Songs from Early Albums

I Had My Hopes Up High

© 1977 Joe Ely
ERE/EMI/April

Well I left my home out on the great High Plains
Headed for some new terrain
Standin' on the highway with my coffe cup
A' Wonderin' who was gonna pick me up
I had my hopes up high--I never thought that I
Would ever wonder why I ever said good-by
I had my hopes up high

Well, the first ride I got was in a dynamite truck
The driver kept a' tellin' me his bad luck
As we swerved around the curves I began to shout
Hey-ey mister would you let me out
I had my hopes up high--I never though that I
Would ever wonder why I ever said good-by
I had my hopes up high

And the next ride I got was with a man in trouble
The beard on his face was all in a stubble
Runnin' from the law he was goin' ninety-nine,
I said hey-ey mister you're out of your mind
I had my hopes up high--I never thought that I
Would ever wonder why I ever said good-by
I had my hopes up high

Oh, the next ride I got was with a preacher man
Told me that the wicked would be buried in sand
Don't know why I did it but I lost control
Hey-ey Papa would you save my soul
I had my hopes up high--I never thought that I
Would ever wonder why I ever said good-by
I had my hopes up high

And I finally got a ride on a carnival train
Nearly blew away in a hurricane
I got to thinkin' bout that preacher down in Louisianne
Sittin' on the Delta Siftin' sand
I had my hopes up high--I never thought that I
Would ever wonder why I ever said good-by
I had my hopes up high


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Mardi Gras Waltz

© 1977 Joe Ely
ERE/EMI/April




It's a hot and a rockin' street
All-right, all-right.
Burns my jumpin' feet
Tonight, tonight
Lightnin' flies are shinin'
All-right, all-right.
Mardi Gras' unwindin'
Tonight, tonight

I'm gonna paint this town red
And sail the ocean blue
Stay by me, Honey I'll stand by you
Jolie Blon how are you
All right, all right
My Swansio, how are you
Tonight, tonight

I'm gonna paint this town red
And sail the ocean blue
Stay by me, Honey I'll stand by you

It's a hot and rockin' street
All right, all right
Burns my jumpin' feet 
Tonight, tonight

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All My Love

© 1977 Joe Ely
ERE/EMI/April


All My Love
Baby turn the key.
All My Love
Say you'll stay by me.
All My Love
Close your eyes and yawn.
Well, I been lookin' at you
For an hour or two
But I can't stay up 'till dawn.

All My Love
Comb your shiny hair.
All My Love
Lay away your cares.
All My Love
Close your eyes and yawn.
Well, I been lookin' at you
For an hour or two
But I can't stay up 'till dawn.

.
          Well, now that we're together
          What more can I say.
          Now that we're together, honey,
          Lay your blues away.

All My Love
Turn your light down low.
All My Love
Tell my you won't go.
All My Love
Close your eyes and yawn
Well, I been lookin' at you
For an hour or two
But I can't stay up 'till dawn.

I been lookin' at you
For an hour or two
But I can't stay up 'till dawn

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Gamblers Bride

© 1977 Joe Ely
ERE/EMI/April



Hello, my babe. I'm back to stay
You're sure wearing fine pretty things.
But where is your ring, your ring and chain
I gave you last summer in the fallin' rain?

"Your ring," she said, "You've been gone so long.
I gave your ring away
I met a man, a gamblin' man.
Said he would buy me the Milky Way."


Away, Away. I've been away.
I've been so many miles.
Where is the smile that once lit your face?
It seems a tear has taken is place

"My smile," she sighed, with a look a little wild,
"My smile it is possessed.
I met a man, a gamblin' man.
Said he would buy me happiness."



I never, I never
You know I never
I never had much to give
But I gave you my heart
Now where is your heart?
It was all that I had from the very start.

"My heart," she cried, " It has been bought."
She looked at me with fear.
"I married that man, that gamblin' man
Who'd shoot you if he found you here."

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Johnny's Blues

© 1977 Joe Ely
ERE/EMI/April


Well, Johnny come in last night.
Man he was an awful sight.
The Bartender said, "Hey Johnny!
There'll be no band tonight"
"The piano-man's drunk,
He been down in the dumps.
The drummer's in bed,
He got a pain in his head.
No Johnny,
There'll be no band tonight."

