The Signs

© Roy Schneider/Scissorpaws Publishing (ASCAP)

Did you ever wonder where the signs all went
When you woke up and stepped out of the dream?
Did you ever notice something hangin’ onto your hand
Through your day, and now and then givin’ a little squeeze?
Do you make those connections
That point in directions
You just can’t help but wonder where they lead?
Though you may not know really
If you feel it sincerely
Down deep in your heart, well
Guess you’ve just got to believe

Did you ever try to explain to a fanatic
That you held a different kind of belief?
Did you fall back in surprise
At their wide bulging eyes
As they told you just exactly what to see?
Did they shame you, condemn you
And try hard to bend you
And pound you right over the head
It’s all the fear and derision
Causin’ the division
If I want religion I’ll turn to the woodlands instead

(Repeat Verse 1)

Fill the Well

© Roy Schneider/Scissorpaws Publishing (ASCAP)

Ain’t no shufflin’ round this Texas town
No, we’re all just tryin’ to keep the dust clouds down
Ain’t seen no rain round here since I don’t know when
Ain’t seen no green since way back then

Refrain:
Ladybug, ladybug, fly away
Ain’t no rain comin’ today
Better go on home and teach your children well
Honey, put out that twinkle in your eye – don’t want to set the house on fire
Can’t get no lovin’ in a livin’ hell!

Chorus:
Lawd, Please fill the well – cause it’s (dry, dry, dry)
Come fill my cup, I don’t feel too well (ooo ooo ooh)
I don’t feel too well

See the sun beatin’ down on the witherin’ corn (dry, dry, dry)
Like to make you wish that you never was born (ooo ooo oooh)
Yea, walkin’ on kindlin’ all day long (dry, dry, dry)
One lazy match and we could all be gone (ooo ooo ooh)

Refrain – – Chorus

See the farmer in the wheat field lookin’ up high (dry, dry, dry)
Got his arms open up wide to the sky (ooo ooo ooh)
Just cryin’ Lawd, why have you forsaken me? (dry, dry, dry)
I just need a little rain so I can feed my family (ooo ooo ooh)

Rain, Rain why’d you go away? (dry, dry, dry)
You can come on back any time today (ooo ooo ooh)
You know it’s floodin’ in Dakota while I’m cryin’ (dry, dry, dry)
I’m thirsty, Lawd, and my crops are dyin’ (ooo ooo ooh)

Refrain – – Chorus

Beyond the Crossroads

© Roy Schneider/Scissorpaws Publishing (ASCAP)

I been stumblin’ down this road, through the rain and the cold
Now I’m goin’ home – Goin’ home
Sun, she’s settin’ on that horizon – I can see a new one risin’
I’m goin’ home – Goin’ home

This big ol’ load been on my back
I’m takin’ it off and settin’ it beside the track (goin’ home)
Ain’t gonna weigh me down no more
I’m gonna set out from this old broken shore – Mm mm hmm
(Yeah, I’m gonna go out sailing…)

Chorus:
For those who’ve walked along with me in happiness and misery
And held me up when I was lookin’ down
You know I’ve got somewhere to go, out beyond the crossroads
I’ll see you on the other side – other side of town

I know the hour’s getting late
I wanna hop on the next outbound freight – Goin’ home
But not ‘til I know the ones I love will be taken good care of
Then, I’m goin’ home (goin’ home)

Leaves they’re turnin’ red and brown
They’re letting go, they floating down
Floating down, down (goin’ home)
I can see them from my window, showing me which way the wind blow
Goin’ home
(I just wanna listen to the wind blow…)

Chorus

Baby, lean on down my way
I got somethin’ I wanna say before I go home — Mmm mm hm
You know, next time I die,
I want you right here by my side
When I go home –
Yeah, send me home, babe…

Chorus

Soldier’s Joy 1864

© Shawn Camp & Guy Clark/Shawn Camp Music/EMI April Music (ASCAP) used with permission

Now first I thought a snake had got me
It happened dreadful quick
Twas a bullet bit my leg,
Right off I got sick
Came to in a wagon load
With ten more wounded men
Five was dead by the time
We reached that bloody tent

Give me some of that Soldier’s Joy
You know what I mean
I don’t want to hurt no more
My leg is turning green

