lp discography - covers & lyrics

1.

BRIGHT LIGHTS AND COUNTRY MUSIC

(Bill Anderson - Jimmy Gateley)
« © '65 Johnny Bienstock Music, BMI »
I love those bright lights and country music

I won't stay home and cry tonight like all the nights before
I've just learned that I don't really need you anymore
I found a little place downtown where guys like me can go
And they've got bright lights and country music

Bright lights and country music a bottle and a glass
Soon I'll be forgetting that there ever was a past
And when everybody asks me what helped me forget so fast
I'll say bright lights and country music
[ fiddle - steel ] A table by the bandstand a bottle filled with wine
Honky tonks were made for men with women on their minds
Nothing else can take away this loneliness of mine
Quite like bright lights and country music

Bright lights and country music...
I love those bright lights and country music
**********

2.

NO ONE'S GONNA HURT YOU ANYMORE

(Steve Karliski - Ted Cooper)
« © '67 Painted Desert Music, BMI »
You've cried the last tear you're gonna cry
You've kissed your last lips that cheat and lie
Forget him baby he's just not worth hurtin' for
Your heartache's over it's all gone I'll make you happy from now on
And no one's gonna hurt you anymore

You've been mistreated neglected and cheated
Out of the love you should've had
But give me a while and I'll make you smile
For the times he's made you sad
You've cried the last tear you're gonna cry
You've kissed your last lips that cheat and lie
Baby no one's gonna hurt you anymore

Don't be afraid darling come to me cling to me and I'll kiss away all of your tears
Here in my arms you'll be safe from harm now and for all the coming years
Your heartache's over it's all gone I'll make you happy from now on
No one's gonna hurt you anymore baby no one's gonna hurt you anymore
**********

3.

I GET THE FEVER

(Bill Anderson)
« © '66 Tree Publishing, BMI »
Every time I hear the midnight trains rollin' out to the open plains
A sense of freedom fills my veins I get the fever
Every time I sparrow flies up into the endless skies
Something down inside me cries I get the fever

I get the fever to pack up and leave here wander wild like the wind
This town's too full of mem'ries of cruel love
And I can't stand it seein' her with him
Every time I hear a buddy say he's put lots of dust and clay
Between him and yesterday I get the fever
[ piano ] I get the fever to pack and leave here
And I think maybe I'll do just that tomorrow
This town's too full of mem'ries of cruel love
Everywhere I turn there's pain and sorrow

Every time I hear a buddy say he's put lots of dust and clay
Between him and yesterday I get the fever
I get the fever I get the fever I get the fever
**********

4.

MAMA SANG A SONG

(Bill Anderson)
« © '61 Tree Publishing, BMI »
(God put a song in the heart of an angel and softly she sang it to me)

I get to thinking lots of times about back when I was a lad
Of the old homeplace where I grew up of the days both good and bad
My overalls were hand-me-downs my shoes were full of holes
I used to walk four miles to school every day
Through the rain the sleet and the cold
I've seen the nights when my daddy would cry
For the things that his family would need
But all he ever got was a badland farm and seven hungry mouths to feed
And yet and yet our homefire never flickered once
Cause when all these things went wrong
Mama took the hymn book down and mama sang a song

(What a friend we have in Jesus)

I've been rocked to sleep many a night to the tune of What a Friend
And come morning Rock of Ages would wake me gently once again
And when daddy would reach up and he'd take the Bible down
And he'd read it read it loud and long
And I always felt that maybe our house was blessed
When daddy would say mama sing a song
Sister left home first I guess and then Bob and then Tommy and then Dan
By then dad's hair was turning white and I had to be mama's little man
But it seemed that as daddy's back grew weak my mother's faith just grew strong
And those were the greatest days of all when mama sang a song

(Rock of ages cleft for me let me hide myself in Thee)

I guess the house is still standing I don't get to go back much anymore
No voice is left to fill those halls and no steps to grace the floor
For you see my mother sings in heaven now around God's golden throne
But I'll always believe that this world is a better place
Because one time my mama sang a song

(Precious mem'ries flod my soul)
**********

5.

