1. |
Dead Kings
05:24
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She grew up on the railroad tracks
that ran right through her yard
and watched her daddy hang out back
fixing up his cars
And she grew up watching pick-pocket types
hide out in the streets
and the hot concrete burned her feet
and left scars all down her knees
And she will talk of every brick as if
it were made of honey
she will walk the streets and live out
the stories she's been told
she will pick through rubble
that means much more to her than gold
And it's hard to imagine that in this aging city
of only three hundred thousand or more
someone could care for every crack in a sidewalk
broken window or splintered door
Even Robinson Crusoe
watched his green seas turn to red
it's always the poor old drunks
who get tossed beneath the treads
of the skeleton machines
that tear whole towns to wrecks
leaving only a compass to guide us
or the rope to wring our necks
But let 'em talk all they want
about their wedding bands
when it's dark they slip them off their
crooked cheatin' hands
hide 'em deep inside
the pockets of their jeans
And it's hard to imagine quarters at the bottom of a well
or the ringing of a forgotten chained up chapel bell
or the television and the half asleep stares
of fools who don't care what they sell
or give away
We can tear down all the wire
rip the bugs out of the wall
chase the black vans off our street
when we're done
all that will remain
is the ground breaking up
beneath our feet
and it's hard to imagine hanging costumes in a room
or a project flower box in bloom
or a dead king counting gold coins in a tomb
or a plaster cast of the footprints on the moon
And it's hard to imagine the color of the all seeing eye
a steady hand in a troubled ever changing sky
or invisible heart - lord knows I've tried
but I do know when I die she won't ask why
she'll just bring me back to life
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2. |
Shut My Mouth
04:23
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Nobody give a damn - how she run me down
how my frail heart make a heavy sound
when I tell my friends - that I'm broke
well they pat me on the back like it's a joke
So I'll just shut my mouth
I won't speak a word of it no more
When I go out - I hope my grin
does not betray the bitter ghost within
fingers pressed to lips
guide me deep into the bottle that I sip
So I'll just shut my mouth
I won't speak a word of it no more
I don't blink - when they speak her name
though a devil dig her claws into my brain
while my friends laugh - I watch the mirror
and the inverse of a world I've come to fear
But I'll just shut my mouth
I won't speak a word of it no more
I could carry chains made out of steel
no more a burden then this sadness that I feel
maybe the truth - can break these binds
but if I give it all away well it won't be mine
I'll just shut my mouth
I'll just shut my mouth
yeah I'll just shut my mouth
I won't speak a word of it no more
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3. |
Without A Doubt
03:06
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We're in a loop you know I say
another ring around my belt
it's not a question or a lesson
it's just the way you felt
but I think I've got the reason
you keep on movin' out
it ain't some kind of lesson
just me without a doubt
it ain't some kind of lesson
just me without a doubt
Now when I move away
well we all might understand
but if I'm here to stay
baby let me stay your man
but at least I'm not afraid
of the things you're thinking bout
it ain't some kind of lesson
just me without a doubt
it ain't some kind of lesson
just me walking out
In the cold of the darkest winters
you can shiver - for what's familiar
well it's the feeling of your fingers
just the loss that lingers
on your hands...
Now when we all move up
yeah we're both gonna chase them dreams
but nothing's worth too much
in another place we'll leave
so if we meet again
in a whisper or a shout
it ain't some kind of lesson
just me without a doubt
it ain't some kind of lesson
just you I'm thinking bout
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4. |
Goodbye, My Love
06:24
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goodbye, my love, there's a chill in the air
the boxes are packed and stacked up the stairs
I'm sorry the lights are turned down so low
but still there are troubles the shadows don't know
the restless haunts that lay siege to my head
reciting those words till I break or I'm dead
goodbye, my love, it's been too many years
of running and lying and fighting and tears
goodbye, my love, the leaves turn today
the path 'neath my boots is still hard and grey
and the cars passing by, and the blast of their horns
and a headache that cuts through my scalp just like thorns
I won't remember all the bottles I broke
or even every ugly word that I spoke
except goodbye, my love, now there's no going back
once the painted edges have all turned to black
goodbye, my love, there's nothing to miss
but a soft gentle touch and the warmth of a kiss
now a bitter taste from all the dust in the air
and I spit out the grit and I shake out my hair
and I cry out loud for all time that I lost
I want the sores on my feet to measure the cost
of goodbye, my love, I'll join their ranks and roam
with the wounded sinners stumbling home
goodbye, my love, oh! it sounded so brave
and I'll carry those words in my heart to my grave
no, I didn't think twice when you begged me to stay
but I never once thought it could end up this way
instead of fixing the glass, I picked up the stones
now the shaking has spread from my fist to my bones
goodbye, my love, I never said it so well --
it's always the simple things that put me through hell
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5. |
||||
You go everywhere in that checkered dress
black tights up to your thighs
and though the rugged hide-a-ways are fine
sometimes the feeling dies
and I know your thinking maybe
these East End bars are a curse
the same old songs the same old faces
but babe it could be worse
and going home now won't make it right
stay here, stay here, ah! stay here tonight
I saw you hesitate on my doorstep
did someone see you come in?
