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After The Fall

Four In the morning, I’ve counted each star in the sky, Morning is calling, I can’t get you out of my mind… no

Where did this happen, how did I miss it, why did it start.  When was the moment when I first lost control of my heart?

I can’t explain these emotions.  I was always the one in control, I held it all

Now I feel I’ve been banished between heaven and hell

After the fall…                  after the fall

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Everything’s changing, colors are running to grey.  Friends and relations seem to have nothing to say

Now I see only her face, I hear only her voice whispering soft as the rain starts to fall

I struggle convincing myself that I’ve not played the fool

After the fall… after the fall

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Falling in love is a time when the one thing that matters is when you will hold her again

But soon every heart realizes the clarity of how this all ends...  After the fall

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She said she loves you, you heard that straight from her heart, Did she say that she loves you like friends who are destined to part?

Confusion is taking control.  How do I play this?   It tears at me down to my soul

I never thought love would hurt me like this…

After the fall… after the fall… after the fall

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Four In the morning, I can’t get you out of my mind…

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Hiding Out From Love                                                                            

 

She walks in the room every head turns to see her. Every guy want to meet her; every girl want to be her

She’s smoldering hot with an air of indifference.  And if you think there’s a shot, reassess your assurance

Cause at the end of the day when the last call’s been call’n, only the strong will survive while the rest have all fall’n

She’ll be the last one standing proud and tall in her room where’s she’s safe… hiding out from love

 

He turns up the radio of his prized El Camino.  Hits the gas on the freeway, the engine whines as it lets go

It helps drown out the words that have no need for stating, ‘cause he’s racing to nowhere, where no one is waiting

He pulls in the driveway of a house now divided. A place where conflicts remain and joy once presided

And honor binds him to what he has always provided, so for now he’s hiding out from love

 

Adrift on an ocean with no land in sight.  In a storm of emotions… but you’re doing alright

Just close all the windows, and bolt all the doors.  Perhaps if no one can enter… it won’t hurt anymore

 

And that clock on the dresser ticks the seconds away.  There’s no way to stop it, I can’t stand in its way

And I can’t change the cards in the hand I was dealt.  And I can’t stop the memories of the way that you felt

And I won’t regret anything I felt ‘long the way.  And you won’t hear me tell you “I wish you had stayed”

And I won’t change a word of what my heart longs to say in my room where it’s always safe… hiding out from love

I'm hiding out from love...

She's hiding out from love...

We're hiding out from love.

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Somebody Tell Me

​

She’s leaving tonight for California; I think someone said around L.A.

The last thing she said was “Hon, I’ll call ‘ya”

Just before she turned and walked away.

And I can still hear her words; my mind plays them over a thousand times

But in my heart I knew those words were goodbye.

 

Somebody tell me when the sun’s gone down

Somebody tell me when it’s dark enough for me to go outside

Somebody tell me when the sun’s gone down

‘Cause I’d hate to have her find out I cried.

 

I don’t know the reasons why she’s leaving; all that I know is she’s already gone

I always felt love was worth believing, I guess she felt it’s time to move on.

I should have seen those signs, her touch had turned cold

Her hand fell from mine

Was she loving someone else all that time?

 

Somebody tell me when the sun’s gone down

Somebody tell me when it’s dark enough for me to go outside

Somebody tell me when the sun’s gone down

‘Cause I’d hate to have her find out I cried.

 

You call me a fool because I believed her, but you’d of believed her too

And if it were you it’d be easy to leave her, well I use to think that too

But you never held her close in the night, or danced under starry skies

And you never kissed her lips, or looked deep into her eyes

 

Somebody tell me when the sun’s gone down

Somebody tell me when it’s dark enough for me to go outside

Somebody tell me when the sun’s gone down

‘Cause I’d hate to have her find out I cried.

Yes, I’d hate to have her find out I cried.

Yes, I’d hate to have her find out I cried.

