1.

I Know Better

Ed Bruce

© Tree Pub, BMI

I could tell you that it don't hurt you're leavin' me
And I could say it never really matter the way you've always treated me
Baby I could lie to you some more and say I won't cry when you walk out back door
But I know better
If someone had just told me you would be like this
I'd always runnin' and lookin' and a wantin' to taste some stranger's kiss
Baby that have been good advice I took
I tell myself I'd never even givin' you a second look
But I know better
Go on and have your fun see the town and run around
I don't think you've got too much longer to run
There'll come a time when you're too tired to run
And bright lights and booze have got you too used up for anyone's fun
Baby you'll expect to start again with me back before our love begin to end
But I know better
Go on and have your fun...

**********

2.

Why Can't I Come Home

Ed Bruce

© Tree Pub, BMI

If I could find the strenght I need to do the thing I should
I just walk on out that door be rid of you for good
But a man ain't always strong enough to tell himself that he's been wrong
Why can't I just come home one night and you'd be gone
If I had only known the thoughts that went on in your mind
Then I could have left you to the others of your kind
I know that I should leave you now but I just ain't that strong
Why can't I just come home one night and you'd be gone

I cried things you do me that make me live in shame
Everybody knows how loosly you have worn my name
I guess I have more love and pride even thougg my love's all wrong
Why can't I just come home one night and you'd be gone

**********

3.

(# 57 country hit)

Walker's Woods

Kay Arnold

© Combine Music, BMI

I stole her from Emmett Fry and now what's done is done
Like any man I'm afraid to die but I'm hurt too bad to run
I ran with her to Walker's Woods with him close on my heels
I knew he'd kill to get her back and I know just how he feels

Oh the sun never shines in Walker's Woods
I doubt if it would want to come in even if it could
Cause the gators and the cottonmouths the sand that pulls you down
Makes Walker's Woods a haven for the damned

By the quicksand over there my dream came to an end:
She said it was a big mistake that she'd return to him
So I gave her to the hungry sands now all I loved is dead
And all that's left is the scarlet rag that she wore upon her head

Oh the sun never shines in Walker's Woods...

I've no regrets I loved her five more minutes I'll be free
I'd have made it if that cottonmouth hadn't made his strike at me
But I have to laugh when I think how mad old Emmett's going to be
When he finds out he never got to take one shot at me

Oh the sun never shines in Walker's Woods...

**********

4.

Ninety Seven More To Go

Ed Bruce

© Lynlou Music, BMI

Ninety-nine years is a long long time to bust your back and the heart of mine
You sweat so much you can't cry tears when you stop to think about ninety-nine years
Ninety-nine years on a harder rock mine I work two years off of my time
Ninety-nine years go so slow when you still got ninety-seven more to go

Wrong kind woman got me in this mess wantin' pretty things and a satin red dress
What I couldn't make she said I have to take and judge said ninety-nine for just this sake
[ instrumental ]
I take a rest when the guard turns his head
Hopin' he'll be nappin' maybe shoot me dead
Those days drag by and the years go slow
But thank God I only got ninety-seven more to go
Ninety-nine years on a harder rock...

**********

5.

If I Could Just Go Home

Ed Bruce

© Combine Music, BMI

Oh Lord if I could just go home I'd do things different from now on
There wouldn't be near the gray in my old daddy's hair
Oh Lord if I could just go home

I know it wasn't daddy's fault that mama died when I was just a kid
And the best that he could do to raise me right was all he ever did
And I know he'd love mama a lot longer than I had and he was every bit as alone
But I don't guess I'd helped too much to build a happy home
He made sure I got to church every Sunday the way mama had always done
And he was always sorry he had to work so hard and he never had much time for fun
He knew I missed mama a lot
And maybe he was easier on me than he should have been
But it sure ain't his fault that I didn't turn out to be much a man
Well I've grew on into my teens and I guess I thought I was a real hard stuff
Goin' into town hangin' around bars and actin' pretty tough
Well I'm looking out at a different set of bars now
And that little window don't let it much light
You see I got roarin' drinkin' mad one night and I killed the man in a fight
I got a letter from back home the other day
Saying dad had a stroke and he ain't doin' too good
Well if I had done right I'd be there now to help him and God you know I would
And I'd pay him back for all the years of love that he gave me
And I'd be a better man the way I was taught to be
Oh Lord if I could just go home

**********

6.

