ARE YOU LIKE ME?
ARE YOU LIKE ME?
ARE YOU LIKE ME?
BROTHER I'VE NEVER KNOWN
ARE YOU LIKE ME?
SOMETIMES WRONG
SOMETIMES FREE
ARE YOU LIKE ME?
ARE YOU LIKE ME?
AND THINK THIS SHIP IS SINKING
ARE YOU LIKE ME?
AND FOOLED INTO THINKING
SOMETIMES STRONG
SOMETIMES DEEP
ARE YOU LIKE ME?
ARE YOU LIKE ME?
AND A ROLLIN' STONE
ARE YOU LIKE ME AT HOME?
ARE YOU LIKE ME
AND YA STUMBLE AND FALL
ARE YOU LIKE ME AT ALL?
SOMETIMES WRONG
SOMETIMES FREE
ARE YOU LIKE ME?
ARE YOU LIKE ME?
ARE YOU LIKE ME?
BROTHER I'VE NEVER KNOWN
ARE YOU LIKE ME?
* * * * * * * * * *
GENE WASHINGTON
BLOWING PAPERS, CARDBOARD BOXES: URBAN TUMBLEWEED
THE KIDS CALL ME GENE WASHINGTON BUT MY REAL NAMES IS "GRIEVES"
I SEEN 'EM HUFFING KEYBOARD CLEANER TRYING TO GET LOOSE
ME I LIKE THE SISTERS DOWN HERE … CHECK OUT HER CABOOSE
25TH AND BONAPARTE … I STOOD HERE SINCE CARTER
"DID YOU SEE KEEPERS?" … "DEPENDS WHO'S ASKIN'…
HAVE YOU GOT CASH TO BARTER?"
WHERE WERE YOU IN '60 WHEN MY BROTHER TOOK FIVE SHOTS
NOTHING RANKLES MORE THESE DAYS THAN BLACK SKIN ON A COP
I TOLD 'EM SO BUT NO ONE CARES
I TOLD 'EM SO - COME ON, I DARE YOU …
IF CASH AIN'T IN THE CARDS TODAY … A BOTTLE WOULD BE FINE
SURE, I SAW KEEPERS AT 6:30 … GHETTO STANDARD TIME
D.A. SAYS I'M RELIABLE THOUGH MY NERVES ARE STARTIN TO GIVE
I'VE WATCHED 'EM DROPPED LIKE FLIES ROUND HERE … THAT BROAD
DESERVED TO LIVE
I TOLD 'EM SO …
BLOWING PAPERS
* * * * * * * * * *
HOW' AM I EVER GONNA GET HOME?
WINDOW ROLLED DOWN LOW … TRYING TO STAY AWAKE
RIDIN AWAY FROM YOU … OUT ON THE INTERSTATE
RANDY SAYS I CAN STAY WITH HER … LONG AS I KEEP IT CLEAN
HAD ENOUGH OF THE DRAMA HERE … LOOKING FOR THE QUIET SCENE
HOW'M I EVER GONNA GET HOME
PARENTS MOVED TO CALIFORN … ME, I STAYED BACK EAST
POPPERS AND CHLOROFORM … CRAZY EYES AND YELLOW TEETH
HOW'M I EVER GONNA GET HOME …
WAIT A WHILE AND THEN YOU'LL SEE ME
WAIT A WHILE AND THEN YOU'LL BE ME
MAYBE I'LL PULL ASIDE … MAYBE I'LL TURN AROUND
MAYBE I'LL FORGE AHEAD … LOOKING FOR THE UNDERGROUND
HOW'M I EVER GONNA GET HOME
WAIT A WHILE …
WINDOW ROLLED DOWN LOW
* * * * * * * * * *
KEEPERS AND RANDY
KEEPERS GONE TO RANDY SHE WAS FAST ASLEEP
KEEPERS LEFT A CANDLE IN THE STAIRS
KEEPERS IN THE CORNER OF A TALL CORNFIELD
SCRAPING AT HIMSELF LIKE HE WASN'T THERE
TAKE IT AWAY MISTER WASHINGTON
WIPE ALL THESE TEARS FROM MY EYES
TAKE IT AWAY MISTER WASHINGTON
WITH YOUR TEETH IN THE SINK
WERE WE CRAZY TO THINK
THAT YOU'D EVER BE THERE
FOR THE WEEKEND REPAIR
RANDY WAKE UP LATER FIND THE CANDLE BURNING LOW
KEEPERS WAITING OUTSIDE IN HIS CAR
RANDY SAYS "COME ON, MY DAD'LL BE HOME SOON"
KEEPERS WISHING ON HIS LUCKY STAR
CHORUS
RANDY LAYIN QUIET IN A TALL CORNFIELD
SKIN'S STILL PINK BUT HER LIPS ARE BLUE
KEEPER'S BACK AT HOME SCRAPING AT HIMSELF
THE BOY NEXT DOOR YOU THOUGHT YOU KNEW
TAKE HIM AWAY MISTER WASHINGTON
WIPE ALL THESE TEARS FROM MY EYES
TAKE HIM AWAY MISTER WASHINGTON
WITH YOUR MIND GOING BAD
ALL THE GOOD TIMES WE HAD
LITTLE CAT IN THE YARD
DID YOU SQUEEZE IT TOO HARD
* * * * * * * * * *
THE PULLING
OH HOW I TRIED
AND I HAVEN'T DONE WRONG
I FIGHT AND I FIGHT
BUT THE PULLING IS STRONG
SO HELP ME ALONG
HELP ME ALONG
WATCHED A BIRD FLYING SOUTH
AS I WAITED IN VAIN
FOR A RESCHEDULED LIFE
ON A JUST CANCELLED TRAIN
SO HELP ME ALONG
HELP ME ALONG
OH HOW I TRIED
AND I HAVEN'T DONE WRONG
I FIGHT AND I FIGHT
BUT THE PULLING IS STRONG
SO HELP ME ALONG
HELP ME ALONG
WATCHED A BIRD FLYING SOUTH
AND WISHED IT WAS ME
THEN I SAW HIM LAND
ON A FALLING DEAD TREE
SO HELP ME ALONG
HELP ME ALONG
OH HOW I TRIED
BUT THE THRILL IT IS GONE
I FIGHT AND I FIGHT
BUT THE PULLING IN STRONG
SO HELP ME ALONG
* * * * * * * * * *.
