1. |
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There's a howling wind
There's a storm outside
There's a knocking on the door
"Please let me in" a voice does cry
From a far off foreign shore
I hear the small voice of a child
Pleading once more
"Please let me in"
The poor boy cries
But no one answers the door
Won’t you spare his life, sweet Jesus
But if it’s not your plan for him
He’ll be knocking on Heaven’s door tonight
Won’t you please let him in
In a barrio
In a border town
80 passengers are squeezed
Into the back of a tractor-trailer
Along with Maria Ruiz
Well, the Border Patrol
Saved most of them
But there among the deceased
They find Maria with her fingers
Still clutching her rosary beads
Won’t you hear her prayers, sweet Jesus
For she’s left this world of sin
She’ll be knocking on Heaven’s door tonight
Won’t you please let her in
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2. |
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As a child she watched Fred Astaire
Movies on TV
She would dance with him every night
But only in her dreams
But dreams are as real as the love you feel
When you’re only 9 years old
When she finally gets to dance
I hope he sweeps her off of her feet
I hope he spins her ‘round the ol’ dance floor
And makes her life complete
When she finally gets to dance
Later on she learned that life can be
Sometimes cruel and mean
At the prom she danced the night away
But only in her dreams
‘Cause dreams are as real as the love you feel
When you’re almost seventeen
When she finally gets to dance
I hope he sweeps her off of her feet
I hope he spins her ‘round the ol’ dance floor
And makes her life complete
When she finally gets to dance
As the years roll by their weight has left
Scars that were not there
When she was only 9 years old
And dreamt of Fred Astaire
But dreams are as real as the love you feel
When you’re pushing thirty-four
When she finally gets to dance
I hope he sweeps her off of her feet
I hope he spins her ‘round the ol’ dance floor
And makes her life complete
When she finally gets to dance
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3. |
Real As Love Can Be
02:37
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Real as love can be
That’s the kind she needs
Love that’s true won’t make her blue
If it’s real as love can be
There’s love that is and love that ain’t
There’s lovers lined up outside her gate
There’s lovers calling on the telephone
Real as love can be
That’s the kind she needs
Love that’s true won’t make her blue
If it’s real as love can be
Every inch a woman of the world
Sometimes she feels like a little girl
Dreaming of a love all her own
Real as love can be
That’s the kind she needs
Love that’s true won’t make her blue
If it’s real as love can be
A little sleep, a little rest
A little baby clutched to her breast
That’s about as real as love can be
Real as love can be
That’s the kind she needs
Love that’s true won’t make her blue
If it’s real as love can be
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4. |
Seven Careless Angels
04:59
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Shadows are falling
Evening has come
A streetlight is blinking
Like eyes in the sun
Balanced on high heels
In the midsummer heat
Seven Careless Angels
Walk the Angeles streets
They’re poised and they’re painted
In lipstick and rouge
They hardly look saintly
From our point of view
There’s no Virgin Mary
On the streets where they walk
Just crosses to carry
And the souls of the lost.
As the evening’s unfolding
There’s burdens to bear
But no hearts of gold
On the streets anywhere
What you do for love
They do to survive
Can you blame them for wanting
To just stay alive
The men bearing treasure
Come and go never blamed
They chase after pleasure
Hearts unashamed
They travel around the world
Hoping Angels to find
But the Angels they look for
Aren’t the heavenly kind
Malaya was 30
Headin’ over the hill
But the men like them younger
When they’re looking for thrills
So she worked on the side streets
She did what she could
But the bad always seemed
To outweigh the good
One morning her children
Wake up all alone
For the first and the last time
She doesn’t come home
The night clerk was leaving
When he found her outside
She was buried on Friday
And the children all cried
Shadows are falling
The night’s drawing near
A streetlight is blinking
Like eyes full of tears
Children are waiting
For moms to come home
As Seven Careless Angels
Walk the dark streets alone
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5. |
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Look at me now and what do you see?
