Little Blossom

Little Blossom choked when her daddy croaked
Her sad face toaked and her long pipe smoked
She drank herself to sleep most every night
She had colts to ride through steers to buy
Deer meat and fish and spuds to fry
But inside she cried somehow my life ain’t right

She knew she had to take the big ride across the desert and the valley wide
Past a couple little towns to a bigger one that she knew
She left her saddle and her medicine belt with her old uncle cause’ he knew how she felt
He made big sweat over her bones and away she flew

She looked at me through bleary eyes and when she spoke much to my surprise
She told me things I would have never known
She was taking amigos back to Mexico she quoted bob Dylan and Geronimo
We ate lots of mushrooms, chased em’ down with Joe Crow

She told me she’d been stabbed three times been married twice and been on the wine
And smoking cigarettes don’t stunt yer growth
And you can burry your heart at Wounded Knee or get a skin from the university
Somehow I had the feelin’ she’d done both

You can praise the lord or bury your dead or you can be your own god she said
I’ve sold myself but I have made a livin’
So buy me drinks and toast my health tomorrow I’ll forgive myself
I got nobody else doin’ my forgivin’

She was making me a proposition if I would just shut up and listen
She’d pay me back on time when she got home
With a little help from the stars and moon she said I won’t be returning soon
I told her she could call me on the phone

Now little blossom combs out her hair and lives alone way out there
At night she lays her tired old body down
She rides some colts and runs some steers and lives with all her doubts and fears

And does her best to stay from town
No it don’t pay to stay too long in town




The Ballad Of Elano De Leone

Elanito De Leone Rides his bike for miles from home
To work hard in the fields of his endeavors

Elanito’s mama sighed dios mio will provide
Let our humble home survive forever

The night is late where can he be
It’s after dark she can barely see
The gatepost where he parks his bike
The hours they start seeming like forever

Now the weeks have come and gone
No Elano De Leone
We can’t lose hope we pray for his survival

Still his mama’s mind is full of thinking the unthinkable
He is such a god boy dios mio

Elanito De Leone we feel so helpless and alone
What can we do it hurts so bad
We are all so very sad without you

El Anito’s mama sighed dios mio will provide
Let our humble home survive whatever




Bird On A Wire

He offered them a good right arm to help them save the family farm
For their dough he was damn near good as rain
Then came the time for them to choose an offer they could not refuse
With easy outs and capital gain

No one has a suspicious feelin’ you really couldn’t call it stealin’
He did it with a style most would admire
But he had picked em’ off like a bird on a wire

He would open fire on the bird on the wire
A nudge a wink and they’d be getting’ higher
He whipped out his fountain pen while the tears were getin’ dryer
And then he picked em off like a bird on a wire

There weren’t a kid with a BB gun or an ally cat with room to run who could bring em’ down like they were out for hire
Yeah he could pick em’ off like a bird on a wire

He went golfin’ everyday they voted while he was away though technically he’s chairman of the board
They had become avaricious leaving him to do the dishes they introduced him to his new landlord
Who told him his time came and went
The office in the Orient would send him checks for soon he would retire
They had picked him off like a bird on a wire

They had opened fire on the bird on a wire
While he was sleeping they were getting higher
They polished up their Macintosh while his ass was in the mire
And then they picked off like a bird on a wire

There ain’t a kid with a BB gun or an ally cat with room to run who could bring em’ down like they was out for hire
Yeah they can pick em’ off like a bird on a wire




Everything I Could Do Wrong

The road to hell in paved with good intentions
I had good intentions all along
Stopped by the bar to see some old friends
Yeah I had good intentions all along
I done everything I could do wrong

I done everything I could do that was wrong
I should have called you on the phone
I done everything I could do that was wrong
I done everything I could do wrong

I said I’d be back in one hour
When I borrowed the car from your mom
I knew when the cop pulled me over
The blinkers and taillights were gone
I done everything I could do wrong

I done everything I could do that was wrong
From now on I’ll be walkin’ home
I done everything I could do that was wrong
I done everything I could do wrong

Although I adore you I bother and bore you
And it was on Christmas you told me this must be so long

I done everything I could do that was wrong
Maybe we need some time alone
I done everything I could do that was wrong
I done everything I could do wrong




Some People’s Kids

Her Daddy told her all the facts
His mama taught him how to act
With puberty they paid their dues
The pool hall was the Moulin Rouge

