lp discography - covers & lyrics

1.

RIVER

(Mack Vickery - Carl Friend - Jack Sanders)
« © '65 Acuff-Rose Music, BMI »
I've been here longer and I'm stronger
And I've seen as much as any man
Now many's crossed me but none have bossed me
And I don't believe they ever can

Hello son I see you're wearin' a gun
And you say you're on your way into town
You say your Ma told you not to but you feel you got to
Get that man that gunned your daddy down
From the sheriff's office to the gallows boy
That's a mighty mighty short walk
So while you water your horse son
Let's you and I take it easy and have a little talk

Cause I've been here longer and I'm stronger...

Well I can see that you're angry
And I guess you've got plenty right to be
But the law can handle your daddy's killer
Much better than you or me
And remember that promise you made your mother
That you never would put on a gun
So go on home to her boy cause she needs you
She couldn't stand to lose her only son
Well I see you thought it over
And I'm glad to see you going home boy
And you wanna know what they call me
Well I'm just a river
They call me the Mississippi

I've been here longer and I'm stronger...
**********

2.

DOC HOLIDAY

(John Paulovic)
« © '65 Alley Music, BMI / Trio Music, BMI »
Old Doc Holiday was tendin' the town
Old Doc Holiday was tendin' the town
And he heard the news goin' around
That the Plainfield Kid was gonna shoot him down

Won't you have another drink on me Doc Holiday
Have another drink on me (Doc Holiday)
Have another drink on me Doc Holliday
The Kid ain't gonna shoot you down

Old Doc Holiday was leanin' on a stand
Pistol on his hip and red eye in his hand
The Kid come a wobblin' down the street
Old Doc said Kid this ain't no way to meet

Won't you have another drink on me Doc Holiday...

The Kid drew his pistol and Doc did too
Doc outdrew him and shot him through
The Kid looked up said don't shoot me no more
But Doc just smiled and emptied his 44

Oh won't you have another drink on me Doc Holiday...
Have another drink on me Doc Holiday...
**********

3.

COWPOKE

(Tillman Franks - David Houston)
« © '64 Edwin H Morris Co, BMI »
Uh huh ooo uh uh uh ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo

I'm lonesome but happy rich but I'm broke
And the good Lord knows the reason I'm just a cowpoke

From Cheyenne to Douglas all the ranges I know
I drift with the wind no one cares where I go

Well I ain't got a dime in these old worn out jeans
So I'll quit eatin' steak and go back to beans

I'll pick up a ten spot impress God I know
While a ridin' the broncs in the big rodeo

Uh huh ooo uh uh uh ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo

Bed down in the prairie my pony and I
Hear the wail of the coyote hear his cry

Uh huh ooo uh uh uh ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo
**********

4.

BLOOD'S THICKER THAN WATER

(Wayne P. Walker - Danny Dill)
« © '65 Cedarwood Publishing, BMI »
Death bells are ringing in Wichita town
Two brothers will meet when the sun's going down
Blood's thicker than water a poor mother cries
Which son will live which son will die

Jimmy Laredo a man with a dream
Sent his young brother Johnny to old Abilene
To bring back his true love by name Katy Lee
The girl he intended his bride to be

The trip was a long one they both came to know
That sometimes from friendship a sweet love will grow
He's bringing her back in a new weddin' gown
And there'll be a show down in Wichita town

Jimmy's not worried his six gun's tied down
And no one outdraws him in Wichita town
But can he do it can he kill his kin
Blood's thicker than water his ma cries again

The stage made it stop at the Last Chance Saloon
The crowd all stepped back to give both brothers room
Young Johnny stepped down there was fear in his eyes
But for love of Katy he'd gladly die

They still tell the story to this very day
How their ma jumped between them when Jim made it play
She cried out in anguish oh sons are you blind
If you must take a life oh Lord let it be mine

Death bells are ringing in Wichita town
They mourn for a mother whose son's shot her down
And there in the Wichita's street where she lay
Blood's thicker than water her smile seemed to say
**********

5.

BLIZZARD

(Harlan Howard)
« © '60 Red River Songs, BMI / Tree Publishing, BMI »
There's a blizzard comin' on and I'm wishin' I was home
For my pony's lame and he can't hardly stand
Listen to that northern sigh if we don't get home we'll die
But it's only seven miles to Mary Anne
It's only seven miles to Mary Anne

You can bet we're on her mind for it's gettin' just about suppertime
Oh I know those hot biscuits're in the fryin' pan
Lord my hands feel like they're froze and there's a numbness in my toes
But it's only five more miles to Mary Anne
It's only five more miles to Mary Anne

That wind's a howlin' and it seems mighty like a woman's screams
And we'd best be movin' faster if we can
Dan just think about that barn with all that hay so soft and warm
It's only three more miles to Mary Anne
It's only three more miles to Mary Anne

Dan get up your ornery cuss or you'll be the death of us
I'm so weary but I'll help you if I can
All right Dan perhaps it's best we'll stop for just a little while and rest
For it's still another mile to Mary Anne
It's still another mile to Mary Anne

Late that night the storm was gone and they found him there at dawn
He'd have made it but he couldn't leave ol' Dan
Yes they found him out there on the plains his hands were frozen to the reins
He was just a hundred yards from Mary Anne
He was just a hundred yards from Mary Anne
**********

6.

