SongBook LYRICS Page

New Chris LeRoy Album THE SPIRIT THAT BRINGS US HERE

2011-09-04T23:55:00.000-07:00

River Rise Above

2011-08-27T01:30:00.001-07:00

river run

river hide

river never did decide

river deep

river wide

come on baby

it's not about us

sink into the wanderlust

come on baby

it's not about love

the river rise above

river bed

river ride

crashed into the riverside

sinking water

hold the tide

come on baby

it's not about us

sink into the wanderlust

come on baby

it's not about love

the river rise above

river come

river go

all our lives we never know

heads above

hearts below

come on baby

roll with me

find a place we'd rather be

come on sugar

flow with me

river is eternity

Peace Breaks Out

2011-08-27T01:29:00.001-07:00

Janie had a gun

Now she don't have one

When she woke up she just didn't need it

Frankie had a knife

Used it all his life

But he tossed it and did not retrieve it

Larry used his fist

But he turned his wrist

He hails a waitress at the coffee counter

Suzie's in a gang

But she turned and ran

Now she's a model to the friends around her

Peace breaks out on the Saturday sun

And now it's three o'clock in the morning

Thousands in the street

Beat a soft retreat

They left their cars and they just started walking

Nothing is real

Cross to Strawberry Fields

They sat down and they started talking

Peace breaks out in the Saturday sun

And now it's three o'clock in the morning

Janie had a gun

But she don't need one...

Frankie had a knife

Used it all his life…

Glaze in his eye

Catcher in The Rye

Goes from Central Park to The Dakota

No one says why, but he walks on by

John Lennon smiles from his Toyota, yeah!

Peace breaks out all over the world

CRAWL

2011-08-27T01:27:00.001-07:00

Ever since I fell in love

A feeling that I don't belong

Ever since that push came shove

A feeling that I can't hold on

You said, "It's no big deal

To beg and borrow and steal," for real!

You said I'd never crawl again

Someday I'm walking out on you

You said I'd never crawl again

Ever since I fell away

I close the door on everything

Ever since the break of day

I don't care what tomorrow brings

You said that "Time and tide

Just took me for a ride," Why?

You said I'd never crawl again

Someday I'm walking out on you

You said I'd never crawl again

Rise up almost good as new

You said I'd never crawl again

Underneath the watchful moon

Underneath the stars that shine

Kept a careful watch on you

And carefully you slipped my mind

You said a once blue moon

Will always leave the room, and soon!

You said I'd never crawl again

Someday I'm walking out on you

You said I'd never crawl again

Rise up almost good as new

You said I'd never crawl again

Promises are meant forever

You said I'd never crawl again

Never, never, never

Crawl again

I'll never crawl again

COME TO ME

2011-08-27T01:25:00.000-07:00

I was just a young thing

Had no understanding

Used to lose my head and heart but…

Got up on the wrong day

Right up in the wrong way

Lose my way from the very start but…

I’ve grown up enough to tear that picture apart

Come To Me

Whatever you have heard

I’ve never used that word before, oh I

Come To Me

Whatever kind of lie

I never used to try before, oh I

Come to Me

Come into the right line

Move in the direction

Maybe you can be that someone but..

I could never hold you

Fast to your affections

Maybe I could hold you one day

I’ve grown up enough to feel the sun, but why?

Come To Me

Don’t ever breathe a word

I’ve never been what you have heard, oh I…

Come To Me

Before you think I lie

I’d never try make you cry, oh my

Come to Me

Come into the right line

Move in the direction

Maybe you can be that someone but.

I could never hold you

Fast to your affections

Maybe I could hold you one day

I’ve grown up enough to feel the sun, but why?

Come To Me

Before I breathe a word

Before I get what you deserve, oh I…

Come To Me

Before you think I lie

You know I ain’t that kind of guy, oh oh I.

Come to Me

(Don't you ever say a word)

YEARS

2011-08-27T01:24:00.001-07:00

Lost my spirit and the friends who came to see me

Lost a good song when the spirit left me here

And I can’t imagine what went right

The voice that was calling me near

“You’ve been lost for years and years.”

Take no questions, talk to no one when the night falls

Shut your eyes out, and you pray, day appears

And I can’t imagine what went right

And who made the night disappear

“You’ve been lost for years and years.”

In the midnight hour a spirit came softly

Crossed our music for a while

And we would smile

I’ve been waiting for a long time just to tell you

I’m a new song

May this new song

Ring so clear, clear, clear

And I dare not wonder what goes right

The spirit can bring us here

I’ve been lost for years and years

You’ve been lost for years and years

We’ve been lost for years and years

We’ve been lost

For years and years

STAND DOWN

2011-08-27T01:20:00.000-07:00

Five o'clock in the morning

Looking like I'm half past bed

I worry and I wonder

Verses running through my head

I work for money

I work for bread

Been working for the in between

I should be in the headlines, baby

(They say) Stand-down

You don't want to start a war

Stand-down

Be quiet like you were before

Stand-down

You should stay between the lines

Six o'clock in the morning

All the night I tossed and turned

Climbed right out of the wishing well

Now I swear that I've been burned

Think I see those city lights

Something that I must confide

I should be in the headlines, baby

(They say) Stand-down

You don't want to start a war

Stand-down

Be quiet like you were before

Stand-down

You should stay between the lines

And I should be in the headlines, baby

Now we're back in the evening

Crying through The Midnight Hour

Crying In The Chapel

& All Along The Watchtower

I worked for money

I worked for bread

Somehow my plans fell through

And I woke up in the headlights, baby

(They say) Stand-down

You don't want to start a war

Stand-down

Be quiet like you were before

Stand-down

You should stay between the lines

Stand-down

You should apologize

SO GOOD

2011-08-27T01:19:00.001-07:00

You're so good

You're so bad

Worse manifestation

That I ever had

I want it now

See justice done

Under the yellow eye

Of the pouring sun

Out in the desert

For a grain of sand

I need a place to land

You're so good

You're so bad

Worse manifestation

That I ever had...

You're so good

You're so bad

Can't remember if I ever had

A love like fire

That made me run

Beneath the yellow eye

Of the pouring sun

Out in the tinderbox

Head in hand

I need a place to land...

Down in the heat

Where the creek used to rise

I got to cover my eyes…

You're so bad

You're so good

Can't explain

I never understood

I want you bad

See justice done

Under the bloodshot moon

Then the pouring sun

You're so good

You're so bad

The worst excuse that I ever had

THE OTHER SIDE

2011-08-27T01:16:00.000-07:00

She was on the other side

There was nowhere else to hide away

Quiet in the bunker lights

Smoke was curling in her eyes, they say

There was no sun there was no moon

The faintest trace of stale perfume

A heavy glow, the hours slow

You ask the Lord, you never know

A grain of sand is love to you

And through my hands

You're passing through

This might be the day we die

Oh my darling' don't you cry

She was in a summer fair

Then the brightest wind blew through her hair

Quiet in the bunker lair

Smoke was curling in her eyes, they swear

Was no sun there was no moon

The faintest trace of stale perfume

The heavy glow, the hours slow

You ask the Lord, you never know

This grain of sand is love to you

And through my hands

You're passing through

And this might be the day we die

Oh my darling' don't you cry

Silence on the other side

There was nowhere else to hide away

Silent in the bunker lights

Smoke was curling in her eyes, they say

Hurts Me So

2011-08-27T01:14:00.000-07:00

Another rise and fall

Another midnight call

Turn on your radio

We got a ways to go, now

You know you made me real

You think it's no big deal

Turn on your radio

I got to let you know

It hurts me so

It tears my mind

It spills my soul

You want to leave

I can't let go

It hurts my pride

It hurts me so

Every time...