Just a poor country boy in ragged old jeans
But just like you I’m dreamin’ big dreams
And one day I’ll win my wings
When the sun goes down and the moon lights up
I’ll pull down the shades and drink from the cup
I’ll drink from the cup of eternal dreams
And one day I’ll win my wings
I’ll win my wings and fly way up to the sky
I’ll have clouds around my feet and a halo to shine
Look at me now and what do you see?
Just a poor country boy in ragged blue jeans
But just like you I’m dreamin’ big dreams
And one day I’ll win my wings
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6. |
Love Made Me Believe
03:35
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If all the world is an illusion
Then the sky must not be blue
And if life is but a dream
Even love might not be true
But what kind of a world would it be
If even love was make believe
I won’t live in a world
Where I can’t believe
In love that’s real
As your love for me
And I’d lay down my life
I’d give it up twice
Or a thousand times
I’d pay any price
For love made me believe
Some say love is just a feeling
But I never fell for that
Some say love’s a passing fancy
Others say love never lasts
But what kind of a world would it be
To hear of love and not believe
I won’t live in a world
Where I can’t believe
In love as real
As your love for me
And I’d lay down my life
I’d give it up twice
Or a thousand times
I’d pay any price
For love made me believe
If all the world is an illusion
I still believe in love
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7. |
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© Dan Sullivan
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8. |
Coal Miner's Son
02:42
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Billy grew up a Coal Miner’s Son
Drove a tank in the First Gulf War
Came back from Iraq and took a job in the mine
Like his Daddy and brothers before
The work was real hard but the money was good
Digging coal underground in the dust
He never worried about what tomorrow might bring
Today was trouble enough
He married his sweetheart Hazel Marie
They had a daughter and named her Jolene
He worked in the mine for the next 20 years
On a coal extraction machine
But the halo of dust he wore like a crown
Left the taste of coal on his tongue
And the silica worked like a drill day and night
Digging way down deep in his lungs
He used to walk up his driveway to the mailbox each day
Just to see what the mailman had left
But these days it takes all of his strength
For Billy to draw his next breath
No OSHA inspections offered protection
And the mine owners cared even less
When they’re pulling black gold from the ground by the ton
Lives don’t matter I guess
Billy don’t work in the mine anymore
He just sits at home out of breath
Doctors call it Black Lung Disease
Billy calls it a living death
He used to walk up his driveway to the mailbox each day
Just to see what the mailman had left
But these days it takes all of his strength
For Billy to draw his next breath
Billy grew up a Coal Miner’s Son
He drove a tank in the First Gulf War
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9. |
Sometimes Love
03:16
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He doesn’t love her anymore
But she’s still in love with him
He says he needs to find himself
But she knows where he’s been
Her heart’s hoping to change his mind
But deep inside she knows
Sometimes love means holding on
Sometimes love means letting go
There’s a picture hanging on the wall
Taken on their wedding day
He’s holding her in his arms
As she cuts the wedding cake
Seems like only yesterday
His love was sure and strong
Now her world’s turned upside down
And she’s barely hanging on
She could try to hold onto
A love that isn’t there
But what good would it do
When he no longer cares
He doesn’t love her anymore
But she’s still in love with him
He says he needs to find himself
But she knows where he’s been
Her heart’s hoping to change his mind
But deep inside she knows
Sometimes love means holding on
Sometimes love means letting go
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10. |
Since Mama's Gone Away
02:17
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Nobody knows my sorrow
And nobody knows my pain
They say it was the virus
That took Mama away
Now nights are filled with darkness
And days are always grey
Oh! What will become of me
Since Mama’s gone away?
They tell me she’s in Heaven
And it’s a better place
But I still miss Mama’s kiss
And the smile on Mama’s face
Nobody knows my sorrow
And nobody knows my pain
They say it was the virus
That took Mama away
He said there’d be a miracle
But the miracle never came
Oh! What will become of me
Since Mama’s gone away?
