Lyrics

If you’re going back to Eden
Shake all the snakes out of the trees
Don’t eat no apples
Don’t mess with the birds or the bees
Or you’ll be making the same mistakes again

Or if you’re headed to Nirvana
Don’t you carry a heavy load
Stick to the straight and narrow, boy
Don’t take that crooked road
Or you’ll be making the same mistakes again
Headed right back down that road
To right back where you’ve been

Buy yourself a ticket
With the wages of your sins
Get away from all that troubles you
All those places you’ve been
You will get one more chance
But it will be your last
You will never find redemption
On the highways of your past
No no you’ll just be making the same mistakes again

You have made bad choices
Some would say mistakes
It could still go wrong again
One slip is all it takes
Just one careless action
Then there’s not much left to tell
When all your good intentions
Pave the road straight back to hell

The dark flood rises, trouble soaks my shoes
The dark flood rises, trouble soaks my shoes
I could stand my ground but I’ve got a lot to lose

So I cross those bridges that lead to higher ground
Yeah I cross those bridges that lead to safer ground
And on my way I stop and burn those bridges down

Now it’s ashes that I taste
From those bridges laid to waste
Can’t go back, no use to run again
Running from my trouble
Is a race I can never win

Trouble left behind is trouble just the same
Trouble left behind is trouble just the same
And those I left to face the flood know just who to blame

Now the smoke from burning bridges cloud the crystal air
The smoke from those burning bridges fill up the crystal air
So no matter where I’m hiding the smoke will find me there

By successful operation I cut my conscious loose for awhile
Was no ticklish situation the girl just made me smile
She said didn’t love me I said I didn’t care
Then I became entangled in Dell’s long brown hair

Said she did not hate me that she just had another man
But I would not be denying she soon gave in to my demands
And loving makes loving the girl soon learned to care
And she’d let it down around me Della’s long brown hair

Now the time before the last time it’s the sweetest time of all
And I stayed till it was past time knew I had to say goodbye and go
So I kissed her for the last time she was leaning down her stair
And I felt it fall around me Della’s long brown hair

White trails criss cross the sky
People packed in up there flying by
They’re all going somewhere going somewhere going somewhere

Hear that train rumble across the ground
People in those cars they never hear that engine’s sound
They’re busy going somewhere, getting somewhere rushing somewhere

Somewhere is not a place I have to be
Nobody somewhere is waiting for me
I’ll put my feet up slip off my shoes
Going nowhere has cured my fast track blues

The fast track just rushes you along
To somewhere that might just be wrong
So don’t you go there don’t go there don’t go there

You should look for another way
A better track a smoother day
Ease out of line take a look around
See those fast track dreams all run aground

He had a second cup of coffee sitting at the counter
She’d not been gone that long
And he’s looking through some paper
Looking through his pockets for a smoke

Their dreams had cracked like crystal shards completely scattered
They’ll never happen now
And he’s paging through that paper,
Patting down his pockets for a smoke

And the time they spent together won’t be remembered the same
He will think about the good times, she’ll think about the pain

She boards the train for Tyler takes a seat by the window
She’d not been gone that long
He’s still looking through that paper
Looking around for another cigarette.

His sipping on black coffee the paper’s two days old
Train’s leaving later than she’d been told
And her people back in Tyler don’t know she’s on her way
Shoulda left days ago when there was nothing more to say

Now he’s alone at the counter his heart’s mostly broken
Wonders where she is right now
He’s still looking through that paper
Looking through his pockets for a smoke
He’s still paging through that paper
But he really needs that smoke.

It was the trip of a lifetime now she’s back on level ground
Was the ride of a lifetime the girl thought she’d never come down
But everything’s gone to black and white
Coming back doesn’t seem quite right
After a trip of a lifetime she’s back on level ground

These same old faces same old familiar rooms
You know she’d hurried back just to see that prairie moon
This whole thing has left her jaded everything kinda looks faded
After a trip of a lifetime she’s back on solid ground.

