Roger Knott
singer-songwriter-musician

Lyrics

Click on the song title for the lyrics.
All lyrics © Roger John Knott (PRS)

Did the flowers arrive? Did I choose the kind that you like, and the note, did you dig the words I wrote?; I booked a table at a fancy restaurant, Ordered Champagne on ice, I got tickets for a late-night movie show, But if you think that’s real nice...<<CHORUS: Catch me on a good day For something you won’t forget Catch me on a good day To see how good love gets. >> Shall we go to the beach Or some deserted mountain retreat Out of town, Where we can watch the sun go down; We’ll get dressed in all our finery, Dancing the night away, We'll go riding in a chauffeured limousine But if you think that’s okay…<Repeat CHORUS.> It’s hard to do Justice to A girl who sets my soul on fire; When all I wanna do is shower you with everything your heart desires. Is there anything more I can do to prove that I’m yours? If there is, Put it down upon my list; But if you think I’m going overboard, I'm not getting my feet wet, And if you can't believe this is happening, Girl, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet…<Repeat CHORUS>  back to top

In the morning I'll be gone Into the wonder of a sunrise all alone, To walk these empty streets Where broken lovers greet their sorrow At tomorrow's weary dawn. There's no telling where I'll roam, I'll travel everywhere to find my heart a home, Despite the sad recall I will remember all the treasure Beyond measure we have known, Mmm... <<CHORUS: Love comes Like a Summer flower opens in the sun; But love goes Melting like the last remaining Winter snow.>> In the morning I'll be gone To find that love was an illusion all along, And I'm alone because The one I needed most beside me Here to guide me now has flown. <Repeat CHORUS> While lovers are sighing The flowers are dying The swallows are flying away; But there's a good reason To start a new season Just along the way. <SOLO> <Repeat CHORUS>  back to top

You were cruising down the highway When your tour-bus left the road, Out of gas, Tyres flat, You could no longer bear the load. Guess you did not see it coming, Around the corner, out of sight, It tore apart Your heart, And left it shattered in the night. <<BRIDGE: But being laid up couldn't keep you down for long, Your mind was made up the pain would only make you strong.>> <<CHORUS: And now you're rolling down that rocky road again, And you're looking better, baby, than you've ever been, You've been knocked down, But you've come around And counted one to ten, Now you're rolling down that rocky road again.>> Dance as if nobody's watching, Love like it will never hurt, When you do, I know you Will find your heaven here on earth. <SOLO> <Repeat BRIDGE> <Repeat CHORUS>  back to top

By the waterside they're braced for a flood (Down by the river, down by the river) The rising tide of the flesh and the blood,(Down by the river, down by the river) Sailing West, The hungry and the dispossessed Come to claim their freedom in the mud. By the waterside the immigrants stand, (Down by the river, down by the river) With all they own what they hold in their hands,(Down by the river, down by the river) Soon their strange And foreign sounding names are changed A new beginning in the promised land.  Come you hoards Of the forsaken Farewell to the land of your birth; Step on board   And you'll be taken To a place the World can learn your worth. <SOLO> ...Sailing West, The hungry and the dispossessed Come to claim their freedom in the mud. By the waterside, we'll all be received, (Down by the river, down by the river) On that sacred day when all souls must leave, (Down by the river, down by the river) Bound in chains, The human spirit will remain, For we have come for something to believe. CODA: ...We have come.. to believe.... (repeat)  back to top

Hey, hey, get up early, There's a new day about to dawn, Got no need to worry Cos yesterday's been and gone. <<CHORUS: Don't mix it with bad whiskey, Can’t fix it with bad whiskey.>> Hey, hey, don’t be sorry When you're left with a broken dream, Some time everybody's Gone bust in a get-rich scheme. <Repeat CHORUS> <BRIDGE: Bad whiskey brings you trouble Bad whiskey treats you mean So focus on the positive Let that bottle be> Hey, hey, don't go crazy When your love leaves with your best friend, You got other lovers Waiting outside to step right in. <Repeat CHORUS>< Repeat BRIDGE> Hey, hey, look-a-yonder, There’s a leaf dancin’ in the wind, It’s been walked all over, But the wind's gonna rise again. <Repeat CHORUS twice >  back to top

The weather turned and I was in the storm, Nowhere to hide to keep me safe and warm; I didn't know what wrong I had done To deserve to be on the run. I felt as if my life was blown away,  With nothing left that I could do or say; But just when I thought all hope was lost, You were helping me bear the Cross. <<CHORUS: For you, You were the one Who kept my spirit strong Through the wars, All through the wars; And the first footprints in the snowfall To my door Always were yours>> If all your love and kindness could be weighed, I'd face a debt too great to be repaid, You are to me more precious than gold, For you've given me joy untold. <Repeat CHORUS> <<BRIDGE: And every time I ask the question: Who's always there for me? The answer's only you>> <Repeat CHORUS from "You were the one...">  back to top

There have been lovers through the ages That we all have read about, But in history's faded pages, There is something that's been left out: A love that stands so tall, It will surpass them all, A love to make you jump and shout. <<CHORUS: It's the great lost love The great lost love, We've got to try to find the great lost love; The great lost love, The great lost love, Girl you and I could be The great lost love>> When I was talking with an old friend He said something I never knew, You had told him you once loved me, Without knowing I loved you too; It set me wondering Just how things might have been If I had shared my life with you. <Repeat CHORUS> <BRIDGE: We took the paths that never crossed, Had the affair that never was, But if we solve the mystery, We could change our history Forever>  So goodbye Josephine and Napoleon, Goodbye Juliet and Romeo, Goodbye Anthony and Cleopatra, When compared to us you won't come close; If we give our best shot And love with all we've got, They will remember us the most.  <Repeat CHORUS replacing line 6 with: Captured alive, we'll have the great lost love> <Repeat first CHORUS>  back to top

