Ben Harper Lyrics, Photos, Pictures, Paroles, Letras, Text for every songs

B i o g r a p h y
(by MacKenzie Wilson)

Combining shuddering, groove-laden funky soul and folky, handcrafted acoustics, singer/songwriter Ben Harper cultivated a cult following during the course of the '90s that gained full fruition toward the end of the decade. Harper combined elements of classic singer/songwriters, blues revivalists, Jimi Hendrix, and '90s jam bands like Blues Traveler, Hootie & the Blowfish, and Phish, which meant that he was embraced by critics and college kids alike. Though he never had a hit album, his body of work sold consistently and he toured constantly, building a solid, dedicated fan base. A native of California, Harper grew up listening to blues, folk, soul, R&B, and reggae. As a child, he started playing guitar, and began to perform regularly as a preteen. During his adolescence, he began playing acoustic slide guitar, which would eventually become his signature instrument. After steady gigging in the Los Angeles area, Harper scored a deal with Virgin Records in 1992. He released his debut album, Welcome to the Cruel World, two years later to positive reviews. Released in 1995, the politically-heavy Fight for Your Mind made for a strong sophomore effort, an obvious growth in musical experimentation and individual declamation. Harper's third album, 1997's The Will to Live, pushed his blues-oriented alternative folk into the middle mainstream, becoming a mainstay at college radio and making inroads at adult alternative radio. Recorded over two years of touring in support of Fight for Your Mind, The Will to Live introduced the Innocent Criminals, Harper's supporting band. The Innocent Criminals — who are bassist Juan Nelson, drummer Dean Butterworth, and percussionist David Leach — solidified Harper's musical rhythms and emotional diversity.

Aside from working on his own material, Ben Harper has built a strong rapport with other artists, playing guest spots on records by Beth Orton, John Lee Hooker, and Government Mule. He played 1997's and 1999's Tibetan Freedom Concerts, and opened for R.E.M., Radiohead, Metallica, Pearl Jam, and the Fugees. Harper's career gained momentum throughout 1998-1999. His most successful album thus far, 1999's Burn to Shine blended Harper's fondness of '20s jazz compositions and urban beatboxing, resulting in a clever and passionate collection of songs. "Steal My Kisses" and "Suzie Blue" were radio favorites, landing him two headlining world tours and an opening spot on the Dave Matthews Band's summer trek of 2000. In spring 2001, Harper issued Live from Mars, a double disc of live electric and acoustic material spanning the previous year's tour and including covers of material by Led Zeppelin, the Verve, and Marvin Gaye. When it came to recording his fifth studio effort, Harper went back to his drawing board. He'd circled the world countless times and naturally, he brashly sang about it on the worldbeat-inspired Diamonds on the Inside, which appeared in March 2003. After a European tour with the Blind Boys of Alabama in 2004, the two acts entered the studio together and laid down ten tracks in two different sessions at Capitol Records basement studios. The resulting collaborative album issued under both names, There WiIl Be a Light, was released in September of 2004.

Whipping Boy

Well you can need me
Well I want you to
And you can feed me
How I like that too
But don't you lead me
I won't follow you
Listen here
I don't fear
I don't want to be your whipping boy

Oh - you can tease me
Oh - how I want you to
And you can squeeze me
Baby, I like that too
But don't you lead me
I won't follow you
Listen here
I don't fear
I don't want to be your whipping boy

Oh - you can hold me
Baby, I want you to
And you can scold me
Yes, I like that too
But don't you lead me
I won't follow you
Listen here
I don't fear
I don't want to be your whipping boy

Well you can need me
Well I want you to
And you can feed me
Baby, I like that too
But don't you lead me
I won't follow you
Listen here
I don't fear
I don't want to be your whipping boy

Jesus is on that mainline, tell him what you want
Jesus is on that mainline, tell him what you want
Jesus is on that mainline, tell him what you want
You gotta call him up and tell him what you want

If you're sick and you want to get well, tell him what you want
If you're sick and you want to get well, tell him what you want
If you're sick and you want to get well, tell him what you want
You gotta call him up and tell him what you want

If you're sick and you want to get well, tell him what you want
If you're sick and you want to get well, tell him what you want
If you're sick and you want to get well, tell him what you want
You gotta call him up and tell him what you want

If you want in his kingdom, tell him what you want
If you want in his kingdom, tell him what you want
If you want in his kingdom, tell him what you want
You gotta call him up and tell him what you want

Jesus is on that mainline, tell him what you want
Jesus is on that mainline, tell him what you want
Jesus is on that mainline, tell him what you want
You gotta call him up and tell him what you want

Jesus is on that mainline, tell him what you want
Jesus is on that mainline, tell him what you want
Jesus is on that mainline, tell him what you want
You gotta call him up and tell him what you want

Pay the man
Everybody's got to pay the man
And before you leave this world
You got to pay the man
Pay the man
Everybody's got to pay the man
And before you leave this world
You got to pay the man

Of the senators in the fancy houses
He's a friend of Babylon
Got a wife and a dog and a cadillac
And people hung around
Got his ways and means and all he needs
To keep him satisfied
But before he leaves this world
He's got to pay the man

Pay the man
Everybody's got to pay the man
And before you leave this world
You got to pay the man
Pay the man
Everybody's got to pay the man
And before you leave this world
You got to pay the man

Sally had a baby
It almost droke her crazy
When she dropped into the river
Now Sally she's a happy girl
And you see her on a ...
She's doing all the best she can
And she...
You got to pay the man

Pay the man
Everybody's got to pay the man
And before you leave this world
You got to pay the man
Pay the man
Everybody's got to pay the man
And before you leave this world
You got to pay the man

Pay the man
Everybody's got to pay the man
And before you leave this world
You got to pay the man
Pay the man
Everybody's got to pay the man
And before you leave this world
You got to pay the man

Pay the man
Everybody's got to pay the man
And before you leave this world
You got to pay the man

Pay the man
Everybody's got to pay the man
And before you leave this world
You got to pay the man

Quarter of a man

There's a quarter of a man in the market with a quarter of a car so it's easy to park it
He gets to the counter he pays what he can but he only pays a quarter
He's a quarter of a man

Now this quarter of a man he got fired, the next damn day he got hired
The only thing wrong with this plan is he only makes a quarter
He's a quarter of man

Every day he's on the street, too few quarters to live or to eat
He's so little the people all stare but he only pays a quarter fare

Now this quarter of a man's on vacation but he still gets his ration
He gets to the market he saves what he can but he only saves a quarter
He's a quarter of a man

Every day he's on the streets too few quarters to live or to eat
He's so little the people all to stare but he only pays a quarter fare
Now

There's a quarter of a man in the market with a quarter of a car so it's easy to park it
He gets to the market he saves what he can but he only saves a quarter
He's a quarter of a man

Mama's got a girlfriend now

Papa, he left home today
And said he ain't comin' back again
Said he ain't gonna be nobody's second best
Just cause mama's got a special kind of friend

Papa, he left home today
Said he ain't comin' back no more
Said he ain't gonna take no damn back seat
And how could mama do him so low

But mama's got a girlfriend now, boy !
Mama's got a girlfriend now
Mama's got a girlfriend
Mama's got a true friend
Mama's got a girlfriend now

You see mama don't watch your damn football
And your beer drinkin' just won't do
You're just stayin' out late
And you're preachin' the hate
And you never have been true

You see, mama she want her somebody
Who will let her be herself
So she's leavin' you and your stinky damn ways
Cause she's found somebody else

And mama's got a girlfriend now boy
Mama's got a girlfriend now
Mama's got a girlfriend
Mama's found a true friend
Mama's got a girlfriend now

Papa he left home today
He was wavin' his hands and cryin'
You could tell by the sound and the tone in his voice
That his heart was slowly dyin'

But mama said :
"Boy if I ever catch you 'round here again
You ain't never gonna have nobody else
Not a woman or a man"

And mama's got a girlfriend now boy
Mama's got a girlfriend now
Mama's got a girlfriend
Mama's found a true friend
Mama's got a girlfriend now

Mama's got a girlfriend now, boy !
Mama's got a girlfriend now
Mama's got a girlfriend
Mama's found a true friend
Mama's got a girlfriend now

Angel from Montgomery

I am an old woman named after my mother
Old man is another child (that's) grown old
If dreams were thunder and lightning was desire
This old house would've burned down a long time ago

Make me an angel that flies from Montgomery
Make me a poster of an old rodeo
Just give me one thing that I can hold on to
To believe in this living is just a hard way to go

I was a young girl I had me a cowboy
Wasn't much to look at, just a free ramblin' man
That was a long time, (and) no matter how I try
The years just flow by like a broken-down dam

Make me an angel that flies from Montgomery
Make me a poster of an old rodeo
Just give me one thing (that) I can hold on to
To believe in this living is just a hard way to go

