ALREADY GONE (By Butch Hancock)
You don’t know what you’re missing with your endless supplies
Of that infinite variety of the same old merchandise
She was standin’ in the corner – actin’ lonely and lazy
He had no way to warn her – why he was feelin’ so crazy
He just went out and he bought the fastest bike he could buy
Popped a wheelie in the alley – aimed it straight for the sky
He bit the dust on the highway – doin’ ninety, ninety-five
Just east of Albuquerque – singin’ sweet by and by
He followed her down – she took him for granted
He showed her his heart – she showed him the door
He showed her the road – she said I don’t understand it
When he died he was thinkin’ – baby here’s what it’s for
I asked my angel – if heaven was near
She said it’s closer than it looks
But you can’t get there from here
Where can you go? – when you’re already gone
Where can you go? – when you’re already gone
Peabody and your government – got no respect for this earth
They wanna move the Indians again from the very land of their birth
They wanna move big mountain – and cut the coal out from under
They don’t know about sunshine – they never listen to thunder
You know who “they” are – aw, but who are you?
To let them do this to a people – who’d never do this to you?
Would you follow them down – to the skids and the slums
Take somebody from a circle – turn ‘em into a bum
The great spirit’s with you – to the end of the earth
When ya die you’ll be thinkin’ – what the hell was it worth?
I asked my angel – if heaven was near
She just closed her eyes
You can’t get there from here
Where can you go? – when you’re already gone
Where can you go? – when you’re already gone
In the city of angels – I once caught a thief
He was 20 years off the reservation, the cops all called him chief
It’s more than mind over matter – it’s your body and soul
The last rung on the ladder – the poor and hungry and cold
It’s the moon above the mountains – it’s the snow on the ground
It’s a smokeless horizon – someone you don’t let down
But it’s those hearts that can’t feel – it’s those arms that won’t reach
And it’s sad but it’s real – these ain’t just figures of speech
America lies – from border to border
Signs treaties in disguise – forgets natures law and order
Rebuilds here statute of liberty – and has the band play a song
For another statute that’s cryin’ – where did I go wrong?
I asked my angel – if heaven was near ...
Butch Hancock , 1993
* * * * * * * * * *
DRAFT AGE (By John Stewart)
Clarence Mulloy stands in his bedroom and stares,
He is going away.
Clarence Mulloy stands at the mirror and shaves,
Today is the day.
Oh, it had to come sooner or later
That the letter of greetings would say,
"Clarence, my boy, you are draft age today."
Clarence Mulloy looks at his shelves and the soldiers
Made out of clay.
Clarence Mulloy looks at his Ma and they know
There is nothing to say.
Boarding the bus on the corner,
Every face on the street seemed to say,
”Clarence Mulloy, you are draft age today."
And the boys have all gone to Balboa
With some girls that they met on the way,
And Alexis stayed home like you told her.
”Clarence Mulloy, you are draft age today.
Clarence Mulloy looks out the window and sees
What is passing him by.
Clarence Mulloy how incredibly short it can be,
It is making you cry.
And the dirty small boy that has seen you
Looks up from his baseball to say,
"Clarence Mulloy, you are draft age today."
And the boys have all gone to Balboa
With some girls that they met on the way,
And Alexis stayed home like you told her.
“Clarence Mulloy, you are draft age today.”
John Stewart, 1968
* * * * * * * * * *
EQUIPMENT FAILURE
QUARTER MASTER COMP’NY
WATER FOOD AND FUEL
PHONE CALL IN DETENTION
NOT AN INTERVIEW
CONVOY NORTH OF BAGHDAD
TRUCKS WERE BROKE TO SHIT
I’M ONLY A RESERVIST
I DIDN’T JOIN FOR THIS
MUTINY OR REPRIMAND
A TENT WITH ARMOURED GUARDS
MAIN SUPPLY ROUTE TAMPA
YOU WON’T GET VERY FAR
ROADSIDE BOMBS AND HAND GRENADES
WELCOME TO OUR HOME
INFERIOR EQUIPMENT
RATTLES LIKE A BONE
SOLDIER IN THE SAND
SO FAR FROM HOME
BURNED OUT BROKEN LAND
SO FAR FROM HOME
JERRY RIGGED WITH PLYWOOD
CALLED A COFFIN RIDE
FULLY ARMOURED VEHICLES
COULD SAVE A YOUNG MAN’S LIFE
SHORT ON AMMUNITION
NIGHT VISION GOGGLES TOO
LEFTOVERS FROM VIETNAM
THEY TOLD US TO MAKE DO
SOLDIER IN THE SAND …
PARENTS BUYING COMBAT GEAR
FROM LOCAL FIVE & DIMES
SPENDING BILL UP ON THE HILL
CONGRESS TAKES ITS TIME
REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR ABRAM TANKS
BULLETS FOR TO TRAIN
PAY THE PET BILL LEADERSHIP
PORK BARREL PROJECT SHAME
SOLDIER IN THE SAND …
CRISIS IN THE BAYOU
NATIONAL GUARD COMES LATE
WOULD FEDERAL ASSISTANCE
PREVENT THE LEVEE BREAK?