It's five percent of inspiration, Ninety-five of perspiration, That's how the work gets done, That's how the work gets done. Thinking up a new invention, Breaking out of old conventions, That's how the world moves on, That's how the world moves on. But just when I think I know What it's all about, There's still one thing my mind Just can't figure out... <<CHORUS: Where did you come from, To show where my heart belongs, Who told you I needed somebody to love And rely upon>> It takes a deep investigation To reveal a big sensation,That's how the truth comes out.That's how the truth comes out. So how come you knew what I Didn't know myself, This is my perfect day To vacate the shelf. <Repeat CHORUS> Someone's been stirring the pot When I wasn't looking; The recipe sure hit the spot, I love what you're cooking. <Repeat from start to CHORUS twice> CODA: ...to love and reply upon, to love and rely upon  back to top

When the sun goes down On the railroad town At the end of a working day;The smoky shroud Mingles with the clouds And all of the sky turns grey. <<CHORUS: Roll away Roll away Roll those clouds back and light my way; In a while, Maybe I'll Wave goodbye from a Southbound train>> There's an engineer On a train through here Who will let a poor boy ride free; Hear the whistle sound As the train slows down Blowing pity for folk like me. <<Repeat CHORUS> The city I'm told Has its streets paved with gold On a rail out of here; For all it is worth There's no reason on earth Keeping me staying here. <SOLO> When the sun goes down On the railroad town At the end of a working day. <Repeat CHORUS>  back to top

Si en confianza te pregunto Cómo te sientes de verdad, Me dirías que seremos juntos O sea sólo quieres amistad; Es mejor lo que tenemos Guardamos los secretos Te importa tanto esa vida de seguridad. <<CHORUS: Una vida mejor Deja crecer el amor Solo debemos regarlo y darle calor; No puedes disfrazar Un amor tan singular No podemos privarnos De una vida mejor>> Cuando llega algo verdadero No puedes ocultar tu corazón, Por todas partes brilla en el mundo La luz eterna de la gran pasión; Desengaños has tenido, En el pasado has sufrído, Pero tienes ahora mismo la mejor ocasión. <Repeat CHORUS> Cada uno de nosotros compartimos En este mundo incierto, Y cada aventura amorosa No tiene garantía; Si dejas tus miedos cegarte En lágrimas terminarás, Mira por todas partes, Lo que ves te soprenderá. <Repeat CHORUS> No podemos privarnos de una vida mejor. Spanish translation by Lynn Patricia Harrell  back to top

<<CHORUS: May you find Your Wings, Do a million things, And if you leave the past behind, Don't forget the roots that bind; May the song you sing Be the love you bring And every time you reach to fly, May you find your wings>> Would you go on Would you burn out Would you stop your high achieving; The road was rough But you were tough And you never thought of leaving; 'Cos your vision was clear And your well-worn voice Rang out with songs we longed to hear. <Repeat CHORUS> Would you give in Would you give up Did you give a good performance, Yes, you were strong With more to come, And you really held the audience In the palm of your hand, 'Cos the life you've struggled through They know and understand. <SOLO> <Repeat CHORUS> CODA: ...And every time you reach to fly, May you find your wings  back to top

(Instrumental)  back to top

A letter through the mailbox Another bill arrives Sometimes you must wonder At your chances to survive And stay alive, babe; You hope you will strike lucky But your numbers never fit The odds are against you But you hate it to admit You wanna quit, babe, But…CHORUS: << Red lights turn to green lights Just like Winter turns to Spring Will your heart be ready ‘Cos it changes everything; They turn to green, They turn to green, Will your heart be ready When the red lights turn to green.>>  So keep your motor running Wait at the starting line Don’t look in the mirror For the times you left behind Cos you’ll be fine, babe, And… <<Repeat CHORUS>> Tough dreams enough to fill your cup Will bring you every reason That you should not give up And though love failed many times To satisfy your hunger Be a little stronger Wait a little longer...<<Solo over CHORUS>> <<Repeat CHORUS>> (repeat:) Will your heart be ready When the red lights turn to green  back to top

It’s easier to judge than forgive But I believe as long as I live Whatever wrong I’ve done I’m not the only one With overdue apologies to give, It’s easier to judge than forgive. It’s easier to lie than be true The trouble is each lie leads to two And soon your heart will drown As lies come raining down You thought a little lie would cover you It’s easier to lie than be true.  BRIDGE: <<Oh love, where have you been Will I ever know again your grace Oh love, forgive my sins Will I ever look again into your face>> It’s easier to deny than believe To brace your heart than wear it on your sleeve But if you close the door And look for love no more You’ll be the only one that you deceive It’s easier to deny than believe. <<Solo over Bridge>> <<Repeat first Verse>> (Repeat) It’s easier to judge than forgive  back to top

The day you came We gave you a name to know you by; And as you grew I always knew one day you’d fly; I took your hand And showed you the land life brought you to, And promised to Walk with you all the way, But… CHORUS: <<I’ll stand aside With pride Deep down inside And watch you go As you make your way in the world.>> I know you well And no-one can tell the way I do, The World out there Needs someone who cares as much as you; So don’t hold back Or fear what you lack will make you fail, Just hit the street, And set your feet on the trail, And.. <<Repeat CHORUS>> A world that can be wild For a mild and gentle child   Who’d never hurt a soul Along the way <<SOLO over Verse>> <<Repeat CHORUS>> (repeat:) I’ll watch you go As you make your way in the world  back to top

When you think there are no tomorrows Only days that will never come Wondering when you’ll defeat your sorrows Blow your trumpet and beat your drum, You’ve got to live and learn And sometimes crash and burn Before you earn your slice of pie And find the plum. CHORUS: << And all those years That have been piled behind you Call to remind you To bring on those tears And wash away all of the Dust and promises>>  People bring you the coldest comfort Saying you’re better off than some, They try catching you on the wrong foot But you’re not gonna be that dumb; You’ve got to live and learn And sometimes crash and burn Before you earn your slice of pie And not the crumbs. CHORUS: <<And all those years That have been piled behind you Call to remind you To bring on those tears And wash away all of the…>> Dust upon your hopes and dreams Dust upon your plans and schemes You needed bad  You always had. <<SOLO over Verse>> <<Repeat first CHORUS>>  back to top