There's flies in the kitchen, I can hear all their buzzin'
I ain't done nothin' since I woke up today
I am a kind of person goes to work in the morning
Come home in the evenin' and have nothin' to say

Make me an angel that flies from Montgomery
Make me a poster of an old rodeo
Just give me one thing (that) I can hold on to
To believe in this living is just a hard way to go
To believe in this living is just a hard way to go

Click Yo' Heels

Come on baby click yo' heels
Let me know our love is real
Cause we're a long way from anywhere
But I can really feel it

I've been up, I've been down
I've been tossed all around
But I always seem to come down on my feet

So don't think I'm crazy if I wanna sing
'bout the good things life has in store

Cause we're a long way from anywhere
But I can really feel it
A long way from anywhere

Come on babe let down your hair
Let me know you really care
Cause we're a long way from anywhere
But I'm ready for your dare

I remember a man in an upstate town
Said, "you can't get there form here"
We all took it as a joke but it held like smoke
Now it's ringing in both my ears

I look up babe see the sky is rollin'
Time has come to carry on

Cause we're a long way from anywhere
But I can really feel it
We're a long way from any town
But I think we'll come around
I really feel alright
I really feel alright
Cause we're a long way from anywhere
Tonight

You should have come to me

Yeah man, just do it man, just tear it up
He's running with it, so go ahead, go ahead man

Smooth, little one
You like to throw your hand beneath and run
Move back to L.A. for some sun
Leave us to clean up this mess you done

You should have come to me when you told her about us
You should have come to me
You should have come to me when your love ran dry
You should have come to me

Choose your better friend, I can see then
At the expense of my rearend
Make me look real bad
And you just not so good
I dont know how you can keep on going like you do

You should have come to me when you told her about it
You should have come to me
You should have come to me when your love ran dry
You should have come to me

I see the way that you ran and hide
I see the way that you fooled her eyes
I see the way that you ran inside
You should have come to me
Come

It takes two to tango, and only one to tell
And I'm sure you made us seem
Like I was the one crawling back from hell
All the reason, to step you out of my life
I am gonna squeeze one last tune out of you
Before I take it back

You should have come to me when you told her about it
You should have come to me
God Damn babe
You should have come to me when you told her about it
You should have come to me
You should have come to me when your love ran dry
You should have come to me

(I believe I'll) Dust my broom

I believe
I believe I'll dust my broom
I believe
I believe I'll dust my broom
Girlfriend, you know the (black) man you've been lovin'
Girlfriend, can get my room

I'm gon' write a letter, telephone every town I know
I'm gon' write a letter, telephone every town I know
He's not in West Helena, she must be in Claremont now

I'm gettin' up in the mornin'
I believe I'll dust my broom
I believe
I believe I'll dust my broom
Girlfriend, the black man you've been lovin'
Girlfriend, can get my room

I believe
I believe
I believe
I believe

Yes, I'm gettin' up in the mornin'
I believe I'll dust my broom
I believe
I believe I'll dust my broom
Girlfriend, the black man you've been lovin'
Girlfriend, can get my room

Sweet home chicago

Oh, baby, don't you want to go?
Oh, baby, don't you want to go?
Back to the land of California, to my sweet home Chicago.
Oh, baby, don't you want to go?
Oh, baby, don't you want to go?
Back to the land of California, to my sweet home Chicago.
Now one and one is two, two and two is four.
I'm heavy loaded baby, I'm booked I got to go.
Cryin baby - honey don't you want to go?
Back to the land of California, to my sweet home Chicago.
Now two and two is four, four and two is six.
You goin keep on monkeying round here friend boy.
You goin get your business all in atrick, but I'm cryin.
Baby, honey, don't you want to go?
Back to the land of California, to my sweet home Chicago.
Now six and two is eight, eight and two is ten,
Friend boy she trick you one time, she sure goin do it again.
But I'm cryin, hey, hey, baby don't you want to go?
To the land of California, to my sweet home Chicago.
I'm goin to California, from there to Des Moines, Iowa.
Somebody will tell me that you need my help someday, cryin.
Hey, hey, baby, don't you want to go?
Back to the land of California, to my sweet home Chicago.

Pleasure and Pain

I'm leaving here on the morning train
And I will never see this world again
Oh, I've felt pleasure
And I've felt pain
And I know now
That I can never be the same

How I wonder why the world can be so cold
And if only good die young
Then left with me cruel here to grow old
Oh, I've felt pleasure
And I've felt pain
And I know now
I can never be the same

And if someday I find my peace of mind
I will share my wealth with all of human kind
Well I've felt pleasure
And I've felt pain
And I know now
That I can never be the same

So if the sun does shine or rain does fall
I give thanks I've had my sight to see through it all
Oh, I've felt pleasure
And I've felt pain
And I know now
I can never be the same

Whipping Boy

Well you can need me
Well I want you to
And you can feed me
How I like that too
But don't you lead me
I won't follow you
Listen here
I don't fear
I don't want to be your
Whipping boy

You can tease me
How I want you to
And you can squeeze me
Baby I like that too
But don't you lead me
I won't follow you
Listen here
I don't fear
I don't want to be your
Whipping boy

You can hold me
Baby I want you to
And you can scold me
Yes I like that too
But don't you lead me
I won't follow you
Listen here
I don't fear
I don't want to be your
Whipping boy

Well you can need me
Well I want you to
And you can feed me
Baby I like that too
But don't you lead me
I won't follow you
Listen here
I don't fear
I don't want to be your
Whipping boy

You don't believe that I love you
And even if that was true
Why just to keep our unhappy home
I'm gonna try to pretend that I do
But I'm breakin' down
I'm breakin' down
I'm breakin' down
I'm breakin' down
My baby she left me
said she ain't comin' back around
and I'm breakin' down
I'm breakin' down

And if I thought that it was okay
For a grown man to cry
I would have filled up the whole mighty ocean
When she said goodbye
and I'm breakin' down
I'm breakin' down
I'm breakin' down
I'm breakin' down
You know my baby she left me
said she ain't comin' back around
and I'm breakin' down
I'm breakin' down

One day you said everything was just right
I don't see how it changed overnight
One day you said everything was so strong
The next day you turn to me and say
It' s been wrong all along

Oh and now you won't even look at me
You pass me by in the street and you won't even speak
I never meant to cause you any harm
How could two people start so close
And end up so far
I'm breakin' down
I'm breakin' down
I'm breakin' down
I'm breakin' down

Don't Take That Attitude To Your Grave

You say what's mine is mine
And what's yours is mine too
Now you've got more than you can spend
But all of the money
In the whole wide world
Is not gonna help you in the end
Now while there's still time to be saved
Don't take that attitude to your grave
Might be too late for you I'm afraid
Don't take that attitude to your grave
Don't you take it there

I hear helicopters
Over my house every day
Shining their lights and flying low
Treat a child like a criminal
From the day that he is born
And you're gonna reap just what you sow
Now while there's still time to be saved
Don't take that attitude to your grave
Might be too late for you I'm afraid
Don't take that attitude to your grave
Don't you take it there

So you can move your court case
Way across town
You can move it across the whole wide globe
But it ain't gonna help your court case
Up in the sky
When you go to put on your white robe
Now while there's still time to be saved
Don't take that attitude to your grave
Might be too late for you I'm afraid
They don't want it there
Don't you take it there

And you dare the children
To stay off of drugs
Now I dare you to stop letting them in
And how dare you point your finger
At a gang out on the street
While it's you who is committing the sin
Now while there's still time to be saved
Don't take that attitude to your grave
Might be too late for you I'm afraid
Don't take that attitude to your grave
Don't you take it there
They don't want it there
You know your mother taught you better
Don't take that attitude to your grave

Waiting On An Angel

Waiting on an angel
One to carry me home
Hope you come to see me soon
Cause I don' t want to go alone
I don' t want to go alone

Now angel won' t you come by me
Angel hear my plea
Take my hand lift me up
So that I can fly with thee
So that I can fly with thee

And I'm waiting on an angel
And I know it won' t be long
To find myself a resting place
In my angel's arms
In my angel's arms

So speak kind to a stranger
Cause you'll never know
It just might be an angel come
Knockin' at your door
Knockin' at your door

And I'm waiting on an angel
And I know it won't be long
To find myself a resting place
In my angel's arms
In my angel's arms

Waiting on an angel
One to carry me home
Hope you come and see me soon
Cause I don' t want to go alone
I don't want to go alone
Don' t want to go
I don't want to go alone

Papa he left home today
Said he ain't comin' back again
Said he ain't gonna be nobody's second best
Just cause mama's got a special kind of friend

Papa he left home today
Said he ain't comin' back no more
Said he ain't gonna take no damn back seat
And how could mama do him so low

