By the Way
Bob Marston
Before You Go
Bob Marston
Brother Again
George Hipp
Burning Out
George Hipp
Time is short now
And I don’t know how
To say these things to you
It's been a lifetime
Of telling you my mind
And I wonder, did I ever get through
Looking back on the years
No use fighting back tears
I sure miss seeing you smile
Nobody gets to stay
We all gotta go someday
I guess I'll see you after a while
But before you go
I just want you to know
I love you so
I know you did your best
Now it’s time to rest
I sure hope you can find some peace
So much pain I know
Didn’t know how to let it show
You shall be released
But before you go
I just want you to know
I love you so
They say you got no heritage
And you can’t drive a nail
You can’t play the six string
And you’re destined to fail
But you’re building with no hammer
And your songs move my soul
We don’t need money cause
We carry the strong blood of old
I could keep crying and sell what they buying
But I’d rather breathe back in, and brother again
I walked out and left you
The worst time I could
I let time deceive me
And I never understood
That some of these runners
Are born on third base
But you and me earn every step
I can see it in your face
I could keep crying and sell what they buying
But I’d rather breathe back in, and brother again
Together again after all of these years and mistakes
Help one another to fight all these demons we face... whatever it takes!
I could keep crying and sell what they buying
But I’d rather breathe back in, and brother again
How long have I been living for the fight
Bleeding and trying to make it right
How many times will I get thrown on the ground
Before I learn to stay down
How’d I get down here from up there
The more I climb the more I sink I swear
I had a fire that was stronger than my doubt
But now that flame is burning out
Way back when I thought there was a chance
To learn to run and learn to dance
With high hopes, a pure heart, and bright eyes
I saw green grass and blue skies
But then came the long nights and black days
And once you know you gotta stay
And it was all push, no slide, and no roll
The cut down has to take a toll
How’d I get down here from up there
The more I climb the more I sink I swear
I had a fire that was stronger than my doubt
But now that flame is burning out
How long have I been living for the fight
Bleeding and trying to make it right
How many times will I get thrown on the ground
Before I learn to stay down
I just can’t learn to stay down
I’d rather burn than stay down
If it wasn’t for that tenor man
We never would have met
Dancing next to you
Through every number of his set
We were friends for years
Before I said let’s just be lovers
We could not deny
The looks we sometimes gave each other
And I love you, you’re my baby
You love me too, you never try to change me
Did I tell you, you’re the one that saved me
From my sorrow deep and hollow
If I lead, you’re sure to follow
And I will never leave you by the way
By the way
Together for two years
Two hundred forty miles apart
I guess I should have seen
It was slowly breaking your heart
I’m coming home tomorrow, baby
Coming home to stay
I’ll kiss you on the forehead, baby
By the break of day
Chorus
I know you’ll love me
Til the stars from the sky
Till I stop asking why
I never meant to make you cry
Chorus
Diamond A Day
Bob Marston
People say diamonds are a girl’s best friend
They’ll lift her higher than the mightiest wind
If she’s a lady, boy, that’s all you’ll need to spend
She’ll be with you, she’ll be with you until the end
I’ll give you a diamond a day
I’ll chase your blues away
I’ll be with you baby in every single way
I’ll give you a diamond a day
My diamonds are different, baby, you’ve got to understand
They’re not the kind you go around wearing on your hand
I’ll never own much more than these feet on which I stand
But I promise you baby to be your everyday man
I’ll give you a diamond a day
I’ll chase your blues away
I’ll be with you baby however long we choose to stay
I’ll give you a diamond a day
It’s been a while since I’ve been walking down this line
I’ve come to realize all I’ve really got is time
I don’t want to bother you my baby you’re clearly in your prime
But if you’ll have it, I’ll give you all of what is mine
I’ll give you a diamond a day
I’ll chase your blues away
I’ll be with you baby, I guess that’s all I had to say
I’ll give you a diamond a day
Estoy
Bob Marston
Estoy solo
Es tan peligroso
Y por eso miedoso
