Jeffrey Lee Pierce's Lyrics

Fire Of Love (1981)

Sex Beat
(typed in by Andy Sztehlo, and taken from Hellione lyrics page; corrections received from Patrick Dollard)

Johnny's got a light in his eyes and Shirley's got a light on her lips
Jakes got a monkeyshine on his head and Debra Ann's got a tiger in her hips
they can twist and turn they can move and burn
they can throw themselves against the wall
but they creep for what they need
and they explode to the call and then they move
move
Sex beat, go

They're stupid like I told ya, very stupid like ya saw
very stupid as the simple thought of ever thinking at all
and all their mind, all their souls all their bodies all we know
all we know all the things that should a made us whole
all the colourless security was all that someone could go and move, move
Sex beat, drop

and yes you do look cool and by the floodlights so blue
you make my tropical apartment bed, your sacrificial pool
my body in the water and my heart is in your hand
so this is the way you choose to send me to the judgement land
so you can't move, move oohh..sex beat, go

and every day I agree you throw me down by the christmas tree
I watched your lights blink on and off while you start your fun with me
I, I know your reasons and I, I know your goals
we can fuck forever but you will never get my soul
just so you can move
so you can move
so you can move
so you can move so you can
oohh... Sex beat

I was up this morning, blues walking like a man
I was up this morning, blues walking like a man
worried blues, give me your right hand

And the blues fell mama's child, tore me all upside down
blues fell mama's child, tore me all upside down
travel on ol' Jeffrey Lee, ya know, can't seem to turn him around

So, Preach the Blues
    Preach the Blues now

Blues, is low down shaking chill
Blues, is low down shaking chill
you ain't never had them, I don't believe you will
Blues is an achin' old heart disease
Blues is an achin' old heart disease
it's like consumption, baby, killing me by degrees

So, Preach the Blues
    Preach the Blues now

I had religion, Lord on this very day
I had religion, Lord on this very day
but, the womens and the whiskey, they would not let me pray

Gonna get me religion, gonna join the Baptist church
Gonna get me religion, gonna join the Baptist church
Gonna be a Baptist preacher, so I don't have to work

Promise me,
outside in the trees, they're waiting tonight
Promise me,
while the searching light moon has found me

    you know it feels like the very last time again

Promise me,
someone who will promise me, stand in the dark and fight like me
through eyes like fireflies,

    turn around and tell me, it'll be alright

       is it alright?

Promise me,
don't cheat my soul when it returns to me
Promise me,
give me the vision I was born to see,
    you know it feels like years since they burned me away
    you know it feels like years since they burned my heart away
    you know it feels like years, feels like years
    you know it feels like years since they took my eyes away

I cannot get a look at it
so, I'm burning them on the deal anyway
I see her come down from the top of the stairs

I guess that I'd be cool, but there's a tickle in my veins
I've been a real good tombstone, but now I'm blowing away

She is like an eye-blue swimming pool
but, she will never know that she is there
we sit together drunk like our fathers used to be
I'm looking up and God is saying, "What are you gonna do?"
I'm looking up and I'm crying, "I thought it was up to you!"

but now,

    She's like Heroin to me
    she's like Heroin to me
    she's like Heroin to me
    she cannot miss a vein

don't let her take her love to town
they will never fill her heart
she needs a passion like her father's used to be

I know, because I'm like the train shooting down the mainline
I know, because I'm like the Indian wind along the telegraph lines

    and she's like Heroin to me
    she's like Heroin to me
    she's like Heroin to me
    she cannot miss a vein           So mainline it!

I cannot get a look at it
so, I'm blowing back my trouble to the east
while we sit together sad like our fathers used to be

I know a perfect run by the sleep it puits in my heart
I know my special rider, I can feel her in the dark

    she feels like Heroin to me
    she feels like Heroin to me
    she's like Heroin to me
    she cannot miss a vein

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional information, thanks to Steven Schayer

doesn't he say "she is like an I.V. swimming pool".
that's what i always thought. it makes more sense at any rate than "she
is like an eye blue swimming pool.

Reply from Steven Wolfe

On your lyric page, you have the line in "She's Like Heroin to Me" as
"...like an eye-blue swimming pool..." and someone below questions it.
In fact you have it right. It's a pool the color of blue eyes. All the
pools in LA are deep blue. I saw his original handwritten lyrics so I
know this for certain.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

You look just like an Elvis from HELL
My heart is broken, so I'm gong to HELL
bury me way down deep in HELL
I'm a steel drivin' man, I want to go to HELL!

    then go tell Ivy oh-oh!
    for the love of Ivy yeah-yeah!
    I did it for Ivy oh-oh!

    you're the one

Gonna buy me a graveyard of my own
kill everyone who ever done me wrong
gonna buy me a gun just as long as my arm
kill everyone who ever done me harm

    then go tell Ivy oh-oh!
    for the love of Ivy yeah-heah!
    I did it for Ivy oh-oh!

    you're the one

Well, jawbone eat and jawbone talk
jawbone eat you with a knife and fork
I was hunting for niggers down in the dark
when suddenly I got a better thought

let's go hunt Ivy, oh-oh!
let's go get Ivy, Yeah-yeah!
for the love of Ivy, oh-oh!

    you're the one.

I did it for Ivy
I did it for Ivy
HA HA HA! Ivy!

I was all dressed up like Elvis from HELL! HELL!

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Addition posted on the Gun Club mailing list:

Subject: Jawbone talk
   From: David Bremer

"Jawbone eat and jawbone talk
 Jawbone eat you with a knife and fork"

- The above lines, included in "For the Love of Ivy", Jeffrey actually
nicked from a Leadbelly song called "Cornbread Rough", which is a jumpy
little piece played on accordion.
In case you felt like a little enlightening. :-]
                                             David
------------------------------------------------------------------------

I can see clearly
from my diamond eyes,
I'm going to the mountain with the Fire Spirit
no-one will accept all of me
so the Fire...will stop

Up through the streets
the gunfire of cars,
going to the mountain with the Fire Spirit
no-one will take all of me
so the Fire...will stop

I will be cheating
the whole ritual,
I'm going to the mountain with the Fire Spirit
no-one will expect all of me
so the Fire..will stop

   Someone will break out of the circle,
   someone will turn and burn a world
   someone knows a better cell
   where the old north wind blows through southeast hell, yeah....

   Invention was betrayed by the machine,
   promised like it was promised to me
   I'm going up to the mountain to see
   how the last thing, will set me free, yeah...

     I had to do something, I was wearing down,
     I was going down....

   Why can no one ever touch a Fire Spirit?
   Why can no one ever hold a Fire Spirit?
   Why can no one ever feel a Fire Spirit?

   I am going to the mountain,
   I am going to the mountain,
   I am going to the montain....

I can see clearly
from my diamond eyes,
I'm going to the mountain with the Fire Spirit,
no one will accept all of me...
and the fire...will stop...

With too much patience
and too much pain,
going to the mountain with the Fire Spirit
to make amends for all of me...
and the Fire...will stop.

It's cloudy in the west, it looks like rain
my eyes are black holes and i'm burning away

you slaughtered your loving man
killed him in his sleep
the blood and crying of your murder
simply stains your sheets

Now, you're a ghost on the highway
your gesture is meaningless
you're lost to the living men
trailing souls to the end

You thought winning as a woman, meant failing as a friend
it is nor an art statement, to drown a few passionate men,

you made yourself a diamond
to blind young men's eyes
you claim because they want your shine
they deserve to walk the line,

You're a ghost on the highway
your gesture is meaningless
you're lost forever to the living men
trailing souls to the end

(noise)

Yes, I would give you my love
so my soul would not starve
but, it could never move the honest rock
of what you really are,

You're a ghost on the highway
you're like straw and meaningless
I hate you, but I love you
I'll carry that to the end

If I ever lie with you again, I pray I do not sleep
If I ever closed my eyes again, I'd realize what you are to me.
you are simply a liar
an animal who bluffs and steals
until you become
a bigger creature's meal,

You're a ghost on the highway
your trash and meaningless
I hate you, but I love you
I'll carry that to the end

You lost on the highway

I am like Jack, I am from southern land
I'm holding your happiness in my hand
the sun behind me is a sexual red
and all your bounty-hunting ghosts are dead

I am like Jack and I tell you this
I will be your lover and exorcist
In the stillness of the mosquito sunset
you will make love to me to your very best

Hey, hey, I'm a Jack On Fire
hey, hey, your lips kiss Jack on Fire

Way back in the Indian days
nothing could drive the heat away
drive the search and murder of lost enemies
drive deep into what is never seen

And like Jack, there is a heat to the fight
like a moth detects a heat to the light
and like Jack, I will covet everything that is you
because, the heat in you will temporarily do

Hey, hey, I'm a Jack On Fire
hey, hey, your lips kiss Jack on Fire

(noise)

When you fall in love with me
we can dig a hole by the willow tree
then, I will fuck you until you die
bury you and kiss this town goodbye,

it will be unhappy, it will be sad
but, it will be understood that I am BAD!
so don't you go and lie to me
'cause everyday is judgement day with me

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additions (a.o. posted on the Gun Club mailing list):

From: Ian Rosen
I noticed that Go Tell the Mountain doesn't have the complete lyrics to
Jack On Fire.  There is a section about "Creole boys lying dead, I used
his blood to paint the costume red."  But it's not in the lyric in the
book.  Just thought I'd mention that.

From: Chris "XT235" Hoffman
In New Orleans at the Mardi Gras
I was dancin' in a costume made of straw
Some creole boy was a lying dead,
I used his blood to paint my costume red

a-black and white, I will abandon(?) brain
(something something) with a ball and chain
The marshes are sinking in a bright red sky
and I will make love to you tonight

just off the top o' my head - is that all you needed?
From: Michael

"...Black or white, I will gladly bring.  Nerves-in-hand and a ball of string.
The marshes are sinkin' in a bright..."?     michael.

From: Georges Kaplan
"...just something for the lyrics of jack on fire: the adverts for miami
wrote: "a costume made of stars" so..."

From: Will
"hmm..i think that the mystery verse says

In New Orleans at the Mardi Gras
I was dancing in a costume, then I saw,
Some creole boy was lying dead,
I used his blood to paint the costume red,

(unsure)
(unsure)
The martians are singing in the bright red sky and
you will make love to me tonight,"
------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm moving on the black train
The night it beats me down
I'm moving on the Black Train
I breath a soundles sound,

        Riding on the Black Train

Every drop in my body moves with the train
And some of it's on the floor
I'm slippin' out to anyplace
Although I know I've been there before

        Riding on the Black Train

Torn up on the Black Train
Torn from my southern home
Left a nigger lying dead by the river
Left the Will-O-the-Wisp to roam

        Riding on the Black Train

I'm heat on the Black Train
A torch lighting up the night
With everything I've had and everything I've done
I still can't be satisfied,

        Riding on the Black Train

I ask for water, and she gave me gasoline
I ask for water, give me gasoline
I ask for water and she gave me gasoline
Lord, Lordy Lord.