You meant a lot to me

But there's no guarantee

When you're torn inside

You got no place to hide

I'm trying to make you see

You are the heart of me, now

Turn up your radio

We got a ways to go

CHORUS

Don't want to bring you down

If I can't bring you round

Can't face another day

My heart is miles away

If you could see me through

See there's a part of you

Music sad and slow

Turn up your radio

Happy Man

2011-08-27T01:10:00.000-07:00

Used to be a citadel

But now I'm just rolling down the river

Seven sons and daughters

Rocking on their daddy's knee

But the devil and the angel by the jukebox

Laid a wager

I was a happy man

Then they made a mess of me

Used to have my hedges

& my union workers in the fields

Up here came a banker

& he crushed me with a broke back loan

Said the devil to the smiling angel

Get your big spiked heels

Let's take a happy man

Run him out of house and home

Water turns the corner

& the clouds say were in for bad weather

I see rabbits running

As the water laps along the shore

Said the devil to the blue light angel

Don't get any better

Take a happy man

Float him off to Baltimore

Used to have an upright life

But now I'm rushing down the river

Been thinking 'bout my family

& the money & eternity

The devil and the jukebox angel

Heard they moved in together

I am a happy man

Happy as a man can be

There goes a happy man

Rolling out to open sea

BIG HEARTED RIVER

2010-08-13T16:27:00.000-07:00

Riding on the hood of my car
Someone better get out the way
Straight out to the big hearted river
Straight into the water again

You’d better run now
You’re empty handed
You’d better run now
If you can stand it

Headed to the big hearted river
Straight into the big hearted river
Straight into the big hearted river

Hanging on the side of my window
Feeling like a dog in the rain
Straight out to the big hearted river
In the fast water again

You’d better run now
You’re empty handed
You’d better run now
You’d better stand it

Headed to the big hearted river
Straight into the big hearted river
Straight into the big hearted river
Straight into the big hearted river

Deep into the woods of my memory
Someone set my memory aflame
Straight out to the big hearted river
Never gonna come back again

I’d better run now
I’m empty handed
I’d better run now
I can’t stand it
I’d better run now
I’d better run now

Headed to the big hearted river
Headed to the big hearted river
Straight into the big hearted river
Straight into the big hearted river

© 2009 Chris LeRoy
Published New West Crash Music ASCAP

COMES THE MORNING

2010-07-24T00:32:00.001-07:00

Comes the morning
On the highway
There's a low cloud
Drifting our way
The hardest night together
The hardest line that ever
Made it down...
And the wind blows
Across the wasteland
Like the song goes
We got fooled again
And the hardest time's
The time you leave behind
When your heart knows

Comes the morning
Comes the morning
Every time

You seem paler
Than the moonlight
You seem colder
Than the firelight
The hardest night together
Is the hardest line that I ever
Had to rhyme... CHORUS

In cold night
Late December
I held you
Like an ember
Now I flick this cigarette into the night
I remember
I let it fly... CHORUS

Chris LeRoy © April 27, 2010
Published by New West Crash Music/ASCAP

STRANGER

2010-07-24T00:23:00.000-07:00

STRANGER

The sun came up this morning
I am fading away
Last night as big as life
Growing faint in the day
Growing faint in the day

I left the window open
Is there a songbird near?
Pretty bird won't you sing for me
Before we disappear? Before we disappear?
And you can be a stranger in your own land
You can be a stranger in your own

When television is hazy
They turn the rabbit ears
They throw the courthouse open wide
They take the souvenirs. They take the souvenirs
And you can be a stranger in your own land
You can be a stranger in your own

I went out to the city square
Amid the boos and cheers
Something wrong about what I said
You know it didn't ring clear
Didn't ring clear
And you can be a stranger in your own land
You can be a stranger on your own

It's when the lights are shining
Cross the night of tears
The wind on the silent streets
Is music to my ears
It's music to my ears
I leave the window open
Is there a songbird near?
Pretty bird won't you sing for me
Before we disappear? Before we disappear?
And you can be a stranger in your own land
You can be a stranger on your own

Chris LeRoy © May 18, 2010
Published by New West Crash Music/ASCAP

BROKEN WING

2010-07-24T00:19:00.001-07:00

Look at that road, under the trees
Look at this night and what you've done to me
If I could turn away
If I could turn around
I would rise so high
Right where you put me down

Now I'm flying on a broken wing
Making up miles but I'm suffering
I'm never going back
I never felt so bad

Took my money, took my time
But I can't start to get you off my mind
If I could drive this car
Out to the evening star
I know my heart will take me
Straight back to where you are

Now I'm flying on a broken wing
Making up miles but I'm suffering
I'm never going back
I never felt so bad

The time I loved you you, was long ago
But I came back for the things I had to know about you
If I could turn you round
And you could face the day
Look how I'm talking now
There's nothing left to say

Now I'm flying on a broken wing
Making up miles but I'm suffering
I'm never going back
I never felt so bad

Chris LeRoy © June 30, 2010
Published by New West Crash Music/ASCAP

DARK MAN (for Mark Linkous and Vic Chesnutt)

2010-06-07T01:16:00.001-07:00

Another dark man
Out in the jet stream
Another great plan
Another dark dream
Just ask his cell phone
Ask his advisers
When it’s all over
Who was the wiser?
Another dark man

They're coming over
They have the car keys
They have agendas
They are the enemy
Just ask his hangers on
Ask his baptizers
When its all over
Who was the wiser?
Another dark man

I barely knew him
It didn't take long
He was a mystery
Wrapped in a sad song
Just ask the howlin' wind
The dust that rises
When it’s all over baby
No one's the wiser
Another dark man

There goes the dark man
Out in the jet stream
One soul is touching down
Another leaving
There goes a dark man
There goes a dark man
There goes a dark man
Another dark man

Chris LeRoy © March 13, 2010
Published by New West Crash Music/ASCAP

GLITTER GIRL

2010-06-07T01:06:00.001-07:00

Help information I’m stuck in DC
I’m trying to find sweet Marie
Can’t send a letter since they went away
And I know it’s so late
I know it’s so late
I know it’s so late in the day

But I wanted to call you to say Glitter Girl
I’m living my life in your smile
And I wanted to call you to say little girl
I haven’t been clear for a while

I waited I wandered I struggled for years
You know that I cried bitter tears
Help me and help me I’m fading away
And I know that it’s late
I know that it’s late
I know that it’s late in the day

But I wanted to call you to say Glitter Girl
I’m living my life in your smile
And I wanted to come back to stay Glitter Girl
I haven’t been clear for a while

Hey information I’m stuck in DC
But I finally found sweet Marie
Take out those letters and throw them away
And I know it’s so late
I know it’s too late
She said it’s too late in the day

But I wanted to call you to say Glitter Girl
I’m living my life in your smile
And I wanted to come back to stay Glitter Girl
I haven’t been clear for a while

Give me a smile…

Chris LeRoy © February 28, 2010
Published by New West Crash Music/ASCAP

HANG ON HOLD ON

2009-09-24T21:47:00.000-07:00

Never look back girl
Into the eyes of love
If they catch you dreaming
They make the rain come down
After the rain comes
After the wind blows
Look up to blue skies
I told you so, I told you so

Hang On and Hold On
Hang On and Hold On
If you hold on, you will always find a way

That was a good one
But everybody’s wonderful plan
Won’t hold together
So baby stop crying

Stand your ground baby
You won’t be wounded for long
Even the weak get stronger
I told you so, I told you so

Hang On and Hold On
Hang On and Hold On
If you hold on, you will always find a way

Come on back girl
You don’t have to live in a dream
Deep in your midnight hour
It hurts so much you believe
Stand on baby
Baby stand on
Stand on baby
Love, love, love, love

Hang On and Hold On
Hang On and Hold On
If you hold on, you will always find a way

Chris LeRoy © May 22, 1984 Published by New West Crash Music/ASCAP

I DON’T KNOW HOW TO FEEL

2009-03-14T23:21:00.000-07:00

Used to be the losers might win

Used to be the sun shine in
Used to be a blowin’ wind
Came with an answer

Used to be a light in my soul
Used to be a rock and roll
Somebody knocking on my door
Never an answer

Am I the dark clouds over the fields
Or the sun coming down
Washing through the hills
I don’t know how to feel
I don’t know how to feel
High
Cry

Used to be a light unto the world
Used to be a flag unfurled
Used to be the only girl
Take me away

Sometimes a feeling just dies
Sometime you apologize
Sometimes you can get so wise
You can’t find an answer

Am I the dark clouds over the fields
Or the sun coming down
Washing through the hills
I don’t know how to feel
I don’t know how to feel
High…(makes me want to )…Cry

Used to be that love was all you need
Someone took a bullet for that dream
Looking something in between
Find you an answer

Am I the dark clouds over the fields
Or the sun coming down
Washing through the hills
Am I the dark clouds over the fields
Or the sun coming down
Washing through the hills
I don’t know how to feel
I don’t know how to feel
High…(makes me want to )…Cry
High…(makes me want to )…Cry
You make me want to....

© Chris LeRoy
Published 2009 New West Crash Music/ASCAP

SETTING SUN

2009-02-14T15:26:00.000-08:00

I get out in the setting sun
Hiding from the lunatics and everyone
You did wrong but the wrong is done
What do you do when you’re lost and lonely?
What do you do?
When the sun gets out
Get out too

I just howl at the setting sun
Looking like a photograph of everyone
You did wrong but the wrong is done
What do you do when you’re lost and lonely?
What do you do?
When the sun gets out
Get out too

And you’d best believe
And you’d best behave
Or you drop down to that dark afraid

Don’t get caught by the setting sun
You could get respectable like everyone
And go on and on and on
What do you do when you’re lost and lonely?
What do you do?
When the sun gets out
Get out too

© Chris LeRoy Published 1983 New West Crash Music/ASCAP

THE DANGERS CD at CD BABY

2008-09-29T14:38:00.000-07:00

Many of these lyrics come from songs by The Dangers.
(Blue Rain, Front Door, Bad Enough, Walking Highway 61, Radio City)

A new Dangers CD is here... Check it out!

