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
Forget the Flowers
You're trying my patience, try pink carnations
Red roses and yellow daffodils
Don't forget the flowers, someday, I know you will
Displayers of affection and all good intentions
Why don't you just send me the bill
Don't forget the flowers, someday, I know you will
Lately you've been taking me
Way too seriously, oooh
I can't ever explain why
I don't feel your pain, oooh
I left you behind, I know it's been a long time
But I'm not over you
Don't forget the flowers, someday, I hope I do
You're tryin' my patience, try pink carnations
Red roses and yellow daffodils
Don't forget the flowers, someday
I know I will
Don't forget the flowers, someday
I know I will
Hesitating Beauty
For your sparkling cocky smile
I have walked a million miles
Begging you to come wed me in the Spring
Why do you my dear delay,
what makes you laugh and turn away?
You're a hesitating beauty, Nora Lee
Well I know that you are itching to get married,
Nora Lee
And I know I am twitching for the same thing,
Nora Lee
By the stars and clouds above,
we can spend our lives in love
You're a hesitating beauty, Nora Lee
We can build a house and home
where the flowers come to bloom
Around our yard I'll nail a fence so high
That the boys with peeping eyes
cannot see that angel face
Of my hesitating beauty, Nora Lee
We can ramble hand in hand
across the grasses of our land
I'll kiss you for each leaf on every tree
We can bring our kids to play
where the dry winds blow today
If you’ll quit your hesitating, Nora Lee
Words: Woody Guthrie 1949
Music: Jeff Tweedy 1997
Jay Bennett: piano, electric guitar, backing vocal
Billy Bragg: electric guitar
Ken Coomer: drums
John Stirratt: electric bass
Jeff Tweedy: lead vocal
When the Roses Bloom Again
They were strolling in the gloaming
Through the roses were in bloom,
A soldier and his sweetheart brave and true;
And their hearts were filled with sorrow
For their thoughts were of tomorrow,
As she pinned a rose upon his coat of blue.
Do not ask me, Love, to linger
For you know not what to say,
For Duty calls your Sweetheart’s name again;
And your heart need not be sighing
If I be among the dying;
I’ll be with you when the Roses bloom again.
When the Roses Bloom again beside the River,
And the mockingbird has sung his sweet refrain;
In the Days of Auld Lang Syne,
I’ll be with you Sweetheart mine,
I’ll be with you when the Roses bloom again.
With the rattle of the battle
Came a whisper soft and low,
A soldier who had fallen in the fray;
I am dying, I am dying, and I know I have to go,
But I want to tell you before I pass away:
There’s a far and distant river
When the Roses are in bloom
A sweetheart who is waiting there for me.
And it’s there I pray you take me
I’ve been faithful, don’t forsake me,
I’ll be with her when the Roses bloom again!
Words: Will D. Cobb (1901) | Music: Jeff Tweedy
Jay Bennett: keyboards
Billy Bragg: guitar
Ken Coomer: drums
Bob Egan: pedal steel guitar
Corey Harris: lap steel
John Stirratt: bass
New Madrid [Uncle Tupelo]
All my daydreams are disasters
She's the one I think I love
Rivers burn and then run backwards
For her, that's enough
They all come from New York City
And they woke me up at dawn
She walked with me to the fountain
And she held onto my arm
Come on, do what you did
Roll me under New Madrid
Shake my baby and please bring her back
'Cause death won't even be still
Caroms over the landfill
Buries us all in its broken back
There's a man of conviction
And although he's getting old
Mr. Browning has a prediction
And we've all been told
So come on back from New York City
Roll your trucks in at dawn
Walk with me to the fountain
And hold onto my arm
Come on, do what you did
Roll me under New Madrid
Shake my baby and please bring her back
'Cause death won't even be still
Caroms over the landfill