Every generation builds its castles in the sand, The tide of history decides how long they stand; Grandpa was a war hero but never one to boast, He always said that it’s the little things mean most. Photographs in sepia taken at the store, Cuttings from the papers, medals from the war, An old family bible, a wind-up watch and chain, And of the lives they led, there’s just these things remain.  CHORUS: <<Passing down Passing on Something to leave when you are gone; But all I have Is this song My only heirloom for my daughter and my son.>> How do we determine what is precious, what is not, What’s worth preserving from the memories we’ve got, All I know is that the most important things to me Are faith, love and the family. <<Repeat CHORUS>> <<SOLO over Verse>> <<Repeat CHORUS>>  back to top

The World is filled with strangers, The friends you never met To lift you out of danger And keep you from the threat Of feeling so alone You’re sinking like a stone,  But it’s too late now to regret  The friends you never met.   Your head was filled with voices That you could not ignore A multitude of noises Of demons at the door That drove you to a place You’re lost without a trace And that’s the toughest place to get For friends you never met. <<SOLO>> Nobody came to honour Your soul as it was blessed Not a single mourner As you were laid to rest For all the world as if A life was never lived And that’s the saddest moment yet For friends you never met  back to top

You took so long Catching on Till all my hope was gone To all that I had going on in my head; I took my aim Staked my claim And prayed you felt the same But you were perfecting your game plan instead. BRIDGE: <<There was a moon high in the sky And the moment was passing me by As I waited with a sigh For you to show>> CHORUS: <<You came late, oh so late, to the party But you made your entrance in great style You came late, oh so late, to the party But now you’re here, won’t you stay a while>> I didn’t need Dirty deeds To bring me up to speed You’d already planted the seed in my mind;‘Cos all it took Was one look From you and I was hooked And you had me leaving my past life behind. <<Repeat BRIDGE and CHORUS>> MIDDLE: <<Stay a while for the romance Stay a while for the last dance Stay a while for the sweet wine Stay a while for the moonshine>> <<Solo over CHORUS>> <<Repeat MIDDLE and CHORUS>>  back to top

Sail away, won’cha sail away, Sail away these blues, Cos blues, there’s nothing Nothing else for me to lose; Fly away or ride away C’mon, Go any way you choose Cos blues I got nothing, Nothing left to say to you. Blues I got nothing, Nothing left to say to you. BRIDGE:<<Won’t you find another unsuspecting soul to prey upon, It’s been too long you’ve waited at my door; You came to town To bring me down Tried to put me in the ground But I ain’t gonna suffer you no more.>> Any place you show your face Only brings bad news Blues, you only hang around And spoil the view; Sail away, won’cha sail away,‘Cos I’ve paid my dues, Blues, it’s time to Gather up your walking shoes; Blues, it’s time to Gather up your walking shoes. <<Repeat BRIDGE and VERSES 1 & 2>>  back to top

He was born Huddie Ledbetter In Mooringsport, Louisiana, To real hardworking sharecroppers 'bout 1889; They raised him on the plantation, Among the cotton they were raising, While the music of the Cajuns came drifting down the line. He hoboed 'round across to Texas, Met Blind Lemon down in Dallas They sang the blues and field-hollers For downtown passers-by; But he bore a violent demeanor, And he was convicted of a murder, With thirty years of hard labor, they hung him out to dry. He sang for the governor prison work songs, But steel bars and chains couldn’t hold him down for long. CHORUS: <<They called him Lead Belly, he was a true star, Called himself the King of the 12-string guitar.>> <<SOLO>> Then two Texans name of Lomax Came around recording folk acts For the Library of Congress And set Lead Belly free; They took him up to New York City, He played the clubs and hootenannies, Joined with Woody at the rallies To fight the bourgeoisie. He sang for the radicals protesting songs, But the White social set couldn’t hold him down for long.  He was born Huddie Ledbetter In Mooringsport, Louisiana. To real hardworking sharecroppers 'bout 1889; As he grew old, he grew a weakness, His body broken by a sickness, He could no longer play his music And he died without a dime; Soon people gathered round to sing Lead Belly’s songs, And the World’s Hit Parade couldn’t hold 'em out for long. <<Repeat CHORUS twice>> <<SOLO over repeated CHORUS >>  back to top

Go the last mile Travelling homeward Out in the wilderness When times are bad; Shine a bright light All through the darkness  Find the strength you Never knew that you had. Go the last mile When hearts are weary, Aim to revive The fortunes of love; Feelings denied Calling for freedom Caught in between The hawk and the dove. <<SOLO>> Go the last mile Peace in the making Bidding the roar Of battle to cease; There can be no Finer endeavor When victims of war Become victors of peace. Síocháin a lorg Go deireadh na slí Ag iarraidh críoch A chur le sléacht; Níl éacht dá fheabhas Is fearr ar domhan Ná lucht an leatroim An tsíocháin a bhaint.
Irish Translation by Caitlín MhigFhloinn back to top

Open hearts and open minds Bid welcome to the world They receive the treasure As the oyster holds the pearl. CHORUS: <<Mother, look at your children Teacher, look at your town Those who follow your footsteps Spread your spirit around, around Spread your spirit around>> We are only visitors Into this wondrous place, And we’re all responsible To leave it in good grace. <Repeat CHORUS> We are born in innocence A canvas that is plain, Day by day we paint the colours Of our joys and pain <Repeat CHORUS> Everyone has dignity Deserving of respect And each kindness that you show The universe reflects <Repeat CHORUS> <Solo over VERSE & CHORUS till fade> back to top