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She's A Lover

​

There's the sound of a car in the driveway, there's the fumbling of keys by the door

She can tell by his footsteps it's been a long day in the city

She hangs up his coat in the hallway, she welcomes him home in her arms

She can see in his eyes, it's her strength he needs now, not her pity

And in the moment she holds him in her arms, he's safe from the world and all its harm

And she'll be everything he needs in his world... 'cause she's a lover

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In the night when the ghosts come to call him, and he wrestles with dreams and desires

There's nowhere he can run to when the battles rage only inside him

And softly she kisses his forehead, and slowly she pulls herself close

And he's invincible now, while she's there lying beside him

And though he leaves with the first light of dawn, at the end of the day he comes home

Where she'll be everything he needs in his world... 'cause she's a lover

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There are many descriptions of what a lover should be

Some will call them best friends, others call them fantasies

Some just need a place where they can run to when they need to be free

She believes in her man, she believes in his dream

She believes that by his side is where she ought to be

And for her to be his lover it comes so naturally

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That as the years mark the changing of seasons, and time marks the lines on their face

In the eyes of a lover the beauty they see is unchanging

It may be just a hand on his shoulder, or the look that he knows all too well

And his heart's reassured that the fires of love are still burning

And in the gentle caress of her touch, he knows why he loves her so much

And she'll be everything he needs in his world... 'cause she's a lover

She's a lover... she's a lover... she's a lover....

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Judgment Day

 

I’ve got one more bag and this old guitar, then I’ll be on my way

All the tears we’ve cried have long been dried.  We’ve said all there is to say

 

I’ve been your oldest friend; you’ve been my biggest fan.  But sometimes hearts lose their way

And in the end we know, its best we go, then to go on like this hurting each other this way

 

So hold me close, don’t say goodbye

Those are words I just can’t say

Give me one more kiss… and make it good

Then turn and walk away

This is love’s judgment day

 

Time moves on and I could be wrong, but I believe love moves on to

I gave you my best; I turned to you for the rest.  But you turned somewhere else, what was I left to do

 

So hold me close, don’t say goodbye

Those are words I just can’t say

Give me one more kiss… and make it good

Then turn and walk away

This is love’s judgment day

 

Your friends all say I’m guilty, they say you’re better off without me

But do they know not to judge an innocent man

Did you tell them how hard I tried for you?  God knows I would have died for you

And all along it was you making other plans

 

So hold me close, don’t say goodbye

Those are words I just can’t say

Give me one more kiss… and make it good

Then turn and walk away

Give me one more kiss… make it good

          This is love’s judgment day

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First Time In Love

… for Bryn, on the night she was born!

 

Come here baby; are those tears in your eyes?

Was it something that he said to you, or something you just realized?

That he was wrong for you, now you’re feeling like you want to die.

But you’ll be fine... It just takes time

You’ll be fine... It’s just your First Time In Love 

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I know he hurt you... I can see that... and that’s not how you thought love would be

But in time you will learn, that the times you’ve been burned, will help you eventually

And you’ll be stronger for it, and you’ll know that the sun’s going to shine

And you’ll be fine... It just takes time

You’ll be fine... It’s just your First Time In Love 

 

Hold on, Lord, I wish there was some way I could lift this hurting from you

Be strong, just give it a chance... it’s only your first romance

 

And I know how that can hurt you; it can tear your whole world apart

‘Cause now he’s left you, and all that remains is the pain of a broken heart

But keep your head up, baby, ‘cause you’re not the first lover to cry

And you’ll be fine... It just takes time

You’ll be fine... It’s just your First Time In Love 

 

You’ll be fine... Just give it some time

You’ll be fine... It’s just your First Time In Love 

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Everything I Do

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Ice cream cones. and telephones, Sunday drives to foreign places

Sailing seas, and rosary beads, circus clowns with funny faces

Everything I do, reminds me of you

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Family fights, sleepless nights, waiting for the sun to shine through

Things I wear, and teddy bears, evening walks along the avenue

Everything I do, reminds me of you

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The way your eyes reflect the moonlight

The softness of your smile at twilight

The way that you'll be here at first light

What can I do?  I'm so in love with you

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Candlelight, and city nights, souvenirs of days remembered

Seasons joys, and Christmas toys, moments shared by fires embers

Everything I do, reminds me of you

Everything I do, reminds me of you

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The Last Cowboy

​

Well, gather 'round children I'll tell you a story, I'll sing you a song by the fire

Of a cowboy from long ago, born at a rodeo.  A man I've always admired.

When he rode out of Abilene, a bit small and still green, and too young to carry a gun

So he rode with the best, and he out talked the rest.  He grew to be one son-of-a-gun.