And he likes her skirt and she likes his tight levies
Fanin’ flames on the fire burnin’ higher than the fire in their eyes

Mama’s downtown on her lips daddy’s on a business trip
A pinch from mama’s treasure chest
Daddy comes up with the rest

And some people’s kids just don’t know how fast time flies
Now they’re payin’ for the fire that burned higher than the fire in they’re eyes

Some people’s kids can’t see
All some people’s kids really need is someone to be there to love em’ and to care about them

Daddy was a rollin’ stone mama chose to live alone
Suzy’s out there on the wine Jimmy was a friend of mine

And some people’s kids gotta sink so it’s no surprise
That the flame on the fire’s burnin’ higher than the fire in their eyes




I Hold The Bottle, You Hold The Wheel

When we left I thought I wouldn’t even miss her
From the car he waved like it was no big deal
Let’s get down the road before I tear my mind out
I hold the bottle you hold the wheel

Well you hold the bottle I’ll hold that old wheel if you want me to drive
I guess we’re doing all right at least we’ll stay alive
Well I hope she still needs my lovin’
Oh what a deal
I hold the bottle you hold the wheel

We played the towns with all those pretty girls
After all this time you must know how it feels
Lets get down the road before I fall to pieces
I hold the bottle you hold the wheel

Well you hold the bottle I’ll hold that old wheel if you want me to drive
I guess we’re doing all right at least we’ll stay alive
Well I hope she still needs my lovin’
Oh what a deal
I hold the bottle you hold the wheel




Best Forever Yet

She tells me that time flies indeed
Its here and then its gone
Just like her cept’ time ain’t needing, something or someone
livin’ for tomorrow
will tomorrow ever come
And I see she wants to borrow some time that I was from

and now I know she’s gonna tell me
that I’m her number one and I bet she’s gonna say I’m still the best forever yet

Too much thinking too much aching has put a big strain on my pride
I’m tired of drinkin’ and I’m tired of taking her memory for a ride
I use to think that yesterday we knew how to spend the time
Then I found out it was her way of killing hers and wasting mine

And now I know that I should tell her all her tears are gonna get her is wet
But ya know I can’t because she’s the best forever yet

And now I know that she don’t me miss me
While she’s doin’ whatever she does and I know that she wouldn’t call me if she knew where I was
Even I knew where I was
And now I know that I still miss her and I’m tryin’ hard to forget
And I wish somebody new was the best forever yet




Idaho Cowboy

Way up on the mountain there ain’t nobody countin’ exactly when a cowboy’s gonna fly
When you hear it thunder there ain’t no need to wonder he’s saddled up and headed for the sky

Cause he’s an Idaho cowboy no Tennessee plowboy
He’s wild as the Rockies he rides
A cougar in the canyon the devils own companion
Ridin’ with a fire in his eyes

Mothers on a hillside he’s coming in a landslide
Lock the doors and look out down below
I know you think you taught her but you better hide your daughter
I guarantee something’s gonna blow

Cause he’s an Idaho cowboy no Tennessee plowboy
He’s wild as the Rockies he rides
A cougar in the canyon the devils own companion
Ridin’ with a fire in his eyes

Some nights you might see him sittin’ on the Lee rim
Silhouetted there against the moon
Howlin’ like a coyote, hittin’ every high note
Telling you he’ll be returning soon

Cause he’s an Idaho cowboy no Tennessee plowboy
He’s wild as the Rockies he rides
A cougar in the canyon the devils own companion
Ridin’ with a fire in his eyes




Pure Quill

Sometimes you gotta swallow a bitter pill
Sometimes you gotta lean on the window sill
Sometimes you gotta be like Jack and Jill
We always gotta be Pure Quill

Sometimes remember I always will
Sometimes remember I get my fill
Sometimes remember I’m standing still
Always remember Pure Quill

Pure Quill remembers to spend the night
Pure Quill remembers I’m always right

Pure Quill is right beside of me
Pure Quill is deep inside of me
Need someone to love you and I will
Need someone to love you Pure Quill

Always remember that I will
Always remember Pure Quill

Pure Quill is right beside of me
Pure Quill is deep inside of me
Need someone to love you and I will
Need someone to love you Pure Quill




You Cared Enough To Lie

If I never lay eyes on you again
I’ll think about you now and then
You made me feel so special right up till you said goodbye
And if you never really loved me you cared enough to lie

You must have a happy home cause’ you ain’t hangin’ out
Least ways nobody tells me if you do
I’m still out here tempting fate runnin’ from my past
And I’d give my Ben Terrell saddle for one more night with you

