JJ Cale : To Tulsa and Back
Lyrics
1. MY GAL
Now my gal don't like them red red roses
She don't like perfume
Now my gal ain't got no fancy notions
She just likes to make love all night
And sleep all afternoon
Now my gal don't drive no Cadillac car
She's got no place to go
She's just undecided
Fake it trough the day
The night time is the right time you know
The night time is the right time you know
She can't sing and she can't dance
She can't walk too well
She can't cook and she can't sew
But boy she can sure raise hell
My my my
She sure gets high
My my my my my
2. CHAINS OF LOVE
Chains of love, won't let me be
They keep haunting, haunting me
Free my mind, from their vice
Chains of love, cold as ice
That old key, I've yet to find
That unlocks, those ties of mine
Ain't no way (ain't no way)
I am told (I am told)
No you cannot (no you cannot)
Break the hold (break the hold)
Chains of love (chains of love)
Won't let me be (won't let me be)
They keep haunting (they keep haunting)
Haunting me (haunting me)
Once you get down, you will know
They won't ever ever, let you go
Chains of love, all wrapped in now
Break this bond, I don't know how
Chains of love, will follow you
Don't matter, what you do
Free my mind, from this vice
Chains of love, cold as ice
Chains of love, won't let me be
They keep haunting, haunting me
Free my mind, from their vice
Chains of love, cold as ice
That old key, I've yet to find
That unlocks, those ties of mine
Chains of love, won't let me be
They keep haunting, haunting me
3. NEW LOVER
She's on the grounds, that's what they say
I heard the news only yesterday
She's on the prowl like a siamese cat
I hope I'm where it's at
She's got a lover
It's a guarantee
That her new lover
It ain't me
She's got a lover
That's what I'm told
She got a lover
I'm out in the cold
She's on the grounds, that's what they say
I heard the news only yesterday
She's on the prowl like a siamese cat
I must not be where it's at
She's got a lover
Puts her in a trance
She's got a lover
I ain't got a chance
She's got a lover
It's a guarantee
That her new lover
It ain't me
She's got a lover
That's what i'm told
She got a lover
I'm out in the cold
4. ONE STEP
One step forward and two steps back
Been carrying them bricks upon my back
Bossman told me you ain't getting paid
'til the house is built and the bricks are laid
It's made out of wood, made out of stone
I'm building that man a fancy home
That's the way it is let me tell you jack
It's one step forward and two steps back
Working man he got a row to hoe
He's up in the morning and down the road
Carry them bricks and carry that stone
Making that man a fancy home
Rich man he don't work no more
Talks on the phone to his stockbroker
That's the way it is let me tell you jack
It's one step forward and two steps back
Well I'm not a thinking man you see
And I'm not looking for no sympathy
But one of these days I'll get my fill
Be down the road and over the hill
I won't carry them bricks again
And I won't do it for any man
If I use my brain instead of my back
I'll be two steps forward and one step back
That's the way it is let me tell you jack
It's one step forward and two steps back
5. STONE RIVER
Stone river
Water ain't runnin' no more
Stone river
Water ain't runnin' no more
Man he done cut if off
And moved it all around
There ain't no river runnin'
No water can't be found
Stone river
Water ain't runnin' no more
Fish ain't swimmin'
Ain't no fish around nowhere
Fish ain't swimmin'
Ain't nobody seem to care
They botteled up and dammed it
Choked it up and jammed it
Killed the life around it
And stole it like a bandit
Stone river
Water ain't runnin' no more
What used to be a river
Now is just an empty site
Ain't no vegetation
It's just an agitation
It don't seem right
There ain't no trees a growin'
No animals are showin'
What used to be a stream
Now is just a dream
Stone river
Water ain't runnin' nowhere
Stone river
Water ain't runnin' no more
Man he done cut it off
And moved it all around
There ain't no river runnin'
No water can't be found
Stone river
Water ain't runnin' no more
They botteled up and dammed it
Choked it up and jammed it
Killed the life around it
And stole it like a bandit
Stone river
Water ain't runnin' no more
There ain't no trees a growin'
No animals are showin'
What used to be a stream
Is now just a dream
Stone river
Water ain't runnin' nowhere
Stone river
Water ain't runnin' no more
6. THE PROBLEM
Have you heard the news that's going 'round here
The man in charge has got to go
Cause he dances 'round the problem, boy
And the problem is the man in charge you know
Now, the young knows what I'm talking 'bout
It's a con in the old man's game
The man in charge, he don't know what he's doing
He don't know the world has changed
Power seems to be so far up
The man on the street ain't got a clue
The high top cats running your life
Think the problem is me and you
Born in a time that has gone by
The old tell the young what to do
Have you heard the news that's going 'round here
The problem is the man in charge of you
The problem is the man in charge of you
Power seems to be so far up
The man on the street ain't got a clue
The high top cats running your life
Think the problem is me and you
Have you heard the news that's going 'round here
The man in charge has to go
The man in charge has got to go
The man in charge has to go
7. HOMELESS
She said she had no money
But he was in doubt
He told her, "I used to be in too"
But now he was out
"Spare some small change lady
And I'll be on my way"
She looked into his eyes
And deep in his soul
I know she was wondering
If he was in control
She muttered to herself, "Those beggars,
Where do they all come from?"