Buries us all in its broken back
originally appears on Anodyne / Uncle Tupelo
written by Jeff Tweedy
I Must Be High
You
Always wanted more time
To do
What you always wanted to do
Now you got it
And I, I must be high
To say goodbye
Bye bye bye
You
Never said you needed this
Now you're pissed that you missed
The very last kiss
From my lips
And I, I must be high
To say goodbye
Bye bye bye
You
Never looked in my eyes
Long enough to find
Any piece of mind
But now you got it
And I, I must be high
To let you say goodbye
I must be high
Bye bye bye
Bye bye bye
Instrumental credits: Jeff Tweedy – vocals, guitar John Stirratt – bass Max Johnston – dobro Ken Coomer – drums Brian Henneman – guitar Lloyd Maines – pedal steel guitar
ELT
I should've been listening
To every word you said
Oh, what have I been missing
Wishing (wishing) that you were dead
I didn't mean to be so disturbing
So far from home
Oh, what have I been learning
By being all alone Every little thing
Every little thing
Every little thing
(Is gonna) tears you apart Every little thing
Every little thing
every little thing
(Is gonna) tears you apart When, when we were younger
Sleep while I'm awake
I was trying to keep the door locked
I realize
That's a mistake Every little thing
Every little thing
Every little thing
Is gonna tear you apart Every little thing
Every little thing
Every little thing
Is gonna tear you apart Every little thing that you do
Seems so much better than I could do
Oh, I should've been listening
To every word you said Every little thing
Every little thing
Every little thing
Is gonna tear you apart Every little thing
Every little thing
Every little thing
Is gonna tear you apart Every little thing
Every little thing
Every little thing
Is gonna tear you apart Every little thing
Every little thing
Every little thing
Is gonna tear you apart Is gonna tear you apart Instrumental credits: Jeff Tweedy – vocals, backing vocals Jay Bennett – electric guitars, piano, keyboards, synthesizers, tambourine, backing vocals John Stirratt – bass Ken Coomer – drums
Candyfloss
I'm the boy that looks excited
I'm the boy that's gonna fall apart
Candyfloss, a plot device I'm the boy that eats his heart out I know I should be more careful
I know I should watch where I've been
Candyfloss, she's a safe cracker
She kissed me first and then broke in We slip and slide on the stay-together landmine
I make my mind up to never be myself
And every time I make a rhyme
I live my life for someone else Ooh whoa
Ooh whoa Ooh whoa She's in the kitchen
With bitter diamond drunks (she's in the way)
I'm on the sofa (I'm in the way)
Hoping she leaves that punk
’cause I'm the boy with the poetry power
I'm the boy, smells like flowers
Every time I make a rhyme
I live my life like I wasn't invited Ooh whoa She's in the way
I'm in the way I'm the boy that looks excited
I'm the boy that's gonna fall apart
Candyfloss, she kissed me first
And I'm the boy, don't get me started I know I should be more careful
I know I should watch where I've been
Candyfloss, she's a safe cracker
She kissed me first, then broke in Oh, whoa Instrumental credits: Jeff Tweedy – electric guitar, vocals Jay Bennett – electric/baritone guitar, chamberlin, vocals, organ, piano John Stirratt – bass, vocals Ken Coomer – drums
Monday
Choo-choo Charlie had a plenty good band
But he couldn't understand why no one would go
The World Record Players on a tour of Japan
Charlie's fixing his van with a left arm tan
He said
Monday, I'm all high
Get me out of FLA
In school, yeah
I fooled ya
Now I know I made a mistake
Blister on a turnpike, let me by
I only want to wonder why when I don't die
Oooh, I shot ya, yeah, I know
I only want to go where my wheels roll
Monday, I'm all high
Get me out of FLA
I fooled ya
In school, yeah
Now I know I made a mistake
Everybody's wondering, "Where'd he go?"
