Guest artist with Ex-Nashville Cats John Bunzow and Denny Bixbu
She was born in sorrow
While the dust blew across the plains
And the sun shone down with an angry face
On what little did remain
Then came California
A time she can’t recall
A time ‘fore she could read or write
What was written in her soul
For she was born to wonder
She was bound to lose
She was born with a voice that could soothe your soul
She was born to sing the blues
Chorus:
Dust bowl madonna
The spotlight shines on you
Dust bowl madonna
Your songs they’re hard but true
Dust bowl madonna
You sure can sing the blues
Ya got little children
Scufflin’ ‘round your feet
And an ex-old man, not worth a damn
Makin’ deals down on the street
Now you’re twenty-seven
But you look like forty-five
Around the block, around the clock
You’re lucky to be alive
For you was born to wonder
You was bound to lose
You was born with a voice that could soothe your soul
You was born to sing the blues
Chorus
Come forth sinners and beat your drums
Twirl your batons at the flapping gums
Standing in the churchyard beating their breast
As freedom slowly sets on America
Now I am feeling weak I am feeling run down
Slippin’ through the cracks of this concrete town
I’m lyin’ on the sidewalk beggin’ for a meal
As freedom slowly sets on America
I’m gonna shave my head, gonna pierce my teeth
If you see me comin’ you better cross the street
Cuz I hate everybody who ain’t like me
As freedom slowly sets on America
I can hear the cries of the refugees
Sinkin’ in a boat on the open sea
And that foghorn’s blowin’ but it’s too late now
As freedom slowly set on America
Mr. Politician hear him roar
Pretty on the outside, rotten to the core
He say, blah, blah, blah, blah,
Blah, blah, blah
As freedom slowly set on America
I had a dream
Now long forgotten
Sailed down the stream
To the ocean blue
Now ya know my sorrow
It ain’t ill-gotten
I still long for that dream
That dream that was you
Now I had a hero
When I was quite young
Left without warnin’
No word of farewell
Smoke from a rifle
On a cold day in Dallas
Put another crack
In the liberty bell
Now I saw you’re picture
And the earth seemed to open
And I saw the past
And it was headline news
Now there ain’t been no one
Who could move me like you did
I ain’t seen no one
Who could walk in them shoes
Repeat 1st verse
Last night I drank, just to stop myself from thinkin’
And I drank alone ‘cuz I was feeling pretty strange
And I made it home and fell down on my pillow
Closed my eyes on another day
Chorus:
Don’t know about you but I always feel better
When the sun goes down
Now I don’t know but love could never save me
Bless her heart ‘cuz she done took mine away
So now I’m free from all the ties that bind me
Now it’s misery
Chorus
Don’t know about you but I always feel better
When the sun goes down
Now a boy of twelve hardly knows the world around him
He takes a swing and hits a long home run
Pure and simple, he likes the taste of winnin’
He don’t know, he’s a lucky one
Chorus
Don’t know about you but I always feel better
When the sun goes down
Well, I used to be happy I used to feel swell
‘til I threw all my money in a wishing well
I got the well bottom blues
I got the well bottom blues
You can find me at the bottom,
I got the well bottom blues
First I threw a nickel, then I threw a dime
Then I gave the girl a quarter and she took me for a ride
I got the well bottom blues
I got the well bottom blues
You can find me at the bottom,
I got the well bottom blues
Salt and pepper baby, steak and eggs
She’s kind of empty headed but I like her legs
She’s got the well bottom blues
She’s got the well bottom blues
You can find her at the bottom with me,
I got the well bottom blues
You don’t like my song honey I wrote for you
It don’t make much sense but then neither do you
I got the well bottom blues
I got the well bottom blues
You can find me at the bottom,
I got the well bottom blues
Where is my place in this world
Where do I belong
I’ve been travelin’ these dusty old roads
For so long
I’ve been wonderin’
Yes, I’ve been wonderin’
Where do I belong
Where do I belong
I need to someone to hold
And whisper my name
Tell me I’m sweet and I’m good
And want to me to stay
But I’d just let her down
Somewhere on the edge of town
Where do I belong
Yeah baby, where do I belong
Bridge:
Now I’ve had my money
I’ve had my friends
I had my heart broken
Time and again
I’ve laughed and I’ve cried
‘Til the break of dawn
Just to pack my bags
And be movin’ on
