The sun he hasn’t shined for days
The smile has seemed to left your gaze
I don’t care what no one says
I image that at one time or another we all wonder why…
I WONDER WHY
Sometimes I think that I think too much
I hear that I hear too many lies
Like a prisoner strapped to his chains
In a mental institute I’m the only one sane
The world that we live in is the world that I blame
I wanna stay numb ‘cause I can’t stand the pain
And I wonder why we have to die
I wonder why ‘til I start to cry
I wonder about a place way up in the sky
Strap on my wings and I’ll try to fly
And I wonder why, I wonder why
Until I wonder…why I wonder…why I wonder why?
Sometimes I read that I read too much
I watch that I watch too much TV
Oh God the things you do to me
Why won’t you just set me free?
Oh God who am I supposed to be?
My imagination’s running away with me
And I wonder why you feel so far above me
Can you look me in the eye and tell me that you love me?
And if you really are my brother
Then why do we wanna kill one another?
And I wonder why, I wonder why
Until I wonder…why I wonder…why I wonder why?
Sometimes I joke that I joke too much
I laugh that I laugh too many tears
The things that we do make me hurt inside
But I shrug it all off and I swallow my pride
This life that we’re living, it’s just a game
I wanna stay numb, ‘cause I can’t stand the pain
And I wonder why we take it all for granted
Maybe I’m just a little bit too romantic
Look to the sky and shoot down the eagle
Shoot ‘em all dead and then we make it illegal
And I wonder why, I wonder why
Until I wonder…why I wonder…why I wonder why?
This lyric was inspired by my many years of attending Grateful Dead concerts; it seemed that every time I’d go to one of their shows I’d see all of these long-haired hippie types, which got me to wondering why I never see any of these dudes walking around the streets in everyday life. My only plausible conclusion was that they were all living in some sort of underground commune type of community and the only time they’d make an appearance in the city was to see a Dead show!
UNDERGROUND
Come out from hiding, the band’s in town
Come on out from the underground
Pack up that old VW bus
If it hasn’t yet turned to rust
We lost the beat but times have changed
Life can be so very strange
All those freaks know where it’s at
But no one know where they’re at
The only come out when they hear the sound
The 60’s hit the underground
Underground
Revolution
Lost and found
No solution
Come out from hiding, the band’s in town
They’re making such a crazy sound
Everybody’s smoking that mellow yellow
But no one yet has turned to Jello
The sun is purple, hazy, groovy
The breeze is scented patchouli
Pass the ‘shrooms, pass the roses
Pass the sky before it closes
Watch the world go round and round
The 60’s hit the underground
Underground
Revolution
Lost and found
No solution
Come out from hiding, the band’s in town
Let’s do some dancing, spinnin’ around
Gals in their long and silky skirts
Guys all dressed in tie-died shirts
Everything ripples but no one’s movin’
Captain Trips will keep you groovin’
You can’t stop us no matter how you try
Rock n’ roll will never die
There’s something in the air and it’s going around
The 60’s hit the underground
Underground
Revolution
Lost and found
No solution
Come out from hiding, the band’s in town
Come on out from the underground
Pack up the tent and the tribal drums
Mix up the punch, spiked with rum
We found the beat, it never changed
The notes have just been rearranged
The freaks all sing a protest song
Everywhere you look there’s something wrong
The let the fools bring each other down
The 60’s hit the underground
Underground
Revolution
Lost and found
No solution
Underground
Revolution
Lost and found
No solution
Come out from hiding the band’s in town
Come on out from the underground
Come on out from the underground
Come on out from the underground…
This is one of those songs that just sort of came to me one day while riding on a packed subway train through the loneliness of the crowded city.