Estoy
Soy niño
Sin familia para cuidarme
Porqué encarcelarme
Yo soy
Chorus
La razón me escapa
El sistema me atrapa
Con la trampa de dinero y poder
La verdad se revela
Realidad se niega
Queremos nada más que ascender
Estoy sola
Autoridad mentirosa
Por eso nerviosa
Estoy
Soy niña
Cómo me protejo
Miro el reflejo
Yo soy
Chorus
I am alone
It is so dangerous
That’s why scared
I am
I am a little boy
Without family to take care of me
Why incarcerate me
I am
Chorus
Reason (sanity) escapes me
The system entraps me
With the trap of money and power
The truth is revealed
Reality is denied
We want nothing more than to rise
I am alone
Authority, you liar
That’s why anxious
I am
I am a little girl
How can I protect myself
I see the reflection
I am
Chorus
Far & Wide
Bob Marston
I been out on this road
So many times
Spitting syllables
Connecting rhymes
I never fall too much
In love with anyone
Don’t get mad, baby
I’m just trying to have me a little fun
Chorus
Rolling down
This road that I ride
Being careful
Looking side to side
Running around
Trying not to hide
Ask me where I’m going
Destination: Far and Wide
I’ve stared into the hungry eyes
Of the poor
I’ve seen the wealthy
Who do nothing but want more
Yes, it’s Babylon
And the sprats they feed upon
What will they dd
When all the little fish are gone?
​
Chorus
I’ve heard the call to prayer
Five times a day
I’ve seen the prostrate
By the altar where they lay
Can’t you see
We’ll never get along
With each one preaching
That the other one is wrong
Chorus
You got to look around
To see inside
Cause you’re the only one
Who knows you lied
And only through the truth
That you will be satisfied
Destination: Far and Wide
Far and Wide
Far and Wide
Destination: Far and Wide
Fences
George Hipp
Lyin Eyes
Bob Marston
Love Is Sacrifice
Bob Marston
All the trees fell down yesterday
Dropping fences and resting where they lay
Open up and push that screaming child away
The questions here to stay
Can you show me up and down
Show me silence and sound
Can you show me black and white
Show me ... wrong and right
Simple steps, simple words
Simply said, softly drifting on unheard
Like the lessons offered by the unconcerned,
Often taught, seldom learned
Can you show me up and down
Show me silence and sound
Can you show me black and white
Show me ... wrong and right
Watching waves and losing touch
Listen close and don’t hear them complaining much
Rise and fall, crest and crash, howl and hush
Nothing here to clutch
Can you show me up and down
Show me silence and sound
Can you show me black and white
Show me ... wrong and right
The heat of the summer subsided
As I made my way down the road
All the best things coincided
But in the end I’m still left all alone
They paid us that night just for playing
But everything comes with a cost
I got back home still believing
That I was losing but the game was not lost
Life is moments, hours and days
And I count them all every day I’m away
Love is sacrifice and if it is true
I’ll give it all up just to stay beside
You left on a cool Thursday morning
Monday would bring you back home
Your tears must have been my warning
That like the river you were leaving to roam
This ain’t my first case of heartache
Just the first that keeps sticking around
I ain’t been able to stand straight
Yes I walk with my head hanging down
Life is moments, hours and days
And I count them all every day you’re away
Love is sacrifice but if it ain’t true
I won’t let my love be a burden to you
Don’t give me those lovin’ eyes
If you don’t mean it
You’ve been giving the same to all the other guys
Baby I’ve seen it
I’ll tell you what I think, tell you exactly how I feel
Women giving eyes like that, giving love that ain’t real
with those…
Lyin eyes
Oh, don’t come to me with that thin disguise
Lyin eyes
Your game is just an old surprise
Don’t cast those lyin’ eyes my way
And don’t speak, baby, we’ve got nothing to say
I’d rather live my nights and days alone
Than to find your empty love, baby, when I come home
with those…
Chorus
She said, “No! You’ve got the wrong impression
I’m always sharing my kind affection.”
Your intentions aren’t so well concealed
I can tell you're having fun just playing the field
with those…
Chorus
Chorus
One Short Life
George Hipp
You know who, it’s all on you
No one else can see it through
Gray clouds move, the skies are blue
Always were, it ain’t nothing new
With every breath we take
My friend we are awake
One short life to live... is that all we get?