Repeat 1st verse
Ya got satin on your back
And you’re lookin’ good
My lips they want to kiss you
But I don’t think they should
You’re drawin’ me like a moth into a flame
I think it’s time to go from where I came
Cuz you’re just so appealin’
I ain’t had this feelin’
In a long time
Now an ocean full of dreams
Has passed me by
And if you ain’t careful
You’re gonna make me cry
Cuz all them colors that I thought had died
I can see them shinin’ right there in your eyes
Yeah, you’re just so appealin’
I ain’t had this feelin’
In a long time
Now every now and then
There comes along
A woman like you
So sweet and strong
Makes my heart flitter, rattle and roll
Makes me quiver right down in my soul
Yeah, you’re just so appealin’
I ain’t had this feelin’
In a long time
Repeat 1st verse
I hear the marching boots they’re getting louder
The changing of the guard is near at hand
I’ll hear the tower bell it tolls at midnight
In the prison yard the gallows stand
I look down at my boots they’re worn and dusty
I remember how they shined when they were new
The jailer will be wearing them tomorrow
I doubt he will see my point of view
Chorus:
I never will forget you senorita
Your love is like the early mornin’ sun
And I believe our love will last forever
I’ll take it to the grave and then beyond
See I killed a man whose wife was influential
He drew a gun on me I had no choice
She told her friend the judge a different story
He sentenced me a chill was in his voice
Tonight I saw my pretty senorita
Through prison bars we held each others hands
There wasn’t much to say but tears were fallin’
For in the prison yard the gallows stands
I heard the tower bell it tolled at midnight
I watched the moonlight cross the prison floor
I listened to the wind and it was lonely
I never heard it sound that way before
Now the color of the night is slowly changin’
I hope I will be brave and will not cry
For one by one my hopes are slowly dyin’
As one by one the stars fade from the sky
Chorus
Now the world is not a safe place senorita
Keep your eyes wide open and beware
Open not your door to total strangers
There’s evil and danger everywhere
Chorus
I hear the marching boots they’re getting louder
Take away my windshield
I can live without it
Take away my headlights
I can see for miles
Just give me back my reason
For living
Carry me back, carry me back
There was always thunder
To excite me
I have seen lightning
Striking the ground
I just need some comfort
From this moment
Carry me back, carry me back
I was on an airplane
Bound for California
I gave the girl my ticket
At the gate
I told her I was flyin’
She looked at me crazy
Carry me back, carry me back
Honey take me home
I’m tired of dancin’
Help me with my boots dear
I’m a little drunk
I can smell your perfume
Come a little closer
Carry me back, carry me back
Repeat 1st verse
Passed a pick-up full of watermelons
And a chain gang full of convicted felons
Don’t ask me ‘cuz I ain’t tellin’
I’m headin’ on down the road awhile
Now my girlfriend she’s mighty pretty
Lights me up like a big old city
When it comes down to the nitty gritty
I’m a headin’ on down the road awhile.
Chorus:
I’m headin’ on down the road awhile
Gonna find me a cozy country mile
Go barefoot like a little child
And eat barbecue, Texas style
I got a tattoo with my mother’s name
I called her mom, dad called her Jane
They both drove me damn near insane
I’m headin’ on down the road awhile
Now I’m out here on the edge of town
Where the lights are low and the shades are drawn
And I asked her baby, “where you from?”
She said “I’m headin’ on down the road awhile.”
All this time I thought she was mine
So I asked her to be my Valentine
She said “Honey, you gonna have to stand in line.”
So I headed on the down the road awhile
Chorus
Somewhere between right and wrong
Is where I like to sing my song
When I’m feelin’ too far gone
I head on down that road awhile
I can hear that train a’comin’
As I lie upon her be a’strummin’
A melody that she’s been hummin'
‘Bout headin’ on down that road awhile
Yeah, I’m comin’ back some day I know it
She’ll be glad but she won’t show it
And I’ll try my best but if I blow it
I’m headin’ on down that road awhile
Chorus
It’s a done deal I know I’m dyin’
Someday I’ll be up there a’flyin’
So I got no time for all your cryin’
I’m headin’ on down that road awhile
Guest artist with Ex-Nashville Cats John Bunzow and Denny Bixbu
Acoustic roots and blues and original songs
Email: thad@thadbeckman.com