I'll hop on blue and kick her hard as they chase me out of town, theres a bag on my back and the saddles packed, with the finest neat Moonshine, Ill get up high, on the highest ridge or Ill go down low to the river below, Ill do anything to get them off my back.
They chased me down to Jackson out across the delta plains, I swore them blind they weren't my stills and the town had all run dry They had a price on my head for my capture or death but no one ever let out a breath, cause everybody liked a drink in town.
Cause I'm the finest neat moonshiner in the mid north and the west, There’s a lot of others like me but they all know im the best, I got a real good knack to turn your water into whiskey, but we all know, it wont ever make it to that.
They caught up with me in Memphis, as I made it for the line, they threw me in the slammer and they read me all my rights. I swore them blind it weren't my stuff, someone had set me up for this, but you can tell that to the judge, in 3 days time
So I sat there behind the bars. trying to plan my getaway, they'd stacked the jars and the pack from my back in the far corner of the room, if only I could reach them, I’d bust right out of here, i'd blow a hole right through this wall.
Cause I'm the finest neat moonshiner in the mid north and the west, There’s a lot of others like me but they all know im the best, I got a real good knack to turn your water into whiskey, but we all know, it wont ever make it to that.
Born on the edge of town, a wild boy, no friends around. Son of a hooker he had no hope, just a life full of dope.
Always a guy at the door, looking for another whore. Never saw no money spent, just enough to pay the rent.
So he ran away when he was 8, guess that really sealed his fate. Time to time he'd work in bars, but always loved the big fast cars.
Robbed a store just for fun, from then his life was on the run. didn't start out being bad, maybe just a little mad.
But now he's living out his life, a little in the fast lane, trying to get a kick, out of being a little bad man. Pedal to the metal, he'll make it down to San An, Cross the line well make it through tonight.
So he took a car from a parking lot, foot right down he hit the spot, he's got a 100 on the dial, with the 5O running wild.
Jumped the lights and rode his luck, another dice for him to chuck, raced the freight on down the line, got to the crossing just in time.
Cause now he's living out his life, a little in the fast lane, trying to get a kick, out of being a little bad man. Pedal to the metal, he'll make it down to San An, Cross the line well make it through tonight.
I stole a boat from a parking lot, I sailed it out but I cant tie knots, I guess this life ain't much for me, at least not today.
So I took a car from a old mans porch, it went real fast but its not a Porsche, I drove it down West Avenue, and it got me though.
cause my life in on the run, I live it just for fun, but soon the time will come, when i gotta take a gun to go to work
so I held a bank in Tennessee, I stood there proud for all to see the man that I had come to be, at least today.
So i got me 18 bars of gold, from an armoured van off the old ring road, It all went well until the final plan, when they brought old Billy to the ground
Cause my life in on the run, I live it just for fun, but soon the time will come, when I gotta take a gun to go to work
Oh life’s a game of give and take, i took it all but i gave a mate, shot there dead as we stormed the gate, it was all just to late
cause my life in on the run, I live it just for fun, but soon the time will come, when i gotta take a gun to go to work.
High on Speed, cruising down the interstade, She’s a loaded gun, and theres fire in her sole, She’s tearing up the road, at the speed of sound, and i ain't slowing down - for anyone!
