Brand New Day
Chorus
Gonna be light on my feet,
Gonna smile at everyone I meet,
Gonna bring some sunshine down,
On those around me,
Gonna be happy all the time,
Every song I sing will always rhyme,
Blue sky morning, feeling fine,
It’s a brand new day.
All the fussing and fighting,
Got my heart broke down,
There’s a whole lotta love,
If you look for it,
All it needs is spreadin’ around,
Let your light shine bright,
Throw away that frown,
It’s a funny old world when you think about it,
Gonna laugh while it’s turnin’ around.
Chorus
I’m gonna lift you up,
When you’re feeling down,
Gonna dance to the music,
All night long,
You won’t even touch the ground,
When the rhythm sways,
Happiness all round,
Your smiling face lights up the dark,
Our laughter is the only sound
Chorus
Shine a Light
Walkin’ down Piedmont Avenue,
Sunlight gone, a little colder, too,
Hands in my pockets, head down,
I’m headed home
Voice from the alley stops me cold,
Rough and dry, like an old dirt road
“Mister, can you give me a light,
My fire has flown”
Downtown, street-life, wino, bum,
Keep on wallkin’ where you come from,
Don’t shake me down, I ain’t that dumb,
Ain’t gonna feed your habit, Son.
A bottle might help you to forget,
Numb the pain just a little bit,
A bottle might help, but
You ain’t gonna get it from me.
Looking down the alley in the faded light,
I heard those notes ring against the night,
Delta Blues,
Rhythm coming soft and low
Bass notes drivin’ all on their own,
High notes callin’ a lost child home,
Coming from the heart,
Of a worn-out body and soul
He was standing in the alley,
Wailin’ the Blues,
Catalog guitar, worn-out shoes,
“Mister, hit me with a dollar,
Shine a little light on me
Hit me with a dollar; shine a light on me,
It ain’t that much; I’ll play for free,
Might have even heard this song before,
I wrote it nearly eighty years ago,
I ain’t no wino, I ain’t no bum,
You don’t know where I’m coming from,
Mister, hit me with a dollar,
Shine a little light on me
“Sweet Home Chicago,” “Love in Vain,”
“Cross Road Blues” and the “Terraplane,”
My blood ran cold,
And a chill fell down my spine.
He sang those songs from a deeper well,
Haunted voice, like a hoo-doo spell,
I gave him a twenty,
He sang for one last time.
I might have been buried on the highway side,
Might have made a deal when the Devil lied,
A .32-20 held to my head,
Might be livin’, I might be dead,
It’s up to you, Mister, — you decide,
If I’m fake or bonafide,
Mister hit me with a dollar,
Shine a little light on me.
Hit me with a dollar; shine a light on me,
It ain’t that much; I’ll play for free,
Might have even heard this song before,
I wrote it nearly eighty years ago,
I ain’t no wino, I ain’t no bum,
You don’t know where I’m coming from,
Mister, hit me with a dollar,
Shine a little light on me
Lucky Guy
The sun’s on the rise, I open one eye,
Another bright morning begins,
My feet hit the floor; I give the coffee a pour,
Morning paper is getting quite thin,
Bad news on all sides, like a slow rising tide,
You wonder where we go from here,
So much to do, I will never get through,
Stay on the run, just to get the job done,
There’s no explanation, I don’t even try,
But I know I’m a lucky guy.
Some roads are rough, full of rocks and deep ruts,
While others roll smooth as glass,
There are those who will rave, that your future’s been paved,
And entirely depends on your past,
Sometimes it seems, evil slips in between,
While good folks can barely get by,
We wander about; think we’ve figured it out,
Hold on to dreams that will never be seen,
There’s no explanation, I don’t even try,
But I know I’m a lucky guy.
Bridge:
I’ve got babies to hold,
Man, that never gets old,
That pure love just pulls at your heart,
Life’s circle goes round, lifts you right off the ground,
Another soul gets a brand new start.
