Sundown & Lawn Chairs

Lyrics

The Old Twenty Nine

There's a fast-food place, where the people used to wait, there's a street now, where the rails used to be. A vulture is picking at something on the ground as he sits there in the bushes and the weeds**I remember playin' catch down near the gate. It seemed like those summers wouldn't end. The depot still stands there, but it's broken and faded….it was third base back then**What ever happened to the old twenty-nine, anybody know? She'd rumble in from somewhere then rumble out again, one things for sure, one things for sure. She's not comin' through here anymore**A misty-eyed young man barely twenty years old waved his goodbyes from that train. He was off to the city to find his own way, seeking his fortune and fame**The years have passed now, that seems a lifetime ago. But that boy, he's sittin' here today. He strums his guitar, while he looks for the tracks where he and his buddies once played.

Time, Where Have You Gone?

I think it was a month ago, one Friday afternoon, walking past the parks and shops downtown to no place in particular. Not one thing to do, yet memories of that day keep hanging round **Time, where have you gone? Oh time, where have you gone? What passes once without applause, a memory rests its truth upon. Time, where have you gone?**It must have been a year ago, one late September night, I partied with some friends down by the flats-a bonfire to keep us warm from the chilly autumn bite. I remember, even though the months have passed.**Time, where have you gone? Oh time, where have you gone? Just memories now to hold the key, of where I've been, and what I've seen.**It might have been ten years ago, in a heavy morning mist, my daddy's farm had fields of prairie grass. It shimmered like the softest cloud, that God Himself had touched. I still recall after all those years have passed.

Big Red Don't Win

"They're at the post!" Words that cheer a busy man, so I hit the racetrack when I can. Long-shots are my stock and trade. I never wager very large, no winning big. No losing hard. A careful gambler you could say**"They're at the post!" I heard it at the track today walking through the entry gate. Something caught my eye, the strangest thing. A street guy with a funny grin was holding court on how to win. A modern hobo, philosopher king**He said "the less you bet, the more you lose when you win. Don't matter if your luck is down, don't matter how it's been. For all those tough and lean times, all the in between times good fortune's not a frequent guest, so bet big when you can."** Looking for a perfect pick, a horse where the odds were thick. I saw one at fifty-five to one. A big horse, never won a thing, his name was "Big Red Don't Win" so I put down a modest sum**I tried to walk away, but the hobo's words I couldn't shake. I became a gambler tempting fate, I emptied all my bills, my cards and change hoping that I might break through and maybe somehow Red was due to come of age and win his race today**I sat down in my favorite seat, to watch 'Big Red Don't Win'. All my hope upon this horse, I'll admit was awfully thin. When the race began to go, sure enough Big Red was slow running last, then dropping back, as if he'd lose again**But things were soon to change. A horse was coming from the back, moving steady through the pack. I had to rub my eyes, it was Red. Charging fast ahead he ran dropping one then five then ten to cross the finish line a length ahead** Redeemed my winning stub. I wanted to do things right. I'd used the hobo's good advice, so I went and gave him some of mine. He thanked me as he took the cash and put with another stash. It occurred to me he did this all the time**He smiled back at me and said. "Not bad for just one day, I'm glad to know you won so big by using what I say." He winked and said "It works for me. Tomorrow at a track I'll be perhaps a winner hears my words, and after that we'll see".

Sundown & Lawn Chairs

Sundown comes fast for a man with no plans. No one to be with. Got no place to be. Took all the talkin' that one man can stand. She's left for green pastures, so I guess now I'm free**Sundown and lawn chairs, a beer at my side. The sundown costs nothin', got these lawn chairs of mine. Couples hold hands as they walk down the street, they all seem so happy, but they can't fool me. She left me last week, we each took a stand. Friends say I'm better-off, here on my own. No doubt about it, I'm a self-contained man. No reason to call her or pick up the phone** I never thought this is where the times would lead, but I'll sit here each night. just the sundown and me. Watching the ebb, the last flicker of light. So how come something just doesn't sit right**No doubt about it, there's a lot I can do. The windows need workin, the paint's old and peeled. But who am I kidding, it just seems so cruel. Hard as I try, can't shake how I feel.

Wings of The Eagle

There's a sparkle to your soul, a force so rare. Buried deep to speak it no one dares. But maybe something must be said, screamed from rooftops, penned and read. In the shining city on a hill, your flag's there still**Some in your own flock would clip your wings. They speak of peace, and hope and all good things. Where do they turn when demons roar, when evil stands right at the door? To the wings of the eagle they will run, for shelter or gun**When a wind blows cold, and the future seems unclear. A free man won't despair, his faith a light held near**You were there when the westward wagons rolled. There when pans were filled with gold. You built an empire from the sand, when towers fell, still heavy hearts won't mend. From Bull Run to New York, you paid the price, bled and sacrificed**How high's the reach of an ordinary man? It's as high as he sees, up where dreamers stand**We watched that night you took a giant leap. Arm in arm we've marched across the sea. I've seen you fly up to the stars, I've seen you tend the broke and marred. Though words fall short this thought I send, you are my friend.