He said, "I'm not a homeless man
I'm a gypsy by trade
And I'm travelling this land
I'm not a homeless man"
He moved through the streets
With his headband low
Never thinking he would never see
That woman again, you know
Just sleeping in the doorways
And alleys like he always had
The years rolled by
And later on
He spotted an old woman
All tattered and worn
Hard times had got her
Her clothes were ragged and old
She said, "I'm not a homeless woman
I'm a gypsy by trade
And I'm travelling this land
I'm not a homeless woman"
Sometime in the daytime
Sometimes at night
You will see a couple walking
They'll come into sight
Pushing their carts
And holding hands
If you ask to help
They'll just run away
Like little children, out to play
And if you ask, "Who are you"
They'll always say
"I'm not a homeless man
I'm a gypsy by trade
And I'm travelling this land
She's not a homeless woman
I'm not a homeless man"
8. FANCY DANCER
Once a day, everyday
Sometimes all night long
She moves her body next to mine
To the rythm of this song
They call her May, some call her June
She just needs a dancer
No matter what day you call her now
I call her fancy dancer
Fancy dancer
The way she moves, I say
If you ask, she will consent
To fancy dance all day
No man has ever lasted out
The night along with her
The pace's too quick, the heat's too hot
She dances in a blur
When the sun begins to fade
You might have a chance
To meet the lady of the night
She is the fancy dancer
Fancy dancer
The way she moves, I say
If you ask, she will consent
To fancy dance all day
She draws attention from anyone
Who happens on her scent
It's mostly men who want to try out
The dancing queen
Fancy dancer
The way she moves, I say
If you ask, she will consent
To fancy dance all day
9. RIO
Rio de Janeiro
Hot wind of brazilian nights
Rio de Janeiro
I tip my sombrero on a tan girl in the moonlight
Their close encounters make a man
Feel just right
Rio de Janeiro
The steamy place
That you are
Rio de Janeiro
I've come to love you from afar
To touch the water of your sea
Feel your sensuality
Walk your boulevards
Sao Paulo, Brazilia
I've been there before
They make me think of just a girl next door
They don't have your sexual groove
Rio, Rio puts me in that mood
Rio de Janeiro
Your sultry rythms get me up
Rio de Janeiro
If I could drink from your cup
I need a shot
Your pulse is hot
Rio, Rio you're so corrupt
I'm just a lonely caballero
I'm just a lonely, lonely man
I'm just a lonely caballero
Tryin' to make it to your land
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
To touch the water of your sea
Feel your sensuality
Walk your boulevards
10. THESE BLUES
A hundred miles is not too far
Unless you have to walk
Life, it seems, is like a dream
Until you have to talk
Don't wonder for a moment
If you win or lose
Just stop and stay, and watch the day
And listen to these blues
If it don't work for you, girl
Put it off your mind
If you drink anew from the well
You find the bottom line
A fancy woman told me
John, you're bound to do this
So I just stay and watch the day
And sing these lonesome blues
The blues is not a song you sing
It is a way of life
I've hung around them bar rooms, girl
Almost all my life
The men, they all are gamblers
They take all they can use
So if I find no peace of mind
I'll settle for these blues
11. MOTORMOUTH
Rattlin' rattlin' rattlin' round, all this talk and making sounds
Talkin' fast, talkin' low, we called him Motormouth
He say you called, he say it's you, it's anything that you can use
If you need it, need it now, he'll be there, Motormouth
I know you see him everywhere, in your face he's always here
If you try to back away, he'll just say, "Hey!