Cryin', Lord, I wonder, will I ever get back home?
Cryin', Lord, I wonder, I ever get back home?
Lord, Lordy Lord.

I went to the depot, looked up on the board
I asked the conductor how long has this Eastbound train been gone?

I asked the conductor could I ride the blinds?
Son, buy your ticket, for that train ain't none of mine
Son, buy your ticket, train ain't none of mine
Lord, Lordy Lord.

Look what's been done, John
It's coming out of the east like rain, Johnny
Look, what's been done, John
It's coming like a God with no name, Johnny

        I'm out near Santa Fe
        Hitching out for the warmer days

I'm all broke up, Johnny
It all just beat me down

Look, down the line, Johnny
There's flashlights on the backroads, Johnny
Look, down the line, Johnny
Of the American unknown, Johnny

        I'm out there in the desert
        All your dreams lie dead in the desert

I'm all torn up, Johnny
It all just beat me down

Look at the girl, Johnny
Yellow hair a shine, indian eyes to see, Johnny
Look at her, Johnny
Her love is like anything to me, Johnny

        What slipped so deep into me
        I can never get it out of me

I'm all broke up, Johnny
It all just beat me down

Miami (1982)

Carry Home
(typed in by Ger Potze, taken from "Go Tell The Mountain")

Come down to the willow garden
with me
come go with me
come go and see

Although I've howled across fields and my eyes
turned grey
are yours still the same?
are you still the same?

 	Carry Home
	I have returned
	through so many highways
	and so many tears

Your letter never survived the heat of
my hand
my burning hand
my sweating hand

Your love never survived the heat of
my heart
my violent heart
in the dark

	Carry Home
	I have returned
	through so many highways
	and so many tears

	   Carry Home to where I am from
	   carry to the place that I have come
	   carry to the dust and flies behind me
	   carry to the cracks and caves on the face of me

	   Oh, but I didn't change, I just had to work
	   Yeah, but I didn't change, I just had to work
	   and now I'm home, and now I'm home
	   do you still want me?
	   Now, that I'm home

Come down to the willow garden with me
come go with me
come go and see

You sent a Jack O'Lantern over to my house
to charm me from my kill
I've crosses far too much to bear
but, you said you will

now, you look away, look away
    look away, and leave me alone

    I'm calling up thunder
	hands to the open sky
	calling up thunder
	to the wind and open sky

	to help myself
	to help myself
    I'm calling up thunder
    I'm calling up thunder

With the tears warm against your red dress
embedded in my brain
I see that we were alike
but, we were not the same

now, you look away, look away
    and leave me all alone

    I'm calling up thunder
	hands to the open sky
    I'm calling up thunder
	to the wind and the open sky

	to help myself
	to help myself
    I'm calling up thunder
    I'm calling up thunder

The ghosts, they crawl on the floor
wondering at it all
I promised I would join them
but, the gesture was too small
now, I look away, look away
    look away back to myself

    I'm calling up thunder
	hands to the open sky
    I'm calling up thunder
	to the wind and the open sky

	to save myself
	to save myself
    I'm calling up thunder
    I'm calling up thunder

Why do you keep me
    way underground?
My sight is dying
    as was the sound.

Why do you paint me
    and cover me with jewels?
Where are we going?
    What are we going to do?

    you used to say, you'd take me home

    but,	I keep falling to the sister
	brother falls unto the sister
	keep getting pushed further and further
	away

The sins of me
    they buzz and hiss in the trees
    their little skeletons
    will harm no one

Why do you always
    bring them back to me
they're kingdom come
    and earth will be done
    on heaven and earth and me

    you used to say, you'd take me home

    but,	I keep falling to the sister
	brother falls unto the sister
	keep getting pushed further and further
	away

And who is that there
    always beside you
when I count us together
    together we are only two

I had a dream
    and there was foxfire in your hair
I am your brother, your lover
    I give you my blood
    I will follow you anywhere

    you used to say, but, you never know

    but,	I keep falling to the sister
	brother falls unto the sister
	keep getting pushed further and further
	away

Whoa, thought it was a nightmare,
Lo, it's all so true,
They told me, "Don't go walkin' slow
'Cause Devil's on the loose."

Better run through the jungle,
Better run through the jungle,
Better run through the jungle,
Woa, Don't look back to see.

Thought I heard a rumblin'
Callin' to my name,
Two hundred million guns are loaded
Satan cries, "Take aim!"

Better run through the jungle,
Better run through the jungle,
Better run through the jungle,
Woa, Don't look back to see.

Over on the mountain
Thunder magic spoke,
"Let the people know my wisdom,
Fill the land with smoke."

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additions posted on the Gun Club mailing list:

Subject: [Wildweed] Lyrics to Run Through the Jungle
From: Ian Rosen

Doesn't JLP add some of his own lyrics to his cover of that song?
There's some stuff about "she lay across the bed"  "she is so ambitious" and
other imagery that I don't think was in the original John Fogerty version.

Subject: Re: [Wildweed] Lyrics to Run Through the Jungle
From: xt235

"I ain't never been no Christian, I don't wanna be baptised" is one of the
lines I've never heard on the CCR version.  The other is, from memory,
"(something, blah, across the bed). . . She looks so ambitious, took back
everything I said"
CHRISxt235

Other additions:

Subject: GUN CLUB LYRICS
From: Horseluvthin

heres my take on some lyrics            run through the jungle          i
dont think he sings any of the original lyrics        AND GET ME OUT OF THIS
WATER  BEFORE WE START TO RISE  IVE NEVER BEEN NO CHRISTIAN  I DONT WANT TO
BE BAPTISED                I (STARTED TO?)  KILL MY WOMAN  AS SHE LAY ACROSS
THE BED  SHE LOOKS SO AMBITIOUS  TOOK BACK EVERYTHING I SAID

Subject: extra lyrics to Run Thru the Jungle
From: Ian Rosen

I was listening to that song again, and some of the
extra lyrics sounded like:

I's gonna kill my woman
she lay across the bed
she looks so ambitious
took back every thing I said
------------------------------------------------------------------------

I may be
just like Bill
I'm up on the hill
and I can't get down

I cry because you don't know
I cry because you will never know

    just how dark can an animal be?
	 how dark can an animal be?

		Dark like darkness
		dark like a devil out in the woods now

I saw the light
that just buzzed
I saw the light
but, my brain just buzzed

I cry because you never know
I cry because you will never know

    just how black can an animal be?
	 how black can an animal be?

		Dark like darkness
		dark like a devil out in the woods now

Train
Train I ride
train I ride
ride on me
ride on me

He's dead on the lawn
of the house that he owned
what will they say about him?

He had medals
he was in the war
what will they say about him?

He had folks in Houston
but, he moved out west
what will they say about him?

the Mexican neighbors
all the women stand crying
what will they say about him? about him?

    always ask me, but I don't know anymore
    always ask me, but I don't care anymore

He was the violent kind
he saved me once or twice
what should I say about it?

I tried so hard
but, I just said "Fuck it!"
and what should I say about him?

    always ask me, but I don't know anymore
    always ask me, but I don't care anymore

That he's dead on the lawn
that he's dead on the lawn

what will they say about him?
what will they say about him?
what will they say about him?

    Please don't ask me
    please don't ask me

See the Watermelon Man ah' come
see the Watermelon Man ah' come
see the Watermelon Man ah' come
see the Watermelon Man ah' come

Haiyo! Haiyo yah!

See the man put on a smiley face
See the man put on a smiley face
See the man put on a smiley face
See the man put on a smiley face

Haiyo! Haiyo yah!

He no dead, he no dead he dea' yah!

See the Watermelon Man ah' come
See the Watermelon Man ah' come
See the Watermelon Man ah' come
See the Watermelon Man ah' come

See the man put on a smiley face
See the man put on a smiley face
See the man put on a smiley face
See the man put on a smiley face

Haiyo! Haiyo yah!

He no dead, he no dead he dea' yah!

Haiyo! Haiyo yah!

You blew me out of the south
and Texas too
I made love to California to get away from you

New York has made you, a hungry girl
now, you catch up with me at the end of the world

    I don't believe you
    What are you doing down here?
    You need something in a shoe?
    or are you just a Bad Indian?

Bad Indians
they love the land they hate
eat your flesh and then forget the taste

Someone describe, that primal drive
to consume what's theirs and seek what's mine

    I don't believe them
    and I don't believe you
    I suspect everything you do
    'cause you are like a Bad Indian

Bad Indian

    Do your war dance!!

Now you're stripped
by the things you do
your ass is glass and I can see through you

Go find somebody
who ain't been so hard
give me an overdose of the drug that you are

    You are like a ghost
    with crazy hands and mouth
    a necklace made of eyeballs
    you are like a Bad Indian

John Hardy was a vicious little man
he carried two guns every day
He shot down a man on the West Virginia line
I see John Hardy gettin' away, poor boy
     see John Hardy gettin' away

John Hardy went up to that free stone bridge
where there, he thought he was free
a death to men, called nobody his own
siad, "Johnny come and go with me" poor boy
     "Johnny come and go with me."

John Hardy had a pretty little wife back home
the dress that she wore was blue
she come to the jailhouse with a loud shout
said, "Johnny, I've been true to you", poor boy
     "Johnny, I've been true to you."

she said,

John Hardy sent out to the East Coast
sent for his folks to come and go his bail
but, there was no bail allowed for the murderin' man
they sent John Hardy back to jail
    sent John Hardy back to jail

Who's going to shoe your pretty little feet
who's gonna glove your hand
who's gonna kiss your rosy red cheek
it's gonna be that steel drivin' man
      be that steel drivin' man

she said,

Now he's sittin' alone there in his cell
tears rolling down his eyes
he's been the death of many, a poor man
now, he is ready to die, poor boy,
now he is ready to die

Sigin' "I've been to the east, I've been to the west"
"I've seen this whole wide world around"
"I've been to the river and I've been baptized"
     "Take me to my hanging in the ground"
     "Take me to my hanging in the ground"

she said

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Addition posted on the Gun Club mailing list:

Subject: John Hardy was a desparate little man
   From: Jennifer West

I found this some years ago: "John Hardy is an American 'bad-man' ballad
about the crime and death of John Hardy, a West Virginia Negro employee
of the Shawnee Coal Company who murdered a man in a gambling quarrel,
was pursued by the law, and was caught and hanged at Welch, MacDowell
County, West Virginia, on January 19, 1894."
The song lyrics seem fairly truthful to the above story.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

The fire of love is burning deep
The fire of love won't let me sleep
Oh my love, hear this my plea
Because of you, it's burning me

The sun beats down with its fiery glow
Knows I won't see my love no more
I'm sorry for the things I've done
Forgive me dear, my only one

My baby's back, once more she's mine
To have and hold till end of time
The moon shines down from up above
Its light to cool the fire of love

The fire of love
The fire of love
(fade)

I'll take you sleeping up the street
I'll take you very softly
I'll take under the parking light
I'll hold you very softly

Just like a soul, your face will shine
even though your mind's been blown
was the type of love, a much better kind
when you were on your own?