BLUE RAIN

2008-08-03T14:51:00.001-07:00

BLUE RAIN

Sat up with your picture,
a ghost
and a bottle of pain
The light went weak with the cold,
the blue and the rain
I remember your face when you came to this town
Said never look back and don't you look down today
Not today
Not today

Well there ain't no strings I can use to pull it together
It's just a small dark frame and you left the picture forever
I remember your face when you came to my door
Said close your eyes can't see me anymore today
Not today

Cause I have nothing
And I hold nothing but rain
Blue Rain

You're the echo on the street
Like the wind
You're the 25th hour
Just legs beneath a dress
You're nothing
Nothing but power

I remember your face when you came to my room
Said turn off the light and watch the moon today
Not today

Cause I have nothing
And I hold nothing but rain
Blue Rain

Sat up with your picture,
a ghost
and a bottle of pain
The light went weak with the cold,
the blue and the rain
I remember your face when you came to this town
Said never look back and don't you look down today
Not today
Not today
Not today

Cause I have nothing
And I hold nothing but rain
Blue Rain

I remember your face when you came to this town
Said never look back and don't you look down today
Not today
Not today
Not today

© 1980 Chris LeRoy Published by New West Crash Music

THE BAND

2008-07-25T19:53:00.001-07:00

After a while you start to lose sight of yourself
Whoever's poison it wasn't so good for your health
Open a window and wish it on somebody else

And The Band Plays On
Hear The Slow Parade of Tears
And The Band Plays On for Years

After a while you start to lose sight of your friends
Everyone's scared of a monster when there's no defense
Look at those children Oh the innocence

And The Band Plays On
Hear The Slow Parade of Tears
And The Band Plays On for Years
And The Band Plays On
In a moment they'll be here
And The Band Plays ...

After the sounds of the crowd/turnaround/fade away
Stars coming down just to glitter the end of your day
Then in the moment you wish you had words to say

And The Band...

And The Band Plays On
Hear The Stoned Parade of Tears
And The Band Plays On for Years
And The Band Plays On
And the music disappears

© Chris LeRoy MARCH 1996 Published New West Crash Music

FRONT DOOR

2008-07-11T15:52:00.000-07:00

I left on Friday when there was no sky
No leaves were falling, no one passing by
So long ago I can’t remember why
On solid rock I was pathetic sand
I’m out of time and now I’m out of hand
I fell so hard I couldn’t feel the pain
I come home bleeding through the pouring rain
I couldn’t come away with less than your name
An empty floor across an empty room
If I come crawling back it’s way too soon.

I’ve been knocking on your front door
I can’t tell your face anymore
You say you love me but you’re just not sure
Knock knock knocking on your front door

I feel my fingers like its trigger time
I’m not in touch if you can’t touch my mind
Hey you ain’t givng no sight to the blind
I spent a lifetime just to get to you
If you won’t open up I’m coming through

I’ve been knocking on your front door
I can’t tell your face anymore
You say you love me but you’re just not sure
Knock knock knocking on your front door

I spent a lifetime just to get to you
If you won’t open up I’m coming through

I’ve been knocking on your front door
I can’t see your face anymore
You say you love me but you’re just not sure
Knock knock knocking on your front door

I say now knock knock knock
Your front door
I say now knock knock knock
Your front door
I say now knock knock knock
Your front door
Knock knock knocking on your front door

© 1982 Chris LeRoy and Tony Fate
New West Crash Music and Vital Gesture Music

DON'T TURN BACK

2008-06-20T12:21:00.000-07:00

There are some people in this world
They want to bring us down
And there’s some trouble in this world
That we cannot turn round
Say what you say about it
Or doubt the love we found

But don’t turn back
If you turn back you turn away
Hear me say
If you turn back you turn away

There are so many kinds of fools
And lies they tell about us
They’d like to tell us that we’re through
And swear it never was
Say what you say about me
But don’t you doubt my love

But don’t turn back
If you turn back you turn away
Hear me say
If you turn back you turn away

Say what you say about us
But don’t you doubt our love

But don’t turn back
If you turn back you turn away
Hear me say
If you turn back you turn away

Chris LeRoy
1998 © and Published New West Crash Music

BAD ENOUGH

2008-06-15T15:33:00.001-07:00

On the day you changed they just walked by
One crazy thing got caught in your eye
And all your friends say you’re so hard to be with now
With friends like that
You really don’t need friends at all

You can have anything you want
If you want it for a very long time
Bad enough

Your friends they just walk by
They want you to apologize
And all your friends say you’re so hard to be with now
Friends like that
Are friends that you can do without

You can have anything you want
If you want it for a very long time
Bad enough

You can’t take no book of love
No book of poems
No book of rules
No book of the month
No book of the dead
To tell you what to do

In this great big house that you call home
You’re in a crowd but you are all alone
And all your friends say you’re so hard to be with now
Friends like that
Are friends that you can live without

You can have anything you want
If you want it for a very long time
Bad enough
Baby, you got to want it bad enough

© Chris LeRoy
1983 New West Crash Music

TIRED ANGEL

2008-06-06T20:16:00.001-07:00

Out of the window and into the sky
She says a prayer
She says goodbye
Watches the city below
Through the tears in her eyes
And the lights seem so far
And the trees
And the cars
And the treacherous feeling she gets
When she thinks with her heart
We lit a fire
I was burned too
Now that I’ve faded away
I’ve got a message for you

Fall down
Fall Down
Come Down
Tired Angel

Out in the air your precarious perch
Girl assumed lost
Soon they will search
But they’ll never find you cause
They never knew who you are
You were soft
You were fine
Never cold
So refined
And no one can ever hold on to you
One at a time
We lit a fire
We were burned too
Now that I’m faded away
I’ve got a message for you

Fall down
Fall Down
Come Down
Tired Angel

Now you’ve stepped out on the blue moonlit wire
Watch your step easy
Wings of desire
Earth is below you but you can’t hear voices at all
And the lights seem so far
And the trees
And the cars
Like no one below you could possible care if you fall
We lit a fire
We were burned through
Now that I’m so far away
I try to hold on to you

Fall down
Fall Down
Come Down
Tired Angel

© 1987 Chris LeRoy
Published by New West Crash Music/ASCAP

RADIO

2008-05-31T17:00:00.000-07:00

& I want you
& I want you to want me too
& I won't go
& I won't leave until you know
that your picture sits there haunting me all night
but its alright
allright

'cause when I lay me down to sleep
my mind is like a radio
your picture comes and goes
& in the meanwhile…

if I could say
if I could wait until the sun
had crossed your face
to say we never have to run
cause your picture sits there smiling through the light
& its alright
allright

'cause when I lay me down to sleep
my mind is like a radio
your picture comes and goes
& in the meanwhile
everytime I try to sleep
my mind is just a radio
your station comes & goes
in the meanwhile

& I feel tired
but I'm still here and alive
& will try
to find us ways to survive
cause I picture you in my arms through the night
& were alright
allright

cause when I lay me down to sleep
my mind is like a radio
your picture comes and goes
& in the meanwhile
everytime I try to sleep
my mind is just a radio
your station comes & goes
in the meanwhile

© Chris LeRoy 5/10/96
New West Crash Music

WE'RE ALRIGHT

2008-05-23T03:21:00.000-07:00

Two lovers went out walking
Into the moonless night
They wandered through the firmament
To hold each other tight
And though they saw the end was near
They never felt so right
And we’re alright

Two lovers round the circle
Against the rolling sea
They cannot break the motion
Or they will wake the dream
And though they saw the end was near
They couldn't leave that night
And we’re alright

If we had all the chances
The chances lovers hold
We'd fill our hearts with promises
Like mansions filled with gold
And when I look into your eyes
Against the dying light
I'm alright
You're alright
We’re alright

Two lovers went out walking...