The clock was stickin' close to ten
The mailman came runnin' in.
He said, "Any-body here named Johnny?
I got a Special deliv'ry for him."
"It's from a woman he knows,
It's from his Bayou Rose,
The girl of his dreams
wants a wedding ring"
........Love Rosie
"I've got a letter for him".

Well Johnny jumped up from his beer
Told the mailman, "Yes I'm here"
An' then he read it out loud to the bar room crowd
But before they had a chance to cheer
He said "Call up the band
I'm a happy man
I want them to play
On my wedding day"
When he told them,
They had a chance to cheer.

               The piano-man came even though it was rainin'
               The drummer was drummn' just like and insane man.
               They tore off the roof they knocked down the doors
               And Johnny an' his bride drove away in her Ford
               Slappin' the dash to the beat of the band
               Draggin' behind them a string of tin cans
               And they ain't been back yet but I know when they do
               Johnny's gonna play some of the sweetest blues

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Treat Me Like a Saturday Night

© 1977 Jimmie Gilmore

I'm going out where the lights don't shine so bright.
I'm going out where the lights don't shine so bright.
When I get back you can treat me like a Saturday night.

I'm glad to see you coming, I'm glad to see you go, She once told me I am
Glad to see you coming I'm glad to see you go.
But how I miss you sometimes, Love, you will never know.

The things you've said don't mean so much to me, I am sorry, Love
The things you've said don't mean so much to me.
I know how you try and every time you cry, I again see.
                        

Don't make me wait so long before you let me back in, 
Honey baby, please don't
Make me wait so long before you let me back in.


Knowing she's going to lose
Might give my baby the blues
But it won't ever keep my baby from trying to win.

You gotta give up something when you try out anything new.
You gotta give up something when you try out anything new.
But whatever I give up, Love, it won't be you.


I'm going out where the lights don't shine so bright.
I'm going out where the lights don't shine so bright.
When I get back you can treat me like a Saturday night.

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Cornbread Moon

© 1977 Joe Ely
ERE/EMI/April

River's on the rise, crows are in the skies
Look at that big yellow cornbread moon.
Now that you're lookin'
Do you feel something cookin'?
Look at that cornbread moon.
Well, I wouldn't be surprised
If I didn't see your eyes shine soon.

Sometimes I feel like maybe I will
I'll jump through the keyhole in your door
Ooo, ooo honey,
I ain't being funny,
Through your hardwood door
And the sometimes I feel like
Yes I will for sure.


Walkin' by that river
Did I feel you start to shiver
Leaves on the tress turn red and gold
Here and there there baby,
Everywhere maybe,
All Shades of red and gold
Now all you need is someone to hold.

River's on the rise, crows are in the skies
Look at that big yellow cornbread moon.
Now that you're lookin'
Do you feel something cookin'?
Look at that cornbread moon.
Well, I wouldn't be surprised
If I didn't see your eyes shine soon.


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Honky Tonk Masquerade

© 1977 Joe Ely
ERE/EMI/April


You sure look fine tonight, in the beer sign light.
Why did you seem surprised when I saw through your disguise.
All your friends were there and no one had a care.
They all just looked away in this Honky Tonk Masquerade.

You should have known I knew all along.
That I could see through you right or wrong.
I didn't need a clue.
I didn't even have to ask,
You saw your own reflection in the glass.

I'd like to see you home, but I know you're not alone
You seem to fit right in, as you tell me where you've been
You say there's not that much to tell but I know you oh too well
Your eyes give you away in this Honky Tonk Masquerade.

You should have known I knew all along.
That I could see through you right or wrong.
I didn't need a clue.
I didn't even have to ask,
You saw your own reflection in the glass.

You sure look fine tonight, they're turning out the lights
Why did you hold my sleeve when I said I had to leave
I hoped it never showed, but that's the way it goes.
As the lights begin to fade on this Honky Tonk Masquerade.


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Boxcars

© 1977 Butch Hancock


Well I gave all my money to the banker this month
Now I got no more money to spend
She smiled when she saw me comin' through that door
When I left she said, "Come back again."
I watched them lonesome boxcar wheels 
Turnin' down the tracks out of town
And it's on that lonesome railroad track
I'm gonna lay my burden down.