   You are taken, going down,
   way down to Blood City
   you are taken, going down,
   through the bloody red eyes of Blood City

Look above you for the sky is black
and the asphalt is blue
throw yourself right down on your back
and look at me for what to do

I don't take what is given to me
I just take it from the land
was the type of love a much better kind
when you were with another man?

   You are taken, going down
   right down to Blood City
   you are taken, going down,
   through the bloody red eyes of Blood City

I'll take you sleeping up the street
I'll take you very softly
I'll take you under the parking lights
and hold you so softly

just like a soul, your face will shine
even though your mind's been blown
was the type of love, a much better kind
WHEN YOU WERE ON YOUR OWN??!!!

   You are taken, going down
   right down to Blood City
   you are taken, going down
   through the bloody red eyes of BLOOD CITY!

I've gone down the river of sadness
I've gone down the river of pain
in the dark, under the wires.
I hear them call my name

I gave you the key to the highway
and the key to my motel door
and I'm tired of leaving and leaving
so, I won't come back no more

Oh, my dark-eyed friend
I'm recalling you again
soft voices that speak nothing
speak nothing to the end

Oh, Mother of Earth
the blind they call
but, yet stay behind the wall
their sadness grows like weeds
upon my thighs and knees

Oh, Mother of Earth
the wind is hot
I tried my best, but I could not
and my eyes fade from me
in this open country

The Las Vegas Story (1984)

The Las Vegas Story (instrumental)

Walkin' With The Beast
(typed in by Ian Rosen, and posted on the Gun Club mailing list)

In the still of the night, I walk with the Beast
in the heat of the night, I sleep with the Beast
who slipped so deep inside me
and rots the love right out of me

I prayed to Elvis on my knees
to take this thing from around me
or snap it with a thundercrack
and change my blues to black

but, how did my love surround me
with such a dead thing around me,

I'm just walkin'  I'm just walkin'
I'm just walkin'
Walkin' with the Beast...

I'm not alone, there's trucks outside
My body hurts, there's trucks outside
you get lucky in the bar
you're down and lucky in the dark

indian winds across the skies
black against the Nevada skies
there's nothing you say that does not squeal
there's nothing you want you do not steal

well, how my love surrounds me
with such a dead thing around me

I'm just walkin'  I'm just walkin'
I'm just walkin'
Walkin' with the Beast

The Beast will be with me tonight
wild across the western sky
someday, I'll go to the mountain and take my stand
and my spirit will rain all over this land

Sick across the highway bar
sick and going way too far
it's the new world, see if you like it
it's the new world, you cannot fight it

Well, how my love done blessed me
with such a dead thing around me,

I'm just walkin' with the beast...

Well, this is what I’ve never told you
yes, we are animals too
and it’ll be a life of "getting back"
for a night of "getting off"

but, I couldn’t wait
now, eternally is here…

"I never promised you anything
for promising me everything," she said.
"I stood silent and true
while you fell to pieces."

but, I couldn’t wait
and, eternally is here…

and it’s a long way down… without a sound…

You’ve known I’ve always wanted you
and since today is the end of the world
you’re heart and no more art (your?)
will hold me tonight!

but, I couldn't wait
now, eternally is here...

and it's a long way down... without a sound...

        (solo: Jeffreylee)

This is what she always said:
"I will give to you of love and blood
for all the forever and never
and yet, still again and again..."

but, I couldn't wait
now, eternally is here...

and it's a long way down...
without a sound in this world...

        (closing solo: Mustang Dave)

                                                                J.L. Pierce
                                                                New York City, 1983

There's a stranger in our town
he's got a burning eye
he wants to get off on you...

The last time that he was here
he had a roving eye
he smiled as he got off on you...

Don't face me with that sad face
because, you lost that glorious grace
you will always be coming back to this place,

        There's a stranger, in our town
        There's a stranger, pullin' you around
        There's a stranger, in our town
        There's a stranger,
                                  and he's gonna break your heart
                                  and then get off on you...

There's a stranger in our town
pulls out a punk's spinal cord
piss and blood on the sidewalk of hearts...

This stranger in our town
lives in tunnels beneath hell
lives in tunnels way down below your heart...

push it in and push it out
you already know what it's all about
and you'll be begging as usual without any doubt,

        There's a stranger, in our town
        There's a stranger, followin' you around
        There's a stranger whose in our town (who's)
        There's a stranger,
                                  and he's gonna break your heart
                                  and then get off on you...

        (solos: 1st - Kid Congo, 2nd - Mustang Dave)

So, I walk smile like he smiles
I walk just like he walks
my right hand to my face like this...

This stranger in our town
he once was in another town
with insects on his face like this...

with names that are just like names
and pictures from the rear of trains
what you want will always be the same,

        There's a stranger, in our town
        There's a stranger, pullin' you around
        There's a stranger, in our town
        There's a stranger,
                                  and he's gonna break your heart
                                  and then get off on you...

Stranger in our town
stranger he got a burning eye
he got insects on his face like this
but, he is such a strange strange stranger
     he is such a strange strange stranger...

        (closing solo: Kid Congo)

                                                                J.L. Pierce
                                                                Los Angeles, 1983

What I say
you cannot hear it
so, you intrude upon my dreams
and hate my appearance,

Who gave you the right
to give out the rights?
and to intrude upon My Dreams
and sell out my eyes,

        You can't take My Dreams
        You can't take My Dreams
        You can't take and steal from this body...

I never get a chance
in the airport
sick in bathroom with Your Dreams
and a flight to nowhere,

In Victoria, Gare du' Nord (du)
and Tompkin's Square
You're standing on My Dreams
and you don't care,

        You can't take My Dreams
        You can't take My Dreams
        You can't take and steal from this body...

A heartbeat
tears my insides apart
and tears apart My Dreams
in the whirling dark,

I never got to go
I cannot make it
I never get to have Dreams
and I will not take it,

        You can't take My Dreams
        You can't take My Dreams
        You can't take and steal from this body...

They were supposed to be MY DREAMS...

                                                                J.L. Pierce
                                                                Over the South
                                                                Pacific, 1983
                                                                (Thanx to D. Harry
                                                                on this one.)

My Man's Gone Now
(written by George & Ira Gershwin/Du Bose Heyward, unavailable in "Go Tell The Mountain")
(typed in and provided by Sergio Rotman)

My man's gone now
Ain't no use a listenin'
For his tired footsteps
Climbin' up the stairs
Old man sorrow's
Come to keep me company
Whisperin' beside me
When I say my prayers
When I say my prayers
He come around
He come up, he come around
Ain't that I mind workin'
Workin' means travellers
Journeyin' together
To the promised land
But old man sorrow
Mountin' all the way with me
Tell' me that I'm old now
Since I lose my man
Since I lose my man
Since I lose my man

I thought I heard you
in my room last night
lonely lemur calls
in my walls last night,

        when I was all alone, in the palm drunken night
        when I was all alone, bejeweled in the night

        pulsing we are hearts, but bleeding unlike diamonds
        tying up ourselves, but bleeding unlike diamonds,

and it's bad,
                but, it is Bad America
                under the western sky...

I looked up another thousand times
you colored my world violence
you made me warm when you hit me
with a nail in my arm,

        I was all alone, I could have die there
        I was all alone, and I did not care,

        but, for a burning second, of red love in the dark
        but, for my burning hands, grasping in the dark

and it's bad,
                but, it is Bad America
                under the western sky...

And there's girl breath
up and down my spine
but, that was a river ago
I knew you'd come in time,

        I was all alone, though it was a sea ago
        I was all alone, and where did you go,

        and there's vein-like children, on the waterfront
        smack-rotting faces, on the waterfront,

and it's bad,
                but, it is Bad America
                under the western sky...

                it is Bad America
                well, alright...

        (all solos: Jeffreylee)

                                                                J.L. Pierce
                                                                San Francisco, 1983

I'm a thousand miles below
I'm in a hole waiting for you,

with filthy streets and trucks, outside
I dress, then I undress, and look, outside
I'm in a hole and waiting,
                                        here for you...

Between the lights downtown
In the back of a cab,

you are looking for kicks, to make your kicks
and just like the trick, that goes like this
and just like the prick,
                                that you are...

I'm a thousand miles below
pulling ribbons from my hair,

low rates and color T.V.
money on the bed, left there for me
and one of these days I'll kill you,
                                                while you sleep...

        (solo: Kid Congo)

Between the lights downtown
in the back of a taxi,

you are getting misty-eyed, beneath the adult world sign
just like little children, in one screaming line
I'm in a hole and waiting,
                                        here for you...

I'm a thousand miles below
why do you leave me here?

I was strong enough to admit that I was weak
you take and give alot, but you don't give to me
one of these days I'll kill you,
                                                while you sleep...

                                                                J.L. Pierce
                                                                Los Angeles, 1983

My hotel is blue
beautiful ocean blue,

paint melting off the walls
and I can hardly breathe
young men nod against the palms
turn blue and fail to breathe,

but, I came here to see,

So,
        Give up the Sun, Give up the Sun
        One hundred thousand times
        I live just to hear you say
       (I live just for once to? I live just to want to?)
        give up the sun, give up the sun...

Down along the beachline
gulls pick at bones and glass,

Old Jew remembers Broadway
among the tires and glass
I try to remember Broadway
I had a friend up there at last,

and she can't help me now,

So,
        Give up the Sun, Give up the Sun
        One hundred thousand times
        I just want to hear you say
        give up the sun, give up the sun...

        (solo: Jeffreylee)

Out there, the sea makes love
waves pinwheel to the bay,

Oh, don't you leave me here
there's ghosts and rooms of pain
there's a storm out on the sea tonight
and bodies filled with pain
palm wind across the sea tonight
black with whirling pain
alone against the docks tonight
nobody knows my name,

and I can't go back again,

So,
        Give up the Sun, Give up the Sun...