Someone new on my block, Is she taken, is she not, We've only spoken once or twice, There's something 'bout her that I like. But my heart fills with doubt, Can't find the nerve to ask her out, So maybe when she's not at home, I'll leave a message on her phone. <<BRIDGE: And I pray What I say Will help to bring her love my way >> <<CHORUS 1: Call me back Call me back When you get my message How will you react, With a smile Or surprise Wish I could see The love light in your eyes>> And if we make a date, I'll shine my shoes and not be late, A first impression really counts, Good conversation paramount. <Repeat Bridge>  <<CHORUS 2: Call me back, call me back When you get my message How will you react, Like a fly on the wall, Wish I could be there when you hear my call.>> <MIDDLE: This could be the love to last forever, Guaranteed to hold us fast together, But I wonder is it now or never, So please call me back, Darling, call me back. <Solo over Chorus><Repeat Bridge><Repeat Choruses 1 & 2 till fade> Call me back, call me back... back to top

<<Intro>> I got a problem I don't understand Our disagreement is getting out of hand Because you put me in purgatory And keep me shut out of your territory <<CHANNEL 1: I try for a kiss You give me a peck And I get a reality check>> <<CHORUS: But I can't find anybody  Thinking the way you do When I say we were made for each other You deny that it's true; And I can't find anybody To argue the point with me Cos we're a match that was made up in heaven Everybody's agrees.>> <<Link>> I know that loving takes a little time But I'm impatient to cross that borderline And I'll be faithful, you needn't worry I hate to seem like I'm a such a hurry; <<CHANNEL 2: I ask for a date You say "what the heck!" And I get a reality check>> <Repeat CHORUS> <<MIDDLE: You say you want to be sure somehow But baby you can be sure right now I asked around among friend and foe Our survey says only one said no.>> <Repeat CHORUS and tag><Outro> back to top  

<<CHORUS: She gets high on leaving Never aiming to stay She goes midnight creeping Forever stealing away; Running out of town When the chips are down No sense hanging around, She gets high on leaving 'Til her feet ain't touching the ground.>> She plays it easy She plays the game Whatever's needed Gonna hide her shame; When she's in trouble Up against the wall Then her only move is to turn Her back on it all. <Repeat CHORUS> Her problems started When she was young Her mother drinking And her father gone, No-one to turn to When she needed help And it's sad to see history Repeating itself.<Repeat CHORUS> <<MIDDLE: There is a road to nowhere Starting at your own back door, And sometimes it's right to stand and fight For what is yours.>><Repeat CHORUS> back to top

Down from May through December Many changes come But you're bound to remember Days when love was young; The way it felt To hold her tight When first love was so strong. CHORUS: <<But there's a late bloom among the flowers For it's turned warm for the time of the year And though we can't fight the fading hours It feels like Winter's approaching but Spring is in the air.>> I've been feeling the wind blow Down from yesterday Wondering where did the time go While I turned away; For life moves on When hearts have flown And colours fade to grey> <Repeat CHORUS> MIDDLE: All my life my dreams were always made for two, But love was always made for moving on, Many years I waited for someone like you, And when I heard you call my name I knew at last the waiting game was won. <Repeat Verse 1><Repeat CHORUS and tag> back to top

Met you on a Sunday morning You shone like a lantern bright, Came to me without a warning, Made me believe in love Made me believe in us Made me believe the future with all my might. All our days were spent in wonder Cradled in our innocence And the spell that we were under Made it a sunny day Made it a place to play Made it a time of joy to experience. CHORUS: <<The warmth of your laughter Could dry off the rain, Your sweet disposition Put angels to shame; I'll always remember The day that you came, I thought it was music The sound of your name.>> <Solo> <Repeat CHORUS> With the turning of the season You no longer came to call And I never found the reason Why you were making tracks Why you weren't coming back Why all the Summer leaves had to fade and fall.<Repeat Verse 1, CHORUS & tag> back to top

Why must I leave these sacred mountains These crystal streams where the salmon swim For every time that I am leaving I cannot wait to return again. This fabled land of saints and scholars From misty moor to shaded glen That gave the world its sons and daughters Exiled abroad their lives to spend CHORUS: <<For I have wandered the whole wide world without a care And lay in another's arms now and then But the charms of a foreign land cannot compare To the feeling of seeing Ireland again.>> <Solo> <Repeat CHORUS> The music of the pipe and fiddle Comes floating through the eveningtide And welcomes in the weary stranger To take his rest by the fireside <Repeat CHORUS> back to top

CHORUS: <<Oh my my Don't you see the devil riding by No don't cry I'll supply an angel in the sky When you are underneath the spell And looking down the road to hell I'm on your side, You and I, We'll defeat the devil riding by.>> Times get hard Days get tough Not all of us are always strong enough To take the slings That fortune brings, But there's no place I see that you could be Where no-one's been. <Repeat CHORUS> Some out there Steal your share And fool you into thinking that they care; But in the end While they pretend You'll see through their disguise and recognize Who is your friend. BRIDGE: <Bad things can happen to the best of us, Sometimes it's hard to understand, But there's someone among the rest of us Willing to lend a helping hand.><Repeat CHORUS> back to top

The power of a raindrop Falling on the desert sand Is measured on a scale We cannot truly understand To bring to life the song That beats a rhythm deep within. CHORUS: <<Only the heart Only the heart can sing.>> To those who bear the bombs That blow the innocent away For what you do there will only be More violence to pay, There is no justice anywhere An evil deed can bring <Repeat CHORUS> BRIDGE: Only the heart Can reunite what's torn apart And find the place the healing starts To soothe you through the pain. <Solo><Repeat Bridge> The world is rich enough To build a home for everyone Yet still the faces of the poor Are begging to belong Those faces come in every shade But underneath the skin <Repeat CHORUS with tag> back to top

When the day begins And a robin sings At your window pane In the rain; Surprise, open your eyes, open your eyes. When the daily grind Starts to cloud your mind Lay your burden down Turn around; Surprise, open your eyes, open your eyes. BRIDGE: <If you wish You can fill your dish For there will be fish on the line; If you choose You can squeeze the juice For there will be fruit on the vine.> When your lover’s gone You will find someone Playing hide-and-seek Take a peek; Surprise, open your eyes, open your eyes. <Solo><Repeat Bridge> Open up and see That the wolf won't be Howling at your door Any more, Surprise, open your eyes, open your eyes. <Coda>: Surprise, open your eyes, open your eyes back to top