I LOVE YOU DROPS

(Bill Anderson)
« © '66 Johnny Bienstock Music, BMI »
They're not teardrops just sincere drops
They're I love you drops cause I love you (I love you)

They were on my pillow when I woke up this morning
They were on the letter I tried all day to write
And just a little while ago I saw them falling
On your picture as I kissed it goodnight

I love you drops I miss you drops
Hurry home drops you've been gone so long drops
They're not teardrops just sincere drops
That say I'm lonesome and I love you (I love you)
[ guitar ] Never knew this heart could hurt the way it hurts for you
Never lived so many lifetimes in a week
Why don't you come back to me the way you said you would
And kiss these little crystals off my cheek

I love you drops I miss you drops
Hurry home drops you've been gone so long drops
They're not teardrops just sincere drops
That say I'm lonesome and I love you
(Hurry home) I love you (I love you)
**********

6.

TIP OF MY FINGERS

(Bill Anderson)
« © '60 Tree Publishing, BMI »
I reached out my arms and I touched you
With soft words I whispered your name
I held you right on the tip of my fingers
But that was as close as I came

My eyes had a vision of sweet lips
Yeelding beneath my command
I had your love on the tips of my fingers
But I let it slip right through my hands
But I let it slip right through my hands

Somebody took you when I wasn't looking
And I should have known from the start
It's a long long way from the tip of my fingers
To the love hidden deep in your heart
To the love hidden deep in your heart

I had your love on the tips of my fingers
But I let it slip right through my hands
But I let it slip right through my hands
**********

7.

STILL

(Bill Anderson)
« © '63 Johnny Bienstock Music, BMI »
(Still) though you broke my heart
(Still) though we're far apart
(I love you still)

(Still) after all this time
(Still) you're still on my mind
(I love you still)

I've lost count of the hours and I've lost track of the days
In fact I've lost just about everything since you went away
Everything that is except the memories you left me
And that's one things that no one can mar
I don't know who you're with I don't even know where you've gone
My only hope is that some day you might hear this song
And you'll know I wrote it especially for you
And I love you wherever you are

(Still) after all this time
(Still) you're still on my mind
(I love you still)

This flame in my heart is like an eternal fire
For every day it burns hotter and every day it burns higher
And I haven't been able to put out one little flicker
Not even with all these tears
My friends think I'm crazy and maybe I am
But I'll carry this torch just as long as I can
For someday you might just decide to come home
And I want you to know I'm still here

(Still) thought you broke my heart
(Still) though you're far apart
(I love you still)
**********

8.

EASY COME EASY GO

(Bill Anderson)
« © '63 Johnny Bienstock Music, BMI »
If it's true what you say in your letter
If your sweet love for me is really gone
If there's somebody else that you love better
Pack your bag shake my hand and move along

Easy come easy go I found that long time ago
Ain't no future in the past broken hearts and all that jazz
No tears of mine're gonna flow
I'll have another love tomorrow easy come easy go
[ guitar ] So you took my photograph from your locket
And replaced it with the one you love the best
Give me back my ring and I'll go hock it
What's one little diamond more or less

Easy come easy go...
Easy come easy go...
**********

9.

ONCE A DAY

(Bill Anderson)
« © '64 Johnny Bienstock Music, BMI »
When you found somebody new I thought I never would
Forget you for I thought then I never could
But time has taken all the pains away
Until now I'm down to hurtin' once a day

Once a day all day long
And once a night from dusk till dawn
The only time I wish you weren't gone
Is once a day every day all day long
[ steel ] I'm so glad that I'm not like a man I knew one time
He lost the one he loved then slowly lost his mind
He sat around and cried his life away
Lucky me I'm only crying once a day

Once a day all day long...
Once a day every day all day long
**********

10.