Chris LeRoy 2/5/ 95
New West Crash Music ASCAP

RESCUE ME

2008-05-17T13:58:00.000-07:00

Oh, won’t you rescue me
Oh, won’t you rescue me
I want you to
Hold me tight
Treat me right
Tell me what I’m doing wrong

Well I got lost on the way
When I was practically here
I lived on three cigarettes
And a perpetual fear
And a terrible dream
Where you whisper to me so sincere
Almost too clear

So won’t you rescue me
Oh, won’t you rescue me
I want you to
Hold me tight
Treat me right
Tell me what I’m doing wrong

Well there’s a vacancy sign
On your pillow tonight
If you could see my way
You’d probably turn out the light
And that terrible dream
Where you whisper to me so sincere
Almost too clear

Who put out the lights
I’m losing contact
You walk away
And you know that I can’t let go
No I can’t let go…

So won’t you rescue me
Oh, won’t you rescue me
I want you to
Hold me tight
Treat me right
Tell me what I’m doing wrong

© 1983 Chris LeRoy New West Crash Music

WANDERING AROUND

2008-05-03T10:33:00.000-07:00

Up all night close to the brink
Closing my eyes and trying to think
Reaching to you I almost touch down
The moon won't stop wandering around

You look good asleep in that chair
Faint expectations rise in the air
When you awake I won't be found
The moon won't stop wandering around

Wandering around, wandering around
All through the evening and never a sound
Come here my child and lay your head down
We'll stop this wandering around

You were right/I can't be read
Close that book that rests by your head
You were the story/In you I was bound
The moon won't stop wandering around

Oh my friend your time has been true
Everything right goes straight back to you
Maybe in dreams we'll cover that ground
The moon won't stop wandering around

Wandering around, wandering around
All through the evening and never a sound
Come hungry child and lay your head down
We'll stop this wandering around

If I pray and when I die
You can have all these tears that I cry
A heart that was lost, one will be found
So much for wandering around

Wandering around, wandering around
All through the evening and never a sound
Come hungry child your head to the ground
I 'll stop your wandering around

Chris LeRoy
© May 22, 2005 NEW WEST CRASH MUSIC

RIGHT

2008-03-21T23:42:00.000-07:00

When I was young I used to sing
And bang the drum and everything
And throw my cares on golden leaves
My first words rolled up my sleeve

From river deep to mountain high
Sweet soul music kissed the sky
I kept the station turned down low
Clouds came through my radio

Let’s sing, get high, love the sun, get it right

Ring dem bells up on a hill
Chimes of freedom chiming still
When words rise up against the wind
You may not hear those words again

If fire burns inside your soul
You take a chance to lose control
It pulls you up and let’s you go
Do you believe in rock and roll?

Let’s sing, get high, love the sun, get it right

Life can make you very small
And try to push you to the wall
But sometimes problem get reversed
There’s changes in the universe

A fire burning in your soul
Can take you if you want to go
A simple song can let you know
Do you believe in rock and roll?

Let’s sing, get high, love another, kiss the sky
Let’s sing, get high, love the sun, get it right

When I was young I used to sing
And bang the drum and everything
And throw my cares on golden leaves
One more song before we leave

Let’s sing, get high, love another, kiss the sky
Let’s sing, get high, love the Son, get it right

© Chris LeRoy March 16, 2008
New West Crash Music ASCAP

WOKE UP LIKE A CHILD

2008-03-17T23:57:00.000-07:00

It was a beautiful morning
I got out with the sun
Put on a little Bob Dylan
Taking one to one

But I was tired of watching for signals
With just a ghost of a chance
I fought the cold man’s wars
And I danced the combat dance

But I woke up like a child
I woke up like a child
And I don’t let those nightmares bring me down
They don’t bring me down

And I dreamed we never grow up
Keep scratching hearts on the walls
And all the hearts that were touching
They hardly beat at all

But I woke up like a child
I woke up like a child
And I don’t let those nightmares bring me down
They don’t bring me down

It was a beautiful morning
I got out with the sun
Put on a little Bob Dylan
Watch the children run
There’s no protest singers
There’s no protest songs
Just the howling of the night hounds
When they don’t get along

There’s no protest singers
There’s no protest songs
Just the howling of the night hounds
When they don’t get along
But I woke up like a child
I woke up like a child
And I don’t let those nightmares bring me down
They don’t bring me down

© 1982 Chris LeRoy New West Crash Music/ASCAP

MISS FORTUNATE LIES

2008-03-01T00:20:00.001-08:00

Everytime I look who put me down down down
Miss Fortunate Lies
Miss Fortunate Lies
Everytime I see you put me down down down
Miss Fortunate Lies

They say you’d never walk alone
Unless you wanted to
You’ll be stranded on your own
Soon my darling

Everytime I wake up in this underground
Miss Fortunate Lies
Miss Fortunate Lies
Everytime I hear you put me down down down
Miss Fortunate Lies...(solo)

I wish that I had words to say
Let me be someone
I wish that you would pull yourself away
Soon my darling

Everytime I see you put me down down down
Miss Fortunate Lies
Miss Fortunate Lies
Everytime I stop and think about you now
Miss Fortunate Lies (repeat)

© Chris LeRoy New West Crash Music
6/18/98

WALKING HIGHWAY 61

2008-02-10T22:17:00.000-08:00

Tears cross the road sign
Looking hard for a change in weather
No time for a cigarette
And a chance to sit with your photograph

Well…
I don’t want to be in the midday sun
Walking Highway 61
I don’t want to be in the midday sun
Walking Highway 61
Come on. Come on

Hard days of reckoning
And I’m making love to your pagan god
Time is a cigarette
And I’m holding things that I want to carry back

Well…
I don’t want to be in the midday sun
Walking Highway 61
I don’t want to be in the midday sun
Walking Highway 61
Come on. Come on

It was only recently
That I said I loved you
It was only eternally
That I knew I loved you
There’s no heart but a heart that really matters
Gets me so much trouble
Makes my fist get tighter
If you can’t see
If you can’t feel
The road is wide open
Road’s wide open

Well…
I don’t want to be in the midday sun
Walking Highway 61
I don’t want to be in the midday sun
Walking Highway 61
Come on. Come on

© 1983 Chris LeRoy New West Crash Music

COME TO ME

2008-02-10T22:13:00.000-08:00

I was just a young thing
Had no understanding
Used to lose my head and heart but…
Got up on the wrong day
Right up in the wrong way
Lose my way from the very start but…
I’ve grown up enough to tear that picture apart

Come To Me
Whatever you have heard
I’ve never used that word before, oh I
Come To Me
Whatever kind of lie
I never used to try before, oh I
Come to Me

Come into the right line
Move in the direction
Maybe you can be that someone but..
I could never hold you
Fast to your affections
Maybe I could hold you one day but…
I’ve grown up enough to feel the sun, but why?

Come To Me
Don’t ever breathe a word
I’ve never been what you have heard, oh I…
Come To Me
Before you think I lie
I’ll never make you cry, oh no I…
Come to Me ………………SOLO

Come into the right line
Move in the direction
Maybe you can be that someone but..
I could never hold you
Fast to your affections
Maybe I could hold you one day but…
I’ve grown up enough to feel the sun, but why?

Come To Me
Before I breathe a word
Before I get what you deserve, oh I…
Come To Me
Before you think I lie
Know know I ain’t that kind of guy, oh oh I..
Come to Me

© Chris LeRoy
2004 New West Crash Music/ASCAP

YEARS

2008-01-18T18:16:00.001-08:00

Lost my spirit and the friends who came to see me
Lost a good song when the spirit left me here
And I can’t imagine what went right
The voice that was calling me near
“You’ve been lost for years and years.”

Take no questions, talk to no one when the night falls
Shut your eyes out, and you pray, day appears
And I can’t imagine what went right
And who made the night disappear
“You’ve been lost for years and years.”

In the midnight hour a spirit came softly
Crossed our music for a while
And we would smile

I’ve been waiting for a long time just to tell you
I’m a new song
May this new song
Ring so clear, clear, clear
And I dare not wonder what goes right
The spirit can bring us here
I’ve been lost for years and years
You’ve been lost for years and years
We’ve been lost for years and years
We’ve been lost
We’ve been lost
We’ve been lost

© 1991 Chris LeRoy
Published by New West Crash Music/ASCAP

I WOULDN’T FOLLOW

2008-01-12T01:41:00.000-08:00

Well you can travel through the hills
You can travel to the valleys below
Well you can travel through the hills
You can travel to the valleys below
But you can’t go anywhere
I-I-I wouldn’t follow

You could go it all alone
You could go to anyplace you want to go
You could travel any road
You could go to anyplace you want to go
But you can’t go anywhere
I-I-I wouldn’t follow

Well you can turn and walk away
You can turn on everything you know
Well you can turn and walk away
You can turn on everything you know
But you can’t go anywhere
I-I-I wouldn’t follow
No you can’t go anywhere
That I-I-I….