I prayed for a miracle
But the miracle never came
Oh! What will become of me
Since Mama’s gone away?
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11. |
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I’ve noticed your inattention
You always seem so far away
And when I’m talking to you
You look the other way
It doesn’t take a genius
To figure out the score
Why don’t you just come out and say it
If you don’t love me anymore
You’re keeping your thoughts hidden
But I can see it in your eyes
And that look of indifference
That you don’t bother to disguise
It doesn’t take a genius
To figure out the score
Why don’t you just come out and say it
If you don’t love me anymore
Don’t pretend to be a martyr
Or betray me with a kiss
I’ve survived heartache before
And stronger storms than this
I don’t need an explanation
I don’t need a reason why
Don’t waste your breath denying
What I see with my own eyes
It doesn’t take a genius
To figure out the score
Why don’t you just come out and say it
If you don’t love me anymore
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12. |
Old Violin
03:43
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He was sweeping the pawn shop floor
It was almost closing time
When the bell above the door rang
And she came in
She was worn and tired looking
Like she’d seen better days
“What would you take,” she asked
For that Old Violin
He could she’d been a beauty
Back in her younger days
But time and trouble
Takes its toll on all
And this is where the dreams end up
When the good times fade away
In pawn shop windows
Or hanging on the wall
But dreams are hard to kill
They don’t die easily
They can almost be forgotten
And still come back in your sleep
The shopkeeper looked at the Old Violin
Hanging on the wall
Took it down
And then he scratched his chin
Maybe he saw a dream was hiding
Behind her sad, blue eyes
For he tore the ticket
Off that Old Violin
“Why don’t you just take it
And we’ll call it a loan
Pay me back
Whenever you can”
She thanked him for his kindness
And when she walked out the door
She left with more
Than that old violin
But dreams are hard to kill
They don’t die easily
They can almost be forgotten
And still come back in your sleep
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13. |
Lonely Too
02:54
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I know I’m not pretty
I was born like this
I’m not the kind of girl
Men long to kiss
But I’ve got feelings
Just like you
Don’t stare at me that way
I get lonely too
I may not be smart
Not the way that you are
But sometimes I still shine
As bright as any star
And sometimes I wish
You could stand in my shoes
You wouldn’t stare at me that way
If you were lonely too
Now I don’t mind the rain
It washes things clean
And I don’t have to worry
It can’t wash away my dreams
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14. |
Lamentations
02:59
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Take away these feelings
Get them out of here
I can’t cry no more
I’m out of tears
Yesterday the sky was blue
Now everything is wrong
There are no colors left
You are gone
I know this can’t be happening
You would not make me cry
So please don’t tease me anymore
Open up your eyes
(instrumental break)
I know this can’t be happening
You would not make me cry
So please don’t tease me anymore
Open up your eyes
Take away these feelings
Get them out of here
I can’t cry no more
I’m out of tears
Yesterday the sky was blue
Now everything is wrong
There are no colors left
You are gone
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15. |
Santa Writes Home
02:39
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Well, I bet I’ve seen every Salvation Army tree
And every department store from sea to shining sea
I must have turned the lights on on a million Christmas trees
And held every boy and girl in the world on my knee
If I wasn’t so busy I’d take you to lunch
It sure does get lonely being everywhere at once
Your hair is so curly and your skin is so soft
I’m gonna drop off these toys and take the next 6 months off
Well I love the laughing children and their eyes so bright and gay
They shine and sparkle like the stars across the Milky Way
But sometimes I get lonesome and I wish that you were here
I can’t wait to get back home I can use some Christmas Cheer
If I wasn’t so busy I’d take you to lunch
It sure does get lonely being everywhere at once
Your hair is so curly and your skin is so soft
I’m gonna drop off these toys and take the next 6 months off
