Oh, my baby--she wrote yesterday About a love that went away And how the past Will never last No matter what you do or say
But when she’s climbing up my stair Cupid’s flower in her hair-- Sending me, upending me Suspending me in air
She’s just my baby Who fits me like a glove She more than may be The love I’m dreaming of The love I’m dreaming of The love I’m dreaming of
Oh, my baby--she made much ado About a love that went askew And how we first Believe the worst Until the “false” is proven true
But when she’s walking on my street Any rose would smell as sweet-- Cheering me, endearing me And hearing me repeat
She’s just my baby Who fits me like a glove She more than may be The love I’m dreaming of The love I’m dreaming of The love I’m dreaming of
Oh, my baby--she came from afar You can’t get there by plane or car I never knew She saw me, too As I would gaze upon her star
But when she’s whispering in my ear “There is nothing left to fear”-- Blessing me, confessing me And pressing me so near
She’s just my baby Sent to me from above She more than may be The love I’m dreaming of The love I’m dreaming of The love I’m dreaming of I'm dreaming of
If I Roam (Bury Me in Liverpool)
If I fall and need a hand Of all the places in the land—— Carry me to Liverpool Where folks live by the Golden Rule
If the world forgets my name And I could use some local fame—— Ferry me to Liverpool Where I grew up and went to school
If I roam, roam, roam My soul will call me home If I roam, roam, roam My heart will lead me home Lead me home
If I’m feeling gray and sad Or if I’m feeling fine and glad—— Tarry me in Liverpool To meet me mates and grab a stool
If you wonder where I’m free To be myself and very me—— Query me in Liverpool Where kettles warm and breezes cool
If I roam, roam, roam My soul will call me home If I roam, roam, roam My heart will lead me home Lead me home
If you like the way I look And if I kiss not by the book—— Marry me in Liverpool G’wed and wed in Mersey’s jewel
If I die in London Town Don’t let them put me in the ground—— Bury me in Liverpool St. Peter’s, welcome back your fool!
If I roam, roam, roam My soul will call me home If I roam, roam, roam My heart will lead me home Lead me home (oh-oh)
If I roam, roam, roam (Roam, roam, roam) My soul will call me home If I roam, roam, roam (Roam, roam, roam) My heart will lead me home Lead me home Lead me home
Your Old Acoustic
You came the night all eyes were watching me—— A pretty boy footloose and fancy-free Toes a-tapping to my song Rows a-clapping right along But you could find me only on TV
And I walk But I cannot go And I talk Just so you will know
Dust off your old acoustic And join the band Bust out and make some music With your old man Gone when you wore baby shoes And now I only play the blues Dust off your old acoustic And join the band
A middle name was all you got from me A pittance of a rich man’s legacy (legacy) Thought I’d look you up one day But I took too long to say And you inherited a mystery
And I bring (yes, I bring) All my loving, dear And I sing (yes, I sing) Just so you will hear
Dust off your old acoustic And join the band (my son) Bust out and make some music With your old man (my son) Didn’t try on daddy’s suits I never saw you fill your boots Dust off your old acoustic And join the band
[Instrumental verse]
And I walk (yes, I walk) But I cannot go And I talk (yes, I talk) Just so you will know
Dust off your old acoustic And join the band (my son) (come on) Bust out and make some music With your old man (my son) (all right) Gone when you wore baby shoes And now I only play the blues Dust off your old acoustic And join the band
Dust off your old acoustic And join the band (my son) Dust off your old acoustic And join the band (my son) Dust off your old acoustic And join the band (my son) Dust off your old acoustic And join the band
You’ve been lovely Thank you
Ma Belle
Mon cœur s’appelle Ma Belle
[My heart is called Ma Belle]
When it was just your first Noël
Did you hear Our Lady knell?
Did the merrymakers wake you, Ma Belle?
When you were learning how to spell
Did you ride this carousel?
Did it turn and whirl and twirl you, Ma Belle?
Mon cœur s’appelle Ma Belle
Mon cœur s’appelle Ma Belle
Ma Belle, Ma Belle
[My heart is called Ma Belle
My heart is called Ma Belle
Ma Belle, Ma Belle]
When you were painting with pastel
Did you visit Raphael?
Did the Mona Lisa see you, Ma Belle?
When you were old enough to tell
Did you climb the tour Eiffel?
Did you miss my arm to warm you, Ma Belle?