But mama's got a girlfriend now boy
Mama's got a girlfriend now
Mama's got a girlfriend
Mama's got a true friend
Mama's got a girlfriend now

You see mama don't watch your damn football
And your beer drinkin' just won't do
You're just stayin' out late
And you're preachin' the hate
And you never have been true

You see mama she want her somebody
Who will let her be herself
So she's leavin' you
And your stinky damn ways
Cause she's found somebody else

And mama's got a girlfriend now boy
Mama's got a girlfriend now
Mama's got a girlfriend
Mama's found a true friend
Mama's got a girlfriend now

Papa he left home today
He was wavin' his hands and cryin'
You could tell by the sound
And the tone in his voice
That his heart was slowly dyin'
But mama said "Boy if I ever
Catch you 'round here again
You ain't never gonna have nobody else
Not a woman or a man"

And mama's got a girlfriend now boy
Mama's got a girlfriend now
Mama's got a girlfriend
Mama found a true friend
Mama's got a girlfriend now
Mama's got a girlfriend now boy
Mama's got a girlfriend now
Mama's got a girlfriend
Mama's found a true friend
Mama's got a girlfriend now

Not talkin' 'bout a year
No not three or four
I don't want that kind of forever
In my life anymore
Forever always seems
to be around when it begins
but forever never seems
to be around when it ends
So give me your forever
Please your forever
Not a day less will do From you

People spend so much time
Every single day
Runnin' 'round all over town
Givin' their forever away
But no not me
I won't let my forever roam
and now I hope I can find
my forever a home
So give me your forever
Please your forever
Not a day less will do
From you

Like a handless clock with numbers
An infinite of time
No not the forever found
Only in the mind
Forever always seems
to be around when things begin
but forever never seems
to be around when things end
So give me your forever
Please your forever
Not a day less will do
From you

Like A King

Well Martin's dream
Has become Rodney's worst
Nightmare
Can't walk the streets
To them we are fair game
Our lives don't mean a thing
Like a king, like a king, like a king
Rodney King, Rodney King, Rodney King
Like a king, like a king, like a king
How I wish you could help us Dr. King
Make sure it's filmed
Shown on national T.V.
They'll have no mercy
A legal lynch mob
Like the days strung up from the tree
The L.A.P.D.
Like a king, like a king, like a king
Rodney King, Rodney King, Rodney King
Like a king, like a king, like a king
How I wish you could help us Dr. King
So if you catch yourself
Thinking it has changed for the best
You better second guess
Cause Martin's dream
Has become Rodney's worst
Nightmare
Like a king, like a king, like a king
Rodney King, Rodney King, Rodney King
Like a king, like a king, like a king
How I wish you could help us Dr. King

Pleasure And Pain

I'm leaving here on the morning train
And I will never see this world again
I've felt pleasure
And I have felt pain
And I know now
That I can never be the same

How I wonder why the world can be so cold
And if only good die young
Then left with me cruel here to grow old
And I felt pleasure
And I felt pain
And I know now
I can never be the same

And if someday I find my peace of mind
I will share my wealth with all of human kind
I've felt pleasure
And I have felt pain
And I know now
That I can never be the same

So if the sun does shine or rain does fall
I give thanks I've had my sight to see through it all
And I've felt pleasure
And I've felt pain
And I know now
That I can never be the same

Walk Away

Oh no
Here comes that sun again
That means another day
Without you my friend

And it hurts me
To look into the mirror at myself
And it hurts even more
To have to be with somebody else
And it's so hard to do
And so easy to say
But sometimes
Sometimes you just have to walk away
Walk away

With so many people
To love in my life
Why do I worry
About one

But you put the happy
In my ness
You put the good times
Into my fun
And it's so hard to do
And so easy to say
But sometimes
Sometimes you just have to walk away
Walk away
And head for the door

We've tried the goodbye
So many days
We walk in the same direction
So that we could never stray
They say if you love somebody
Than you have got to set them free
But I would rather be locked to you
Than live in this pain and misery

They say time will
Make all this go away
But it's time that has taken my tomorrows
And turned them into yesterdays
And once again that rising sun
Is droppin' on down
And once again you my friend
Are nowhere to be found
And it's so hard to do
And so easy to say
But sometimes
Sometimes you just have to walk away
Walk away
And head for the door
You just walk away
Walk away

How Many Miles Must We March

Exactly how much will have to burn
Before we will look to the past to learn
We walk along this endless path
Which has led us in a circle
So here we are right back
We can't let the future become our past
If we are to change the world
Won't you tell me
Tell me please
How many miles must we march
How many miles must we march

When I was a baby I was not prejudiced
Hey how about you
This was something
That I learned in school
Something they taught us to do
We can't let our future become our past
If we are to change the world
Won't you tell me
Tell me please
How many miles must we march
How many miles must we march

There must come a day
When a box is not somebody's home
The unfinished work of our heroes
Must truly be our own
We can't let the future become our past
If we are to change the world
Won't you tell me
Tell me please
How many miles must we march
How many miles must we march
How many miles must we march
How many miles must we march
How many miles must we march
How many miles must we march

I'll Rise

You may write me down in history
With your bitter twisted lies
You may trod me down in the very dirt
And still like the dust I'll rise
Does my happiness upset you
Why are you best with gloom
Cause I laugh like I've got an oil well
Pumpin' in my living room

So you may shoot me with your words
You may cut me with your eyes
And I'll rise
I'll rise
I'll rise
Out of the shacks of history's shame
Up from a past rooted in pain
I'll rise
I'll rise
I'll rise

Now did you want to see me broken
Bowed head and lowered eyes
Shoulders fallen down like tear drops
Weakened by my soulful cries

Does my confidence upset you
Don't you take it awful hard
Cause I walk like I've got a diamond mine
Breakin up in my front yard

So you may shoot me with your words
You may cut me with your eyes
And I'll rise
I'll rise
I'll rise
Out of the shacks of history's shame
Up from a past rooted in pain
I'll rise
I'll rise
I'll rise

So you may write me down in history
With your bitter twisted lies
You may trod me down in the very dirt
And still like the dust I'll rise

Does my happiness upset you
Why are you best with gloom
Cause I laugh like I've got a goldmine
Diggin' up in my living room

Now you may shoot me with your words
You may cut me with your eyes
And I'll rise
I'll rise
I'll rise
Out of the shacks of history's shame
Up from a past rooted in pain
I'll rise
I'll rise
I'll rise

Welcome To The Cruel World

Welcome to the cruel world
Hope you find your way
Welcome to the cruel world
Hope you find your way
It's a cruel world
Try to enjoy your stay

Yes it is a cruel world
When you're tryin' to get by
It's a cruel world
When you've seen the look in their eye
Makes life hard living
But I'm so scared to die

Welcome to the cruel world
Welcome
Welcome

Don't know how
We've lasted here so long
There must be more good than bad
Or we'd already be gone
And if you get up to heaven
Before I do
I'm gonna tell ya
It's gonna be cruel there too

You can't hide from this cruel world
Cause there is no place to run
You can't hide from the cruel world
There just is no place to run
It's been cruel from the beginning
It will be cruel when we're done

So when I'm gone
I will gladly say goodbye
When I am gone
I will gladly say goodbye
And if you want to feel me
Put your hands up to the sky

Welcome to the cruel world
Welcome
Welcome
Hope you find your way
Try to enjoy your stay

Oppression
You pray on us when we sleep
Oppression
You chase after the tired the poor the weak
Oppression
You know you mean only harm
Oppression
You reach out with your long arm

But oppression
I won't let you near me
Oppression
You shall learn to fear me

Oppression
You seek population control
Oppression
To divide and to conquer is your goal
Oppression
I swear that hatred is your home
Oppression
You just won't leave bad enough alone

But oppression
I won't let you near me
Oppression
You shall learn to fear me

Oppression
I don't see how you sleep
Oppression
For your bleeding conscience i weep
Oppression
You may have the dollar on your side
But oppression
From the gospel truth you cannot hide
And
Oppression
I won't let you near me
Oppression
You shall learn to fear me
Oppression
I won't let you near me
Oppression
You shall fear me

Ground on down

I believe in a few things
God the devil and love
Cause i've looked up from the bottom
And i've stared down from above

I have faith in a few things
Divinity and grace
But even when i'm on my knees
I know the devil prays

And you're working your way
From the ground on down

I hate to say i love you
Because it means that i
Will be with you forever
Or will sadly say goodbye

I love to say i hate you
Because it means that i
Will live my life happily without you
Or will sadly live a lie

And you're working your way
From the ground on down

Life is short
And if your lookin' for extension
With your time
You had best do well

Cause there's good deeds
And there is good intention
They're as far apart
As heaven and hell

And you're working your way
From the ground on down

Another lonely day

Yes indeed i'm alone again
And here comes emptiness crashing in
It's either love or hate
I can't find in between
Cause i've been with witches
And i have been with a queen

