Release Date: 1970
Duration: 40:39
Label: Rhino/Bearsville
Catalog Number: RNCD 70862
Look at this empty face, Look at this broken frame I have been no other place And you know I've heard no other name. How can you keep me so? How can I let it go? I look the worst that you've ever seen Is it too much to ask what that's supposed to mean? You've been playin' around and I played the part Of a broke-down man with a busted heart. Reach out a hand and see What you have made of me Take a good hard look and then Close your eyes and Ask yourself again How can you keep me so? How can I let it go? You know that I would go anywhere That I could go in my old wheelchair Though I wouldn't get far 'til it fell apart I'm a broke down man with a busted heart. How can you keep me so? How can I let it go? You know my state as you hear my song You'll change your mind if I live that long Couldn't start it again Nothing's left to start But a busted man with a broke-down heart.
Please don't look at me that way, I can hardly say what I have to say, There is nothing that I haven't told to you That I didn't believe you knew. I am thinking of another time I could feel you thinking that you were mine, Now I hold out my hands 'til my arms get tired And you wait on the other side. You and me, we're both the same, Don't let me take all the blame, I promise that I will do all it takes to make up for my mistakes. So, I'm trying hard to be the man And it's not a hard thing to understand, For I think that my being would cease to be If you didn't believe in me, If you didn't believe in me.
Leroy, boy, is that you? I thought your post-hangin' days were through, Sunk-in eyes and full of sighs, Tell no lies, you get wise, I tell you now we're gonna pull you through, There's only one thing left that we can do. We gotta get you a woman, It's like nothin' else to make you feel sure you're alive. We gotta get you a woman, We better get walkin', we're wastin' time talkin' now. Leroy, boy, you're my friend You say how and I'll say when Come and meet me down the street Take a seat, it's my treat You may not ever get this chance again That empty feeling's just about to end. Talkin' 'bout life and what it means to you, It don't mean nothin' if it don't run through I got one thing to say, you know it's true You got to find some time to get this thing together. Talkin' 'bout things about that special one They may be stupid but they sure are fun I'll give it to you while we're on the run Because we ain't got time to get this thing together, 'cause we Got to get together with a woman who has been around, One who knows better than to let you down, Let's hope there's still one left in this whole town, And that she'll take some time to get this thing together. We gotta get you a woman And when we're through with you, We'll get me one too.
Who's that man, who's that man? Who told him that he could hold your hand? When I looked him in the eye he ran Who's that man, who's that man? Maryanne, who's that man? There's one thing that you should understand You know many things that go unsaid By the way one earns his daily bread. He's a lotus-eater, a plow-share beater, A rack-jobber and an old grave robber, A strip miner, a big headliner, A charge-card diner and he comes from Carolina. Maryanne, who's that man? Do you think he's doing all that he can? Can you tell me after all I've said That you'd leave me and take him instead? He's a gun-clubber, an eye-rubber A bum's rusher and a big ball-crusher A draft-boarder, a food-hoarder A strike-breaker and a heavy speed-taker. He's a black brother, an unwed mother A flag-waver and a rock and roll raver A hippie killer, an offshore driller The new messiah and a habitual liar.
So few and far between, Here's a mood I've never seen you in. I should have known not to ask you why And set myself up for one big, long cry. Once burned and twice removed Thought I made it now but nothing's proved. Set in my mind not to push too hard, And now I wind up back in your backyard. No one cares about the loser, No one gets a second chance, Even you, even me, if it's through. Don't you see that it's one thing if I should lose again, But to walk away twice is a crying shame.
Who's that knockin' on my door? Who's that rising up from under the floor? I know. I can hear that demon roar, But I don't care, I ain't gonna hear it no more. I don't care, I paid my dues last year, Have no fear, now it's time that I clear out of here. Just let you know before I go. Are you devil or death? You'll have to bow, ain't no power on earth can stop me now, I have done all things that make it right, To keep me out of the devil's bite. Heaven sent me down a sign Things were bad but now I'm doin' fine So you better step back cross that line Now I can't see you but for one last time. I can see you marked my life like a scar So you are But it don't take a star to go far. I'll let you on, before I'm gone. I knew someday you'd be along, Swingin' your tail and singin' a dead man's song, Just when things get good you want your take But you're wrong, 'cause I'm leaving this shell And I'm movin' on.