Now she dreams of monkeys flying in the sky
She dreams of wizards dreams of lions big bubbles that fly
And crystal cities with their emerald rooms
Of danger excitement and women flying round on brooms

It was the trip of a lifetime now she’s back on level ground
The ride of a lifetime the girl thought she’d never come down
Everything’s gone to black and white
Coming home doesn’t seem quite right
After a trip of a lifetime she’s back on level ground

She mighta been somewhere over a rainbow
She mighta been way up….maybe she just got high

It was the trip of a lifetime, she’s back on level ground
The ride of a lifetime the girl never wanted to come down
But the whole thing has left her jaded
Even that prairie moon seems faded
After a trip of a lifetime she’s back on level ground

I am an old woman named after my mother
My old man’s another child that’s grown old
If dreams were lightning thunder desire
This old house would have burnt down a long time ago

Make me an angel that flies from Montgomery
Make me a poster of an old rodeo
Just give me one thing that I can hold on to
To believe in this living is just a hard way to go

When I was a young girl, I had me a cowboy
Not much to look at, just free rambling man
But that was a long time and no matter how I try
The years just flow by like a broken down dam.

There’s flies in the kitchen I can hear ‘em in there buzzing
And I ain’t done nothing since I woke up today.
How the hell can a person go to work in the morning
And come home in the evening and have nothing to say.

Down at the Neon Angel beneath the flashing star
A rag tag congregation is gathered at the bar
Searching for salvation for just an hour or two
While a jukebox in the corner plays the blues

It’s a midnight communion down on second avenue
They take the wine till closing time a fellowship of fools
Confessions heard forgiveness given from twelve till two
It’s a midnight communion down on second avenue

There’s one old fallen angel she’s lost the will to fly
But her broken wings still have the strength to hold you when you cry
Lord knows it’s not the best place to lay my burden down
But someone’s always good for one more round

I found a faded photograph
A return ticket torn in half
Found a pair of your worn-out shoes
And by the way you left some blues

I rinsed out your coffee cup
Checked to see what you’d packed up
But you left me nothing I could use
So why’d you go and leave these blues

Should you come back one day
To get your stuff or maybe stay
Either way I will refuse
More hand-me-down discarded blues

You said you knew right from wrong
And being right was being gone
That I’d have nothing left to lose
If you hadn’t gone and left these blues

Your blues fill up this place
Clutter my mind take up space
Crowd my brain hurt my head
But they don’t fill up this empty bed

Some say they can’t when they mean they won’t
Say they’ll do it but then they don’t
Some plans turn out well
But even a good plan can go to hell
Because things aren’t always what they seem

Some people laugh when they need to cry
Should give it their all then they don’t even try
So don’t decide too soon
Don’t pick a partner ‘till you work the room
Cause things aren’t always what they seem
Your reality could be someone else’s dream
Things aren’t always what they seem

It gets darkest just before daylight
You could be wrong or you might be right
So don’t you slap it into cruise control
Until you check the road for the state patrol
Cause things aren’t always what they seem
That sweet deal could be a Ponzi scheme
Things aren’t always what they seem

Let some time burn off the fog
Let reality set in
You can take it to the bank
Or you can take on the chin

It could be love or it might be lust
Might be a rain cloud or just a cloud of dust
She could be trouble she could be the one
So don’t fold your umbrella ‘til you see the sun
Cause things aren’t always what they seem
My reality could be your fevered dream
Things aren’t always what they seem
And I think you know exactly what I mean

I’m the same old guy that I used to be
I haven’t changed at all
I got the same old walk and the same old talk
that would run you up the wall
I got the same old face, the same old smile
and the same old baby blues
And I’m still doing the rhumba baby
so I’m still the man for you

I’m still doing the rhumba baby
I can’t seem to quit
If my mama catches us doing the rhumba
mama would just pitch a fit
But I can’t help myself it’s much bigger than me
If I were you I’d hang onto a rhumba man like me

There’s lots of guys on the floor tonight
with a lot slicker steps than me
The Boog-a-loo and the Funky Broadway
are such a pretty sight to see
My steps might be old fashioned
but it’s just fine with me
I got a couple of rhumba steps you might like to see

They all said Louise was not half bad
They wrote it on the walls and window shades
And how she could act the little girl
A deceiver don’t believe her it’s her trade

Sometimes a bottle of perfume
Flowers or maybe some lace
Men brought Louise ten-cent trinkets
Their intentions were easily traced

They all knew sometimes she cried
But girls like Louise they get by

And everybody thought it kinda sad
When they found Louise in her room
Some put her down below their kind
Still some cried when she died this afternoon

Louise road home on a mail train
Somewhere in the South I heard ‘em say
Too bad it ended so early
Too bad she had to go that way

Now the wind is blowing cold outside tonight
So goodnight Louise goodnight Louise
Goodnight Louise goodnight.