It wouldn't have worked out any way
So now it's just another lonely day
Further along we just may
But for now it's just another lonely day

Wish there was something
I could say or do
I can resist anything
But temptation from you
But i'd rather walk alone
Than chase you around
I'd rather fall myself
Than let you drag me down

It wouldn't have worked out any way
And now it's just another lonely day
Further along we just may
But for now it's just another lonely day

Yesterday seems like a life ago
Cause the one i love
Today i hardly know
You i held so close in my heart oh dear
Grow further from me
With every fallen tear

It wouldn't have worked out any way
So now it's just another lonely day
Further along we just may
But for now it's just another lonely day

Please me like you want to

Don't do me any favors
Matter of fact why don't you
Do yourself a few

Your presence ain't nobody's blessing
I've got plenty of other things
I could do

Oh no, not another excuse
Your tired silly games
For me are just no use

And now it's plain for me to see
You're with somebody
That you don't want to be

So won't you
Please please me like you want to
Not like you have to
Or won't you just go on and leave me
Leaving me is the least that you could do

You could have spared me
So much misery
And told me you just wanted
A friend

Believe me there is a difference
When you mean it
And when you pretend

Or was i just your habit
Cause i know a habit
Is a hard thing to break

But won't you spare me
A little mercy
There's only so much
That i can take

So won't you
Please please me like you want to
Not like you have to
Or won't you just go on and leave me
Leaving me is the least that you could do

Gold to me

You look like gold to me
And i'm not too blind to see
You look like gold

You make me wanna sing
With all the joy you bring
You look like gold

Like the rays down from the sun
When a new day has just begun
You look like gold

I've been fooled before
But now i know
I've made the mistake in the past
But now i know the difference
From gold and brass

Not the kind of gold you wear
But the kind that can feel my care
You look like gold

Some shine when the day is new
But fade when the day is through
But you look like gold

I've been wrong before
But now i know
I've made mistakes in the past
But now i know the difference
From gold and brass

You look like gold to me
And i'm down on bending knees
You look like gold
And i just want you to know
To me you mean so much more
Than all the gold
You look like gold

Excuse me Mr.

Excuse me Mr.
Do you have the time
Or are you so important
That it stands still for you

Excuse me Mr.
Lend me your ear
Or are you not only blind
But do you not hear

Excuse me Mr.
Isn't that your oil in the sea
And the pollution in the air mr.
Whose could that be

Excuse me Mr.
But i'm a mister too
And you're givin' mr. A bad name
Mr. Like you

So i'm taking the mr.
From out in front of your name
Cause it's a Mr. Like you
That puts the rest of us to shame
It's a Mr. Like you
That puts the rest of us to shame

And i've seen enough to know
That i've seen too much

Excuse me Mr.
Can't you see the children dying
You say that you can't help them
Mr. You're not even trying

Excuse me Mr.
Take a look around
Mr. Just look up
And you will see it's comin' down

Excuse me Mr.
But i'm a mister too
And you're givin' Mr. A bad name
Mr. Like you

So i'm taking the mr.
From out in front of your name
Cause it's a Mr. Like you
That puts the rest of us to shame
It's a Mr. Like you
That puts the rest of us to shame

And i've seen enough to know
That i've seen too much

So Mr. When you're rattling
On heaven's gate
Let me tell you mr.
By then it is too late

Cause Mr. When you get there
They don't ask how much you saved
All they'll want to know, Mr.
Is what you gave

Excuse me Mr.
But i'm a mister too
And you're givin' Mr. A bad name
Mr. Like you

So i'm taking the Mr.
From out in front of your name
Cause it's a Mr. Like you
That puts the rest of us to shame
It's a Mr. Like you
That puts the rest of us to shame

People lead

When the people lead
The leaders they will have to follow
And all their lies and their alibies
They will have to swallow
And it's you that has the authority
For the one who is right
Is the majority

When the people lead
People take the lead
Children you've got to take your lead
Or you shall be led astray

So as long as someone else
Controls your history
The truth shall remain just a mystery
For you can lead a horse to the water
But you cannot make him drink
You can put a man through school
But you cannot make him think

When the people lead
People take the lead
Children you've got to take your lead
Or you shall be led astray

Watch them try to hide
This world's imposition
But like disease that has come round from remission
When it seems
As if it has left your person
All the while it has only worsened

When the people lead
People take the lead
Children you've got to take your lead
Or you shall be led astray

Burn one down

Let us burn one
From end to end
And pass it over
To me my friend
Burn it long, we'll burn it slow
To light me up before i go

If you don't like my fire
Then don't come around
Cause i'm gonna burn one down
Yes i'm gonna burn one down

My choice is what i choose to do
And if i'm causing no harm
It shouldn't bother you
Your choice is who you choose to be
And if your causin' no harm
Then you're alright with me

If you don't like my fire
Then don't come around
Cause i'm gonna burn one down
Yes i'm gonna burn one down

Herb the gift from the earth
And what's from the earth
Is of the greatest worth
So before you knock it try it first
You'll see it's a blessing
And not a curse

If you don't like my fire
Then don't come around
Cause i'm gonna burn one down
Yes i'm gonna burn one down

Fight for your mind

If you're gonna live
Then live it up
And if you're gonna give
Then give it up
If you're gonna walk the earth
Then walk it proud
And if you're gonna say the word
You got to say it loud

You got to fight for your mind
You got to fight for your mind
While you got the time
You got to fight for your mind

If you're gonna build a house
Make it a home
If you're gonna pull some weight
Pull your own
If you're gonna help
Reach out your hand
If you're getting up
Then take a stand

You got to fight for your mind
You got to fight for your mind
While you got the time
You got to fight for your mind

If you're gonna step
Step on in
If you're gonna finish
You got to begin
Don't you fear
What you don't know
Just let that be
Your room to grow

You got to fight for your mind
You got to fight for your mind
While you got the time
You got to fight for your mind

Give a man a home

Have you ever lost your way
Have you ever feared another day
Have you ever misplaced your mind
Watching this world leave you behind

Won't you
Won't you give
Won't you give a man
Give a man a home

Have you ever worn thin
Have you ever never known where to begin
Have you ever lost your belief
Watching your faith turn to grief

Won't you
Won't you give
Won't you give a man
Give a man a home

In a world that is unwhole
You have got to fight to keep your soul
Some would rather give than receive
Some would rather give up before they believe

Won't you
Won't you give
Won't you give a man
Give a man a home

By my side

Don't you get ahead of me
And i won't leave you behind
If you get unhappy
Show me a sign

There's no love like lost love
No pain like a broken heart
There's no love like you and me
And no loss like us apart

Promises promise is
Only a word
And when softly spoken
Is never heard

And a heart
Is not a stone
And is fragile
When alone

By my side
By my side
Won't you be by my side
By my side
By my side
Won't you be by my side

My care for you
Is from the ground up to the sky
It's over under up above
Down below and to the side

No use in pretending
No use in saving face
My love is never ending
You are my saving grace

By my side
By my side
Won't you be by my side
By my side
By my side
Won't you be by my side

Power of the gospel

It will make a weak man mighty
It will make a mighty man fall
It will fill your heart and hands
Or leave you with nothing at all
It's the eyes for the blind
And legs for the lame
It is love for hate
And pride for shame

That's the power of the gospel
That's the power of the gospel
That's the power of the mighty power
That's the power of the gospel

Gospel on the water
Gospel on the land
The gospel in every woman
The gospel in every man
Gospel in the garden
Gospel in the trees
The gospel that's inside of you
The gospel inside of me

That's the power of the gospel
That's the power of the gospel
That's the power of the mighty power
That's the power of the gospel

In the hour of richness
In the hour of need
For all of creation
Comes from the gospel seed
Now you may leave tomorrow
And you may leave today
But you've got to have the gospel
When you start out on your way

That's the power of the gospel
That's the power of the gospel
That's the power of the mighty power
That's the power of the gospel

God fearing man

Listen mister brother sister
Family and friend
I fear with each day pass
Our time grows closer to the end

Listen stranger passer by
And those i never knew
There's not one day that you are living
Has been promised to you

I am a god fearing man
I'm a god fearing man
I reach out for my god's hand
I'm a god fearing man

Listen mother sister brother
Relatives and kin
You want to know just where you're going
You got to know where you've been

Tell me what gives one the right
To say their god is better than anybody else
Don't we all have a right
To find god for our self

I am a god fearing man
I'm a god fearing man
I reach up for my god's hand
I'm a god fearing man

When i rise with the morning sun
I give thanks to my god
For the gift of another one

And when my day is over
And complete
I reach to my god
To put me back on my feet

I am a god fearing man
I'm a god fearing man
I reach up for my god's hand
I'm a god fearing man

