Light of My Mind

 

I’ve been bad

I’ve been down

I’ve been around so many times I can’t tell

I get mad if I don’t hear the sound

Of the one true thing that spins me around

 

You can tell me if I’ve gone to far

If I’m out of control

You can see me in the light of my mind

Or in the dark of my soul

Maybe you’d know

Maybe you’d know

Maybe you know

Maybe you know

 

I fly solo

I drink alone

I’ve been around so many times God only knows

I get angry when I’m not in my zone

And I’m always tryin’ to find my way home

 

You can tell me if I’ve gone to far

If I’m out of control

You can see me in the light of my mind

Or in the dark of my soul

Maybe you’d know

Maybe you’d know

Maybe you know

Maybe you know

 

Maybe you’d know

Maybe you’d know

Maybe you know

But baby you don't

 

I leave town

On a ride on a whiskey train

I keep movin’

I keep groovin’

To that beat in my brain

​

You can tell me if I’ve gone to far

If I’m out of control

You can see me in the light of my mind

And the dark of my soul

Ya baby you’d know

Maybe you don’t

Maybe you know

But baby you don’t

 

Rock ‘n’ Roll

 

I heard

He’s back

That devil dressed in black

Must have been a long trip up from Hell

Kneel down

And pray

Don’t let him tempt your way

No tellin’ how far down you fall

 

People acting crazy

Strayin’ from the truth

They're screamin’ loud

They're gettin’ ‘round

They're poisoning the youth

The more it played

The more it spread

No cure to keep control

Must have been the devil’s work

That damned ol’ rock and roll

 

I must be a sinner

For all the songs I’ve sang

I listened to that devil’s word

From such an early age

Bangin’ drums

Loud guitars

Make me who I am

All those rockin’ honkey tonks

I guess we’ll all be damned

 

Like a match struck on baren land

Or a wild fire in your soul

It all adds up to the devil’s word

That damned ol’ rock ‘n’ roll

 

Some made may not like it

They tried to shut it down

Like that holy word of God

It spread and passed around

Infiltrated peoples’ minds

They called ‘em all insane

They bought and came

And purchased more

Like a needle needs a vein

 

Masses acting crazy

Strayin’ from the truth

They're screamin’ loud

They're getting’ ‘round

They're poisoning the youth

The drug runs through your body

Spreads throughout your soul

It must have been that devil’s word

That damned ol’ rock ‘n’ roll

 

She’s Goin’ Out

 

She’s been workin’ all week

Tryin’ to make ends meet

She’s got a pocket full of cash

And some friends to see

She’s been callin’ all the numbers

Listed in her phone

 

She’s gonna find a squad

In new clothes she bought

She’s lookin’ hot

She’s pickin’ a spot

And she sure as hell

Ain’t goin’ out alone

 

She said

We party tonight

‘Cause hell it’s been to long

Time’s flyin’ by

And my weekend’s almost gone

We’ll burn both ends

If the feelin’s right or wrong

And you can hold the coke

Pour my whiskey strong

 

Like a bomb with a fuse

And she’s ready to light

She’s gonna burn the roof

And set 'em all align

She’s gonna spark the wick

And set the floor on fire tonight

 

Best stay out of her way

While she tears it up

She’s swingin’ in circles

And she’s makin’ you jump

She’s gonna keep on dancin’

Her friends keep fillin’ her cup

 

She said

We party tonight

‘Cause hell it’s been to long

Time’s flyin’ by

And my weekend’s almost gone

We’ll burn both ends

If the feelin’s right or wrong

You can hold the coke

And pour my whiskey strong

 

Whiskey Breath

 

Black straightened hair

Black party dress

Dolce & Gabbana

Go along with her French tips

Black lipstick

Smokin’ on a cigarette

She’s on the guest list

The party she ain’t gonna miss

She’s only top shelf

Nothin’ but the best

Whispers in your ear

Another round with her whiskey breath

 

Black fedora hat

Hight heals

Holy jeans

Rock ‘n’ roll tank top

Fits in with the country scene

Been there done that

Not chasin’ anything

Daddy’d have a heart attack

If he knew

All she’d seen

Runnin’ all night

With a rowdy crowd

Shootin’ warm whiskey

Make your granddaddy proud

 

One shot

Two shot

She temps you with her words

Her momma raised her right

The sweetest voice you’ve ever heard

Three shot

Four shot

You’re hangin’ by a thread

She whispers in your ear

Another round with her whiskey breath

 