Today should be our anniversary With twenty years between you and me And all greeting cards upon the mantle The time to light another candle; Congratulations in the air But none are there For it sure looks like Good times have none to spare. Today should be the day to have a ball Not staring at these four familiar walls And just thinking back to when love started And wondering why it has departed; 'Cos when I go to claim my share, The cupboard's bare, And it sure looks like Good times have none to spare. <<MIDDLE: Good times, I'm counting up the cost, Of all the love that I have lost, And as the sun goes down I miss you the most.>><Solo> 'Cos when I go to claim my share, The cupboard's bare, And it sure looks like Good times have none to spare. If yesterday could come around again, I'd see the signs a little clearer then And not celebrate our grand occasion Through bitter tears of isolation, Nobody told me love was fair, But who's to care When it sure looks like Good times have none to spare. <CODA: Today should be our anniversary.>  back to top

The phone call I never made Put off till tomorrow You can't answer any more And it brings only sorrow. <<CHORUS: I thought you'd always be there You always were before, I thought you'd always be there Waiting at the door>> When no-one was on my side You were a believer And when I was burning up You cooled down my fever. <Repeat Chorus> <<MIDDLE: To make the world as you used to make it No-one else is able For no-one could ever take Your place at the table>> If there is a resting place For timeless devotion I'll meet you upon that shore At the end of the ocean. <Repeat CHORUS> back to top

Come raise up your hand and join with me And salute a future world that’s truly free Where nobody has to suffer needlessly Because of the place that they call home.  So here’s to a free world Towards a free world Free from bombs, free from land-mines, Free from drugs, free from street crime, Free from hate and destruction, Free from greed and corruption, From denied education, From disease and starvation; And the day all these wishes come to be, Only then will this world of ours be free. Come follow me down and join the tide Of the millions of people on the rise Who won't turn away in silence as children die Because of the place that they call home. So here’s to a free world Towards a free world Free from fear and suppression, Free from tortured confessions, Free from violent solutions, From environment pollution, From Third World exploitation, Free from rich and poor nations; And the day all these wishes come to be, Only then will this world of ours be free. <Solo> So here's to a free world Towards a free world Free from bombs, free from land-mines Free from drugs, free from street-crime Free from hate and destruction Free from greed and corruption From denied education, From disease and starvation; Free from fear and suppression Free from tortured confessions Free from violent solutions From environment pollution From Third World exploitation, Free from rich and poor nations; And the day all these wishes come to be Only then will this world of ours be free. back to top

You say you are lonely And the sun no longer shines And the world is cloudy in your eyes; You say you are waiting For the day when love returns And that's the cause of your concern. <CHORUS: Just laugh at the rain, That brings you sorrow, Brings you pain; Laugh at the rain For tomorrow the skies are bound to change.> I know what you're feeling Few of us have been immune From the hurt of love that left too soon; With no rhyme or reason Love deals you a bitter blow But here's one thing you ought to know. <Repeat Chorus> <BRIDGE: Look outside Search for the sun Why sit there on your own When you should be with someone. <SOLO> <Repeat CHORUS>  back to top

Free world, Free world... Free from fear and suppression Free from tortured confessions Free from violent solution From environment pollution From Third World exploitation.....  back to top

Heaven has open doors Beckons you come inside Bright walls and marble floors The great halls of paradise. Some take the journey high With fire in their veins They try to touch the sky Higher than an airplane. Can't get to heaven on a needle Can't get to heaven on a white line <CHORUS: I've been down that road And I didn't care much for what I saw I've been down that road before And I ain't going back any more, no more, No, I ain't going back any more> Wise man came from the east With strange philosophies He claims to hold the key To unlock the mystery. His faithful flock are shorn Of all material things The holy one adorned Fine clothes and jeweled rings. Can't get to heaven on a fortune Can't get to heaven in a fast car <<Repeat Chorus>>  back to top

The waitress wouldn't serve me any alcohol 'Cos I left my ID back at the hotel And though I'd never pass for under twenty-one To break the rules for me would catch her hell And she'd have to break the rules for them as well So the waitress said my age she could not tell. <CHORUS: And I won't be fooled I can't be cool And toe the line with your crazy rules; Cut down, shut down, ridiculed, That pill is too hard to swallow I wasn't born to go follow crazy rules, Crazy rules> Those crazy rules incriminate the innocent Those crazy rules will set the guilty free And if they make a virtue out of being dumb Those crazy rules will bring you to your knees And make you question your own sanity And where that leads ain't where I want to be. <<Repeat CHORUS>> Come on guys Why bother me I'm a law-abiding man In the land of the free; I've got nothing to prove Nothing to hide So don't treat me like an enemy I want you on my side. <Solo over Verse> <<Repeat Chorus>> back to top

We had sudden rain Unexpected rain Didn't have the time to run for cover when it came; You were caught the same In the sudden rain Sharing my umbrella but I never knew your name. Raindrops on your face Hair all out of place You sure played your part; A cloud up in the sky Opened up and cried And told me: "Hold on to your heart". And before we knew We were soaking through I was too enchanted to see anything but you; Caught inside the storm In that sudden storm Though it should have been a chilling feeling, it was warm. <Instrumental> Then the weather changed Not a cloud remained Passing like a vision from the window of a train; Now the air was dry We said our goodbyes Smiling at each other as we went about our lives. Love is like the rain Like the sudden rain Takes you by surprise; I'll wait for you again But will I wait in vain Forever, the days of my life.  back to top

Take that trip for me And bring me back a souvenir, Go see all I wanted to see And bring me back a souvenir, Because I just can't make it Girl, I guess you'd better take it from here; Because I just can't make it Girl, I guess you'd better take it out of here: <CHORUS: So bring me back a souvenir, Nothing rare, nothing special Just a token that you care; To say that love is alive And don't be afraid To step out into the sun.> Take that rainbow train And bring me back a pot of gold., Spend all of the dreams that remain And bring me back a pot of gold., I'll take you to the station See you off on your vacation from the cold; I'll take you to the station See you off on your vacation from this cold. < Repeat Chorus>  <Solo>  <Repeat Chorus till fade>  back to top