He must be down in Pensacola
Hiding from the snow
The World Record Players on a tour of Japan
Charlie's fixing his van
He's waiting for a postcard
And he said
Monday, I'm all high
Get me out of TLA
Well I cut class
In school, yeah
Now I know I made a mistake
I made a big mistake
I'm Always In Love
Why, I wonder is my heart full of holes
And the feeling goes but my hair keeps growing
Will I set the sun
On a big-wheeled wagon
Well I'm bragging
I'm always in love
When I let go of your throat, sweet throttle
When I clean the lash of your black-belt model
Will I catch the moon
Like a bird in a cage
It's for you I swoon
I'm always in love
I don't get the connection
If this is only a test
I hope I do my best
You know I won't forget
When I fold the cold in my jet-lag palm
When I soak so long I forget my mother
Will I set the sun
On a big-wheeled wagon
Well I'm bragging
I'm always in love
It's a drag I snag
Well I'm always in love
Well I'm worried
I'm always in love
I'm worried
I'm worried
I'm worried
I'm always in love
I'm worried
I'm worried
I'm worried
I'm always in love
I'm worried
I'm worried
I'm worried
I'm always in love
I'm worried
I'm worried
I'm worried
I'm always in love
Instrumental credits: Jeff Tweedy – vocals, baritone guitar Jay Bennett – bass, piano, keyboards, drums, backing vocals John Stirratt – piano, backing vocals Ken Coomer – drums
Casino Queen
Well the money's pouring down
And the people all look down
And it's floating out of town
I hit the second deck
And I spent my paycheck
And my wife that I just met
She's looking like a wreck
Casino Queen
My lord you're mean
I've been gambling like a fiend
On your tables so green
I always bet on black
Blackjack
I'll pay you back
The room fills with smoke
And I'm already broke
And the dealer keeps on joking
As he takes my last token
Casino Queen
My lord you're mean
I've been gambling like a fiend
On your tables so green
Casino Queen
My lord you're mean
I've been gambling like a fiend
On your tables so green
Instrumental credits:
Jeff Tweedy – vocals, acoustic guitar
John Stirratt – bass, vocals
Max Johnston – fiddle, vocals
Ken Coomer – drums, vocals
Brian Henneman – guitars, vocals
Daniel Corrigan - vocals
Casino Queen
Well the money's pouring down
And the people all look down
And it's floating out of town
I hit the second deck
And I spent my paycheck
And my wife that I just met
She's looking like a wreck
Casino Queen
My lord you're mean
I've been gambling like a fiend
On your tables so green
I always bet on black
Blackjack
I'll pay you back
The room fills with smoke
And I'm already broke
And the dealer keeps on joking
As he takes my last token
Casino Queen
My lord you're mean
I've been gambling like a fiend
On your tables so green
Casino Queen
My lord you're mean
I've been gambling like a fiend
On your tables so green
Instrumental credits:
Jeff Tweedy – vocals, acoustic guitar
John Stirratt – bass, vocals
Max Johnston – fiddle, vocals
Ken Coomer – drums, vocals
Brian Henneman – guitars, vocals
Daniel Corrigan - vocals
Misunderstood
When you're back in your old neighborhood
The cigarettes taste so good
But you're so misunderstood
You're so misunderstood
There's something there that you can't find
You look honest when you're telling a lie
You hurt her but you don't know why
You love her but you don't know why
Short on long term goals
There's a party there that we ought to go to
If you still love rock and roll
If you still love rock and roll?
It's only a quarter to three
Reflecting off of your CD
You're looking at a picture of me
You're staring at a picture of me
Take the guitar player for a ride
'Cause he ain't never been satisfied
He thinks he owes some kind of debt
It'll be years before he gets over it
There's a fortune inside your head
When all you touch turns to lead
You think you might just crawl back in bed
With a fortune inside your head
I know you're just a mama's boy
You're positively unemployed
So misunderstood
So misunderstood
I know you've got a god-shaped hole
You're bleeding out your heart full of soul
You're so misunderstood
You're so misunderstood
You're so misunderstood
You're so misunderstood
I'd like to thank you all for nothing
I'd like to thank you all for nothing at all
I'd like to thank you all for nothing
Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing at all
Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing at all
Someday Soon
Wind will blow and the sun will shine
On that hill where we used to climb
I’ll look in your eyes and you'll be mine
Someday soon I won't even make a scene
That will be just like a dream
Cash is gonna flow down by the old mainstream
Someday soon You don't know me, but I know you (you don't know me)
You have no idea what I’d do (what I’d do)
To make you mine and see you swoon
Someday soon Sun's gonna shine, wind's gonna blow
On that hill where we used to go
I’ll look in your eyes and down I will roll
Someday soon Someday, someday soon
Someday, someday soon
Christ for President
Let's have Christ our president.