she's a joker in a 52 card trick, shes Aces high when you only got 2 queens, she's the colour green, on the spinning wheel, when you got your chips on red and black, now theres no turning back
She'll take you down town, she'll go further than you want maybe up town, she'll break the rules once in a while cause she's troubled, ooooooh sheeeeeees troubled
when this girls around, she'll break the new boys in, its just a game, but it'll take you in the end you might not see it but you'll show it, you'll bet you house, and your family – to know
She’s a loaded gun She’s aces High She’ll break you when the morning comes around
She'll take you down town, she'll go further than you want, maybe up town, she'll break the rules once in a while cause she's troubled, ooooooh sheeeeeees troubled
well im bearing down, a one way line of rail and im bound for Nowhere. I aint been told, where were gonna stop, But I don't really care
Cause theres a 1000 miles of rails, and i'm a 1000 miles from home, and the miles they just keep rolling by, I cant seem to find the place where I belong, I belong
I been North ..... I been South ....., I been East ..... and from East to west, I been hitching rides, with loaded freight trains, across the wide open plains
Cause theres a 1000 miles of rails, and i'm a 1000 miles from home, and the miles they just keep rolling by, I cant seem to find the place where I belong, I belong
now i'm broken down, i'm all alone, the locomotive not my ticket home, and miles and miles that roll on by, well they'll all.... run dry
Cause theres a 1000 miles of rails, and i'm a 1000 miles from home, and the miles they just keep rolling by, I cant seem to find the place where I belong, I belong
They say I’m crazy but I don’t know, they said I’m crazy a couple of hours ago. But the one who sees a crazy man, he must be a fool, I guess I’m crazy after all.
I messed up when I was young, I made a few wrong turns, but the turns I made back then, have shaped who I am today, I guess I’m crazy after all.
I guess I’m crazy living life out on the road, I guess I’m crazy not knowing where to go, I guess I’m crazy when I haven’t got a place to call my own, I’m coming home.
I bought a car from a man up North, he told me she worked fine, but she broke down so many times when she didn’t wanna get me home, I guess I’m crazy after all
I guess I’m crazy living life out on the road, I guess I’m crazy not knowing where to go, I guess I’m crazy when I haven’t got a place to call my own, I’m coming home.
I wanna hold you tight, when there is no light left in this world. I wanna feel the signs of you beating heart pressed into mine.
But as I lay alone, in this hotel room at night, thoughts of you, with the rain falling hard outside.
It’s gonna be alright, it’s gonna be OK, Cause the time has played its toll, and the weeks can’t let me show, what it’s like.... To be a fool for you.
I’ve put you through hell, but still you stay, with the devil trying to knock us down each step of the way.
Cause behind the fire, here shines a spark, If you hold on tight, I’ll be your shadow in the dark
It’s gonna be alright, it’s gonna be OK, Cause the time has played its toll, and the weeks can’t let me show, what it’s like.... To be a fool for you.
You’re always trying to hold me down to a place I can’t be around too much anymore, you keep trying to drag me home, it pains you such to be alone at night. When you call me up crying on the phone, knowing I can’t come to hold you, tonight.
Hold on tight to me, you know I’m yours to keep. when the pain feels too much to bear, just know I’m coming home soon.
I know it takes its toll the life I live, the work I have and the way we gotta be, But if you keep strong well make it work, I promise it can’t get no worse than what, I put you though. But it seems to me there’s always one, that tells you how to live your life and one, tells you who I am.
Hold on tight to me, you know I’m yours to keep. when the pain feels too much to bear, just know I’m coming home soon.
I got an empty house, it’s all run dry, I woke up late, but you’d moved away, cause I was a fool, I played the game, but now the game is done, and I’m a loser again.
When the rivers they ran deep, we’d go down and we play in the woods, now the waters where we used to bathe, have gone, they gone and left for good.
Now this empty house, it’s a crumbling down, the walls can’t hold, the strain of the pain above, so I moved outta town, to a place I can’t be found, up on an empty hill, where the pastures are free to roam.
I been walking around your street today, looking for a place I can maybe lay my hat. It’s a cold winters day and the wind it cuts right through, sure looks warmer where you’re sat.
I got kicked out and had to grow up fast, had a few jobs but they didn’t last. Every thing I did in life seemed to turn out wrong, so turned to the bottle at the age of 21.
Cause with the bottle by my side, I could drown my problems out, and the change in my pocket it would stop them coming back, but then the mornings come around, and the pain was still too clear, I’d just try to buy my problems away.