© 1981 Chris LeRoy and Tony Fate
Published by New West Crash Music
and Vital Gesture Records

GRENADE

2007-12-31T00:51:00.000-08:00

Let me be clear about this said the man who was made
Let me be clear about this said the man who was made
What I hold in my hand
This is not a grenade

When he stepped to the podium
50 men in the shade
When he stepped to the podium
50 men in the shade
50 men are forbidden
To set eyes on the grenade

Well it fire or its brimstone til the preachers been paid
Well it fire or its brimstone til the preachers been paid
Keep this man from the precipice
He might have a grenade

Seven doctors walked quiet
And they left the parade
Seven doctors walked quiet
And they left the parade
It’s the best you can do when you see a grenade

When the general left town
Only staff people stayed
When the general left town
Only staff people stayed
They have to love and nurture
And learn to live with a grenade

Well my TV set’s wide-eyed
And the stars are turning gray
Well my TV set’s wild-eyed
And the stars are turning gray
When I look out my window
See the nighttime turn to day

Learn to live with a grenade….

© 2004 Chris LeRoy
Published by New West Crash Music/ASCAP

CHANGE

2007-12-29T01:11:00.000-08:00

Let me tell a story about how I feel
Why you can't love me is no big deal
Sitting home alone is only wasting time
Waiting on you is surely wasting mine
But I can see a change
And I can feel a change
Coming over me

I just held the ladder out a little too long
Wishing I could hold you back but you're too strong
Sitting here static's only wasting time
Sitting here crying's only wasting mine
But I can see a change
And I can feel a change
Coming over me

Can't you hear me talking is it way too loud?
If we knew any better we would lose this crowd
Maybe you were right when you said, "Time destroys,
But we might find each other in the joyful noise."
But I can see a change
And I can feel a change
Coming over me

Chris LeRoy
© 2004 Published by New West Crash Music

I DON'T EVEN KNOW MYSELF

2007-12-29T01:08:00.000-08:00

Everything has its place in the world
'less it all blows to hell
How am I to know
Which way the wind will blow
If I don't even know myself?

See that train going straight down the line
Hear the whistle blow fair thee well
How am I to know
Which way the wind will blow
If I don't even know myself?

Well I've been through the mountains
And I been through the hills
I just want to sit down for a spell

Blackbird is calling
He's so far from home
He don't have no time to tell
How am I to know
Which way the wind will blow
If I don't even know myself?

© Chris LeRoy
August 19, 2001
Published by New West Crash Music/ASCAP

FOLLOWING A RIVER

2007-12-16T08:14:00.001-08:00

Hand me down and hand me down and hand me down my fate
Once I believed in the ever after
Don’t believe so much today
It’s a finer line I crossed this time
It’s humid out this way
And there’s a red sun sinking in the river
And it’s the evening of the day

Photograph of my little dear one
Lost in the fading light
Sending out her love to me tonight

I’m following a river, baby
Following a river to the sea
I’m following a river, baby
Following a river to the sea

Hand me down and hand me down and hand me down my mind
I used to find my way around here
But now I’m moving blind
One lonely child when he was young
They never tried to find him
Now there’s a red sun sinking in the river
And he walks by the waterline

Photograph of my little dear one
Cold by the firelight
Sending out her love to me tonight

I’m following a river, baby
Following a river to the sea
I’m following a river, baby
Following a river to the sea

Hand me down and hand me down and hand me down my name
As I go farther down this water
These rocks just look the same
There’s a blackness in the undertow
Put me in a darker frame
And there’s a red sun sinking in the river
Never going to rise again

Photograph of my little dear one
Cold in the moonlight
Sending out her love to me tonight

I’m following a river, baby
Following a river to the sea
I’m following a river, baby
Following a river…

(SOLO VERSE)

Photograph of my little dear one
Cold by the moonlight
Sending out her love to me tonight

I’m following a river, baby
Following a river to the sea
I’m following a river, baby
Following a river…
Watch me

© Chris LeRoy
July 4, 2005 New West Crash Music

CLOSE CALL

2007-12-15T23:10:00.000-08:00

I guess this is how my life will go now
I talk to machines that won’t answer somehow
The wonders and worries that come to me now
Guess I just had a close call

No use in me rising I’m left out for dead
The funniest shadows afloat in my head
I rest here a moment or head off to bed
Guess I just had a close call

So goodnight my old friends and lovers
I’ll see you in dreams after all
Kinda hung around
Almost touched ground
I guess you could say a close call

I rung up my friend cause I finished a song
It’s better than most songs and not half as long
I said come on over but don’t take too long
Guess I just had a close call

I pulled down the drapes cause I’m tired of the light
I think the sun’s setting I welcome the night
A star doesn’t know when its dropped from the sky
Thinks it just had a close call

CHORUS

The cell phone will never stop ringing away
The sound just gets farther and farther away
A knock at my door but my door fades away
I guess I just had a close call

I wonder who writes all the messages down
For all the lost calls that wind their way round
Like veins through the thin air, like wires to the ground
Will somebody take a close call?

CHORUS

© Chris LeRoy
August 26, 2005 Published:NEW WEST CRASH MUSIC /ASCAP

OH FAITHFUL ONE

2007-12-15T23:01:00.000-08:00

Oh faithful one
You make me breathe
You’ve got the prettiest smile
And though I hate to leave
There’s a wide road calling
I might find my fortune there
And it’s going to make me cry

Oh faithful one
You’ve got the prettiest smile
You really know my difference
Kiss me like a child
There’s a wide road calling
I might find my fortune there
And it’s going to make me cry

But when I get home, home
I’m gonna take you down
To a little county fair
Then I’ll walk you home

Oh faithful one
You’re with me all the time
You really make my difference
You really make me smile smile smile
There’s a wide road calling
I might find my fortune there
And it’s going to make me cry

© Chris LeRoy
March 20, 1983 New West Crash Music

LONESOME JOHNNY BLUES

2007-12-15T22:54:00.000-08:00

Well, lucky number seven passed me by
Lucky number seven called my name and passed on by
Well he came back don't you know
with his brother six in tow
And that is how number thirteen wound up by my side.

And that is how I got these Lonesome Johnny Blues
How I got these Lonesome Johnny Blues
Got the Lonesome Johnny Blues
and there's nothing I can do
'Cept sing these sad old weary Lonesome Johnny Blues

Here we go

Grim Reaper he pulled up into my drive
Grim Reaper pulled his little old Chevrolet right up onto the goddamn drive
"Johnny, I haven't come for you
but I want someone who's dear to you
and the price you pay is to remain alive"

And I'll stay here with these Lonesome Johnny Blues
Stay here with these Lonesome Johnny Blues
With the Lonesome Johnny Blues
and there's nothing I can do
'Cept sing these sad old weary Lonesome Johnny Blues

Woah, no more trouble send him down the road, won't you please.
No more trouble won't you beat him up, won't you send him down the road
Trouble dumped out the trash
Ransacked the place for cash
and he wound up taking much more than I own

And he left me with these Lonesome Johnny Blues
Left me with these Lonesome Johnny Blues
With the Lonesome Johnny Blues
and there's nothing I can do
'Cept sing these sad old weary Lonesome Johnny Blues

Johnny Blues
the sad old weary Lonesome Johnny Blues
Johnny Blues
the sad old weary Lonesome Johnny Blues

© Johnny Hickman Bad Altar Boy Music BMI

WEDDING DAY

2007-12-15T22:49:00.000-08:00

The devil will send demons to fly around your wedding day
Yeah, the devil will send demons to fly around your wedding day
Don't send no invitation, I don't have much to say

Well, I heard about your man, and I will laugh at him sometime
Yeah, I heard about your man, and I will laugh at him sometime
Cuz I can see his sad day coming when your lies will burn him blind

Well, I'm standing in the churchyard, standing here without a sound
Yeah, I'm standing in the churchyard, standing here without a sound
Wishing I'd been born the kind of man could go in and shoot you down

The devil will send demons to fly around your wedding day
Yeah, the devil will send demons to fly around your wedding day
Well they'll strike you down at midnight, and a-carry me away

© Johnny Hickman Bad Altar Boy Music BMI

SUPERFAN

2007-12-15T22:47:00.001-08:00

SECTION 1:
I heard the words, now here I am
You were talking to me, I'm your super fan
I loved you then, I love you still
But if I can't have you, no-one will

Woah!