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16. |
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Carolers are singing
They’ve gathered all around
A brightly lit Christmas tree
In a snowy park downtown
Stores are full of Santas
And shoppers in good cheer
But it doesn’t feel at all
Like Christmas this year
It doesn’t feel at all
Like Christmas this year
I listen to the radio
And all those Christmas songs
I hear Salvation Army bells
Ringing all day long
I see the happy faces
As Christmas day draws near
But it doesn’t feel at all
Like Christmas this year
It doesn’t feel at all
Like Christmas this year
There’s nothing to look forward to
Now that you’re not here
Snowflakes aren’t as pretty
When you’re seeing them through tears
Carolers are singing
They’ve gathered all around
A brightly lit Christmas tree
In a snowy park downtown
Stores are full of Santas
And shoppers in good cheer
But it doesn’t feel at all
Like Christmas this year
It doesn’t feel at all
Like Christmas this year
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17. |
I Guess I'll Get Stoned
02:30
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There’s the sad smell of cheap perfume
Hanging in the air
A few ash trays of what’s left
Of whoever was here
Now he’s gone and I’m home
But it don’t feel like home
Keep on sleeping baby
I guess I’ll get stoned
Stoned, I’ll get stoned
Stoned as a body can be
Feeling all alone
I guess I’ll get stoned
The last few weeks or so
You ain’t had much to say
And when I’m talking to you
You look the other way
I should have known long before
You finally let me know
Now sure as Hell I can tell
I’m gonna get stoned
Stoned, I’ll get stoned
Stoned as a body can be
Feeling all alone
I guess I’ll get stoned
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18. |
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Headin’ for Chicago on a freight train from St. Paul
Feelin’ like I’m feelin’ nothing at all
Hot steel burnin’ fast tracks ‘cross Minnesota ground
Ain’t it sad the way a train can let you down
It hurts to have to watch a diesel cry
Leavin’ you with sad, lonesome goodbyes
I met that train in Denver, she left me in Sioux Falls
Caught her in St. Louis, took her to St. Paul
But now I know she’s leavin’, when Chicago comes around
Ain’t it sad the way a train can let you down
It hurts to have to watch a diesel cry
Leavin’ you with sad, lonesome goodbyes
Yes, now I know she’s leavin’, when Chicago comes around
Ain’t it sad the way a train can let you down
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19. |
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I Wish Woody Guthrie Was Here
A short time ago
And not far away
In the gambling houses
Where the bankers do play
A gazillion got stolen
But the cops never came
Now who was that fool
Who said crime doesn’t pay
And I wish Woody Guthrie was here
He’d tell off the bankers
In a voice loud and clear
He’d give ‘em all hell
From now to next year
And I wish Woody Guthrie was here
Barnum was right
It’s all how you spin it
In the world there’s a sucker
Born every minute
In Lower Manhattan
Where the Great Temple stands
The Bears and the Bulls
Are still fleecing the lambs
And I wish Woody Guthrie was here
He’d tell off the shysters
In a voice loud and clear
He’d give ‘em all hell
From now to next year
And I wish Woody Guthrie was here
Step to the front
If you want in the game
Dumb money’s welcome
It all spends the same
There’s blood in the water
It’s no time to swim
The rules of the game
Is the house always wins
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20. |
Goodnight
03:39
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Close your eyes my Sweetheart
And I’ll sing you a lullaby
I’ll sing you such a sweet melody
It could almost make the Angels cry
Goodnight my Love, sleep tight tonite
Goodnight my Love My Love goodnight
Close your eyes my Baby
Tonight everything will be alright
I’ll hold you tight in my arms
And you’ll sleep like a baby tonite
Goodnight my Love, sleep tight tonite
Goodnight my Love My Love goodnight
Close your eyes my Sweetheart
And I’ll sing you a lullaby
I’ll sing you such a sweet melody
It could almost make the Angels cry
Goodnight my Love, sleep tight tonite
Goodnight my Love My Love goodnight
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Dan Sullivan Kalamazoo, Michigan
Some people like gardening, working on cars or woodworking. Others enjoy knitting, collecting stamps or coins. That kind of thing. I like writing songs.
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