I was raised on a farm the first years of my life
Life was pretty good they say
I'll probably live to be some ripe ol' age
If death'll stay out of my way
This world can take my money and time
But it sure can't take my soul
I'm goin' down to the railroad tracks
Watch them lonesome boxcars roll

There's some big ol' Buicks at the Baptist church
Caddilacs at the Church of Christ
I parked my camel by an ol' haystack
I'll be lookin for that needle all night
There ain't gonna be no radial tires
Turnin' down the streets of gold
I'm goin down to the railroad tracks
And watch them lonesome boxcars roll

Now if you ever heard the whistle on a fast freight train
Beatin' out a beautiful tune
If you ever seen the cold blue railroad tracks
Shinin' by the light of the moon
If you ever felt the locomotive shake the ground
I know you don't have to be told
Why I'm goin down to the railroad tracks
And watch them lonesome boxcars roll.

Yeah, I'm goin down to the railroad tracks
Watch them lonesome boxcars roll

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Because of the Wind

© 1977 Joe Ely
ERE/EMI/April

Do you know why the trees bend
At the west Texas border?
Do you know why they bend
Sway and twine?
The trees bend because of the wind
Across that lonesome border
The trees bend because of the wind
Almost all the time.

Have you seen my Caroline
Up in Amarillo
Have you seen my Caroline
The one that I call mine
Well, if you see my Caroline
With her hair of yellow
If you see my Caroline
Tell her I'm doin' fine.

She is to me like the breeze
That blows from Corpus Christi
She is to me like the breeze
That blows up from the sea
Now if she is like the breeze
That blows from Corpus Christi
Then I must be like the trees,
Cause Caroline blows through me.

Do you know why the trees bend
At the west Texas border?
Do you know why they bend
Sway and twine?
The trees bend because of the wind
Across that lonesome border
The trees bend because of the wind
Almost all the time.

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I'll be your Fool

© 1977 Joe Ely
ERE/EMI/April

I'll be your fool. I'll be your lovin' loser,
I'll be your ridicule
I'll be the one you make fun of
When all your plans fall through.
Because you shure need a fool

I'm not alone. I've seen the one's you run to
I've known the ones you've known
I've seen the ones you come to
When you leave your happy home
No, I'm not alone.

All Fools must fall. Some of them get up again
Some are made to crawl
Some of them hang on a limb
Some sit on the wall
But all fools must fall.

          But before I fall
          I'll run right down your narrow hall
          And warn your other gentlemen
          Yeah, before I fall
          I'll stand up on your garden wall
          Faithful 'til then.

I'll be your fool. I'll be your lovin' loser,
I'll be your ridicule
I'll be the one you make fun of
When all your plans fall through.
Because you shure need a fool
You shure need a fool

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Fingernails

© 1977 Joe Ely
ERE/EMI/April


I keep my fingernails long
So they Click when I play the piano
I keep my fingernails long
So they Click when I play the piano
I'm gonna keep 'em that way
Till the Swallows get back from Texarkana.

I keep my fingernails long
So they Click when I play the piano
I keep my fingernails long
So they Click when I play the piano
I'm gonna keep 'em that way
Till the Swallows get back from Louisiana.

Well, I used to chew 'em off
I was Nervous over you.
I missed that clickin', tickin' sound,
Honey, what I'm gonna do,

Is keep my fingernails long
So they Click when I play the piano
I keep my fingernails long
So they Click when I play the piano
I'm gonna keep 'em that way
Till the Swallows get back from Alabama.

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Tonight I Think I'm Gonna Go Downtown

by Jimmie Dale Gilmore and John Reed


Tonight I think I'm gonna go downtown.
Tonight I think I'm gonna look around
For something I couldn't see
When this world was more real to me.
Yeah tonight I think I'm gonna go downtown.

My love, my love has gone away.
My love, my love what can I say.
My love would never see
That this world's just not real to me
And tonight I think I'm gonna go downtown.

I told my love a thousand times
That I can't say what's on my mind,
But she would never see
That this world's just not real to me
And tonight I think I'm gonna go downtown.

Tonight I think I'm gonna go downtown.
Tonight I think I'm gonna look around
For something I couldn't see
When this world was more real to me.
Yeah tonight I think I'm gonna go downtown.