REPEAT SECTION 1

SECTION 2:
I will make you understand
I'm your super fan

SECTION 3:
I know you like it
I was watching from outside my love
I saw her leaving
She's not right for you my life, my love
I know what hurts you
Sing it to me again my life, my love
I know what hurts you
...I could hurt you

I'll track you down, I'll steal your mail
A lock of hair, some fingernails
A piece of you upon my shrine
Now you're with me all the time

REPEAT SECTION 2

REPEAT SECTION 3

- heavy breathing break -

If I can't have you, no-one will
If I can't have you, no-one will
If I can't have you, no-one will
If I can't have you, no-one will
No-one will
No-one will
No-one will
No-one will
No-one will
No-one will
No-one will
No-one will

© Johnny Hickman Bad Altar Boy Music BMI

TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS

2007-12-15T22:42:00.000-08:00

When your only girl betrayed you, boy,
What did you do with your wisdom?
Well you loved that girl again, loved that girl again
Now who you got to blame for your trials and tribulations?

What did you do when you found the man,
The one who stole your good girl?
Well you cut him up and down, heard you cut him all around
Now who you got to blame for your trials and tribulations?

Well I tried to tell you
But you run and hide
Down by the riverbed
Stay drunk all night
It weren't no lady
It was a scorpion
Well, you're just another rabbit on the run

When they dragged you to the courthouse, boy,
What did you do with your wisdom?
Well you cursed the judge again, cursed the judge again
Who you gonna blame for your trials and tribulations?
Well I tried to tell you
But you run and hide
Down by the trestle bridge
With a .45
It weren't no lady
It was a scorpion
Well, you're just another rabbit on the run

© Johnny Hickman Bad Altar Boy Music

THEY BROUGHT A GUN

2007-12-15T22:10:00.000-08:00

Stop someone tell me how can this world be?
Down by the station a quarter to three
Four hard-eyed devils a’comin’ for me
You cannot run
They brought a gun

Four killers warming by the devils own fire
Three can’t be truthful the other’s a liar
Headed for town the flames going higher
You cannot run
They brought a gun

Four hungry bastards who move past the gate
No time to call out cause help comes too late
And over my should the cold hand of fate
You cannot run
They brought a gun

Doctor, Oh Doctor, can you stay with me?
I’m sick of this killing. I want to be free
Of all accusations and complicity
You cannot run
They brought a gun

Darling, sweet darling, how can this world end?
I once was your lover, but now I’m your friend
Four faceless horsemen are rounding the bend
You cannot run
They brought a gun

You graceless shadows who come to me know
I offer no penance for I know not how
There’s no one beside me but I made a vow
I will not go gently ‘til God takes the plow
I will not go gently ‘til God takes the plow

© Chris LeRoy June 4, 2004
Published by New West Crash Music/ASCAP

RADIO CITY

2007-12-15T22:04:00.000-08:00

On a windy night radio 63
It was four o’clock it suddenly came to me
I had no choice, I had to surrender a smile
The D.J.’s voice pulled my heart to the dial
He said go to RADIO CITY

On weekend nights there’s plenty to do in this town
You got girls & beers & cigarettes on the ground
But that’s ok I can take it, I can throw it away
I’d rather stay home nights, listen to the radio play
And I go to RADIO CITY

But nowadays the music can’t keep us home
You’ve got to spend big money for fear of being alone
& my heart calls out for radio spirits past
& the D.J.’s voice says he’s sorry but it couldn’t last
Get back to RADIO CITY

© 1980 Chris LeRoy & Johnny Hickman
NEW WEST CRASH MUSIC/BAD ALTAR BOY MUSIC

SUE THE BIBLE STUDY GIRL

2007-12-15T21:58:00.000-08:00

Sue the Bible Study Girl
Has a heart of gold and an iron will
Sue the Bible Study Girl
Has all the answers for the world

And Sue wants to save me
Yeah. Sue, she wants to save me
From an eternity in Hell
Cuz her God is really swell
But all I wanna do
Is get my hands on Sue

She knows every chapter and verse
Got a Bible in her purse
She lays on me hands to heal
But tingling quivers all I feel

And Sue wants to save me
Yeah. Sue, she wants to save me
I rom an eternity in Hell
Cuz her God is really swell
Rut all I wanna do
Is kiss the hand of Sue

So 1 finally married Sue
There was nothing left lo do
I got baptized, now I'm saved
And Sue gets morally laid
I have a good time in church
But Sue's lovin' me up first

And Sue's love it saves me-
Yeah, Sue's she really,really me
And she's a lot of fun in bed
Cuz we're Christianly wed
And all I wanna do
Is plant a kiss on Sue

© 2006 Chris LeRoy, Mike Wilkerson,
& Gary Kjorvestad
Published by New West Crash Music/ASCAP

RESURRECTION TRAIN

2007-12-15T21:55:00.000-08:00

I've got my rumpled ticket
Bought it a long time ago
Cuz nobody gets out of here alive
I'm dressed up with nowhere to go

Standing at the station
I feel the spirits moving in
Resurrection train rolling slowly
I see the conductor waving me in
I see the conductor waving me in

When they plant me six feet under
I'll have a door put in my grave
So when the names are shouted out
It will be my moving day

Standing at the station
Got no luggage to hold me back
Resurrection train, yeah, all aboard
Rolling away on silver tracks
Rolling away on silver tracks

© 2006 Chris LeRoy, Mike Wilkerson, Gary Kjorvestad
Published by New West Crash Music/ASCAP

THERE'S NOTHING WRONG

2007-12-15T21:41:00.000-08:00

there's nothing wrong with the things that you live for
nothing wrong with the doubts in your mind
walking on a sharp edge, skin on a razor
nothing wrong with you killing your time
there's nothing wrong, there's nothing wrong, there's nothing…

there's nothing wrong with your cold hesitation
nothing wrong with the things that you say
talking 'bout your problems, a bad destination
nothing wrong with it anyway
there's nothing wrong, there's nothing wrong, there's nothing…

talking about your bad habits
talking about your bad friends
talking about your bad feelings
talking about the way its gonna end

there's nothing wrong with the way that you love me
nothing wrong with your useless stare
holding both hands out way up above me
there's nothing wrong and I don't even care
there's nothing wrong, there's nothing wrong
there's nothing wrong, there's nothing wrong
there's nothing wrong, there's nothing wrong

© 1981 Chris LeRoy and Tony Bramel
Published by New West Crash ASCAP and Vital Gesture Records BMI

TREASURE

2007-12-09T22:49:00.000-08:00

If you’re walking down the road
Underneath a heavy load
Don’t you worry, there’s a treasure for you here
If you feel you can’t go on
And your heart’s a setting sun
Don’t be troubled, there’s treasure for you here

If you wander through the years
And your eyes are full of tears
Don’t you worry, there’s a treasure for you here
If you stumble and you fall
Afraid to lose it all
Don’t be troubled, there’s treasure for you here

In your mind you’re waiting for connection
But you can’t see no mansion on the hill
Be careful that you never lose direction
There will always be a candle on the sill

If you ever lose your way
Please remember what I say
Don’t you worry, there’s a treasure for you here
There will be blue skies when we meet
You’ll be swept right off you feet
Don’t be troubled, there’s treasure for you here

In your mind you’re waiting for connection
But you can’t see no mansion on the hill
Be careful that you never lose direction
There will always be a candle on the sill

If you’re walking down the road
Underneath a heavy load
Don’t you worry, there’s a treasure for you here
If you feel you can’t go on
And your heart’s a setting sun
Don’t be troubled, there’s treasure for you here
Come on darling, there’s treasure for us here

© 2007 Chris LeRoy
Published by New West Crash Music/ASCAP

FEEL

2007-11-17T08:53:00.001-08:00

I don't know what to say to you
A plan has gone awry
And everything I meant to you
Well, that grew cold inside
And if the bough should break, my love
Before my last appeal
If you’re not in my dreams tonight
You don’t know what I feel

There was a time when we would talk
About the smallest things
And even now the sweetest bird
Outside the our window sings
But if that bough should break, my love
Our secrets to reveal
If you’re not in my dreams tonight
You can’t know what I feel

(SOLO VERSE AND CHORUS)

The kitchen floor is cold and hard
The wall is paint and cracks
Like all the things you gave to me
That end up peeling back
(SOLO CHORUS)

The moon is high I drift away
Into another place
It’s time for me to hold you close
Or let your memory fade
You know that bough will break, my love
You know it always will
If you’re not in my dreams tonight
You can’t know what I feel
If you’re not in my dreams tonight
You can’t know what I feel

© 2007 Chris LeRoy, Tony Fate, & Lisa McIntosh
Published by New West Crash Music/ASCAP

DIME

2007-11-17T08:47:00.001-08:00

Midnight mass for a midnight moon
Midnight drive to a midnight tune
Mystery train moving black in the rain
She’s popping her gum like pink champaign
Said, “Let’s pull over to the side of the road
Or are you hardly breathing?”

