Lyrics

Here Are the words of the songs on the Comeback CD. Feel free to download for your reading or listening pleasure. All songs are protected by copyright.

 

Sunshine Rag

1. Old man goin' down the road, big old smile and walkin slow.
Bikes and beaches you can't be sad, evening BQ's not so bad Take a ride in Mary's Jag, time to do the Sunshine Rag.

2. Kitty sleepin' on a rock, boys are fishin' by the dock
Though this son is almost done, lookin' for some sunshine fun.

Can't Push Back The Rain

1. Comes in waves at any time. Comes when you are sleepin'.
Like when you hear an old time song. It wakes you when you're dreamin.
Those memories play upon your mind, like rain they won't let go. Oh no.
You're up. You're down. You're inside out. Just won't let you go.

R Just like you to change your mind. You need me now, you say.
We can't travel back in time. We can't push back the rain.

2. It's been so long, and now you're blue. You tell me that you're sorry.
Please don't tell me how you've changed. I've heard all those stories
You walked away and started new. And now you want back in. Oh no.
You're up. You're down. You're inside out. Refusing to let go.

 

Close My Eyes

1. Talking in the morning or over the phone.
Or taking in a movie, on the way home.
I can close my eyes, and think of her smile.
It warms me and soothes me. Makes each day worthwhile.

R1 It doesn't matter where she might go.
The ground always shines under her glow.

2. There was a time, things weren't this good.
Bouncing around. Never knowing where I stood.
I can close my eyes, and think of a time.
A time for laughing. And one of those moments so fine.

3. It's hard to imagine, what the world might be like
Without her there each & every night
I can close my eyes, and think of her smile.
It warms me and soothes me. Makes each day worthwhile.

R2 It doesn't matter where we might go.
The ground always shines under her glow.

 

Big Henry

1. Horse and carriage waiting down by the gate.
Maid Polly rushing. He must not be late.
The air sitting heavy. Rain on the way.
Big Henry had business downtown.

2. A steady clip-clop as they trotted between
Tall trees and bushes, and grass fields so green.
Morning sky blackened. Driver Stokes took a turn.
The boss was acting quite strange.

3. Henry looked out, and thought of his day.
Meet at Whitechapel. Then see Harriet Lane.
Blue-eyed beauty. Flowing blonde hair.
But now, she's in Big Henry's way.

R1 Hey Henry Wainright. What will you do?
So many women. And a business to lose,
You can't pay your bills. You've made your own bed.
Your cheating will come to an end.

4. When he walked in, all the bankers were there.
"You just want my blood", Henry's eyes full of fear.
The banker had a slow and deliberate stare.
Big Henry knew the end could be near.

5. "That's all I got". Can't pay a cent more.
"With so many children, and bills", he did roar.
He slammed his fist down, and stomped out the door.
And went to see Harriet Lane.

6. He walked to her room. His swagger all gone.
She offered a drink, and asked what was wrong.
He wiggled and stuttered, and felt for his gun.
Big Henry was coming undone.

7. He looked toward Harriet, as she fussed with some food.
He thought of his wives. He had two.
Money all gone. Just one thing to do.
Better be done than be cruel.

8. All her demands on his money and time.
All the false promise. The world was unkind.
His heart started pounding. He broke into a sweat.
A voice screamed out "Now-do the crime!"

9. He walked with his gun to Harriet Lane.
Her eyes opened wide as she saw his red rage.
She tried hard to run. But then froze into place.
Four bullets then sealed her fate.

R2 Hey Henry Wainright. What have you done?
You shot your young mistress, Then decided to run.
You lied to your friends, Stole money from kin.
Now you must pay for your sins.

10. Henry had done an unspeakable deed.
He'd planned it, and hid a big box he would need.
He washed down the floor, and packed up his prey.
Waited for Stokes to arrive.

11. "It's business!" Big Henry explained.
"It's heavy" Stokes said, slipping under the strain.
Then out came a hand of young Harriet Lane.
Well, Stokes grew shaky & faint.

12. When he came to, the killer was gone.
Left in a hurry, went on the run.
Stokes took the cops to the box back in town
And told them of Big Henry's gun.

13. Big Henry Wainright ran to the hills.
He panted and huffed, eluding them still.
Saw the cops gaining. Caught him down by the hill.
Escorted him back to a cell.

