T-Shirts

Pick your favorite bottle from the inside door
I only get them for you anyway anymore
I'll only be a minute won't sit on down for a while
Might have made you cry a couple times or two
Rookie numbers for a pretty girl like you
Even still I much prefer it when I make you smile

We got a lot of people leaving
Just a lot of people leaving
Hang on while you can I'll be right here
A lot of people changing
A lot of life rearranging
But I don't plan on heading out that door
And I'll still keep your t-shirts in the drawer

Driving to the water in the summer heat
Stop and grab a soda and a bite to eat
Some things never change even if they don't stay the same
Stay up til the morning when there ain't no sun
You'll get plenty anyway before we're done
I got all the details til you go and change your name

It may seem strange
The way that things can change I know

Grab a roll of film for me I'll pay you back
Something for the memories to help keep track
I'll be in the car until you're ready, take your time

I Just Want to Talk to You Again

Let's talk about robots
Let's talk about the sea
Let's talk about anything
Just you and me
So much to say
Where do I begin
I just want to talk to you again

Let's talk about sunshine
When the clouds are gray
Let's talk about movies
All throughout the day
Let's talk about football
Did your team lose or win
I just want to talk to you again
I just want to talk to you again

Movies late midweek
After everyone's asleep
Sharing all our stories now
Conversation flowing free as long as clocks allow
Life is quiet suddenly as you come take your bow

Let's talk about Elvis
Is he still alive
Let's talk about daydreams
Let's go on a drive
Let's talk about dancing
Talk about our friends
I just want to talk to you again

Let's talk about music
Should we play yours or mine
Talk about forever
While we still have time
Let's talk about burgers
And staying really thin
I just wanna talk to you again

And I know everyone moves on
But I'd love to sit and talk until the dawn
Wasting time
Ain't on my mind
Cause every time I talk to you
You make the time unwind

Let's talk about angels
Up in the sky
Let's talk about greetings
Not about goodbye
So much to say
Where do I begin
I just want to talk to you again

Fair

A parrot when I met you and a princess to your peers
There ain't a doubt in no one's mind that you'll inspire many beers
And songs and texts and private poems, waiting for the light
It's not your fault I know, and life don't make it right

A dreamer in the twilight
And a laugher in the day
An army all around you
But they’re all fighting anyway
You’ve got to keep an eye out now for prowlers round the bend
Keep your eye to heaven, and wings out on the wind

Life’s not fair
Life’s not fair
Everybody’s out to get you
Use you, love you, then forget you
Life’s not fair
Life’s not fair at all
And one way or another life’s
Unfair it’s true
For one as fair as you

A floater in the water
A floater in the waves
Floating through decisions with
A million choices every day
Where to go and what to do
And who should you let in
Life not fair to you
But you’ll be ready when

Life’s not fair
Life’s not fair
Everybody’s cheating measures
Plotting scheming now to ever
Life’s not fair
Life’s not fair at all

And one way or another life’s not
Fair to you
But you’re as fair as fair can do
Life’s unfair it’s true
For one as fair as you

Eleven Shades of Blue

I know you're not a rebel
I know you're not a king
I know you
I see you in my head now
I see you in my dreams
I see you
Tonight my car broke down with me inside
And I thought if I could think enough of you to lift me up and up then maybe I could get away with flight

But I just sat there smoking
Smoke turns into clouds
So why can't I
I've seen you do it plenty
But learning's not my thing
Wait sleep tight
Drift away
And thoughts are back to you
On the side of a busy highway I'm asleep and dreaming lightly of a day when I can fly with you

Alone and still aground
Too heavy now
My eyes are still on you
Lift me up
Above sea level
11 shades of blue

You're my guarding angel
You're my first defense
I'm sorry
I'm a pocket hanging
Catching on the fence
I worry
That you will be held down by all my weight
But I know someday I'll emerge from this cocoon a whole new bird
And fly with you like russian girls can skate

No longer still aground
Too heavy now
My eyes are still on you
Lift me up
Above sea level
11 shades of blue

Sing You Out

People tell me I should stop my drinking
Telling me what I’m already feeling
But they don’t know the things I do
I’m invincible except for you

And I’ve been trying to rid myself of dreaming
Cause every one has you most every evening
All I know is it drives me crazy
Watching you turn stars to feelings lately

And I’m thinking I’ll write you down in a better way
Than I think that I could ever say
And I’ll sing you out to people in the bars
Might be how I get rid of you is I’ll
Play you loud and sing you too
And I’ll share you with the sympathetic hearts
That’s my plan for every day
I’ll sing you ‘til you go away

