WORDS FILL MY HEAD

Late songs

Innehåll

Masquerade. 1

Tell Ol’ Bill 1

Tragedy Of The Trade. 1

Waitin’ For You. 1

Murder Most Foul 1

I Contain Multitudes. 1

‘Cross The Green Mountain

I cross the green mountain, I sit by the stream

Heaven blazing in my head, I dreamt a monstrous dream

Something came up out of the sea

Swept through the land of the rich and the free

I look into the eyes of my merciful friend

And then I ask myself, is this the end?

Memories linger, sad yet sweet

And I think of the souls in heaven who will meet

Altars are burning with flames far and wide

The foe has crossed over from the other side

They tip their caps from the top of the hill

You can feel them come, more brave blood to spill

Along the dim Atlantic line

The ravaged land lies for miles behind

The light's coming forward and the streets are broad

All must yield to the avenging God

The world is old, the world is gray

Lessons of life, can't be learned in a day

I watch and I wait, and I listen while I stand

To the music that comes from a far better land

Close the eyes of our captain, peace may he know

His long night is done, the great leader is laid low

He was ready to fall, he was quick to defend

Killed outright he was, by his own men

It's the last day's last hour, of the last happy year

I feel that the unknown world is so near

Pride will vanish and glory will rot

But virtue lives and cannot be forgot

The bells of leavening have rung

There's blasphemy on every tongue

Let 'em say that I walked in fair nature's light

And that I was loyal to truth and to right

Serve God and be cheerful, look upward, beyond

Beyond the darkness of masks, the surprises of dawn

In the deep green grasses of the blood-stained world

They never dreamed of surrenderin', they fell where they stood

Stars fell over Alabama, I saw each star

You're walkin' in dreams, whoever you are

Chilled are the skies, keen as the frost

The grounds froze hard and the morning is lost

A letter to mother came today

Gunshot wound to the breast is what it did say

But he'll be better soon, he's in a hospital bed

But he'll never be better - he's already dead

I'm ten miles outside the city, and I'm lifted away

In an ancient light, that is not of day

They were calm, they were blunt, we knew 'em all too well

We loved each other more than we ever dared to tell

[Source: released version on the Gods And Generals soundtrack]

[TOP]

Masquerade

(Gerry Goffin/Bob Dylan)

Hey what's your name
hey what's your game
if you put me down I'll do the same
send horror shows to friends you know
cause that's the way things often tend to go
I'm at a loss to entertain
you see the cells are paralyzed inside my brain
I bid adieu to all of you
I think it's time to end this masquerade

Now life was sweet till they called the heat
the county jail has just reserved a two room suite
how do they get to be such drags
I just can't figure out what's behind their bags
one thing I know without fail
white man's justice will prevail
Buona Notta Aufwiedersehen
I think it's time to end this masquerade

I forgot to milk the cow
but I don't wanna do it now
like to sleep for a hundred years
till' this old world just disappears
And so to end this grand affair
I hear the commander in chief was even there
he worked so hard he broke his back
but Ronald Reagan was sleepin' in his sack
the Hard-ons are in
with nothin' to win
it's the same old show
Buenos Diae Auroueit it's a rodeo
I think it's time to end this masquerade

[Source: album liner notes to Back Room Blood by Gerry Goffin]

Tell Ol’ Bill

(released version)

The river whispers in my ear

I've hardly a penny to my name

The heavens have never seemed so near

All my body glows with flame.

The tempest struggles in the air

And to myself alone I sing

It could sink me then and there

I can hear the echoes ring.

I tried to find one smilin' face

To drive the shadow from my head

I'm stranded in this nameless place

Lyin' restless in a heavy bed.

Tell me straight out if you will

Why must you torture me within?

Why must you come down off your high hill?

Throw my fate to the clouds and wind.

Far away in a silent land

Secret thoughts are hard to bear

Remember me, you'll understand

Emotions we can never share.

You trampled on me as you passed

Left the coldest kiss upon my brow

All my doubts and fears have gone at last

I've nothing more to tell you now.

I walk by tranquil lakes and streams

As each new season's dawn awaits

I lay awake at night with troubled dreams

The enemy is at the gate.

Beneath the thunder-blasted trees

The words are ringin' off your tongue

The ground is hard in times like these

Stars are cold, the night is young.

The rocks are bleak, the trees are bare

Iron clouds go floatin' by

Snowflakes falling in my hair

Beneath the gray and stormy sky.

The evenin' sun is sinking low

The woods are dark, the town is too

They'll drag you down, they run the show

Ain't no tellin' what they'll do.

Tell Ol' Bill when he comes home

Anything is worth a try

Tell him that I'm not alone

That the hour has come to do or die.