One road to freedom

Tell me which road are you travelling
Which road are you travelling on
Tell me who will you turn to
When the light has gone
I hear somebody calling
I hear somebody calling to me
With so many roads to travel
There's just one can set you free

There's just one road
One road to freedom
There's just one road
One road to freedom
Just one

In my life i have been blessed
In my life i have been cursed
I have lived the best of times
I have suffered the worst
Do you know which road you're travelling
Do you know where you want to be
With so many roads to travel
There's just one can set you free

There's just one road
One road to freedom
There's just one road
One road to freedom
There's just one road
One road to freedom
Just one

You so easily amuse
Like a pantomime
Such a silent crime

You so easily abuse
Lack of confidence
It's your best offense

You so easily confuse
You can't deny it
Still you try to hide it

Faded
So faded
Like a memory gone
There's no recollection
Faded
So faded
Like a forgotten dream
Further than it seems

You so hastily defy
When you think you need it
You find a way to bleed it

You so hastily deny
Pleading innocence
It's your best defense

You so hastily reply
The moment that you said it
Already regret it

Faded
So faded
Like a memory gone
There's no recollection
Faded
So faded
Like a forgotten dream
Further than it seems

Homeless child

Nowhere here
To call my home
No one near
To call my own
All that's left
Is for me to roam
Somebody please
Help me hang on

Homeless child
Homeless child
What is left
For the homeless child

There is no night
And there is no day
It is all
One shade of gray
Some will pass
And some will stay
Is this the end
Or just one more day

Homeless child
Homeless child
What is left
For the homeless child

Sure not much
But it's my best
I just need
Some place to rest
If you could just
Let me be your guest
I won't burden you
For very long

Homeless child
Homeless child
What is left
For the homeless child

Roses from my friends

I could have treated you better
But you couldn't have treated me worse
But it's he who laughs last
Is he who cries first

Sometimes i feel i know strangers
Better than i know my friends
Why must a beginning
Be the means to an end

The stones from my enemies
These wounds will mend
But i cannot survive
The roses from my friends

When the last word has been spoken
And we've beared witness to the final setting sun
All that shall remain is a token
Of what we've said and done

When all we've had has been forsaken
Distant church bells no longer ring
That's the sound of a heart taken
And the story of tears from a king

The stones from my enemies
These wounds will mend
But i cannot survive
The roses from my friends

This may be the last time i see you
Forgive me for holding you close
This may be the last time that i see you
So of this moment i will make the most

This may be the last time i see you
But if you keep me in your heart
Together we shall be eternal
If you believe
We shall never part

The stones from my enemies
These wounds will mend
But i cannot survive
The roses from my friends

Jah work

Tell me do you really know
Your brother man
Cause a heart speaks louder
Than a color can
And why would you even
Shake a man's hand
If you're not going
To help him stand

Jah work
Jah work
Jah work is never done

Every man's actions
Belong to he
If prepared for thereafter
To each his destiny
Some people believe
And some people know
Some people deceive
And some people show

Jah work
Jah work
Jah work is never done

You must do the heaviest
So many shall do none
You have got to stand firm
So many shall run
Some they rest their head at night
Some get no sleep at all
If you listen close to what you see
You will hear the call

I want to be ready

How i am strong
Is to know what makes me weak
How i am found
Is to know just whom i seek
The gift of a blessing
The burden of a sin
Turn to him

I want to be ready
Ready to put on
My long white robe

Nailed across
From hand to hand
For the sin
Of woman and man
All upon his earth
Is all within his plan
And i know this shall be
My journey home

I want to be ready
Ready to put on
My long white robe

Covet no silver
Covet no gold
Reach your empty
Hands for him to hold
Up in his kingdom
Glory shall be proclaimed
Sing the song
And praise his name

The will to live

I met a girl whose heart
Was on the right hand side
And upon the left
An angel did reside
They told her mother
That she never would survive
But she kept the rhythm
And is still alive

We must all have
The will to live
You got to have
The will to live

Then i met a man
Who had to walk with his hands
Born into a world
He couldn't stand
Blessed with life
But cursed as a man
Still he walks taller
Than most of us can

We must all have
The will to live
You got to have
The will to live

Some are born with more
And some born with less
So don't take for granted
The life we've been blessed
It's hard to understand
That we're only a guest
And each one of us
Shall be put to life's test

We must all have
The will to live
You got to have
The will to live

Ashes

Ashes to ashes
And dust to dust
That's what has become
Of our love and trust

Love has no direction
Cause love has no aim
Love can leave you
As fast as she came

Meeting is such sweet sorrow
Cause someday we may have to part
Hush don't you make a sound
You're gonna let me down

Good things come
To those who wait
But good things are gone
From those who are late

All that i am
Is all i can give
But with or without you
My life i must live

Meeting is such sweet sorrow
Cause someday we may have to part
Hush don't you make a sound
You're gonna let me down

Living ain't easy
Since you've been gone
No one else can please me
Or make me feel home

Forgetting ain't easy
You stay on my mind
Thoughts of us haunt me
Can't leave them behind

Widow of a living man

Mama why does he treat me so cold
Why do i feel so old
How long has he treated me unkind
Or have i always been so blind

I'm the widow of a living man

Why can't the times stay the same
Now i am begging him to change
What about all the plans we made
Now i am so afraid

I'm the widow of a living man

Why does he hurt me so
I'm gonna need someplace to go
He's no longer some kind woman's son
Mama i think that i had better run

I'm the widow of a living man

Glory & consequence

I'm more afraid of living
Than i am scared to die
I'm more afraid of falling
Than i am of flying high

Every moral has a story
Every story has an end
Every battle has its glory
And its consequence

I'm more afraid of loving
Than i am of being scorned
But i will keep on trying
Though i have been forewarned

Every moral has a story
Every story has an end
Every battle has its glory
And its consequence

I would rather me be lonely
And you have someone to hold
I'm not as scared of dying
As i am of growing old.

Every moral has a story
Every story has an end
Every battle has its glory
And its consequence

Mama's trippin'

Can you tell me why
You're so uptight
Out of your head
And ain't talkin' right

Can you tell me why
Your mind ain't straight
Out of touch
And can't relate

Mama's trippin'
Daddy's slippin'

Everybody's talkin' 'bout
Keepin' it together
But i see people splittin'
When there's inclement weather

What you want is what i want
So why can't we agree
If i could be inside of you
Maybe i could see why

Mama's trippin'
Daddy's slippin'

You and i ain't spoken
Ain't spoken for a week
Soon there won't be nothin'
Nothin' left to speak

Things ain't the same
Since you've gone insane
Let's take some time
And ease the strain

Mama's trippin'
Daddy's slippin'

I shall not walk alone

Battered and torn
Still i can see the light
Tattered and worn
But i must kneel to fight

Friend of mine
What can't you spare
I know some times
It gets cold in there

When my legs no longer carry
And the warm wind chills my bones
I reach for mother mary
And i shall not walk alone

Hope is alive
While we're apart
Only tears
Speak from my heart
Break the chains
That hold us down
And we shall be
Forever bound

When i'm tired and weary
And a long way from home
I reach for mother mary
And i shall not walk alone

Beauty that
We left behind
How shall we
Tomorrow find

Set aside
Our weight in sin
So that we
Can live again

When my legs no longer carry
And the warm wind chills my bones
I reach for mother mary
And i shall not walk alone

This empty room it fills my mind
Freedom it leaves me confined
Every single bone has cracked
But in this life you can't turn back

I don't want to live
I don't want to live alone
Alone
Alone
Alone

As these words part with my tongue
I question why they're even sung
I promise but I lie
I don't even know myself inside

I don't want to be
I don't want to be here alone
Alone
Alone
Alone

Today and tomorrow have become one
Every single thing has become none
Human nature is a beast
What I've done the most to show I have the least

Please don't leave me here
Please don't leave me here
Don't you leave me alone
Alone
Alone
Alone

The Woman In You

Could've sworn I heard you say amen this morning
Showing some kind of sign that you believe
Did it fall from your tongue without warning
Or just another trick to fall from your sleeve
Did I hear you say that you believe in angels
I guess I bring the devil out in you
But we can both remove our halos
'Cause even an angel needs love too
Even angels needs love too

The woman in you is the worry, the worry in me
The woman in you is the worry, the worry in me

Some things never change
Some things never stay the same
But you're so innocent
I'll take all the blame
How I hate to remember
For that means the day is past
Sometimes I wonder if I know her
Or if I really need to ask
Or if I really need to ask

The woman in you is the worry, the worry in me
The woman in you is the worry, the worry in me
The woman in you is the worry, the worry in me
Woman, woman, woman, woman
Woman, woman, woman

Half a man walks with no shadow
Of life he utters his distaste
No apology is expected
Love carved sorry in his face
Love carved sorry in his face