Extraordinary Moments

Extraordinary moments in an ordinary day. When the whole wide world is smiling, and there are no shades of gray. They don't come round too often with a herald or a sign. But it happens from time to time ** Extraordinary moments, they come from time to time when life flows free and easy. They're real but hard to find. It feels like you are bulletproof, and you can do no wrong. You never want to lose it, you've never felt so strong ** I have had those moments that make a special day when the whole wide world is smiling and there are no shades of gray. It's like a flowing river and I'm sittin' on the shore watching as it passes wanting more ** It's hard to say exactly how these magic times arrive. All I know is any time is good and now would be just fine. I'll take them any time I can and drink them like fine wine. It happens from time to time.

Just So You Know

I've been driving around most of the day, and into the nighttime chill. There's something I want to say to you. But the words, they just won't sit still-they don't paint your picture, so much is concealed. Just so you know, words can't say how I feel** You believed in me through all the tough times, you keep me grounded when I'm flying too high. Settle me down, when I grip things too hard, soothe me when life becomes dark. Just so you know**Though I never did find those magical words, there's this thing I need to construe. It's hard to find that special someone, yet somehow I found you. Just so you know, it's been you all along, and I hope what I'm sayin' comes across in a song.

Too Much Month Left (After the Money's Gone)

The hands start shakin' like a jackhammer spike. The eyes are wide open, it's the middle of the night. There'll be nowhere to hide, when the dawn breaks through. The bedroom clock says its three-o-five. It says I'm in trouble, and it never tells lies. Its another big day, with bills coming due**Another big day, I'll charge into the cold. I have some big dreams, but today they're on hold. There's not enough cash left, after the workin's done. There's too much month left ..... after the money's gone**It's the end of the month, so its time to pay rent. The car's so neglected, it's got shimmy's and dents, when she gets fixed, real hard to say. I work two jobs, my wife does too. The kids use hand me downs that fit too loose, but I know tomorrow will bring better days**Won't be too long now, things will improve. That dream has been waiting, and its fast coming due. I know this because, I've got me a plan been workin' on that, whenever I can**Prices keep risin' everywhere you see. There's taxes on beer, and on my TV, but soon that'll be just a worry that's past. The clock keeps movin', almost time to rise, look at my problems right square in the eyes, hit the ground running, because..**It won't be long now, and I'll be running for gold. I have big dreams, for today they're on hold. There's not enough cash left, after the workin's done. There's too much month left ..... after the money's gone.

Little Things That Matter

I believe in sundowns, and a big orange ball that sets with flying silhouettes. Then it starts to sink, and` it's gone within a blink**These are things I believe in that endure over time. Little things that matter that live in my mind. Things that I trust in made of fragments and sounds. Minds-eye visions that never let me down**I believe in April after the winter cold when the first pitch is thrown. Means that spring is finally here, and summertime is near**I believe in movies where the good guy always wins and his town is safe again. Or a boy meets a girl, they walk away hand in hand.

Goin' Home

I can see the departure gate, and hear the PA sounds I'm running so fast, my feet ain't hittin' ground. Last call to board, and I've almost got it made. I'm going home tonight, and I don't want to be late. Goin' home**Goin' home for the weekend, can't get there soon enough. It's been a month of Monday's, and the road's been awfully tough. Goin' home to see my friends, I'm travelin' really light cause home is where the heart is, and I'll be there tonight**Maryanne will be waiting at the arrival carousel. She'll tell me all the gossip, that Mister Kane is well. I'll ask what's at the movie house and how her job has been. I heard it when we talked, but need to hear it all again**When Monday morning comes along, I'll be right back here, walking past these same old gates, I'll grab a coffee somewhere near. Then its off to the cabbie stand, ahead and down the stairs. But that is then. This is now, and now, I just don't care.

Too Blue to Care

Those photographs you brought were worth the wait. And it's not like I don't appreciate your concern for those things I need to do like moving on, to look for someone new**Where she's gone, I don't know. It's hard to tell. All I know is when I go home, she's somewhere else. And you're right, there's a great big world out there. Thing is...I'm too blue to care**Friends ask if I ever saw it coming. Can't say I did, but some things seemed funny. Simple things just got so damn hard...weren't talking much. I guess that's when we grew apart**A love that burned like the sun's own light, is just cinders now. Cold and black as an endless night**So be a buddy and simply let me be. They say time's a great healer so we'll see. Got my car and a bag of snacks to go. Think I'll head west, and leave decisions to the road.

Cookie-Baked Dreams

As kids, we'd spend our summers by the water, old memories of the school year drifting farther. We'd play down on the beach until it rained, then take a shortcut home up Allenwood Lane** Walking home we'd pass by Molly's Bakery. Her cookies were the best in Simcoe County. Outside you couldn't tell, old crooked walls. In front a broken door, bleached grey and dull**Sometimes I'd go inside for honeydew. One day though, Molly was subdued. Her attention was a note in a satin band, it was dog-eared, torn and written by her own hand**If you dream it, you can hope it, if you hope it, you can think it and thinkin' can lead you to one tiny step. One step leads to two then three, they run together fast, it seems bringing you closer to your dream**As a boy, I knew little of life's lessons so I asked what was behind that note's intention. The words were what she wrote, one day she'd seen it was gingerbread and chocolate in her dreams**She told me the sad story of her youth. In the old country, her chances had been few. She told me that for years she'd persevered, and chased her dream that led a path right here.