There’s no explanation, I don’t even try,
But I know I’m a lucky guy
The sun’s on the rise, I open one eye,
Another bright morning begins,
47 lb. Rooster
47 lb. rooster walkin’ down my street,
just struttin’ and a stridin’ to a cocky beat,
pickin’ fights with every single dog he does meet,
he’s a free-range, happening bird
47 lb. rooster, that ain’t petite,
that’s a lot of fried chicken, more than you can eat,
but you ain’t gonna catch him, he’s much too fleet,
he’s a free-range, happening bird
Bridge:
Rex Goliath is his name and Texas is where he stay,
people they flock from miles away,
just to see him crow at the break of day,
I bet you ain’t never, ever seen a rooster like this before,
all the hens run for cover
just as soon as they discover
Rex comin’ through the henhouse door
47 lb. rooster, now he don’t fly,
got an eight foot wingspan, but he don’t try,
he might be cruisin’ low, but he’s three feet high,
he’s a free-range, happening bird
47 lb. rooster ain’t got no fear.
Got a bad disposition, don’t get too near,
that lightning spur’ll slice off your ear,
he’s a free-range, happening bird
Better Angels
Everyone needs a following star, guiding our way from the start,
Maybe an angel holding us close,
Finding the kindness that hides in our heart,
Everyone falls or loses their way; angels do all that they can,
But in the end, it’s really our choice,
To follow those angels or make other plans,
Chorus:
Have you seen my better angels?
I’ve looked for them everywhere,
They don’t hang around, they cannot be found,
Do you think they no longer care?
I always thought they would be there.
Everyone says, I’m an all-right guy, kinder than most that you find,
They never saw the times that you cried,
I was so stubborn I paid it no mind,
Everyone says that I’m steady and true, stand like a rock for a friend,
They never thought, but you always knew,
I’d be the one, who would leave in the end,
Refrain:
Angels, they must, do as they please,
They come and go, float on the breeze,
I’ll find my way; I’ll make the right call,
I’ll be OK; don’t need them at all,
Angels will do as they please
My better angels, don’t feel very near; lately I feel like I’m lost,
I really could use their company now,
No questions asked and no matter the cost,
They will return, in their own time, for now, I just need to be strong,
“Hurry home, angels” is all I can say,
Shine like a star as you follow along,
Have you seen my better angels?
I’ve looked for them everywhere,
They don’t hang around, they cannot be found,
Do you think they no longer care?
I always thought they would be there,
Well I hope my angels still care.
Done Made Up Her Mind
She said it was love, but I think she might be wrong this time,
She said it was true, and I really ought to give it a try,
She might be right, I might be wrong,
Either way my tom-cattin’ days are gone,
It don’t feel like love, but she’s done made up her mind.
I had a ragtop buick, and brother, that was one sweet ride,
I nearly owned the title, but I let a few payments slide,
That Repo Man, he was so polite,
He never woke me up, driving away that night,
I could have wrote him a check, but he done made up his mind.
Ol’ Sawbones said that I gotta change my lifestyle,
Don’t eat no fat, lose weight, run an extra mile,
If it tastes real good, not another bite,
If it tastes real bad, you can have all you like,
I think he’s trying to starve me, but he done made up his mind.
Chorus:
Every move I make, every turn I take,
Everybody’s made up their mind,
Perhaps you can relate, no topic for debate,
It’s “my way or the highway” everytime.
The Taxman said that my taxes were way too low,
Takes cash to run a country like this, Son, don’t cha know?
So I give, they take, I give some more,
Uncle Sam’s dressed up like a two-bit whore,
I never got kissed, but they done made up their mind.
Empty Old Mailbox
Empty old mailbox, gray light fallin’ down,
Out on the edges, you don’t hear a sound,
Wind kickin’ papers like kites to the ground,
Night starts to fall,
God bless us all.