I CAN DO NOTHING ALONE

(Bill Anderson)
« © '67 Tree Publishing, BMI »
I plowed the fields and I planted the seed I worked my hands to the bone
But the ground laid barren till He sent the sunshine for I can do nothing alone
I raised the corn and I rode to the mill with the best crop I ever had grown
But the wheel wouldn't grind till He stirred the waters for I can do nothing alone

I can do nothing alone I'm weak and my Master is strong
I held the pencil but He wrote this song for I can do nothing alone
[ steel ] And now as my years lead me into the valley I've asked Him to please come home
For I walk in search of the good life hereafter and I can do nothing alone

I can do nothing alone...
**********

11.

CINCINNATI OHIO

(Bill Anderson)
« © '64 Johnny Bienstock Music, BMI »
(Cincinnati Ohio Cincinnati Ohio)

One more hour and I'll be home close my eyes and rest my bones
Can't be more than a mile or so from Cincinnati Ohio Cincinnati Ohio

Cincinnati where the river winds cross the Mason and the Dixie Line
Heaven waits for me I know in Cincinnati Ohio Cincinnati Ohio

I guess perhaps the memories got too strong
Grabbed me by the heart strings and pulled me home
I got to thinkin' bout some friends I know
In Cincinnati Ohio Cincinnati Ohio

(Cincinnati Ohio Cincinnati Ohio)

I walked half way from Lewieville now there she lies at the foot of the hill
Shining like a jewel in the valley below Cincinnati Ohio Cincinnati Ohio

Cincinnati where the river winds...
Cincinnati Ohio Cincinnati Ohio Cincinnati Ohio Cincinnati Ohio
**********

12.

GOLDEN GUITAR

(Curtis Leach - Betty Gary)
« © '65 Saran Music, BMI »
I happened to walk into a honky tonk one night down in New Orleans
Up above the bar hung a big guitar like none I'd ever seen
The neck was set with diamonds and though the strings were old
Like Kings of Sound they wound around six keys of solid gold
A man stepped up beside me his breath was strong with wine
He said you know that guitar once belonged to a mighty close pal of mine
He used to play it right here I forget the year around '45 I think
Ha I could tell you quite a story friend if you'd care to buy me a drink
[ guitar ] Well I possessed by every weakness that takes a man a fool
I bought a round he drank it down and then he rocked back on his stool
He said yeah I remember now it was '45 alright
He just returned from the Great War that's where he lost his sight
His buddies gave him that guitar at the time it was simple and plain
He added the gold and the diamonds as he played his way to fame
He was doing a show in Shreveport the night he received a call
To come appear on the Grand Ole Opry the greatest show at all
[ guitar ] I was driving him to Nashville it was cold and misting rain
The signals flashed and the whistle screamed I swear Mister I never saw that train
I heard the doctor tell him just after he used his knife
You're lucky son it was just your arm it could have been your life
But he died that night life just demanded more than he could give
I think he couldn've made it he just lost his will to live
But this world's loss is heaven's gain and tonight he's still a star
He plays with a band of angels that's my son's golden guitar
**********

13.

WILD WEEKEND

(Bill Anderson)
« © '68 Tree Publishing, BMI »
Got the alarm clock set for seven got the taxi called for nine
Plane takes off at eleven and I gotta be there on time
Told the boss I was going to my mother's told mama I was gonna see a friend
Don't want no one to know I'm slippin' out of town on a wild weekend

Gonna have a wild weekend gonna have a wild weekend
With the pretty little blond haired blue eyed darling
Gonna have a wild weekend
[ steel ] Well we might go up to the mountains we might go down to the sea
Somewhere off from the big wide world just my baby and me
Baby's gonna cook me breakfast baby's gonna tuck me in
Baby's gonna warm my cold cold lips with kisses on a wild weekend

Gonna have a wild weekend...
[ steel ] I guess we'll talk about the future make a lotta plans and stuff
Mostly though we're just gonna sit by the fire and make a lotta love
Every man oughta try it least one time in his life
Just get away on a wild weekend like I'm gonna do with my wife

Gonna have a wild weekend gonna have a wild weekend
With the pretty little mother of my two children
Gonna have a wild weekend
**********

14.

