Songs That Tell Stories

good lyric

Faleena - Marty Robbins


Out in New Mexico, many long years ago
There in a shack on the desert, one night in a storm
Amid streaks of lightnin' and loud desert thunder
To a young Mexican couple, a baby was born;
Just as the baby cried, thunder and lightnin' died
Moon gave it's light to the world and the stars did the same
Mother and Father, both proud of the daughter
That heaven had sent them, Feleena was this baby's name.

When she was seventeen, bothered by crazy dreams
She ran away from the shack and left them to roam
Father and Mother, both asked one another
What made her run away, what made Feleena leave home;
Tired of the desert nights, poverty, grief and strife
She ran away late one night in the moon's golden gleam
She didn't know where she'd go, but she'd get there
And she would find happiness, if she would follow her dream.

After she ran away, she went to Sante Fe
And in the year that she stayed there, she learned about life
In just a little while, she learned that with a smile
She could have pretty clothes, she could be any man's wife;
Rich men romanced her, they dined and they danced her
She understood men and she treated them all just the same
A form that was fine and rare, dark shining glossy hair
Lovely to look at Feleena was this woman's name.

Restless in Sante Fe, she had to get away
To any town where the lights had a much brighter glow
One cowboy mentioned the town of El Paso
They never stopped dancin' and money like whiskey did flow;
She bought a one-way, a ticket from Sante Fe
Three days and nights on a stage with a rest now and then
She didn't mind that, she knew she would find that
Her new life would be more exciting than where she had been.

The stage made it's last stop, up there on the mountain top
To let her see all of the lights at the foot of the hill
Her world was brighter and deep down inside her
An uncontrolled beating, her young heart just wouldn't be still;
She got a hotel, a room at the Lily Belle
Quickly she changed to a form-fitting black satin dress
Ev'ry man stopped to stare, at this form fine and rare
Even the women remarked of the charm she possessed.

Dancin' and laughter, was what she was after
And Rosa's Cantina had lights, with love in the gleam
That's what she hunted and that's what she wanted
Rosa's was one place, a nice girl would never be seen;
It was the same way, it was back in Sante Fe
Men would make fools of themselves at the thought of romance
Rosa took heed of, the place was in need of
This kind of excitement, so she paid Feleena to dance.

A year passed and maybe more and then through the swingin' doors
Came a young cowboy so tall and so handsomely dressed
This one was new in town, hadn't been seen around
He was so different, he wasn't like all of the rest;
Feleena danced close to him, then threw a rose to him
Quickly he walked to her table and there he sat down
And in a day or so, wherever folks would go
They'd see this young cowboy, showin' Feelena the town.

Six weeks he went with her, each minute spent with her
But he was insanely jealous of glances she'd give
Inside he was a-hurtin', from all of her flirtin'
That was her nature and that was the way that she lived;
She flirted one night, it started a gun-fight
And after the smoke cleared away, on the floor lay a man
Feleena's young lover, had shot down another
And he had to leave there, so out through the back door he ran.

The next day at five o'clock, she heard a rifle shot
Quickly she ran to the door, that was facin' the pass
She saw her cowboy, her wild-ridin' cowboy
Low in the saddle, her cowboy was ridin' in fast;
She ran to meet him, to kiss and to greet him
He saw her and motioned her back, with a wave of his hand
Bullets were flyin', Feleena was cryin'
As she saw him fall from the saddle and into the sand.

Feleena knelt near him, to hold and to hear him
When she felt the warm blood that flowed from the wound in his side
He raised to kiss her and she heard him whisper
"Never forget me - Faleena it's over, goodbye."
Quickly she grabbed for, the six-gun that he wore
And screamin' in anger and placin' the gun to her breast
Bury us both deep and maybe we'll find peace
And pullin' the trigger, she fell 'cross the dead cowboy's chest.

Out in El Paso, whenever the wind blows
If you listen closely at night, you'll hear in the wind
A woman is cryin', it's not the wind sighin'
Old timer's tell you, Feleena is callin' for him;
You'll hear them talkin' and you'll hear them walkin'
You'll hear them laugh and you'll look, but there's no one around
Don't be alarmed - there is really no harm there
It's only the young cowboy, showin' Feleena the town.