The woman in you is the worry, the worry in me
The woman in you is the worry, the worry in me
The woman in you, in you, is the worry in me
Woman, woman, woman, woman
Woman, woman, woman, woman
Woman, woman

Less

I could give you more
But you still wouldn't be happy
I could give all you need
But you still wouldn't be satisfied
I could give till I were poor
Now what good would that be
You'd shake hands with Jesus
A nd you still would not believe

If you're happy with nothing
You'll be so very happy with me
The less you expect
The more you'll be pleased
The more you'll be pleased

I could change your mind
But what would you really be thinking
I'd show you a sign
But you'd just pass it on by
I could hold your hand
But then we'd both be sinking
The problem with the world
Is everyone's not just like you

If you're happy with nothing
You'll be so very happy with me
The less you expect
T he more you'll be pleased
The more you'll be pleased

If you're happy with nothing
You'll be so very happy with me
If you're happy with nothing
You'll be so very happy with me
If you're happy with nothing
You'll be so very happy with me
If you're happy with nothing
You'll be so very happy with me
If you're happy with nothing
You'll be so very happy with me
If you're happy with nothing
You'll be so very happy with me

So happy with nothing
So happy with me

Two Hands Of A Prayer

First time that I saw her she had white doves in her eyes
She spoke to me but I could not reply, not reply
She was a stranger I had known for years
She brought to me so many smiles and tears
Smiles and tears

The two hands of a prayer
Together like the two hands of a prayer
Together like the two hands of a prayer
Together like the two hands of a prayer

Time it slowly drifts into the past, into the past
And finds a home where all echoes rest, echoes rest
She softly kissed my mind, my mind
And whispered what will we do with time, do with time

The two hands of a prayer
Together like the two hands of a prayer
Together like the two hands of a prayer
Together like the two hands of a prayer

Am I the man I choose, choose to be, choose to be
Or just the man I used to be, used to be
Am I the man I want, want to be, I want to be
This question it keeps haunting me, haunting me

The two hands of a prayer
Together like the two hands of a prayer
Together like the two hands of a prayer
Together like the two hands of a prayer
A prayer

Please Bleed

Make me feel like a beggar
Make me feel like a thief
Make me feel like a battle that cannot end in peace
Make me feel like running as if I've lost my nerve
Make me feel like crying tears I don't deserve

Please bleed
So I know that you are real
So I know that you can feel
The damage that you've done
Oh - who have I become
To myself I am numb
I am numb
I am numb

Is this really living
Sometimes it's hard to tell
Or is this just a kinder, gentler hell
Turn out the lights and let me stare into your soul
I was born and bled for you to hold

Please bleed
So I know that you are real
So I know that you can feel
The damage that you've done
Oh - who have I become
To myself I am numb
I am numb
I am numb

Never said thank you
Never said please
Never gave a reason to believe
So as it stands i remain on my knees
Good lovers make great enemies

Please bleed
So I know that you are real
So I know that you can feel
The damage that you've done
Oh - who have I become
To myself I am numb
I am numb
I am numb

Please bleed
So I know that you are real
So I know that you can feel
The damage that you've done
Oh - who have I become
To myself I am numb
I am numb
I am numb

Suzie Blue

Won't you sing me the blues
Won't you sing me the blues
Sing me something my heart can use
Misery loves a symphony

Does your face, your pretty face get lost in a crowd
And you say no one's there to hear you cry out loud
What will you do, Suzie Blue

Where'd you learn to do that so well
Where'd you learn to do that so well
I guess that would be like kiss and tell
If it's a secret, why did you show me

But you're far away from the love you used to hold
Don't sit and watch yourself grow old
The day is new, Suzie Blue
The day is new, Suzie Blue

Real life has let you down
Real life has let you down
Someone stripped the jewels from your crown
Everybody owes somebody something

Kisses from heaven in your arms
And we'll make love to the memories
They will always see us through, Suzie Blue
The day is new, Suzie Blue
The day is new, Suzie Blue

Steal My Kisses

I pulled into Nashville, Tennessee
But you wouldn't even come around to see me
And since you're headin' up to Carolina
You know I'm gonna be right there behind ya
'Cause I always have to steal my kisses from you
Always have to steal my kisses from you
Always have to steal my kisses from you
Always have to steal my kisses from you

Now I love to feel that warm southern rain
Just to hear it fall is the sweetest sounding thing
And to see it fall on your simple country dress
It's like heaven to me I must confess
'Cause I always have to steal my kisses from you
Always have to steal my kisses from you
Always have to steal my kisses from you
Always have to steal my kisses from you

Now I've been hangin' around you for days
But when I lean in you just turn your head away
Oh - No you didn't mean that
She said I love the way you think but I hate the way you act
'Cause I always have to steal my kisses from you
Always have to steal my kisses from you
Always have to steal my kisses from you
Always have to steal my kisses from you
Always have to steal my kisses from you
Always have to steal my kisses from you
Always have to steal my kisses from you
Always have to steal my kisses from you

Burn To Shine

We made love until we cried and cried ourselves to laughter
Laughed until we realized our hearts were struck were fear
How in just a moment's time could one see for ever after
I gently lie beside of you and dream away my tears

Won't you let me treat you kind
We're gonna burn to shine
Won't you let me treat you kind
We're gonna burn to shine

Funny things you learn from your mama like the way to throw your head back when you're swallowing pills
Funny things you learn from your papa like when you're talking you just can't keep your hands still
But that was now and this is then it never lasts for long
How I miss the good old days but I'm so glad they're gone

Won't you let me treat you kind
We're gonna burn to shine
Won't you let me treat you kind
We're gonna burn to shine

I'd like to spend the time that you would like
to spend with me
So that you can help me out with my dependency
'Cause I'm hopelessly addicted to your sorrow
Makes me never want to work, only beg and borrow

Won't you let me treat you kind
We're gonna burn to shine
Won't you let me treat you kind
We're gonna burn to shine
Won't you let me treat you kind
We're gonna burn to shine
Won't you let me treat you kind
We're gonna burn to shine

Show Me A Little Shame

You
You've been looking at me just a little too long
Now I can never look the same
Blindness and kindness
There's no difference in the two
When I can no longer see the good in you

So won't you show me a little shame
Won't you show me a little shame

Now 'cause I'm, I'm a gentleman
Before gentlewomen
So-called ladies they keep breakin' my heart
Showed me your house
Showed me your home
Showed me how it could all fall, all fall

Now won't you show me a little shame
Won't you show me a little shame
Won't you show me a little shame

'Cause now I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through crying and I sat up and before I wept
I get through thinking and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speaking and I can't remember not a word that I said
You change your mind so many times, I wonder if you have a mind at all
And I rather be by myself than to have your lonesome company come to call

Now won't you show me a little shame
Won't you show me a little shame
Won't you show me a little shame
Won't you show me a little shame

Forgiven

I will wait like nothing
I have ever waited for
I will catch your tears from falling
Until from my hands they pour
You can leave me here abandoned
I'll be here if you walk back in
Like the rest I have been branded
Far beneath the skin
So far beneath the skin

You shall be
You shall be
You shall be forgiven
You shall be
You shall be
You shall be forgiven

Here I have been standing
But the time has come and gone
I try singing to you
But you turn my words to stone
Here I have been waiting
It seems for quite a while
Changed are my reflections
But inside still just a child
But inside still just a child

You shall be
You shall be
You shall be forgiven
You shall be
You shall be
You shall be forgiven

These eyes weren't made for crying
This love wasn't made to waste
These arms were made for battle
But to share in your embrace
But to share in your embrace

You shall be
You shall be
You shall be forgiven
You shall be
You shall be
You shall be forgiven
You shall be
You shall be
You shall be forgiven
You shall be
You shall be
You... forgiven

Beloved One

We have both been here before
Knocking upon love's door
Begging for someone to let us in
Knowing this we can agree
To keep each other company
Never to go down that road again

My beloved one
My beloved one

Your eyes shine through me
You are so divine to me
Your heart has a home in mine
We won't have to say a word
With a touch all shall be heard
When I search my heart it's you I find

My beloved one
My beloved one
My beloved one

You were meant for me
I believe you were sent to me
From a dream straight into my arms
Hold your body close to me
You mean the most to me
We will keep each other safe from harm

My beloved one
My beloved one
My beloved one
My beloved one

In The Lord's Arms

Like the wings stolen from an angel
Like petals gone from a rose
Like a dove caught in a storm
Tonight he is in the Lord's Arms

The wind it blew straight through us
And whispered to me in tongues
I was told I was warned
Tonight he would be in the Lord's Arms
Tonight he is in the Lord's Arms

So I drink this wine to him
With each glass a memory
He left me with his crown of thorns
Tonight he is in the Lord's arms
Tonight he is in the Lord's arms
Tonight he is in the Lord's arms