They say life is for learning And while your heart is still young and yearning For all the love you deserve, You're only on that learning curve. And if fate is the dealer What you need now is time the healer To lift your sorrow away And it won't always be this way. <CHORUS: 'Cos when love comes around again You're gonna take it And treat it like a long lost friend; Yes, when love comes around again You're gonna take it And treat it like a long lost friend.> I know you need a hero Now more than ever that you're down to zero With no more spirit to burn To make it through another turn. Though you're running on empty And thinking back to the days of plenty When your heart wasn't so sore I don't know what you're worried for. <Repeat CHORUS> <BRIDGE: Let me be a Gipsy with your fortune to tell; Sad emotions Need a magic potion To break the spell.> <Instrumental over 1st half Chorus> <Repeat 2nd half Chorus> You're gonna meet it And greet it And treat it like a long lost friend. back to top

All I need is an opening line A word or two to flow with the wine And when I've made a start Trying to win your heart I'll keep talking, talking Talking till the prize is won Of my moment in the sun. All I want is a clear road ahead   And never stumble wherever I tread Because my aim is true Down this road to you I'll keep walking, walking Walking till the journey's done To my moment in the sun. <BRIDGE: Love lies under a shroud But they say every cloud Has got a silver lining; And I know love is strong And it won't be too long Till the moment the sun will come shining.> Like a beggar, I seek my reward Of any favour your heart may afford For the love I bring Is my offering For the taking, taking; Take it now 'cos you're the one You're my moment in the sun. <Instrumental over Bridge> <Repeat Verse 1>  back to top

Uncle Charlie led the orchestra That sailed the ocean wide He gathered his musicians Down upon the harbour side; For the audience would be on board A thousand miles from shore In a ballroom where the chandeliers Would sparkle on the dance floor. They played waltzes, they played polkas And the passengers would dance To Uncle Charlie's orchestra While looking for romance; Now, an ocean liner travels In search of dreams for some  But music is a vessel That can carry everyone. <CHORUS 1: And whenever he got restless He would raise the baton high Striking up the orchestra Recalling days gone by; For it summoned up the music With the power of a magic wand The music of yesterday plays on From Uncle Charlie's baton.> <Instrumental> And when the years brought Charlie To the end of his career His players clubbed together For a farewell souvenir Of an ebony carved baton With a silver band inscribed: "From the members of the orchestra, October 1905". And through the generations It was handed down to me Now I am the custodian Of all those memories; And I keep the baton proudly On permanent display When people ask about it I have these words I always say: <CHORUS 2: Oh whenever I get restless I will raise the baton high Striking up the orchestra Recalling days gone by; For it summons up the music With the power of a magic wand The music of yesterday plays on   From Uncle Charlie's baton.>  back to top

Born in hard times In the shadows of the factory we played; Grey were the skies And the never-changing colour of the day; But by starlight on cold nights We dreamed of days yet to come When we would be gone on our way to the sun And never look back where we’re from. <CHORUS: From the streets Of our childhood We believed life would be sweet; We were young We were dreaming That soon we'd have the world at our feet We had so far to go from these streets.> So long ago That the world's become a different place since then How could we know Of the challenges and changes life would send; Here and yonder we wander Over land over the sea To always be home in the places we've grown The people we always will be. <Repeat CHORUS> <Instrumental> But by starlight on cold nights We dreamed of days yet to come When we would be gone on our way to the sun And never look back where we’re from. <Repeat Chorus Twice> TAG: We had so far to go There was so far to go We had so far to go from those streets. back to top

The politician's eloquence had never failed Until he felt his back against the wall And he fell silent as the headlines told the tale Of how he lied and caused his own downfall.  The champion runner always needed to be strong But needed more to be the number one And when it was discovered she was doing wrong She handed back the trophies she had won. <CHORUS: Say, ain't it a kick in the seat of the pants Ain't it a drag to discover the fact, When you believed that your destiny Had been carved in stone, That the life you lived so well Was only on loan.>  And when we come to contemplate the deeds we've done, The promises we made, the chances lost We seek perfection in ourselves and everyone But life's a storm where hopes and dreams are tossed. <Repeat CHORUS> <BRIDGE: Say a prayer for fallen idols Hail the heroes when they fail In the moment of their weakness Slipping, sliding off the rails.> <Repeat CHORUS> back to top

I remember first when we met Not a moment I can forget Though I had not kissed you as yet I knew then our future was set; But there's no need to explain When a love is written so plain. <CHORUS: Wanna thank you girl for the favour Of signing your autograph on my heart Gonna throw away all the others 'Cos you got a thing that sets you apart You've written your name Here in my heart.> Any time that I saw your face I would feel my heart start to race I imagined we would embrace And the world become a kind place; And the few times I was low Were the times when you had to go. <Repeat CHORUS> <MIDDLE: And when the day came that you gave your love to me It was better than I ever planned how it would be> <Solo> There is no need to explain When a love is written so plain <Repeat CHORUS> TAG: You've written your name Here in my heart.  back to top

I know that it's true You belong to another Behind your door; But when day is through You become the sweet lover I've waited for;  And when I wake It's hard to take the reality So now, where was I? Gonna go back to dream.  And so once again I weep like a willow 'Cos we're apart; For it's only when My head hits the pillow The magic starts; But come the dawn I find you're gone and not what you seemed So now I'm leaving Gonna go back to dream. <MIDDLE 8:> Dreaming in the daytime I know there'll be playtime enough 'Cos anywhere I'm sleeping, That's where I'll be keeping your love <Instrumental> And it's a crime This idle time is wearying me And I'm so tired Gonna go back to dream. <Repeat Middle 8> <Repeat Verse 1> <Coda:>: And when I wake It's hard to take the reality So now, where was I? Gonna go back to dream I'm leaving, Gonna go back to dream So tired, Gonna go back to dream..  back to top