RANDY COME HOME
CHEAP TALK DON'T DO SHIT AROUND HERE
CHEAP TALK WON'T DO THE TRICK
OPEN YOUR MOUTH, THIRTY THOUSAND COMES OUT
SPREAD OPEN YOUR LEGS FOR THAT NO GOOD PRICK
OH OH RANDY COME HOME
OH WHATCHA DOIN' WITH HIM
OH OH RANDY COME HOME
YOUR GUMS ARE BLEEDIN' AND YOU'RE LOOKIN' SO THIN
I KNOW A THING OR TWO ABOUT ABSENT FATHERS
I KNOW A THING OR TWO ABOUT RED WINE
I BEEN ON THE BOTTOM OF SOME DEALS WORTH FORGETTIN'
I BEEN CHEATED BUT NOT THIS TIME!
OH OH RANDY …
THEY FOUND YOU IN THE DITCH WITH SCRATCHES ON YOUR HAND
THEY GOT KEEPERS IN A CELL DOWNTOWN
I TOLD YOU THAT BOY WAS WEIRDER THAN A MONKEY
I TOLD YOU I DIDN'T WANT HIM AROUND …
OH OH RANDY…
* * * * * * * * * *
RELIEF
IS IT WRONG TO ROAM?
IS IT WRONG TO ROAM?
IS IT WRONG TO ROAM FROM YOUR HOME?
IS IT ME OR YOU?
IS IT ME OR YOU?
IS IT ME OR YOU THAT SAYS WE'RE THRU?
DID I HEAR YOU SIGH?
DID I HEAR YOU SIGH?
DID I HEAR YOU SIGH WHEN I SAID GOODBYE?
RELIEF!
* * * * * * * * * *
ROBINSONVILLE
WHO'D IMAGINE A WHITE GIRL IN THIS PART OF TOWN
IN HER DADDY'S CAR … STRAIGHT HAIR FALLIN' DOWN
RANDY - GO HOME
WHERE YOU BELONG
THIS PLACE AIN'T FOR YOU
YOUR NUMBERS ARE FEW
HE WAS A PAINTER WHICH WAS A STRANGE OCCUPATION DOWN HERE
SORTA THING THAT AROUSED SUSPICION - "MUST BE A QUEER"
RANEY LAY DOWN
DOWN ON THE GROUND
HEAT'S ON YOUR THROAT
HOLDIN THAT NOTE
THEY ONLY MET A COUPLE TIMES BUT THEY WROTE NEAR EVERY DAY
WHAT THEY FELT IN THE LONELY HEARTS IS HARD TO SAY
LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT
BLACK SKIN ON WHITE
2000 AND ONE
STILL RUBS PEOPLE WRONG
KEEPERS POINTIN' HIS FINGER OUT SAYS "LOOK AT THE SMOKE UP THERE
THAT'S GOTTA BE YOUR GUY … JUST LOOK AT HIS DREADLOCKED HAIR"
GOING FOR BROKE
THAT MAN'S GONNA CHOKE
SHOULD I INTERFERE
THEY'LL CALL ME A QUEER
* * * * * * * * * *
SHAME ON YOU
IT WASN'T CHRIST THAT BROUGHT ME DOWN HERE
IT WAS THE PAIN AND THE PILLS AND THE BEER
A LITTLE GIRL LIKE HER GONNA TAKE YOU TO TASK
CALL YOU SILLY BOY FOR COMING SO FAST
SHAME ON YOU FOR COMING SO FAST
SHAME ON YOU - COULDN'T MAKE IT LAST
MIGHTA BEEN SATAN IT'S ANYONE'S GUESS
GIMME A TICKET: I'M MOVING OUT WEST
I HEAR HER VOICE LIKE A BABY IT CLINGS
WHERE WOULD A CHILD LEARN OF THESE THINGS
SHAME ON YOU …
* * * * * * * * * *
THE SUGAR DITCH
RANEY GONE DOWN TO THE SUGAR DITCH
GONNA FIND A FRIEND IN JESUS CHRIST
'STEAD HE FOUND RANDY LAYING IN THERE
CUTS ON HER HANDS NOT LOOKING QUITE RIGHT
RANEY PULLS ON HIS CAP SAYS "WHAT THE HELL
THAT BITCH LAYING THERE WITH THAT GOD AWFUL SMELL?"
