lp discography - covers & lyrics

1.

GREAT SPECKLED BIRD

(Roy Carter - Guy Smith)
« © '36 Songs Of Universal, BMI »
What a beautiful thought I am thinking concerning the great speckled bird
And to know that my name is recorded on the pages of God's holy word

Desiring to lower her standards they watch every move that she makes
They long to find fault with her teaching but really she makes no mistakes
[ guitar ] I am glad I have learned of her meekness I am glad that my name is on her book
For I want to be one never fearing the face of my Saviour to look

And when he come up descending from heaven on a cloud like he said in his word
I'll be joyfully carried to meet him on the wings of the great speckled bird
**********

2.

CLEMENTINE

(Billy Mize - Buddy Mize)
« © '59 Central Songs, BMI »
(Oh my darling Clementine)
She knew that Cody was the man she wanted but she had waited nearly all her life
Just one more trip to town to tell the boys goodbye
Then he'd be back to take her for his wife (don't you worry) Clementine
Cody saddled up and left his darling then rode to town to celebrate his plan
He told 'em this would be his last carousing
I'm gonna settle down boys if I can (with my darling) Clementine
Someone said it must have been past midnight when Cody had to face a jealous man
Another story goes that no one really knows
But it seems there was a dancehall girl called Nan (don't you tell) Clementine
We do know that the shot or two was heard from some back room
Then there was a silence in the place
Just one more trip to town but all his chips were down
They found Cody lyin' on his face (softly callin') Clementine
So buddies make a monument to lay down at his head
Sure you hate to leave your pal behind
Mother help your daughter put her weddin' dress away
Cause Cody won't be ridin' back this time (to his darling) Clementine
**********

3.

BALLAD OF BOOT HILL

(Carl Perkins)
« © '59 Unichappell Music, BMI »
Here lies less more four slugs from a forty-four no less no more

Out in Arizona just south of Tucson
Where tumbleweeds tumble in search of a home
There's a town they call Tombstone where the brave never cry
They live by a sixgun by a sixgun they die

It's been a long time now since the town was a boom
The jailhouse is empty so's the Palace Saloon
Just one look will tell you that this town was real
A secluded old dirt road leads up to Boot Hill

Walk up to the fence there and look at the view
That's where they were hanging eighteen eighty two
It's easy to see where the brave men have died
Rope marks on the oak tree are now petrified

At night when the moon shines so far away
It gets mighty lonesome lookin' down on their graves
There lies Billy Clanton never wanted to kill
But he's there with the guilty way up on Boot Hill (Boot Hill)
**********

4.

I'D RATHER DIE YOUNG

(Beasley Smith - Billy Vaughn - Randy Wood)
« © '53 Milene Music, ASCAP »
I'd rather die young than grow old without you
So don't ever leave me whatever you do
To see someone's picture where my picture hung
Believe me my darling I'd rather die young

I'd rather die young than grow old without you
So don't ever leave me whatever you do
Though others may tempt you and tell you they care
You'll find only sorrow in a secret affair
Don't leave me never leave me please don't leave me never leave me

I'd rather die young...
[ guitar ] I'd rather die young...
**********

5.

GUESS THINGS HAPPEN THAT WAY

(Jack Clement)
« © '58 Songs Of PolyGram, BMI »
Well you ask me if I'll forget my baby I guess I will someday
I don't like it but I guess things happen that way
You ask me if I'll get along I guess I will someway
I don't like it but I guess things happen that way

God gave me that girl to lean on then he put me on my own
Heaven help me be a man and have the strenght to stand alone
I don't like it but I guess things happen that way
[ choir ] You ask me if I'll miss her kisses I guess I will everyday
I don't like it but I guess things happen that way
You ask me if I'll find another I don't know I can't say
I don't like it but I guess things happen that way

God gave me that girl to lean on...
**********

6.

WALLS OF A PRISON

(Johnny Cash)
« © '67 Anne Rachel Music, ASCAP / Song Of Cash Music, ASCAP »
It's not always the land that's the hardest and bitterest
It's the man who has the hard bitter attitude
Toward his fellow man or toward the land
Such is the case that you will find in this following song
About a man's attitude toward his fellow man and toward this land
[ guitar ] I walked in the big yard to feel the warm sunshine
A ninety-nine year man stepped over to me
He offered a smoke and he said as I rolled it
Tomorrow I'm going to break out and go free

They watch us by sunlight they watch us by spotlight
But I know a way for a man to go free
Down under my cell I'm diggin' a tunnel
The walls of a prison will never hold me
[ guitar ] I told him that I'd have no part of his scheming
My time would be over one year from today
His eyes blazed with fire and he looked right through me
Bitter but broken again he did say

They watch us by sunlight...
[ guitar ] Next morning at breakfast the old man was missing
Then we all heard the rifles high up on the wall
He'd gone through the tunnel just like he had promised
And they said he was crying when they saw him fall

They watch us by sunlight...
**********

7.