Gotta a tip for you man, listen to the understanding
Now if you can't endure the life, I'm Motormouth, I'm on your side"
He's real quick to advise, stretch the truth and tell you lies
Never, never talkin' slow, Motormouth is on the go
Needs some paper really quick, he'll take you down his mini slate
He's got the balls, he's got the clout, alway talkin', Motormouth
I know you see him everywhere, in your face he's always here
If you try to back away, he'll just say, "Hey!
Gotta a tip for you man, listen to the understanding
Now if you're down the road of life, I'm Motormouth, I'm on your side"
Rattlin' rattlin' rattlin' round, all this talk and making sounds
Talkin' fair, let's talk tomorrow, we called him Motormouth
12. BLUES FOR MAMA
Blues for Mama
Blues for Mama
It just seems wrong, to sing this song
'cos she's not here, where she belongs
Blues for Mama
Blues for Mama
Rest her soul, she's grown so cold
Her touch is like the winter snow
Blues for Mama
Blues for Mama
She went away only yesterday
I cound't help
What can I say
Blues for Mama
Blues for Mama
Blues for Mama
Blues for Mama
She made her run
She can't be done
She's the only one
Blues for Mama
Blues for Mama
13. ANOTHER SONG
Sittin' around here pickin' my banjo
Thinking about love and the aftertought
All those days we had together
What was what and what was not
You and I we were so crazy
Going from here back to there
Now I'm thinking 'bout tomorrow
Or the who's who and what was where
Bye 'n bye from now on time will shift and we'll be gone
It don't matter anyway
Another song
Another day
Those old days were oh so clever
You and I and that old friend
Thinkin' we were all together
We didn't know what never end
What future is I'll never know
It is to me a no show
Yesterday has just went by
I tried to go but it wants to fly
Bye 'n bye from now on time will shift and we'll be gone
It don't matter anyway
Another song
Another day
Now my gal don't like them red red roses
She don't like perfume
Now my gal ain't got no fancy notions
She just likes to make love all night
And sleep all afternoon
Now my gal don't drive no Cadillac car
She's got no place to go
She's just undecided
Fake it trough the day
The night time is the right time you know
The night time is the right time you know
She can't sing and she can't dance
She can't walk too well
She can't cook and she can't sew
But boy she can sure raise hell
My my my
She sure gets high
My my my my my
2. CHAINS OF LOVE
Chains of love, won't let me be
They keep haunting, haunting me
Free my mind, from their vice
Chains of love, cold as ice
That old key, I've yet to find
That unlocks, those ties of mine
Ain't no way (ain't no way)
I am told (I am told)
No you cannot (no you cannot)
Break the hold (break the hold)
Chains of love (chains of love)
Won't let me be (won't let me be)
They keep haunting (they keep haunting)
Haunting me (haunting me)
Once you get down, you will know
They won't ever ever, let you go
Chains of love, all wrapped in now
Break this bond, I don't know how
Chains of love, will follow you
Don't matter, what you do
Free my mind, from this vice
Chains of love, cold as ice
Chains of love, won't let me be
They keep haunting, haunting me
Free my mind, from their vice
Chains of love, cold as ice
That old key, I've yet to find
That unlocks, those ties of mine
Chains of love, won't let me be
They keep haunting, haunting me
3. NEW LOVER
She's on the grounds, that's what they say
I heard the news only yesterday
She's on the prowl like a siamese cat
I hope I'm where it's at
She's got a lover
It's a guarantee
That her new lover
It ain't me
She's got a lover
That's what I'm told
She got a lover
I'm out in the cold
She's on the grounds, that's what they say
I heard the news only yesterday
She's on the prowl like a siamese cat
