Evergreen
If I get back from wherever I travel
I'll tell you what I've seen
The good and the bad
The hearts and the hassle
In the cities under siege
I'll tell you all about where I have been
And I won't ever leave again
Now you might think it's a lie
When I say I'm going to write
But if I break my pen filling you in
Wouldn't that change your mind
Evergreen
Evergreen
Have you even seen anything?
Evergreen
Whenever I get back from
Wherever I go
I'll look for you in the shade
A marker in the grass
I'll tell you at last
You're not the reason I went away
Sometimes I wish you were the one
Who had left and I had stayed
Evergreen
Evergreen
Have you even seen anything?
Evergreen
Evergreen
Evergreen
Have you even seen anything?
Evergreen
A Robin or a Wren
At the last last call
When it’s time for us all
To say goodbye
I know I’m gonna cry
Know I'm gonna cry
Because all in all
I’m just having a ball
Being alive
And I don’t want to die
I don’t wanna die
At the end of the end
Of this beautiful dream we’re in
I’ll wake up again
A robin or a wren
And then I’ll sit
Outside your window
I’ll sing a song you’ll recognize
And you won’t know why
You won’t know why
And then a teardrop will fall
Into the corner of the smile
On your face
And I’ll be alive
I’ll be alive
I’ll be alive
I’ll be alive
I’ll be alive
I’ll be alive
KC Rain
I was born a little sad
I never knew what I had
Mom and dad let it slide
No wonder
I'm never satisfied
I swayed and I swooned
I howled at the moon
Tied myself to the ties
No wonder I'm never satisfied
High in the morning
High in the afternoon
High in evening
When I'm sleeping
I'm with you
Like an old welcome mat
I’m filthy and I’m flat
Now ain’t that the truth
No wonder
I’m so confused
I only care about the cat
Some of this, a little of that
Fat chance I’ll sing the blues
No wonder
I’m so confused
I’m high in the morning
High in the afternoon
High in the evening
When I’m sleeping
I’m with you
written by Jeff TweedyGwendolyn
I don’t think I can take another day
Oh I don’t know how I could ever say
I’m OK being so far away
Oh I don’t think that I can take another day
When Gwendolyn, when she starts to speak
To a county police with a plastic cup between her teeth
The sun beating down like a big trombone
That’s right when I start missing home
She holds my hand between her knees
It’s like a dream, I never know what it means
I only know I’m feeling alone
That’s right when I start missing home
Honestly Gwen I’m not ashamed to say
Between you and me I’m relieved they put you away
Sun coming up like a piece of toast
That’s right when I started heading home
That’s right when I started heading home
Well that’s right when I started heading home
Having Been Is No Way To Be
Oh I was naive
My shoes were untied
In heaven everything is just fine
But the phones are dead
And so is the light
And so are you
And honey so am I
But the earth still turns
For the unconcerned
Days pass below like train windows
I was a sapling tree
The birds looked like me
So I begged my nerves to kick me something new
From time to time
I’d watch you sleep
I wonder how much freedom we can dream
And I’m sorry when you wake up to me
I just got tired
Shining steady like a spider web
Is an empty stage
Now people say
“What drugs did you take?”
And “Why don’t you start taking them again?”
What difference would it ever make to them
But they’re not my friends
And if I was dead
What difference would it ever make to them
If I got high
From time to time
I wonder how much freedom you would need
And I’d be sorry when you wake to me
I’m reaching out to you
I’m writing all the time
I don’t see deep but I see far and wide
I see dead trees
But the roots have leaves
Just because I can’t describe it doesn’t mean I shouldn’t try
To untwist the knife
To unmake my mind
Having been is no way to be alive
And I’m alive
When I watch you sleep
I wonder how much freedom we need
And I’m here
When you wake up to me
I’m still here
When you wake up to me
I Know What It's Like
Far away
From the fireworks display
Quiet and bright
I know what it’s like x 3
To not feel love
When a sunny day
Starts to rain
Keep me in mind
I know what it’s like x 3
Even when I’m wide awake
I keep turning back one page
I can’t find the plot
Something else is taking shape
I know what it’s like
To keep losing your place
My shadow stays
Even when I’m miles away
Waiting outside
I know what it’s like x 3
To not feel pain
When the lights are dim
In my window I have a twin
I’m always looking out
And he’s always looking in
I know what it’s like
Starting over again
I know what it’s like x 2
To not feel love
Far away
From the fireworks display
Quiet and bright
I know what it’s like x 3
To not feel love
Even when it’s years away
I still think it’s yesterday
I can’t find the plot
Something else is taking shape
I know it’s a lie
When you say it’s ok
I know what it’s like x 9
To not feel love
I know what it’s like
To not feel love
Save it for Me
Save it for me
When the world falls apart
I can say with certainty
There’s a reason
A light left on in an empty room
Is how a love can be
A rainbow word in a mouth of clouds
Darkened days
Who needs you now?