By Route Of New Orleans

Sonny Moore

© Screen Gems Music, BMI

Tonight I'm goin' home for my first time
Since I've left the scene of the crime
Only fare I could afford
Slide a door and climb aboard
Goin' home by route of New Orleans

I've been a fugitive much too long
And I've paid a thousand ways for that one wrong
Searched trash cans my last time
Prison meals will sure be fine
Goin' home by route of New Orleans

Well it's been a while the cotton sure is high
It seems to wave at me as I go by
Only cotton that I've seen
Is in these old faded jeans
Goin' home by route of New Orleans

What's this the train is slowing down
Fugitive aboard the word's around
Couldn't even give myself up
Pulled their guns and opened up
Goin' home but stopped in New Orleans
Goin' baggage out of New Orleans

**********

7.

Shadows Of Her Mind

Kris Kristofferson

© Buckhorn Music, BMI

I met her sadly in the slowly falling rain
Crying softly in her loneliness and pain
Knowing no one needin' someone bad as me
And she told me as I held her trembling hand
Walking slowly how she'd never known a man
Living lonely in her cottage by the sea
When the morning came her tears had changed to laughter
And before the night her heart beat close to mine
And I thought as she lay sleeping of the secrets she was keeping
Hidden somewhere in the silence of the shadows of her mind

In the morning as I wakened with the dawn
Without warning I could feel that she was gone
Leaving nothing but her silence next to me
And lonely footprints that I followed in the sand
Walking slowly for I knew where they would end
Disappearing in the silence of the sea
And I sometimes hear the echoe of her laughter
As I search for what I know I'll never find
For the answer I was seeking was the secrets she's still keeping
Hidden somewhere in the silence of the shadows of her mind
Hidden somewhere in the silence of the shadows of her mind

**********

8.

Lonesome Is Me

Ed Bruce

© Window Music, BMI

Did you ever say I'm lonesome and stop to wonder really what lonesome is
Lonesome is a little boy standing in a crowd a telephone ringing in an empty house
Lonesome is an autumn leave that first falls from its tree lonesome is me

Lonesome is a footstep with out of place to go
Or summer is last robin in winter's first snow
Lonesome is a little dog lost out in the street lonesome is me
Lonesome is an empty bottle a half filled glass of wine
The sound that a clock makes when all you have is time
Lonesome is a heart that breaks when love has turned to hate
The dying sun at the close of day
Lonesome is a jail of tears that won't set me free lonesome is me
Lonesome is me lonesome is me

**********

9.

I'm Getting Better

Ed Bruce

© Lynlou Music, BMI

I didn't cry today I even smile today
When I heard someone say that you had passed his way
I guess you'd have to say I'm gettin' better
Then I heard our old song the hurt wasn't quite so strong
Maybe it won't be long till all of my hurt is gone
Then I know I'll live on I'm gettin' better
I know I wrote my promise to you I said I'd never get over you
But a man can't spend all of his life fightin' heartaches and livin' with strife
For the time since I lost you I looked at someone new
Maybe she won't be true but darling neither were you
And that no longer makes me as blue I'm gettin' better

**********

10.

Her Sweet Love And The Baby

Ed Bruce

© Pamper Music, BMI

Soft rain kissing the fallen leaves night wind harmonizing with whispering trees
Of pretty sounds I've heard the sweetest I think maybe
Is when she sings to the baby
I look around at riches by which some men measure
But all their wealth I see can never match my treasures

The stillness of the dawn by a mountain stream
A bird and his mate dancing through the night on pale moon beams
Of pretty things I've seen the sweetest I think maybe
Is when she's holding the baby
I look around at riches by which some men measure
But all their wealth I see can never match my treasures
Of fortunes I have seen the riches I think maybe
Of her sweet love and the baby
Her sweet love and the baby

**********

11.

I'll Take You Away

Marge Barton

© Screen Gems Music, BMI

Greyhound bus on a corner of a rainy street seems to say
Climb aboard by morning you will sleep far away
From this town where falling down brings laughing crowds
And not one hand to help you to your feet
Get on board (I'll take you away) get on board (I'll take you away)
Don't wait till it's too late get on board (I'll take you away)

Reflections of raindrops in the headlight beams seem to say
Go from this neon jungle for the price of your dreams is too much to pay
Leave this place this ride race this madning pace
It's just one great big chase for phoney face
Get on board (I'll take you away)...
Get on board (I'll take you away) get on board (I'll take you away)
Get on board (I'll take you away) get on board (I'll take you away)

**********

12.