When we write the history  Of causes we fought for Will we claim a victory For all we were taught for Saying what is wrong and what is right When it's time for peace or time to fight.  When we come to send our sons and daughters to battle At the firing of the guns The roar and the rattle Do we hesitate and wonder why Some of them will live and some will die. <CHORUS 1:  Fallen heroes Who will praise them Orphan children Who will raise them Empire notions Rolling oceans away> Enemies can change to friends In one generation With new frontiers to defend In saving the nation Will we truly know whose side we're on Where the sacrifice we made has gone. <CHORUS 2: Unknown warriors Who will name them Savage places Who will tame them Empire notions Rolling oceans away>  <MIDDLE: The ghosts of soldiers leave With cannons and with swords Wondering if we believe The reason for the wars The justice of the cause Was worth their dying for.>  TAG: Empire notions Rolling oceans away Empire notions Rolling oceans away... away... away.  back to top

<Verse 1:> The architect who drew the plan For the house where we lived Had visions of a palace for a king and queen; He made the building strong With all the hope he could give But hard as we may try we couldn't live the dream. <Bridge 1> He thought the roof and walls Would keep us dry from all the rain Through all the years; But he was sad to find The house that he designed became A house of tears.  <Verse 2:> The window shades were made to open And let in the sun But love could not rise up to face another day; The greatest loneliness is not When a person’s alone But when two people live without a word to say. <Bridge 2> When we brought home our love Across the threshold that first time, I carried you; We left by separate doors Suitcases labelled yours and mine When we were through. <Solo over Verse> <Repeat Bridge 1> <Solo over Verse to end>  back to top

Cruel words ring out like shots in the night Towards each other’s hearts we’ve locked in our sights Carried down the wire An order comes to open fire Holding back the tears we enter the fight. <CHORUS: But if love can be saved It's worth the tryin' How far have we strayed Across that line; Deep in the night Don't let the light ever fade If love can be saved > Must we face the worst when we had the best Feeling like we’re cursed when our love was blessed; Further down the road We may lay down this heavy load Until then we're lost in this wilderness. <Repeat Chorus> <Middle 8>: Love is ancient, love is new Love is magic, love is true, And so before we run aground Love will turn this ship around. <Solo over 2nd half of verse> <Repeat Chorus>  back to top

He looks out of touch And doesn't say too much Of what he's done in his life; And though there’s nothing known There is something shown By the wisdom in his eyes. He used to wear the crown The people chased him down To sign his name in their books; But now that fame has passed And fortune didn't last He can’t get a second look No, he doesn’t get a second look. <CHORUS: In every window pane He catches sight of his reflection And sees an old man he doesn't know Standing in his place; You wouldn't know it now Looking at his sad expression He was a force to be reckoned with In his younger days.> And way back in his prime A legend in his time He won all the awards; The critics all went wild He was the blue-eyed child And he bowed to their applause. But then he crashed the car And hit the medicine jar And tumbled into despair; And when so many friends Had met with tragic ends It became too much to bear Yes, it all became too much to bear. <Repeat Chorus> <Middle: He took blind ambition And recognition And threw it to the wall; And as the years have flown by He’s never known why He’s still around at all <Repeat Chorus>  back to top

Don’t cry You’ve got the sun in your eye When you start wondering why Your future's hard for you to see. You say Nothing is going your way Hoping that every new day That dawns will end your misery. <CHORUS: But every bringdown hides a lesson Guaranteed to keep you guessing It's how we learn to grow How we begin to deal with sorrow; Every hard time sends a message Makes you stop and count your blessings So welcome to the show It’s only life, you know> Mistakes Are something we’re all bound to make I know how little it takes To fall on hard times for a spell. No gain Ever was made without pain You never suffer in vain If you can bid the blues farewell <HALF CHORUS: But every bringdown hides a lesson Guaranteed to keep you guessing It's how we learn to grow It’s only life, you know> <MIDDLE: Life is a carpet ride Into the great unknown You lose your way sometimes Till you find your direction home> <Solo over Verse> <Repeat Full Chorus>  back to top

When countries in the wars Are occupied by force The people start to talk about resistance; While some of us are brave Most of us are slaves We’d rather play it safe than go the distance. <LINK: For when the chances seem ghostly We'd like to be angels but mostly...> <CHORUS: We say what we say Just to make it through the day And sometimes find truth in a lie; We've learned how to live And how much to give Taking care of staying alive We do what we do to survive> A poor man stealing bread To keep his family fed Can‘t see his way ahead beyond tomorrow; Though he knows right from wrong He knows he must keep strong And someday he’ll no longer beg or borrow. <Repeat Link and Chorus> <MIDDLE: Oh, we're saints and we're sinners, We're losers and winners, Turning the world around, Oh, we're the loud and the proud ones, And lost in the crowd ones, Moving without a sound.> <Repeat Chorus>   back to top

There’s a home in the valley Where I’m from Where the days are warm And Summer meadows grow And the peaceful waters flow. And like a bird I will fly there Through the night For the stormy clouds Have gathered over me And I'm yearning to be free. <LINK: Carry me back Down a country highway Carry me back To the place where I belong> <CHORUS: We’ll dance beneath the watermelon moon To rhythms of an old familiar tune And keep the dawn from creeping in too soon Beneath the watermelon moon>. In the rush of the city Is a race To feed the fire Of fortune all the day And I need to get away. <Repeat LINK> <Repeat CHORUS> <Solo over VERSE> <Repeat LINK> <Repeat CHORUS to "…soon"> <Repeat full CHORUS>  back to top

Like a tourist town out of season Wondering where the crowds have gone, I’m searching for a reason You deserted with the sun; You made the Winter winds blow In the chill of your goodbye Not saying when You’d return again To raise the heat up high.<CHORUS: Tourist Town, It’s time to bring those shutters down, I’ll pack my case And check myself out of this place; Tourist Town, Why don’t you take your banners down, Is the only place love can be found A Tourist Town>. You cast shadows in the moonlight All among the flower beds, And never tried to put right All the damage that you did; We stumbled in the darkness On the words we had to say, Emotions torn On a bed of thorns Where pillows used to lay. <Repeat CHORUS> <MIDDLE: Love has gone as quickly as it came; Now this town will never be the same.> <Repeat CHORUS> Tourist Town. back to top