STAMPEDE

(Jim Dale - Frances Paulin)
« © '65 Acuff-Rose Music, BMI »
Stampede is close behind us can my pony get us free
The thunderin' herd is gainin' dust to spell our destiny
Stampedin' hoofs are beatin' death upon the ground
I know my pony shares my fears the meaning of this sound

We feel their hot breath on us as they close the gap between
Their red eyes shootin' fire their bodies gaunt and lean
Please answer this prayer father please hear us as we call
Don't let my pony stumble lord don't let my pony fall

Stampede (Stampede Stampede Stampede)
Thunderin' through the night
Ten thousand cattle runnin' wild
With fire in their eyes

Today a ranch fire spooked them and filled their hearts with rage
Now they charge down upon us through the prickly pearing sage
This cowboy and his pony have but one chance to succeed
To reach that pass up yonder is their most important need

A fleeting vision's in my mind of the happy days we spent
Herdin' these same doggies to their pasteurs of content
Lord up above please hear us and grant us this one deed
Don't let my pony stumble guide our way through this stampede

Stampede (Stampede Stampede Stampede)
Thunderin' through the night
Ten thousand cattle runnin' wild
With fire in their eyes

Then came a clash of lightning as the heavens opened wide
A downpour fell upon us and cooled their flamin' hides
Mighty roars of thunder as God heard the cries at last
And guided this poor cowboy and his pony through the pass

Stampede (Stampede Stampede Stampede)
Thunderin' through the night
Ten thousand cattle runnin' wild
With fire in their eyes

Ten thousand cattle runnin' wild
With fire in their eyes
**********

7.

RAINMAKER

(Mack Vickery - Carl Friend - Lance Roberts)
« © '65 Acuff-Rose Music, BMI »
The fields were parched like cinders rivers all dried up
When a stranger appeared in a little town they called Dry Guldge

When he said I'm a rainmaker most of the folks just stood in doubt
But could he be the miracle sent Lord to end this awful drought
Things in old Dry Guldge haven't been the same
Since the old rainmaker came to make it rain

Without a moment's hesitation they all agreed to pay his fee
When he said for a thousand dollars boys I'll moisten your sandy sea
They gathered every penny from far and wide they came
To have a big celebration for tonight it was gonna rain

As he was preparin' his potion their hearts were filled with love
And every eye was fixed on those cloudless skies above
Hour after hour but no rain came down
And they caught the old rainmaker just as he was leavin' town

Yeah they hung the rainmaker beneath the dead oak tree
As he cried and he pleaded just wait wait and you're gonna see
Things in old Dry Guldge haven't been the same
When they hung the rainmaker they walked home in the rain
When they hung the rainmaker they walked home in the rain
**********

8.

STREETS OF LAREDO

(Traditional)
« © '56 Ludlow Music, BMI »
As I walked out in the streets of Laredo
As I walked out in Laredo one day
I spied a young cowboy wrapped up in white linen
Wrapped up in white linen as cold as the clay

I see by your outfit that you are a cowboy
These words he did say as I boldly stepped by
Come side down beside me and hear my sad story
I'm shot in the chest and I know I must die

It was once in the saddle I used to go dashin'
It was once in the saddle I used to go gay
First to the dreamhouse and then to the courthouse
Got shot in the chest and I'm dying today

Oh beat the drum slowly and play the pipe lowly
Play the dead march as you carry me along
Take me to the green valley there lay the sod o'er me
For I'm a young cowboy and I know I've done wrong

Get six jolly cowboys to carry my coffin
Get six pretty maidens to bear up my pall
Put bunches of roses all over my coffin
Put roses to deaden the sod as they fall

Then swing your ropes slowly and rattle your spurs lowly
And give a wild yell as you carry me along
And in the grave throw me and roll the sod o'er me
For I'm a young cowboy and I know I've done wrong

Go bring me some water a cup of cold water
To cool my parched lips the cowboy then said
Before I return his soul had departed
And gone to the roundup the cowpoke was dead

We beat the drum slowly we play the pipe lowly
We bitterly weep as we carry him along
We take him to the green valley there lay the sod o'er him
Just a young cowboy that's surely done wrong
**********

9.