(# 69 country hit)

Last Train To Clarksville

Tommy Boyce - Bobby Hart

© Screen Gems Music, BMI

Take the last train to Clarksville and I'll meet you at the station
You can be there by four-thirty cause I've made you reservation
Don't be slow oh no no no I love you so
Cause I'm leaving in the morning and I must see you again
We'll have one more night together till the morning brings my train
And I must go oh no no no I love you so
And I don't know if I'm ever coming home
[ instrumental ]
Take the last train to Clarksville and I'll be waitin' at the station
We'll have time for coffee flavored kisses and the bit of conversation
No oh no no no I love you so
Take the last train to Clarksville now I must hang up the phone
I can't hear you in this noisy railroad station all alone
I'm feelin' low oh no no no I love you so
And I don't know if I'm ever coming home

**********

13.

I'd Best Be Leaving You

Kris Kristofferson

© Window Music, BMI

Before the snow flies and summer dies the wildbirds fly away
Before the winter falls the spirit calls and warns 'em not to stay
And this morning something's warning me our love affair is through
So I believe before you leave I'd best be leaving you

Well I don't know when I started feeling restless
But something that I hear ain't ringing true
Can't explain this crazy feeling but it's cut my whole world reeling
I believe I'd best be leaving you

Before the snow flies...
[ instrumental ]
Well I don't know if you'll ever understand me
But it won't make much difference if you do
Feelings that I can't ignore telling me just what's in store
And I believe I'd best be leaving you

Before the snow flies...

**********

14.

Tiny Golden Locket

Gloria Shayne

© Tree Pub, BMI

I walked into a tavern to have a drink and kill some time
A little boy approached me with tears in his eyes
He wasn't more that five or six but he stood like a man
With a tiny golden locket clutched in his little hand

He opened up the locket I saw a picture there
He said sir that's my mommie please have you seen her anywhere
She's all I have now in this world I must find her if I can
Then he kissed the tiny locket clutched in his little hand

I watched him leave and wondered where he go from here
Then the scream of brakes along the street turned me cold with fear
I ran and saw him lying there in the street so cold and dead
With the tiny golden locket still in his little hand

A woman staggered from the car to see what she had done
She looked upon his little face then recognized her only son
She cried oh Lord what have I done forgive me if you can
And the tiny golden locket fell from his little hand

**********

15.

Ballad Of The Drummer Boy

Gary Oakes

© Tree Pub, BMI

Beat your drum with a rummy-tum-tum
Click your sticks with a clickity-click
Rummy-tum-tum clickity-click as you lead them on to war

Beat your drum so loudly boy Beat your drum so proudly boy
Lead them on to the rhythm of your marchin' drum
Though you're not quite turned thirteen how many battles have you seen
And how many troops have you marched between to the rhythm of your rummy-tum drum

Beat your drum with a rummy-tum-tum...

Lead them on to battle boy Lead them just like cattle boy
Lead them on to the death or victory
Though you're all before your years how many time have you hid your fears
And how many times have you shed your tears to the rhythm of your rummy-tum drum

Beat your drum with a rummy-tum-tum...

Look out for that soldier boy His rifle's at his shoulder boy
Its aim at the heart of the marchin' drummer boy
A bullet fired swift and keen Now a boy not yet thirteen
beside his silent drum is seen as dead as its rummy-tum-tum

Drums are drumming so loudly boys drums are drumming so proudly boys
Drumming to the memory of that drummer boy
At Lexington unconquered bridge he beat his drum and he clicked his sticks
So remember 1776 and the little drummer boy

Beat your drum with a rummy-tum-tum...
Beat your drum with a rummy-tum-tum...
Beat your drum with a rummy-tum-tum...

**********

16.