Stopped by the river for some open air
I took a rifle & she took a flare
Fingers moving cold just a shot in the dark
Somebody missed but I hit the mark
Headlights hot as they hit the road
& she was hardly breathing

3 red trucks at a country bar
I walked in the barrel of a steel guitar
Mud on my shoes, My hair was a mess
Reached in my coat & I pulled out a dress
Said, “I found these rags on an open road
& someone hardly breathing”

Was it something I did was it something I said
Listen to the sirens inside my head
I’m giving out number, giving out clues
These late night hours get me so confused
Then I sang them a song about a winding road
& I was hardly breathing

© January 10, 1982 Chris LeRoy
Published by New West Crash Music/ASCAP

I BELIEVED IN THE FORCE

2007-11-12T23:10:00.000-08:00

When I was young, I believed in The Force
Heard my young heart beat with The Force
But the howling winds of winter
Come and changed my course
I can find no peace in The Force

I sat before that screen of stars
That opened up to my backyard
Electric carousel of snow
And all the small lights filled my soul

CHORUS

And painters painted Rockwell scenes
Of neverheards and neverseens
The never cried cause it’s a sin
The never pass this way again

CHORUS

You made me shed my skin to play
My colored dreams just fade to gray
My crown of pens and paper trays
And me too old to run away

When I was young, I believed in The Force
Heard my young heart beat with The Force
But the howling winds of winter
Come and changed my course
I can find no peace in The Force

Chris LeRoy
© 1/9/97 New West Crash Music

DEDICATION

2007-11-12T23:06:00.000-08:00

I heard the pounding of the generation beat
I heard the beat police
I heard a band making echoes on the street
I fell to my knees

I heard the nightsticks tapping out of time
I never heard a thing
Cops, rockers, teenyboppers fighting in a lonely line
I never heard them sing

Man its just a shot away
That’s what they used to say
Every night I feel betrayed
When I try to rock away

Dedication, Dedication
You should know me
But you don’t know about it
Dedication, Dedication
You should know me
But you don’t know me

I took my friends for a walk out in the cold
A small café by the square
The way the rubbed their hands I swear that they was getting old
No revolution in the air

Man its just a shot away
That’s what they used to say
Every night I feel betrayed
When I try to rock away

Dedication, Dedication
You should know me
But you don’t know about it
Dedication, Dedication
You should know me
But you don’t know me

Even when its safe outside
A man holds his paper bag
Looking for a place to hide
And he dies on the beaten track

They say that 50 million fans are never wrong
The say that Elvis went to heaven
I say that 50 million don’t make 50 strong
If they can take without giving

I heard the pounding of the generation beat
I heard the beat police
I heard a band making echoes on the street
I fell to my knees

Dedication, Dedication
You should know me
But you don’t know about it
Dedication, Dedication
You should know me
But you don’t know me

© Chris LeRoy July 29, 1981
Published by New West Crash Music

DON'T WHISPER

2007-11-05T23:35:00.000-08:00

The end of all is crashing
I'm buried beneath this load
Beneath this load
I wanna buy a gun and shoot the neighbor
Trouble is, no one's home
If I could catch my breath, I'd breathe
If I had traveling clothes, I'd leave
Man, I'd leave
I need that shrink, pull the plug
Maybe someday, he will come
Please don't whisper
Or else I’ll just die
Scream until the windows crack
And I'll love you again
I set my sights too high
I stumbled and I fell, asking why
Running in my sleep, my eyes won't blink
Turn the last few corners, wave goodbye
I take a bus back home
I sit in County Jail by the phone
“ Think the call's for you, mister.”
Couldn't hear a word you said,
"Please don't whisper".
Please don't whisper
Or else I’ll just die
Scream until the windows crack
And I'll love you again

© 2006 Chris LeRoy, Mike Wilkerson,& Gary Kjorvestad Published by New West Crash Music/ASCAP

TIME HURTS

2007-10-27T02:44:00.000-07:00

When my father died I was a young man
I wandered for most of a year
Now once in a while I think of him
When I see my eyes in the mirror

Time hurts, time hurts, hurts before you can feel
Time hurts, time hurts, it hurts before it heals

I had a great love and she left me
I cried when she walked through the door
I watched through the window her mind to change
I watched for and hour or more

Time hurts, time hurts, it hurts before you feel
Time hurts, time hurts, it hurts before it heals

I looked for work for a long time
But I just could not settle down
So I settled down with this bottle
To sleep in a river and drown

I see the winds in the mountains
I see the smoke in the trees
I see dreams rising up to the heavens
Come settle down soft in the streets

Time hurts, time hurts, hurts with a pain so real
Time hurts, time hurts, time hurts before it heals

© Chris LeRoy October 25, 2007
Published by New West Crash Music

PULL THE CURTAIN

2007-10-27T02:41:00.000-07:00

It’s not just these few words
I’m like a willow bending low
It’s not just these few hours
Before it’s time to go

Pull the curtain
Pull the curtain
Pull it slow

Time up on this altar
Seems like minutes in a row
Seems like every time we falter
We have all our dreams in tow

Pull the curtain
Pull the curtain
Pull it slow

Were I the faithful servant
Who ran the household so
The master found me pleasing
When he returns, behold

Pull the curtain
Pull the curtain
Pull it slow

Will he come unexpected
In an hour I do not know?
Will he cut me into pieces ?
Will he bring me in the fold?

Pull the curtain
Pull the curtain
Pull it slow

For me they’ll stop their weeping
Because they see the glow
For me they’ll raise the standards
So let the trumpets blow

Pull the curtain
Pull the curtain
Pull it slow

Chris LeRoy © October 9, 2007
Published by New West Crash Music

HAPPY TIMES

2007-10-17T01:10:00.000-07:00

First had a book they called it Happy Times
With happy words, happy rhymes for sure
From where I stood it was a real hard climb
But I had a place to go

When I was young I had a late night station
I tuned it in for a Little Bit of Soul
Back at my school they had no expectations
But I had a place to go

I saw a poster it said Happy Times,
See the world, come get your place in line
From where I stood it was a real hard climb
But I had a place to go

I saw my friends getting high for the weekend
Drive with this monkey down a wrong way road
Back in my room I had a late night station
But I had a place to go

SOLO

I’m out driving to a moonlight station
Signal stutters on my radio
I sing along cause its My Generation
We got a place to go
Still got a place to go

I wrote a song and called it Happy Times
With happy words, happy rhymes for sure
From where I stand its still a real hard climb
Turn off your radio

Chris LeRoy
3/22/2007
© and Published by New West Crash Music

WHOLE LOTTA TROUBLE

2007-10-17T00:14:00.000-07:00

There’s no happy ever after
Here were trying to survive
Whole Lotta Trouble, baby
Whole Lotta Trouble, baby
Whole Lotta Trouble in this life

You work and you can have your money
But that don’t guarantee a ride
Whole Lotta Trouble, baby
Whole Lotta Trouble, baby
Whole Lotta Trouble in this life

And the morning sun comes up
And the evening sun goes down
Think that I would be alive
But everyone is dying
In this cold dark town

Some folks just think of starting over
They take a lifetime to decide
Whole Lotta Trouble, baby
Whole Lotta Trouble, baby
Whole Lotta Trouble in this life

© Chris LeRoy and Johnny Hickman 1989

LAST TRAIN

2007-10-16T16:41:00.000-07:00

Sitting on a train track tryin’ to decide
Should I lie back for the rest of the ride?
Cash my ticket to the other side? Why?
Everybody guessed that I would end this way
Little bit of heaven there’s hell to pay
I can hear the whistle from a mile away Why?

Hi! Do you know how to cry? Blue Sky
Do you know how to cry? Well I…

Started falling early I was just a kid
Monkey on my shoulder in a takeover bid
He always found me so I never hid Why?
But I remember summer under candy trees
Learning my chords just shooting the breeze
Life can be golden in small degrees Why?

Hi! Do you know how to cry? Blue Sky
Do you know how to cry/ Can you sigh?
Like the last train coming by?

Wish I had a family in a 50’s home
Faded brown Buick and some rusted chrome
A rusted dog and a rusted bone Why?
I remember summer under candy trees
Learning my chords just shooting the breeze
I can feel the crosstie under my knees Why?

CHORUS
Life is a good kid trying to be bad
Laughing out loud cause his heart is so sad
He could be the best friend that you ever had
Here’s to the summer that never ends
Here’s the last quarter I was meaning to spend
Smoke from the engine coming round the bend

© Chris LeRoy
September 15, 2005 New West Crash Music

DON'T WHISPER

2007-10-16T16:38:00.000-07:00

ANOTHER SONG ABOUT THE RAIN

2007-10-16T16:32:00.000-07:00

The wind of fate has pried us loose
The light of mercy hurts my eyes
Is it worth the things you lose
To board the train and watch the sky?