RAT RACES
Rat races, doggie bags
Cat chases, mean old hags
Red light, green light, hit the gas
Looking through the looking glass
Watching visions as they pass
Sun goes down, we lose control
Shadows cast upon my soul
…on my soul
Riding subways, standing up
Beggar holding out a cup
Crowded cities, people stare
Filled with pity, filled with fear
How about a compromise
Let me look into your eyes
Give me your attention love
Don’t forget to mention love
…always mention love
On his throne the King once sat
And from his hat he pulled a cat
Through her eyes she saw a rat
And the race runs on and on
The race runs on and on…
Rat races, doggie bags
Cat chases, mean old hags
Fat faces, dressed in rags
Shoes laces, spirits lag
How about a compromise
Let me look into your eyes
Give me your attention love
Don’t forget to mention love
…always mention love
On his throne the King once sat
And from his hat he pulled a cat
Through her eyes she saw a rat
And the race runs on and on
The race runs on and on…
And the race drags on and on
The race drags on and on…
The race drags on and on…
So please give me your attention love
Don’t forget to mention love
…always mention love
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE
ALWAYS MENTION LOVE
Have you ever had one of those days where you just wanted to leave everything you know behind you and start a new life beyond that next bend in the road?
WANDERLUST
The streets I walk are too familiar
The morning sun don’t shine on me
This city life has got me crazy
I just don’t know where I wanna be
I say wanderlust
Until we turn to dust
In God we trust
California or bust
The bills collect I ain’t been paying
Church bells ri
ng I ain’t been praying
This wanderlust has got me rowing
I just don’t know where I’m going
I say wanderlust
Until we turn to dust
In God we trust
California or bust
The park is filled with children playing
An old man picks on his guitar
He sings the blues because he’s lived the blues
He just drifts from town to town to town
He says wanderlust
Until we turn to dust
In God we trust
California or bust
The days go by, I got no future
Late for work, the crowds rush on
I let them go, there’s something, holds me
I just had to STOP…and watch the old man play
I just had to STOP…and watch the old man play
In loving tribute to that old Chuck Berry style of musical poetry I present you with this little ode to rock n roll.
ROCK N ROLL (‘TIL THE ROOF CAVES IN)
The last glass of beer had too much foam
I’d better take a taxi home
Like that old cliché, look before you leap
I could use a good night’s sleep
But just as I’m headed out the door
The band comes on for just one more
And then a sweet little girl with long blonde hair
Grabs my by the hand and whispers in my ear
We’re gonna rock n roll ‘til the roof caves in
We’re gonna rock n roll ‘til we run out of gin
We’re gonna rock n roll ‘til the break of day
‘Til the police come and take us away
She pulled me to the floor and we started to dance
I got a second wind at the thought of romance
I’m thinking maybe she won’t, I’m thinking maybe she will
I’m thinking maybe I’ll ask her, if she’d just stand still
But the beat’s so strong, pulls you out of your seat
Everybody’s dancing, shuffling their feet
Their waiting in line just to get inside
There’s a hole in the roof about ten feet wide
We’re gonna rock n roll ‘til the roof caves in
We’re gonna rock n roll ‘til we run out of gin
We’re gonna rock n roll ‘til the break of day
‘Til the police come and take us away
The guitar’s cooking and the drums are getting hot
It’s a rock n roll menu, like it or not
The walls are shaking and the dance floor’s packed
I thought I saw a windowpane starting to crack
And I’m trying to get my girl to come home with me
But she twirling around faster than the eye can see
The rhythm’s got her going and she just can’t stop
The owner’s getting nervous so he calls the cops
But still we’re gonna rock n roll ‘til the roof caves in
We’re gonna rock n roll ‘til we run out of gin
We’re gonna rock n roll ‘til the break of day
‘Til the police come and take us away
Last call comes and we shout for more
The band starts up even louder than before
The police start busting up through the door
But they can’t get the people off the dancing floor
‘Cause our bodies are rolling like an old freight train
(Crack, bam, boom) there goes another windowpane
Yeah we’re starting to rumble, we’re starting to shake
Like a ten point Richter Scale big earthquake
We’re gonna rock n roll ‘til the roof caves in
We’re gonna rock n roll ‘til we run out of gin
We’re gonna rock n roll ‘til the break of day
‘Til the police come and take us away
My twisted attempt at a country song!
BEER DRINKING, HELL RAISING, SON OF A BITCH
If you ever drive through Oklahoma
Down by the Texas line
Don’t be looking for no trouble
Because you’ll find him every time
That’ll be him riding horse-back
A six gun by his side
Looking like ol’ Jesse James
What’s a man if he don’t have pride?