Well the doctor come and he looked at me
And this is what he said
He said your dancing days are done, son
It’s a good thing you ain’t dead
Then he went to work with a carving knife
Sweat fell from his brow
About killed me trying to save my life
When he cut that lead ball out

Give me some of that Soldier’s Joy
Ain’t you got no more
Hand me down my walking cane
I ain’t cut out for war

Well the red blood run right through my veins
It run out over the floor
Run down his apron strings
Like a river out the door
And he handed me a bottle and said
Son drink deep as you can
He turned away and he turned right back
With a hacksaw in his hand

Give me some of that Soldier’s Joy
You know what I like
Bear down on that fiddle boys
Just like Saturday night

Give me some of that Soldier’s Joy
You know what I crave
I’ll be hitting that Soldier’s Joy
‘Til I’m in my grave

Cedar Ridge

© Roy Schneider/Scissorpaws Publishing (ASCAP)

Goin’ to Kentucky – gonna climb up on Cedar Ridge
Gonna see my man just beyond that confounded bridge
‘Cause there ain’t no warm
Quite like the kind you’ll find in some o’ that homemade corn

He’s takin’ his time – gotta make it slow if you’re gonna make it right
‘Cause up on the ridge, time stands still when the moon shines bright
That’s why there ain’t no warm
Quite like the kind you’ll find in some o’ that homemade corn (corn liquor)…

If you go to Kentucky – don’t go lookin’ for Cedar Ridge
‘Cause you ain’t gonna find it – and you might not come down if you did
It’s like the story goes –
But it ain’t just Tennessee where that river flows

Goin’ to Kentucky – think I’m gonna swing by Larry’s Bar
Head up on the ridge – get my Apple Pie in a jar
‘Cause there ain’t no warm
Quite like the kind you’ll find in some o’ that homemade corn

Dancin’ On the Mountain

© Roy Schneider/Scissorpaws Publishing (ASCAP)

I fell into this world without a name
Yes I fell into this world without a name
Yeah I fell into this world just like all you boys and girls
With no way to know what waited down the lane

So I crawled into this life without a fear
Yes I crawled into this life without a fear
Well I crawled into this life with no worries and no strife
And man, I didn’t even know what I was doing here
(I guess some things never change)

Well then I stepped inside this house without a song
Yes I stepped inside this house without a song
I stepped inside this house in the shadows of my doubts
And I just could not see what I was doing wrong
When all I wanted was to be strong

So I dipped my toes into that fountain, that was not made by the hands of men
And I started dancin’ up the mountain
And I knew I never would be comin’ down again, oh no-ooooo!

Then I hitchhiked to this town without my hands
I said I hitchhiked to this town without my hands
‘Cause when I hitchhiked to this town
They were both buried deep down
In my pockets, diggin’ around for some sense/cents

Then I rolled across this land without a friend
You know I rolled across this land without a friend
‘Cause when we rolled across this land
I guess I did not understand
She would be jumpin’ off just around the bend, mm hmm…

So I plunged headlong into that fountain
That was not made by the hands of men
Now I’m still dancin’ on the mountain
And you know I never will be comin’ down again, oh nooo!

Well now I got a name and I got my fears
But mostly I can make them disappear
I got two hands and a song
And I got a friend to sing along
And I wanna sing it so the whole world can hear

Yeah I got two hands and a song
And I got my best friend to sing along
And I wanna sing it so the whole world can hear

I want to sing it so the whole world can hear
I want to sing it so the whole world … world can hear!

One for the Rabbits

© Roy Schneider/Scissorpaws Publishing (ASCAP)

Think I’ll play a little dinner music for the rabbits in the backyard
Why’s it got to be so hard? (shlap!) ….Damn mosquitoes…
But you know I’m gonna stay out anyway, watch the sun as it goes down
Feel it wash away my frown – spreadin’ them colors around
Not lettin’ me down – no it never lets me down
Mmmm, mm mm mm mm, nooo no … Uh-uh!

Well I’m just watchin’ the fireflies glowin’ in the dark now
You know, I never understood how – an’ I don’t need to know right now
I just wanna be here now – just be right here now
MMmm, mm hmm hmm hmm, yeah, yeah… Uh-huh!

This old house has a soul of its own
So many times it’s taken me far from home
Welcomed me back with open arms
Never lettin’ me wander too close to harm
Ooooooooooo…. Aaaaaaaaa……

Got money woes and future woes too
Worry ’bout all the things I guess I’m supposed to
But you know, I know everything’s already alright
Ev’ry time I make it through one more night
Ooooooooooo…. Aaaaaaaaaaa….