EQUIPMENT FOR HIGHWATER
TIED UP IN IRAQ
3000 MISSISSIPPI TROOPS
AND THEY AIN’T COMIN’ BACK
SOLDIER IN THE FLOOD
RIGHT HERE AT HOME
LOOTERS IN THE MUD
RIGHT HERE AT HOME
SOLDIER IN THE SAND ...
* * * * * * * * * *
BRING ME THE HEAD OF ALFREDO GARCIA
BRING ME THE HEAD OF SENOR GARCIA
BRING ME HIS HEAD … I’LL GIVE YOU GOLD … I’LL GIVE YOU GOLD
GRAVE ROBBIN’ IN THE DESERT … DON’T COUNT ON PLEASANT WEATHER
GRAVE ROBBIN’ IN THE DESERT … SEEK THE TRUTH DOWN IN THAT HOLE
LAY HIS HEAD ON THE TABLE AND GET PAID
LAY HIS HEAD ON THE TABLE … WALK AWAY
BRING ME A VASE OF ALABASTER
STOLEN BY A LOOTER THOUGH IT WEIGHED 300 POUNDS
THE MINISTRY OF OIL IS STANDING PROUDLY
BUT THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE, BOYS, IS TUMBLING TO THE GROUND
LAY THAT VASE ON THE TABLE … WHAT’S YOUR COST?
LAY THAT VASE ON THE TABLE AND GET LOST
“IT’S NOT YOUR WORD THAT COUNTS … IT’S WHO YOU GIVE IT TO”
SAID THE REPORT OF THE RIFLE FAR AWAY
IT AIN’T THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT … IT’S THE CRAP THEY PUT HIM THROUGH
THE CASUALTIES INCREASE FROM DAY TO DAY
BRING ME THE HEAD OF THE NEWS REPORTER
SMUGGLING TREASURE INTO THE U.S.A.
PORTFOLIO OF AN ANCIENT PALACE
CALL INTERPOL AND DRAG THAT JERK AWAY
LAY THAT TREASURE ON THE TABLE AND CONFESS
LAY THAT TREASURE ON THE TABLE … FACE YOUR DEATH
“IT’S NOT YOUR WORD …
BRING ME THE HEAD OF SENOR GARCIA …
* * * * * * * * * *
LEACHMAN'S GHOST
AMBUSHED ON THE HIGHWAY BY A HOLY MAN
PISSING OFF THESE PEOPLE LIKE ONLY ANGLOS CAN
LIBERATION MISSION: NOT TO OCCUPY
HARD TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE IF YOU BLINK AN EYE
MAYBE WHOLESALE SLAUGHTER IS THE ONLY PLAN
TO STOP THE RAIDING PARTIES IN THE DESERT SANDS
THE FIELDS OF GREEN ALFALFA ARE TURNING RED
THE VULTURES AND HYENAS WILL EAT THE DEAD
“KILLING’S SOMETHING I DO WELL”
AN UNMARKED GRAVE IS WHERE HE FELL
HARD TIMES – POST TO POST
HAUNTED BY LEACHMAN’S GHOST
HE WAS GREETED WARMLY BY THE NATIVE MEN
THEN MADE A FATAL ERROR AND TURNED HIS BACK ON THEM
THEY CALLED UP COLONEL LEACHMAN FOR THE LAST CAMPAIGN
THE CROSS OVER THE CRESCENT FILLED HIS FEVERED BRAIN
“KILLING’S SOMETHING I DO WELL”
AN UNMARKED GRAVE IS WHERE HE FELL
HARD TIMES – POST TO POST
HAUNTED BY LEACHMAN’S GHOST
EIGHTY SOME YEARS LATER MISSILES STREAK THE SKY
THE SENTRIES AND THE BLAST WALLS KEEP THE TRUTH OUTSIDE
THE RAVEN KEEPS THE SECRETS LIKE SHE ALWAYS DID
THE BOMBED-OUT WEDDING PARTY – SOMEBODY’S LONELY KID
* * * * * * * * * *
DON'T HE LOOK GOOD?
