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10,000 Maniacs lyrics
Album: In My Tribe [1987]
| Hey Jack Kerouac | |
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[ robert buck/natalie merchant ]
Hey jack kerouac, I think of your mother
And the tears she cried, she cried for none other
Than her little boy lost in our little world that hated
And that dared to drag him down. her little boy courageous
Who chose his words from mouths of babes got lost in the wood.
Hip flask slinging madman, steaming cafe flirts,
They all spoke through you.
Hey jack, now for the tricky part,
When you were the brightest star who were the shadows?
Of the san francisco beat boys you were the favorite.
Now they sit and rattle their bones and think of their blood stoned days.
You chose your words from mouths of babes got lost in the wood.
The hip flask slinging madman, steaming cafe flirts,
Nights in chinatown howling at night.
Allen baby, why so jaded?
Have the boys all grown up and their beauty faded?
Billy, what a saint they’ve made you,
Just like mary down in mexico on all souls’ day.
You chose your words from mouths of babes got lost in the wood.
Cool junk booting madmen, street minded girls
In harlem howling at night.
What a tear stained shock of the world,
You’ve gone away without saying goodbye.
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| Like the Weather | |
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The color of the sky as far as I can see is coal grey. Lift my head
from the pillow and then fall again. With a shiver in my bones just
thinking about the weather. A quiver in my lips as if I might cry. Well
by the force of will my lungs are filled and so I breathe. Lately it seems
this big bed is where I never leave. Shiver in my bones just thinking
about the weather. Quiver in my voice as I cry, "What a cold and rainy
day. Where on earth is the sun hid away." I hear the sound of a noon bell
chime. Now I'm far behind. You've put in 'bout half a day while here I
lie with a shiver in my bones just thinking about the weather. A quiver in
my lip as if I might cry, "What a cold and rainy day. Where on earth is
the sun hid away?"
Do I need someone here to scold me or do I need someone who'll grab
and pull me out of this four poster dull torpor pulling downward. For it
is such a long time since my better days. I say my prayers nightly this
will pass away.
The color of the sky is grey as I can see through the blinds. Lift my
head from the pillow and then fall again with a shiver in my bones just
thinking about the weather. A quiver in my voice as I cry, "What a cold
and rainy day. Where on earth is the sun hid away?" I shiver, quiver, and
try to wake.
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| My Sister Rose | |
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Big plans are being made for my sisters wedding day. We'll
have a ball at the Sons of Roma Hall. Family, friends come one and all.
First the bestman makes a toast to Rocky and my sister Rose,
"A life of years free of tears. Bottoms up and lots of luck!" Polka,
tango everyone, cha-cha, mambo Rose and Rock alone. Frankie Rizzo and
his Combo play on.
Single girls all hear the call from a crowd at the back wall
and when the bouquet flies each one tries to be the best catch and
next years bride. Uncle Sam and Uncle Joe take their places in the
row. They're standing by side to side for dollar dances with the
bride. Polka, tango everyone, cha-cha, mambo, Rose and Rock alone.
"He's a banker, she'll be well off now." Sister Rose take your
mother's place. Trade your home and your maiden name. For a list of
vows and a veil of lace made a wife of you today.
Now they cut the five tier cake, "That Colucci, he can bake."
A frosted tower of sugar and flour for the couple of the hour. Polka,
tango everyone, cha-cha, mambo Rose and Rock alone. She was born to
wear that gown. Sister Rose take your mother's place. Trade your home
and your maiden name. For a list of vows nad a veil of lace made a
wife of you today, but you're my sister Rose the same.
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| City of Angels | |
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[ robert buck/natalie merchant ]
Heaven, is this heaven where we are?
See them walking, if you dare, if you call that walking.
Stumble, stagger, fall and drag themselves along the streets of heaven.
Where is the blessed table to feed all who hunger on earth,
Welcomed and seated each one joyfully served?
See them walking, if you dare, if you call that walking.
Stumble, stagger, fall and drag themselves along the streets of heaven.
Where is the halo that should glow ’round your face,
And where are the wings that should grow from your shoulder blades?
Show them to me.
These are sobering sights I’ve seen in the city of angels
Have all been one rude awakening that was dues to me in heaven.
There would have been heavenly music I was convinced before.
A host of the dearly to meet me with hosannas sung at the door,
But these are sobering sights I’ve seen in the city of angels
Have all been one rude awakening that was dues to me in heaven.
In this city of fallen angels.
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