I must not be where it's at
She's got a lover
Puts her in a trance
She's got a lover
I ain't got a chance
She's got a lover
It's a guarantee
That her new lover
It ain't me
She's got a lover
That's what i'm told
She got a lover
I'm out in the cold
4. ONE STEP
One step forward and two steps back
Been carrying them bricks upon my back
Bossman told me you ain't getting paid
'til the house is built and the bricks are laid
It's made out of wood, made out of stone
I'm building that man a fancy home
That's the way it is let me tell you jack
It's one step forward and two steps back
Working man he got a row to hoe
He's up in the morning and down the road
Carry them bricks and carry that stone
Making that man a fancy home
Rich man he don't work no more
Talks on the phone to his stockbroker
That's the way it is let me tell you jack
It's one step forward and two steps back
Well I'm not a thinking man you see
And I'm not looking for no sympathy
But one of these days I'll get my fill
Be down the road and over the hill
I won't carry them bricks again
And I won't do it for any man
If I use my brain instead of my back
I'll be two steps forward and one step back
That's the way it is let me tell you jack
It's one step forward and two steps back
5. STONE RIVER
Stone river
Water ain't runnin' no more
Stone river
Water ain't runnin' no more
Man he done cut if off
And moved it all around
There ain't no river runnin'
No water can't be found
Stone river
Water ain't runnin' no more
Fish ain't swimmin'
Ain't no fish around nowhere
Fish ain't swimmin'
Ain't nobody seem to care
They botteled up and dammed it
Choked it up and jammed it
Killed the life around it
And stole it like a bandit
Stone river
Water ain't runnin' no more
What used to be a river
Now is just an empty site
Ain't no vegetation
It's just an agitation
It don't seem right
There ain't no trees a growin'
No animals are showin'
What used to be a stream
Now is just a dream
Stone river
Water ain't runnin' nowhere
Stone river
Water ain't runnin' no more
Man he done cut it off
And moved it all around
There ain't no river runnin'
No water can't be found
Stone river
Water ain't runnin' no more
They botteled up and dammed it
Choked it up and jammed it
Killed the life around it
And stole it like a bandit
Stone river
Water ain't runnin' no more
There ain't no trees a growin'
No animals are showin'
What used to be a stream
Is now just a dream
Stone river
Water ain't runnin' nowhere
Stone river
Water ain't runnin' no more
6. THE PROBLEM
Have you heard the news that's going 'round here
The man in charge has got to go
Cause he dances 'round the problem, boy
And the problem is the man in charge you know
Now, the young knows what I'm talking 'bout
It's a con in the old man's game
The man in charge, he don't know what he's doing
He don't know the world has changed
Power seems to be so far up
The man on the street ain't got a clue
The high top cats running your life
Think the problem is me and you
Born in a time that has gone by
The old tell the young what to do
Have you heard the news that's going 'round here
The problem is the man in charge of you
The problem is the man in charge of you
Power seems to be so far up
The man on the street ain't got a clue
The high top cats running your life
Think the problem is me and you
Have you heard the news that's going 'round here
The man in charge has to go
The man in charge has got to go
The man in charge has to go
7. HOMELESS
She said she had no money
But he was in doubt
He told her, "I used to be in too"
But now he was out
"Spare some small change lady
And I'll be on my way"
She looked into his eyes
And deep in his soul
I know she was wondering
If he was in control
She muttered to herself, "Those beggars,
Where do they all come from?"