I only hope some part of that spirit will stay
Even when the keeper is far, far, far away
OOooh… OOooh…
But I guess I know it’s really up to me
To keep a living memory
Of people and places that came before
And leave that book just inside the door
Ooohh… When I go

Got money woes and future woes too
Worry ’bout all the things I guess I’m supposed to
But I know everything’s already alright
Ev’ry time I make it through one more night
Ooooooooooo…. Aaaaaaaaaaa….

Think I’ll play a little morning music for the rabbits in the backyard

Long Time Gone

© David Crosby/Stay Straight Music used with permission

It’s been long time comin’
Goin’ to be a long, long time gone

And it appears to be a long
Appears to be a long
Appears to be a long time
Such a long, long time before the dawn

Turn, turn any corner
Hear, you got to hear what the people are sayin’
There’s something, something’s goin’ on around here
Surely will now , surely will now, surely will not stand the light of day

And it appears to be a long
Appears to be a long
Appears to be a long time
Such a long, long, long, long time before the dawn

Speak out, speak out against the madness
You got to speak your mind, if you dare
But don’t—no, no don’t — don’t go out there and try to get yourself elected
‘Cause if you do you gonna have to cut your hair, mm

And it appears to be a long
Appears to be a long
Appears to be a long time
Such a long, long time before the dawn

It’s been long time comin’
Goin’ to be a long. long time gone
And you know the darkest hour
Is always, always just before the dawn

And it appears to be a long

The Mind of Mary

© Roy Schneider/Scissorpaws Publishing (ASCAP)

She ain’t ridin’ round town no more, far as anyone knows
She ain’t ridin’ no info superhighway I’d bet my soul
She could be ridin’ in the sky by now, I suppose
No one knows — no one knows — mind of Mary

Kids pointed and laughed, yelling “Crazy Mary!” as she pedaled on by
Intensely engaged in altercation with a demon of another time
They’d even go so far as throwing stones sometimes
Tryin’ to break inside — get a peek inside the mind of Mary

You know I once tried talking to her on the street after one of those dealings
I wanted her to know I wasn’t just another heartless kid with no feelings
But I felt a chill run right through my body as she looked right through me
Went along her way – her lonely, winding way, through the mind of Mary

Funny little flat hat tied up on top of her head, the people gawkin’
Long gray trenchcoat, old walkin’ cane never meant for walkin’
You could have said she looked a little like Mary Poppins’ haunted twin
Living deep within – miles within – the mind of Mary

She ain’t ridin’ ’round town no more, far as anyone knows
She ain’t ridin’ no info superhighway, I’d bet my soul
But if you should hear a couple bicycle wheels
Through the dark, on your way home

Keep your mind – don’t be unkind
It might just be Mary

Breakin’ Us Down

© Roy Schneider/Scissorpaws Publishing (ASCAP)

All over this land – I been rollin’ along
Over your land and my land – singin’ my songs
Nursin’ on that pipeline – mile after mile
Watchin’ my humble wages – Goin’ straight to your pile
So many other avenues – We might explore
But you got all our money – Tied up in an end – less – war

Chorus:
If only we could find a better way to stay in motion
Never ever punch another black hole under the ocean
Never drop another dime into the cauldron of greed
Breakin’ us down… Breakin’ us down

But as long as there’s money – Dollars to gain
You’ll keep suckin’ that blood – ’til you can’t find a vein
Tell me, will you be happy when every company is shut down
Over your land and my land ’cause they just could not afford to get around

Chorus
Instrumental

So kindly get your teeth outa’ my shoulder – Get your gun outa’ my back
Get your hands outa’ my pockets – Let me roll on down the track
Now I ain’t a spiteful man – So I wish this for you
May your children know better – When it comes time to fill… your… shoes

Then maybe we can find a better way to stay in motion
Never ever punch another black hole under the ocean
Never drop another dime into the cauldron of greed
Breakin’ us down…breakin’ us down…shakin’ us down

Cherry Trees

© Roy Schneider/Scissorpaws Publishing (ASCAP)

Lost in the limbs of the cherry trees
Watchin’ lazy blossoms floatin’ down by the millions on every breeze
Breathin’ in the sunshine is easy when you’re a stranger in town
And all your troubles seem so far away for just one day
So you keep on movin’ around – movin’ around