Something Else To Mess Your Mind

Ed Bruce

© Tree Pub, BMI

It ain't the way you treat me babe
That keeps me holdin' on the way I do
Cause heaven knows the way you treat me
Lets me know you don't want me to stay with you

But having given all I have
My heart and soul not to mention of my time
And havin' no place else to go my stayin' here with you you know
Is just something else to mess your mind

It ain't that I hope to change you
I've got something else in mind for you
I guess revenge is what it's called
Cause you're still gonna do the way you do

You'll feel guilty when you come home late
And with me here you've got to keep on lyin'
And if I say I love you though my tellin' you don't make it so
It's just something else to mess your mind

I ain't gonna set you free
And you're too weak to do what should be done
I'm gonna keep you tied to me
So whatever else you do is wrong

The bed you made you've got to lie in
The choice was yours to make it wasn't mine
And if it troubles you where you should go just ask me I'll let you know
And that'll be something else to mess your mind

**********

17.

Puzzles

Sandy Neese

© Pamper Music, BMI

My mind is like a puzzle
And you've scattered all the pieces on the floor
I sit for hours in my room
And try to fix it like it was before

It seems unreal when I try
There must be some small pieces I can't find
So I sit for hours at a time
And try to fix the puzzle of my mind

What's happened to my senses
I can't see I can't hear I can't think
My world is shrouded in a fog
The chain that binds my mind's missing a link

Where are the good things that we shared
They burned up in a cloud that hides my soul
I need something to clear the air
And fix my mind again so it will run

My body is a vacuum
I've no words I've no thoughts I've no heart
The love that brought me sanity
Is now the force that's tearin' me apart

The view outside my windowpane
Is wrapped in grey like granite on a tomb
I need someone to rescue me
And sweep away the cobwebs of my blues

My mind is like a puzzle
And you've scattered all the pieces on the floor
I sit for hours in my room
And try to fix it like it was before

It seems unreal when I try
There must be some small pieces I can't find
So I sit for hours at a time
And try to fix the puzzle of my mind

**********

18.

Memphis Morning

Roland Pike - Johnny Wilson

© Combine Music, BMI

This very night the train was right on time
Baby stepped aboard and left the both of us behind now
You've got to make your day and I've got to make my way
Somehow someway away from you Memphis morning
She's to me what sunshine is to you
Her train cross the river flying now what will I do like
Sunshine helps make your day she helped in her own way
Without sunshine flowers waste away Memphis morning
Oh oh Memphis morning you're not so pretty anymore
Raise your bridges start your whistles blowing
I don't know what I'm hanging round for Memphis morning

Now you hold too many memories
Best thing I can do is leave you with 'em without me well
If I come back this way now I'll try to plan my day
So you won't see me passing through Memphis morning
Oh oh Memphis morning...

**********

19.

(# 52 country hit)

Painted Girls And Wine

Jack Ripley

© Return Music, BMI

Oh it's funny how wine makes fools out of men around women
And it's funny how women love men till their money is gone

As I went down to Juarez Town to buy my love a ring
I stopped me by a tavern where the painted women sing
I showed one all the money that would buy my Mary's ring
And soon the wine began to flow and we began to sing

Oh it's funny how wine makes fools out of men around women
And it's funny how women love men while the wine flows on
Yes it's funny how wine makes fools out of men around women
And it's funny how women love men till their money is gone

Now I walk the streets of Juarez Town with Mary on my mind
But every window I look me in there's painted girls and wine
I can't go home to Mary for I don't have the ring
So I'll stay here in Juarez town no matter what it brings

Oh it's funny how wine makes fools out of men around women
And it's funny how women love men while the wine flows on
Yes it's funny how wine makes fools out of men around women
And it's funny how women love men till their money is gone

**********

20.

Blue Bayou

Roy Orbison - Joe Melson

© Acuff-Rose Music, BMI

I feel so bad I've got a worried mind I'm so lonesome all the time
Since I left my baby behind on Blue Bayou
Saving nickels and saving dimes working till the sun don't shine
Looking forward to happier times on Blue Bayou
I'm going back some day come what may to Blue Bayou
Where you sleep all day and the catfish play on Blue Bayou
Where the fishing boats with their sails afloat if I could only see
That familiar sunrise through sleepy eyes how happy I'd be
[ instrumental ]
Go to see my baby again wanna be with some of my friends
Maybe I feel better then on Blue Bayou
I'm going back some day gonna stay on Blue Bayou
Where the folks are fine and the world is mine on Blue Bayou
With the girl of mine by my side till the silvery moon and the evening dies
Some sweet day gonna take away this hurtin' inside

**********