MEET ME DOWN THERE --WANNA PLAY PITCH
MEET ME DOWN THERE -- JUST BESIDE THE JOINT IN THE SUGAR DITCH
MEANWHILE THERE'S A CAR 25TH AND BONAPARTE
MAN LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD
HEAT COMES BY SAYS YOU NEED ANY HELP
KEEPERS LOOK UP SAYS "A FELLOW SURELY COULD"
HEAT GET TO WONDERING WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS GUY
BLOOD ON HIS HAND AND A LOOK IN HIS EYE
MEET ME DOWN THERE -- WANNA PLAY PITCH
MEET ME DOWN THERE -- JUST BESIDE THE JOINT IN THE SUGAR DITCH
SEEN IT RAIN … RAIN SO LONG … SEEN IT RAIN … AIN'T RIGHT OR WRONG
RANEY GETTING NERVOUS, DITCH GETTING MUDDY
MAYBE SHOULDA GONE TO THE CHURCH
SIREN COME A BUZZING, JUKE JOINT A CALLING
RANEY'S GOT BLOOD ON HIS SHIRT
RANEY GET TO WONDERING WHAT TO DO WITH THIS BITCH
LAYING THERE DEAD IN THE SUGAR DITCH
MEET ME DOWN THERE
WANNA PLAY PITCH
MEET ME DOWN THERE
JUST BESIDE THE JOINT IN THE SUGAR DITCH
SEEN IT RAIN … RAIN SO LONG … SEEN IT RAIN … AIN'T RIGHT OR WRONG
KEEPERS COME A WALKING TO THE SUGAR DITCH
HEAT GOT HIS HAND IN A CUFF
KEEPERS WATCHING RAIN BOUNCIN' OFF HIS WHITE SKIN
SEES RANEY STANDING UP ON THE BLUFF
KEEPERS GET TO WONDERIN HOW TO BEAT THIS RAP
POINTS HIS FINGER TO THE BLUFF AT THE MAN IN THE CAP
MEET ME DOWN THERE -- WANNA PLAY PITCH
MEET ME DOWN THERE -- JUST BESIDE THE JOINT IN THE SUGAR DITCH
* * * * * * * * * *
SUPPOSED TO WAIT
YOU PACE THE FLOOR … YOU NEVER SPEAK
YOU LOCK YOUR DOOR … FOR WEEKS AND WEEKS
PEED YOURSELF … ON YOUR WALK
COME ON COME ON … IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT
HOW LONG ARE WE SUPPOSED TO WAIT
'FORE WE JUST GIVE IN
HOW LONG ARE WE SUPPOSED TO WAIT
THE PILLS YOU TOOK …WE NEVER KNEW
THE DOCTOR SAID HE HAD NO CLUE …
HOW LONG …
* * * * * * * * * *
WHAT IF RAY CHARLES WEREN'T BLIND?
WHAT IF RAY CHARLES WEREN'T BLIND
WHAT IF WE WERE STILL TOGETHER
WHAT IF JAMES CARR WERE STILL ALIVE
WHAT IF FOREVER WAS FOREVER
THEN I WOULD BE ALRIGHT
THEN I WOULD SAY "IT'S OKAY"
THEN YOU COULD STAY THE NIGHT
AND WE COULD WAKE UP THE NEXT DAY
WHAT IF GENE CLARK HAD STAYED
WHAT IF YOU HADN'T SPOKEN
WHAT IF EDDIE HINTON STILL PLAYED
WHAT IF THIS DREAM WEREN'T BROKEN
THEN I WOULD BE ALRIGHT
THEN I WOULD SAY "IT'S OKAY"
THEN YOU COULD STAY THE NIGHT
AND WE COULD WAKE UP THE NEXT DAY
DOES NON-REALITY PRECLUDE CONSIDERATION
THIS RING AROUND YOUR NECK
IT'LL STRANGULATE YA …
WHAT IF COE'D BEEN ON DEATH ROW
WOULD IT EVEN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
AM I DUMB TO THINK YOU'D SHOW
WOULD IT EVEN MAKE A DIFFERNCE
WOULD I BE ALRIGHT
WOULD I SAY "IT'S OKAY"
WOULD YOU STAY THE NIGHT
* * * * * * * * * *
Jon Houlon, Hillside Blue Music, 2003