All the world I would defy

Let me make it plain as day

I look at you now and I sigh

How could it be any other way?

[Source: released version on the North Country soundtrack]

[TOP]

Tell Ol’ Bill

(alternate version with one more verse)

The river whispers in my ear

I've hardly a penny to my name

The heavens never seemed so near

And all my body glows with flame.

The tempest struggles in the air

And to my lone myself I sing

It could sink me then and there

I can hear the echoes ring.

I tried to find one smilin' face

To drive the shadow from my head

I'm stranded in this lonesome place

Layin' restless in a heavy bed.

Tell me straight out if you will

Why must you torture me within?

Why must you come from your high hill?

Throw my fate to the clouds and wind.

Far away in a silent land

Secret thoughts are hard to bear

Remember me, you'll understand

Emotions we can never share.

You trampled on me as you passed

Left the coldest kiss upon my brow

All my doubts and fears have gone at last

I've nothing more to tell you now.

I walk by tranquil lakes and streams

As each new season's dawn awaits

I lay awake at night with troubled dreams

The enemy is at the gate.

Beneath the thunder-blasted trees

The words are ringin' off your tongue

The ground is hard in times like these

The stars are cold, the night is young.

From white to green, from brown to black

Not one more minute can I waste

They go too far, they drive me black

At a slow and steady pace.

The rocks are bleak, the trees are bare

Iron clouds go floatin' by

Snowflakes falling in my hair

Beneath the dark and stormy sky.

The evenin' sun is sinking low

The woods are dark, the town is too

They'll drag you down, they run the show

Ain't no tellin' what they'll do.

Tell Ol' Bill when he come home

Anything is worth of try

Tell him that I'm not alone

And that the hour has come to do or die.

All the world I would defy

Let me make it plain as day

I look at you and now I die

How could it be any other way?

[Source: circulating session recording]

[TOP]

Tragedy Of The Trade

(Gerry Goffin, Barry Goldberg, Bob Dylan)

A young girl dies in the gutter face down
Taxi driver pulls up to the curb, dies without a sound
Copin' a squad car ridin' round is nowhere to be found
Each one has seen his last
But we must let it pass
Too much money to be made
The tragedy of the trade

And if you don't give ice to the mob
Life around here gets awful hard
You're likely to lose more than just a job
And if that aint bad enough
Times are getting so tough
Most people beggin to be underpaid
The tragedy of the trade

Young man working for the fast food store
Ses a recuiting poster and goes off to war
I don't think he ever knew what he was fighting for
They play Taps and lower the flag
When they bring him home in a body bag
But don't you be dismayed
It's just the tragedy of the trade

A baby cries in the ghetto morn'
Before he's five he'll wish he'd never been born
'Cause all society shows him is their hatred and their scorn
He knows he doesn't stand a chance
So he grows up with a gangster's stance
Just one more reason to be afraid
The tragedy of the trade

Remember the hum of the factory town
Business was booming
fo a thousand miles around
But they farmed out the work
and let so many people down
I hear it happened just recently
Another change in our history
The billionaire's promenade
The tragedy of the trade

The trade takes place around the world
on a derelict street
Where the masters and the slaves
often congregate to meet
They make deals - turn the big wheels
With starving children dying at their feet
The world's been run with Backroom Blood
Long before the time of the flood
And it's you who are betrayed
The tragedy of the trade

If you still have innocence, better lock it in a vault
Once it was a virtue, but now it's a fault
Too many people waiting around
just to rip you off
And as I understand
No one really gives a damn
It's not a game, but that's the way it's played
The scales of justice have really never been weighed
The tragedy of the trade.

[Source: album liner notes to Back Room Blood by Gerry Goffin]

Waitin’ For You

I never dreamed it could be
A someone made just for me.
When I'm letting her have her way,
I'm here to see what she has to say.
Ah, the poor girl always wins the day.
I'm stayin' ahead of the game,
And she's a-doin' the same,
And the whiskey flyin' into my head.
The fiddler's arm has gone dead,
And talk is beginning to spread

When did our love go bad?
Whatever happened to the best friend that I had?
It's been so long since I held you tight
Been so long since we said goodnight.
The taste of tears is bittersweet.
When you're near me, my heart forgets to beat.
You're there every night
Among the good and the true,
And I'll be around, waitin' for you.

Well, the king of them all
Is starting to fall.
I lost my gal at the boatman's ball.
The night has a thousand hearts and eyes.
Hope may vanish, but it never dies.
I'll see you tomorrow when freedom rings.
I'm gonna stay on top of things.
It's the middle of summer,
And the moon is blue.
And I'll be around, waitin' for you.

