lp discography - covers & lyrics

1.

I'M JUST HERE TO GET MY BABY OUT OF JAIL

(Karl Davis - Harty Taylor) « © '34 Songs Of Universal, BMI »
I'm not in your town to stay said a lady old and gray
To the warden of a penitentiary
I'm not in your town to stay and I'll soon be on my way
I'm just here to get my baby out of jail
Yes warden you know I want my baby out of jail

I've tried to raise baby right I prayed both day and night
That he'd never follow footsteps of his dad
I have searched both far and wide I had feared that he had died
So it's good to find my baby here in jail
Yes warden I'm just here to get my baby out of jail

It's been ten long years today since my husband passed away
He was found beneath the snow so cold and white
I made a vow to keep his chain his gold watch and diamond ring
Oh the county laid my husband in the ground
Yes warden the county laid my husband in the ground

I will pawn to you his watch I will pawn to you his chain
I will pawn to you my husband's diamond ring
I will wash all your clothes or I'll scrub all your floors
If that would get my baby out of jail
Yes warden you know I want my baby out of jail

Then we heard the warden say to this lady so old and gray
I will bring your darling boy to your side
Two iron gates swung wide apart she held her darling to her heart
She kissed her baby boy and then she died
But smiling in the arms of her baby boy she died
**********

2.

TRAGIC ROMANCE

(Louis M. Jones - Wiley Morris - Zake Morris) « © '46 Peer International, BMI »
Nestled in the heart of the Tennessee Hills
Among the peaceful pines midst the rocks and the rills
There stands my old homeplace of long long ago
It brings back fond mem'ry of one I loved so

I courted that maiden so sweet and so fair
With heavenly eyes and with chestnut brown hair
She said that she loved me and always would be mine
But I went away leavin' her there behind

I'll tell you the reason that I left here there
To roam this old world with its sorrow and care
I saw her one night in the arms of a man
Hugging and kissing as two lovers can

While dining one night in a far off country town
A stranger walked in and he chanced to sit down
While speaking of loved ones I happened to find
He was the brother of that old sweetheart of mine

When he heard my story to me then he said
The one you love has a long time been dead
Oh I was the one who you saw that fatal night
All wrapped in the arms of my sister so tight

She loved you so dearly but you broke her heart
But stranger from her ever more you must part
**********

3.

RED RIVER VALLEY

(arr. Stonewall Jackson) « © '47 Turp Tunes, BMI »
From this valley they say you are leavin' oh I'll miss your blue eyes and sweet smile
And I know you'll be takin' the sunshine that has lightened our path for a while

Come and sit by my side till you're leavin' do not hasten to bid me adieu
And remember the Red River Valley and the cowboy that loved you so true
[ steel ] When you think of the love that you're leavin' and the words that I never could say
Just remember that I also love you although you may have learned it too late

So come sit by my side little darlin' do not hasten to bid me adieu
Just remember the Red River Valley and this cowboy that loved you so true
**********

4.

SHACKLES AND CHAINS

(Jimmie Davis) « © '49 Peer International, BMI »
On a long lonesome journey I am going oh my sweet little darling don't cry
For in shackles and chains they will take me to a prison to live till I die

And each night through the bars I will gaze at the stars
My dreams dear for you so in vain
A piece of stone I will use for my pillow while I'm sleeping in shackles and chains
[ steel ] Put your arms through these bars once more darling
Let me kiss those sweet lips I love best
In sorrow they were my consolation and in sadness my heaven of rest

And at night through the bars...
**********

5.

KNOXVILLE GIRL

(Rusty York) « © '56 Peer International, BMI »
I met a little girl in Knoxville a town we all know well
And every Sunday evening out in her home I'd dwell
We went to take an evening walk about a mile from town
I thought of how she cheated me so I knocked that fair girl down

She fell down on her bended knees for mercy she did cry
Oh please my dear don't kill me here I'm not prepare to die
She never spoke another word I only beat her more
Until the ground around me with inner blood did flow

I took her by her golden curles and I dragged her round and round
Throwing her into the river that flows through Knoxville town
Go down go down you Knoxville girl with the dark and rovin' eyes
Go down go down you Knoxville girl you can never be my bride

I started back to Knoxville got there about daylight
My mother she was worried and broke up in her pride
Sayin' dear son what have you done too bloody your clothes are
I told my attention mother I was bleeding at my nose

They took me down to Knoxville and they locked me in a cell
My friends all tried to get me out but none could go my bail
I'm here to waste my life away down in this dirty old jail
Because I killed that Knoxville girl the one I loved so well
**********

6.

ODE TO COWBOY JACK

(Stonewall Jackson) « © '68 Turp Tunes, BMI »
Jack was a lonely cowboy with a heart so brave and true
He learned to love a maiden with eyes of heavens on blue
They learned to love each other and planned their wedding day
Then a quarrel came between them and Jack he rode away
He joined a band of cowboys and tried to forget her name
But out on the lonely prairie she waits for him just the same

Your sweetheart waits for you Jack your sweetheart waits for you
Out on the lonely prairie where the skies are always blue
One night when work was finished just after close of day
A boy said sing a song Jack it'll drive your cares away
When he began his singing his mind still wandered back
To the only fair haired maiden still waitin' for her Jack

Well Jack woke up next morning just at the dawn of the day
He said a last forgiveness I pray I'm not too late
When he reached down next evening he found a new grave mound
His friends all sadly told him we've laid your loved one down
They said that she was dying she softly breathed your name
And that just with her last breath to tell you that you came

Your sweetheart waits for you Jack...
**********

7.