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West Texas Waltz

by Butch Hancock

When you're ready for steady to go dancin', romancin'
Grab your sweetheart and jump in your car
Drive right on down to the bright lights of town
You'll be glad you don't have to drive far
You'll be happy you don't have to go far

    Park your pickups and Caddilacs, Fords and Renaults
    Get out and dance like the dickens to the West Texas Waltz

My pickup needs a tune-up, I better get up and make up
My mind to get on it today
The tractor's been actin' up and the sewer lines are backin' up
But I'll be dancin' tonight anyway
I'll go dancin' tonight anyway

    Cause I count my blessings, I don't count my faults
    I like to dance like the dickens to the West Texas Waltz


Grandmammy, grandpappy if you plan to stay happy
You better lace up your best dancin shoes
Come see us, don't write us, you can stop your arthritis
Just by dancin' away your blues
Dancin' away your blues

    So bind up your bunions with band-aids and gauze
    Get out and dance like the dickens to the West Texas Waltz

I took my baby after dark to the old baseball park
And we sat in the center field stands
I asked her, "How many outs?"  She said, "I've got my doubts,
but you can count 'em on one of your hands."
I said, "Baby, I've got much better plans."

    "I'll kiss you on the strikes, you kiss me on the balls,
    and we'll go dance like the dickens to the West Texas Waltz!"


I met a fine lady banker and I'd sure like to thank her
For the credit she gave me made me shout
She changed my whole attitude and to show her a little gratitude
I decided I'd just ask her out.
Yes I thought I just might ask her out

    I said close up your windows, honey, lock up your vaults
    Get out and dance like the dickens to the West Texas Waltz

We spent the next to the last dollar at the old ice cream parlor
On a milkshake and a malt and a pop
Then we heard us some sounds, there was a honky tonk lounge
Next door to the ice cream shop
Next door to the ice cream shop

    Now only two things are better than milkshakes and malts
    And one is dancin' like the dickens to the West Texas Waltz


And the other is somethin', but really it's nothin'
To speak of it's somethin' to do
If you've done it before, you'll be doin' it some more
Just as soon as the dancin' is through
Right after the dancin' is through

    And if anybody asks you why, just tell 'em because
    You been dancin' like the dickens to the West Texas Waltz.

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Crawdaddy Train

© 1978 Joe Ely
ERE/EMI/April


Hey, Whistle Man, what's that on the track?
Looks like a crawdaddy sunnin' on his back.
Hey, Whistle Man, why don't he run?
Looks like he's darin' this train to come.

Blow your whistle, blow it low.
Looks like he' rarin' up some more.
Crawdaddy, crawdaddy you better hide.
Crawdaddy opened his pintchers wide.
Lord, he opened his pintchers wide.

Whistle Man, Whistle Man, wasn't he brave?
A little crawdaddy tried to whoop this train.
He was brave all right, brave as any man,
But his judgement, Lord, wasn't worth a damn.

Whistle Man, Whistle Man, blow it low,
Crawdaddy ain't in this world no more.
Whistle Man, Whistle Man, Whistle Man,
Blow it for the crawdaddy in the promised land.
Blow it for the crawdaddy in the promised land.
(Train whistle) Blow it for the crawdaddy in the promised land.

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Standin' At A Big Hotel

by Butch Hancock


I was standin at a big hotel
wishin everybody well
but if anybody paid me any mind it was hard to tell
a big policeman on his beat
pulled his pistol and he pointed at me
lookin down the barrel I could see the gates of hell
I was Standin' At A Big Hotel

so i went walkin down the avenue
lookin for someone who looked like you
but I never saw a face that seemed to ring a bell
so I stopped beside the five and dime
just window-shoppin and wastin time
when along came a gal who sold me all she had to sell
she left me Standin' At A Big Hotel

I lost my mind in the wilds of Hollywood
I did some time in the shadows where I stood
I let the cards fall where they fell...
and I found myself Standin' At A Big Hotel

a blind lady with a big tin cup
had her pencils all sharpened up
she was standin in the door just to see what she could sell
but nobody bought a thing all night
they thought she was a pitiful sight
Lord help the gal who helps herself
Standin' At A Big Hotel

long gone are horse n buggy days
big limousines are here to stay
and when they see you to the door
they want something for their help
but I saw somebody make a little slip
he only left the kid a ten cent tip
you shoulda heard what I heard when I heard that bell boy yell...
Standin' At A Big Hotel

Lord Lord what's the matter with me
to pay so much for the song I sing
when all I was doin was singin it to myself
like standin in a stagnant stream
with nothin in the world left to dream
I was dyin at the bottom of a dried up wishin well
I was Standin' At A Big Hotel

well I know what you're thinkin today
I can feel it though I'm miles away
everybody knows I love my southern belle
but from the east to the wild wild west
they say a bird in the hand is best
so here I am with a bird dog and a bottle of muscatel
Standin' At A Big Hotel

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Crazy Lemon

© 1978 Joe Ely
ERE/EMI/April

Chorus
They call me the Crazy Lemon
I'm crazy...wild...free, for a while
I can't help what they think
I was born that way.
I'll be a little crazy till my dyin' day.
Just a man on the run they call the Crazy Lemon.