Mon cœur me la rappelle
Mon cœur me la rappelle
Ma Belle, Ma Belle
[My heart reminds me of her
My heart reminds me of her
Ma Belle, Ma Belle]
[Instrumental chorus]
When you were but a demoiselle
Did you gaze on Sainte-Chapelle?
Did the glass amaze and daze you, Ma Belle?
Before you bade Paris farewell
Did you walk this way, Michelle?
Did the river flow below you, Ma Belle?
Mon cœur est éternel
Mon cœur est éternel
Ma Belle, Ma Belle
[My heart is eternal
My heart is eternal
Ma Belle, Ma Belle]
Mon cœur s’appelle Ma Belle
Ma Belle, Ma Belle
[My heart is called Ma Belle
Ma Belle, Ma Belle]
Bettina
Bettina
Bright-eyed as Athena
Hmm-hmm-hmm
I love you
So sweetly and completely
Hmm-hmm-hmm
Bettina
Meine kleine Liebe
I love you
So sehr, umso mehr
[Bettina
My little love
I love you
So much, even more]
I’m sorry that I put you on a shelf
I simply haven’t been myself
It seems a lifetime since I went away
I’ve waited all these years to say
Bettina
Meine kleine Liebe
I love you
So sehr, umso mehr
[Bettina
My little love
I love you
So much, even more]
Although we may be half a world apart
You stay with me inside my heart
I can’t believe I lived to see this day
I’ve made it all these years to say
I love you
[Instrumental chorus]
[Instrumental interlude]
My lucky stars, I have a second chance
To set aright this chaste romance
Oh, my desire is nourished by delay
I’ve traded all my tears to say
Bettina
Meine kleine Liebe
I love you
So sehr, umso mehr
[Bettina
My little love
I love you
So much, even more]
And I have waited all these years to say
I love you
Spring’s Out
Who needs stuff When we’ve got love?
Spring’s out in the armchair If you do your crossword there Beware It’s gotten rather threadbare—— It could snare Your derrière
Sixteen across Is albatross
Spring’s out, spring’s out Shimmy down the downspout, baby No doubt, no doubt Jimmy’s bedroom light is out!
Who needs stuff When we’ve got love?
Spring’s out in the ceiling Give the roofing man a ring- A-ling You’d better move your six-string Could you bring A bucket-thing?
Come rain or shine The weather’s fine
Spring’s out, spring’s out Shimmy down the downspout, baby No doubt, no doubt Jimmy’s bedroom light is out!
[Instrumental chorus]
Who needs stuff When we’ve got love?
Spring’s out in the garden Hollyhock and hyacinth Are in Here’s Nora with a clothespin—— How’ve you been? Your kith and kin?
Forget me not If I should rot
Spring’s out, spring’s out Shimmy down the downspout, baby No doubt, no doubt Jimmy’s bedroom light is out!
Spring’s out, spring’s out Scurry up the downspout, baby Don’t pout, don’t pout Hurry up, the sun is out!
The Christmas After This
All hark ye, park thee round the tree
To mark this merry comedy
Since we met
I’m in your debt
Now lend me your ear
Take my word
Let it be heard
How I need you here
Next Christmas
We’ll reminisce this
As both
Our troth
Do swear
The Christmas after this one
The Christmas after this, hon
The Christmas after this
A halo round a moonless stone
A glistering to gild your own
Take this ring
We’ll do our thing
For just one more year
Take a chance
On our romance
Forge a new frontier
Next Christmas
We’ll reminisce this
As both
Our troth
Do swear
The Christmas after this one
The Christmas after this, hon
The Christmas after this
An old guitar, romantic jargon
To seal a world-without-end bargain
[Hummed verse]
Take this song
And dream along
With your balladeer
[Instrumental pre-chorus and chorus]
A dress of wool, a suit of lace (“That’s backwards!”)
An oath beside the fireplace (“Egad, that’s hot!”)
Some nog for toasting, “Cheerio!”
A snog beneath the mistletoe
Take my hand
And it is planned
Yea, our day is near
Take my heart
We’ll never part
Nay, nor never fear
Next Christmas
We’ll reminisce this
As both (as both)
Our troth (our troth)
Do swear
I will be thine
Take all that’s mine
The Christmas after this one
The Christmas after this, hon
The Christmas after this
The Christmas after this kiss
The Christmas after this bliss
The Christmas after this
The Day We Never Met
Well, you’ve been writing about me About the man you claim to be Filling pages For the ages Is it fact or fantasy?