14. The trial was over. The jury did find
Henry was guilty, bail declined.
He'd swing from a rope. Justice was served.
He finally had nowhere to hide.

 

Solitary Star

1. When just a young boy, I'd gaze up at the sky
I'd watch every night as one star caught my eye
It was stuck in the midst of a crowd, so it seemed
It was caught in the path of a white starry stream.

2. I watched as that star calmly drifted so slow
To a place way up high, where no others would go
Alone in it's space, and away from the rest I watched it's glow brighten.
It seemed right at last

R1 Now sometimes I think of that star breaking free
It was just like my own life has turned out to be
I'm always at home away from the crowd
Away from the towers and bright lights downtown

3. Some time ago, I took a deep breath
Turned down a good post to start on a new path
Away from the hearth, and toward the unknown
Racing ahead with just spirit & hope

4. I've done it alone, and I've done it my way
Followed my star where it moved every day
Away from the rush right from the start
One solitary life that has followed the heart

R2 It's true that I've made some mistakes to be sure
But I'm not one designed to stop and demure
Now when I watch for that star that broke free
It shines as a mirror right back at me.

 

Old Friend

1. It's been so long, since you've been gone
But through the years, I've felt you near.

R1 Old friend! You were taken far too soon.
We all were blessed, with a life we knew.

2. That Vermont chill. Oh, I remember still
A moment's fright, on it's mountain ice.

R2 Old friend! Sure as I do sing
Oh you were taken, on angels' wings.

3. Your easy smile, your will & guile
Your quiet way, those final days

R3 Old friend! You were taken far too soon
So sleep well, Don. We remember you.

 

Can't Keep A Good Man Down

1. I can take you to a place, you've only known in dreams
But you gotta meet me halfway out, so we can turn the key
Cm'on honey play with me, just send along a sign
No more being shy or coy. We're just wasting time.

R I might have had some rocky times. Big troubles I have sown
But things have changed, take my hand & I will take you home
You can catch a rising star, up from all you've known
You can't keep a good man down.

2. When you sit there all alone, don't you yearn to be
Swept along by a love vortex, a force that sets you free?
Travelin' to some far off lair, taken one fine day
Let me be your tall red knight, to take your breath away.

3. I can take you to a place, you've only known in dreams.
A place that's warm and time stands still. A place that few have seen.
All you need to do right now is whisper out these words
"Yes I'll come away with you. I will be your girl".

 

Just Like a Ghost

1. They came into town with death on their minds.
Walked past the stream and the brush and the pines
In through the dust of the hot Kansas sun
One looked down, and felt for his gun
Three Texas boys, just making things square
Walked to the hall, knew McCluskie'd be there

2. The gunmen sat down to wait for one more
A tough named Anderson. He walked through the door
Came with guns ready, and a nod to his men
Walked to McCluskie and his sidekick young Jim
Two shots were fired. McCluskie fell dead
The three at the bar whooped and fired their lead.

R1 Shot at the ceiling & into the floor
In the chaos & smoke, Jim crawled to the door

3. He locked it, and found a place he could hide
Waits til the noise and shooting subsides
Jumps out of nowhere, and fires at all four
The shooters ran out, couldn't get through the door
Young Jim's black powder and smoke filled that hall
All four were hit. Two met their God.

R2 The massacre at Newton it was soon to be called
Jim Riley slipped out, to be heard from no more

4. Six men awoke in Newton that day
Three dead. Two wounded. Only one walked away
Some say he headed west to the hills
Others say north to the cold winter chill
Young Jim Riley where did you go?
You walked out and vanished, just like a ghost.

 

Lonely Banjo

1. There's a place, I did know. I'd sit and play my banjo,
Big waters, country air. Wish I could go back there.

R As sweet a place you'll ever see. A place that held a young man's dreams.
Where sand and brine-they join as one, A place kissed by morning sun.

2. Sundowns so rare Play for hours without a care.
I know it's forever gone, I'll remember til my days are done.

 

On Your Own

1. They say it's better to have lost than never loved at all.
But now I know just what it means to be headed for a fall
Down from the mountaintop, and dropping like a stone
To start again out on your own.

