Bruce Hornsby Album

(B. R. Hornsby)

I'm leaning on a rail
Letting my eyes roam over the plain
I'm laughing on my break
Feeling like a captive on a long chain
Watch the people pick up sticks
Big boss man cracks his whip
It's serious but we laugh to keep from crying
Spouting out the company line
Everything here's just fine
He says he cares about me but he's lying
Up, up in the big house
The king of the hill.

I'm watching the boss man
Talking to his sister with the dirty hands
They sit, cussing at the rules
Wishing they could lose me as fast as they can
He's got me in the roughest rig
He thinks I took his brother's gig
People say they've got the game rigged
His daddy gave him everything
A job and a house and his earring
Why does he think that I'm so threatening, so bad
And up, up in the big house
King of the hill
And there, driving the big cat, king of the hill

I'm over in my space
Swatting bugs, sweat stains rolling down my face
I'm trying not to drink
Knowing I've got to roll out of this place
Watch the people pick up bricks
King of the hill with his nightstick
Caught up in accounting tricks
Throw a bone to the poor hicks
Got some candy, take a lick
Great white hope, shooting bricks
Time to let us all share the wealth
Getting coffee for the big stick
Hand in his pants at the skin flick
Lots of poisons, take your pick
Mama, mama, mama come quick
Felling like I'm getting sick
Have you noticeed any nervous tics
Think I'd better take care of myself
And up, up in the big house
King of the hill
And there, driving the big cat,
King of the hill.

(B. R. Hornsby)

I'm on a long sojourn
I'm sitting here shedding my skin
Don't know about inside, ugly on the outside
They're all messing with me for the shape I'm in
I'm looking for a clean slate
Just need to find a new mind state
Hey, let's go looking for squirrels
Let's find something to do
I think she's shooting it right at you
Look down I said right at you

And the hail falls hard
And the wind whips my face
And I'm a long, long way from anywhere real safe
And the storm clouds are flying high
Mud all over my face
And I'm a long, long way from my resting place

Hey, let's duck down this side street
Maybe no, nobody else will see
Everybody sees us as big fat bastards
But I can just se you looking at me
Ever feel like a side-show attraction
Ever feel like a walking attraction
Some people call me Tarzan in my big, big sweats
Don't know just what they mean
Maybe not good, real bad I bet

And the hail falls hard
And the wind whips my face
And I'm a long, long way from some sheltered space
And the storm clouds are flying high
Mud all over my face
And I'm a long, long way from my resting place

I'm looking for a clean slate
Just need to find a new way, way to relate
You ever feel like a street walker
I get by being a funny talker
All those funny jokes sting, so keep walking

And the hail falls hard
And the wind whips my face
And I'm a long, long way from some sheltered space
And the storm clouds are flying high
Mud all over my face
And I'm a long, long way from my resting place

(B.R. Hornsby)

Spent the night over at a friend's place
Sunday morning came, he was in my face
Said I want to take you to a place
Put you in a state of grace
Drove way out to a cinderblock house
I walked in like a Thomas in doubt
Saw a man in a reptile suit
With a rattling sound
Whoa no, whoa no
I can't get with this here I know
Never seen nothing like this before

Hallelujah and praise the man
Upstairs with the long hand
Wrap the snake and the angels sing
Take your ride with the preacher in the ring

There was biting and jumping and moans and wails
Believers out shaking on the spirit trail
Then some came and threw the man in jail, the man in jail
He lifted up the snake overhead so high
Eyes closed tight, he praised the sky
Was a wild-eyed scramble over tables and chairs to see the light
Whoa whoa so long
Copperheads and sacred songs
The book of Mark shouldn't be wrong

Hallelujah and praise the man
Upstairs with the long hand
Wrap the snake and watch 'em all sting
As they go ten rounds with the preacher in the ring

They're locking them up, they've got 'em on the run
Might as well sue all the doctors when they don't get it done
Not everything, everybody does works all the time, son
Whoa no, whoa no
Say you got the answer, well how do you know?
It works for me, that's all I know

Hallelujah and praise the man
Upstairs with the long hand
Wrap the snake and watch 'em all sting
As they go ten rounds with the preacher in the ring

(B.R. Hornsby)