Sushi

White wine

High class

Fine dine

Nothin’ but the best man

Even in the daytime

When she’s not makin’ money

Then she’s spendin’ your dime

Better break it out

And start cuttin’ up another line

Like I said before

A no limit bet

She whispers in your ear

Another round with her whiskey breath

 

One shot

Two shot

She temps you with her words

Her momma raised her right

The sweetest voice you’ve ever heard

Three shot

Four shot

You’re hangin’ by a thread

She whispers in your ear

Another round with her whiskey breath

Another round with her whiskey friend

 

Wood and Whiskey

 

When I was just a young boy

On granddaddy’s knee

He’d tell me ‘bout the good and bad

And all the heartache he had seen

He’d always say

Try and stay away

From tattoos and whiskey

 

My daddy showed me rock ‘n’ roll

And all that music in between

I grabbed that six-string wood guitar

And it’s always been strapped to me

Right or wrong

I’d sing a song

About wood and whiskey

 

You can tell me ‘bout the lord above

And all I should believe

I got my heart

I got my soul

They’re tattooed on my sleeve

When I grew up

And I got old

I guess I always knew

I’d be proof

Wood and whiskey

 

My momma told me many times

It’s a hard life to live

I did my best to listen close

But I gave all I could give

Now I know

The way it goes

Wood and whiskey

 

You can tell me ‘bout the lord above

And all I should believe

I got my heart

I got my soul

They’re tattooed on my sleeve

When I grew up

And I got old

I guess I always knew

I’d be true

Wood and whiskey

Tattoos and whiskey

 

Walked Away

 

I heard you say

You were done

And you walked away

You walked away

That was yesterday

I watched

As you walked away

You walked away

In the mornin’

Without a warnin’

You walked away

 

I gave you all

I gave you all I had

You walked away

You walked away

It’s not all bad

It’s not all sad

But you walked away

You walked away

 

In the mornin’

Without a warnin’

You grabbed your bags

And left today

I woke now I can see

Why you left me

I walked away

I walked away

 

Now I’m alone

I’m alone

Because you walked away

You walked away

Now I’ve flown

So far from home

‘Cause you walked away

You walked away

 

In the mornin’

Without a warnin’

You grabbed your bags

And left today

I woke now I can see

Why you left me

I walked away

I walked away

 

 

Wolf Mother

 

Wolf Mother

Tell me somethin’ good

Wolf Mother

Tell me ‘bout that old oak wood

Tell me how the sun shines through the trees

How it’s livin’ life

With the birds and bees

Wolf Mother

Tell me somethin’ good

 

Wolf Mother

Tell me ‘bout the life you live

Wolf Mother

Tell me all the ways you give

How you stay warm in the knee-deep snow

How you make it through

The winter’s cold

Wolf Mother

Tell me ‘bout the way you live

 

Wise Owl

I know you have some tales

Wise Owl

I know you know the back-wood trails

All the way down to the riverbank

To the fishin’ hole beside the hidden lake

Wise Owl

Tell me all your tales

 

Wise Owl

Tell me somethin’ good

Wise Owl

How it’s livin’ in that old oak wood

Tell me how you see when it gets so dark

Or how you see in the dark

So very far

Wise Owl

Tell me somethin’ good

 

 

Last Time

 

Last time

Was the last time

I’d slam that bottle down

I’d cowboy up

Fill my cup

Pass that smoke around

This time will be the last time

Where’s a witness anyhow

Y’all know me

And it’s plain to see

Who am I foolin’ now

 

I work hard

Five days a week

Sometimes three or four

It’s hard to hold back the devil in me

When he’s knockin’ at my front door

Well I try and try

To keep him hidden inside

I bury him deep within

But when he wants out

I just hold my breath

And I hope I get home again

 

Last time

Was the last time

I’d slam that bottle down

I’d cowboy up

Fill my cup

Pass that smoke around

This time will be the last time

Where’s a witness anyhow

Y’all know me

I’m stubborn ya see

Who am I foolin’ now

 

When I get paid

It’s like an ace of spades

I only need a couple more

Workin’ on a straight

But I’m red in the face

And this ain’t no time to fold

I go all in

And I bet big

My tells I hope I never show

It’s all in my head

I couldn’t cover the spread

‘Cause my chips were gone long ago

 