Patches
Dickey Lee

Down by the river that flows by the coal yards.
Stands wooden houses with shutters torn down
There lives a girl everybody calls Patches
Patches my darling of Old Shanty town

We plan to marry when June brought the summer
I couldn't wait to make Patches my bride
Now I don't see how that ever can happen
My folks say No, and my heart breaks inside

Patches oh what can I do
I swear I'll always love you
But a girl from that place would just bring me disgrace
So my folks won't let me love you

Each night I cry as I think of that shanty
And pretty Patches there watching the door
She dosn't know that I can't come to see her
Patches must think that I love her no more

I hear a neighbor tellin my father
He said a girl name of Patches was found
Floating face down in that dirty old river
That flows by the coal yards in Old Shanty Town

Patches oh what can I do
I swear I'll always love you
It may not be right But I'll join you tonight
Patches I'm coming to you.

Whoa--that isn't the "Patches" I'm familiar with. I only know Clarence Carter's farmboy tale:

Billy The Kid-Ry Cooder

Fractured history but great imagery and slide guitar

I'll sing you a true song of billy the kid
I'll sing the record of deeds that he did
Way out in new mexico a long time ago
When a man's only friend was his own forty- four

Now when billy the kid was a very young lad
In old silver city he went to the bad
Way out west with a knife in his hand
At the age of twelve years he killed his first man

Fair mexican maidens play guitars and sing
Songs about billy their boy bandit king
Before this young manhood reached its sad end
He'd a notch on his pistol for twenty one men

It was on one black night that poor billy died
He said to his friends, "i'm not satisfied
There's twenty one men that i've put bullets through
And sheriff pat garrett's gonna make twenty-two"

Well, this is how billy the kid met his fate
A big moon was shining and the hour was late
Shot down by pat garrett, silver city's best friend
The poor outlaw's life have reached its sad end

Objects in the rear view mirror
Objects In The Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are

Meat Loaf

The skies were pure and the fields were green
And the sun was brighter than it's ever been
When I grew up with my best friend Kenny
We were close as any brothers that you ever knew

It was always summer and the future called
We were ready for adventures and we wanted them all
And there was so much left to dream
And so much time to make it real

But I can still recall the sting of all
The tears when he was gone
They said he crashed and burned
I know I'll never learn
Why any boy should die so young

We were racing, we were soldiers of fortune
We got in trouble but we sure got around
There are times I think I see him peeling out of the dark
I think he's right behind me now and he's gaining ground

But it was long ago and it was far away,
Oh God it seems so very far
And if life is just a highway,
Then the soul is just a car
And objects in the rear view mirror
May appear closer than they are
And objects in the rear view mirror
May appear closer than they are
And objects in the rear view mirror
May appear closer than they are
And objects in the rear view mirror
May appear closer than they are

And when the sun descended and the night arose
I heard my father cursing everyone he knows
He was dangerous and drunk and defeated
And corroded by failure and envy and hate

There were endless winters and the dreams would freeze
Nowhere to hide and no leaves on the trees
And my father's eyes were blank
As he hit me again and again and again

I know I still believe he'd never let me leave,
I had to run away alone
So many threats and fears, so many wasted years
Before my life became my own

And though the nightmares should be over
Some of the terrors are still intact
I'll hear that ugly coarse and violent voice
And then he grabs me from behind
And then he pulls me back

(Chorus)

There was a beauty living on the edge of town
And she always put the top up and the hammer down
And she taught me everything I'll ever know
About the mystery and the muscle of love

The stars would glimmer and the moon would glow
I'm in the back seat with my Julie like a Romeo
And the signs along the highway all said,
Caution! Kids At Play!

Those were the rights of spring and we did everything
There was salvation every night
We got our dreams reborn and our upholstery torn
But everything we tried was right

She used her body just like a bandage,
She used my body just like a wound
I'll probably never know where she disappeared
But I can see her rising up out of the back seat now
Just like an angel rising up from a tomb

(Chorus)

She used her body just like a bandage,
She used my body just like a wound
I'll probably never know where she disappeared
But I can see her rising up out of the back seat now

I have a record of that Billy the Kid song by Tex Ritter (John Ritter's old man).

Here is a song I heard a number of times on country radio while living in south Texas. I find the words disturbing, but it does tell a story.