There were tambourines and moans and wails
Wrappin' the snake on the healing trail
But a child passed, it was the devil and the snake
And the devil prevailed
Big deep trouble for a young child gone
Maybe the book and the verse was all wrong
Keep your eyes closed, your lips sealed tight
Keep your mind right
Whoa no, whoa no
Good Lord, lift this heavy load
Maybe I'm going down a wrong road
Oh no, no, no

Hallelujah and praise the man
Upstairs with the long hand
Wrap the snake and the angels sing
Take a ride with the preacher in the ring

Lawmen went to the house on the hill
Found the wife and the wind so still
There was a woman and a rope and a kicked over chair
And a beam too high
Thrown out of town, got to find a new site
Someone said it's like the Israelites
They say it's the persecuted ones that will find the light
Whoa no, so long
Copperheads and the sacred songs
The book of Mark couldn't be wrong

Hallelujah and praise the man
Upstairs with the long hand
Wrap the snake and watch 'em all sting
As they go ten rounds with the preacher in the ring

They're locking 'em up, they've got 'em on the run
Might as well sue all the doctors when they don't get it done
Not everything everybody does works all the time, son
Whoa no, whoa no
Say you got the answer, well how do you know?
It works for me, that's all I know

Hallelujah and praise the man
Upstairs with the long hand
Wrap the snake and watch 'em all sting
As they go ten rounds with the preacher in the ring

[No lyrics]

(B.R. Hornsby)

I think maybe I knew her in school
In my memory's faded view
I remember years ago, her name I barely knew
Years later I saw her in town
Knocking on my window talking loud
She said baby do you need a date
Or just a little foolin' around

Way down where the red light's low
Slinkin' down where the bad seeds grow
Crawlin' where the sun don't show
'Neath the sad moon
Walking the streets, all on display
Standing there and laying in wait
She looks at me and I look away
'Neath the sad moon

I said thanks, no I don't need that
But as she turned her naked back
She turned to go, and I just had to stare at her walking away
Looking out there it might be me
But for the grace of God oh I can see
A grain of sand, a strand of hair
A chromosome or someone's dare

Way down where the red light's low
Slinkin' down where the bad seeds grow
Crawlin' where the sun don't show
'Neath the sad moon
Walking the streets, all on display
Standing there and laying in wait
She looks at me and I look away
'Neath the sad moon

Couldn't help but follow her
Felt so bad but couldn't stop
Curiosity's got me, worth a damn I know I'm not
I put her down but want her too
Ashamed to say I want her a lot
Guess I'll go and move along
Let it go, let it drop

Way down where the red light's low
Slinkin' down where the bad seeds grow
Crawlin' where the sun don't show
'Neath the sad moon
Walking the streets, all on display
Standing there and laying in wait
She looks at me and I look away
'Neath the sad moon

(B.R. Hornsby/John Hornsby)

Pete took up Latin dancing
Sherry loved his style
We loved to laugh as they glided past
But he kicked the blues for a while

Mannby wanted to be artsy
Always dressed in black
Our spirits rose as he struck the pose
But he found peace in the wonderful pose

Hey oh hey now, there you go
Round and round and round it goes
Where it stops no-one knows
Hey oh there you go
Round and round and round it goes
First to laugh is the last to know

Jimmy went and joined the gym
His posing was a sight
We thought he looked like a clown in tights
But we were the ones home alone at night

Hey oh hey now, there you go
Round and round and round it goes
Where it stops no-one knows
Hey oh there you go
Round and round and round it goes
First to laugh is the last to know

Johnson loved to feign indifference
A nihilist to the brim
We'd shout as he would spout
That nothing ever fazes him

Hey oh hey now, there you go
Round and round and round it goes
Where it stops no-one knows
Hey oh there you go
Round and round and round it goes
First to laugh is the last to know

(B.R. Hornsby)

I'm sitting wondering, watching the parade
In my ever-present chair
People laughing and smiles all around me
Balloons and paper in my hair
There's a man in a car with the top down
Waving wildly at me
"The poor son of a gun", I know he's thinking
Better him, him than me

I've stared down the devil, and had to look away
Called out to the angels, but no-one ever came
Laid down odd and even, but double zero played
That's alright, I'm a lucky one
Such a fortunate son