Time slips around you unbroken flow
Molds and shapes you ways you don’t even know
As it rounds off your edges tumbles you down
You’re just a rock in the water but you’re not gonna drown

Time looks for weakness uncovers your core
Tell it your secrets it always wants more
As it knocks off your edges tumbles you down
You’re just a rock in the water but you’re not gonna drown

Time bends around us Albert was right
Life goes by at the speed of light
You start in one direction then it turns you around
You’re are caught up in the water
We’re not on solid ground

You think you are steering that you’re in control
That’s just smoke and mirrors time always takes the leading role
You think you’re special that you’ll get out alive
I wouldn’t bet big money
Because time time is not on your side

Time bends around us Albert was right
Life goes by at the speed of light
You start in one direction then it turns you around
You are caught up in the rapids
You’re not on solid ground
Don’t you look for solid ground.

Answer to a Question by Bruce Brittain

Well it can’t be two if there’s three
You can’t have him and not hurt me
That’s the answer, to a question
Well it can’t be right if it’s wrong
I can’t be weak pretend I’m strong
That’s the answer, to a question

Some questions, just never cross your mind
Some answers turn out to be a lie
I’ll pick myself up off the ground
You know it was just the truth
That came ‘round to knock me down.

I can’t be crazy if I’m sane
It’s hard to tell in this much pain
That’s the answer, to a question
You can’t be mine and be his
Can’t hide behind a long slow kiss
That’s the answer, to a question

Bring Me to My Knees by Bruce Brittain

Take me someplace special
Somewhere that I’ve never been
Teach me tricks I’ve never thought about
The do it over and over again
Cast your spell upon me
Do it just how you please
Cause something about your grace and style
Just brings me to my knees.

Bring me to my knees one more time
I’d give it all up for you baby
Til I’m down to my last dime
You can drag me around like a Bassett hound
Put a ring through my nose
When first I saw you, girl, I thought, I want one of those

Work your magic on me
Share your secrets share your time
We’ll take a slow sweet mystery tour
I’ll dig some treasure from your mine
Mix up that special potion
That puts my mind at ease
Cause there’s something about your eyes and smile
Just brings me to my knees

Can’t Be by Bruce Brittain

Can’t be the weather cause it rains now and then
Can’t be the market, hell it’s down again
Can’t be the deal cause I never draw an ace
Can’t be the news puts this smile on my face

Can’t be the Lotto, they don’t draw my name
Can’t be a ship, you know mine never came
Can’t be the ponies, my picks they never win
Better look somewhere else for what’s causing this grin

It’s this little bit of heaven
With some devil in her eyes
A little hint of sugar comes as no surprise
She’s got those little fingers I love to wrap around
She’s my one and only baby
Life is good when she’s in town

Can’t be the season, it’s too raw and cold
Can’t be the journey, put my travels on hold
If you say it’s my nature you’d be missing by a mile
Just my sweet baby, she’s the reason for my smile

Friday Afternoon by Bruce Brittain

Was a long, lazy Friday afternoon
We lay around makin’ love in your room
Maybe I’m crazy to fall in love so soon
Long, rainy Friday afternoon

You know it’s sweet just lyin’ here with you
It makes my day complete knowin’ what we’ll do
And maybe you’re crazy to fall in love too
Long, lazy Friday afternoon

And you say the right things, you always do
You say the right things and I want to fall in love with you
Long, rainy Friday afternoon

We’ll drink some wine disconnect the phone
We’ll make sure that we spend this time alone
Maybe we’re crazy to fall in love this soon
Long, rainy Friday afternoon

Long, lazy Friday afternoon
We lay around, play around in your room
We’re not crazy what else we gonna do?
Long, lazy Friday afternoon.