Yes he’s the last of a dying breed
To each and every woman, polite in every way
But if you ask the sheriff, then this is what he’ll say
He’s a beer drinking, hell raising, son of a bitch
He loves picking guitars and wearing his shit-kicking boots
He hates urban cowboys who ride those mechanical bulls
His glass is half empty while everyone else is half full
(half full of shit that is)
He smokes and drawls and cusses
Calls everybody Jim
You can have your dry Martini
But it’s whiskey straight for him
You can find him most every night at the honky-tonk
Telling tales about the South
Then he’ll be loading up that old juke box
With every sad song that Nashville’s ever put out
When they buried his momma he cried like a baby
But he’s tougher than nails just the same
He’s a lover, a loner, rumor has it a stoner
Most folks don’t even know his first name
He’s a beer drinking, hell raising, son of a bitch
He loves watching NASCAR and driving his beat-up old truck
He hates talking bullshit so don’t even bother
And don’t poke a man when he’s down on his luck
He’s a beer drinking, hell raising, son of a bitch
He loves watching football and smoking a reefer or two
He hates politician and bible-belt preachers
Who steal all your money from you
He’s a beer drinking, hell raising, son of a bitch
He loves smoking Camels and drinking down Budweiser Lights
He’s a peace-loving man but you better not test him
Because he ain’t opposed to starting a fight
He’s a beer drinking, hell raising, son of a bitch
He loves finger-licking, Kentucky Fried Chicken
He hates bar room brawling, but if you get his clock ticking
Then you better watch out or you’ll get an ass-kicking
He’s a beer drinking, hell raising, son of a bitch
He loves picking guitars and wearing his shit-kicking boots
He hates urban cowboys who ride those mechanical bulls
His glass is half empty while everyone else is half full
(half full of shit that is)
When it comes right down to it, no matter what we do in this world, we will all be judged by a higher power.
JUDGMENT DAY
You tell me who’s right, you tell me who’s wrong
You tell me about my favorite song
You tell me who’s best and you tell me who’s worst
You tell me who’s blessed and you tell me who’s cursed
You tell me where and when to pray
I say hey, hey
Hey-hey-hey
You won’t be my judge on Judgment Day
Law and order, guns and knives
You don’t even know who runs your lives
Power’s a revolving door
You sell yourself just like a whore
And justice is your passion play
But I say hey, hey
Hey-hey-hey
You won’t be my judge on Judgment Day
Judgment Day, Judgment Day
Coming down just like they say
Judgment Day, Judgment Day
Coming down, blow you away
You pass your judgments down on me
But opinions are just like China’s tea
You c
an put me in chains, throw away the key
Lock me up, but I’m still free
And I don’t give a fuck about what you say
I say hey, hey
Hey-hey-hey
You won’t be my judge on Judgment Day
If it’s true that only the strong survive
Then how come I am still alive
We’ll see whose soul is missing in action
We’ll see who is the main attraction
We’ll see who’ll see the light of day
I say hey, hey
Hey-hey-hey
You won’t be my judge on Judgment Day
Judgment Day, Judgment Day
Coming down just like they say
Judgment Day, Judgment Day
Coming down, blow you away
I say blah-blah-blah
And nay-nay-nay
You won’t be my judge on Judgment Day
I think this song might almost be too rowdy to be played at concert!
FIST RAISING ANTHEM
I believe in live and let live
But if you trap me in a corner
Then something’s got to give
I believe in “turn the other cheek”
But brother you’re making a big mistake
If you think that I am weak
Because I don’t wanna fight, but if you push me I will
Put on a fist raising anthem and I’m ready to kill
Raise your fists
Raise your voice
Sometimes they don’t leave you
With no other choice
I’m raising my flag
And I’m waving it proud
Put on a fist raising anthem
And I crank it up loud
Step up to the juke box and make my pick
I need an attitude adjustment and I need it quick
Sing along with the words, because I know them by heart
I’m living out the song and their playing my part
Words and Music Volume One Page 5