On a post-war redbrick city back-street I first laid my fingers on the strings Tuned in the radio under the sheets On secret transistor evenings And that first beat-up birthday guitar Was my passport to ride to the stars I learned to play and I was on my way. <CHORUS: It’s a fine hobby But you’ll never make a living That’s what they told me, I can recall It’s a fine hobby But you’ll never make a living Someday their words will come back To haunt them all>. As the country blues flowed into my veins With Surfers singing harmony Rock-n-roll rhythms were pounding in my brains And the Stones brought a shot of R ‘n’ B; I flunked all of my High School exams I just wanted to play in a band I wrote some songs and told the school ‘so long‘. <Repeat CHORUS> <MIDDLE: I’ve been searching for a dream ticket To take me away from here Everybody needs a dream ticket And I can feel my time draw near> So I rode downtown to find the bright lights Joined a hungry band and grew my hair Started rehearsing till we got real tight Saying, "Soon we’ll all be millionaires" We held down day jobs, dead on our feet Burning both ends to make ends meet We fell from grace but vowed to keep the faith. <Repeat CHORUS> <Solo Over CHORUS> <Repeat CHORUS>  CODA: It’s a fine hobby (wooh) X 3 Yes, it’s a fine hobby (wooh). back to top

The name recalls America at play A cold beer on a sunny New York day Folks relaxing on the front porch Safe behind their Summer screens Just to shoot the breeze And survey the scene On Frisbee Street. The peace is daily shattered sharp at noon That's when the fire house siren blows its tune The post office on the corner Is the place the neighbors meet For a tale to tell And a friend to greet On Frisbee Street. I listen as the thruway traffic drones To endless freight trains rattling my bones All around are sounds of leaving But I've no place else to be Want to feel the ground Underneath my feet On Frisbee Street. <MIDDLE: Across the wide ocean Pursuing a notion With prayer and devotion Came pioneers; They farmed in the valleys They courted and married Their children were carried And buried here. <Solo over VERSE> More antique stores than one street should allow The old school house has become apartments now And the pond we used to skate on Now is dry and high with weeds That have taken root Like all scattered seeds On Frisbee Street…On Frisbee Street. back to top

Follow me down To where there's a band playing Along the high road In the old part of town; You might meet a friend you once knew Or someone new to party with And make it a new rendezvous, Expect anything And it just might happen. <CHORUS: It's only a bar-room floor Away from the beaten track They make you feel so at home it's good to be back* Back to the place they call Becky's House> Buy a few beers And when it's time to close up You can be sure They'll ask you to stay To chew over all the old times With those you shared the journey with, With stories of youth in its prime, Of chances you lost And moments of glory. <Repeat CHORUS> <MIDDLE: So finish your work And hurry on down Fast as you can come; I'll save you a spot In front of the stage, We can watch the band play, We can watch the band play. <Solo over CHORUS up to *>: They make you feel so at home it's good to be back. <Repeat MIDDLE> <Repeat CHORUS twice up to * > <CODA: It's only a bar-room floor (Becky's House) … (repeat to fade)> back to top

Your mother was a home-maker, guess you would say Your 4-H group leader to show you the way There when you needed to sew and to cook And she planned the vacations the family took And after you'd made a home of your own She would always write letters and call on the phone Reports from your hometown that you'd never leave You are your mother's daughter and always will be You are your mother's daughter and always will be. Your father was on shore-leave still, fifty years on But his old Navy buddies had faded and gone All alone on the homestead he made his last stand And the music that's playing is Glenn Miller's Band. You loved his tales of the Second World War You laughed at his jokes though you'd heard them before And he’ll always be there in your memory You are your father's daughter and always will be You are your father's daughter and always will be <SOLO> In spite of the changes the world puts you through There are some things can always be counted as true She has taken her place on the family tree You are your daughter's mother and always will be You are your daughter's mother and always will be. back to top

All the rumours, you just can’t fight 'em Baby, we're an item Call your friends, honey, and excite 'em Baby, we're an item Spread the news and put them out of their misery <CHORUS: Baby we're an item, Baby we're an item> Invitations, we've got to write 'em Baby, we're an item Everyone we know, we'll invite 'em Baby, we're an item Throw a party to herald in the good times <MIDDLE: Won't let anyone steal you away Now I've finally got hold of you> <Repeat CHORUS> Lick your lips, you don’t have to bite 'em Baby, we're an item Tell your enemies just to spite 'em Baby, we're an item We don't have to hide our dark secret anymore. <SOLO> Throw a party to herald in the good times <Repeat MIDDLE> <Repeat CHORUS> <Repeat Verse 1> <Repeat CHORUS to end> back to top

When I was a boy I rode my bicycle through town I chased the ice-cream trucks And watched the children gather round Faces full of wonder Running to the roadside Wide-eyed When they heard the sound of the chimes. <CHORUS: Young eyes Have all they need To see the world as it should be Young hearts They beat so strong Don't let tomorrow steer them wrong Don't steer them wrong Keep those young eyes a-dreaming>. I had a camera With a flashgun on the side I took the photographs That showed the world in black-and-white Now they're lying somewhere In the attic past lives archives Waiting to see daylight again. <Repeat CHORUS> <MIDDLE: Something is lost Something not easy to find Gathering dust Something we've all left behind> <Repeat CHORUS>  back to top

Fare thee well As you gather your possessions Now it's time you were moving on You were born a gypsy rambler With a need to be gone. <BRIDGE 1: Look across your shoulder There'll be an empty place Where I walked beside you But I will send my love Every day to guide you>. Down the road May you bear the heat of Summer And find shelter from Winter winds For it may be many seasons Till I see you again. <BRIDGE 2: May you find protection To keep you safe from harm In a world of dangers And when we meet again Let us not be strangers> < Solo over VERSE> <Repeat BRIDGE 1>  back to top