Look Who’s Standin’ Here by Bruce Brittain

Look who’s standin’ here after all this time
Think you can be mine, I’ve got news for you,
Gonna make you blue, I’ve found someone new
Takes the place of you

Look who’s leanin’ in my doorway
Think you’ll have it your own way
Well let’s not pretend, It really was the end back then

Don’t you know that time changes, rearranges
What you dream, when you dream
Don’t you know that time heals things
When you feel things for so long
‘Til the feeling’s gone

Listen to your line you always talked so fine
I’m not buying you’ll see, save your breath on me
I’ve found another who sounds just fine to me

More to Love by Bruce Brittain

She’s a big ‘ol girl, she really knows how to love me
Just a big boned girl who knows how to care
With so much skin I don’t know where to begin
There’s more to love

Big ‘ol fingers, big ‘ol feet
Look out the way, she’s sittin’ down to eat
Chubby cheeks and chubby toes
Great big ears and a fleshy nose
a big ‘ol girl she really knows how to love me
With so much skin, don’t know where to begin
There’s more to love

Ample shoulders, big, strong arms
Doublewide smile and expansive charms
Mysterious flaps, sensual folds
Just a lotta good places to grab a hold
Of this big boned girl who really knows how to love me
With so much skin don’t know where to begin
There’s more to love

She can love me large, love me long
a love this big takes a great big song
But fat she ain’t, obese she not
Just a big boned girl who’s really hot

Full figured bosom, enormous cups
Heavy-duty straps just to hold ‘em both up
sturdy ankles, a glorious can
With different plumbing she’d be the Michelin Man
She’s a big ‘ol girl, she really knows how to love me
Just a big boned girl who knows how to care
So much skin I don’t where to begin, there’s more to love.

Never Met a Hero Yet by Bruce Brittain

That shadow you cast in the mornin’ sun
It’s the same near sundown
Your constant companion
Just a marker on the ground
Doesn’t tell me how big you are
Or if you’ll make a stand
Just a darkening of the walkway
Simply darker shades of sand

Don’t brag to me about what you’ve done or plan to do
Let’s have some action, results showin’ through
Others will surely praise you,
If you are who you say you are
But I’ve never met a hero yet
Who claimed he was a star

All those stories of your close escapes
All that money you say you’ve made
Elusive as your shadow
When you’re standin’ in the shade
If your stories don’t hold water
If that bucket runs completely dry
Life’s gonna kick you to the curb
And we’ll know the reason why
You will know the reason why

Don’t brag to me about things you say you’ve done
Let your actions cast their shadows in the sun
Others will sing your praises
If your deeds prove your words
But I’ve never met a hero yet
Whose talk is all we heard

You could be a pretender
Full of talk and “look at me”
Just another dead-ender
Maybe nothin’s there but a smile and perfect hair
Soon we’ll see

Not Meant to Be by Bruce Brittain

He ate a cold slice of pizza late Sunday morning
Left over from Friday night
Read the message on the mirror in lipstick and Brylcreem
He turned and he turned out the light

He knew that some things are not meant to be
Doomed right from the start
She would leave him, he could see
Still, it made it hard on his heart

She was a tall drink of water out of east Texas
Living in west Tennessee
Played the slide down on Beale Street
Backin’ up singers
Lending her sweet harmony

They had nothing in common
Except what went on in her room
He had lots of education
But she’d left home way too soon
He came from Tennessee money
Her’s was a poor family
He drove the latest and greatest
She drove a beat up GMC

I met her first at a party down on Duval.
We caught up later at a bar along the shore.
Where she was flirtin’ hard with the flyboys from the Navy.
She’d dance a little but they always wanted more, more, more.

She could drink right up and never laid down a dollar.
Tell a joke and have ‘em all on the floor.
more than a handful, a lovely lady, boy.
I was tryin’ to imagine what I had in store.
Tryin’ to imagine what I had in store.

But I knew straight away she was gonna spend all my money
And I knew right then she’d run me out of time
I shoulda listened much closer to my buddies, they said
“There you go son, you’re about to lose your mind.”
They said, “There you go boy, she’s gonna waste your time.”

Then she took me for a ride along the freeway.
She took me for the fool she knew I was.
And she said those things that make a man sorry.
I shoulda cut and run but I didn’t just because.

So now I’m broke and she’s workin’ on another.
Just like one of those drinks that she throws down.
And if you’re gonna be a party to her circus, son
Try to be the hero, not the clown.
Try to be the hero, not the clown.

Sundown in Sun City by Bruce Brittain

There’s a picture in the hallway
Of someone young and fine,
Goes unnoticed day-to-day
The features are familiar
All unmarked by time
Just someone he knew along the way.