Another deal gone down,
Another man done gone.
You put up with it all, and you carry on.
Something holding you back,
But you'll come through.
I'd bet the world and everything in it on you.
Happiness is but a state of mind.
Anytime you want, you can cross the state line.
You don't need to be rich or well-to-do
I'll be around, waitin' for you.

[Source: released version on the Divine Secrets Of The Ya-Ya Sisterhood soundtrack]

[TOP]

Murder Most Foul

Twas a dark day in Dallas, November '63

A day that will live on in infamy

President Kennedy was a-ridin’ high

Good day to be livin' and a good day to die

Being led to the slaughter like a sacrificial lamb

He said, "Wait a minute, boys, you know who I am?" "

Of course we do. We know who you are."

Then they blew off his head while he was still in the car

Shot down like a dog in broad daylight

Was a matter of timing and the timing was right

You gotta pay debts; we've come to collect

We're gonna kill you with hatred; without any respect

We'll mock you and shock you and we'll put it in your face

We've already got someone here to take your place

The day they blew out the brains of the king

Thousands were watching; no one saw a thing

It happened so quickly, so quick, by surprise

Right there in front of everyone's eyes

Greatest magic trick ever under the sun

Perfectly executed, skillfully done

Wolfman, oh wolfman, oh wolfman howl

Rub-a-dub-dub, it's a murder most foul

Hush, little children. You'll understand

The Beatles are comin'; they're gonna hold your hand

Slide down the banister, go get your coat

Ferry 'cross the Mersey and go for the throat

There's three bums comin' all dressed in rags

Pick up the pieces and lower the flags

I'm going to Woodstock; it's the Aquarian Age

Then I'll go to Altamont and sit near the stage

Put your head out the window; let the good times roll

There's a party going on behind the Grassy Knoll

Stack up the bricks, pour the cement

Don't say Dallas don't love you, Mr. President

Put your foot in the tank and step on the gas

Try to make it to the triple underpass

Blackface singer, whiteface clown

Better not show your faces after the sun goes down

Up in the red light district, they've got cop on the beat

Living in a nightmare on Elm Street

When you're down in Deep Ellum, put your money in your shoe

Don't ask what your country can do for you

Cash on the ballot, money to burn

Dealey Plaza, make left-hand turn

I'm going down to the crossroads; gonna flag a ride

The place where faith, hope, and charity died

Shoot him while he runs, boy. Shoot him while you can

See if you can shoot the invisible man

Goodbye, Charlie. Goodbye, Uncle Sam

Frankly, my Scarlet, I don't give a damn

What is the truth, and where did it go?

Ask Oswald and Ruby; they oughta know

"Shut your mouth," said the wise old owl

Business is business, and it's a murder most foul

Tommy, can you hear me? I'm the Acid Queen

I'm riding in a long, black limousine

Riding in the backseat next to my wife

Heading straight on in to the afterlife

I'm leaning to the left; got my head in her lap

Hold on, I've been led into some kind of a trap

Where we ask no quarter, and no quarter do we give

We're right down the street from the street where you live

They mutilated his body, and they took out his brain

What more could they do? They piled on the pain

But his soul's not there where it was supposed to be at

For the last fifty years they've been searchin' for that

Freedom, oh freedom. Freedom from need

I hate to tell you, mister, but only dead men are free

Send me some lovin'; tell me no lies

Throw the gun in the gutter and walk on by

Wake up, little Suzie; let's go for a drive

Cross the Trinity River; let's keep hope alive

Turn the radio on; don't touch the dials

Parkland hospital, only six more miles

You got me dizzy, Miss Lizzy. You filled me with lead

That magic bullet of yours has gone to my head

I'm just a patsy like Patsy Cline

Never shot anyone from in front or behind

I've blood in my eye, got blood in my ear

I'm never gonna make it to the new frontier

Zapruder's film I seen night before

Seen it 33 times, maybe more

It's vile and deceitful. It's cruel and it's mean

Ugliest thing that you ever have seen

They killed him once and they killed him twice

Killed him like a human sacrifice

The day that they killed him, someone said to me, "Son

The age of the Antichrist has only begun."

Air Force One coming in through the gate

Johnson sworn in at 2:38

Let me know when you decide to thrown in the towel

It is what it is, and it's murder most foul

What's new, pussycat? What'd I say?

I said the soul of a nation been torn away

And it's beginning to go into a slow decay

And that it's 36 hours past Judgment Day

Wolfman Jack, speaking in tongues

He's going on and on at the top of his lungs

Play me a song, Mr. Wolfman Jack

Play it for me in my long Cadillac

Play me that "Only the Good Die Young"

Take me to the place Tom Dooley was hung

St. James Infirmary and the Port of King James

If you want to remember, you better write down the names

Play Etta James, too. Play "I'd Rather Go Blind"

Play it for the man with the telepathic mind

Play John Lee Hooker. Play "Scratch My Back."