If I never lay eyes on you again
I’ll think about you now and then
The time I spent with you I swear I’ve never been so high
And if you never really loved me you cared enough to lie

If I never lay eyes on you again
I’ll think about you now and then
You made me feel so special right up till you said goodbye
And if you never really loved me you cared enough to lie




Thelma

I’m down to one key in my pocket the bus station locker downtown
The soles of my shoes are as thin as my wallet I’ve been sleepin’ close to the ground
But burred up here in my memory is a head full of living room hits
I wrote about Thelma when we were an item and I was worth more than two bits

So I’ll sing you a song about Thelma
If you had a quarter to spare
If you had the time or a bottle of wine that you’d be willing to share
And later I’d show you a picture of Thelma when she’s in her prime
If you want to see mister I’ve got the key and the bus station locker takes dimes

I had me a band in the 60’s we played East Texas a lot
Thelma could sing so we moved to Nashville
In 68 she got hot
A high-flying record producer told Thelma he’d make her a star
He wined her and dined her and stole her away and left me with my old guitar

She died last year on my birthday the day that I turned 65
Most have forgotten including her fans but I’m keeping her memory alive
Cause’ I’ve got this key in my pocket I’ve had it since 72
I made her a shrine in that locker downtown and I think she’d be pleased if she knew

So I’ll sing you a song about Thelma
If you had a quarter to spare
If you had the time or a bottle of wine that you’d be willing to share
And later I’d show you a picture of Thelma when she’s in her prime
If you want to see mister I’ve got the key and the bus station locker takes dimes
If you want to see mister I’ve got the key and the bus station locker takes dimes




Somewhere In Time

Somewhere in time we were lovers
Somewhere in time we were friends
Somewhere in time we let the world overcome us
Somewhere in time never ends

I was lightning over wales and you were moonlight in Vermont
We were wind to fill the sails we were have and we were want
Somewhere in time we were a man and a woman

Maybe next time around we’ll be eagles
Maybe drift through that sweet by and by
Maybe next time around we’ll be eagles and forever make love in the sky
Maybe someday somewhere in time

Somewhere in time I was a river
Somewhere in time you were too
Somewhere in time I was a taker and a giver
Somewhere in time so were you

You were made in to a rail and I was dust along the track
I was running down the trail and you were drowning in a sack
Somewhere in time we stood still

Maybe next time around we’ll be eagles
Maybe drift through that sweet by and by
Maybe next time around we’ll be eagles and forever make love in the sky
Maybe someday somewhere in time
Maybe someday somewhere in time




Pickin’ Up Cans

If you look around you might see me downtown
Or maybe out on some country road
I’ll be searching real hard for things for the scrap yard
Working to pay for my load
And don’t shake your head cause I do this instead of punchin’ a clock for my dough
I call it a living though some of it’s giving
How I feel you don’t have to know

I’m pickin’ up cans for a bottle
The old soldier’s home ain’t for me
I figure what the hell it beats the county jail
Where ya have to pick cans up for free
I ain’t makin; no plans I’m just pickin’ up cans

I live in a car out behind shorty’s bar
It keeps me off of the street
It’s only got one wheel but that ain’t no big deal
I’m only in it for the seat
Ol’ shorty’s O.K. and he lets me stay as long as I pick up the trash
So I’ll swamp and I’ll sweep as long as I can keep
Stuff I can turn in to cash

I’m pickin’ up cans for a bottle
The old soldier’s home ain’t for me
I figure what the hell it beats the county jail
Where ya have to pick cans up for free
I ain’t makin; no plans I’m just pickin’ up cans

I don’t ask for a hand out and I try not to stand out
I ain’t makin’ no plans I’m just pickin’ up cans




Pinto Bennett She Wrote

Pinto Bennett she wrote you handled it bad
You sure missed the boat I hope that you’re glad
Don’t go near my folks they think you’re a bum
In town there are jokes about you and then some
About me cause’ I thought that we really could
Have a life and whatnot but you are no good

I think that I know why you left me I think that I will survive
Why did I have to see that old burned out marques
Just to know that you were still alive

Pinto Bennett she wrote I found out it was true
That you’d been with my sister and my best friend too
I hate you and I hope you all go to hell
I’ll never forgive you I was solvent until
The bank sent the sheriff cause I co signed your note
So you best keep movin’ Pinto Bennett she wrote