GREATEST HITS
(Columbia CS-8491)
1961
Produced by Don Law
Recorded:
June 5/1958, Bradley Film & Recording Studio, Nashville (1,3)
March 6/1959, Bradley Film & Recording Studio, Nashville (7,12)
Aug 5/1959, Bradley Film & Recording Studio, Nashville (4,8)
Jan 12/1960, Bradley Film & Recording Studio, Nashville (6,9)
Aug 15/1960, Bradley Film & Recording Studio, Nashville (2,5,10,11)
1.
PICK ME UP ON YOUR WAY DOWN
(Harlan Howard)
« © '56 Tree Publishing, BMI »
You were mine for just a while now you're puttin' on the style
And you've never once looked back at your home across the track
You're the gossip of the town but my heart can still be found
Where you tossed it on the ground pick me up on your way down
Pick me up on your way down when you're blue and all alone
When their glamour starts to bore you come on back where you belong
You may be their pride and joy but they'll find another toy
Then they'll take away your crown pick me up on your way down
[ fiddle - steel ]
They have changed your attitude made you haughty and so rude
Your new friends can take the blame underneath you're still the same
When you've learned these things are true I'll be waiting here for you
As you tumble to the ground pick me up on your way down
Pick me up on your way down...
**********
2.
FACING THE WALL
(Hank Mills - Charlie Walker)
« © '60 Sure-Fire Music, BMI »
Facing the wall feeling lonely
But it offers me a place to cry unseen
Facing the wall feeling lonely
I can't face the room with all these shattered dreams
I brought her here to dance and have a good time
And for a while I've thought that she was mine
Then through the door walked someone from her past
The things that I had planned with her I knew would never last
Facing the wall feeling lonely...
[ fiddle - steel ]
I turn around and look at them but I know
These tears I hide inside would surely show
I'll just stand here alone and cry until
I hear their footsteps leave the room and everything is still
Facing the wall feeling lonely...
**********
3.
TWO EMPTY ARMS
(Bill Anderson)
« © '58 TNT Music, BMI »
The one that I love just walked right out on me
The blues just stepped in to keep me company
It's like a crazy dream I just don't understand
The way I let my future slip right through my hand
Now I've got two empty arms with no one to hold
Two lonely lips that are fast growing cold
A heart with no sweethearts to love and keep it warm
Oh please come back to me and my two empty arms
[ fiddle - steel ]
It hurts to know I've lost the one I still adore
I'll never hear my name on her lips anymore
I'll always see her eyes when they smile at someone new
It's my memories my empty arms are clinging to
Now I've got two empty arms...
**********
4.
WHEN MY CONSCIENCE HURTS THE MOST
(Vic McAlpin - Lester Vanadore)
« © '59 Johnny Bienstock Music, BMI »
In a place where no one knows us we hold secret randezvous
We laugh and joke as though it's right to do the things we do
You're someone else's darling but when I'm holding you so close
Why do I always feel the best when my conscience hurts the most
Why do I get such a thrill from loving you so much
I know you can't be mine to keep but just to sometimes touch
In a place where no one knows us our love can't be exposed
Why do I always feel the best when my conscience hurts the most
[ fiddle - steel ]
Why do I get such a thrill...
**********
5.
WAY TO FREE MYSELF
(Red Hayes - Charlie Walker)
« © '60 Warden Music, BMI »
What strange power do you have that rules this life of mine
That controls the heart that's beating for you all the time
But if I can keep you off my mind a day or two
I will find the way to free myself from you
I will find the way to free myself I know will
For I must convince my heart that I don't love you still
And when I wake up to all the things that I've gone through
I will find the way to free myself from you
[ fiddle - steel ]
I have been unpset by you right from the very start
You just can't imagine how you tortured my poor heart
But the time will come when I will know what's right to do
I will find the way to free myself from you
I will find the way to free myself...
**********
6.
WHO WILL BUY THE WINE
(Billy Mize)
« © '59 Billy Mize Music, BMI »
Not long ago you held our baby's bottle
But the one you're holding now's a different kind
You just sit and wait to be somebody's baby
And it all depends on who will buy the wine
Whoever sets 'em up and tips the waitress
Your kind of love just might as well be blind
You'll never know whose lips you'll soon be kissing
And it all depends on who will buy the wine
[ fiddle - steel ]
The kind of life you're living since you've left me
I'm sure it's not the life you thought you choosed
That honky tonky world is not so flashy
Bright lights and blues is all it really knows
Whoever sets 'em up and tips the waitress...
