shoes
Keep you memories in your shoes, put your travel behind
Who are you going to call for, what do you have to say
Keep your hat on your head
Home is a long way away
At the end of the day, when there are no friends
When there are no lovers, who are you going to call for
What do you have to change
A familiar face a foreign place I forget your name
I'd like it here if I could leave and see you from a long way away
Who are you going to call for, what do you have to say
Keep your hat on your head
Home is a long way away
38. WENDELL GEE
That's when Wendell Gee takes a tug
Upon the string that held the line of trees
Behind the house he lived in
He was reared to give respect
But somewhere down the line he chose
To whistle as the wind blows
Whistle as the wind blows, with me
He had a dream one night
That the tree had lost its middle
So he built a trunk of chicken wire
To try to hold it up
But the wire, the wire turned to lizard skin
And when he climbed inside
There wasn't even time to say
Goodbye to Wendell Gee
So whistle as the wind blows
Whistle as the wind blows, with me
If the wind were colors
And if the air could speak
Then whistle as the wind blows
Whistle as the wind blows
39. BEGIN THE BEGIN
Birdie in the hand for life's rich demand
The insurgency began and you missed it
I looked for it and I found it
Miles Standish proud, congratulate me
A philanderer's tie, a murderer's shoe
Life's rich demand creates supply in the hand
Of the powers, the only vote that matters
Silence means security silence means approval
On Zenith, on the TV, tiger run around the tree
Follow the leader, run and turn into butter
Let's begin again, begin the begin
Let's begin again like Martin Luther Zen
The mythology begins the begin
Answer me a question I can't itemize
I can't think clearly, look to me for reason
It's not there, I can't even rhyme in the begin
A philanderer's tie, a murderer's shoe
Example: the finest example is you
Birdie in the hand for life's rich demand
The insurgency began and you missed it
I looked for it and I found it
Miles Standish proud, congratulate me
A philanderer's tie, a murderer's shoe
Let's begin again begin the begin
Let's begin again
40. THESE DAYS
Now I'm not feeding off you, I will rearrange your scales
If I can, and I can
March into ocean, march into the sea
I had a hat I put it down and it sunk, reached down,
yanked it up, slapped it on my head
All the people gather
Fly to carry each his burden
We are young despite the years we are concern
We are hope despite the times
Oh, it's sunny on these days
Happy throngs, take this joy wherever, wherever....
I wish to meet each one of you
And you, me, you, if I can and I can
We have many things in common, name three
I had a hat and it sunk, reached down,
yanked it up, slapped it on my head
All the people gather
Fly to carry each his burden
We are young despite the years we are concern
We are hope despite the times
Oh, it's sunny on these days
Happy throngs, take this joy wherever, wherever you go.
Now I'm not feeding off you I will rearrange your scales
If I can and I can
I wish to meet each one of you and you, me, you
I had a hat and it sunk, reached down,
yanked it up, slapped it on my head
All the people gather
Fly to carry each his burden
We are young despite the years we are concern
We are hope despite the times
Oh, it's sunny on these days
Happy throngs, take this joy wherever, wherever you go.
(Take away the scattered pages of my youth)
41. FALL ON ME
There's a problem, feathers iron
Bargain buildings, weights and pullies
Feathers hit the ground before the weight can leave the air
Buy the sky and sell the sky and tell the sky and tell the sky
Don't fall on me (What is it up in the air for) (It's gonna fall)
Fall on me (If it's there for long) (It's gonna fall)
Fall on me (It's over it's over me) (It's gonna fall)
There's the progress we have found
(when the rain)
A way to talk around the problem
(when the children reign)
Building towered foresight
(keep your conscience in the dark)
isn't anything at all
(the statues in the park)
Buy the sky and sell the sky and bleed the sky and tell the sky
(repeat chorus)
Don't fall on me
Well I could keep it above
But then it wouldn't be sky anymore
So if I send it to you you've got to promise to keep it whole
Buy the sky and sell the sky and lift your arms up to the sky
And ask the sky and ask the sky
(repeat chorus, etc.)
42. CUYAHOGA
Let's put our heads together and start a new country up
Our father's father's father tried, erased the parts he didn't like
Let's try to fill it in, bank the quarry river, swim
We knee-skinned it you and me, we knee-skinned that river red
This is where we walked, this is where we swam
Take a picture here, take a souvenir
This land is the land of ours, this river runs red over it
We knee-skinned it you and me, we knee-skinned that river red
And we gathered up our friends, bank the quarry river, swim
We knee-skinned it you and me, underneath the river bed
This is where we walked, this is where we swam
Take a picture here, take a souvenir
Cuyahoga
Cuyahoga, gone
Let's put our heads together, start a new country up,
Underneath the river bed we burned the river down.
This is where they walked, swam, hunted, danced and sang,
Take a picture here, take a souvenir
Cuyahoga
Cuyahoga, gone
Rewrite the book and rule the pages, saving face, secured in faith
Bury, burn the waste behind you
This land is the land of ours, this river runs red over it
We are not your allies, we can not defend
This is where they walked, this is where they swam
Take a picture here, take a souvenir
Cuyahoga
Cuyahoga, gone
Cuyahoga
Cuyahoga, gone
43. HYENA
Night time fell at the opening,
In the final act of the beginning of time.
Hyena take your role, the stage is set.
The town is safe again tonight
Hyena (I see the day ahead)
Hyena (and all that I've cried through)
Hyena (God knows you're doin' that, don't you?)