What makes you think you know so much? You’ve never even been in touch ’Stead of knocking You kept walking Now you’re saying such and such
[Instrumental verse]
You flew in on a private jet You lit another cigarette I was waiting ’Ticipating On the day we never——
You were late ’n’ Hesitating On the day we never——
You’re narrating Punctuating The story of the day——
I was waking Mind was aching On the day we never——
You were making Plans forsaken On the day we never——
Now you’re taking Bows for breaking The story of the day——
Monday night ’n’ Not a sighting On the day we never——
Tuesday quiet ’n’ Nail-biting On the day we never——
Wednesday light ’n’ You’re a-writing The story of the day——
A day I can’t forget I haven’t seen you yet We won’t sing a duet
About the story of the day—— The day we never met
The Clues Are There
I have two eyes
So, I can see
A photograph that’s not of me
I have two ears
So, I can hear
A difference that’s very clear
The clues are there
If you care
And I do
And I do
The clues are there
If you dare
And I do
And I do
I have a brain
I can construe
The summing up of two and two
I have a will
I can pursue
The sussing out of who is who
The clues are there
In the air
Give me more
Give me more
The clues are there
Everywhere
Give me more
Give me more
[Instrumental interlude]
I have a mind
And I can muse
’Bout life in someone else’s shoes
I have a heart
And I can feel
If something is or isn’t real
The clues are there
If you care
And I do
Yes, I do
The clues are there
If you dare
And I do
Yes, I do
The clues are there
In the air
Give me more
More and more
The clues are there
Everywhere
Give me more
More and more
The Factory
The way you double-cross me got me tied up in knots Your mama was a leopard, get a look at those spots You never did a thing——but to bring me pain Your mercy don’t come like a summer rain
There’s a pile of bricks (oh) this side of your heart Pump them out just to keep us apart Ain’t glad to report from what I can see It’s business as usual at the factory
You squeezed my little fingers as you planted your horns The perfume of a rose though you were only the thorns You judge me guilty of——keeping love from you And, oh, did your maker forsake you, too?
There’s a pile of bricks (oh) this side of your heart Pump them out just to keep us apart Ain’t glad to report from what I can see It’s business as usual at the factory
It’s like talking to a wall Will it take a ton of bricks to fall? Are you hearing me at all?
Way back in eighty-eight the Fates made merry your birth A wanderlust would carry you all over God’s earth Before you wore a beard you got yourself some fame But mine’s the rhyme that got you to a household name A Hero and a Brutus——got to look the same Cuz, Lord, I’m Judas in your book of blame
There’s a pile of bricks (oh) this side of your heart Pump them out just to keep us apart Ain’t glad to report from what I can see It’s business as usual——
There’s a pile of dust (oh) that used to be bricks Wonder how you’re gonna get your kicks I’m sad to report from where I can see Ain’t nothing no more of your factory
Do You Know Me? (Getting By)
Woke up——I didn’t know my face I left it in another place I disappeared without a trace But I’ve been getting by
Went out——I didn’t know my name I couldn’t play or sing the same I’ll never climb the heights of fame But I’ve been getting by (bye, bye)
Do you know me? (Do you know me?) Do you recognize a thing? Do my words have a familiar ring? (oh-oh) Do you know?
Got back——I didn’t know my past The salad days weren’t meant to last And yet the end came on so fast But I’m still getting by (bye, bye) (bye, bye)
Do you know me? (Do you know me?) Do you recognize a thing? Do my words have a familiar ring? (oh-oh)
Do you know me? (Do you know me?) Do you recognize a thing? Do these words have a familiar ring? (oh-oh) (oh-oh) Do you know?
Woke up——I didn’t know my face I left it in another place I kept it in a crystal vase But I’ve been getting by (bye, bye) (bye, bye) (bye, bye)
The Blackbird’s Response
Night, hold close, my bosom friend! Fly? If but these wings could mend Life——a time too long to spend Rise? And wither wend?