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He's the last cowboy, on the last roundup.  And he sleeps by the camp fire under nights violet veil

He's the last cowboy, on the last roundup.  And he rides the last mustang on the last virgin trail

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He was known break'n bronc's from Mexico to Colorado, and the broken hearts showed where he'd been

But he loved the free life, even more than a wife, so he was back in the saddle again

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He's the last cowboy, on the last roundup.  And he sleeps by the camp fire under nights violet veil

He's the last cowboy, on the last roundup.  And he rides the last mustang on the last virgin trail

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Now too many trains, and city's and planes, keep pushing him nowhere.  When there's nowhere to go

But a man and his steed are fast dying breed, and what's left for him now even he doesn't know

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And I can't help but wonder, when that moon that we're under, looks down and the old boy's moved on

Will there ever be another?  A dust & dirt lover... will a cowboys dream still live on

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If he's the last cowboy, on the last roundup.  And he sleeps by the camp fire under nights violet veil

He's the last cowboy, on the last roundup.  And he rides the last mustang on the last virgin trail

 

He's the last cowboy, on the last roundup.  And he sleeps by the camp fire under nights violet veil

He's the last cowboy, on the last roundup.  And he rides the last mustang on the last virgin trail

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Someday Soon

 

Do you hear me when I look at you, can you feel the words I’m saying

Can you hear the songs my hear sings, does it sound as if I’m praying

I may be just another fool, but don’t treat me foolishly

And understand if I refuse to let you go

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Someday soon… I will hold you closer than you’ve ever let me

Someday soon… I will kiss you and your heart will not regret me

And I will touch you in a way that you never will forget me

Someday soon… someday soon…

 

You said I’m the one who knows you more than anyone you know

But I know your dreams and your desires and the tears you never show

I know the places where to touch you no one else could ever know

And where your heart runs when it needs to be alone

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Someday soon… I will hold you closer than you’ve ever let me

Someday soon… I will kiss you and your heart will not regret me

And I will touch you in a way that you never will forget me

Someday soon… someday soon…

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People come and go in our lives and we never see their faces

Until we see someone hold our hearts desire.  Then we wish we could change places

So I told my heart be patient when you walked into the room

That someday my arms would hold you… someday soon!

 

Someday soon… I will hold you closer than you’ve ever let me

Someday soon… I will kiss you and your heart will not regret me

And I will touch you in a way that you never will forget me

Someday soon… someday soon… someday soon…

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The Vision

… for Carissa, on 16th birthday!

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Last night I woke in the middle of a dream, I couldn't get back to sleep

Though rest would elude me the dream never ended, my sole fell weightless and free

And the vision I saw left me standing in awe as the vision came into view

Then there in the midst of these beautiful lights was this vision I had of you.

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So I tip-toed softly down the hall to your room, and stealthily slipped through your door.

And stood at the foot of your bed while you slept and thanked God for the day you were born

Then softly I swept the hair from your face and whispered a prayer that I knew

No love could run deeper, or pride ever rival, this vision I have of you

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You ask me what I'm thinking in the time we're apart

I think of how much I love you and your vision remains in my heart

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Last night I woke in the middle of a dream, the years were passing me by

I saw you standing there with your baby, tears of joy in your eyes

Then there in that moment it all became clear, my dream had already come true

No love could run deeper, or pride ever rival, this vision I have of you

No love could run deeper, or pride ever rival, this vision I have of you

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Dangerous Love

 

For three days now I’ve been pushing this rig.  My mind’s so blurry I can barely think

So I rolled her in to some no-name town for a few hours sleep and throw some whiskey down

Found a late night bar and a bottle of Jack.  The jukebox was blaring as I threw a few back

Then I saw her standing in a dress so tight.  A perfect silhouette in the neon light

Oooh… Oooh

It didn’t take me long for me to see my chance.  Bought a few more shots and I asked her to dance

And I held close till it was time to go.  We went back to her place… I guess the rest you know

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She made me whole, took away my pain

Made me feel like a man, feel alive again

And she washed my soul in the midnight rain

Flowing gently from above… that’s the side of a dangerous love

 

With the coming of dawn I had to hit the road.  Another 500 miles to deliver this load