                                                                J.L. Pierce
                                                                Miami Beach, 1983

Wildweed (1985)

Love & Desperation
(typed in by Ger Potze, taken from "Go Tell The Mountain"
- follow the link to see the lyrics as they appear on the sleeve of the 12" release for this song)

(The Mexican hustler: "Hey Meester!...Hey Blondie Boy!")

The night has windows that cannot sleep
I don't like the monsters that you keep
Don't play "Baby Mary" 'cause I am not a kid
Don't you go and push me like your hammer did,

for you,

    Love and Desperation

I am blue as you pull off your skin
I can read in flesh everywhere you've been
That's why we bother to know eacht other so well
That's why I bother to live in hell with you

    Love and Desperation

    This is love, it's dangerous
    there's whole lots of things in my head
    this love, that's filling me
    when you are there

    Love and Desperation

Somebody hurts you, so you hurt me
so I hurt somebody else, who I have never seen
who hurts somebody else, why on down the road
who hurts somebody else who goes on home

with you,

    Love and Desperation

    This is love and dangerous
    there's whole lots of things in my head
    this is love, it's spilling me,
    when you are here

    Love and Desperation
You're poking knowingly, slipping numbers on the wall
about the price of diamonds that sparkle when you call
about the price of breathing that can not hurt you at all
about the fools in schools, who could slip to fall

for you,

    It's Love and Desperation

    This is love and dangerous
    there's whole lots of things in my head
    this is love that's filling me
    when you aren't here

    It's Love and Desperation
	  can't sleep
	  your midnight children
	  do the midnight creep
	  with Love and Desperation

(Japanese hustler: Oi! Kochini koi!)

King Solomon sittin' still
he sits on his grave
the tourists are singing
home on the range
he wigs out in the Frolic Room
and breaks all the mirrors
and someone starts yelling
"Man, he is weird!"

   Sex Killer
   Sex Killer
   Sex Killer
   man, he is bound to get you

I used to hate Solo
he hated me the same
I used to hate Solo
had to see him everyday
he turned my wife to the mud
his mass abused my son
he put me on his alter for kicks
then, he said "You are sick."

   Sex Killer
   Sex Killer
   Sex Killer
   man, he is bound to gte you

Now, Solo sits naked
he watches the clock
he's waiting for God
to come out of the box
but, the feminists move in
and break down the doors
he jumpps up with a rubber nose
and says, "You're a bore."

   Sex Killer
   Sex Killer
   Sex Killer
   man, he is bound to get you

Your window sweats
your man he is a sleep
the tower clock moans the appointments that you keep
enter the bar
and Cleopatra Dreams On

Now, your lover is drunk
and he's asleep on the lawn
your boy is in the desert and he fondles a fawn
go to the bar!
Cleopatra Dreams On

Now, the agents of grace
have been stealing your lace
they cheat in the race, then claim your face
this is no place
for Cleopatra Dreaming On

So, you don't have to put me on
I know you're alone in the dawn
I'll wait outside while Cleopatra Dreams On

Now, there you go exploding your mind again
and yes I understand all the trouble you've been in
but hey man! I'm your friend

So, you don't have to put me on
I know you're there in the dawn
I wait outside and Cleopatra Dreams On

The disciples of soul
and the husbands of woo
they don't know exactly what to do with you
they tax your broken heart
and they commision your blues

And I'm trying to understand
what you need
while you stand on the bar and wave flags at me
step out in the rain
Cleopatra Dreams On

So, you don't have to put me on
I know you're out there in the dawn
I'll wait outside and Cleopatra Dreams On

Cleopatra Dreams On
Cleopatra Dreams On
Cleopatra Dreams On
I heard her dreaming

Cleopatra Dreams On
I heard her dream

Oh, what blue daughter there in the sun
always claiming to be the one
who would drop that name on you,

Temptation has passed you

You know what it takes to make the wind blow
what it takes to make the minds grow
who could say go away to you,

Temptation has passed you

With your mind on fire and raving the end
you open the gates and welcome the men
saying I was never a friend of you

Temptation don't want you

And the nights are hot beneath your feet
they cancel your eyes and your dreams
but, that don't seem to bother you

Temptation has passed you

And don't you get sleepy in my bed
you're always painting my sheets red
don't play dead, because I know you

Temptation has passed you

and it's cold and sick in the wind
the Indians come and speak of sins
it's going crazy again for you

Temptation don't want you

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Addition posted on the Gun Club mailing list:

From: David Bremer

     Apparently there's a verse missing in 'From Temptation To You' (one
of the most beautiful songs ever written, IMHO). It goes something like
(very approximately, from memory):
          "You're always drunk
           When you are at my door
           The Indians come and give you more
           Who would (...can't remember)"

From: Horseluvthin
  To: gerpotze

(WHEN YOUR COWBOYS DRUNK YOU ARE AT MY DOOR?)
YOU NEED SOME AND I GIVE YOU MORE
WHO WOULD PULL THAT (WAY OR WIEGHT) ON YOU

From: David Bremer
  To: gerpotze

I think the last line in the missing verse is
     "Who would call that name on you" (???)
And PERHAPS the first line is
     "The cowboys are drunk"
but it might just as well be "You're always drunk"
Furthermore, maybe the Indians "_summon_ and give you more". I'm not
sure about all this.

From: David Bremer
  To: gerpotze

Your cowboy's drunk
And you are at my door
The indians summon and give you more
Who would call that name on you

- (Not Sure) -
                                                 David
------------------------------------------------------------------------

I don't know you
you seem nice
but, I don't know,

you may have what all the animals need

    but,      Sensitivity
	      is not in you
	      and not in me

Under the wires
that just buzzed
and my brain
well, it just buzzed

you don't have anything I feel

    but,      Sensitivity
	      is not in you
	      and not in me

you may have what all the animals need

    but,      Sensitivity
	      is not in me
	      and not in you

Sensitivity is not in me
Sensitivity is not in you
but, seriously
not in time with you

Tell Baby Romi
Call Murray the Man
we gonna grab that can
and bring it on home

Call Queen Lucy
and Rollobone Joe
we gonna toss that hoe
and bring it on home

   Oh, Hey Juana
   what are you gonna do today?

Tell Osaka Jim
tell Kid the Squid
we gonna wig
and bring it on home...

   Hey Juana, girl!
   what are you gonna do today?

     oh, buzz awhile
     oh, Que Dice?

Now, Nick the Cave
he spent all his pay
on a bottle of gin
and a shark without a fin

Now, grass that man, suck that can
   box that frog, ride that dog
   gas that bird, dig the word
   Konnichiwa Juana? Let's go home!

   Ah, Hey Juana baby?
   what are you gonna do today
   Ah, Juana, mi nov
   Que pasa esta noche?

Now, is it uptown or downtown
   why did you come down here?
   we haven't seen the likes of your blonde hair
   since we got the fear

Now, you don't need to be so violent
   you don't need to be silent
   you don't need to be so private
   since you took the loss

      It's a Love Circus

   Now everyone's so sad in town
   and it's a long way downtown

Now, is it yellow, black or brown, or white
   why did you come down here
   we haven't seen anyone dead like you
   since a war was near

Now, you don't need that chipped shoulder
   you don't need that business folder
   you don't need to get any bolder
   if it's business time,

      Cause it's a Love Circus

Now, is it uptown or downtown
   is it Chinatown or Funkytown
   you got a price that is not so nice
   you got demise written on your mind

   and the heat they all know you
   and the heat would like to catch you
   and the heat always knew the crew was due
   on you,

      And it's a Love Circus

Now, everyone's so sad in town
   and it's a long way downtown

Oh Wildweed
Oh Wildweed

   There is a great red house
   you are ready to burn tonight
   your Chinese wife and children
   standing stupid there,

      you can no longer hurt them again and again

Oh Wildweed
Oh Wildweed

   Your mind is hot on your wires
   and grey against your cheek
   and at midnight, you turned against
   your children there,

      I don't want to see you living again

Oh Wildweed
Oh Wildweed

   There is a great red house
   fire licks the kiss inside
   your head runs and Mexico
   is so far away,

      you had never let no one see you living again

He weaves out words
over 7th & A
he speaks Egyptian
and calls your name

His blue face
is always the same
he reached behind you and tickles the game
anyway, there's no one left to blame

   And when he hits you
   and you are down on the walk
   you have your promise, your Midnight Promise

   And when you scream
   it comes out a squawk
   you have your promise, your Midnight Promise

Oh, whisper you love me
slips out of the dawn
and into an alley where the curtains are drawn
into a room where somebody gets on you

The moaning through garages and loading docks
the walls of Soul City
and the aging clock
the camera eye is fixed and it locks on you

   He closes your eyes
   and he hands you a dream
   you have your promise, your Midnight Promise

   you got the works
   but, you can't afford the treat
   you have your promise, your Midnight Promise

   and if you make 20 dollars
   you really have a time
   you have your promise, your Midnight Promise

   and all your cabs
   and diamonds stand in line
   you have your promise, your Midnight Promise

Your breathe on the window
rings the note
you're always coughing from the smoke
and hatching children in your throat

Ghost hands slip
underneath the sheets
seems your rhythm has gone to sea
don't push that Red Hot, it just might scream

   You got a 127 ways to die
   you have your promise, your Midnight Promise
   it's such a deal
   so go for the ride
   and get your promise, your Midnight Promise

Mother Juno (1987)

Bill Bailey
(typed in by Ger Potze, taken from "Go Tell The Mountain")

Bill Bailey
won't you come on home, tonight

Bill Bailey
won't you come on home, tonight

   I'm driving across the wind just to spy you
   I never did like that before
   my eyes follow you like the tail can wind
   they never followed you before

Bill Bailey
won't you come on home, tonight
Bill Bailey
won't you come on home, tonight

   Underneath the water and so far along below
   my eyes will always be there
   so deep, deep inside the Marianas Trench
   my life will always find you there

Bill Bailey
won't you come on home, tonight
Bill Bailey
won't you come on home, tonight

   Well, I can answer when you crawl
   on your belly in the deep black sand
   real life swung and hurt, pale and useless
   you're my kind of man

Bill Bailey
won't you come on home, tonight
Bill Bailey
won't you come on home, tonight

   You always say that you're crushed by it all
   and everybody blames you
   you always say that you are losing your dreams
   and yes, I do belive you

Bill Bailey
won't you come on home, tonight
Bill Bailey
shut up and come back home, tonight

And get out of the sea, out of the sea, out of the sea
get up and come back home, tonight
and get out of the sea, out of the sea, out of the sea
crawl up and go back home, tonight

Well, she was wild
she would do anything
crawl over her head backwards
like it was 1963

She sleeps in garbage
Oh Shit! Should I be alone
She's got a simple case of what they call
some kinda mental health

she went wild over across the sea

What everybody's dreaming of
is thuderhead falling in love

She was wild
she would go anywhere
I took her to Egypt and India
Man I took her everywhere

But now she sleeps in garbage
But Shit! I be alone
She's got a simple case of what they call
some strange kinda mental health

she went wild over 'cross the sea

What everybody's dreaming of
Is Thunderhead falling in love?