I was always taught well, taught well
To be the strong one and keep it inside
But sometimes I sit beside the freeway
And howl out at the dark, dark sky
I might just have to go out and burn one
Have a drink or a few
Fade away in a cloudy haze of smoke
And give the old man's best salute

I've stared down the devil, and had to look away
Called out to the angels, but no-one ever came
Laid down odd and even, but double zero played
That's alright, I'm a lucky one
Such a fortunate son

(B.R. Hornsby)

Crawl up the back steps
Up to the back door
Reach up in the dark
Turn the handle a little more
Open up real slow
So the door don't creak
Look ahead and look behind
Don't shuffle your feet

They say he's crazy, they say he's gone
We play our tricks, make up funny songs
Sneaking around, feeling badly
Sneaking up on Boo Radley

Hear the caterpillar crawl
Hear the bed buds bite
Hear the crickets scream
All the sounds of the night
Hear the sound of footprints
ON the ground I think I say
Don't step on the lightning bugs
Watch the crack in your knees

They say he's crazy, they say he's gone
We play our tricks, make up funny songs
Sneaking around, feeling badly
Sneaking up on Boo Radley

They say he's funny, got a loose screw
Stay away, he's a threat to you
Give him a break, what do we know
Might turn out we would like him so
We fear what we just don't know

I heard he served a long time ago
Saw some things we'll never know
We laugh and sneak around in teh night
Fun and games but I know it's not right
Scared and fascinated
Ignorant we castigate him
Scared and fascinated
Ignorant we flagellate him

They say he's crazy, they say he's gone
We play our tricks, make up funny songs
Down the street, walking sadly
My little sister, loves him madly
Feeling like the Man From Gladly
Sneaking up on Boo Radley

(B. R. Hornsby)

You're saying I've got, got a lot, a lot of nerve
To say that we could, we could be friends
You're thinking I'm just another one telling lies
You don't want to be fooled, fooled again

And you always go your way
And I always go mine
Maybe one day we'll come together
Across the great divide

I heard somebody calling you a bad name
But I was speechless, didn't say anything to him
Next time I swear, it'll be different
I promise not to be silent again

And you always go your way
And I always go mine
Maybe one day we'll come together
Across the great divide
And I always cross to the other side
But I go back every time
Maybe one day we'll come together
Across the great divide

I saw a bombed aisle, heard a gunshot ring
Saw two matchsticks burn, felt the bedsheets sting
Ugly words on a wall, and a robe in flames
Then I saw a little boy smile, when the clouds did move away

And you always go your way
And I always go mine
Maybe one day we'll come together
Across the great divide

(B.R. Hornsby)

I'm walking outside and I see you arrive
You say let's go for a ride, and have a good old time
I'm saving up lies, or just stay quiet every time
While you talk your line, keep everything fine
Between us, I can see, things are not what they used to be
My old friend changed or maybe it was me
Things get so complicated, jokes made, friendships dissipated
Long silence but I speak now so belated, I say

Hey, wait a minute, what's that you said?
Not so sure that I heard you right
Hey, wait a minute, oh say that again
You're in the dust drawing a long straight line

We'd be playing outside, we'd swing on the swings
Shared most everything, sit there and even sing
Now I sit and wonder, why it's a friendship charade
Looking for fights all day, I don't want to play
But I do, here we go, you fire off another lame remark
You're in the dark
No bite, just your bark but it leaves a painful mark
Painful mark on your soul, takes its toll, might as well fold
I've got my courage up, gonna roll, roll

Hey, wait a minute, what's that you said?
Not so sure that I heard you right
Hey, wait a minute, oh say that again
You're in the dust drawing a long straight line

We talk and talk but you never see
Unreconstructed defiantly
My old friend changed but maybe it was me
Things get so complicated
Jokes made, friendships dissipated
I've stayed quiet so we don't get alienated

Hey, wait a minute, what's that you said?
Not so sure that I heard you right
Hey, wait a minute, oh say that again
You're in the dust drawing a long straight line
Oh say that again
Watch yourself drawing a line in the dust

(B.R. Hornsby)

There was a little girl picked up a doll
Oh so white as snow
Said this is me as I really am
Same little girl picked up a doll
Looked just like her
And threw it away in the garbage can