Been living these streets for 15 years or so, hand to mouth if that’s what you call it. People pass me by and put spare change in my hat, wonder how I got to where I’m at.
It wasn’t always the way it is today, I had a house and wife but she left me, The bottle was always more half empty. She packed my bags and she kicked me out in the cold
Cause with the bottle by my side, I could drown my problems out, and the change in my pocket it would stop them coming back, but then the mornings come around, and the pain was still too clear, I’d just try to buy my problems away.
I’d try to buy my problems away.
I just try to buy my problems away.
But If you help me with my problems today.
then I can learn to keep my problems at bay.
So I’ll have no more problems to pay.
The sun was setting on a grey old day, I guess this towns no place to stay. the rain came down and it chilled my bones, times like these when you feel alone.
I was just passing by a bar, heard some guy play guitar. Stopped inside to warm my feelings, and take a look around.
Cause there were the drinkers, there were the thinkers. There were sinners, there were winners. Drifters and just fakers. Losers and plain bruisers, all in this town tonight.
So I ordered up a beer, sat and listened to his song. His voice could tell a thousand tales, his face a thousand more. But I watched as no one gave a damn, no one even turned their head, And as I upped to leave the bar, stuffed a 20 in his jar.
Cause there were the drinkers, there were the thinkers. There were sinners, there were winners. Drifters and just fakers. Losers and plain bruisers, all in this town tonight.
CARDS MARKED IN ADVANCE
I need something to hold on to, when I ain’t got nothing to lose. I need something to look forward to, when i ain’t got nothing to do.
All this time, you been dragging me down, but all this time, I been making back tracks, all this time, you been using me, and I been a fool.
What’s that you said in my ear, you don’t know you love me no more. i know i tried to do it all wrong, tried to cut out every stone
All this time, you been dragging me down, but all this time, I been making back tracks, all this time, you been using me, and I been a fool.
I can’t fight this war alone, when you won’t help me hold the fort. cause it seems I been played the fool, with all my cards marked in advance.
All this time, you been dragging me down, but all this time, I been making back tracks, all this time, you been using me, and I been a fool.
Mondays been and gone, fell asleep with the TV on, woke up cold sometime in the middle of the night.
7am comes around, alarm ringing it’s the same old sound, Wake up still tired, wipe the sleep dust from my eyes.
It’s just another day, working on the line, same old job, same old pay, nothing new for me to say. It’s just another day, working on the line, same old sights, same old time, nothing new for me to try.
I started out at 17, left school with no degree, in the factory just down the road, where the whole town seemed to be.
Just like a 9-5, no aspirations or need to drive, get up early, go home late, spend it all on a Friday.
It’s just another day, working on the line, Same old job, same old pay, nothing new for me to say. It’s just another day, working on the line, same old sights, same old time, nothing new for me to try.
30 years have passed me by, still working on the factory line, Productions up, pays gone down, and all this time has passed me by.
But the boss is doing fine, he doesn’t seem to mind, just bought himself a brand new island of the coast of Mexico.
Its just another day, working on the line, Same old job, same old pay, nothing new for me to say It’s just another day, working on the line, same old sights, same old time, nothing new for me to try.
I tried to do what’s right for you, but all these it seems I could never do. I’ll often make it worse, when I’d try to calm the fight. It feels like, I’m slowly turning out the light.
Maybe I never knew when to time it right, cause the conversation would always go where there was no light, when I’d call you up at night, and you’d throw it back down the line, oh babe, why we gotta fight.
I struggle to sleep sometimes at night. knowing that we’d not broke up the fight. cause I thought I was right, and you always thought I was wrong, oh babe, what we fighting for?
cause we need to be onside both day and night, and even more when were so far out of sight, like calling you up, and you tell me everything’s alright, oh babe, I sure know that ain’t right.
Cause it’s a lonely life when you’re living on the road, and it’s lonelier when you’re living it alone, it’s just miles and miles of freeway, with no place to call your home. but i want you to know, that im thinking of you.