He drinks a diet soda
Sneaks a quiet smoke
As evening pulls the curtain on the day
Has a daughter up in Denver
A brother down the road
Where his son might be, he can’t say

It’s sundown in Sun City
The light is growing dim
The day is fading from the sky
The front porch is empty
All except for him
He’ll shuffle in, by-and-by

There’s a stack of yellowed letters
Tucked inside the drawer
He rarely reads them anymore
Some are in her careful hand
Others in his own
Postmarked Saigon and Singapore

He never dreamed it would go this way
Dimming as old memories fade
Bur time owes us nothing but its own steady beat
Then time will take it all away.

Woman of a Certain Age by Bruce Brittain

Hearts, she broke a few
And her own a time or two
Some scars you see
Some don’t show
Fools, she suffered some,
Almost nothing she hasn’t done
She’s got secrets, we’ll never know

She sorts it out and tucks it away
Knew she’d need it one of these days
Every year she slowly turns the page
She’s a woman of a certain age

Won’t lead you on, won’t play that game,
Savors the pleasures, accepts the pain
Now that she looks at life with a clearer view.
Wants quiet talk and expensive wine,
She gets it right because she gives it time
Admit it boy, you’re one of the lucky few

Oh, the choices she could have made
All the others she knew
And the roads she did not take
Because of you

Your One and Mostly by Bruce Brittain

I could be your one and only
If I only had the time
I’d call to say, “ I love you”
If I could dig up another dime
I should write to say, “I need you”
But I’m so busy with this other friend of mine
So I’ll just be your one and mostly
‘Til I can find the time.

We would be a lovely item
If we only saw eye-to-eye
Create a major scandal
If we told those others, “Goodbye”
Drop a note to say, we’re leavin’
Then sail off towards the moon
Then I would be your one and only
Got to find the time soon.

(CHORUS)

But by myself I just can’t do it
Girl you’ve got to help me through it
Give me courage and conviction
Some Hail Mary’s and a benediction
Turn your love light on high beam
Cause I’m blinder than I seem
Tie me up, pin me down
I’ll come around

You could tell me how to love you
If I’d take the time to hear
Show me how to please you
Whisper secrets in my ear
You could overcome my worries
Push all doubt right out of my mind
Then I would be your one and only
We’d have nothin’ but time.

All Hat, No Cattle by Bruce Brittain

You claim you’re a cowboy, I don’t think it’s so
Say you’re a cowboy, a real cowboy should know
Cowboys push cattle, sleep on the ground
Always chewin’ Redman, talk that cowboy sound.
You don’t drink your coffee with the grounds still in the cup
And the sun’s already shinin’ boy when the clock wakes you up
Don’t look like no cowboy, all weathered and brown
And I’ve never seen you ridin’ when the rodeo’s in town

You’re all hat, no cattle, all swagger and talk
All Levis and belt buckles but you don’t walk the walk
Hand made boots from Lucchese, Neiman’s bought hat
Don’t make you no cowboy to dress like that

Say you’re from out where the air is fresh and clean
Claim to run a little spread just west of Abilene
But your I.D. says New Jersey, there’s some Yankee in your voice
I sure do hate to tell ya Tex but I really got no choice

You don’t drive an old truck with a rack for your gun
Got that Volvo station wagon with a car seat for your son
And the first thing Monday morning. in your tasseled loafer shoes
You’ll be back pushin’ papers with those presidential blues

Blue Sunday by Bruce Brittain

You called me up on Monday said, “Baby I’m through with you.”
You didn’t call on Tuesday, and doubts, I had a few
Wednesday came and I just stayed up in my bed
By Thursday the blues were playin’ in my head

Friday was our date-night but I stayed home alone
Saturday came and went while I sat by the phone
Now here comes Sunday and I don’t know what to do
Cause I’ve never thought of Sunday as blue
But I’ve never spent a Sunday without you.

Sunday I’d fix you an egg
Toast and coffee, too
We’d read the paper til’ well after noon
Baby I can’t believe we’re through

Called in sick on Monday, told the man, “I can’t come in.”
Tuesday I’m no better, all doctored-up on gin
Wednesday at work just starin’ off in space
I’m a Thursday rat who’s dropped out of the race
Friday happy hour has no appeal to me
Saturday there is lots to do but my calendar is free
Now here comes Sunday and I don’t know what to do
Cause I’ve never thought of Sunday as blue
Before I spent my Sundays without you.
Don’t like my Sundays
Not crazy ‘bout my Mondays
But I never thought of Sunday as blue

Take me someplace special
Somewhere that I’ve never been
Teach me tricks I’ve never thought about
Then do it over and over again
Cast your spell upon me
Do it just how you please
Cause something about your grace and style
Just brings me to my knees.