She was wild
she would go anywhere
she dived down over backwards
like I never knew that was there

but, now, it was garbage
should I be alone?
she's got a simple case of what they call
some kinda mental illness

she went wild over 'cross the seas

What everybody's dreaming of
Is Thunderhead falling in love?

She was wild
she's do anything
kisses fruit so nicely
like I never ever seen

but now, she sleeps in garbage
should I be alone
she's got a simple case of what they call
some kind of mental hell

she went wild over 'cross the seas
What everybody's dreamin of
is Thunderhead falling in love?

Now, I see you looking lost
     and he sits on his seat
     but, don’t you walk on my street baby
     you can hear Lupita scream

     The river’s got your forehead darling
     it spies your city scene
     that city shines when you’re away
     it can’t hear Lupita scream

Yeah, but would be such a fool
     to rely on his dreams
     while New York houses pain and boredom
     in between the seas

     Their taxis, man, have been following you
     they  chase you down the street
     your cross builds a cross in the center of town
     it looks like a Christmas Tree

Well, the docks they went on strike again
     it’s you, they don’t want to see
     they said they’d rather get high
     then hear Lupita Scream [than]

     You need some warmth and relaxation
     with the salesman of your dreams
     but, don’t you walk on my street baby
     you can hear Lupita Scream

Eyes are gone
you're complaining
and then, screaming at the ceiling

say you saw
spiders up there
well, I must admit I put them there

     Oh, Yellow eyes, it's all O.K.
         Yellow eyes, it's all O.K.

     Oh, Yellow eyes, don't be afraid
         Oh, Yellow eyes, Don't you!

The problem is
you're bad taste runs
to dirty old low-class films

Films like
"Sheila Goes To High School"
films like
"Funny Face Goes To Heaven"

     Oh, Yellow eyes, it's all O.K.
         Yellow eyes, it's all O.K.

     Oh, Yellow eyes, don't be afraid
     Oh, Yellow eyes, don't you!

Stranger came back from Woodlawn
seems your daddy-boy, he's gone under water
now he works in Phoenix High School
seems his other side just took over

     Oh, Yellow eyes, he's not the same
     Oh, Yellow eyes, who you gonna blame?

     Oh, Yellow eyes, don't be afraid
     Oh, Yellow eyes, don't you be afraid

The sun and sea are smiling
while you're going to bed
wish Allah would will me
a piece of iron in my head

     on my knees and wishing
     on my knees and breaking hands

The fish are jumping in Tunis
they change colours in my hands
you don't watch the movies, like the clouds
on a plane to Japan

     on my knees and wishing
     on my knees and breaking hands

They bring the fish in at Tunis
they're changing blue, green and red
while Allah has willed me
and he's got it to my head

     on my knees and wishing
     on my knees and breaking hands

     on my knees and wishing
     on my knees and breaking hands

I can feel the filth is coming
I can see it moving in
from a window with dirty hands
and coming back again,

yes, the waitress wants to kill me
but, I'd rather kill her all the same
she better not look at me
or I'll do it again,

     but,     it's me
        someone was there, it was me
        someone named Araby

Now, the bassist hates the drummer
and the drummer hates his wife
see her again? Run away, it will always be alright,

Shall we go back to the motel?
no wait! Let's run away.
spend all night in Paradise Bar
until it goes away,

     but,     it's me
        someone was there, it was me
        someone named Araby


     but,     it's me
        someone else is me
        somebody named Araby

Rain just slaps our faces
colors me to here
where do we go? Where's the train?
with eyes still shaking with fear,

I can see the lights are coming
but, I'm sure they're not for me
it's written on the roadmap
that I can never see,

     but,     it's me
        someone was there, it was me
        someone named Araby

     but,     it's me
        somebody else is me
        someone named Araby

If you din't look
you won't know
that outside it's not 4 AM
those trucks won't be there
around, around again

     but, it is alright
         it was just a night
         and another way to turn your back
                your back on me,

Hearts, with love like water
Hearts, with love that goes
    if you're gonna turn
    turn back on me

Eyes that sigh
in my sleep
naked and black on the floor
you should cooperate
when I need love some more,

     but, it is alright
         ever since the night
         and another way to turn your back
                your back on me,

Hearts, with lonely sounds like
Hearts, with love that beats me so
    if you're gonna go
    don't look at me

Hearts, like lovely burning
Fields, love that goes
    if you're gonna go
    don't look at me

Hearts, with love like burning
Hearts, with love that goes
    if you're gonna go
    don't look at me

Hearts, like lovely burning
Hearts, with love that beats me so
    if you're gonna go
    go back! back! back! back! on me

Hearts, like lovely burning
Hearts, with love that goes
    if you're gonna turn
    turn back! back! back! back! on me

      Hearts

Kim was in the air force
he dropped fire from the air,

He grabbed that heater
that was sitting in his hand
he gave it to them
and put 'em in the foreign sand

   he was one hell of a man

Kim dropped fire on the people
fire on their face and hands.

He had their families
their mothers and their kids
he said he'd "Head 'em!"
and that's just what he did,

    Everybody loved My Cousin Kim
    Everybody loved My Cousin Kim
    Everybody loved My Cousin Kim
    they say

Kim was in St. Louis
at Missouri Inn Hotel

He gave it to them
with that heater in his hand
he put it to them
in the Texas sand,

    he was one hell of a man,

    Everybody loved My Cousin Kim
    Everybody loved My Cousin Kim
    Everybody loved My Cousin Kim
    they say

Kim was at the airport
and the faces stared at him.
He grabbed that heater
which was burning in his hand
he gave it to them
buried in concrete!

    Everybody loved My Cousin Kim
    Everybody loved My Cousin Kim
    Everybody loved My Cousin Kim
    they say

Run Molly Run
your hills are on fire
why don't you go downtown
and get it on the wire

Now, easy street
can sure get you laid
doesn't matter what you've done
and get you paid

In the Port of Souls
In the Port of Souls
too much ocean, too much sea
it is no wonder that you buried me

     but, its alright

Rose Connally
doesn't go in the field
you might find something underneath
underneath what is real,

Now stop pulling an eyelash
only you that I have
and it makes me so tired
and this could be the end

In the Port of Souls
In the Port of Souls
too much ocean, too much sea
it is no wonder that you buried me

     but, its alright

Now don't call John Henry
just kiss him goodbye
it don't matter anyway
so simply goodbye,

In the Port of Souls
In the Port of Souls
too much ocean, too much sea
it is no wonder that you buried me

     but, its alright

I didn't get lonely dear
I din't have a chance to see
but, it's alright

You don't have to say goodbye
No! no

     but, its alright

Pastoral Hide And Seek (1990)

Humanesque
(typed in and provided by David Bremer)

Winter on the Americas
catch you in the snow winter's day
who would think fires burning out
would ever go to the same place,

      but, the sadness
          slightly of your face
          I didn't mean it that way

          A Humanesque is playing on tonight

Do you ever talk revolution? [You used to talk...]
Who would ever know, you'd have to see
Way down. Down the Tingo Marie
caught you all alone in their angry streets,

      but, the sadness
          who did you meet?
          did they treat you that way

          A Humanesque is playing on tonight

          Your eyes are liars
          they paint the secrets you betray

Your Spanish men say that you cheat them everyday
they want to go and let you have your way
seems your rebels given up the cause
and even Oklahoma calls your name,

      but, the magic
          with which you held sway
          has fallen decayed

          A Humanesque is playing on tonight

          the magic
          has since burned away
          did they want it that way,

          A Humanesque is playing on tonight

He took a Smith & Wesson down to the corner
and then he took a ride
he got out somewhere in Los Feliz
in the evening time
he rang her bell and pushed her through the door
and onto the bed
he took time to talk to her
copulating, a gun to her head

and it was hot,

     Oh, he  rides,
        he rides between the Straits of Love and Hate
        the Straits of Love and Love
        the Straits of Love abused
        tonight

Come around midnight
they are laughing and playing games
one bullet in the chamber
and spinning 'round in circles to its aim
but, nothing ever happens
so, they get drunk all the weekend
one hungover dirty Sunday morning
they fight
and then it starts again

and he's gone,

     Oh, he  rides,
        he rides between the Straits of Love and Hate
        the Straits of Love and Love
        the Straits of Love abused
        tonight

He was working at the docks, when he found out
she took another man
he left his job and caught a ride
and decided to take a stand
he put his iron between her legs
and told her to love him again
she threw her arms around him
and then it started all over again

and it was fine.

     Oh, he  rides,
        he rides between the Straits of Love and Hate
        the Straits of Love and Love
        the Straits of Love abused
        tonight

(repeat chorus)

Your bus just broke down
must have been 12th and A
you ran in a bar
this must be Emily's place

One foot in the light
the other foot in the dark
the eyes of a bat
and the mouth of a shark

but,   Emily's changing her part
       Emily's changing her role again

       She's just a stranger
       but, she feels about the same again

Emily's changed

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional lyrics, thanks to Coojee Timms

howdy...these are of course as best as I can hear them and of course I
won't be swearin' by them...

I think some of the missing bits in Emilys Changed may be...

Emily's changing her part
Emily's changing her roles again
now she walks downtown again

when I was young
I stayed in my tree
no-one could bother me
'cept the birds and Emily

some other girl
the one who chose to believe
she don't care
'bout bein' called Emily
------------------------------------------------------------------------

A truck flashed at me alone
one eye and still
I've mountains of pain to bear
up upon that hill,

so, I put them down
     in the shadows of the leaves

         I Hear Your Heart Singing
         I Hear Your Heart Sing

The streets I prowl
so secretly I see
sirens and trains at night
they don't frighten me,

so, I dismiss the sound
     to the end of the night

         I Hear Your Heart Singing
         I Hear Your Heart Sing

The note you found, that you blew across town
over my face and into this place

Oh, soul of so and so, come and go with me
I'll take you in the waterpools
I'll take you through the reeds,

     beyond the shore
     with an ear to the stream

         I Hear Your Heart Singing
         I Hear Your Heart Sing

Taboos you choose, they leave me amused
leaves not a trace of your burning face

As the truck flashes me
I know the sins you reap
Moonfish cast an eye on you
while you oversleep,

     across the sea
     to a distant shore

         I Hear Your Heart Singing
         I Hear Your Heart Sing

Rain Rain
rain the walls
face and hands
blues are a shower rain,

brother's in the hallway
fighting against the world
I'm practicing voodoo
in the bedroom on you girl,

Oh my, you're mine,   I'm King St. John Divine
                      unhealthy queen
                      who's the queen of town?