I’ve been down this this road before I've crossed the line and I walked right through, the only thing I know to go is where my heart won’t let me go.
I been too long living on the wrong side of the road to care, I been too long living underneath the one way sign to a dead end street. How long will it take till I know which way to go, long enough i hope for you to walk right through my door.
I take my chance every time but I never get too close. I guess I’m scared to fall for you when I ain’t got time to stay. Sometimes i wish you would just let me loose but then I’m glad when you try and make me stay another day.
I’ve been down this this road before I've crossed the line and I walked right through, the only thing I know to go is where my heart won’t let me go.
well maybe your the one that’s gonna finally tie me down. maybe I’m happy right here with what I found cause the days will come and go and you’re still always alone. so i guess I’ll stay right here and make you my home
I’m a travelling man, ain’t a penny to my name, hitching a ride, on a steel freight train. I’m a travelling man and I ain’t got time, ain’t got nowhere I gotta be.
Cause I’m a travelling man, Yeah, I’m a travelling man.
So I’m thumbing a ride, on the east bound side, pulls up a white car, its headed my way. so i jump inside, it’s a comfy ride, 1600 miles across to Tennessee.
Cause I’m a travelling man, Yeah, I’m a travelling man
When I’m on the move it all seems right, I’m gonna keep on moving until the night. cause i got me my pack, and I got me my feet, and I’m gonna live each day without repeat. Yeah I’m gonna live each day without repeat
but the winter months in Tennessee, are 2 damn cold for me to be. so I jumped a southbound train, down to New Orleans, where it’s a kinder place to keep you warm.
Well come in off the streets, come play us a song.
He said I been searching high for a place to go,
I been searching low for a place I know.
I said well the whiskey in here it’ll warm your bones,
it tingles down and it’ll heat your toes.
And the beer is smooth like amber light.
It takes me to the land of where the midnight flame…
burns bright.
There’s a cold wind a blowing,
across the lowland plains tonight.
But the rain it keeps a falling, with a pale blue light.
There’s a chilly night a coming,
before the light of morning breaks.
But the snow it hasn’t fallen since the middle of July.
So I called out your name and you said goodbye to me once more,
And the radio plays and it blasts our song, but it won't last long.
Cos the kick drums, ringing in my head,
but there’s the sound of silence lying in my bed tonight,
And this choice in life that we have to make,
Maybe you’re right or maybe you’re wrong this time.
So I walked to town in the pouring rain,
living my life out on the plains,
To sing a song I wrote along the way.
Cos this place looks warm and the beer looks cold,
and the girls in here well they’ll warm my soul,
and the whiskey will drown my sorrows, till tomorrow.
But I called out your name and you said goodbye to me once more,
And the radio plays and it blasts our song but it won’t last long.
Because the kick drums ringing in my head, but there’s
the sound of silence lying in my bed tonight.
And this old 6 string lying by my side,
It picks me up but it won’t keep me warm at night.
And all this talk and getting old,
It’s just bluffing my way to keep myself out of the cold.
I been working every day, slaving away, trying to figure this whole thing out.
The stress and the strain, through the hard times that came, But now it consumes my life.
But there comes a time when you look at yourself, wonder what you been doing it for.
years gone by not a memory to share, staring at the same four walls.
So maybe I need a change, something to deviate, my mind… cos I'’m getting tired of living in the Rat Race.
It’s a Monday morning, coffee's gone cold, and I'm staring at the same set of problems.
Door always open, someone coming in, bringing me a whole set of new ones.
Friday rolls around, 5 o - Clock, and everyone’s off for the weekend.
I'll be here, till the morning hours, and I’ll be here Saturday Sunday.
So maybe I need a change, something to deviate, my mind… cos I'm getting tired of living in the Rat Race.
Well It’s a Monday again, everyone’s back, talking bout the things they got up to.
Some went fishing, a couple went to Paris, but most hung out with their kids.