Bring me to my knees one more time
I’d give it all up for you baby
Til I’m down to my last dime
You can drag me around like a Bassett hound
Put a ring through my nose
When first I saw you, girl, I thought, I want one of those

Work your magic on me
Share your secrets share your time
We’ll take a slow sweet mystery tour
I’ll dig some treasure from your mine
Mix up that special potion
That puts my mind at ease
Cause there’s something about your eyes and smile
Just brings me to my knees

Gambled Love Away by Bruce Brittain

She knew he was trouble when he first came along
She sensed the misery that was the ending of their song
She’d been there a time or two when once was quite enough
She saw the heartbreak comin’ that would end her one true love

But his mystery was a gamble his pull was way too strong
The risk faded into the shadows, all her common sense was gone
Those many years of buildin’ trust and truth came into play
She balanced on the edge of love then she gambled love away

Where comfort and convenience had become her way of life
Came danger with dark eyes offered pleasures in the night
His talk was slow and thoughtful his smile, quick and bright
All her ice melted into passion she lost track of wrong or right

Cause his mystery was a gamble and she just had to play
The darkness was seduction, she’d regret the break of day
All those many years of buildin’ trust and truth came into play
She balanced on the edge of love then gambled love away

Little Things You Do by Bruce Brittain

I hear you say that you love me
Those words come easy for you
But baby how you really feel about me
It’s in these little things you do

Say you’ll be mine forever
Claim that I’m the single man for you
Through thick and thin, baby whatever
So please explain these little things you do
You know these tricky little things you do

What’s with all this late-night overtime
All this extra work you don’t seem to mind
These conferences and those “get-a-ways”
Honey, sometimes you are gone for days
You must think I’m deaf, dumb and blind

I don’t recall those earrings
Since when does a movie last ‘til two?
Yeah, sugar, gotta be at least one more thing
With so many of these little things you do
I can’t believe who’s tryin’ to fool who

What’s with all your brand new underwear?
That new blond streak in your hair?
Those hang-ups on the telephone?
All the wine you drink when I’m not home?
The smell of aftershave I don’t wear?
(alternate last line) Since when do you shave your legs way up there?

Never Make You Blue by Bruce Brittain

I know you’ve been lyin’, sayin’ things that ain’t always so
I know your life has been tryin’ that’s why I’m going slow

You can put up all your pretenses, pretend like you don’t give a damn
Build up your protective fences cause you don’t know who I am

I’m the kind of guy you can look right in the eye
Tell your story to
Cause your secret’s safe with me, just you wait and see
I’ll never make you blue

I know your trust has been shattered, see it in your smile and sad eyes
Wasted on some fool you thought mattered
Now you’re trapped in your self-serving lies

But you can love me girl without worry, lovin’ me won’t cause you any pain
Take it slow there’s no hurry
And it’s worth it for all that we’ll gain

Because I’m the kind of guy you can look right in the eye
And say “I love you too”
Your love is safe with me, just you wait and see
I’ll never make you blue

Then you can stop all your lyin’, kiss your troubles a sweet goodbye
Cause it’s my love girl you’ll be tryin’
And it’s your itch I’ll satisfy
You know I’ll satisfy, I’ll satisfy
I’d never make you blue

Portrait of Your Pain by Bruce Brittain

You can draw a picture of your pain
Shade it in, gray and blue
Just another portrait of your pain
But every time, the portrait looks like you

Or you can write a song about your hurt
Sing it slow, sing it true
A melody and words that rhyme
And every time, it sounds like you

Sometimes you dream that it’s not over
You feel her sleepin’ right nearby
But then you wake and there’s no lover
Look to your memory for reasons why

She Wants to Change Things by Bruce Brittain

She throws her pearls up at moon
Just to keep it company
Says, “It’s lonely, dark and cold there
It’s just reflected light you see.”
She throws her pearls up at the moon
Though they clatter to the ground
You can see ‘em glowing at her feet
And scattered all around.