Rain rain
rain the walls
Joan Miro's way
rain all this rain away,

I heard you're giving up
your dexadrine and pearls
so I slipped some love dust
in your Martini girl,

Oh my, you're mine,   I'm King St. John Divine
                      unhealthy queen
                      and king of town

Brother's in the hallway
Oh, insults that he hurls
I'm standing candles
trying to visualize you girl,

Oh my, you're mine,   I'm King St. John Divine
                      unhealthy queen
                      who's the king of town?

Rain Rain
streets and towns
bands are playin'
oh, Sir Douglas rain,

I'm setting up an alter [sic]
and yes, I snipped your curls
I'm practicing voodoo
in the bedroom on you girl,

Oh my, you're mine,   I'm King St. John Divine
                      unhealthy queen
                      and king of town

I saw you
talking 'bout plagues and peoples
you're on override
you are lost on the Great Divide

You see
that you're preaching old ideas
that when worlds collide
you are lost in the Great Divide now

and homeless in the street
make you feel the freak
and your future looks so bleak
your ideal world
becomes antique

Now, you're lost and you say
standing, say we're equal
but, the valley's wide
and you are lost on the Great Divide

On the Great Divide
on the Great Divide
on the Great Divide
on the Great Divide now

It's on their TV's
weeping someone's babies
sweet on U.S.A. street
ancient soldiers sleep tonight

It's on their airwaves
their burning flag waves
ten thousand miles away
matchstick people burning,

Ever far away,
some brown people
mother turns our light in the darkness,

Another Country's Young      beyond here,
Another Country's Young
pardon our charity, we want to kick our ideas to your head,

and Another Country's Young is crying
and Another Country's Young is sleeping
again

It's in their daydreams
walking and sleeping
no more silent safety
no more disassociating themselves

no losing or winning
hearts and minds are sleeping
no chance on USA street
never get an inch to crawl,

Ever far away,
flickering brown people
mother turns our light into their darkness

Another Country's Young      beyond here,
Another Country's Young
pardon our charity, we want to kick our ideas to your head,

and Another Country's Young is crying
and Another Country's Young is weeping
again

No chance on USA street
Easter Parade families
at the Airport waiting
America's green junkies return,

It's on their TV's
the mud people died today
but, we forgot them anyway
on someone else's time,

Ever far away
the distance tears apart illumination
and screams out into darkness,

Another Country's Young
Another Country's Young
is bleeding again

Underneath where finds me
all the brothers are gone
I can see the passing refugees

    Flowing

       They are flowing

Nobody saw it get to my head
no, they can't find me
calling loud in the dark ravine

    Flowing

       Oh, I am flowing

Flowing back the village river bed
as the water flows underneath my head

All the brothers have gone back overseas
girlies pass me by
I had the meanest heart you've ever seen

    Flowing

       Oh I'm flowing

If I could crawl out of this yawning earth
go find Suzy-Boo
we'd smoke gold in the dreamland too

    Flowing

       We are flowing

Flowing by my river to the sea
by my mean old spirit in the trees

I turned my face to the sound above
no, they can't see me
old bones, just food for the trees

    Flowing

       Oh, I'm flowing

There was lies and fires in the hills
down the living streets
their smoke blows back my memories

    Flowing

       Oh, I'm flowing

Flowing down river to the sea
flowing mean old bones in the stream
If these bones could ever sail a while
for an extra mile
they'd flow just like the river Nile

    Flowing

       They are flowing

Temptation & I
Temptation & I
money lost in back of the car
memory brings light
temptation & I

so, hold on, hold on, hold on,
     open the sky

Temptation & I
empty bedroom at night
alone as the dawn's iron gates
in the workhouse light
eyes in the firelight

so, hold on, hold on, hold on,
     open the sky

     When dawn comes
     the morning bleeds
     they drink to sleep
     so are the shouts
     that call you
     that want you to play again

Temptation & I
Temptation & I
comes the morning
whistles the sign
that brings on the light
memory brings light

so, hold on, hold on, hold on,
     open the sky

Snow cuts loose from the frozen
Until it joins with the African sea
In moving it changes its cold and its name
The reason I come and go is the same
        Animal game for me
        You call it rain
        But the human name
Doesn't mean shit to a tree
If you don't mind heat in your river and
Fork tongue talking from me
Swim like an eel fantastic snake
Take my love when it's free
        Electric feel with me
        You call it loud
        But the human crowd
Doesn't mean shit to a tree
Change the strings and notes slide
Change the bridge and string shift down
Shift the notes and bride sings
        Fire eating people
        Rising toys of the sun
        Energy dies without body warm
        Icicles ruin your gun
Water my roots the natural thing
Natural spring to the sea
Sulphur springs make my body float
Like a ship made of logs from a tree
        Redwoods talk to me
        Say it plainly
        The human name
Doesn't mean shit to a tree
Snow called water going violent
Damn the end of the stream
Too much cold in one place breaks
That's why you might know what I mean
        Consider how small you are
        Compared to your scream
        The human dream
Doesn't mean shit to a tree

Divinity (1991)

Sorrow Knows
(written by Romi Mori/Jeffrey Lee Pierce)
(scanned and provided by David Bremer)

I cast shadows where
when you talk to me
the cost of time
it still tells on me
the harbor watch
the harbor moan
the tide unfolds
to find you alone

    It had to be that way,

        Sorrow in the darkest night
               in the darkest day against the sun

I detected you
by the ringing bell
and run to the safety
of your wishing well
your blue memories
of 1965
clouds your dreams
and they crush your mind

    It had to be that way,

        Sorrow in the darkest night
               in the darkest day against the sun

Shadows fall
where you fell
time flashes on
and it's time that tells
clouded less than sweet
against your dreams
violence always sits
just underneath

    It had to be that way,

        Sorrow in the darkest night
               in the darkest day against the sun

In my sleep,
in my sleep last night

In my dream,
in my dream last night

In the dark,
in the dark last night

In the hall,
walked Richard Speck last night

[Going back. Going way back. Rewind. Chichichichichichi. Going way back to 1966.
My mother was talking with her sister about some nurses who were murdered up in
Seattle late in the night. Her description of these murders was vivid, and she
accurately identified with the fear that the surviving must have felt, all curled
up underneath that bed listening to her friends get killed one at a time. Waiting
for the moment she too would be discovered and disposed of.

Hence, in my overcrowded childhood mind, these murders played out time and time again
like a sickly off-Broadway production that keeps getting revived. And so, sometimes in
my dreams, Richard Speck walks the hall at night.]

When Pilate was after Jesus
they could not get to him
they made a pact with Judas
so that they could turn him in,

    I got the keys to the kingdom
    and the world can't do me no harm
    Oh yeah

    I got the keys to the church house
    and the world can't do me no wrong
    Oh yeah.

They took him to that hill
they brought his sister in
they conspired against him
to make original sin

    I got the keys to the kingdom
    and the world can't do me no wrong
    Oh yeah

    I got the keys to the church house
    and the world can't do me no harm
    Oh yeah

I was on his left
Devil on his right
he passed those keys to Pharisees
way out of sight

    I got the keys to the kingdom
    and the world can't do me no harm
    Oh yeah

    I got the keys to the church house
    and the world can't do me no wrong
    Oh yeah

and with those keys
I can open lots of doors
devil on my left hand side
he ain't there no more

    I got the keys to the kingdom
    and the world can't do me no wrong
    Oh yeah

    I got the keys to the church house
    and the world can't do me no harm
    Oh yeah

Three feet of gravity -
pulling lengthwise, rip me up
Stars dissolve above
down to black below

Black hole
I've seen this all before
Black hole

Fingers clutch my head
Gouge my eyes, you want me (blind/dead)
Inside you no hope for me
In a void of complacency

------------------------------------------------------------------------
i think Ahmed's version goes like this:

Three feet of gravity -
tearing lengthwise, rip me up
Stars are up above me
down to black below

Black hole
I've seen this all before
Black hole

Fingers clutch my head
Gouge my eyes, you want me dead
Inside you no hope for me
In a void of ? complacency

Black hole
I've seen this all before
Black hole

Ramblin' Jeffrey Lee & Cypress Grove with Willie Love (1992)

Goin' Down
(written by Don Nix, unavailable in "Go Tell The Mountain")
(typed in and provided by David Bremer)

I'm goin' down
Down, down, down, down, down
I'm goin' down
Down, down, down, down, down
I've got my head out the window
And my bare feet on the ground

She's gone
Gone, gone, gone, gone, gone
She's gone
Gone, gone, gone, gone, gone
I've got my head out the window
And my bare feet on the ground

I'm goin' down
Down, down, down, down, down
I'm goin' down
I've got my head out the window
And my bare feet on the ground

As sung by Charlie Patton

Hey hitch up my pony, saddle  up my black mare
Hitch up my pony, saddle  up my black mare
I'm gonna find a rider, baby in the world somewhere.

"Hello central, the matter with your line?"
"Hello central, matter lord with your line?"
Come a storm last night an' tore the wire down.

Got a brand new shetland, man already trained
A brand new shetland, baby already trained
Better get in the saddle, tighten up your rein.

An' a brownskin woman like, somethin' fit to eat
Brownskin woman like, somethin' fit to eat
But a jet black woman, don't put your hands on me.

Took my baby, to meet the mornin' train
Took my baby, meet that mornin' train
An' the blues come down, baby like showers of rain.

I've got somethin' to tell you when I gets the chance
Somethin' to tell you, when I get a chance
I don't wanna marry, just wanna be your man.

Can't tell my future, I can't tell my past.
Lord it seems every minute, sure gonna be my last.

The minutes seem like hours and hours seem like days,
The minutes seem like hours, hours seem like days,
And it seems like my woman oughta stop her lowdown ways.

The woman I love now she's five foot from the ground,
I said, the woman I love now, Lawdy, five feet from the ground,
And she's tailor made and ain't no hand me down.

Lord and I got a woman now Lord and she's like lightning,
when she, lightning, when she, lightning smile.
I says I got a woman Lord and she's lightning when she smiles.
Five feet and four inches and she's damn good liking size.

Well I know you see that picture now Lordy, up on your mother's,
up on your mother's, mother's shelf.
I know you see that picture now, up on your mother's shelf.
Well you know by that I'm gettin' tired of living by myself.