Night, you bring me gentle word See you hope for such a bird? Life——the saddest ballad heard Free what you have stirred
Fly across a starry sky Fly and watch the world on high
Fly across a starry sky Fly and watch the world go by
Night, I need no more thy cloak Fly I must, from neath this yoke Life began when I awoke Rise, for morning broke Rise, for morning broke
Silver Bracelet
I used to think this silver bracelet meant that you were mine The day you placed that silver chain on me I felt so fine We kissed beneath a silver moon, away from all the crowd I missed that every silver lining has to have a cloud
Silver bracelet Why’d I chase it Right into your hands? Silver bracelet—— Try to face it—— Won’t become two bands This silver bracelet won’t become two bands
I guess I thought this silver bracelet meant you’d be around You’ve got me on a silver platter, but you can’t be found I sit and fret each silver letter etching out my name Unstrung by when your silver tongue is whispering the same (Ophelia)
Silver bracelet Why’d I chase it Right into your arms? Silver bracelet—— Count the ways it Hooks me with your charms This silver bracelet hooks me with your charms
[Instrumental verse]
Silver bracelet Why’d I chase it Right into your hands? Silver bracelet—— Try to face it—— Won’t become two bands This silver bracelet won’t become two bands
And now I know this silver bracelet means that I am yours You’ve thrown away the silver key that opens up the doors Alone behind your silver bars, I call to one above: Winged Cupid, with your silver arrow, fall me out of love!
Silver bracelet Why’d I chase it Right into your bed? Silver bracelet—— Can’t erase it—— Wear it ’til I’m dead This silver bracelet, wear it ’til I’m dead (oh-oh) I’ll wear this silver bracelet when I’m dead
Cherry Pony Car
Cherry pony car
Arrived in sixty-five
Cherry pony car
Just going for a drive
I let the dogs out in the yard
One peaceful Sunday morn
I heard your V-8 breathing hard
As sure as I was born
You might as well have laid in on that horn
Cherry pony car
I swore you off before
Cherry pony car
Low rumble by my door
I pictured sitting in that coupe
Hands held across the seat
We’d listen to our favorite group
Heads bouncing to the beat
I dared to dream that life could be so sweet
Cherry pony car
Stop hiding your good side
Cherry pony car
Don’t take me for a ride
[Piano solo]
Cherry pony car
Arrived in sixty-five
Cherry pony car
Just going for a drive
You treat me cool and run me down
As if I’m not enough
I’ve been your fool, I’ve played the clown
It’s time to call your bluff
Cuz, babe, I ain’t no diamond in the rough
Cherry pony car
Too late to catch your plate
Cherry pony car
Keep rolling ’til you reach that Golden Gate
Keep rolling ’til you reach that Golden Gate
Your Sister Rose and You
I ran into your sister Rose Still pretty as a flower I’m well, and you? and so it goes We spoke for half an hour
I told her I was wondering If she remembered anything Ah-ah-ah
She locked you in her memory (Feeding penguins at the zoo) And you yourself would keep the key (Pointing at a caribou) It’s such a lovely place to be Your sister Rose and you, ooh, too
I mentioned you were up the coast And not too hard to find She looked as if she’d seen a ghost She almost lost her mind
I told her I was wondering If she remembered anything Ah-ah-ah
She locked you in her memory (Flying kites into the blue) And you yourself would keep the key (Playing Battleship and Clue) It’s such a lovely place to be Your sister Rose and you, ooh, too
We never lose the ones we love, and here’s the reason why: They keep on coming round until there is no more goodbye
[Instrumental interlude]
He’s changed a lot since he’s been dead—— You’d take him for another I’d know him in my heart, she said I love him——he’s my brother
I told her I was wondering If she remembered anything Ah-ah-ah
She locked you in her memory (On a train to Waterloo) And you yourself would keep the key (To the north of Katmandu) It’s such a lovely place to be Your sister Rose and you, ooh
Your sister Rose and you, ooh, too
See Us in the End
And if I kiss you
I can’t miss you
I’m holding you the whole night through
But when you question
My intention
It makes me want to say to you
(About us two)
I see us in the end, dear
(See us in the end)
I see us in the end, dear
(See us in the end, ooh)
Our love will never end, dear
And as I wander
I grow fonder
I’m thrilled by everything you do
But when you query
Will we marry?
It makes me want to say to you
(About us two)
I see us in the end, dear
(See us in the end)
I see us in the end, dear
(See us in the end, ooh)
Our love will never end, dear
I will pray to have the end near
If you say this is the end here
I see us in the end, dear
And when I waken
Not forsaken
I have no cause for feeling blue
You want to know now
Where we go now
It makes me want to say to you
(About us two)
I see us in the end, dear
(See us in the end)
I see us in the end, dear
(See us in the end, ooh)
Our love will never end, dear
Oh, I’m not cavalier
No, I’m not insincere
I see us in the end, dear
Oh, we won’t disappear
No, we will persevere
I see us in the end, dear
The road ahead is clear
Novel-Gazing 