Oh- baby now let's get down tonight.
Baby, I'm hot just like your oven.
Oh- I need your lovin'
Well baby, I can't hold it much longer
'cause it's getting stronger and stronger
And when I get that feeling
I got a sexual healing, sexual healing
And makes me feel so fine
And helps to release the mind
Sexual healing, is good for me
Sexual healing is something that's good for me

Whenever these blue teardrops are falling
And my emotional stability is leaving me
There is something I can do
Oh- I can get on the telephone and call you up baby
Darling, I know you'll be there to relieve me
The love you give to me will free me
And If you don't know the things you're dealing
Oh- I can tell you darling, that it's sexual healing
Get up, Get up, Get up, Get up
Let's make love tonight
Wake up, Wake up, Wake up
'Cause you do it right

Heal me, my darling
Heal me, my darling
Heal me, my darling
Heal me, my darling

Baby, I got sick this morning
A sea was storming up inside of me
Baby, I think I'm capsizing
Oh- the waves are rising
And when I get that feeling
I got a sexual healing
Sexual healing
And makes me feel so fine, it's such a rush
And helps to release the mind, Oh- it's good for us
Sexual healing, is good for me
Sexual healing is something that's good for me

And it's good for me and it's good to me
My baby, woohhh
Just grab a hold and take control
Of my body and mind soon we'll be making love
Honey, oh- -- fine
You're my medicine open up and let me in
Darling, you're so great
I can't wait for you to operate

Ohh

Heal me, my darling
Heal me, my darling
Heal...
I can't wait for you to operate
Heal me, my darling
I can't wait for you to operate
My darling
Please--
Heal me, my darling
Heal me, my darling
I need you to
Heal me, my darling
I need you to
Heal me, my darling
Oh- won't you please
Heal me, my darling-
Oh- won't you just
Heal me, my darling

You need coolin' baby, I'm not foolin'
I'm gonna say it, yeh! Go back to schoolin'
Way down inside honey, you need it

I'm gonna give you my love
I'm gonna give you my love
Wanna Whole Lotta Love?
Wanna Whole Lotta Love?
Wanna Whole Lotta Love?

You've been learnin' baby, I mean learnin'
All them good times I've been yearnin'
Way, way down inside honey, you need it

I'm gonna give you my love,
I'm gonna give you my love.
Wanna Whole Lotta Love?
Wanna Whole Lotta Love?
Wanna Whole Lotta Love?
Wanna Whole Lotta Love?

Now, you've been coolin', baby, I've been droolin'
All the good times I've been misusin'
Way, way down inside, baby, you need it
I'm gonna give you my love
Gonna give you my love
Wanna Whole Lotta Love?
Wanna Whole Lotta Love?
Wanna Whole Lotta Love?
Wanna Whole Lotta Love?

Way, way down inside, woman
Way down inside, woman
Gonna give you my love
Gonna give you my love

( Richard Ashcroft Cover / The Verve (Urban Hymns, 1997)

All this talk of getting old
It's getting me down my love
Like a cat in a bag waiting to drown
This time I'm comin' down
And I know you're thinking of me
As you lay down on your side

Now the drugs don't work
They just make you worse
But I know I'll see your face again
Now the drugs don't work
They just make you worse
But I know I'll see your face again

But I know I'm on a losing streak
'Cause I passed down by old street
And if you wanna show, just let me know
And I'll sing in your ear again

Now the drugs don't work
They just make you worse
But I know I'll see your face again

So baby, Woh- if heaven calls, I'm coming too
Just like you said you leave my life, I'm better off dead

All this talk of getting old
It's getting me down my love
Like a cat in a bag, waiting to drown
This time I'm comin' down

The drugs don't work
They just make you worse
But I know I'll see your face again

So baby, Woh- if heaven calls, I'm coming too
And like you said, you leave my life, I'm better off dead

But if you wanna show, just let me know
And now I'll sing in your ear again

Now the drugs don't work
They just make you worse
But now I know I'll see your face again
Yeah- I know I'll see your face again
Yeah- I know I'll see your face again
Oh- now
Yeah, I know I'll see your face again
Never coming down, Never coming down
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more, no more
Never coming down, never coming down
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more
Oh- now
Yeah, I know I'll see your face again

There is not a river wide
Not a mountain high
And neither sin nor evil
Could change how I feel inside
Could change how I feel inside

Not all the strength of the ocean
Not all the heat from the sun, from the sun
Now, others have tried, I just can't deny
For me you are the one
For me you are the one

The true love is priceless
For true love you pay a price
But there's nothing can keep me from loving you
Not fire, no not ice
Not fire, no not ice

Like a hero or a champion
You are the best, you're the best
Like religion or superstition
With you I am blessed
With you I am blessed

Now the river may grow wider
The mountain may reach past the sky
And wether or not you feel the same
My love shall never die
My love shall never die

The true love you give and take
The true love is sacrifice
But there's nothing can keep me from loving you
Not fire, no not ice
Not fire, no not ice
Not fire, no not ice

I can change the world
With my own two hands
Make a better place
With my own two hands
Make a kinder place
Oh- with my
Oh- with my own two hands
With my own
With my own two hands
With my own
With my own two hands

I can make peace on earth
With my own two hands
I can clean up the earth
Oh- with my own two hands
I can reach out to you
Oh- with my own two hands
With my own
With my own two hands
Oh- with my own
Oh- with my own two hands

I'm gonna make it a brighter place
With my own
I'm gonna make it a safer place
With my own
I'm gonna help the human race
With my own
With my own two hands

Now I can hold you
With my own two hands
And I can comfort you
With my own two hands
But you got to use
Use your own two hands
Use your own
Use your own two hands

Use your own two hands
And with our own
With our own two hands
With our
With our
With our own two hands
Oh- with my own
With my own two hands

I'm gonna make it a brighter place
With my own
I'm gonna make it a safer place
With my own
I'm gonna help the human race
With my own
Gonna make it a brighter place
With my own
I can hold you
With my own
And I can comfort you
With my own
But you got
You got
You got
You got
You got
You got
You got
You got to use
Oh- use your own
Oh- use your own
Lord

But you got
You got
You got
You got
You got to use
Use - use your own
Use your own
Use your own
Use your own
Use your own
Use your own
Use your own
Use your own
Use your own
Use your own
Use your own

When It's Good

You're a prison I can't escape
You're a decision I never make
Heard me laughing
You heard me weep and moan

When it's good, it's so, so good
When it's gone, it's gone

They say time will kill the pain
I say pain is gonna kill my time
Lord won't you save me
Or leave me alone

Cause when it's good, it's so, so good
When it's gone, it's gone
Oh- gone

I hang your picture right above my mind
Don't do anything you can't deny
I could never be your pawn

Oh- cause when it's good, it's so, so good
When it's gone, it's gone

Some drink to remember
Some to forget
Some for satisfaction
Some to regret
I hope a brighter day to you I've shown

Oh- cause when it's good, it's so, so good
And when it's gone, it's gone
When it's gone, it's gone
When it's gone, it's gone
When it's gone, Oh it's gone

Diamonds On The Inside

I knew a girl
Her name was truth
She was a horrible liar
She couldn't spend one day alone
But she couldn't be satisfied
When you have everything
You have everything to lose
She made herself a bed of nails
And she's planning on putting it to use

She had diamonds on the inside
She had diamonds on the inside
She had diamonds on the inside
Diamonds

A candle throws its light into the darkness
In a nasty world so shines a good deed
Make sure the fortune that you seek
Is the fortune that you need
Tell me why the first to ask
Is the last to give every time
What you say and do not mean
Follows you close behind

She had diamonds on the inside
She had diamonds on the inside
She wore diamonds on the inside
Diamonds
Diamonds

Like the soldier long standing under fire
Any change comes as a relief
Let the giver's name remain unspoken
She is just a generous thief

She had diamonds on the inside
She had diamonds on the inside
She wore diamonds on the inside
She wore diamonds
Oh- diamonds
She had diamonds
She wore diamonds
Diamonds

Touch From Your Lust

I need to sleep but I'm too tired
I need to come down but I'm too wired
When the sun comes up I miss the moon
Cause I know tomorrow is gonna come too soon
Is gonna come too soon

She only wants to be wanted
But time crumbles blue roses to dust
Now I long to feel the touch from your lust

Scars on your back tell where you've been
But I'll roll like the ocean if you'll blow like the wind
Sweet Texas angel what have your blue eyes seen
I'll be your country gentleman
If you will be my Mason-Dixon Queen
Queen

She only wants to be wanted
But time crumbles blue roses to dust
Now I long to feel the touch from your lust

So much sweeter than all the rest
You're what lies between pain and death
Sinners and saints call you by name
If you're gonna take the praise
You're gonna have to learn to take the blame