I did the same as I do every week, and I came into work like a week day.
Saturday Sundays always the same, Staring at the same four walls.
So maybe I need a change, something to deviate.
So maybe I need a change, something to deviate. My mind… cos I'm getting tired, of living in this Rat Race.
What’s the matter with us, where do we go.
What do we say when we're both choked up and I’m....
Turning my back to the wind.
I’ve lived my whole life, free to go with the breeze.
Wherever the wild wind takes me…
I’ll go with her.
I haven’t got much left to say, I feel I’m running away.
I haven’t got much left to do, I don’t feel I’m coming through,
I ain’t coming through.
Cos it wasn’t enough, I just don’t know how.
To give you your dreams while mine are bursting…
At the seams
I’ve lived my life on the road, you’ve longed to be home.
I don’t see a bridge to cross this space…
Between no more.
I haven’t got much left to say, I feel I’m running away.
I haven’t got much left to do. I don’t feel I’m coming through,
I ain’t coming through.
Life seems harder every day, so many bills with no way to pay what’s there.
Paydays come around again, but I haven’t much here left to spend for rent.
Go out shopping every day, I bring home food to fill our plates. And still the cupboard seems so bare, we haven’t much here left to spare.
Cos it gets harder every day, yes harder every day. And the boss can’t help the pay, I can’t help but stay.
My brother called me yesterday, said he can’t find the way to live anymore.
So I got in my car and rushed to his house, blue lights there, and people around.
They found him lying on the ground, a couple of pills left in his hand.
Said there’s nothing they can do, and I got nothing left to say.
Cos it gets harder every day, yes harder every day. And the boss can’t help the pay, I can’t help but stay.
We can’t go living on like this, We got to find a way.
Cos it gets harder every day, yes harder every day, And the boss can’t help the pay, I can’t help but stay.
You see the signs you can’t hold her tight tonight, You see the signs you can’t do the one thing that’s right, we’re out on the road we’re trying to find the light, but I know I won’t be seeing you tonight.
It’s a long and windy road and I’m gonna take it west, we’re riding on the waves, we’re riding like the best, she calls you up one night it’s been a cold rainy day, the streetlights on the window, block the light of day.
Cos I know, I’m gonna see ya soon enough, it’s tough, but you know it’s gonna be worth the rough It won't, won’t be very long, till we get back home to see you for the night.
The bus snakes down the highway and the band’s fast asleep, thoughts of you inside my head well they keep my mind awake, cause it’s the life we live and the thrills that we give that keep me travelling on this lonely road.
We’ve just pulled into town, it’s early Thursday morning, The stage is up, the speakers hung, this place is gonna go. The seats are sold, the crowd is pumped, there’ s excitement in the air... And that’s what keeps me travelling on this road.
Cos I know, I’m gonna see ya soon enough, it’s tough but you know it’s gonna be worth the rough. It won't, won’t be very long. Till we get back home to see you for the night. Till we get back home to see you for tonight.
Well we’ve all been going around in the same boat, I'm getting tired of getting drunk on the phone. Lock up the venues, kick out the crew, I’m sorry boys you’ll have to fend on your own.
Now ComeOn
Sold my soul let’s all get in line, little shop keeper he just ain’t got the time. The streets are deserted there’s no one around, We’re all locked in and we can’t make a sound.
Now ComeOn
Well I've always been a hard working man, Never cried wolf or asked for a dime. But I’m so tired and I can’t sleep, thinking what will be when they’re done with this.
Now ComeOn
Bills piling up and there’s no way to pay, the Government money ain't coming my way. So I sit at home, I stare at my phone, watching all my years of work slipping away,
Now ComeOn
Well Little Arthur Lee ain’t been out in a year, sitting at home depression unknown. He’s all so alone, no one phones, No one calls by and no one knocks on the door.
Now ComeOn
Well we’re all so wound up in our own little lives, never open our eyes never look at the sights. Presidents and Leaders a law to themselves, Leading us on with their own little lies.