Last time

Was the last time

I’d slam that bottle down

I’d cowboy up

Fill my cup

Pass that smoke around

This time will be the last time

Where’s a witness anyhow

Y’all know me

And it’s plain to see

Who am I foolin’ now

Who am I foolin’ now

 

Grandma’s 45s

 

Born and raised in Colorado

I grew up livin’ on Tusla Time

Playin’ country music

On Grandma’s 45s

Willie’s songs about belt buckles

And how a cowboy lives and dies

Bar room fights

And lonely nights

The only thing keepin’ me alive

 

Lately all the stars above

Are showin’ me things

I hate and love

Whisper in my ear a path to take

If I’m strong

If I’m tough

If it’s wrong

If it’s rough

The road I travel on

Is the one I make

It’s like I’m livin’ country music

Inside Grandma’s 45s

 

I go out walkin’ after midnight

Just like Patsy sang

Doubling down on aces high

I go out drinkin’ in the rain

I’ll sing the blues

I’ll sing ‘em good

The way Janice said Bobby would

Then I’ll grab my stuff

And walk away

All the things here on my mind

The way it must have been that time

When Johhny wrote down

How he’d walk the line

 

Lately all the stars above

Are showin’ me things

I hate and love

Whisper in my ear a path to take

If I’m strong

If I’m tough

If it’s wrong

If it’s rough

The road I travel on

Is the one I make

It’s like I’m livin’ country music

Inside Grandma’s 45s

 

Down and Out

 

My heartbeat keeps on racin’

Tryin’ to get back there to you

I’m worn out

Tire of tellin’ lies

‘Bout the things I want to do

Look me straight up in the eye

Tell me it’s the same thing you want too

The more I think about it

The more I tell the truth

I’m locked up in this dirty cage

But I’m pushin’ through

 

I won’t sit back here and wait and see

As our lives just slip away

Like a train off track

Blowin’ up the scene

You best stay out my way

Either with me or against me brother

I leave that choice to you

The more I think about it

The more I tell the truth

I might be miles and miles away

But I’m pushin’ through

 

If we agree

Don’t wait for me

You can catch me in the sun

Rollin’ by

Not far behind

Some outlaw on the run

And I’ll always be

Wild and free

And I’ll make this promise too

You won’t catch me down and out

How ‘bout you

 

I know there’s times you’d question why

Hell sometimes so would I

If we don’t push back

Stand up and fight

Then what’s the point of life

Rally ‘round your family brother

Don’t hold back what you do

The more we talk about it

The more we tell the truth

We might be barely hangin’ on

But we’re pushin’ through

 

If we agree

Don’t wait for me

You can catch me in the sun

Rollin’ by

Not far behind

Some outlaw on the run

And I’ll always be

Don't tread on me

And I’ll make this promise too

You won’t catch me down and out

You'll never catch us down and out

How ‘bout you

 

Shelter

 

Tell me again

All the things that you need

About the places you’ve been

And all you want to see

I’m gonna try my best

In everything that I do

You know that I won’t rest

Until all your dreams come true

I was a rambler

I was a fool

You gave me new life

Now it’s all for you

 

You give me shelter

From the pain

You give me shelter

When there’s storm clouds in my way

You give me shelter

From the rain

You give me shelter

Everyday

Everyday

 

You’re as warm as the Sun

On a hot

Summer’s day

You’re as cool as they come

When you’re layin’ ‘round in the shade

Girl you can chill my bones

Like the water

In the lake

And like nobody knows

‘Bout the good love

That we make

 

There’s no more chasin’ things

I’m finally here to stay

Underneath your wings

The bad times fade away

 

You give me shelter

From the pain

You give me shelter

When there’s storm clouds in my way

You give me shelter

From the rain

You give me shelter

Everyday

Everyday

 

There’s no more runnin’ ‘round lost and lonely

My feet on the ground

I know who I am

Come take my hand my one and only

It’s here together

We make our stand

 

All of my worries have gone and left me

All I can see is the love in your eyes

All that I need’s for you to hold me

Like the stars on a blanket

Made of night

 

You give me shelter

From the pain

You give me shelter

When there’s storm clouds in my way

You give me shelter

From the rain

You give me shelter

Everyday

Everyday

 

California

 

I woke up in the mornin’

With that ringin’ in my head

I chased away the demons

From all the places we had been

If we ended there the night before

Nobody’s tellin’ me

The last thing I remember

Was not knowin’ if you’d leave

 