Play it for that strip club owner named Jack

Guitar Slim going down slow

Play it for me and for Marilyn Monroe

Play "Please Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood"

Play it for the First Lady, she ain't feeling any good

Play Don Henley, play Glenn Frey

Take it to the limit and let it go by

Play it for Karl Wirsum, too

Looking far, far away at Down Gallow Avenue

Play tragedy, play "Twilight Time"

Take me back to Tulsa to the scene of the crime

Play another one and "Another One Bites the Dust"

Play "The Old Rugged Cross" and "In God We Trust"

Ride the pink horse down the long, lonesome road

Stand there and wait for his head to explode

Play "Mystery Train" for Mr. Mystery

The man who fell down dead like a rootless tree

Play it for the Reverend; play it for the Pastor

Play it for the dog that got no master

Play Oscar Peterson. Play Stan Getz

Play "Blue Sky"; play Dickey Betts

Play Art Pepper, Thelonious Monk

Charlie Parker and all that junk

All that junk and "All That Jazz"

Play something for the Birdman of Alcatraz

Play Buster Keaton, play Harold Lloyd

Play Bugsy Siegel, play Pretty Boy Floyd

Play the numbers, play the odds

Play "Cry Me A River" for the Lord of the gods

Play Number 9, play Number 6

Play it for Lindsey and Stevie Nicks

Play Nat King Cole, play "Nature Boy"

Play "Down In The Boondocks" for Terry Malloy

Play "It Happened One Night" and "One Night of Sin"

There's 12 Million souls that are listening in

Play "Merchant to Venice", play "Merchants of Death"

Play "Stella by Starlight" for Lady Macbeth

Don't worry, Mr. President. Help's on the way

Your brothers are coming; there'll be hell to pay

Brothers? What brothers? What's this about hell?

Tell them, "We're waiting. Keep coming." We'll get them as well

Love Field is where his plane touched down

But it never did get back up off the ground

Was a hard act to follow, second to none

They killed him on the altar of the rising sun

Play "Misty" for me and "That Old Devil Moon"

Play "Anything Goes" and "Memphis in June"

Play "Lonely At the Top" and "Lonely Are the Brave"

Play it for Houdini spinning around his grave

Play Jelly Roll Morton, play "Lucille"

Play "Deep In a Dream", and play "Driving Wheel"

Play "Moonlight Sonata" in F-sharp

And "A Key to the Highway" for the king on the harp

Play "Marching Through Georgia" and "Dumbaroton's Drums"

Play darkness and death will come when it comes

Play "Love Me Or Leave Me" by the great Bud Powell

Play "The Blood-stained Banner", play "Murder Most Foul"

[Source: Lyrics provided by Sukrit Dhin]

I Contain Multitudes

Today and tomorrow, and yesterday, too

The flowers are dyin’ like all things do

Follow me close, I’m going to Ballinalee

I’ll lose my mind if you don’t come with me

I fuss with my hair, and I fight blood feuds

I contain multitudes

Got a tell-tale heart, like Mr. Poe

Got skeletons in the walls of people you know

I’ll drink to the truth and the things we said

I’ll drink to the man that shares your bed

I paint landscapes, and I paint nudes

I contain multitudes

Red Cadillac and a black moustache

Rings on my fingers that sparkle and flash

Tell me, what’s next? What shall we do?

Half my soul, baby, belongs to you

I relic and I frolic with all the young dudes

I contain multitudes

I’m just like Anne Frank, like Indiana Jones

And them British bad boys, The Rolling Stones

I go right to the edge, I go right to the end

I go right where all things lost are made good again

I sing the songs of experience like William Blake

I have no apologies to make

Everything’s flowing all at the same time

I live on the boulevard of crime

I drive fast cars, and I eat fast foods

I contain multitudes

Pink petal-pushers, red blue jeans

All the pretty maids, and all the old queens

All the old queens from all my past lives

I carry four pistols and two large knives

I’m a man of contradictions, I’m a man of many moods

I contain multitudes

You greedy old wolf, I’ll show you my heart

But not all of it, only the hateful part

I’ll sell you down the river, I’ll put a price on your head

What more can I tell you? I sleep with life and death in the same bed

Get lost, madame, get up off my knee

Keep your mouth away from me

I’ll keep the path open, the path in my mind

I’ll see to it that there’s no love left behind

I’ll play Beethoven’s sonatas, and Chopin’s preludes

I contain multitudes

[Source: Expecting Rain discussions]

This page last updated 26 April 2020.