BLACK SHEEP

(Stonewall Jackson) « © '59 Turp Tunes, BMI »
In a little country village not very far away
There lived a rich but aged man whose hair was turning gray
He had three sons three only ones both Jack and Tom were sly
But Ted was honest as could be he would not tell a lie

The brothers tried to ruin Ted before the old man's eyes
At last the plot begin its work till Ted was much despised
The father then said begone you're heartless to the core
Then the black's sheeps words they came just a ringing thru the door

Don't be angry with me dad don't drive me from your door
I know that I've been wayward but I won't be anymore
Just give me one more chance and put me to the test
You'll find the black sheep loves his dad for better than the rest

Year by year sped quickly by the father now grown old
He called to them both Jack and Tom and gave them all his gold
I only need a little room a place at your fireside
One night on Jacks' returning home he brought with him a bride

The three began to hate the father more and more each day
At last he heard the three declare why that old foolk's in our way
They then agreed to send him to the poorhouse that was near
Then like a flash the black sheep's words came ringing in his ear

A wagon drives up to the door it is the poorhouse band
The brothers pointed to their dad right there is your man
Then a manly form appeared came rushing through the crowd
Stop this you brutes the lad replied it shall not be allowed

You took the old man's property and all that he could save
You've even sold that little plot containing mother's grave
I am his son but not your kin from now till judgement day
The father clasped the black sheep's hand and they all heard him say

Don't be angry with me son I know I drove you from my door
I know that I've been foolish lad I've repented o'er and o'er
I should have given you my gold for you have stood the test
I found the black sheep loves his dad for better than the rest
**********

8.

MOTHER THE QUEEN OF MY HEART

(Jimmie Rodgers - Hoyt Bryant) « © '33 Peer International, BMI »
I had a home out in Texas out where the Bluebonnet grew
I had the kindest old mother how happy we were just we two
Then one day the angels called her a debt we all have to pay
She'd call me close to her bedside these last few words to say
Son don't start drinking and gambling promise you'll always go straight
Ten years have passed since that promise the promise I thought I'd never break
Then I started drinking for past time and soon I was bad as them all
At cards I was king of the tables never dreaming that I'd ever fall
Then one night I sat at the table the big game was down to a draw
And I drew the one that would beat them but I turned it and here's what I saw
I saw the sad face of my mother and somehow she seemed to say
My son you have broken your promise you made me when I went away
I gave all my wins to a newsboy went straight home and burned all the cards
And I'll never forget that last promise to my mother the Queen of my heart
**********

9.

SOLDIER'S LAST LETTER

((Ernest Tubb - Redd Stewart) « © '44 Unichappell Music, BMI »
When the postman delievered a letter it filled the mom's heart full of joy
But she didn't know till she read the end sign it was the last one from her darling boy
Dear Mom was the way that it started I miss you so much it went on
But I didn't know that I love you so but I'll prove it when this war is won

I'm writing this down in a trensh Mom don't scold if it isn't so neat
Just think as you did when I was a kid and I would come home with mud on my feet
Our captain just gave us our orders and Mom we must carry them through
I'll finish this letter the first chance I get but for now I'll just say I love you

The mother's old hands began to tremble as she fouled against tears in her eyes
But they came unashamed for there was no name
So she knew that her darling had died
That night as she knelt by her bedside she prayed Lord above hear my plea
And help every son that's fighting tonight and dear God keep America free
**********

10.

LETTER EDGED IN BLACK

(Roy Carter) « © '48 Peer International, BMI »
I was standing by my window yesterday morning
Without a thought a worry or of care
When I saw the postman coming up the pathway
With such a jolly face and jolly hair
He rang the bell and he whistled as he waited
He smiled and said good morning to you Jack
He little knew the sorrow that he brought me
When he handed me that letter edged in black
With trembling hands I took the letter from him
I opened it and this is how it read
Come home my boy your dear old father needs you
Come home my boy your dear old mother's dead
I'm sorry that harsh words were ever spoken
You know I didn't mean them don't you Jack
My eyes are blurred my poor old hand is shaking
As I'm writing you this letter edged in black
The last words that your mother ever uttered
Was tell my boy I want him to come back
The angels bear me witness as I'm asking
Your forgiveness in this letter edged in black
**********

11.

WANDERIN' BOY'S LAST LETTER

(Stonewall Jackson) « © '68 Turp Tunes, BMI »
I'm writing this letter to you tonight mom and this is the reason I write
It's been a long time since I have been home oh I wish I was with you tonight
I recall now five long years ago when I left there and I went away
I was too young to see I was wrong oh I miss you and dad more each day
[ steel ] Don't ever forget in my heart there's regret
It's not your fault things turned out this way
In the gaveyard's a man that died by my hand
We learned lessons but sometimes they lay
This morning at dawn I must die for my wrong
Mom forgive me the pain I've caused you
The time must be near the parson is here
And he's praying like you used to do
**********