She only wants to be wanted
But time crumbles blue roses to dust
Now I long to feel the touch from your
She only wants to be wanted
Time crumbles blue roses to dust
Now I long to feel the touch from your lust

When She Believes

The good Lord is such a good Lord
With such a good mother too
They have blessed me
They have blessed me
In the good graces of you
Now I
I have heard a hundred violins crying
And I
I have seen a hundred white doves flying

But nothing is as beautiful
As when she believes
When she believes
When she believes
When she believes
When she believes
When she believes
In me
Oh- in me
Mmhh

How good it must feel
To be so young, young and free
And a song that pleases a Queen
Will always please me
Now I
I have heard the wisest of wisdom
And I
I have dined in palaces and kingdoms

But nothing is as beautiful
As when she believes
When she believes
When she believes
When she believes
When she believes
When she believes
In me
Oh- in me
Mmhh - Oh - no no no

Now, all of life
Is just passing the time
Until once again
Your eyes look into mine
Now I
I have been adored by a stranger
And I
I have heard the whispering angel

But nothing is as beautiful
As when she believes
When she believes
When she believes
When she believes
When she believes
When she believes
In me
Oh - la la la

Brown Eyed Blues

I say if I knew being here with you today
Would mean being alone tomorrow
I would gladly trade all of my tomorrows away
For a moment with you

Brown eyed blues
You can find yourself another fool
I say yeah, yeah, yeah

Can you look
Can you look into my eyes
Or has your heart
Said, has your heart gone blind
Can you look
Can you look into your own and find the safe place to hide

Brown eyed blues
You can find yourself another fool
I say yeah, yeah, yeah

Why, why be with a stranger
When you could be with your friend
If you're ever lonely you know I'm lonely too
And I'll stay lonely until I'm again with you
With you

I say Brown eyed blues
Can find yourself another fool
I say yeah, yeah, yeah
I say Brown eyed blues
Oh- no
I say Brown eyed blues

Bring The Funk

When it's on the one you know the funk's begun
When you are down and out there is no doubt
You need the funk
Just bring the funk
Bring the funk
Bring the funk

Now what's the problem everybody's got them
Just get the hole out of your soul
And bring the funk
Bring me the funk
Bring the funk

If you got a glass closet don't you throw no bones
There's only getting until the getting's gone

So pass me the funk
Pass the funk
Got to have my funk
Got to have my funk
Oh- I need my funk
Need my funk
Got to have my funk
Got to have my funk
Some are jiving
Some are shuck
Some are just down on their luck
They just need the funk
Need the funk
They got to have the funk
Got to have the funk
Just bring 'em some funk
Bring the funk
Just bring the funk
Just bring the funk
Well Well
Bring it (repeat...)

Well stay black
Stay black
Stay white
Stay brown get on down
Just bring the funk
Got to bring the funk
Bring the funk

Need it - I need it (repeat...)
Yeah

Well it's got to be solid
That's what you call it
Funk me up Funk me down
Funk me sideways Funk me all ways
Bring the funk
Got to bring the funk
Bring the funk

Oh- some things money can't fix
Like what?
Some things only money will do the trick
It's not the end of the world but I can see it from here
So bring - bring - bring - bring - bring me the funk
Bring the funk
Just bring the funk
Just bring me the funk
Oh- bring the funk
Bring the funk
Just bring me the funk

Everything

Behind all of your tears there's a smile
There's a smile
Behind all of the rain there's a sunshine
For miles and miles

Oh- Everything
Everything
You mean everything
You mean everything
Everything to me
Everything to me

The colors of your garden
They're yellow, blue and green
And the sound of your sweet voice
It's better than all my dreams

Oh- Everything
Everything
You mean everything
You mean everything
Everything to me
Everything to me

Your my first thought in the morning
When I rise
Oh- when I rise
You're my last thought in the evening
When I rest my head at night

Oh- Everything
Everything
You mean everything
You mean everything
Everything to me
Everything to me

Oh- Everything
Everything
You mean everything
You mean everything
Everything to me
Everything to me
Everything to me
Everything to me

Amen Omen

What started as a whisper
Slowly turned into a scream
Searching for an answer
Where the question is unseen
I don't know where you came from
And I don't know where you've gone
Old friends become old strangers
Between the darkness and the dawn

Amen Omen
Will I see your face again
Amen Omen
Can I find the place within
To live my life without you

I still hear you saying
All of life is a chance
And is sweetest
When at a glance
But I live a hundred
Lifetimes in a day
But I die a little
In every breath that I take

Amen Omen
Will I see your face again
Amen Omen
Can I find the place within
To live my life without you

I listen to a whisper
Slowly drift away
Silence is the loudest
Parting word you never say
I put - I put your world
Into my veins
Now a voiceless sympathy
Is all that remains

Amen Omen
Will I see your face again
Amen Omen
Can I find the place within
To live my life without you
Amen Omen
Will I see your face again
Amen Omen
Will I see your face again
Amen Omen
Can I find the place within
my life without you
Amen
Omen
Omen
Oh...

Temporary Remedy

I killed a snake with a bible
I was living a Johnny Cash song
I'm afraid for this I may be liable
So its best I be moving - moving along

Just a temporary remedy
Running through my
Running through my veins

Summer lasted through November
Funny when its gone you miss cold
Words can be spoken for a lifetime
We can never hear until we're told

Just a temporary remedy
Running through my
Running through my veins

They tell me nothing is perfect
Then tell me why is it a word
Yesterday's news is tomorrow's blues
Now they're perfectly blurred

Just a temporary remedy
Running through
Running through my veins
Just a temporary remedy
Running through
Running through my veins

So High So Low

Oh- Once you know you can never
You can never turn back
Oh- But I understand
' Cause we all fear what we lack
Being with you
Makes me tired as hell
Tired as hell

And it's so high so low
Oh- So high so low

Now if I was strong
And you were male
You'd be dead
And I would be in jail
Being with you
Makes me tired as hell
Tired as hell

Now it's so high so low
Oh now it's so high so low

Don't go making promises
You know you won't keep
Weddings turn to funerals
Both with songs that make you weep
Being with you
Makes me tired as hell

And it's so high so low
Oh now it's so high so low
Now it's so high so low
So high so low

Blessed To Be A Witness

Corcovado parted the sky
And through the darkness
On us he shined
Crucified in stone
Still his blood is my own
Glory behold all my eyes have seen
Have seen

I am blessed
I am blessed
I am blessed
I am blessed
I am blessed to be a witness

Some have flown away
And can't be with us here today
Like the hills of my home
Some have crumbled and now are gone
Gather around for today won't come again
Won't come again

I am blessed
I am blessed
I am blessed
I am blessed
I am blessed
I am blessed
I am blessed to be a witness

So much sorrow and pain
Still I will not live in vain
Like good questions never asked
Is wisdom wasted on the past
Only by the grace of God go I
Go I

I am blessed
I am blessed
I am blessed
I am blessed
I am blessed
I am blessed
I am blessed to be a witness

I am blessed
I am blessed
I am blessed
I am blessed
I am blessed
I am blessed
I am blessed to be a witness

Picture Of Jesus

It hangs above my altar
Like they hung him from a cross
I keep one in my wallet
For the times I feel lost
I feel lost
In a wooden frame with splinters
Where my family kneels to pray
And if you listen close
You'll hear the words he used to say

I've got a picture of Jesus
In his arms so many prayers rest
We've got a picture of Jesus
And with him we shall be forever blessed
Forever blessed
Forever blessed

Now it has been spoken
He would come again
But would we recognize
This king among men
There was a man in our time
His words shine bright like the sun
He tried to lift the masses
And was crucified by gun

He was a picture of Jesus
With him so many prayers rest
He is a picture of Jesus
In his arms so many prayers
So many prayers
So many prayers rest
With him we shall be forever blessed
Forever blessed
Forever blessed

Some days have no beginning
And some days have no end
Some roads are straight and narrow
And some roads only bend
So let us say a prayer
For every living thing
Walking towards a light
From the cross of a king

We long to be a picture of Jesus
Of Jesus
In his arms - In his arms so many prayers rest
I long to be a picture of Jesus
With him we shall be forever blessed
With him we shall
With him we shall be forever blessed
Oh- I long
I've got a picture of Jesus
Hmmm

She's Only Happy In The Sun

I know you may not want to see me
On your way down from the clouds
Would you hear me if I told you
That my heart is with you now

She's only happy in the sun
She's only happy in the sun

Did you find what you were after
The pain and the laughter brought you to your knees
But if the sun sets you free
Sets you free
You'll be free indeed
Indeed

She's only happy in the sun
She's only happy in the sun

Every time I hear you laughing
Hear you laughing
It makes me cry
Like a story of life
Of life
Is hello goodbye

She's only happy in the sun
She's only happy in the sun
She's only happy in the sun
She's only happy in the sun