Our last night in Nashville

I remember you said you’d go

To visit your old college friend

That lived out by the coast

I didn’t think to ask you where

The whiskey was runnin’ deep

But I know you’re out there somewhere

Probably dancin’ by the sea

 

From the beaches in California

To the hills of Tennessee

I kept lookin’ for ya

Like some long-lost memory

I thought I’d turned and found ya

My mind was playin’ tricks on me

But I kept lookin’ for ya

From California to Tennessee

 

Many times I wondered

If you changed the color of your hair

If I passed you on the street sometime

Would I recognize you there

Have you changed the ways you used to be

And the places we would go

Buried the past behind ya

And the girl I used to know

 

Now I’m out here lookin’ for ya

On the beaches in California

A couple thousand miles

From Nashville, Tennessee

I thought I’d turned and found ya

My mind was playin’ tricks on me

But I kept lookin’ for ya

From California to Tennessee

 

From the country sides

To the highway rides

I tried to track you down

From the neon lights

To the lonely nights

You were nowhere to be found

 

I thought I was getting’ closer

I could still smell your perfume

Alone in line at the liquor store

Or in the middle of a crowded room

I realized I was chasin’ ghosts

So far away from home

And the more I kept lookin’ for ya

The more I felt alone

 

From the beaches in California

To the hills of Tennessee

I kept lookin’ for ya

Like the way you haunt my dreams

I thought I’d turned and found ya

My mind was playin’ tricks on me

So I quit lookin’ for ya

In California and Tennessee

 

Singer In the Band

​

Well I’ve done my best to help her understand

I confess I’m doin’ the best I can

She might call me baby

I might be her man

But tonight I’m just the singer in the band

 

Many times I thought I’d found the one

Enough to make me stay

Not turn and run

Time went by

So did I

Thinkin’ what I’d done

Many times I thought I’d found the one

 

Well I’ve done my best to help her understand

I confess I’m doin’ the best I can

She might call me baby

I might be her man

But tonight I’m just the singer in the band

 

I’ve been around the world

And all I’ve found’s the same

Seems there ain’t a woman

Don’t know my name

Buyin’ rocks and money talks

The chase is half the game

I’ve been around the world

And all I’ve found’s the same

 

I’ve done my best to help them understand

Will I confess I’m doin’ the best I can

They might try and save me

Lord help them understand

Tonight I’m just the singer in the band

 

A simple song can tell you what I’ve seen

Girls want pearls and golden diamond rings

Said we’d be forever

Hell that don’t mean a thing

A simple song can tell you what I’ve seen

 

I’ve done my best to help her understand

Will I confess I’m doin’ the best I can

She might call me baby

I might be her man

But tonight I’m just the singer in the band

 

I’m A Bottle

 

She told me once

If I did it again

She’s gonna put me on the shelf

She went out last night

With all of her friends

They didn’t call on anyone else

They poured out their emotions

I sat back and watched ‘em cry

By the end of the night they were toastin’

Man I was a hell of a guy

 

I’m a bottle of Jack

I’m a bottle of Jim

I’m a bottle anything you need

If you’re way in the back

Or you couldn’t get in

Twist the cap and take a drink

You can slam me down

You can pass me around

It really don’t matter to me

I’m a bottle of Jack

I’m a bottle of Jim

I’m a bottle anything you need

 

When you’re broke and life ain’t workin’

All you want to do is sing the blues

It’s your heart inside that’s still hurtin’

From all the things they did to you

You can pour out all your feelin’s

I’ll listen to the words you say

It’s your pain inside I’m stealin’

You’ll forget ‘em by the end of the day

 

I’m a bottle of Jack

I’m a bottle of Jim

I’m a bottle anything you need

If you’re way in the back

Or you couldn’t get in

Twist the cap and take a drink

You can slam me down

You can pass me around

It really don’t matter to me

I’m a bottle of Jack

I’m a bottle of Jim

I’m a bottle anything you need

 

If you want to have fun and forget your week

I’ll always be here to lend you a hand

If you’re under the gun

Or out on the run

Lookin’ for a place to stand

Well I do what I can

To make you feel better

I’ll be takin’ all your troubles away

You can call me a friend

Until I see you again

You won’t remember anything anyway

 