I sing myself to sleep at night
I sing myself to sleep

Another song about the rain
Coming down it burns through me
Another song about the rain

Got a line straight from my heart
There was a time it went to you.
Another place when we were smart
Before the flood and time was through

I sing myself to sleep at night
I sing myself to sleep

Another song about the rain
Coming down it burns through me
Another song about the rain

Sorry now never made you see
Sorry now sounds so far away
Will our child cry for me
When he hears the dragon's flame

Highway flares make red the street
My fingers spin the dial again
But every station's on to me, yeah

Another song about the rain
Another song about the rain
Another song about the rain
Never rained so viciously

© 1992 Chris LeRoy & Johnny Hickman

LUCKY

2007-10-16T08:16:00.000-07:00

I ‘m lucky for my fingers
Lucky bed to sleep
Lucky thoughts that linger
Lucky as I leap
Sometimes I turn my mind to days
Before we broke in two
Yeah but I'm lucky, so lucky
For the time I spent with you

Now some would call it destiny
Say we don’t control our fate
Yeah but me I don't believe that stuff
See I believe you make your own luck
Sometimes. I turn my mind to days
Before we broke in two
But I'm lucky, so lucky
For the time I spent with you

What more could I ask for?
What more could I do?
What more could I ask for?
I owe so much to you

Well I'm lucky I'm still dreaming
Lucky to have cried
Yeah even lucky for the bad luck
Just lucky to have tried
Sometimes I turn my mind to days
Before we broke in two
Yeah but I’m lucky I'm lucky
For the times I spent with you
For the times I spent with you

© Chris LeRoy and Johnny Hickman Published 2005 New West Crash Music and Bad Altar Boy Music

A HOUSE HAS MANY ROOMS

2007-10-16T07:56:00.000-07:00

I’m wandering out this old dirt road
So far away from home
And I have done so many things
Ashamed with what I’ve done
But I can see the city lights
A crown up on the dunes
I’m coming home
I’m coming home
A house has many rooms

When I was young I saw no life
Beyond my carryin’ on
I’d rattle with the best of them
I’d carry on ‘til dawn
But I can see I wasted time
The end was sometime soon
I’m coming down
I’m coming down
A house has many rooms

Then I was stuck in troubled times
I had no where to go
I drained out every waking dream
That used to be my soul
I worked for money, worked for bread
I howled at the moon
I’m coming down
I’m coming down
A house has many rooms

If you should ever leave your home
If you should go astray
If you should ever find you’re down
This side of judgment day
I think that you should cry out loud
Please lift me from this gloom
I’m coming down
I’m coming down
A house has many rooms
I’m coming home
I’m coming home
His house has many rooms

Chris LeRoy © October 9, 2007 Published by New West Crash Music

THE TREES

2007-10-14T23:34:00.000-07:00

Up in the mountain where they cleared away the trees
Up in the mountain where they cleared away the trees
I’m looking through the clearing as far as I can see

I see the white hot hills I see the river split in two
I see the white hot hills I see the river split in two
Well there ain’t no telling what the water’s gonna do

I see the waters rush to the center of town
I see the waters rush to the center of town
They got no idea. The rain’s a’ coming down

I see a smart dressed man floating with a silver cane
I see a smart dressed man floating with a silver cane
I have this beggar man float by with his cup of rain

I see an old pack mule caught up in the clothesline
I see an old pack mule caught up in the clothesline
I see a trunk of old pictures they got left behind

I see an angel cryin sitting by the side of the road
I see an angel cryin sitting by the side of the road
She says walk with me and we can share this heavy load

Back in the mountain where they cleared away the trees
Back in the mountain where they cleared away the trees
Me and my angel are planting seeds.

© 2007 Chris LeRoy
Published by New West Crash Music/ASCAP

WRONG

2007-10-14T23:27:00.001-07:00

The day I said I loved you
Was the day it got away
It messes up my memory
Makes it hard to penetrate
But now I’ve gone and left you
I’m out for parts unknown
I sit here by this windy road
I’m feeling all alone

Because I was wrong
The moon won’t shine
Making the stars align
One more time, one more time

Half of what I said to you
Made all the sense to me
I wondered how you lost your way
Your sensibility
And I was never stronger
Then when I shut that kitchen door
A cold wind on my windshield and
A notebook on the floor

CHORUS

Way out here the Joshua tree
Ain’t really trees at all
And somewhere in the desert winds
The rain’s about to fall
But I could never tell you how
You mean so much me
I’ll carry you inside this soul
For all eternity

Because I was wrong
The sun didn’t shine
I saw the birds fly through
The skyline
Because I was wrong
The moon won’t shine
Making the stars align
One more time, one last time

Chris LeRoy © September 6, 2007 New West Crash Publishing

THE GREAT DECLINE (Palmhenge II)

2007-10-14T21:23:00.000-07:00

They're putting up a superstore
Where the local merchant tried
Another corporate nightmare
Where another dream has died

CHORUS:
And as the choices disappear
I wanna change my mind
I wanna go back to the days
Before the great deline

The job you had your eye on
Has just sailed across the sea
So much for your resume
So much for your degree

CHORUS:
And as the choices disappear
Don't you wanna change your mind?
Don't you wanna go back to the days
Before the great decline

The signs up ahead read indecision
Cloudy vision for a head on collision
God bless you, and God bless me
But God help the children of this century

CHORUS:
Our leaders are all drunk on greed
Do you wanna taste that wine?
Or do you wanna go back to the days
Before the great decline

© 2005 Johnny Hickman
BAD ALTAR BOY MUSIC BMI (FROM PALMHENGE)

FRIENDS

2007-10-14T21:20:00.000-07:00

I'd never sleep with your ex-girlfriend
Even if she starts to flirt with me again
Allow me to apologise for my slightly wicked thoughts
But that's the kind of friend that you've got

If a fight broke out and you're the cause of it
In some redneck bar where you've been talking shit
I would not forsake you later in that parking lot
'Cause that's the kind of friend that you've got

CHORUS:
Through the laughter and the tears
We go stumbling through these years
A bit disfunctional some might say
But I've got the dirt on you
And you've got plenty on me too
So I pray we stay together all our days

When you're on a date and you finally bring her home
Put some music on and disconnect the phone
I'll show up drunk and cryin', and pass out on the spot
'Cause that's the kind of friend that you've got

REPEAT CHORUS

Dear Lord I pray we stay together all our days

Johnny Hickman
© 2005 Bad Atar Boy Music BMI (From Palmhenge)

LET IT DROWN

2007-10-14T11:59:00.000-07:00

The sun up his morning was the hurting kind
So began the battle for our hearts and minds
So began the tale Adam raised a Cain
You know it happened once now it’s happening again

IF THE RAIN COMES DOWN
BUT THE WORLD JUST WON’T COOL DOWN
LET THE RAIN COME DOWN
LET IT DROWN

All along the watchtower on every written page
Winds of revolution and tears of holy rage
Someone gets the medal. Someone gets the grave
See the Savior coming but there’s no one left to save

Been the source of trouble since the world began
It happened to a woman. It happened to a man
You put all together mix in earth and wood
You don’t know what you started. Would you stop it if you could?

IF THE RAIN COMES DOWN
BUT THE WORLD JUST WON’T COOL DOWN
LET THE RAIN COME DOWN
LET IT DROWN

The sun up his morning was the hurting kind
So began the battle for our hearts and minds
So began the tale Adam raised a Cain
You know it happened once. Now it’s starting all again

IF THE RAIN COMES DOWN
BUT THE WORLD JUST WON’T COOL DOWN
LET THE RAIN COME DOWN
LET IT DROWN

Chris LeRoy
© March 17, 2005
New West Crash Music

OPEN ARMS

2007-10-14T03:07:00.000-07:00

Look at that road
Under the trees
Look on back
The way it used to be
From the soul of the heartland
To Yasgur’s farm
Walking on the roadsides
We came for open arms

The time I loved her
Was long ago
But I came back
For the things I had to know about her
But she lost what she had for me
And most of her charm
Never saw me coming
But I came for open arms

Don’t want money
Don’t want cars
And I just look up
When I want to see the stars
But if I fall over
Don’t want to fall far
I need you to catch me
When I fall for open arms

Not many stories
Turn out straight
Not many hours
Before the hour is late
And the liberty statue
She never meant harm
But who can I turn to
When I reach for open arms.

Chris LeRoy
© June 13, 1983
New West Crash Music