then it's too late babe there's no keeping pace
in race only grave robbers win
And I know you hate it the way I talk
it only hurts you 'cause it's true
how dare anybody ever think
that they know what's best for you
But no one should be lonely out of spite
Stay here, stay here, ah! stay here tonight
You always say you can't be satisfied
well I won't be the one that you blame
all I asked for was an artist's life
but what you want ain't gotta name
So tomorrow take a greyhound to the coast
you wouldn't be the first
see if the strange expensive crowd
provides a cure for your thirst
For now just come upstairs turn off the light
Stay here, stay here, ah! stay here tonight
I can't explain this horseshoe crutch
we always end up where we start
every midnight needs its shades of grey
and you love to play the part
Don't say it's cause you've been hurt before
I don't care about your past
you might think your some untouchable
it's time to rise up from that caste
There's reward for those brave enough to fight
Stay here, stay here, ah! stay here tonight
Do you remember how we met?
It was in a room made out of glass
where you promised all the names you wore
were a crossroads we would pass
Now I'm sick of the endless "just because"
of your backwoods career
I thought one day you might get right
but it's been this way for years
And I've no ground left to gain being polite
Stay here, stay here, ah! stay here tonight
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6. |
When You're Gone
02:11
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Now all the space - between our feet
is more than just a walk to me
so how will I know
when you're gone?
And I'm not big with all the kids
but what I skipped I don't really miss
so tell me - will I know
when you're gone?
And all the boys out on the porch
sit back - and sip some more
the rivers running thin
best come ashore
And this room will still be warm
when you go out to get some more
and I'll worry
that there's a storm
And I'll sit back on all the things
that people think on days like these
and I'll wonder - if you - were ever here
at all
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7. |
Mile Markers
07:39
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Ease the transmission along the Carolina coast,
not too much trouble here for a young man.
Can't say it fits the rhythm
or the beat that I like most --
I always take my time when I can.
Cause the wind blowing in from the ocean
fails in the badlands.
And the boys say - 'stay away'
they only drink alone
that's fine - I can make it on my own.
Freight train in the distance
an empty tank of gas
only losers - stall out on the tracks.
Candles on the dashboard
seats covered in cash
pennies slipping through the cracks --
look out down the highway
see only mile markers looking back at me.
And the boys say - 'stay away'
they only drink alone
that's fine - I can make it on my own.
Pain killers, caffeine drinks
I gotta push on through
with my heart - pounding in my chest.
Watch the horizon, wait for the signal or the sign
in time all roads angle towards the west
'cept for the trail of bones to Jackson
you can trace that all the way
back down to New Orleans.
Where the boys say - 'stay away'
they only drink alone
that's fine - I can make it on my own.
Earthquake in Kansas and there's eleven people dead
outlaws killed for the secret lives they hid.
I can't believe no one remembers
all the fucked up things they said
about short bus pigs feasting on the grid.
The FBI is coming by in the morning
to clean up the scene.
And the boys say - 'stay away'
they only drink alone
that's fine - I can make it on my own.
I found Eden in lonely hotel bar disguise
and a waitress thinkin' somehow she's to blame.
She says that she hears voices
they promise good things when she dies
but she wonders why they don't call her by her name.
Mother of Exiles! you have so much to deliver
strap your children down and drown them in the river.
And the boys say - 'stay away'
they only drink alone
that's fine - I can make it on my own.
A pound of flesh, salt on the wound
A bloody rope strung from tree to tree.
Ceremonies in the dark
where madmen drum the ugly tune --
and the brutal noise brings me to my knees.
When did it become a crime to suggest that what is mine belongs to everyone?
And the boys say - 'stay away'
they only drink alone
but no one makes it on their own.
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8. |
State Line
04:21
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Come tape this pistol to my chest
it's the only way I know to hide a gun
it's been a week, babe, since we stopped to rest
but I guess that's how it is out on the run.
It's safer if we stick to country roads
where every little town looks the same
where every perfect house and every well cut lawn
reminds us that we just don't belong.
And it seems like such a long time since we
passed those old signs
for fireworks and discount cigarettes
soon the sun will rise on everything we leave behind
somewhere back there across state line.
I never meant for him to die
that night he learned that you'd been seeing me
and I swear I never even felt the blade
till I saw the blood pooling where he laid.
The road will mend our broken hearts as one
but back home they will never understand
but I promise, babe no one will ever know
that the knife ,babe, was in your hands.
And it seems like such a long time since we
passed those old signs
for fireworks and discount cigarettes
soon the sun will rise on everything we leave behind
somewhere back there across state line.
One day there will be a price to pay
for this woman that I stole
until that day I'll keep her close
and pray that God has mercy on my soul.
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The Big Bend Pittsburgh
Chet Vincent is a singer-songwriter from PGH, PA. His current bands are:
The Music
Industry
(rock/folk/psych)
Shop Til U Drop
(garage)
Former Projects:
The Big Bend
(rock/blues)
Biirdwatcher
(acoustic/folk)
... more
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