Running from ourselves... we don’t admit
Hanging by our teeth... til the pebble hits
Are we just the leaves?... Are we the trees and the ground they’re in....
My candle’s lit
Who designed a crooked line
Nothing lost or left behind
seek and find, I don’t mind
We’ve all had desperate times
With every breath we take
My friend we are awake
One short life to live... is that all we get?
Running from ourselves... we don’t admit
Hanging by our teeth... til the pebble hits
Are we just the leaves?... Are we the trees and the ground they’re in....
My candle’s lit
Pick Up Your Guitar
Bob Marston
Pick You First
Bob Marston
Headed to the Magic City
Going to meet my baby
Traffic lights and those sidewalk fights
Trying to delay me
We’re going to see a man
Who’s made of stars
People come from near and far
and they sing…
Pick up your guitar, play, play
Pick up your guitar, play, play
Pick up your guitar and play
Til the night turns into day
The night we came to see him
It was clear his light was fading
He even told us that he was tired
Of doing all the same things
I told him ,man,
It might not be tonight
But I remember
When you shined so bright
and I said…
Chorus
The lights are out and they’ve locked the doors
Now it’s time for leaving
I’m feeling better, but still I’m looking
For something to believe in
I get outside
Guess who I see
He sees my guitar
And he says to me
and he says…
Chorus
Headed from the Magic City
Baby’s right here with me
Thinking to myself and asking
Do I have it in me?
I hear the wheels
They start to whine
I listen closer
And they sing in rhyme
and they sing… Chorus
Ever since I was a little kid
You’ve always been there
And everything that you ever did
Showed me how much you care
You taught me to strive for my best
In everything I’ve done
I want so spend all my living days
Showing you I’m proud to be your son
Every person has a mother
Some are better, some are worse
If I had life to do over and could choose
I’d always pick you first
All the laughs we’ve shared and tears we’ve shed
We get more out of life than most
Come what may, you know, I gotta say
I’m glad we got to be this close
I know someday you’ll have to say goodbye
I’m sad to know we’ll be a apart
I tell you now with every song I sing
You’re always in my heart
Every person has a mother
Some are better, some are worse
If I had life to do over and could choose
I’d always pick you first
Real Magic, Good People
Bob Marston
Everyday
My dog and I
Climb up Ruffner
For to see the sight
Of a city in beginning
Not knowing where it’s been
Wondering if magic
Can overcome sin
While I’m walking
In my mind
I see your image
Like I was blind
And I wonder how you’re doing
When this time will end
Why you don’t come see me
And just what you meant by “friend”
Chorus
We are real magic
We are good people
From the gutter to the steeple
We call Birmingham home
From the gutter to the steeple
We call Birmingham home
In the hills
Of my birth
Lies a secret
In the dirt
Of a people long forgotten
Broken backs and crooked steel
I’ll tell you now forgiveness
Is the only way to heal
In the bottom
Of my heart
There is no doubt
The course I chart
Though the journey is fraught with danger
The path is plain to see
If you can just be you
And I can just be me
Chorus
I don’t know where we’re going
I only know just where I’ve been
It wasn’t always easy going
Don’t want to go back there again
Sometimes this life that we’re leading
Leads us so far apart
Just tell me how you’re feeling
When your night is cold and dark
And I’ll be right by you
I’ll be right by you
I’ll be right by you
Whenever I can
I’ll be right
I’ll be right by you
I’ll be right by you
Whenever I can
Well, we went from friends to lovers
Sometimes I don’t know how
You’ve touched me like no other
It’s too late to turn back now
It’s time I must be leaving
And I hate leaving you behind
Dry your eyes no need for grieving
A man must seek for him to find
And I’ll do right by you
I’ll do right by you
I’ll do right by you
Wherever I am
I’ll do right by you
I’ll do right by you
I’ll do right by you
Wherever I am
I’ll be right by you
I’ll be right by you
I’ll be right by you
Whenever I can, but when I can’t
I’ll do right by you
I’ll do right by you
I’ll do right by you
Wherever I am, wherever I am
The Saddest Part
Bob Marston