He said, "I'm not a homeless man
I'm a gypsy by trade
And I'm travelling this land
I'm not a homeless man"
He moved through the streets
With his headband low
Never thinking he would never see
That woman again, you know
Just sleeping in the doorways
And alleys like he always had
The years rolled by
And later on
He spotted an old woman
All tattered and worn
Hard times had got her
Her clothes were ragged and old
She said, "I'm not a homeless woman
I'm a gypsy by trade
And I'm travelling this land
I'm not a homeless woman"
Sometime in the daytime
Sometimes at night
You will see a couple walking
They'll come into sight
Pushing their carts
And holding hands
If you ask to help
They'll just run away
Like little children, out to play
And if you ask, "Who are you"
They'll always say
"I'm not a homeless man
I'm a gypsy by trade
And I'm travelling this land
She's not a homeless woman
I'm not a homeless man"
8. FANCY DANCER
Once a day, everyday
Sometimes all night long
She moves her body next to mine
To the rythm of this song
They call her May, some call her June
She just needs a dancer
No matter what day you call her now
I call her fancy dancer
Fancy dancer
The way she moves, I say
If you ask, she will consent
To fancy dance all day
No man has ever lasted out
The night along with her
The pace's too quick, the heat's too hot
She dances in a blur
When the sun begins to fade
You might have a chance
To meet the lady of the night
She is the fancy dancer
Fancy dancer
The way she moves, I say
If you ask, she will consent
To fancy dance all day
She draws attention from anyone
Who happens on her scent
It's mostly men who want to try out
The dancing queen
Fancy dancer
The way she moves, I say
If you ask, she will consent
To fancy dance all day
9. RIO
Rio de Janeiro
Hot wind of brazilian nights
Rio de Janeiro
I tip my sombrero on a tan girl in the moonlight
Their close encounters make a man
Feel just right
Rio de Janeiro
The steamy place
That you are
Rio de Janeiro
I've come to love you from afar
To touch the water of your sea
Feel your sensuality
Walk your boulevards
Sao Paulo, Brazilia
I've been there before
They make me think of just a girl next door
They don't have your sexual groove
Rio, Rio puts me in that mood
Rio de Janeiro
Your sultry rythms get me up
Rio de Janeiro
If I could drink from your cup
I need a shot
Your pulse is hot
Rio, Rio you're so corrupt
I'm just a lonely caballero
I'm just a lonely, lonely man
I'm just a lonely caballero
Tryin' to make it to your land
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
To touch the water of your sea
Feel your sensuality
Walk your boulevards
10. THESE BLUES
A hundred miles is not too far
Unless you have to walk
Life, it seems, is like a dream
Until you have to talk
Don't wonder for a moment
If you win or lose
Just stop and stay, and watch the day
And listen to these blues
If it don't work for you, girl
Put it off your mind
If you drink anew from the well
You find the bottom line
A fancy woman told me
John, you're bound to do this
So I just stay and watch the day
And sing these lonesome blues
The blues is not a song you sing
It is a way of life
I've hung around them bar rooms, girl
Almost all my life
The men, they all are gamblers
They take all they can use
So if I find no peace of mind
I'll settle for these blues
11. MOTORMOUTH
Rattlin' rattlin' rattlin' round, all this talk and making sounds
Talkin' fast, talkin' low, we called him Motormouth
He say you called, he say it's you, it's anything that you can use
If you need it, need it now, he'll be there, Motormouth
I know you see him everywhere, in your face he's always here
If you try to back away, he'll just say, "Hey!
Gotta a tip for you man, listen to the understanding
Now if you can't endure the life, I'm Motormouth, I'm on your side"
He's real quick to advise, stretch the truth and tell you lies
Never, never talkin' slow, Motormouth is on the go
Needs some paper really quick, he'll take you down his mini slate
He's got the balls, he's got the clout, alway talkin', Motormouth
I know you see him everywhere, in your face he's always here
If you try to back away, he'll just say, "Hey!
Gotta a tip for you man, listen to the understanding
Now if you're down the road of life, I'm Motormouth, I'm on your side"
Rattlin' rattlin' rattlin' round, all this talk and making sounds
Talkin' fair, let's talk tomorrow, we called him Motormouth
12. BLUES FOR MAMA
Blues for Mama
Blues for Mama
It just seems wrong, to sing this song
'cos she's not here, where she belongs
Blues for Mama
Blues for Mama
Rest her soul, she's grown so cold
Her touch is like the winter snow
Blues for Mama
Blues for Mama
She went away only yesterday
I cound't help
What can I say
Blues for Mama
Blues for Mama
Blues for Mama
Blues for Mama
She made her run
She can't be done
She's the only one
Blues for Mama
Blues for Mama
13. ANOTHER SONG
Sittin' around here pickin' my banjo
Thinking about love and the aftertought
All those days we had together
What was what and what was not
You and I we were so crazy
Going from here back to there
Now I'm thinking 'bout tomorrow
Or the who's who and what was where
Bye 'n bye from now on time will shift and we'll be gone
It don't matter anyway
Another song
Another day
Those old days were oh so clever
You and I and that old friend
Thinkin' we were all together
We didn't know what never end
What future is I'll never know
It is to me a no show
Yesterday has just went by
I tried to go but it wants to fly
Bye 'n bye from now on time will shift and we'll be gone
It don't matter anyway
Another song
Another day
lyrics added by cotok - Modify this lyrics