I'm in the clique, I'm in the clique I'm really slick, I know every trick And I can get a chick, 'cause I'm in the clique. Get your greasy hands off the guitar, Get your slimy seat off the drums, Go and take a chair in the corner, And wait until your time comes. Maybe you're a wheel in your hometown, Maybe you're the best on the block, But by the time you make it in New York, Your axe will be in hock. Gettin' in the door will cost a fin Minimum is another three It takes a year of heavy spending Before they let you in free. You may dress like everybody But there the similarity ends You need more than a uniform to be In our little circle of friends. Maybe I could give you advice But what can I say to you? Some people get it together And some people never do. Just try and get your foot in the door And maybe, with luck, you may Also be in a position to look Down your nose on somebody someday.
Oh, Ah, OOOOO.
Laura, I saw you open in LA There's something I gotta say Laura, you know it's really been such a long, long time And you know Laura, I knew you'd make it good someday And you knew it anyway Laura, I know that maybe this is the wrong, wrong time But Laura where did that magic go It's so hard, it's so cold down here Did you have to leave me behind? I wish that I could make it But how I love to shuffle (how I love to shuffle) Baby let's swing Now I love to shuffle Ever since I heard you sing (since I heard her sing)
So may people have heard me cry Since that terrible day when you said goodbye So many dark corners have heard me say How the light has gone out since you went away Everyone's heard of how you left me again Everyone's heard about my so-called friend They tell me I'm a fool, but I don't hear a word 'Cause the last thing you said was the last thing I heard How many times I've tried to talk to my heart But it won't even listen since you tore it apart I have to tell myself there's only one thing to do Try and find someone else and forget about you I know she doesn't mean a thing in the world I waste my hours with another girl She says she loves me so but I don't hear a word 'Cause the last thing you said was the last thing I heard
Long-lost, gone I can tell by the way you carry on And it's now I see After all of this time what it's done to me Can't you see? I can't go free If you make me watch you cry one more time Once more I walk away, once more I hear you say Once more please try to stay, once more I may Don't tie my hands, don't lock that door Don't make me stand for this love anymore Please let me leave, don't start making that scene Don't crush me in between No one I wanted more I wanted to love, to be mine Now it turns out I have to say goodbye And I don't see why I should have to watch you cry one more time
I was born this very morning and my brother he was also born, In our first nine months we learned to speak and we have been listening since early morn. I love no one but my brother who spent those months with me I hate no one and no other has so far hated me But it isn't yet the afternoon, and things are still to be, And when evening comes we all will see. I am not very old and I won't live long. I was born this very morning singing this here song Now I feel the worst for older people winding out their friendless hours alone Seeing lives like plays at final curtain looking out to find everyone has gone home. Is there something I can pray to? Some offering I can send? Or some ear that I can play to, to help him find a friend? And maybe then redeem myself to keep me from that end For the evening comes and who knows when. Oh, my brother, where is our mother? Is there no other to live together, To be our lover?
Laura, I saw you open in LA There's something I gotta say Laura, you know it's really been such a long, long time And you know Laura, I knew you'd make it good someday And you knew it anyway Laura, I know that maybe this is the wrong, wrong time But Laura where did that magic go It's so hard, it's so cold down here Did you have to leave me behind? I wish that I could make it But how I love to shuffle (how I love to shuffle) Baby let's swing Now I love to shuffle Ever since I heard you sing (since I heard her sing) Laura, I saw you in that magazine You looked like a gypsy queen Laura, I beat around the bush 'cause it's oh so hard But you know Laura, it's not the best it's ever been I think you know what I mean I wish you'd take a look in your own back yard To see that someone has seen it all Seen you climb, seen you fall so low If you have to leave it behind I'll carry it on for ya, 'cause it's oh so hard Baby let's swing Now I love to shuffle Ever since I heard you sing
(see Todd Rundgren's Ballad of Todd Rundgren)
Say no more I can feel you whenever you're near Say no more I will know all you want me to hear I am writing with you, of you, love you Say no more I am lost in a river of words Say no more Let this feeling be all that is heard I am by you, with you, of you, love you Say no more
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