**********
7.
I'LL CATCH YOU WHEN YOU FALL
(Harlan Howard)
« © '59 Tree Publishing, BMI »
It seems like years and a million tears since you've left the old hometown
You've chained they say and the great white way is your new stomping ground
It's plain to see you've forgotten me for you never write or call
But I'll be around when they let you down and I'll catch you when you fall
I'll catch you when you fall there's no else but you
Now you're flying high but honey by and by you're gonna cry for love that's true
So when you're up town baby starts giving you the stall
I'll be around when they let you down and I'll catch you when you fall
[ steel - fiddle ]
I've heard it said they've turned your head you're ashamed to us back home
But I'll bet the sound of a southern bound still chills you to the bone
With your haughty pose and your up town clothes you're not fooling me at all
When you're feeling bad your old country lad is gonna catch you you fall
I'll catch you when you fall...
**********
8.
BOW DOWN YOUR HEAD AND CRY
(Aaron Allan - Charlie Walker)
« © '59 Tree Publishing, BMI »
As I went down to the river poor boy to watch the ships go by
My sweetheart's stood on the deck of one she waved to me goodbye
Bow down your head and cry (poor boy) bow down your head and cry
Stop thinking of that woman you love bow down your head and cry
I followed her from months and months she offered me her hand
We were just about to get married when she ran off with a gambling man
He come at me with a big jack knife I went and hit him with lead
And when that fight was over poor boy he laid beside me dead
Bow down your head and cry...
[ banjo ]
They took me to that big jailhouse the months and months rolled by
The jury found me guilty poor boy and the judge said yoou're gonna die
And yet they call this justice poor boy then justice let it be
I only killed a man who's just a fixin' to kill me
Bow down your head and cry...
**********
9.
I GO ANYWHERE (TO FORGET YOU)
(Cindy Walker)
« © '59 Tree Publishing, BMI »
Oh I go anywhere anywhere to forget you
Anyplace to be where there's no memories
I go anywhere anywhere to forget you
To forget how you forgotten me
They may tell you how I changed dear
How I follow where the wild crowds always go
They name places where they've seen me
And I guess it's true but here's what you should know
I go anywhere anywhere to forget you...
[ fiddle - steel ]
Yes I go anywhere anywhere to forget you...
**********
10.
RIGHT BACK AT YOUR DOOR
(Bobby George - Vern Stovall)
« © '60 Tree Publishing, BMI »
When I'm walking all alone something guides my footsteps wrong
And like so many times before I'll always wind up right back at your door
But I just bow my head and turn away
You don't love me you'd never let me stay
Though I know you'll turn me down once more
I'll always wind up right back at your door
[ fiddle - steel ]
I got to bed but I can't sleep and soon I'm walking down a lonely street
I walk till sometime's three or four and always wind up right back at your door
But I just bow my head and turn away...
**********
11.
I WALKED OUT ON HEAVEN (WHEN I WALKED OUT ON YOU)
(Harlan Howard)
« © '60 Tree Publishing, BMI »
Well I walked out and said it had to be this way
You're wanting me to settle down but I can't stay
Now you've done like I've told you you've found someone new
And I walked out on heaven when I walked out on you
I smiled and gave away the key to happiness
I walked right out into a world of loneliness
And like all fools these tears I cried are overdue
For I walked out on heaven when I walked out on you
I sat alone and think of how it could have been
And I don't think I'll ever care to smile again
I held an angel in my arms and never knew
For I walked out on heaven when I walked out on you
[ steel - fiddle ]
I sat alone and think of how it could have been....
**********
12.
I DON'T MIND SAYING
(Raymond F. Page)
« © '59 Cedarwood Publishing, BMI »
I don't mind saying I've been lonesome for those kisses that I've known
Don't mind saying I've been crying just because I'm all alone
I'd be lying if I told you I don't miss you anymore
Don't mind saying I'd be glad to see you walking through that door
Don't mind saying I've been missing arms that used to hold me tight
Knowing how they'd feel around me on these cold and lonely nights
Don't mind saying that I'd like to feel your lips so sweet on mine
For the mem'ry of your loving touch haunts me all the time
I don't mind saying I've been lonesome...
[ fiddle - steel ]
I don't mind saying I've been lonesome...
**********