R On your own, and on the mend
On your own, you might need a friend
On your own, can be up and down
But once you've hit rock bottom, Things get better out on your own.

2 There was a time not long ago when I woke up next to you.
But things have changed, I had a choice to stay and play the fool
Or walk along a brand new path where former lovers stroll.
And start again, out on my own.

3 Think I'll move away from here & travel afar
Or choose to take a different path and follow my own star
No where near the pavement, where you like to go.
I'll start again, out on my own.

 

Tribute

1 When the world seems wrong.
When there is no light at all.
The Choral soothes and .
Makes a problem seem small.

R1 Lost in passion. A power that soothes you.
Measures clear & true.
Twenty-thousand came to say their farewell just to you.

2 Take these humble words, and tune.
Perhaps it will make it through
It's one man's way to ...
Send some back to you.

R2 Lost in passion. A power that moves you.
Lightening from on high.
God's creation to your own pen, timeless, never dies.

3. You lived in your silent world.
Sounds gone quiet, a gift gone dry.
Your hand was held
By angels on high

R3 Lost in passion. Angels' voices.
A life so straight and true.
The words set down here do intend, a tribute, sent to you

 

Mont Blanc

1. As dawn broke from the night, In Halifax so white the sun began to glow
A sky so steeped in winter blue, a new day dancing across the snow.

2. A far off war raged shrill But waters here stood still Here in Bedford Bay
Battleships stood row by row Safe at harbour, far from the fray.

R1 Ships stirring with the light
Waking from that winter's night
As Mont Blanc headed home.

3. Munitions packed on board to the Narrows the small boat roared Unaware of what's in store
As she came in from the straights A ship was steaming in her way

4. Both moved to come around Too late, a shrieking sound Crushed metal, walls of fire
A blaze so hot it stopped the wind A thunder-clap drowned out the cries.

R2 Blanc drifted into shore
Two blasts, then one more
Black clouds were everywhere

5. This day, a day that had no end, nobody could pretend, All was still the same
A city crushed 2 thousand gone Buildings shook 10 miles away

R3 Each winter people pray
For the fallen on that day
In 1917

 

Champions

1. Saw you in the mountains, as you struggled to the lead.
See you in the packed arenas, work your magic speed.
You make us proud, you make us try.
And when you're done, not an eye is dry.
You stand alone, you stand so proud.
Your victory is complete.

R1 To those that answer glory's sudden call
To those who look the climb the highest wall
Here's to the champions.
To those who are the best.
To your spirit-a force that just won't rest.

2. That morning with your countrymen, half a world away.
Saw your charge at the Opera House. Saw the others fade away.
The medal that they gave was gold.
You sobbed you sang you bared your soul
You stood alone and stood so proud
Your victory was complete.

3. Once the cheering ceases, and you think on things you've done.
Do you ever wonder who you've touched. Do you wonder where they've gone?
You can say it was a moment's thrill.
But it's truth was metaphysical
That moment there in frozen time.
To live for all to see.

 

Wish

1. What you do. Where you go.
You're so ready. No worries. None at all.

2. Take the day, now's the time.
No turning back. This moment you will shine.

R1 No point in lamenting those things you can't control
Here's a wish your moves are strong, no matter where you go.

3. At every turn. There can be trial
But you will take on each, in your own style.

4. Morning waits, you're every move.
No stopping you. You can reach the moon.

R2 No matter where you face, or other people say.
Here's a wish good fortune follows you along the way.

5. What you do. Where you go.
You're so ready. No worries. None at all.

6. Take the day. Now's the time.
No turning back. This moment you will shine.

 

Comeback

1. The sounds are so familiar
Just like an old refrain
Like a ray of sunshine It dries away the rain
Why I put that guitar down
All those years ago
Then turned my back and walked away
It's hard to really know

R1 We scaled the peaks together
Those nights in Tennessee
Like a lucky charm
You rolled on back to me

2. The measures move, they ebb and flow
Chords are dancing true
Stay this time. Will I write and play a comeback song or two?
Pump the volume, raise the roof
Or whisper soft and blue
Play it so the strings cry out
An upbeat, catchy tune.

3. There's just no way around it.
It gets into your soul.
The spark can grab you anytime No matter where you go
Why I put that guitar down
All those years ago
Then turned my back and walked away
It's hard to really know