And it's T for Texas, now T for Tennessee.
And it's T for Texas, now it's T for Tennessee.
Lord, left that woman, that put that thing on me.

Bad Luck & Trouble - not available yet
(written by O. Hicks/J. West, unavailable in "Go Tell The Mountain")

Alabama Blues
(written by Robert Wilkins, unavailable in "Go Tell The Mountain")
(typed in and provided by David Bremer)

I'll tell you, girl, I'm gonna tell you now
If you don't want me, please don't dog me around
If you don't want me, don't dog me around

My home ain't here, it's in most any old town
My home ain't here, it's in most any old town
My home ain't here, it's most any old town

I'm goin' up on a mountain and look down on the sea
Saw a bullyin' alligator, she was doin' that shivaree
Saw a bullyin' alligator doin' the shivaree

Tell me, friend, ever since that bullyin' Stack been made
Kansas City, Missouri, has been her regular trade
Kansas City, Missouri, been her regular trade

The Kate's in the bend, the Stack is turnin' around and 'round
The stern wheel knockin', friend, I'm Alabama bound
The stern wheel knockin', I'm Alabama bound

My mama told me, an' old papa told me, too
Said, "Brownskin women, son, gonna be the death of you"
Said, "Brownskin women, gonna be the death of you"

I told mama last night, friends, and papa the night before
"If brownskin women kill me, mama, let me go"
"If brownskin women kill me, mama, let me go"

Y'know it's good times you're havin'
but it's better down the roads
Y'know it's good times you're havin'
better down

woh long
woh long

Well, did you long as i could see
oh, lordy it was long did you long as i could
Oh, lord it was long did you long as i could see
that little girl she's walking
walking away from me

Good times, yeah
but it's better down the road
Y'know, good times you're havin'
but it's better down

If i ever live to see tomorrow
down the road I go

Pack my suitcase and down the road i go
I'm gonna pack my suitcase down the road i go
oh lord, oh lord, oh lordy lord
down the road I'm goin'

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
lyrics transcribed from "Blues Legends" 3CD-sampler, there may be some mistakes.
miss a JLP version so I don't know how he handled the lyrics.

Townes van Zandt quoting mr.Lightnin' Hopkins:
'To sing the blues, you shouldn't even be able to stand up...'
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oh, you're not the same
    gone home back to your land
    now, you hear me cry

Oh, who's that walkin'
    along by your side
    I see him near your side

    Why did you change?
    is there a Stranger in my Heart

Oh, I was brother
    to your everyday life
    now you hear me cry

Oh, baby sister
    why did you show that face
    that tears me up inside

    Why did you change?
    was there a stranger in my heart

Oh, And now I'm leaving
    I'll go to that mountainside
         Lord, you'll hear me cry

Oh, the night is black with rain
    I must leave, leave your town
         Oh God, you'll hear me cry

    Why did you change?
    is there a stranger in my heart

I hate to see
that evening sun go down
I hate to see
that evening sun go down
in the freezing rain

    I move out of the town

       Go Tell the Mountain
       Go Tell the Mountain
       Go Tell the Mountain
       Go Tell the Mountain

Fear walkin' here
fear walkin' by my side
fear walkin' here
fear walkin' by my side
jinx follow me,

    way up the mountainside

       Go Tell the Mountain
       Go Tell the Mountain
       Go Tell the Mountain
       Go Tell the Mountain

I might never see
the sun rise east again
I might never see
the sun rise east again
in your turning sleep,

    don't forget I was your friend

       Go Tell the Mountain
       Go Tell the Mountain
       Go Tell the Mountain
       Go Tell the Mountain

Well, somebody knocking on my door
Well, somebody knocking on my door
Well, I'm so worried, don't know where to go

Well, somebody calling me, calling on my telephone
Well, somebody calling me, over my telephone
Well, keep on calling, tell them I'm not at home

Well, do not worry, daddy is gone to bed

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional information, thanks to David Bremer

This song is actually called "Moaning At Midnight", and was mistitled
by JLP as "Moanin' In The Moonlight", which is really the name of the
album where the song first was included on. This was later reissued on
Chess as "Evil", with a different cover. On another Howlin' Wolf record
the same song is (again!) mistitled as "MORNING at Midnight".
There you go, that's the story!
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hard time here and everywhere you go
Times is harder than ever been before

And the people are driftin' from door to door
Can't find no heaven, I don't care where they go

Hear me tell you people, just before I go
These hard times will kill you just dry long so

Well, you hear me singin' my lonesome song
These hard times can last us so very long

If I ever get off this killin' floor
I'll never get down this low no more
No-no, no-no, I'll never get down this low no more

And you say you had money, you better be sure
'Cause these hard times will drive you from door to door

Sing this song and I ain't gonna sing no more
Sing this song and I ain't gonna sing no more
These hard times will drive you from door to door

Lucky Jim (1993)

Lucky Jim
(typed in by Andrea Valentini from the booklet with the CD, and posted on the Gun Club mailing list)

the rain has arrived at last
for which we had waited
the hawkers have packed up their stands
nothing to be traded
the soviets beside the quay
run back to the freighter
the terrace of the Rex Hotel
is closed by the waiters

we need you, oh Lucky Jim
where have you gone, oh Lucky Jim

your mistress has left her home
gone back to the dances
the smoking dens are starting up
for life's own enhancing
nobody goes to the war
since there's none to go to
we just sit around the cafè bars
we sit waiting for you

we need you, oh Lucky Jim
where have you gone, oh Lucky Jim

why did you ever go up north
it is not for you
they'll strip your little weak heart clean
then what will you do
the Australians in the Bunny Bar
are waiting your return
everyone wants a piece of you
a piece of you to burn

we need you, oh Lucky Jim
where have you gone, oh Lucky Jim
we miss you here, oh Lucky Jim

We used to be forever partners
we swore we'd never separate

     oh, I didn't see it changing

     Now, a house is not a home
            I'm out in the street tonight
            a house is not a home
            I'm without a dream tonight

We used to be sister and brother
then came lovers and then came pain

     oh, I tried to change it

            Now, a house is not a home
                          I'm out in the street tonight
                          a house is not a home
                          I'm without a dream tonight

Love and tears bound us together
I fought the men to protect her

     oh, I couldn't understand it

            Now, a house is not a home
                          I'm out in the street tonight
                          a house is not a home
                          I'm without her heat tonight

Now, I unravel onto the floor
Hearts are spilled onto the floor

     oh I, I couldn't change it

            Now, a house is not a home
                          I'm the one degraded
                          a house is not a home
                          all of life has faded

Kamata Hollywood City
(typed in and provided by David Bremer)

Kamata City shining
smokestack city lightning
you're frightened
now, we must embrace

like I kissed your beating heart
and kiss beneath your hat
and take you, on your mat
oh, silver night

     Kamata Hollywood City shining
     my wife's best friend, you changed your mind
     it's just like Disneyland in the night,

     you shook me,
     our lives will never be the same

Didn't do well with mother
after seven whiskeys
got frisky
tried to get her to dance

Almost missed my mark
the dogs began to bark
so, I dragged you in the park
once again

     Kamata Hollywood City shining
     my wife's best friend, you changed your mind
     it's just like Disneyland after Dark

     you shook me,
     our lives will never be the same

Happy shoppers stare at me
drunk along the street
boots upon my feet
"Oh, where's he from?"

Now, I'm lost in the city
this could be the end
better phone up my wife's best friend
and here you come,

     Kamata Hollywood City shining
     my wife's best friend, you changed your mind
     it's just like Disneyland every night,

     you shook me,
     our lives will never be the same

I can see you outside the Cafe Blue
I've been sneaking, crawling, trying to get to you

It gets so hot, when you go walking past
strip you down, you must do something fast

I'm going to Ride her again
I'm going to Ride her again
I'm going to Ride
   down, down, down, again

Don't try to hide behind that dress tonight
don't try to run, I've got you in my sight

Blew your mind, you knew not what to do
get on that floor, I'll take a slice of you

I'm going to Ride her again
I'm going to Ride her again
I'm going to Ride
   down, down, down, again

Go wipe the sweat from the last half an hour
put your glasses on, we know just who you are

Flesh so hot, she made the leather melt
"No" she said, but that's not how she felt

I'm going to Ride her again
I'm going to Ride her again
I'm going to Ride
   down, down, down, again

That line don't make it here no more
nothing reanimates the old times
black clouds to the west
darkness coming from the East Side

Get your friends out of the car!
we got a date in the trees tonight
take off your clothes, you ain't going far
you're going to give me fun tonight

        Turn on the headlights
        for the Idiot Waltz
        turn on the lights
        watch us fall

Your body don't get me off no more
it takes a lot of smack to do that
we never made love in the trees
or took you down on your mat

Now, winds of change
are blowing out the fire
I feel your breath on my neck
I hear the darkness and wires

        Turn on the headlights
        for the Idiot Waltz
        turn on the lights
        watch us fall

It was foolish to be alive
It was foolish in a foolish time

        Turn on the headlights
        for the Idiot Waltz
        turn on the lights
        watch us fall

I'm here up above the world
looking down on the river black
ready to take a great swan dive
'cause you're never coming back
I'm here up above the world

I always have to start all over
when I decide I should live
I won't be cheated anymore
'cause there's nothing left to give
I'm here up above the world

We almost started something
that you saw fit to take away
something so close to my heart
something near me every day
I'm hear up above the world

I'm here

Forever you were my sister
but you took my heart in chains
the worst was when you broke them
I cannot live with the pain
I'm here up above the world

I'm here

It's lonely here in the freezing dawn
the ships come in through the London fog

the builders there are tearing up my street
the ambulance roars
it makes the sound I weep
I'm here up above the world
looking down at the river red
trying to bet my prayer
at the foot of my lonely bed
I'm here up above the world

Since I'll no longer be living
you'll have to answer my mail
explain it all to the papers
that I bought my ticket for hell
There down below the world

I take you
I rape you
get in the car
you're going with me

I'm gonna leave on
the radio loud
so everyone can hear
we're having fun

        why did you do that
        get in the back
        I'll even the stakes

The day turns to light in an instant
the night turns to day
in an instant of changelocked in it's cage
and it dies

he's driving
the lights switch
they become flames

life just flickers out
like matchsticks in the rain
that's just how easy
I will change your name

I was for you I
wanted you for me
now, I'm gonna get that dream

The day turns to light in an instant
the night turns to day
in an instant of change
out in the rain
and it dies

We're soldiers of emotion
we're running back to the ocean
the rescue ship has not arrived
The Americans are coming and we will surely die

        and I must take you
        or you will kill me
        that's the way it must be

The day turns to light in an instant
the night turns to day
in a flash in the sky
way on up high
and final

Desire
(scanned and provided by David Bremer)

She was frozen
her light would not see the day

I walked away
you wanted it that way
now, I watch the cars pass by at night
things had to be that way
sirens rage through the silent night
things had to be that way

        Oh I, who am I to seek
        who am I to seek
        Desire

Cold London morn'
we fit tight in the storm

You seized the day
it had to be that way
never mind what's only a piece of my heart
nothing could change that way
you should have nailed me up to the sky
there was a better way

        Oh I, who was I to seek
        who was I to seek
        Desire

Now, heaven's gone
or heaven at least to me

my time is up
it has to be that way
these nights I walk the streets alone

it has to be that way
now I watch the windows at night
there is no other way,

        Oh I, who am I to seek
        who am I to seek
        Desire

Oh I, Oh I,

        who was I to seek
        who was I to seek
        Desire

Other...