She wants to change things, for the better
She wants to give her life a chance
She wants to dream her dreams in the daytime too
She wants a shot at romance

So she sings her song into the wind
Now it’s out there on its own
For some ready downwind ear
Who’s listening all alone
She sings her song into the wind
It gets soaked up by the blue
Gets tossed and lost, it’s high and dry
But it’s damn sure clear to you

So she re-invents your history
She re-invents your pain
So it’s not as raw as you recall
Though it hurts some just the same
She re-invents your history
But what was true is still
So she softens all the edges
And her version warms your chill

Silences by Bruce Brittain

The answers he gives leave the same questions open
All this time on her hands eats a hole in her soul
They started their journey with a promise and passion
But the drift toward not caring is out of control

Once two were as one a singular notion
Where does it fly silently slip away
Just a shell of a union not that shiny tomorrow
Just a game they’re playing not that gleaming someday

And now their silences fill up the room
And the future looks more of the same
It’s not that they hate nor are there ill wishes
But forever together seems a sure losing game

So quick to say “yes” when things first started
So eager to please they were lost in the flame
The fire faded slowly not even the embers
Are left to reflect who’s to blame

Taxi Dance by Bruce Brittain

She was sellin’ taxi dances in ’35.
Waltzin’ for the money to survive.

Big city dancehalls, at the small county fairs,
The boys all paid to dance with her and smell her perfumed hair.
While some held her roughly in their arms,
The shy ones could only stammer at her charms.
A young life so lonely, surrounded by the crowd
But smilin’ ever sweetly, she never cried out loud.

And she dreamed only of that day
When she could dance for pleasure, not for pay.
With someone who would love her, be a lonely life no more.
She’d keep on lookin’ ‘til that love walked through the door.

He came from the country to Baltimore.
Sellin’ Bibles door-to-door.
Made little money and fewer friends.
His clothes a sorry patchwork of others’ odds ‘n ends.
He saw the lights of the dancehall sign.
Drawn to the music from inside.
A young life so lonely and filled with despair
She took his arm so gently he could smell her perfumed hair.

And she said, “ Take a chance, mister buy this dance with me.
Take a chance let’s see where the dancin’ leads.
Let’s do a dance that takes us all way ‘round the floor.
We’ll do this dance better than before.”

They laid him in the ground in ‘95
Now she struggles to remember his eyes.
They raised four children, had to bury one
But they had danced for pleasure cause she knew he was the one

When she’d said, “ Take a chance, mister buy this dance with me.
Take a chance let’s see where the dancin’ leads.
Let’s do a dance that only lovers do
And we’ll dance on when the music’s through.”
And they danced on and on when the music was through.

Whispers of Smoke by Bruce Brittain

Comes a voice on the phone, she calls me by name
There’s a catch in my throat, there’s a long buried pain
In the back of mind cause she sounds just the same
This voice on the phone, she calls me by name

She laughs at my silence, she tells me she’s fine
Just thinking of me and all our good-old-bad times
Comes a distant misery, no words do I find
While she laughs at my silence and tells me she’s fine

Like whispers of smoke, more sensed than seen
Rising up in my mind, in a lover’s bad dream
Her soft faded memory, through a fog barely seen
Like whispers of smoke, from a lover’s sad dream

I stare at my hands long after she’d gone
Hands once that touched her and played her my songs
Her voice slowly melting but the ache lingers on
Like whispers of smoke, long after she’d gone

Wouldn’t You by Bruce Brittain

Stopped by this little party
Up at the pretty lady’s place
Could only stay awhile but she flashed that smile
That’s when I knew, that I might stay, wouldn’t you?

We ended up alone in her kitchen
How we got there I don’t recall
I tried to leave, she grabbed my sleeve
What’s a man to do?
So I stayed, wouldn’t you?

She covered me up with her kisses
She offered me all her love
I tried to object, but she kissed my neck
And that changed my point of view
So I stayed, wouldn’t you?

I didn’t mean to crash her party
And stayin’ wasn’t in my plan
But she cast her spell, and what the hell
Things got completely out of hand

She had a butterfly tattoo
In a most amazing place
With her britches on that tattoo was gone
Seein’ that butterfly was my clue
That I should stay, wouldn’t you?
Yes I stayed and you know you would too.