GOING TO MEMPHIS

(John A. Lomax - Holly Dew)
« © '60 Ludlow Music, BMI »
Bring a drink of water Leroy bring a drink of water (no)
If I could get to mercy man he's give me some I know
I got a gal in Vickburg Bertha is her name
Wish I's tied to Bertha instead of this ball and chain
I'm goin' to Memphis (that's right Lord) yeah (uh huh)
But dues took all my money wouldn't let me see the cards
I owen the boss about a hundred years for sleepin' in his backyard
I'm goin' to Memphis (yeah Memphis) yeah I'm goin' to Memphis (now)
Like a bitter weed I'm a bad seed but when that levee's thru and I am too
Let the honky tonk roll on come mornin' I'll be gone
I'm goin' to Memphis yeah Memphis

I never been to Chicago but it must be a mighty fine place (that's right)
I couldn't get past Tennessee with Mississippi all over my face (uh huh)
I'm goin' to Memphis (that's right Lord Memphis)
Well the freezin' ground at night is my own foldin' bed
Polk salad is my bread and meat and it will be till I'm dead
Well I brought me a little water in a Mr Prince Albert can
But the bossman caught me drinkin' it and I believe he broke my hand (hm hm)
They all call me crazy for sassin' Mr Scott
My brother was killed for a deed I did but I disremember what (yeah)
Well another boy is down the shovel burned him out
Let me stand on his body to see what the shoutin's about
I'm goin' to Memphis yeah I'm goin' to Memphis hmm
Like a bitter weed...
**********

8.

SHIFTING WHISPERING SANDS PART 1

(Jack V.C. Gilbert - Mary Margaret Hadler)
« © '50 Acuff-Rose Music, BMI »
I discovered the valley of the shifting whispering sands
While prospecting a western a western State
I saw the silent windmills the crumbling water tanks
The bones of the cattle picked clean by buzzards bleached by the desert sun
I stumbled over a crumbling buckboard nearly covered by the sand
And stopping to rest I heard a tinkling whispering sound
And suddenly realized that even though the wind was quiet the sand did not lie still
I seemed to be surrounded by a mystery so heavy and oppresive
I could scarcely breathe
For weeks I wandered aimlessly in the valley seeking answers to the many qustetions
That raced through my mind
Where was everyone why the white bones the dry wells the barren valley
Where people must have lived and died
I sat down and buried my face in my hands and resting
I learned the secret of the shifting whispering sands
How I managed to escape from the valley I don't know
But now to pay my debt for being saved
I must tell you what I learned out on the desert so many years ago

(When the day is hardly quiet and the breeze seems not to blow
One would think the sand was resting but you'll find this is not so
It is whispering softly whispering as it slowly moves along
And for those who stop and listen it will sing this mournful song
Oh sidewinders and the horn toe on the thorny chaparral
In the sunny days and moonlight nights the lonely coyotes yell)
How the stars seem they could touch you as you lay and gaze on high
At the heavens where you're hoping you'll be going when you die
**********

9.

WHEN IT'S SPRINGTIME IN ALASKA

(Tillman Franks)
« © '58 Cedarwood Publishing, BMI »
When it's springtime in Alaska it's forty below
I mushed from Port Barrol through a blizzard of snow
Been out prospecting for two years or so
Pulled into Fairbanks the city was a boon
So I took a little stroll to the Red Dog Saloon
(Yes he took a little stroll to the Red Dog Saloon)

When I walked through the door the music was clear
The prettiest voice I had heard in two years
The song she kept singin' would make a man's blood run cold
When it's springtime in Alaska it's forty below
(When it's springtime in Alaska it's forty below)

It was red headed Luie that was singin' so sweet
I reached down and took the snowpacks off of my feet
I reached for the gal who was singing the tune
We did the Escimo hop all around the saloon
(We did the Escimo hop all around the saloon)

Where the cariboo crawl and the grizzly bear hug
We did our dance on a Kodiac rug
The song she kept singing would make a man's blood run cold
When it's springtime in Alaska it's forty below
(When it's springtime in Alaska it's forty below)

I was as innocent as I could be
I didn't know that Luie was big Ed's wife to be
He took out his knife and he gave it a throw
When it's springtime in Alaska I'll be six feet below
(When it's springtime in Alaska he's six feet below)
**********

10.

TROUBLESOME WATERS

(Maybelle Carter - Dixie Dean)
« © '64 Scruggs Music, BMI »
Troublesome waters much blacker than night
Are hiding from view of the harbor's bright lights
Tossed in the turmoil of life's stormy sea
I cry to my Saviour have mercy on me

Then gently I'm feeling the touch of his hands
Guiding my boat in safely to land
Leading the way to heaven's bright shore
Troublesome waters I'm fearing no more
[ guitar ] Troublesome waters around me do roll
They're rocking my boat and racking my soul
Loved ones are drifting and living in sin
The treacherous whirlpools are pulling them in

Then gently I'm feeling...
[ guitar ] When troublesome waters are rolling so high
I'll lift up my voice and to heaven I'll cry
My Lord I am trusting give guidance to me
And steady my boat on life's troubled sea

Then gently I'm feeling...
**********