A rainbow word in a mouth of clouds
Darkened days
Who needs me now?
Save it for me
When the world falls apart
I can say with certainty
There’s a reason
There’s a pie left out that you can’t consume
So sweet you cannot eat
There’s a reason
No one will call today
The people you lean on
Don’t always know
What to say
Save it for me
When the world falls apart
I can say with certainty
There’s a reason
A light left on in an empty room
Is how a love can be
Is all a love can be
Is all a love can be
Is all a love can be
Caught Up In The Past
Ace Hotel
Los Angeles
Rooftop party sounds
Drifting down into my bed
I hear people in love
With a love that just can’t last
No one stands a chance
Getting caught up in the past
I get so far behind
I forget I’m following
That’s the kind of sad
I wallow in
I’m the last in line
And the line’s moving fast
No one stands a chance
Getting caught up in the past
There’s no crown on my head
Golden light instead
In the corner of my eye
You’re still alive
Pull down the gate
Turn out the lights
I’m a rising sun
That only rolls in at night
There’s a fading flag
I keep flying half-mast
But no one stands a chance
Getting caught up in the past
There’s no crown on my head
Golden light instead
In the corner of my eye
You’re still alive
Ace Hotel
Los Angeles
Rooftop party sounds
Drifting down into my bed
I hear people in love
With a love that just can’t last
No one stands a chance
Getting caught up in the past
Oh it’s a race against time
But you’re never gonna be that fast
’Cause no one stands a chance
Getting caught up in the past
No one stands a chance
Getting caught up in the past
written by Jeff TweedyDon't Forget
Don’t forget
Don’t forget you’ve got a key
Yeah a cosmic key
Oh I love you so much
Don’t forget
We’re all blowing in
The interstellar wind
I’m your little galaxy
Don’t forget
Don’t forget sometimes
We all
We all think about dying
Don’t let it kill you
Don’t forget
I won’t forget the long drive
We arrived in time to say goodbye
And the way my roses shook
I won’t overlook
The willows bending by the graves
The very next day in the shade
Sweating in a new suit
I don’t regret
I don’t regret sometimes
We all
We all think about dying
Don’t let it kill you
Don’t forget
Don’t forget to brush your teeth
Or you’ll have a funny smile
You don’t have to smile at me
Don’t forget
Don’t forget sometimes
We all
We all think about dying
Don’t let it kill you
Don’t forget
Don’t forget sometimes
We all
We all think about dying
Oh
Flowering
Hold me stranger
Don’t deceive
Angel master
Can’t retrieve
Northern knots
Hung high in the trees
Spilling oceans
Existing to believe
Flowering
I told you danger
Carbon crown
March through the salt slush
Howling at the ground
Whistle my answer
Dance a blank face
Torment my sugar
And leap at any trace of
Flowering
Hold me stranger
Don’t deceive
Angel master
Can’t retrieve
Northern knots
Hung high in the trees
Spilling oceans
Existing to believe
Flowering
One Tiny Flower
The grass is growing
All over town
From the cracks in the sidewalks
Where the shops shut down
One tiny flower I’m jumping over
One tiny flower I’m jumping over
One tiny flower I’m jumping over
One tiny flower I’m jumping over
A wheel rolling to a stop
Blocking out the sun
From where I lay
I know I’m the only one
One tiny flower I’m jumping over
One tiny flower I’m jumping over
One tiny flower I’m jumping over
One tiny flower I’m jumping over
The grass is growing
All over town
From the cracks in the sidewalk
Where all the shops shut down
One tiny flower I’m jumping over
One tiny flower I’m jumping over
One tiny flower I’m jumping over
One tiny flower I’m jumping over
One tiny flower
One tiny flower
One tiny flower (I’m jumping over)
One tiny flower (I’m jumping over)
Skeleton
Under my skin
Blowing in
A low gentle wind
One tiny flower I’m jumping over
One tiny flower I’m jumping over
One tiny flower I’m jumping over
One tiny flower I’m jumping over
One tiny flower I’m jumping over
One tiny flower I’m jumping over
One tiny flower I’m jumping over
One tiny flower I’m jumping over
written by Jeff Tweedy
I Am Trying to Break Your Heart
I am an American aquarium drinker
I assassin down the avenue
I'm hiding out in the big city blinking
What was I thinking when I let go of you
Let's forget about the tongue-tied lightning
Let's undress just like cross-eyed strangers
This is not a joke so please stop smiling
What was I thinking when I said it didn't hurt
I want to glide through those brown eyes dreaming
Take you from the inside (baby) hold on tight
You were so right when you said I've been drinking
What was I thinking when we said good night