Run down old house could use some repair,
Nothing gets done from the seat of this chair,
Since Corrine passed on, it’s just too hard to care,
A year ago this fall,
God bless us all.
Chorus:
They say every day has its blessings,
You never know where they will fall,
But blessings don’t come ‘cause you want ‘em,
Sometimes they don’t come at all.
I guess I’m still mad that she left me this way,
She knew I’d get by, that’s all I can say,
This hole in my heart, it won’t go away,
I still can hear her call,
God bless us all.
Chorus
Empty old mailbox, gray light fallin’ down,
Out on the edges, you don’t hear a sound
Not Guilty
Oh, Judge, I’m innocent,
Insanity defense,
Yes, I’m crazy, I’m impaired,
Don’t send me to that ’lectric chair,
If I were standin’ in your shoes,
I know which verdict I would choose,
I’d walk in, they’d say, “All Rise,”
And I would look you in the eyes and say,
Chorus:
“Not Guilty! Not Guilty!,
That poor boy’s just been framed,
“Not Guilty! Not Guilty!,
He’s crazy, but he ain’t to blame.
That Woman, she’s spiteful,
Nothin’ but trouble to me,
That Woman, spent my money,
She livin’ in my trailer for free,
That Man was her second cousin.
‘Least that’s what she told me,
He caught both barrels; he’s pushin’ up daisies,
Murder, in the first degree, but I say….
Chorus
Refrain:
Every body in the Slammer is an innocent man,
Everybody got a story to tell,
They been done wrong, it’s a one-note song,
But they sing that song so well,
Your Honor, I ain’t no killer, no that ain’t my shot gun,
It wasn’t me, Judge, can’t you see, I ain’t the guilty one.
That Woman drove me crazy,
She planned it from the start,
That Woman, she’s the devil,
The devil done broke my heart,
Your Honor, I beg for mercy,
Don’t throw the Book at me,
You’d do the same, I ain’t to blame
Ain’t gonna cop no plea, I say….
Falling to Earth
Falling to earth, with the blue sky above me,
I feel I’m lost in a dream.
I never thought that I’d find myself falling,
How could this be at nineteen?
Holding my wings I stepped into the clouds,
So high above the ground,
I thought I heard the angels singing,
Singing without a sound,
I don’t know if I am still falling,
Or if I am heaven-bound.
Empty and dark, no dazzling light,
To carry me back to my home,
I opened my arms to set my wings free,
I had never felt so alone,
High up above the battle was lost,
Flashing thunder pounds,
I thought I heard the angels singing,
Singing without a sound,
I don’t know if I am still falling,
Or if I am heaven-bound.
Gravity fails as a heavenly hand,
Now carries me up to the sun,
White shroud above me, the green earth below,
I’m floating where miracles run,
Who knows the answer to why we are given,
Another chance to go round,
I thought I heard the angels singing,
Singing without a sound,
I know that I am no longer falling,
No longer heaven-bound.
Refrain:
Falling, I’m falling,
So far away from home,
Falling, I’m falling,
From everything I had known,
Falling, I’m falling,
I don’t know what’s up or down,
I thought I heard the angels singing,
Singing without a sound,
I don’t know if I am still falling,
Or if I am heaven-bound.
Falling to earth, with the blue sky above me,
I feel I’m lost in a dream.
I Will Be There
Oceans I’ll sail, mountains I’ll climb,
Trust that my heart remains true,
If you are in need, you only need call,
I will be there for you.
No river too wild, no desolate place,
Lonely and hidden from view,
No distance between can keep us apart,
I will be there for you.
Refrain:
I will be there to stand at your side,
No burden too great to bear,
May love give you courage,
May love give you hope,
Never give in to despair,
I will be there.
Hold close your heart, protect it from harm,
It still may be broken in two,
No worries—it’s strong, it will mend over time,
I will be there for you.
Bridge:
I’ll not fight your battles,
While you stand aside,
Struggles like these make you strong,
But never think once that you’re fighting these battles alone.