Railroad Bill
(traditional, incorrectly credited to J.L. Pierce on "The Birth The Death The Ghost",
unavailable in "Go Tell The Mountain", posted on "Wildweed", the Gun Club mailing list by Chris "XT235" Hoffman)

Railroad Bill, Railroad Bill
Live way up on Railroad Bill
Ride, ride, ride

Well, Railroad Bill, Oh, Railroad Bill
He never worked and he never will
Ride, ride, ride

Well, Railroad Bill, he was a mighty mean man
He shot the midnight lantern out of the brakeman's hand
Ride, ride, ride

Well, I'm going up on a mountain, I'm going out West
A thirty eight Special sticken' out of my vest
Ride, ride, ride

I'll buy me a pistol just as long as my arm
Kill everybody ever done me harm
Ride, ride, ride

Well, Railroad Bill, oh, Railroad Bill
He never worked, Load, he never will
Ride, ride, ride

I got a thirty eight Special on a forty five frame
How in the world can I miss him when I got dead aim
Ride, ride, ride

Well, Railroad Bill, will, he took my wife
He said if I didn't like it he would take my life
Ride, ride, ride

Well, honey, honey, do you think I'm a fool
I wouldn't quit you when the weather is cool
Ride, ride, ride

I'm cryin' on the Black Train
The night, it beats me down
I'm cryin' on the Black Train
but, it's a soundless sound

Riding on the Black Train

I'm cut up on the Black Train
the sky screams down at me
my American luck is up again

Riding on the Black Train

I'm tore up on the Black Train
Got caves and caves and caves
had a girl back in L.A.
but, my heart could not be saved

Riding on the Black Train

I'm lost on the Black Train
no end from here to there
I'm gone on the Black Train
if only I had cared

Riding on the Black Train

In the still of the night, I walk with the Beast
In the heat of the night, I sleep with the Beast
who slipped so deep inside me

I prayed to Elvis on my knees
to take this thing from around me
or snap it with a thundercrack
and change my blues to black

Look how my love had blessed me
with such a dead thing around me,

I'm walking with the Beast

I got next to somebody long ago
but, I was too young to be controlled
then, she got lucky after me
I didn't get so lucky

It covered me when I was alone
a special darkness of my own
that followed me up to Memphis
and on my left side ever since

Lord, how my love has blessed me
with such a dead thing around me

I'm walking with the Beast

(noise)

It will be with me tonight
in the dying vision that is my sight
I have to look into it's eyes
in the horror of the southern summer night

In the bus station when I leave
In the path through the willow trees
someday I'll go to the mountain and take my stand
the passion will rain all over the land

Were you ever thinking
When you met that girl uptown
And were you ever thinking
When you pulled her underground

       There is no fire in your glass eye
       There is no feeling when you're done
       And one day you will find out
       What kind of monster you've become

Were you ever thinking
When you pulled her off the bus
And dragged her down in the basement
And left her soul to rust

(chorus)

And were you really thinking
When you got wired up in L.A.
Like death she sat and waited
And came to us to stay

(chorus)

And were you ever thinking
When she came home from work at night
And you kicked her into a coma
While she was still alive

(chorus)

The lie
Now I know the lie
now I know the lie
now I know the lie

You keep me on the highway
I never get to come down
You really don't want me to make it
you really don't want me around

The lie,
Now I know the lie
now I know the lie
now I know the lie

Things just fall to pieces
While I sit and watch the door
I can never give to you
anymore and more and more

The lie,
How I know the lie
how I know the lie
how I know the lie

It's Christmas in the city
I have to go again and score
I will never want you
anymore and more and more

The lie,
That's how I know the lie
now I know the lie
now I know the lie

"I don't really wanna go through this, tell him to come in here, cos he..he..he.."
-or?-
"I don't even wanna go through this, tell him to come in here, cos he..he..he.."

I thought I heard you saying
Thought you said you missed me
But you were only history -or?- But you only hissed me
When I was gone

I thought I heard you say
They've done you in good
And yes, I believe they would
May I console you

But I did you no wrong
That's not like me, I did you no wrong
So don't put it all on me
And you are not the light of the world
But you shine on me
No you're not the light of the world
But you shine on me
No you're not the light of the world now
No you're not the light of the world now

I heard you walk
Under the black skittle hall dad -or?- blacks got all dad -or?- blacks ghetto, dad -or?- I heard her blast it all bad
To hurt me, and yes it's sad
Have this settle the score -or?- Has it settled the score?

I thought I heard you walk
Up the fire-escape last night
And yes, in the deep of the night
I wished you were back

But I did you no wrong
That's not like me, I did you no wrong
So don't put it all on me
And you are not the light of the world
But you shine on me
No you're not the light of the world
But you shine on me
No you're not the light of the world now
No you're not the light of the world now

But I did you no wrong
That's not like me, I did you no wrong
So don't blame it all on me
And you are not the light of the world
But you shine on me
No you're not the light of the world
But you shine on me
No you're not the light of the world now
No you're not the light of the world now
No you're not the light of the world now
No you're not the light of the world

Come Back Jim - not available yet (unavailable in "Go Tell The Mountain")

Secret Fires
(typed in by Ger Potze, taken from "Go Tell The Mountain")

Touch me through your screen door
I want to remember you
They that seek me are behind me
against the moon

Recall how we used to ride
juiced underneath the power lines
in the inferno valley
when your daddy was still alive

I worked with dirt in my eyes
old blood upon my wound
dreaming aloud
of seeing you soon

I came home from day at the mill
I came home and cared for you
the year that we lived
in secret fire

I took my razor blade
I layed old Rubeun in the shade
and I heard the radio moan

I took my place in the hills
jagged with secret fires
I called you through the valley
down along the wires

   with dust upon the sands
   came the first day of the year
   I saw a house where no one lived,

on the black land and under the red sky
you washed my hair and skin
against the firelight

so, touch me through your screen door
I want to remember you
we struggled
the year we lived in secret fire

You know what?

   you left your fucking saxoshit over here
   and I'm going to pawn its brass ass

      if you don't come home!

Everybody always liked Johnny's mother
Everybody always thought that she was so cool
Everybody went over to her friend's one day
she had no choice, but to eat it,

and wow! What a time we had!
she had to do the Crab Dance
wow! What a time we had!
she had to do the Crab Dance

Well, she really thought that she was going to make it
so, she moved out to HOLLYWOOD
she went out to become an actress
she got down to take it,

and wow! What a time we had!
she had to do the Crab Dance
and wow! What a time we had!
she had to do the Crab Dance

Well, she really thought that she was going to make it
she sped straight down to the bottom
writhing in circles down there
making a film about HOLLYWOOD!

and wow! What a time we had!
she had to do the Crab Dance
and wow! What a time we had!
she had to do the Crab Dance

But, she really thought that she was gonna make it
but, bright are the lights of HOLLYWOOD!
loud are the shouts of HOLLYWOOD!
and all the choices are taken,

(3-dimensional guitar solo by Kid Congo Powers)

Everybody always like Johnny's mother
Everybody watches her show everyday
from somewhere near Champaign, Illinois
we all got down to take it!

and wow! What a time we had!
she had to do the Crab Dance
wow! What a time we had!
she had to do the Crab Dance

she really had to do it
she didn't have  a choice
to do the Crab Dance
to do the Crab Dance

Well, you torn your dress, your face is a mess
you can get enough a
you got a transmission and a live wire
to do the Crab Dance
to do the Crab Dance

Well, Crab Dancing! Crab Dancing!

Johnny, come and get me
I'm in a bar again
Johnny, come and get me
I'm a 1,000 miles away from home again
all my friends are soldiers
and they are getting drunk
oh, Johnny come and get me
I believe my luck has sunk

    You must be playin' some hide and seek
    well, don't seek me
    you must have understood my favorite dream
    well, don't get me

Oh, Johnny come and get me
I'm in a fight again
Oh, Johnny come and get me
I've missed the plane again
couldn't find you in Hong Kong
you just missed me in Quezon City
yes!
Oh, Johnny come and get me
I'm in trouble everywhere

    You must be playin' some hide and seek
    well, don't seek me
    You must have understood my wanderer's dream
    so, don't get me

        and the blues are like a shower rain
        understand that change,

    Oh, you must be playin' some hide and seek
        well, don't seek me
    You must have understood my wanderin' dreams
    well, don't get me

    ever again

I still can picture him: his hands in his back pockets.
He wasn't much for words, but when the wise kids made a racket he'd just have
to go downtown, throw his weight around before starting over.

"Say did you hear I've got a band?
Some guys I know from L.A.
We'll own the Rio Grande.
I'll pay you back next Friday.
You know it sure ain't big, just some cats I dig.
They said they'd do the gig."

Oh Desperado, why don't you spend your life in Colorado?
Oh Restless Shadow, out in the blue hills you're feeling hollow.

Oh El Diablo, why did you spend your life in California?
I should have warned ya.
No place to go now but falling over.

Some hands can't make it on the run, under the gun.
Not for the younger.
Oh Jack Daniels, I feel your hunger.

I know you did your best, but you thought that you did not.
I wish that I had known before I heard the last shot.
You know, it's not a sin, that little badge of tin.
Just a momento.

So sad you loved in vain.
My comrades lost in battle.
The music wars are done from London to Seattle.
We all pay to play and all our yesterdays are starting over.

Oh Desperado, why don't you spend your life in Colorado?
Oh Restless Shadow, out on the blue hills you're feeling hollow.

Oh El Diablo, why did you spend your life in California?
I should have warned ya.
No place to go now but falling over.

JLP (sampled from "John Hardy"):	Ready to die.
					Now he's ready to die.