BLACK LIGHTNING

(Dorothia Anne Hester)
« © '65 Painted Desert Music, BMI »
Slow down black lightning slow down to a walk
Me and my conscience must have a long talk

Yes I've been running all of my life
I've been alone I've taken no wife
I have nine notches carved on my guns
And with each notch I've added the faster I run
Conscience you know conscience you saw
I waited till last for each man to draw
The posse is a gainin' and it's plain to see
There's a dozen of them man just one of me
But if they should kill me don't bury me deep
For shallow grave makes the devil a weep

Slow down black lightning slow down to a walk
Me and my conscience must have a long talk

Black lightning black lightning I'm countin' on you
My faithful old stallion you must get me through
We must cross the border before the sunsrise
Juanita is waitin' with hope in her eyes
When I reach my darlin' I'll lay down my guns
And conscience I promise no more will I run
Juanita my dearest I've run all my life
Now you are the woman I want for my wife
If you knew my danger you'd get on your knees
And send up a prayer for black lightning and me

Slow down black lightning slow down to a walk
Me and my conscience must have a long talk

My great horse is weary from runnin' all night
The posse's upon us we must stop and fight
My old friend stand still as I reach for my guns
There's no place to hide and there's no place to run
The bullets sink home and he rears with a cry
What a way for a mighty black stallion to die
Is this searing hot pain the sweet sting of death
How many men have I claimed their last breath
Her face comes before me as death drinks me in
Goodbye sweet Juanita my life has to end

Slow down black lightning slow down to a walk
Me and my conscience must have a long talk
**********

10.

BIG TWENTY

(Mel Tillis)
« © '65 Cedarwood Publishing, BMI »
Move along big twenty big twenty move along
You've got the muscle and you've got the bone
Move along big twenty big twenty move along
You've got a master and you've got a home

Pulled out of Mohabby with a twenty mule team
Ten tons of borax and a mule skinner's dream
For soon I'd be winin' and a dinin' I know
With a cute little philly in the town of Reno
(With a cute little philly in the town of Reno)

The Apaches are restless there's smoke in the sky
But I'm too old for scalpin' and I'm too young to die
Soon they'll be 'round me like ants on a hill
Groomin' this mule skinner up for the kill
(Groomin' this mule skinner up for the kill)

My mule's tired of runnin' just fell to the ground
Ten tons of borax burned big twenty down
But we're still a livin' so the story can be told
How I traded that borax for Apache gold
(How I traded that borax for Apache gold)

Move along big twenty big twenty move along
You've got the muscle and you've got the bone
Move along big twenty big twenty move along
You've got a master and you've got a home
You've got a master and you've got a home
You've got a master and you've got a home
**********

11.

EYES OF DEATH

(Danny Dill)
« © '65 Cedarwood Publishing, BMI »
They sent me to this prison for a crime I did outside
I killed a man and didn't hang but I might as well have died
For every minute that I live I know that death may call
You see his brother's here with me right inside these walls
And I don't even know his face but I'm sure that he knows mine
The eyes of death are watchin' me just bidin' his time
(Oh Lord he takes his time)

Each night they slam my lonely cell and turn the lights down low
And I can't close my eyes to sleep because somewhere I know
He's planning how he'll drive the knife into my poundin' heart
And Lord this just not knowing when will tear a man apart
He's just a number not a name and he'll get me from behind
The eyes of death are watchin' me just bidin' his time
(Oh Lord he takes his time)

Sometimes I think I'll try the wall and face the deadly guns
I'd either die or I'd be free to leave this place and run
This man he's sworn to make me pay but he'd rather see me cry
So he'll just play around with me while I wait to die
No prison ever held the man with a sentence just like mine
The eyes of death are watchin' me just bidin' his time
(Oh Lord he takes his time)

He's bidin' his time (oh Lord he takes his time)
He's just bidin' his time
**********

12.

I'M AFRAID

(Allen Nelson - Carolyn Dolores Stringer)
« © '65 Acuff-Rose Music, BMI »
There he stands in the middle of the street
With lighting hands and wide-spread feet
The evening sun is gonna see
Somebody dead either him or me
I'm afraid

The man I face used to be my friend
We used to ride in the Texas wind
I guess you'll kill another man
I hope you're happy Janie Ann
I'm afraid

Too scared to fight too proud to run
Guess we'll see who's the fastest gun
A lonesome walk on the count of three
Then a rapid trip to eternity
I'm afraid
(Afraid afraid afraid)

He's gettin' closer to me now
Soon he'll draw I taught him how
A duel of fools for Janie Ann
The fastest gal for the fastest man
I'm afraid

His hand is dropping to his gun
Tell me oh Lord am I the one
My hand is shaking for I know
That I'm not really set to go
I'm afraid

There he lies in the middle of the street
His lightning hands at last I beat
I killed my friend for Janie Ann
But that don't mean I am a man
I'm afraid I'm afraid I'm afraid I'm afraid
**********