"Knoxville Girl"

I met a little girl in Knoxville
A town we all know well
And every sunday evening
In her home I'd dwell
We went to take an evening walk
About a mile from town
I picked a stick up off the ground
And I knocked that fair girl down
She fell down on her bended knees
For mercy she did cry
"Oh Willy, dear, don't kill me yet
I'm unprepared to die"
She never spoke another word
I only beat her more
Until the ground around me
With her blood did flow
I took her by her golden curls
And I dragged her 'round and 'round
Throwing her into the river
That flows from Knoxville town
Go down, go down, you Knoxville girl
With your dark and roving eyes
Go down, go down, you Knoxville girl
You can never be my bride
I started back to Knoxville
Got there about midnight
My mother, she was worried
She woke up in a fright
Saying, "Dear son, what have you done
To bloody up your clothes?"
I told my anxious mother
That I was bleading in my nose
I called for me a candle
And I called for me a bed
And I called for me a handkerchief
To bind my aching head
I rolled and thrashed the whole night through
All horrors I did see
The devil stood at the foot of my bed
Pointing his finger at me
They carried me down to Knoxville
And put me in a cell
My friends all tried to get me out
But none could grow my bail
I'm here to waste my life away
Down in this dirty old jail
Because I murdered that Knoxville girl
The girl I loved so well

There was a man who had three sons. Two of his sons were killed in a war and this is what he says to the last boy he has as that boy is going to the same war...

Danny Boy

(traditional Irish)

Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side
The summer's gone, and all the flowers are dying
'Tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide.
But come ye back when summer's in the meadow
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow
'Tis I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so.

And if you come, when all the flowers are dying
And I am dead, as dead I well may be
You'll come and find the place where I am lying
And kneel and say an "Ave" there for me.

And I shall hear, tho' soft you tread above me
And all my dreams will warm and sweeter be
If you'll not fail to tell me that you love me
I'll simply sleep in peace until you come to me.

I'll simply sleep in peace until you come to me.

This song was written in 1989 and every time I hear it still it makes me cry. Got real personal in 2001.

New York Minute (Don Henley)

Harry got up
Dressed all in black
Went down to the station
And he never came back
They found his clothing
Scattered somewhere down the track
And he won't be down on Wall Street
in the morning

He had a home
The love of a girl
But men get lost sometimes
As years unfurl
One day he crossed some line
And he was too much in this world
But I guess it doesn't matter anymore

In a New York minute
Everything can change
In a New York minute
Things can get pretty strange
In a New York minute
Everything can change
In a New York minute

Lying here in the darkness
I hear the sirens wail
Somebody going to emergency
Somebody's going to jail
If you find somebody to love in this world
You better hang on tooth and nail
The wolf is always at the door

In a New York minute
Everything can change
In a New York minute
Things can get a little strange
In a New York minute
Everything can change
In a New York minute

And in these days
When darkness falls early
And people rush home
To the ones they love
You better take a fool's advice
And take care of your own
One day they're here;
Next day they're gone

I pulled my coat around my shoulders
And took a walk down through the park
The leaves were falling around me
The groaning city in the gathering dark
On some solitary rock
A desperate lover left his mark,
"Baby, I've changed. Please come back."

What the head makes cloudy
The heart makes very clear
The days were so much brighter
In the time when she was here
But I know there's somebody somewhere
Make these dark clouds disappear
Until that day, I have to believe
I believe, I believe

In a New York minute
Everything can change
In a New York minute
You can get out of the rain
In a New York minute
Everything can change
In a New York minute

Can't go wrong with Henley. Thanks Kristie. I'll do Boys Of Summer cause it is so ...so...haunting.

Boys Of Summer -Don Henley

Nobody on the road
Nobody on the beach
I feel it in the air
The summer's out of reach
Empty lake, empty streets
The sun goes down alone
I'm drivin' by your house
Though I know you're not at home

But I can see you-
Your brown skin shinin' in the sun
You got your hair combed back and your sunglasses on, baby
And I can tell you my love for you will still be strong
After the boys of summer have gone

I never will forget those nights
I wonder if it was a dream
Remember how you made me crazy?
Remember how I made you scream
Now I don't understand what happened to our love
But babe, I'm gonna get you back
I'm gonna show you what I'm made of

I can see you-
Your brown skin shinin' in the sun
I see you walkin' real slow and you're smilin' at everyone
I can tell you my love for you will still be strong
After the boys of summer have gone

Out on the road today, I saw a DEADHEAD sticker on a Cadillac
A little voice Inside my head said, "Don't look back. You can never look back."
I thought I knew what love was
What did I know?
Those days are gone forever
I should just let them go but-

I can see you-
Your brown skin shinin' in the sun
You got that top pulled down and that radio on, baby
And I can tell you my love for you will still be strong
After the boys of summer have gone

Edgar, I had to pull out my copy of Knoxville Girl by the Louvin Brothers. Eerie song

The One On The Right Is On The Left - Johnny Cash"

There once was a musical troupe
A pickin' singin' folk group
They sang the mountain ballads
And the folk songs of our land

They were long on musical ability
Folks thought they would go far
But political incompatibility led to their downfall