Oceans I’ll sail, mountains I’ll climb,
Trust that my heart remains true,
If you are in need, you only need call,
I will be there for you.
I will be there for you
Good Advice
Try to keep your life in line,
Try to keep an open mind,
Keep all opinions to yourself,
Put ‘em right up on that shelf.
No one cares what you might think,
You’ll never see that “nudge and wink,”
Try to keep a low profile,
Always substance over style,
Always substance over style.
Chorus:
Well, I guess that’s some good advice,
I might have heard it once or twice,
Good advice it still might be,
I never thought it applied to me,
I never thought it applied to me.
Look at her mother, you will see,
Your future bride at fifty-three,
You might think she’s cute right now,
But over time, we change, somehow.
You will change as much, it’s true,
That mirror only lies to you,
Find someone who makes you laugh,
Beauty fades, but laughter lasts,
Beauty fades, but laughter lasts,
Chorus
Find the good in everyone,
Forget the spiteful things they’ve done,
To enemies, try to be kind,
Ignore the things that waste your time.
Find the one thing that you love,
Honesty will rise above,
Those who try to pull you down,
Never reach the higher ground,
They’ll never reach that higher ground.
Chorus:
Well, I guess that’s some good advice,
I might have heard it once or twice,
Good advice I’ll take to heart,
I was a fool, I played the part,
It’s not too late, it’s time to start,
It’s not too late, it’s time to start.
Weiner Dogs
Turn the doorknob slowly,
Quiet as a mouse,
The door is barely open,
As I slide out of my house,
I know that they’re out there ,
I can hear them pant,
Staking out my backyard,
Ever vigilant.
You might think you’re quiet,
They can hear it all,
If you make a wrong move,
You will hear their call,
Turned up to “11,”
The howling and the wail,
Yap, Yap, Yappin’ Weiner Dogs,
Like Hellhounds on my trail.
Refrain:
Weiner Dogs are said to be,
An old and noble breed,
Fearless and courageous,
They can make a badger bleed,
People think they’re funny,
Belly draggin’ on the ground,
I think they’d be perfect,
If they never made a sound.
Neighbor on my left,
Friendly guy I know,
Owns a pair of Weiner Dogs,
They yap in stereo,
Never seems to notice,
They never will refrain,
Those Yap, Yap, Yappin’ Weiner Dogs,
Are drivin’ me insane.
Neighbor on my right,
Peaceful, not a sound,
Until he made a visit
To the local Pound,
Got himself some Weiner Dogs,
Bargained hard, they say,
They gave him $50 bucks a piece,
To take those dogs away.
Refrain
Let It Ride
I don’t know what’s happening here; how could we go so wrong,
The whole world’s turning upside down; it’s been that way so long,
And I can’t see how tragedy, is just another part
Of God’s plan, we can’t understand.
That seems like such an easy out; to say we have no choice,
Just like puppets held by strings; no movement and no voice,
In the end it’s up to us, our fate’s not tied to chance,
Even so, I’m grateful for my present circumstance,
Refrain:
Let it ride,
Don’t let it bring you down,
Look inside,
The answers will be found,
In your heart,
Try to give your love away,
You know the more you give away,
The more love stays,
I’ve learned to live with my regrets; everyone’s got a few,
Sometimes they fall like raindrops right on you,
But tomorrow that old sun will shine,
Tomorrow that old sun will shine,
Yes, tomorrow that old sun will shine on through.
We hope that we grow wiser, as we grow in years,
But wisdom’s just a step behind our laughter and our tears,
It’s such a simple lesson, a child could understand,
We learn more from the times we fall,
Than all the times we stand,
Still, sometimes I wish I were a younger man,
I know that’s just a foolish whim; you can’t re-live your life again,
But what if all our choices were suddenly undone?
Would you choose another path,
Or stay on the same one,
And….
Refrain
All Songs by Tony Bolin
© 2018 All Rights Reserved