I want to hold you in the bible black predawn
You're quite a quiet domino bury me now
Take off your band aid cuz I don't believe in touchdowns
What was I thinking when we said hello
I always thought that if I held you tightly
You would always love me like you did back then
Then I fell asleep in the city kept blinking
What was I thinking when I let you back in
I am trying to break your heart
I am trying to break your heart
But still I'd be lying if I said it wasn't easy
I am trying to break your heart
Disposable Dixie cup drinker
I assassin down the avenue
I've been hiding out in the big city blinking
What was I thinking when I let go of you
(I'm the man who loves you)
A Lifetime to Find
Oh death
Oh death
I was just getting dressed
The place is a mess
I was hoping you’d forget
But I can feel you in my chest
I can feel you in my chest
Oh yes
Oh yes
Death never rests
I can see you’ve done your best
The problem is just this
It’s too late for regrets
I am here to collect
It takes a lifetime to find
A life like the life
You had in mind
It takes a lifetime to find
A life like the life
You had in mind
Now you’re mine
Oh death
I confess
I should have known what to expect
But you’re so hard to accept
Last time I checked
I was neck and neck
As healthy as the next
Oh Yes
You were blessed
Blessed in the past tense
But it’s too late now
To make it make sense
It’s too late to pretend
This day won’t ever end
It takes a lifetime to find
A life like the life
You had in mind
It takes a lifetime to find
A life like the life
You had in mind
Now you’re mine
So alright
Today’s the day and
Tonight is the night
There’s no reason there’s no rhyme
It’s just time to go goodbye
But why can’t you try
To ease what’s on
my poor mind
O’ Jeff
Don’t obsess
It’s the best that I can do
To help you see the light
And help the light to see you
It’s true there was a truth
That was you and only you ever knew
It takes a lifetime to find
The life like the life you had in mind
It takes a lifetime to find
The life like the life you had in mind
It takes a lifetime to find
The life like the life you had in mind
Now you’re mine
written by Jeff Tweedy
Impossible Germany
Impossible Germany
Unlikely Japan
Wherever you go
Wherever you land
I’ll say what this means to me
I’ll do what I can
Impossible Germany
Unlikely Japan
(The) fundamental problem
We all need to face
This is important
But I know you’re not listening
Oh I know you’re not listening
If this was still new to me
I wouldn’t understand
Impossible Germany
Unlikely Japan
But this is what love is for
To be out of place
Gorgeous and alone
Face to face
With no larger problems
That need to be erased
Nothing more important than to know
Someone’s listening
Now I know
You’ll be listening
Written by Jeff Tweedy and Wilco
Please Tell My Brother
Please tell my brothers
I love them still
Over the mountains
On their phone bill
I should call more often
But they know I never will
Please tell my brothers
I love them still
Please tell my sister
I miss her too
My nieces and nepfews
And their swimming pools
When I think about her
Her skies are blue
Please tell my sister
I miss her too
Please tell my father
I love him still
Forget the railroad
And all those bills
Head for the cooler
And drink your fill
Please tell my father
I love him still
Listen dear mother
I miss you the most
And as I travel
From coast to coast
I feel your love
And I feel your ghost
Listen dear mother
I miss you the most
Listen dear mother
I miss you the most
written by Jeff Tweedy
Golden Smog
Either Way
Maybe the sun will shine today
The clouds will blow away
Maybe I won’t feel so afraid
I will try to understand
Either way
Maybe you still love me
Maybe you don’t
Either you will or you won’t
Maybe you just need some time alone
I will try to understand
Everything has its plan
Either way
I’m gonna stay
Right for you
Maybe the sun will shine today
The clouds will roll away
Maybe I won’t be so afraid
I will understand everything has its plan
Either way
Written by Jeff Tweedy
Instrumental Credits
Jeff Tweedy – vocals, electric guitar
John Stirratt – bass
Glenn Kotche – drums
Mikael Jorgensen – piano
Nels Cline – lead electric gutiar
Pat Sansone – Hammond A100 organ
Karen Waltuch – viola, violin
I'm the Man Who Loves You
All I can see
Is black and white
And white and pink
With blades of blue
That lay between
The words I think
On a page
I was meaning
To send to you
I couldn't tell
If it would
Bring my heart
The way I wanted
When I started
Writing this letter to you
But if I could
You know I would
Just hold your hand
And you'd understand
I'm the man who loves you
All I can be
Is a busy sea