Pray you out at night when I ain’t sleeping
I write you down in journals what I’m meaning
I can’t confess you, cause you ain’t mine
I’m running out of all my precious time

And I’m thinking I’ll write you down in a better way
Than I think that I could ever say
And I’ll sing you out to people in the bars
Might be how I get rid of you is I’ll
Play you loud and sing you too
And I’ll share you with the sympathetic hearts
That’s my plan for every day
I’ll sing you ‘til you go away
I’ll hum you out in a different way
Until I hear this old guitar say
I sang you out and I’m okay
That’s my plan for every day

Decades into Days

I only saw you in the rearview
You had a flower in your hair
And Christmas in your smile
And I'm a seasick crocodile

I guess he saw you more than I do
He saw you from the other side
You kick around the tide
And pull in every eye

There's nothing more to say
Life rolls on this way
Nothing more to say
I know you feel it
Decades into days

I'll bring the Coke, you bring a smile
We'll sit and reminisce tonight
Then go our merry ways
Decades into days

There's nothing more to say
Life rolls on this way
Nothing more to say
I know you feel it
Decades into days

Charlie and the Moon

When you’re beat down
When I’m gone
When this life keeps slogging on and on
And you feel through
Wondering "when did life ask you?"

When you’re empty
Or all alone
When you’re feeling miles away from home
And you’ve been spent
Wondering where all those years went

Sing yourself this tune
And hang your memories all around the room
What else is there to do
When it's just Charlie and the moon

Follow closely
Right behind
Mom and Dad and all the folks you find
Who care for you
And point you to the truth

Follow Jesus
Mind your heart
Keep it safe until it's time to part and let it go
When the time is right you'll know

Sing yourself this tune
And hang your memories all around the room
What else is there to do
When it's just Charlie and the moon

Sing yourself a song
This big old world has stories for us all
The rises and the falls
I wanna see 'em all
What else is there to do
When it's just Charlie and the moon

Two Eyed, Blue Eyed

Well I ain't one for poems
And I ain't gonna show ‘em
How the little buddy feels inside
I wish I could tell ya
But I guess it's just as well
Cause I don't think I'm really able to hide
Oh so if people get to asking
How the love we have is lasting
I'll tell em what I told to you
That as long as I am breathing
Then my heart must still be beating too

I never wanna let you go a day without hearing you're beautiful
And I never wanna last a day without you in my songs
Oh I think if we're placing bets
I ain't gonna leave you yet
Cause you're my two eyed blue eyed pretty little statuette

Something seems to whisper
Every time I kiss her
That she'll stick around as long as I need
And I know if I ask her
She will get down to the task if only
I will get down to one knee
So if I can get to asking
If this love will keep on lasting
Then I guess I know what she'll say to me
Shell say as long as she is breathing
Then her heart will still be beating three

Oh it's been quite a while
Since we walked right down that aisle
And I put that little ring on your hand
We still try to wear ‘em
When our chubby hands can bear ‘em
But I think we both still know where we stand
So if people get to asking
How this love we have is lasting
I’ll just tell ‘em what I said before
We’ll say as long as we are breathing then there’s something that we’re beating four

Waiting for the Sun

I don't know why I'm sad again, there's nothing really different than the day before
I didn't see the tide roll in, guess you must have said something I'd heard before
A word or phrase or passing glance
Something put me in this trance again
Now I'm all closed up
And waiting for the sun

Didn't see you tried to call, don't know if I'd answer even if I had
Watch a game of basketball, everything's alright, so why am I feeling bad?
The world outside is doomed by now
It's all too full and all too loud again
Now I'm all locked up
And waiting for the sun

I know that all the worst of it is in my silly head
I probably need to go outside or maybe go to bed
And all the folks around me say they love me and they care
I know that they aren't lying, so why is my head there?