And you wish that you could find a way to change the world today
And you hope someday you will – somehow
Keep on smilin’, scattering all your seeds
In between the weeds and the whistlin’ reeds until
You’ve got someone singin’ along

Chorus:
Because the world needs a lot more lovin’ in it
A lot less pushin’ and shovin’ in it
So if you don’t mean to do me wrong
We can disagree and still get along

Looking around at everyone
Of course you know I’ve got no way to know which side of any old fence you’re on
I’m gonna sing for you – Maybe later on we can grab a drink or two
While all our troubles seem so far away, for just one day away from the doom and gloom

And we wish that we could find a way to change the world today
And we hope someday we will – somehow
Keep on smilin’, scattering all our seeds
In between the weeds and the whistlin’ reeds until
We’ve got someone singin’ along

Chorus 2x

Soon that old sun will be goin’ down
Lazy flowers, still be falling while the moon’s hanging over the town
And I’m playing another show in another town, gonna give it a go…
All my troubles seem so far away, for just one day
So on down the road I blow…

And I wish that I could find a way to change the world today
And I hope someday I will – somehow
Keep on smilin’, scattering all my seeds
In between the weeds and the whistlin’ reeds until
I’ve got someone singin’ along

Chorus 2x

Lost in the limbs of the cherry trees…

Time

© Roy Schneider/Scissorpaws Publishing (ASCAP)

Time, time, time, time, time – precious time
Keeps on rollin’ down the line – mmm hmmmm
We can’t stop the train – we can’t turn it around
But we can forge ahead – we can lay better ground
For time, time, time, time, time – to travel down

Bridge:
We’ve been running in the dark these many years
Trying hard to see the light
Feeling ‘round for something to hold onto
Waiting on the dawn to cut the night
Now I believe I see it through a pinhole burning bright

Chorus:
And here I go, through the pinhole in the fear
I don’t wanna hang around no more – I’m getting out of here
Back to where I know – that I stand some chance at a place to go
In my time, time, time – precious time

Love, love, love, love, love – precious love
Keeps on burning undercover – mmm hmmmm
Look behind the door – look around the corner and behind the wall
You know it never is too late to let go – and let it catch you when you fall
Right into love, love, love, love, love – precious love

Bridge

And here I go, through the pinhole in the fear
I don’t wanna hang around no more – I’m getting out of here
Back to where I know – that I stand some chance at a place to go
With my love, love, love

Yes, in my time, time, time… Precious time

Walls That Talk

© Roy Schneider/Scissorpaws Publishing (ASCAP)

Chorus:
Rusted wheels on crooked timbers
Busted bullets in painted walls
Walls that talk thru colors laid in layers
From yesterday back to the days of the cannonballs
With every dream that gleamed between ’em all

I am a pinewood table in the house upon the hill
But I used to be the second floor in a Georgia cotton mill
They stood on me every morning with their coffee, before the bell
I heard every kind of lie, as only a Southern man can tell

Well that mill shut down somewhere between the weevils and the war
But they left me standing, sad and lonely, a hundred years and more
‘Til they knocked me down, tore me apart
Now I’m a brand-new work of art
And I thank the ones who care to let me share the stories of my heart

Chorus

I was the quiet section of the wall behind the door
In a Jackson County residence in 1834
I’ve lived with good and bad and ugly – I’ve seen and heard it all
It might blow your mind if you could find the truth inside this wall

After seven generations movin’ in, growin’ up and gone
Somebody done decided I’d been standin’ around too long
They knocked me down, tore me apart
Now I’m a brand-new work of art
And I thank the ones who care to let me share the stories of my heart

Instrumental

I was the kitchen table in that old Jackson County place
Holdin’ vittles up while fiddles played and folks all fed their faces
After all, the war was over just about the time I came
Now that wall and I are one, and life has never been the same

‘Cause they pluck us from destruction and they wipe away our tears
To sing our songs in harmony for anyone who will hear
Yeah they knock us down, tear us apart
And we’re a brand-new work of art
And we thank the ones who care to let us share the stories of our hearts

I am an old musician, I’ve been years upon the road
Following my calling on the warm days and the cold
You can knock me down, tear me apart
‘Til I’m a brand-new work of art
And I thank the ones who care and let me share the stories of my heart

Chorus