Hyena, sister look to your hand
Man you serve communal interest,
She'll tell you when and where and how and why you'd hurt
A beautiful young lady
Hyena (I see the day ahead)
Hyena (and all that I've cried through)
Hyena (God knows you're doin' that, don't you?)
The only thing to fear is fearlessness
The bigger the weapon the greater the fear
Hyena is ambassador to here
Night time fell like the closing
Meager pay, but recognition
Hyena crawls on his belly out
The town is safe again tonight
Hyena (I see the changes, man)
Hyena (Goin' on 'cross the way)
Hyena (I see my road ahead)
Hyena (Don't know if I should stay)
Hyena (I see you holding him,)
Hyena (and all that I've cried through)
Hyena (God knows you're doin' that, don't you?)
44. UNDERNEATH THE BUNKER
I will hide and you will hide
And we shall hide together here
Underneath the bunkers in the row
I have water I have rum
Wait for dawn and dawn shall come
Underneath the bunkers in the row
45. THE FLOWERS OF GUATEMALA
I took a picture that I'll have to send
People here are friendly and content
People here are colorful and bright
The flowers often bloom at night
Amanita is the name
The flowers cover everything
The flowers cover everything
There's something here I find hard to ignore
There's something that I've never seen before
Amanita is the name they cover over everything
The flowers cover everything
They cover over everything (Amanita is the name)
The flowers cover everything
Don't look into the sun
Don't look into the sun
There's something that I've never seen before
The flowers often bloom at night
Amanita is the name they cover over everything
46. I BELIEVE
When I was young and full of grace
and spirited--a rattlesnake.
When I was young and fever fell
My spirit, I will not tell
You're on your honor not to tell
I believe in coyotes and time as an abstract
Explain the change, the difference between
What you want and what you need, there's the key,
Your adventure for today, what do you do
Between the horns of the day?
I believe my shirt is wearing thin
And change is what I believe in
When I was young and give and take
And foolish said my fool awake
When I was young and fever fell
My spirit, I will not tell
You're on your honor, on your honor
Trust in your calling, make sure your calling's true
Think of others, the others think of you
Silly rule golden words make, practice practice makes perfect,
Perfect is a fault, in fault lies change
I believe my humor's wearing thin
And change is what I believe in
I believe my shirt is wearing thin
And change is what I believe in
When I was young and full of grace
As spirited a rattlesnake
When I was young and fever fell
My spirit, I will not tell
You're on your honor not to tell
I believe in example
I believe my throat hurts
Example is the checker to the key
I believe my humor's wearing thin
And I believe the poles are shifting
I believe my shirt is wearing thin
And change is what I believe in
47. WHAT IF WE GIVE IT AWAY?
On the outside underneath the wall
All the money couldn't buy
You're mistaken no one's standing there
For the record no one tried
Oh I try to
What if we give it away?
Overlooking with a hollow eye
What's pretending is it right
Eye for order a hand for what's in line
Couldn't follow couldn't write
And our life does fine here
Stitch it on your tie here
Here's the trailer Tom
A year has come and gone
We're not moving was it right
Take the order sew it on your tie
We couldn't follow couldn't try
48. JUST A TOUCH
Well what in the world? Women in black
Don't you remember send us back
A day in the life well nobody laughed
Look to the days how long can this last
Kevin heard it on the radio
Hugh informed word of mouth
Carla read it in the news
Caught it all just a touch
You set the pace of what was to come
I have to carry on now that you're gone
A day in the life well nobody laughed
Look to the days how long can this last
There's someone in our dreams
In our preassembled dream
Well what in the world? Women in black
Don't you remember send us back
A day in the life well nobody laughed
Look to the days how long can this last
I can't see where to worship Popeye, love Al Green,
I can't see, I'm so young, I'm so god damn young
49. SWAN SWAN H
Swan, swan, hummingbird
Hurrah, we are all free now
What noisy cats are we
Girl and dog he bore his cross
A long, low time ago, people talk to me
Johnny Reb what's the price of fans
Forty a piece or three for one dollar?
Hey captain don't you want to buy
Some bone chains and toothpicks?
Night wings, her hair chains,
Here's your wooden greenback, sing
Wooden beams and dovetail sweep
I struck that picture ninety times,
I walked that path a hundred ninety,
Long, low time ago, people talk to me
A pistol hot cup of rhyme
The whiskey is water, the water is wine
Marching feet, Johnny Reb, what's the price of heroes?
Six and one half dozen the other,
Tell that to the captain's mother,
Hey captain don't you want to buy,
Some bone chains and toothpicks?
Night wings, her hair chains
Swan, swan, hummingbird
Hurrah, we are all free now
What noisy cats are we
Long, low time ago, people talk to me
A pistol hot cup of rhyme,
The whiskey is water, the water is wine
50. SUPERMAN (The Clique)
(Godzilla doll opens in Japanese with "This is a special news report.
Godzilla has been sighted in Tokyo Bay. The attack on it by the
Self-Defense
Force has been useless. He is heading towards the city.
AAAAAGGGGHHHH!!!!!")
I am I am I am Superman and I know what's happening
I am I am I am Superman and I can do anything
You don't really love that guy you make it with now do you
I know you don't love that guy cause I can see right through you
If you go a million miles away I'll track you down girl
Trust me when I say I know the pathway to your heart