HERE COME JOHNNY WITH HIS MANDARIN COLLAR FOLDED UP
CENTERED ON THE FRONT OF HIS SHIRT IS HIS RANK INSIGNIA
TABS AND DEVICES RIGHT NEXT TO A UNIT PATCH
TILTLED CARGO POCKETS: LIGHT GREEN, TAN, AND GRAY DROP THE BLACK
OH OH DON’T HE LOOK GOOD?
OH OH DON’T HE LOOK LIKE HE SHOULD?
ACU – ARMY COMBAT UNIFORM
A SOLIDER AT THE DOOR BROUGHT IT HOME BUT HER BOY HE IS GONE
OH OH DON’T HE LOOK GOOD …
PRACTICE MANUEVERS … SNOUTS WAGGIN’ IN THE WIND
BRILLIANT BLUE SKY … LET THE BLOOD BATH BEGIN
SHE FOLDED IT UP … NOW IT LIES BY THE BED ON THE FLOOR
SHE CAN’T SLEEP BUT STILL DREAMS THAT SOMEDAY HE’S GONNA WALK THROUGH THE DOOR
OH OH DON’T HE LOOK GOOD …
MOVIN’ AND GROOVIN’ AND ROCKIN’ DOWN THE TAMPA LINE
DANCING AND GRINNING … BABY’S GONNA HAVE A TIME
HERE COMES JOHNNY …
* * * * * * * * * *
LOOK HER IN THE EYE
HE’S A REAL GOOD LOOKER IN THE EYE
HE’S A FEELIN’ FUNNY IN HIS MIND
SIDEWALK WATCHERS IN PROTEST POSTURES
I KISSED YOU BY THE BARRICADE
LOVE IN THE RUINS WHEN THE PARATROOPERS FLEW IN
WE’LL DIE BY THE PROMISES WE MADE
IT’S EASY NOT TO CRITICIZE
COPS WITH STUN GUNS AIMING AT THEIR LOVED ONES
REMIND ME WHO THE ENEMY IS HERE
CROWD’S DISPERSING BUT I’LL TELL YOU WHAT’S THE WORST THING
IT’S KNOWING THAT THEY’RE PREYING ON OUR FEARS
HE’S A REAL GOOD LOOKER IN THE EYE
HER BOY IS GONNA DIE … SO LOOK HER IN THE EYE
* * * * * * * * * *
MAMA BAKE A PIE (by Tom. T. Hall)
People staring at me as they wheel me down the ramp toward my plane
The war is over for me, Ive forgotten everything except the pain
Thank you sir, and yes sir, it was worth it for the ol red, white and blue
And since I wont be walking I suppose I’ll save some money buying shoes
The bottle hidden underneath the blanket over my two battered legs
I can see the stewardess make over me and ask "were you afraid?"
I’ll say, "why no I’m superman, and couldn’t find the phone booth quite in time."
A GI gets a lot of laughs if he remembers all the funny lines
Mama bake a pie, daddy kill a chicken
Your son is coming home, 11:35 wednesday night
Mama will be crying and daddy’s gonna say "son, did they treat you good?"
My uncle will be drunk and hell say, "boy, they doing some real great things with wood."
The letter that she wrote me said good-bye, she couldnt wait and lots of luck
The bottle underneath the blanket feels just like an old friend to my touch
I know she’ll come and see me but I bet she never once looks at my legs
Naw, shell talk about the weather and the dress she wore the july 4th parade
Lord, I love her and I dont believe this bottles gonna get her off my mind
I see here in the paper, where they say the war is just a waste of time
Tom T Hall, 1970
* * * * * * * * * *
THE KIND MERCHANT
THERE’S NO REASON OR RHYME … THEY’VE BEEN LOST OVER TIME
AND HIS DREAMS HAVE BEEN BLOWN BY THE WIND
AND HE HOPES AND HE PRAYS THAT ONE DAY HE’LL BE SAVED
FROM THE TROUBLE HE FINDS HIMSELF IN
HE FORGETS AND FORGIVES BUT SOMEHOW HE STILL LIVES
IN A LAND THAT’S BEEN BATTERED ‘N’ TORN
AND HE PUSHES AND SHOVES AND RELINQUISHES LOVE
IT’S A SHAME BUT IT’S HOW HE WAS BORN
GONE FOR GOOD … AND NOT COMIN’ BACK
THE KIND MERCHANT CASTS A WIDE NET
HE SHIMMIES AND SHAKES … ATTENDS A DEAD SOLDIER’S WAKE
HE’S OUT THERE … WE JUST AIN’T FOUND HIM YET
HE’S FOUND AND HE’S LOST AT AN UNCERTAIN COST
AND THE TRUTH JUST WITHERS AWAY
THE KIND MERCHANT STANDS WITH HIS HEAD IN HIS HAND
AND WONDERS: WHAT WOULD JOHN LENNON SAY?