Now ComeOn
I packed my bags on Friday night. I pulled the front door to. I don't know where I'm gonna go. But I can’t stay here no more.
Got all dressed up in a shirt and a tie, and a scruffy pair of jeans. Cos it was the thought of being all tied down, that brought me to my knees.
Now I'm out here on the road again, drive on through the night. Gonna get me to the next in line. The stage still holds my heart.
It's been two years I'm still on the run, now you’re tucked up at home with a new one. Do you really think he makes you happy, do you think you'll marry him.
Since the day I left, I wanna turn back the time, take back all the things that we're out of line. And all the times that I made you mad, and all the times that I made you cry.
Now I'm out here on the road again. Trying to drive on through the night Gonna get me to the next in line. The stage still holds my heart.
Chris was a young kid at the age of five, I was about eight and we'd play outside his parents big house, on the edge of town.
See we both came from a good place in life, Your parents loved us and made it right, for us to chase every dream we ever had.
Back when he was about eight years old, he'd sneak out of the house and come home late hanging with the no hope kids, on the corner.
But at school it was just the same, he got in fights and that tarred his name, and for the no hope kids, he took the blame.
Cos when you’re going down fast, the Devil will call you home. You’re going down that one way road, the Devil will keep you there, if he can.
At age sixteen his first night behind bars, he got picked out as the one jacking cars, but he wasn't even in that town that night.
From then on forward it’s hard to clear your name, for any job it’s there written in plain, and no one gives you the chance to change.
For the next ten years he's in and out of jail, trying to get straight but eventually fails, for something I'm sure he was dared to do.
Cos it’s a hard life when you been inside, you get let out to make a better life, without a penny, given to, your name.
Cos when you’re going down fast, The Devil will call you home. You’re going down that one way road, the Devil will keep you there, if he can.
Oh we stood there on the sidewalk, through all these years. Rain falling down our faces, hides the tears. Oh I looked at you, right behind your eyes, I saw the truth that’s left behind the lies.
Have you walked through the rain from the valley of the pain, have you seen the light from what’s been said. Years gone by and still we’re out here.
On These City Streets.
We did our best to prove to the rest. But the streets weren't paved with gold. We broke down low on the side of the road, we made our separate ways.
The city streets, are awash with lies. People trying to hide, to hide from the truth. Behind their eyes.
Now the bright lights of New York City, aren't all they glitter and show. We made out on the streets that night, before you said goodbye.
The city streets, are awash with lies. Of people trying to hide, to hide from the truth. Behind their eyes.
Now the city streets are asleep, and I'm out for a drive around. I see the lonesome highway gambler, scratching around in the mud on the ground.
The city streets, are awash with lies. Of people trying to hide, to hide from the truth. Behind their eyes.
Somewhere south of Midnight, trying to get a view. Dylan sang about a Man In Black and some other guys he knew.
His words came out like poetry, like an echo in a cave. Some were people that he knew, and some were in their graves.
He sang songs of freedom and all the senseless wars. He sang about the preacher man, the Devil and the Lord.
He sang of people all locked up, some that couldn’t see. Some that were against the law, and some that should be free.
He sang about old Woodie, Rambling Jack as well. How Blind Willie sang the blues and the men who rode the rails.
Sang about the drifters, that rode the boxcar freights. God’s forgotten people well for most it was too late.
He sang for civil rights, and those locked up in jail. About the rebels and the cripples, and the ones that went to hell.
He sang songs of freedom and all the senseless wars. He sang about the preacher man, the Devil and the Lord.
He sang about John Lennon, misunderstood like him, How fate cast its hand that day, it was Blowing In The Wind.
He stood there telling stories, Thousands flocked to hear. The ones that didn’t understand, well they hounded him for years.
He sang songs of freedom and all the senseless wars. He sang about the preacher man, the Devil and the Lord.