Had a bite and took a walk, tossed about the memories I'm chewing on
Don't know if I wanna talk, found an old movie I loved and threw it on
These happy memories I love
Hurt the most because they've come and gone
And won't come back
I'm still waiting for the sun

I know that all the worst of it is in my stupid head
I probably need to see my friends or maybe go to bed
And you are right beside me though you feel a mile away
I can't wait for the sun to come back out, and maybe stay
I can't wait for the sun to come back out, this time to stay

Raining in Virginia

Well the sea comes up to meet you
And the clouds come down to talk
There was starlight in your laughter
And the moon hides in your walk

Cause you're with me in the dreaming
And you never left my side
Til the August evening stumbled
In a double wide

See your parents had an orchard
Where the service was to be
With the pastor on a stepstool
And you standing next to me

But when the day showed up to greet us
The apple fell far from the tree
And I stood there not believing
You had left me

And August passed and fall blew in
And life had just arrived
It's raining in Virginia,
But it's starry in my mind

Once the darkened clouds had scattered
The war would take me far
To make me into tatters
With my head inside a jar

And still there in the bedlam
When my mind would drift back home
Just another empty graveyard
All our dust and bones

And days would pass and fire blew in
And war had just arrived
It was raining in Virginia,
But it's starry in my mind

When the bullets stopped their flying
And the flight would take me home
To the farmland and the crying
And my mother on the phone

She'd say I'm glad that it was over
But I'm afraid it's just begun
Because before I got to know her
It was all undone

And war had passed and life blew in
And like I’d just arrived
It's raining in Virginia,
But it's starry in my mind

Afterthought

I’ve been grasping in my yar
For things I used to see
Losing lasting memories
Of how it used to be

Never thought I’d end up here
Sidewalk losing earth
Tipping off in starry seas
Playing out my worth

If you want me to
I’ll stay here with you
Hoping for a word or two or three if you don’t mind
I’ve got lots to do
But that’s what I’m used to
I’ll always make do
I cross your mind like I used to

Sparking flyers all around
Buzzing in my yard
Shooting targets I have found
Things keep getting hard

Send a scout or astronaut
To find out where I’m from
And without an afterthought
See what I’ll become

The Garden

Waiting in the garden
Waiting for a call
Nobody there to hear her
No one to hear at all
A sky that seemed to mock her
While she waited for herself to come down
Come down

So here comes the crashing
The shaking and the sweat
Dial seven digits
Come salvation yet
She won't let the nightmares
Steal away young Angel like her

Not like her

Little darling daughter, please stay home where you belong
Take an aspirin drink some water
Mommy won't be be long
I'm a little sick but soon I will
Righten all my wrongs
For good

The capsules calling
Who does mommy love
Papa called it appalling
But Papa don't call enough
Bring home all her baggage
Tighten up the strap but its loose

Call her just a loser
Call her what you want
Just a bit too gruesome
Save it for the hunt
What's one night without her?
Nobody's a saint anymore
Anymore

Little darling daughter, why'd you end up where you are?
Take an aspirin drink some water
Mommy won't be far
You're a little sick but girl just wait out in the car
For now

Out in the garden
Someone lights a match
One last glass of whiskey
Dump it down the hatch
Life is up in fire
Burning’s all my Angel ever learned

Chin Up

I can see the rain cloud
Float above your head
And I’ve been praying God would
Make ‘em shine instead
You know we love you
We love you

Life ain’t like the movies
In fact it kinda sucks
But mostly I still like it
In between the bumps
And you know we love you
You know I love you

Everything can fall apart
At once
Anyone can break your heart
Push and shove
And evil men can swing at you
Hurt and laugh and scream at you
But then
In the end

Things aren’t really over
Giving up can go to hell
The fat lady ain’t singing
And I ain’t heard a bell
And you know he loves you
Jesus loves you

I see inside that noggin
I know the things you think
I play it off, and you may scoff
But I promise till I’m pink
That we all love you
You know we love you

Everything can fall apart
At once
Days are tough and life is hard
Hard enough
And evil men may win tonight
Take the field and squash the light
But then
In the end

The victory is coming
And you’re on the winning side
So keep your chin up darling
And smile really wide
Because we love you
We love you
I love you

Olivia’s

I’ve always liked seagulls
You have always liked to have some flowers in your hair
And I’m such a numbskull
Trying not to sneeze too much cause spring is in the air
But you don’t mind
Cause I like your issues
And you like mine

You’re at Olivia’s tonight
You’re at Olivia’s and that’s alright
You’re with Olivia, can’t get rid of ya
No matter how I try
You’re with Olivia
And I’m alright

I’ve always loved rain clouds
And you enjoy the sunshine even when it’s way too bright
I’m such a loudmouth
I tell you things I shouldn’t when the moment’s feeling right

But you don’t mind
Cause I like your smile
But it’s not mine

You’re at Olivia’s tonight
You’re at Olivia’s and that’s alright
You’re with Olivia, can’t get rid of ya
No matter how I try
You’re with Olivia
And I’m alright