Of spinning wheels
And hands that feel
For stones to throw
And feet that run
But come back home
It makes no difference
Ever known
Makes no difference
Ever known to me
But if I could
You know I would
Just hold your hand
And you'd understand
I'm the man who loves you
All I can see
Is black and white
And white and pink
With blades of blue
That lay between
The words I think
On a page
I was meaning
To send to you
I couldn't tell
If it would
Bring my heart
The way I wanted
When I started
Writing this letter to you
If I could
You know I would
Just hold your hand
And you'd understand
I'm the man who loves you
If I could
You know I would
Just hold your hand
And you'd understand
I'm the man who loves you
If I could
You know I would
Just hold your hand
And you'd understand
I'm the man who loves you
I'm the man who loves you
I'm the man who loves you
I'm the man who loves you
Family Ghost
I’m a dope
Blowing smoke at a tv screen
I’ve lost all hope
Based on the things I’ve seen
I’m a man content
For the sake of argument
But underneath each added straw
I feel so american
Spray paint me gold
Pull my face up to the blinds
I’m a family ghost
You’ll never leave behind
I wanna exist
Where the misfit fits
I want to have some purpose
I believe what she believes
I believe my children
When the lights go off
There’s no applause
Condescending to the hideous thought
Imprisoned in my lonely skin
I feel so american
Spray paint me gold
Pull my face up to the blinds
I’m a family ghost
You’ll never leave behind
Time will tell this story again
Different clothes than they wore back then
Digging holes and filling them in
I feel so american
Spray paint me gold
Pull my face up to the blinds
I’m a family ghost
You’ll never leave behind
You Are Not Alone
You're not alone
I'm with you
I'm lonely too
What's that song
Can't be sung
By two?
My broken home
A broken heart
Isolated and afraid
Open up this is a raid
I want to get it through to you
You're not alone
You're not alone
Every night
I stand in your place
Every tear
On every face
Tastes the same
A broken dream
A broken heart
Isolated and afraid
Open up this is a raid
I wanna get it through to you
You're not alone
An open hand
An open....
written by Jeff Tweedy for Mavis Staples - You Are Not Aone
Feel Free
Feel free
Get on the floor and dream
Cutting pictures out of a magazine
Feel free
Feel free
Plant yourself like a seed
And take your time being buried
Feel free
Feel free
Carry a torch in the street
Say you’re full when we know you’re empty
Feel free
Feel free
To fall in love with the people you know
And fall harder for the people you don’t
Feel free
Feel free
Keep it all pristine
Clean, in its original packaging
Feel free
Feel free
Taking it slow and easy
Even though your heart is racing
Feel free
Feel free
Swim alone in the open sea
Bounce around holding a baby
Feel free
Feel free
Hail Satan, doesn’t matter to me
Or you can be the devil every Halloween
Feel free
Feel free
Lay it down, like a wreath
And leap over what’s underneath
Feel free
Feel free
To never listen and always speak
To never learn and try to teach
Feel free
Feel free
Kick a ball at a tree
Trying to retrieve your frisbee
Feel free
Feel free
Let It Bleed or Let It Be
John or Paul, Mick or Keith
Feel free
Feel free
Think of your name on a marquee
Aim for something you can’t see
Feel free
Feel free
Spin around and get dizzy
Do I know him? Who is he?
Feel free
Feel free
Get yourself born in the USA
Love with a love they can’t take away
Feel free
Feel free
Shave your head in the sink
Be brave, don’t think
Feel free
Feel free
Put your love above the part you play
Keep your love away from what you get paid
Feel free
Feel free
Make a record with your friends
Sing a song that never ends
Feel free
written by Jeff TweedyGuess Again
Oh tomatoes right off the vine
We used to eat them like that all the time
And if you think that’s the best thing
That I ever knew
Guess again
My love
It’s you
Riding with the wind blowing in my hair
And the sun shining down everywhere
If you think that’s the best thing
That I can do
Guess again
My love
Guess again
My love
It’s for you
Oh trouble
I can sing it the same
Or just about the same as any other song you can name
And if you think that
That’s the main thing
Pulling me through
Guess again
My love
It’s you
And if you think that’s the best thing
I’ll ever do
Guess again
It’s you
Maybe you noticed
How light I am
Maybe you’ve been thinking
I’m drinking again
Oh I’m high
But there’s really
Nothing new
Guess again
My love
Guess again
My love
It’s you
Guess again
My love
Guess again
My love
It’s you
Enough
Has it ever been enough?