One man in a courtroom with a grim-faced stare
A sea of armchair experts judging what's said
One man saw another man that could've been him
One man and a woman saw nothing but red, red, red

You're looking at a picture
I'm looking at it too
Do you see what I see today
Let's talk about the difference
Find out what's in the way
Open our eyes, see the same
See the same way

One man saw a healer doing such good, good things
One man saw a sinner by the Holy Sea
Well Jesus and the Pharisees didn't see eye to eye
But the man on the shore saw so clearly

You're looking at a picture
I'm looking at it too
Do you see what I see today
Let's talk about the difference
Find out what's in the way
Open our eyes, see the same
See the same way

I want to be at the meeting, I want to be in that number
When we all see, see the same, see the same way

One man saw a million men standing in peaceful grace
One man saw nobody missing work
Telling lots of bad jokes might just make you feel good
But you never know who, who you hurt with your words

You're looking at a picture
I'm looking at it too
Do you see what I see today
Let's talk about the difference
Find out what's in the way
Open our eyes, see the same
See the same way

There was a man playing G.I. Joe, way back there in the woods
In training for the coming of the promised war
Seeing all conspiracy, needs somebody to blame
If only he could open up, love a little more

You're looking at a picture
I'm looking at it too
Do you see what I see today
Let's talk about the difference
Find out what's in the way
Open our eyes, see the same
See the same way

(B.R. Hornsby)

In light of all I've learned so far
I don't believe I'm so strange
In spite of all this time I spend
Calling the air by a name
When the first light comes over the trees
He will be singing with me
And if I feel like singing alone
He always leave me be

I'm shaking my shadow hand
As the sun moves round the bend
With an imaginary man
And we'll make believe around and around again

There's a man walkinbg around in the night
A lantern in his hand
Looking all around, searching in vain
For an honest man
In my little world of make-believe
I talk to myself or my friend
If real life comes tempting me
I'll go back in my room again

I'm shaking my shadow hand
As the sun moves round the bend
With an imaginary man
And we'll make believe around and around again

So nice to pretend, think I'll do it again
No cards to send, no torn heart to mend
A little imagination and then
A world of fantasy with my friends

I'm shaking my shadow hand
As the sun moves round the bend
With an imaginary man
And we'll make believe around and around again

(B.R. Hornsby/Keith Hornsby/Russell Hornsby/Michael Mangini)

I would try most anything
While I stand here lingering
Have a couple of songs to sing
To take your mind away
Promises of treats I bring
I'd give you most everything
"Doesn't change anything
You're just going away".

Going away going, going, gone away again
Here today, gone tomorrow
Little ones can't hide their sorrow
Gong, going, gone away

See you holding back a tear
The moment when I disappear
You look and look until it's clear
He's gone for a long time
You say don't make a special trip here
Please don't because I fear
Some of my new friends
Might just spy a tear

Going away going, going, gone away again
Here today, gone tomorrow
Little ones can't hide their sorrow
Gong, going, gone away

That's enough places, Dad
Can't you see from our faces, Dad?

Going away going, going, gone away again
Here today, gone tomorrow
Little ones can't hide their sorrow
Gong, going, gone away

If you see a sunlight moon
Know that I can see it too
Know that I am with you
Promise I'll be home soon

I'm kind of glad that you miss me
Sort of hope you keep insisting

(B.R. Hornsby)

You know I think it's a funny thing
People talk without listening
People listen without hearing
I do it all the time
You know it's a funny phenomenon
People on their constant run
So obvious to me and yet
I never stop to get set

Listen to the silence
You might hear what you're looking for
Hearing nothing but the sound of your mind
Listen to the silence
A little quiet time
You just might find what you're after
If you close your eyes

There's a jackhammer here and a speechmaker there
Here a gun, there a gun, everywhere
See my man go tearing his hair
When everything's fine
I don't pretend to know a lot
I'll do the best with what I've got
Clear my head and give it a shot
Till the stars line up right

Listen to the silence
You might hear what you're looking for
Hearing nothing but the sound of your mind
Listen to the silence
A little quiet time
You just might find what you're after
If you free your mind