THINK I'LL GO SOMEWHERE AND CRY MYSELF TO SLEEP

(Bill Anderson)
« © '65 Johnny Bienstock Music, BMI »
Think I'll go somewhere and cry myself to sleep

I just kissed the one I love for the last time
Never have her soft lips been so sweet
She's gone away and won't be back forever
Think I'll go somewhere and cry myself to sleep

I'll go somewhere and cry myself to sleep
Not because I'm sad but cause I'm weak
I can't stand the thought of life alone without her
Think I'll go somewhere and cry myself to sleep
[ steel ] Just before she said goodbye she called me darling
And slowly ran her fingers down my cheek
I thought I'd die when she said she still love me
Think I'll go somewhere and cry myself to sleep

I'll go somewhere and cry myself to sleep...
Think I'll go somewhere and cry myself to sleep
**********

15.

NINETY-NINE

(Bill Anderson)
« © '62 Tree Publishing, BMI »
My mama always told me better than to play with a loaded gun
If I'd've just listened to her she'd've never had a prisoner for a son
The picture's still in front of my eyes the echo in my ears
When the jury said he's guilty and the judge said ninety-nine years

Oh for ninety-nine years I'll watch the sunrise over that some old sea
Ninety-nine years nothing but an empty cell for company
Yet there's not very much that stands between me and the freedom I hold dear
Just a thousand bars a big brick wall and a sentence of ninety-nine years

I kissed my darling on her tender lips and they took me by the hand
I had a nice little ride on a ferry boat to the rock where the prison stands
The warden said as he locked the door I hope you'll like it here
Just make yourself a home you're gonna be with us ninety-nine years

I've almost forgotten what my real name is been a number for so long
Making little bitty rocks out of great big rocks gets old as the days wear on
But I'll do my best for ninety-nine years just try to stay alive
Cause the Governor said if I'd be good I'd get out in ninety-five

Oh for ninety-nine years...
**********

16.

PAPA

(Bill Anderson)
« © '67 Tree Publishing, BMI »
Papa was a simple man papa loved his farming land
Guess I didn't understand please forgive me papa

You can't paint a picture of a man like papa
With something as empty as words
Cause there's no way to measure the thoughness of timber
And compare it to the softness of birds

Papa was both and yet he was neither
Just a hard working God fearing soul
He gave what he had to the ones that he loved
And I guess he loved me best of all

For I was the oldest and we were the closest
We worked that old farm side by side
I guess that's the reason it hit me the hardest
The morning that my papa died

All I could think of was how hard he'd worked
And what little comfort he'd found
I guess that's the reason I hitched up the mule
And drove the old buggy to town

I picked out a lot in the big cemetery
In the shade of a tall maple tree
Figured it's the least I could do for my papa
After all the things that he's done for me

We gave him a funeral fit for a king
And then we laid him to rest in the sod
Somehow I thought that in that big pretty place
He just might feel closer to God

The women were crying as they passed by papa
The men stopped and all shook my hand
Most of the mourness had gone when I looked up
And noticed this white haired old man

He was dressed kinda shabby and he walked with a cane
His voice was shaky and low
I had to look twice before I rocognized him
He used to work for us a long time ago

They told me this morning that the big boss had died
And I thought that I should come around
I went out to the homeplace to tell him goodbye
They told me that you done brought him to town

I remember your papa used to say
That when he died he didn't have but one request
He wanted to be burried out dare on that farm
He said there wadn't nowhere else that he could rest

When I heard what you'd done
I fatched me a shovel found me an old paper sack
I scooped up some dirt from up near the farmhouse
And thought that I'd just bring it back

I hope you don't mind if I just sorta scatter
These few little pieces of clay
It ain't gonna mess up your pretty green grass
He just might sleep better this way

Guess I didn't understand please forgive me papa
**********

17.