Well, the one on the right was on the left
And the one in the middle was on the right
And the one on the left was in the middle
And the guy in the rear was a Methodist

This musical aggregation toured the entire nation
Singing the traditional ballads
And the folk songs of our land
They performed with great virtuosity
And soon they were the rage
But political animosity prevailed upon the stage

Well, the one on the right was on the left
And the one in the middle was on the right
And the one on the left was in the middle
And the guy in the rear burned his driver's license

Well the curtain had ascended
A hush fell on the crowd
As thousands there were gathered to hear The folk songs of our land
But they took their politics seriously
And that night at the concert hall
As the audience watched deliriously
They had a free-for-all

Well, the one on the right was on the bottom
And the one in the middle was on the top
And the one on the left got a broken arm
And the guy in the rear, said, "Oh dear"

Now this should be a lesson if you plan to start a folk group
Don't go mixin' politics with the folk songs of our land
Just work on harmony and diction
Play your banjo well
And if you have political convictions keep them to yourself

Now, the one on the left works in a bank
And the one in the middle drives a truck
The one on the right's an all-night deejay
And the guy in the rear got drafted

BILLIE'S BONES
(Janis Ian)

BILLIE'S TEARS FALL LIKE DUST
FROM THE AIR INTO MY EYES
SEEPING IN BEFORE THEY RUST
SPILLING SECRETS WORDS CAN'T HIDE
I AM STANDING ON THE BONES
OF A MOUND TOO HIGH TO CLIMB
SELLING SECRETS TO ATONE
FOR A SONG THAT IS NOT MINE

BILLIE'S BONES ARE WHITE AND BLEACHED
PILED HIGH AND HARD TO REACH
AND THE TOP LOOKS COLD AND BLEAK
BUT I SEE FARTHER WHEN I STAND
ON BILLIE'S BONES IN BILLIE'S LAND

THERE'S AN ORCHID IN HER HAIR
THERE ARE BRUISES ON HER LIPS
I WOULD WORSHIP IF I DARED
KNEELING AT HER FINGERTIPS
I WOULD TELL HER HOW I'VE YEARNED
TO BE WORTHY OF THE GRAIL
ALL THESE YEARS AND ALL I'VE LEARNED
IS JUST HOW BRILLIANTLY I FAIL

BILLIE'S BONES ARE WHITE AND BLEACHED
PILED HIGH AND HARD TO REACH
AND THE TOP LOOKS COLD AND BLEAK
BUT I SEE FARTHER WHEN I STAND
ON BILLIE'S BONES IN BILLIE'S LAND

NOW THE FLESH OF EARTH HAS PASSED
NOW THE JOINTS HAVE COME UNDONE
ALL THAT'S LEFT OF HER IS ASH
SCATTERED ON THE AIR LIKE CRUMBS

THERE ARE VOICES ON THE WIND
STOLEN WHISPERS, SACRED MOANS
YOU CAN HEAR THEM THROUGH YOUR SKIN
AND THE SINGING OF THE BONES
WHEN THE WIND BLOWS FROM THE EAST
I CAN TASTE HER ON MY TONGUE
AND THE GRAVE IS LINED AND PAVED WITH
ALL THE SONGS WE NEVER SUNG

That's a frankly haunting song...

This was written during the Korean War, a more innocent time.



Weapon Of Prayer

LOUVIN, I. / LOUVIN, C.

In that land across the sea there's a job for you and me
Though our presence there may not be found
We must stay standing there on the battle lines and pray
We must never lay our weapons down
We don't have to be a soldier in a uniform
To be of service over there
While the boys so bravely stand with the weapons made by hand
Let us trust and use the weapon of prayer
Many thousands miles away someone shed there blood today
With a heart so true and brave they're gone
To a war that's yours and mine let us join the battle line
With a weapon that will save our home
We don't have to be a soldier in a uniform
To be of service over there
While the boys so bravely stand with the weapons made by hand
Let us trust and use the weapon of prayer
And when the planes and tanks and guns have done all that they can do
And the mighty bombs have rained and failed
Still the helpful hand above, on the weapon made of love
And against him none on earth prevail

Broken Rainbow - Laura Nyro


The old people of the earth
Tell stories
An old woman
Of the old ways
She said -
"I recall my joy
In better days"
The young warriors
Of the open rainbow
Said "Tell me is it true?
Tell me, do some live
out of bags and rags
In the cities too?
Is it true?"
At the edge where I live
Home sweet home
America

Native American Nation
Caught in the devastation
An endless situation
What can I do?
The ghost of prejudice
Cuts thru the moonglow
Poet on a crying page -
Broken Rainbow