Has it ever been OK?
Have you ever felt full
At the end of a day?
Is your heart high?
Don’t lie
Is your heart higher
Than your mind?
Do you feel like you’re dyin’
Tracin’ a line
Out on your own
Like a complete unknown
Is your heart tired?
Don’t lie
Is your heart hidin’
From your fire?
It’s hard to stay in love
It’s hard to stay in love
It’s hard to stay in love
With everyone
Is there anything to say
That could change your day?
I don’t care about your thoughts
I just want everything you got
Is your heart still tryin’?
Is your heart still alive?
Is your heart still fightin’
To get out of your mind?
It’s hard to stay in love
It’s hard to stay in love
It’s hard to stay in love
With everyone
written by Jeff TweedyLow Key
I want to let it be known
Ever since I was young
I’ve always been a refugee
Of the very high strung
I’ve always been low key
Let’s let the record show
No I won’t jump for joy
I don’t
If I get excited
Nobody knows
But I’m going love you the same
I’ll always be your fool
If it looks like I don’t care
I’m just playing it cool
No I won’t jump for joy
I don’t
If I get excited
No no one will know
I’ve always been low key
You know me
I’ve always been low key
You know me
No I won’t jump for joy
I don’t
If I get excited
Nobody knows
I’m gonna love you the same
I’ll always be your fool
When it looks like I don’t care
I’m just playing it cool
No I won’t jump for joy
I don’t
When I get excited
Nobody knows
Lou Reed Was My Babysitter
I wanna sweat next to you
Sweat next to you
With a sticky carpet sucking on my shoes
’Cause rock ‘n’ roll ain’t never gonna lose
Nah-ah
I want you to dance into me
Spill my drink
I wanna feel the kick kickin’ in my teeth
My bleeding heart bleeding to the beat
Uh
Look out
I want you to blow smoke in my eyes
Smoke in my eyes
I wanna shake shake shake shake shake until my shoes untie
’Cause rock ‘n’ roll ain’t ever gonna die
Not as long as you and I are alive
’Cause rock ‘n’ roll is dead
But the dead don’t die
The dead don’t die
The dead don’t die
The dead don’t die
The dead don’t die
Whoo!
The dead don’t die
The dead don’t die
The dead don’t die
The dead don’t die
Raooh!
Look out
I wanna feel everything
I wanna feel everything
I wanna listen to the idiot sing
Until I can’t feel anything
’Cause rock ‘n’ roll is dead
But the dead don’t die
The dead don’t die
The dead don’t die
The dead don’t die
The dead don’t die
Whooo!
The dead don’t die
The dead don’t die
The dead don’t die
The dead don’t die
Raaaaoow!
Look out
The dead don’t die x16
written by Jeff Tweedy
War Pigs [Black Sabbath cover]
Helpless [Neil Young cover]
California Stars
I'd like to rest my heavy head tonight
On a bed of California stars
I'd like to lay my weary bones tonight
On a bed of California stars
I'd love to feel your hand touching mine
And tell me why I must keep working on
Yes I'd give my life to lay my head tonight
On a bed of California stars
I'd like to dream my troubles all away
On a bed of California stars
Jump up from my starbed and make another day
Underneath my California stars
They hang like grapes on vines that shine
And warm the lovers' glass like friendly wine
So, I'd give this world
just to dream a dream with you
On our bed of California stars
Published by Woody Guthrie Publications, Inc./Warner-Tamerlane Publishing
Corp./Words-Ampersand Music [BMI]/Titanic Majesties Music [ASCAP]
Words: Woody Guthrie [no date]
Music: Jay Bennett/Jeff Tweedy 1997
Jay Bennett: piano, backing vocal
Billy Bragg: acoustic guitar
Ken Coomer: drums and percussion
Corey Harris: lap steel guitar
Eliza Carthy: violin
John Stirratt: electric bass, backing vocal
Jeff Tweedy: acoustic guitar, lead vocal