As I stepped outside under Texas skies an angry husband stood with fire in his eyes

Words were spoken and threats were made.  Then I saw the glimmer of a six inch blade

This only ends way now that lines were crossed.  Someone walks away, the others life would be lost

Oooh… Oooh

As I slid my revolver from under my vest.  I could feel his blade as it punctured my chest

So I shot him twice just to be sure of the price you’ll always have to pay for a dangerous love

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She made me whole, took away my pain

Made me feel like a man, feel alive again

And she washed my soul in the midnight rain

Flowing gently from above… that’s the side of a dangerous love

     ...that’s the side of a dangerous love

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Take

​

Someone told me I must be in love with you.  They could see it on my face whenever I spoke of you

My body language changed, my demeanor did the same, whenever I heard your name

Well, of course I denied it that simply couldn’t be.  And no one was going to sit there explaining love to me

But if the truth were ever told, there’s this fire in my soul burning out of control…

If I could I’d be there with you in the dark of night

I would still be there to hold you in the morning light

Brushing the hair from your face, you’d wake to find I never left your side

 

Anything you want from me… take

Anything you need from me… take

Just don’t take your love away from me now

 

I understand the reasons we must be apart.  But that doesn’t ease this aching tearing at my heart

Don’t tell me you don’t care, or deny this whole affair... no one said that love was fair…

And I know it’s me you think of when he holds you tight  

I can feel your fingers claw me when the passion’s high

Sometimes I wake and you’re not there, and the pillow smells of jasmine from your hair…  And for a moment you’re still there

 

Anything you want from me… take

Anything you need from me… take

Just don’t take your love away from me now

 

Take these arms that reach for you   (take)

Take every breath I breathe for you   (take)     

Take this love I give to you, And take this heart… it’s no good if it beats without you  

 

Anything you want from me… take

Anything you need from me… take

Just don’t take your love away from me now

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Anything you want from me… take

Anything you need from me… take

Just don’t take your love away

Just don’t take your love away from me

Just don’t take your love away from me now

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Heart To Heart

 

If I give you my hand, if I give you my heart

Can we make a new plan, can we make a new start

If I show you the love, every parcel and part

Can we build a new world between us heart to heart

 

If we sing with one voice, if I stand at your side

Catch you if you should fall, dry your tears if you cry

If I share in your pride, be a light in the dark

Can we build a new world between us heart to heart

 

Open your arms and welcome the world that’s surrounding you

Open your heart and welcome the love that abounds in you

 

Now is the time, I’m drawing the line, I’m taking a stand

        If I give you my hand, if I give you my heart

My brothers and sisters all over the world need my helping hand

       Can we make a new plan, can we make a new start

I may be one voice, but I can still make a difference, I know I can

       If I show you the love, every parcel and part

Help build this world between us heart to heart

       Can we build a new world between us heart to heart

 

Don’t turn me away, I know what you’re saying, you’ve heard this all hundreds of times

       If we sing with one voice, if I stand at your side

You’ve heard thunder and rain; you’ve heard anger and pain, broken promises time after time

       Catch you if you should fall, dry your tears if you cry

Just give me your hand… understand… I’m laying my heart on the line

       If I share in your pride, be a light in the dark

And we’ll build this new world together, heart to heart

       Can we build a new world between us heart to heart

 

Open your arms and welcome the world that’s surrounding you

Open your heart and welcome the love that abounds in you

 

Now is the time, I’m drawing the line, I’m taking a stand

       If I give you my hand, if I give you my heart

My brothers and sisters all over the world need my helping hand

       Can we make a new plan, can we make a new start

I may be one voice, but I can still make a difference, I know I can

       If I show you the love, every parcel and part

Help build this world between us heart to heart

       Can we build a new world between us heart to heart

To heart... to heart.

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Long Journey Home

Written December, 1974, revised December 31, 2016

 

It was the last night in December when I sat down and wrote you this song

It was a clear night I remember, and the night winds were singing along

While the willows were swaying and keeping the beat

To the whippoorwills whistling I was tapping my feet

And my way safely lit by the light of the moon

And the night seemed to feed me the tune

​

I’m almost to my journey’s end, and your fire is almost in view

And I’m hallway down the mountain… coming home to you.

… coming home to you

… it’s been a long journey home