HAPPINESS

(Bill Anderson)
« © '63 Johnny Bienstock Music, BMI »
Happiness happiness the greatest gift that I posses
I thank the Lord I've been blessed
With more than my share of happiness

To me this old world is a wonderful place
And I'm just about the luckiest human in the whole human race
I've got no silver and I've got no gold
Just a whole lot of happiness in my soul

Happiness happiness...

Happiness to me is an ocean tide or a sunset fading on a mountain side
Or maybe a big old heaven full of stars up above
When I'm in the arms of the one I love
Happiness is a field of grain lifting its face to the falling rain
I can see it in the sunshine I breathe it in the rain happiness everywhere

Happiness happiness...

A wise old man told me one time
That happiness is nothing but a frame of mind
I hope when you go to measuring my success
That you don't count my money count my happiness

Happiness happiness...
Happiness happiness...
**********

18.

FIVE LITTLE FINGERS

(Bill Anderson)
« © '63 Johnny Bienstock Music, BMI »
I came home last night to a dark and lonely cottage
I took the wreath off the door and somehow I stumbled inside
I just can't I just can't I said live without her
Give me one reason to live now that my darling has died
And then five little fingers touched my hand
Five little fingers too young to understand

And there was a softness in my little girl's touch
That seemed to say daddy I need you so
And in five little seconds her five little fingers
Told me all that I wanted to know
I could tell her little eyes were full of questions
I tried to answer but all I could do was hold her tight
Forgive me forgive me I said for crying
But darling your daddy has got such a load on his shoulders tonight
And then five little fingers soft and dear
Touched me on the cheek and gently brushed away a tear
And I knew that in her own little way my baby was saying daddy I love you so
It only took five little seconds for her five little fingers
To tell me all that I needed to know

(Five little fingers too young to understand)
**********

19.

PO' FOLKS

(Bill Anderson)
« © '61 Tree Publishing, BMI »
There's a whole lotta people lookin' down their noses at me
Cause I didn't come from a wealthy family
There was ten of us livin' in a two room shack
On the banks of the river by the railroad track
We kept chickens in a pen in the back
And everybody said we was po' folks

My daddy was a farmer but all he ever raised was us
Dug a forty foot well struck thirty-six gallons of dust
Salvation Army give us clothes to wear
A man from the county came to cut our hair
We lived next door to a millionare
But we wadn't nothin' but po' folks

We was po' folks livin' in a rich folks world
We sure was a hungry bunch
If the wolf had ever come to our front door
He'd've had to brought a picnic lunch

My grandaddy's pension was a dollar and thirty-three cents
That was ten dollar less than the landlord wanted for rent
The landlord's letters got nasty indeed
He wrote get out but pa couldn't read
And we was too broke to even pay heed
But that's how it is when you're po' folks
[ harmonica ] We was po' folks livin' in a rich folks world
We sure was a hungry bunch
If the wolf had ever come to our front door
He'd've had to brought a picnic lunch

But we had something in our house money can't buy
Kept us warm in the winter cool when the sun was high
For whenever we didn't have food enough
And the howlin' winds would get pretty rough
We patched the cracks and set the table with love
Cause that's what you do when you're po' folks
And we wadn't nothin' but po' folks
My mom and my dad was po' folks
My brother and my sister was po' folks
My dog and my cat was po' folks
And even the po' folks was po' folks
**********

20.