GONE FOR GOOD … AND NOT COMIN’ BACK
THE KIND MERCHANT CASTS A WIDE NET
HE SHIMMIES AND SHAKES … ATTENDS A DEAD SOLDIER’S WAKE
HE’S OUT THERE … WE JUST AIN’T FOUND HIM YET
THERE’S NO REASON OR RHYME … THEY’VE BEEN LOST OVER TIME
AND HIS DREAMS HAVE BEEN BLOWN BY THE WIND
AND HE HOPES AND HE PRAYS THAT ONE DAY HE’LL BE SAVED
FROM THE TROUBLE HE FINDS HIMSELF IN
* * * * * * * * * *
MESOPOTAMIA 1917 (by Rudyard Kipling)
THEY shall not return to us, the resolute, the young
The eager and whole-hearted whom we gave:
But the men who left them thriftily to die in their own dung,
Shall they come with years and honour to the grave?
They shall not return to us, the strong men coldly slain
In sight of help denied from day to day:
But the men who edged their agonies and chide them in their pain,
Are they too strong and wise to put away?
Our dead shall not return to us while Day and Night divide—
Never while the bars of sunset hold.
But the idle-minded overlings who quibbled while they died,
Shall they thrust for high employments as of old?
Shall we only threaten and be angry for an hour?
When the storm is ended shall we find
How softly but how swiftly they have sidled back to power
By the favour and contrivance of their kind?
Even while they soothe us, while they promise large amends,
Even while they make a show of fear,
Do they call upon their debtors, and take council with their friends,
To confirm and re-establish each career?
Their lives cannot repay us—their death could not undo—
The shame that they have laid upon our race.
But the slothfulness that wasted and the arrogance that slew,
Shall we leave it unabated in its place?
(by Rudyard Kipling)
* * * * * * * * * *
MULLOY 2006
MULLOY ON A TWO WEEK BENDER
HIS BOY’S GONE TO THE HOLY LAND
LEXI STAYED HOME LIKE YOU TOLD HER
LISTENS TO THE CAR DOOR SLAM
WEEK ONE: UP IN THE MOUNTAINS
LISTENING FOR THE ANCIENT SOUNDS
WEEK TWO: AN INSTANT MESSAGE
HIS BOY’S SAFE ON THE HOLY GROUND
ONE DAY LOVE WILL FIND YOU
ONE DAY YOU’LL HAVE A HOME
TOUGH TIMES YOU’LL PUT BEHIND YOU
THE WORLD WAITS, MAN, YOU’RE NOT ALONE … ALL ALONE
HARD TO WATCH THE NEIGHBORS CHILDREN
HARD TO WATCH THE EVENING NEWS
TRYING TO HELP HIM BUT HE’S NOWHERE NEAR ME
TRYING HARD NOT TO BLOW A FUSE
ONE DAY LOVE WILL FIND YOU
ONE DAY YOU’LL HAVE A HOME
TOUGH TIMES YOU’LL PUT BEHIND YOU
THE WORLD WAITS, MAN, YOU’RE NOT ALONE … ALL ALONE
NO WORD FOR SEVERAL WEEKS NOW
KNOCK KNOCK SOLDIER’S AT MY DOOR
BUMPER STICKER ON THE NEIGHBOR’S PICKUP:
“WHAT THE HELL ARE WE FIGHTING FOR?”
I TOLD YOU NOT TO JOIN THAT ARMY
I TOLD YOU IT’D BE A DRAG
ONLY TAKES ONE TOUR OF DUTY
TO SEND YOU HOME IN A BODY BAG
ONE DAY LOVE WILL FIND YOU
ONE DAY YOU’LL HAVE A HOME
TOUGH TIMES YOU’LL PUT BEHIND YOU
THE WORLD WAITS, MAN, YOU’RE NOT ALONE … ALL ALONE
* * * * * * * * * *
YO HO HO (by Terry Allen)
I’m sailin’ out on the ocean, baby
Sailin’ on a deep blue sea
Yeah, sailin’ out on the ocean, baby
Sailin’ on a deep blue sea
Just tryin’ to keep my ship from burnin’
Burnin’ out from under me
Yo Ho Ho
Yo Ho Ho
Yeah, something’s made me crazy, baby
Something’s maybe made you crazy too
Ah, something’s made me crazy, baby
Something maybe made you crazy too
I’m just sailin’ out on the ocean, baby
Tryin’ to find America with you
Yo Ho Ho
Yo Ho Ho
Here we go
Yo Ho Ho
I’m trying to find America with you
I’m trying to find America with you
Just tryin’ to find America with you
Terry Allen, 1976
* * * * * * * * * *
All lyrics by Jon Houlon, Hillside Blue Music, 2007 (except where noted)