Jazz and fate brought us together
Time and fear grew us apart
You told me always and forever
Chains locked and tied across my heart
You took my best years as a play thing
Never caring what it cost
Then you moved on to your next fling
And left me mourning all we lost
I’ve learned so much about forgiveness
I have you to thank for that
I don’t care if you come back
That’s not what love is all about
You told all our friends I broke your heart
It seems to me to work just fine
Did you tell them about the saddest part
That’s more than I can say for mine
Screendoor Chatter
Bob Marston
Screendoor chatter, hold on
He’ll call your bluff
No more laughter, so long, so long
There’s not time enough
What will it be, no chains
What did I bring
What’s in it for me, no pain, no pain
But I got to sing
I don’t know what it is
But it’s my thing
Breeze a-blowin’, oh it’s past time
Past time to take a step
Well there’s no way of know, this thin line
And I get no help, lord won’t you give me some help
What’s over there, whoo it’s quite strange
What will I do
I can stand here and stare at this slow train
Lights all flashing blue
But I guess I’ll lean back and push
And follow through
Follow through that screendoor
Let me tell all of y’all
there’s always time enough
Screendoor chatter, press on
Life it getting rough, mmm getting rough
Well it doesn’t matter, might be wrong,
Baby might be wrong, might be wrong, might be wro-o-ong
Let me tell y’all one more time
There’s always time enough oooo-oo-oo-oooooo
She Drinks Whiskey
Bob Marston
I’ll never forget that night at the bar
The look in her eye said I wouldn't get far
But then Cupid slapped me silly
She drinks whiskey
She’s quite a bit more than you might expect
It may come as a shock. She don’t need your respect
You might describe her behavior as risky
She drinks whiskey
Chorus
She don’t need your money
She don’t want your name
She might give you some honey
But she won’t take the shame
You know I’m not one to complain
But everything about her was driving me insane
If I tried to keep up I’d get tipsy
She drinks whiskey
She does whatever she wants with her time
And she reserves the right to change her mind
She gets what she wants when she’s frisky
She drinks whiskey
Chorus
Solo Break
She came prepared to drink that stuff all night, alright
And she ain’t afraid of getting in a fight, that’s right
I bet she wouldn’t even miss me
She drinks whiskey
I’ll never forget that night at the bar
The look in her eye said I wouldn't get far
And then she turned around and kissed me
She drinks whiskey
So Long
Bob Marston
So much said
So little spoken
Will you take this
As a token
Of the way I should’ve loved you
All along
I know we don’t know
One another
But can you see me
As a brother
Can you forgive me
I know now
I was wrong
Chorus
It’s been so long
I don’t know what we’re fighting about
No right, no wrong
Let’s get together and figure it out
The days
Turn into years
Empty space
Filled with fear
I forget to to miss
The people I once knew
I try to get things going
Is this love of mine worth showing?
It gives me peace to know
I’ve done what I can do
Chorus
There are no
Pills or potions
Sometimes
Going through the motions
Brings us closer and that’s
All I need from you
Take all the time
You need
I will follow
When you lead
In the meantime I’ll assume
You love me too
Chorus
Sundays
Bob Marston
Sundays are for fishing
Sleeping late and wishing
You’ll find yourself
Somewhere else
Some Sunday down the road
Sundays are for resting
Giving thanks and blessings
For giving of yourself
To help
Someone down the road
Chorus
Sundays aren’t the same
For everyone you meet
Some folks work from can’t to can’t
Some sleep out in the street
Some folks spend their Sundays
Thinking Jesus can’t be beat
I just hope they realize
It’s 'cause he don’t compete
Sundays are for cooking
And being with your good looking
Forgetting all
That you had planned
For what’s waiting down the road
Sundays are for kissing
Affection, hugs, and missing
All the people
You will see
Some bright morning down the road
Chorus
Sundays are for bragging
Hair of the dog and dragging
All the baggage
You can’t shake
As you make it down the road
Sundays are for breathing
And if you can, believing
Our days
Are what we make em
As we make it down the road
Chorus