CITY LIGHTS

(Bill Anderson)
« © '58 TNT Music, BMI »
The bright array of city lights as far as I can see
The great white way shines through the night for lonely guys like me
The cabaretes and honky tonks their flashing signs invite
A broken heart to lose itself in the glow of city lights

(Lights that say forget her name) in a glass of cherry wine
(Lights that offer other girls) for empty hearts like mine
They paint a pretty picture of a world that's gay and bright
But it's just a mask for loneliness behind those city lights

The world was dark and God made stars to brighten up the night
Did the God who put those stars above make those city lights
Did he make a place for men to cry when things don't turn out right
Are we just supposed to run and hide behind those city lights

(Lights that say forget her love) in a different athmosphere
(Lights that lure are nothing) but a masquarade for tears
They paint a pretty picture but my arms can't hold them tight
And I just can't say I love you to a street of city lights
**********

21.

GET WHILE THE GETTIN'S GOOD

(Bill Anderson)
« © '67 Tree Publishing, BMI »
I gotta get while the gettin's good baby get while the gettin's good
Out of your life into a life where I'll be understood
I need a lots of tender love and your heart's made out of wood
If I'm never gonna find a peace of mind
I gotta get while the gettin's good

You told me that love is one big bubble
We played the game by your rules and you won
And just today I figured out the trouble
I learned to crawl before I learned to run

But I'm gonna get while the gettin's good...
[ steel ] I noticed I've quit singing in the shower
I rarely ever laugh and I can tell
I'm willting like the petals on the flowers
And there's nothing left to say now but farewell

And I'm gonna get while the gettin's good...
**********

22.

EIGHT BY TEN

(Bill Anderson)
« © '63 Johnny Bienstock Music, BMI »
(Eight by ten eight by ten)

All that's left of all our love now is just your picture eight by ten
(A souvenir of things that might have been)
My lonely world is only eight by ten eight by ten eight by ten

I remember the night that you gave me that picture I ought to
I've relived it so many times I remember how I couldn't wait to get home
Put it in a frame and tell everybody that you were mine
Because you were mine at least until someone else came along
And took you off out of my sight
It's a good thing that you did leave me your picture to hold
Because now I can cry on your shoulder every night

(Eight by ten eight by ten) my lonely world is only eight by ten

It's awful to be jealous of an old picture frame
But I'm jealous of anything that's close to you
And that picture frame seems to be holding you pretty tight
That looks like more than I'll ever do
I wish that I could just be the glass in that frame
And be so close to the lips that I love
I am glad that I've at least got your picture to hold
But sometimes it's just not enough
(Eight by ten eight by ten) my lonely world is only eight by ten
**********

23.

THAT'S WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE LONESOME

(Bill Anderson)
« © '60 Tree Publishing, BMI »
The streets're dark and empty and you walk them all alone
You think about your love affair and wonder what went wrong
You go to bed each night and pray you'll never see the dawn
Afraid of each tomorrow with its heartless cold unknown

And that's what it's like to be lonesome
With a heart a broken love taught to cry
And that's what it's like to be lonesome
I know cause I'm a mighty lonesome guy
[ fiddle ] You search to find a tavern where the music is playing loud
You try to lose your heartaches in the laughter of the crowd
But the happy couples make you think of things that might have been
And you have to fight the teardrops till you're by yourself again

And that's what it's like...
**********

24.

FOR LOVING YOU

(Steve Karliski)
« © '66 Painted Desert Music, BMI »
(For loving you for needing you
But most of all for loving you For loving you)

For loving you my life is so much richer
You've given so much to live for and I never really lived before
Before loving you
(For loving you)

And for loving you my faith is a little stronger
For a world that could give you to me
Couldn't be as bad as it's made out to be
There was good there I just could never see before loving you

(For loving you for needing you
But most of all for loving you for needing you)

And for needing you I feel a whole lot stronger
For there's a strenght that comes from knowing
You need to give up yourself
And darling I gave so much of myself loving you

(For losing you)

And now I'm losing you and I'm a sadder lonelier man
Than I ever thought any man could be
But even in my loneliness even as I walk the hunting trail of memory
Even for all the pain that I'm feeling right now
Never once will I ever regret having had the chance of loving you
(Loving you)
**********