Broken Rainbow
Home sweet home
America

Paradise in Gazankulu - sung by Harry Belafonte


Finda, finda the card is quick
If you catch the black eye, you catch the trick
So make your move, baas, but it could fool you
That's paradise here in Gazankulu
(Oh yes, ha ha ha)
Watch the card, don't watch the hand
It could take you to the promised land

Ah, Sissanyana, my sheebin queen
(Ah ah ah ah)
She ain't too pretty, but she body mean
(Whoop)
Lot's of good things that she'll do to you
(Oh no)
That's paradise here in Gazankulu
(Ahh ahh ya way na coh thu ku ki laka gaza)

How much you pay, how much it worth
(Ahh ahh ya way na coh thu ku ki laka gaza)
To get a bit o' heaven here on earth. (Eh)

Ah the bells of Zion tell you to pray
For the life hereafter, they make you pay. (Whoop)
But I'm just dealin' not tryin' to rule you (Oh yes ha ha)
That's paradise here in Gazankulu
(Ahh ahh ya way na coh thu ku ki laka gaza)

Take a chance, and I'll show you how
(Ahh ahh ya way na coh thu ku ki laka gaza)
You can go to glory, now
(Ahh ahh ya way na coh thu ku ki laka gaza)

Watch the card, don't watch the hand
(Ahh ahh ya way na coh thu ku ki laka gaza)
Try to catch me, if you can
I ain't no tsotsi, I ain't that mean
My cards are tricky, but my game is clean

How much you pay?
How much it worth?
To get a little heaven right
Here on earth?
(Kunjani, Uh)

I'm the Shangaan
Pope of hope.
I do the African
Rope-a-dope
(Sikoni, ahh ahh ya way na coh thu ku ki laka gaza, baas)

How you see it
Now you see it
Sometimes you get it
Sometimes you won't

Ah well, in case you forget
Here's a reminder
The best game in town
Is finda, finda

(Ahh ahh ya way na coh thu ku ki laka gaza)
(Sax solo)

(Amandla)
(Synthesizer solo)

(Ahh ahh ya way na coh thu ku ki laka gaza)

(Ga way tu)
(Guitar solo)

(Ahh ahh ya way na coh thu ku ki laka gaza)

I said I ain't no tsotsi, I ain't that mean
My cards are tricky, my game is clean
How much you pay? How much it worth
To get a bit of heaven here on earth?
Gazan ku-uh-Gazankulu (Repeat several times)

Mandela - Zwalaki Sisulu
Free Mandela - Zwalaki Sisulu
Gazan ku-uh-Gazankulu (Repeat several times)

Steven Biko - Zwalaki Sisulu
Gazan ku-uh-Gazankulu (Repeat)
Oliver Tambo - Zwalaki Sisulu
Gazan ku-uh-Gazankulu (Repeat several times)

Mandela - Zwalaki Sisulu
Free Mandela - Zwalaki Sisulu
Gazan ku-uh-Gazankulu (Repeat several times)

'Fast car'

You got a fast car
I want a ticket to anywhere
Maybe we make a deal
Maybe together we can get somewhere
Anyplace is better
Starting from zero got nothing to lose
Maybe we'll make something
But me myself I got nothing to prove
You got a fast car
And I got a plan to get us out of here
I been working at the convenience store
Managed to save just a little bit of money
We won't have to drive too far
JUst 'cross the border and into the city
You and I can both get jobs
And finally see what it means to be living
You see me old man's got a problem
He live with the bottle that's the way it is
He sayshis body's too old for working
I say his body's too young to look like his
My mama went off and left him
She wanted more from life than he could give
I said somebody's got to take care of him
So I quit school and that's what I did
You got a fast car
But is it fast enough so we can fly away
We gotta make a decision
We leave tonight or live and die this way
I remember we wre driving driving in your car
The speed so fast I felt like I was drunk
City lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder
And I had a feeling that I belonged
And I had feeling I could be someone, be someone,
Be someone
You got a fast car
And we go cruising to entertain ourselves
You still ain't got a job
And I work in a market as a checkout girl
I know things will get better
You'll find work and I'll get promoted
We'll move out of the shelter
Buy a big house and live in the suburbs
You got a fast car
And I got a job that pays all our bills
You stay out drinking late at the bar
See more of your friends than you do of your kids
I'd always hoped for better
Thought maybe together you and me would find it
I got no plans I ain't going nowhere
So take your fast car and keep on driving
You got a fast car
But is it fast enough so you can fly away
You gotta make a decision
You leave tonight or live and die this way