This isn't deep, it's not profound
It;s just something that I think about now
Had to find a new way around
The old way's not right
Self-help books and the latest moves
Who knows what will get you through
Don't know about me, less about you
I don't know but I'll try

Listen to the silence
You might hear what you're looking for
Hearing nothing but the sound of your mind
Listen to the silence
A little quiet time
You just might find what you're after
If you close your eyes

It's a noisy life I'm living right now
Believe I've done my time in the loud
Noisy life I'm living right now
I've played my joyful song with a loud sound

(B.R. Hornsby)

Jenny drove out to Vegas for the first time
Picked up a guy hitching on the highway side
Rode into town together looking for a sign
Thought they saw something in the keno lights
She'd always do what she should
Nice girl of the neighbourhood
Had everything that money could buy
Went out for a ride, looking for the

Funhouse, dark as night
Strap in for the long ride
Funhouse, don't be frightened
Who knows what you'll find

Jimmy was fascinated with the made men
Went out to find any movie he could rent
Died his hair black, bought him an olive oil suit
To run with the wolves, like Romulus in Reno would
I know you play by the rules
But I know you've got a dark streak too
Go out for a closer view
Go out for a ride, looking for the

Funhouse, dark as night
Strap in for the long ride
Funhouse, don't be frightened
Who knows, you might like it

She loved how she felt that tingle in her body
When she had her palm read in the back of the house
She loved how everybody loved her when she took it out
Would jump around, would scream and shout

Forbidden fruit sure tastes fine
Better than towing the long, straight line
Careful what you ask for you might just find
You like it when you cross the line, looking for the

Funhouse, dark as night
Strap in for the long ride
Funhouse, don't be frightened
Who knows what you'll find

Funhouse, dark as night
Strap in for the long ride
Funhouse, danger's high
Who knows, what you might find
Funhouse, dark as night
Strap in for the long ride
Funhouse, don't be frightened
Who knows, you might like it

(B.R. Hornsby/Mike Mangini)

One eye is open, the other eye is shut
Don't throw anything to me
I'm in no place, no place to receive
And I just can't move a thing
Things are rough down here
You know it's a little grim
Whatever you've got to pick me up
To help me out, I'm in
I'm down with that

In my dream I can fly, fly high
Over the fields and across the sky
Then I'm awake and I'm back on the ground
If you could take me back up there
I'm down, down with that

When I escape and close my eyes
Can't tell you from me
Sometimes in the dreams I look at myself
And it's looks so good, what I see
I'm having a little trouble here
Could you maybe help me out?
A little confidence pill you got
To take away my self-doubt
I'm down with that

In my dream I can fly, fly high
Over the fields and across the sky
Then I'm awake and I'm back on the ground
If you could take me back up there
I'm down, down with that

Slow down sun, shake yourself
Why make your own hell?
Say what are you doing son?
I'm just trying to like myself
I'd love to help myself
You know I really, really would
May your days be bright and well

In my dream I can fly, fly high
Over the fields and across the sky
Then I'm awake and I'm back on the ground
If you could take me back up there
I'm down, down with that

[No lyrics]

(B.R. Hornsby)

This is no fond farewell
You can be sure I could wish it was no farewell at all
It's been a good long run
Oh to be sure I don't regret much
Not much at all
I'm gonna dance the night away
Gonna do what I want to any old day
And all at once I know the clouds are gonna clear for me

And I will do alright
Well in truth, I might
I may be stumbling round on some cold night
I will miss the times when we were so right
Although it seems so long ago, so long
This is my swan song, I'm gone, gone

This is no sorrowful day
You can be sure I've got no axe to grind at all
It's circumstance or burn out
You can be sure I've been grinding
Till I'm grinding to a halt
Sometimes it's the right thing to cut the cord
You've been holding on hard but your hands get sore
Sometimes it's worth it, but sometimes you wonder what for

And I will do alright
Well in truth, I might
I may be stumbling round on some cold night
I will miss the times when we were so right
Although it seems so long ago, so long
This is my swan snog, I'm gone, gone

And I will do alright
Well in truth, I might
I may be stumbling round in some dim light
I will miss the times when it was so rightAlthouhg it seems so long ago, so long
This is my swan song, I'm gone, gone

[No lyrics]