I’m a bottle of Jack

I’m a bottle of Jim

I’m a bottle anything you need

If you’re way in the back

Or you couldn’t get in

Twist the cap and take a drink

You can slam me down

You can pass me around

It really don’t matter to me

I’m a bottle of Jack

I’m a bottle of Jim

I’m a bottle anything you need

 

American Free

 

Drivin’ down the road doin’ seventy-five

She’s got her feet out the window

And she’s getting’ me high

Natural born singer

Holdin’ up her middle finger

To the cars as we’re passin’ ‘em by

She’s only twenty-three

Livin’ the American dream

 

Radio’s loud on a September night

Feel the summer breeze

While the temperature dives

Headin’ out west

And we couldn’t care less

And the sunset’s burnin’ her eyes

She’s only twenty-three

Livin’ the American dream

 

She was born a flower child

To a single mom in Abilene

Now she’s livin’ every day for the lovin’

And the only thing in life she needs

She’s American free

 

Down by the water and the fish and the dock

She takes her clothes off in the dark

Movin’ while she shivers

On the edge of the river

She’s dancin’ in the lights from the car

She hung her clothes on a tree

She’s dancin’ for me

 

She was born a flower child

To a single mom in Abilene

Now she’s livin’ every day for the lovin’

And dancin’ everywhere she sees

She’s American free

 

Walkin’ down the aisle at the liquor store

She grabs whiskey and tequila

But she’s wantin’ some more

Slides ‘em down her boot

And starts runnin’ out through the door

We can get away

Down a back-street baby

No one’s gonna catch us now

Holdin’ down the throttle

While she’s drinkin’ from the bottle

Got the ’72 rollin’ now

We keep on pushin’ the speed

‘Cause we’re American free

 

There’s a lot of good in this world

And we’re lucky to be livin’ the dream

Standin’ up for the Star Spangled Banner

And we’re bein’ all that we can be

We got them ol’ MLB’s

We’re American free

 

The River

 

The lights went out

On my side of town

Left me in the pourin’ rain

After all we’d been through

The lies and truths

I was standin’ there with no one to blame

Walked out on my tab

Hailed a cab

I guessed I’d hit the road and run

I was drunk and confused

From the drugs and abuse

Starin’ down the barrel of a gun

 

We’d both had enough

Turned our backs on our love

No drinks left in the bottle of Gin

The more that we talked

The farther we walked

From the places we had ever been

We fought and we tried

Through tears that we cried

But nothin’ ever seemed the same

Sometimes it’s better to choose

A plan that you lose

And you live to fight another day

 

Hold on for the river

Don’t let the turn take you away

Bettin’ all that I had

On good love and bad

My hand was dealt with nothin’ to play

Hold on for the river

Don’t let the turn sweep you away

You sink or you swim

That’s the game that we’re in

And you’re given all the chances to stay

 

I’d sit and I’d think

Bury thoughts with a drink

Chasin’ ‘way the sting and the pain

Random one-night stands

Playin’ songs in the band

Keepin’ all my feelin’s at bay

Our love disappeared

Along with the years

The night was now my only friend

I knew that I crossed

A heart that I lost

And I’d never get to feel her again

 

Hold on for the river

Don’t let the turn take you away

Bettin’ all that I had

On good love and bad

My hand was dealt with nothin’ to play

Hold on for the river

Don’t let the turn sweep you away

You sink or you swim

That’s the game that we’re in

And you’re given all the chances to stay

 

Just when you think

You’ve given all you’ve got to give

Hold on to your dream

You got a lot of life to live

 

Hold on for the river

Don’t let the turn take you away

Bettin’ all that I had

On good love and bad

My hand was dealt with nothin’ to play

Hold on for the river

Don’t let the turn sweep you away

You sink or you swim

That’s the game that we’re in

And you’re given all the chances to stay

 

Red Sun

 

The storm is over now

The red sun’s goin’ down

Over the trees

The smoke is still risin’

Momma’s cryin’

And beggin’ please

One was lost

Can never be regained

What a shame

What was the cause

What was the cost

Who’s to blame

 

One thing stays the same

Life will never change

One thing stays the same

Life will never change

Life will never change

 

The war is over now

The red sun’s goin’ down

The smoke is still risin’

Momma’s cryin’

On her knees

While her baby bleads

What was lost

Can never be regained

What a shame

What was the cause

What was the cost

Who’s to blame

 

One thing stays the same

A life will never change

One thing stays the same

Life will never change

One thing stays the same

Life will never change

One thing stays the same

Life will never change

Life will never change