It's true that I stole a Budweiser truck.
I changed my mind, but the truck got stuck
In a muddy ditch so I hitched it back again
The second car that passed had a cherry on top.
Just my luck it was first to stop.
They said with a grin, looky here it's the Crazy Lemon.

Chorus


Yeah, I admit that I run a little illegal cargo
From the border and the coast, north to Fargo.
I was busted with a truck load of Juarez violins.
Seems everything that I tried to sell
Just bought me a room in some Iron Hotel.
Things were looking grim for the Crazy Lemon.

Chorus


It's true that I jumped a little bit of bail
From a handful of city and county jails.
Seeking out a spiritual hideout with a friend of mine.
Is easy to hide from a 6 ft. cell.
No use tryin' to hide yourself.
So play another hymn for the Crazy Lemon.

Chorus

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Maria

© 1978 Joe Ely
ERE/EMI/April


Bringing in the New Year's Eve alone
The glitter of the party life turns my face to home.
Lovers and acquaintances all through the land
Celebrate a grain of time down miles and miles of sand

The Wheel of Fortune has stopped again
Tho' the winning number was lost in the wind
But I heard a gypsy swear it was stolen by someone
Who steers a lonesome chariot in circles around the sun.

Maria, I love you.
Maria, I miss you.

The clock strikes twelve and canons are fired
The echo is heard till a year from tonight.
The old man with his sickle just lay down and die
While I held the baby's hand who danced where he lie.

Maria, I love you.
Maria, I miss you.

(Repeat, Repeat, Repeat next year)

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She Leaves You Where You Are

© 1978 Joe Ely
ERE/EMI/April



This highway's like a girl I knew
You climb into her car.
She takes you many places
She leaves you where you are.

Her ribbons are all a tangle
Her breath is long and fast
But if you're only tryin' to pass the time
Her love will never last.

This highway's like a girl I knew
Who walks you to her door.
She teases you with lovin' arms
And promises you more.

And then one day she walks away
Says she ain't goin' far.
She takes you many places
But she leaves you where you are.

This highway's like a girl I knew
Who had your very soul.
But you tried to get too close to her
To have and to hold.

Days and nights you chase her
With your bag and your guitar.
She takes you many places
But she leaves you where you are.

She takes you many places
But she leaves you where you are.

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Time For Travelin'

© 1978 Joe Ely
ERE/EMI/April


I came into Atlanta
Dreamin' of Lorraine
Came so tired of ridin'
Cross the Savanna Plain
Still feel the wheels a-rollin'
Feel them just the same
Steel wheels still a-rollin'
On a long night train.


She met me at the station
Took me to her room
Was a time of meeting
Was a risin' moon.
Angels set the table
With candles and beer.
Heard that midnight train moan
Miles away from here.

Instrumental Chorus

Lay me down a pallet,
Lay it soft and low.
Lorraine lay beside me,
Sad I had to go.

Gypsy boy I traveled with
Played his old guitar.
We watched that candle flicker
Like some low morning star

But the time to part must always come
Time the bells must ring.
Time for lovers to say goodnight
I'll see you in my dreams.

Time to part must always come
Time when trade-winds sing.
Time to hit the road again
Time for travelin'.

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Down On The Drag

By Butch Hancock


Down On The Drag...Down On The Drag
Where Some Low Down Son Of A Bum
Even Stole My Sleepin Bag
Left Me Standin At The Newstand
Readin want ads in The Rag
My baby's back up in Lubbock
And I'm...Down On The Drag

Well the sooner i get to Houston
The sooner i'll catch me a boat
I'm gonna cross that Gulf of Mexico
I'm takin anything that will float
		I been.....

Well The Sooner I Leave This Town Behind
The sooner i'll get control
Of all my dirty dreams and my hard losin schemes
My heart...Body...Mind...And soul
		I been............

If you don't believe my story
I ain't gonna tell you no more
And if you ever expect to see me anymore 
I'll be sleepin down in some doorway

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