Refrain:
Grab another bottle from the inside door
You know I keep em for you and there’s always more
I’ll only be a minute just sit on the floor

Like Always

Five past 8:02
I've been here with you
Always
But only still
In small ways

The pool at John and Sue's
A plushie kangaroo
Who knew
You brought them all
With you
Let's play a game
Since we're all here
Like always

When you imagine life
From someone else's eyes
Things change
And they might
Rearrange

You won't catch up like that
So speed it up a tad
Stay still
It won't be long
Until
These days are passed
And life moves on
Like always

What I Think of You

Wonder why I’m spending
All this time with you
All this money you and me
A life’s a really long time
At least I think it is
But all the old folks disagree

You’re with me when I wake up
And every time I sleep
You’re with me every day
But I guess that’s okay. because

Every moment’s sweeter than the last
You’re my scary future and my velvet past
I know you’d do anything I asked
It’s magical through and through
That’s what I think of you

I’m glad I got your number
All those years ago
And glad I worried over this
Some people wonder how it’s different
Than what it could have been
Screw that, I’m all in with this

You’re with me when I’m angry
You’re with me when I’m sad
You’re with me all the time
If I ever lose my mind it’s cause

Every moment’s sweeter than the last
You’re my scarlet future and my velvet past
I know you’d do just anything I asked
It’s magical through and through
That’s what I think of you
You’re magical through and through
That’s what I think of you

The NExt Life Over

I’ve had this itching for a while
Something I can’t scratch
A feeling under my skin where
The bones and heart attach

I’ve been around the edge of somewhere
In lives that aren’t my own
The weight I’m feeling about that
Just keeps on growing

So when the days pass on to memories
I don’t know which you’re gonna keep
But please remember these
I’ll keep the rest for free

I don’t need to be at all the parties
I’m sorry but I
Just don’t need to see it all myself
I wish I could but
They say that things can’t last forever
And I guess I do believe that’s true
But hey before you leave
Turn and let me see

I wish I knew how it would turn out
When everything’s all done
I know it’ll feel like a victory
Just not sure how it’s gonna be won

The longer I’m around I wonder
Is this how it is for everyone?
No one can tell you about it
Guess it has to be sung

So when the years pass on to stories
I don’t know which you plan to tell
But please hang on to these
I’ll keep the rest for free

Maybelline

Hate to say I'm sick or broken
I don't think that's the case
Really I just miss my Maybelline
You can leave the front door open
Let me see your face
This is what's called living in between

I stayed out 'til quarter to heaven
Looking at that sky
Still won't drink the stuff you said to save
Waiting for that lump to leaven
They say that takes time
But I can't take this waiting for the grave

Where you going? Maybelline my dear
Flowers growing on your roof
Where you going? Hope it's nice this time of year
Hope that I can find you but
I'll be right behind you Maybelline

One more song I'd love to hear it
One more stupid show
One more weeknight with the dancing queen
I'll be on now, getting near it
Almost time to go
I can't wait to see my Maybelline

Where we going? Maybelline my dear
Flowers growing on your roof
Where we going? Hope it's nice this time of year
Hope that I can find you but
I'll be right behind you Maybelline
Hope that I can find you but
I'll be right behind you Maybelline

When the Red, Red Robin (Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin' Along)

When the red, red robin comes bob, bob, bobbin' along, along
There'll be no more sobbin' once he starts throbbin' his old sweet song
Wake up, wake up you sleepy head
Get up, get out of bed
Cheer up, cheer up the sun is red
Live, love, laugh and be happy

What if I were blue, now I'm walking through the fields of flowers
Rain may glisten but still I listen for hours and hours
I'm just a kid again doing what I did again, singing a song
When the red, red robin comes bob, bob, bobbin' along

When the red, red robin comes bob, bob, bobbin' along
There'll be no more sobbin' once he starts throbbin' his old sweet song
I'm just a kid again, doing what I did again, singing a song
When the red, red robin comes bob, bob, bobbin' along
When the red, red robin comes bob, bob, bobbin' along

Days

I had a dream once
That you went away
And all of us cried for a while
It seemed so real
Stayed with me all day
I guess everyone missed your smile

I keep on thinking
Of times I’ve been mean
And you always tell me I’m not
But time flies while blinking
And I know what I’ve been
I’m glad we say I love you a lot

So please don’t go away
Don’t know how else to say
I’ll stay here if you stay
Promise you know
That you’ll never go
For at least a couple more days