Let us have him for our king.
Cast your vote for the carpenter
that you call the Nazarene.
The only way we can ever beat
these crooked politician men
Is to run the money changers out of the temple
And put the Carpenter in
O It's Jesus Christ our president
God above our king
With a job and pension for young and old
We will make hallelujah ring
Every year we waste enough
to feed the ones who starve
We build our civilization up
and we shoot it down with wars
But with the Carpenter on the seat
away up in the capitol town
The USA would be on the way prosperity bound!
Published by Woody Guthrie Publications, Inc./Warner-Tamerlane Publishing
Corp./Words-Ampersand Music [BMI]/Titanic Majesties Music [ASCAP]
Words: Woody Guthrie [no date]
Music: Jeff Tweedy/Jay Bennett 1997
Jay Bennett: banjo, piano, clavinet
Billy Bragg: National guitar
Ken Coomer: drums and percussion
John Stirratt: acoustic bass, bass pedals
Jeff Tweedy: acoustic guitar, vocal
Satan, Your Kingdom Must Come Down
Satan, your kingdom must come down
Satan, your kingdom must come down
I heard the voice of Jesus say
Satan, your kingdom must come down
Gonna pray until they tear your kingdom down
Gonna pray until they tear your kingdom down
I heard the voice of Jesus say
Satan, your kingdom must come down
Gonna shout until they tear your kingdom down
Gonna shout until they tear your kingdom down
I heard the voice of Jesus say
Satan, your kingdom must come down
written by Jeff Tweedy and Jay Farrar
March 16-20, 1992 / Uncle Tupelo
Passenger Side
Hey, wake up
Your eyes weren't open wide
For the last couple of miles
You've been swerving from side to side
You're gonna make me spill my beer
If you don't learn how to steer
Passenger side
Passenger side
I don't like riding
On the passenger side
Roll another number for the road
You're the only sober person I know
Won't you let me make you a deal
Just get behind the wheel
Passenger side
Passenger side
I don't like riding
On the passenger side
Should've been the driver
Could've been the one
I should've been your lover
But I hadn't seen
Can you take me to the store, and then the bank?
I've got five dollars we can put in the tank
I've got a court date coming this June
I'll be driving soon
Passenger side
Passenger side
I don't like riding
On the passenger side
I don't like riding
On the passenger side
Instrumental credits:
Jeff Tweedy – vocals, acoustic guitar
John Stirratt – bass
Max Johnston – mandolin, fiddle
Ken Coomer – drums
Brian Henneman – small stoned guitar
Kingpin
I wanna be your kingpin
Living in Pekin I wanna be your bigwig
Living in Pekin I got the flu and away I flew
N.Y.C.P.D. blue
Dimetapp and spinal tap
City maps and hand claps Statue of Liberty play
It only works once
Don't throw it away ’Cause I wanna be your kingpin
Living in Pekin Living in Pekin
Living in How can I
How can I give my love to you when
I don't know what to do
Outta Mind (Outta Sight)
Well I know we don't talk much
But you're such a good talker
Ooh, whoa
Well I know that we should take a walk
But you're such a fast walker, oh-whoa,
Well alright
I know where I'll be tonight, well alright
Outta mind outta sight
Well okay
I know you don't love me
But you'll still be thinking of me, oh-whoa
Well alright
I know you probably hate me
Well that's okay with me
Well alright
I know where I'll be tonight
Well alright
Outta mind outta sight
Outta mind outta sight
You don't see me now
You don't want to anyhow
Well look out
Here I come again
And I'm bringing my friends
I said, look out
Here I come again
And I'm bringing my friends
Okay, alright, okay, alright
I know where I'll be tonight
Well alright
Well outta mind outta sight
Outta mind outta sight
Outta mind outta sight
Well alright
That's quite alright
I know you don't love me
I know you don't love me anymore, alright
I know you