1. |
Mother of One
02:47
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Mother of One
Well, I wish that I could spend the night in Dixie
Missy, I got Dixie on my mind
Layin' around and playin' around
Feel like leavin' everything behind
Skin & bones rattle down the hallway
Walkin' with a target on my back
Hold the ladder steady, got my pen an' notebook ready
Writin' down this yakkety-yak
You're never gonna draw a hand to please you
I'm not the dealer I once was
Mother of one, look at what you done
What a one you was a mother of
Well a Georgia peach is sweeter in the winter
Come Summertime we'll be havin' fun
Jezebel in pigtails sittin' on a side-rail
Underneath the southern sun
Walkin' hand in hand down by the river
Goin' to a dance in Charlottesville
She took the wheel outside of Mobile
Some things change, others never will
I'll be waitin' outside when you're ready
Don't need to push, you don't need to shove
Mother of one, look at what you done
What a one you was a mother of
Someday we're gonna stop wanderin'
I know that day's gonna come
But right now I'm movin' down the line
Gonna ride 'til the day is done
Lookin' for my sugar 'cross the delta
That's all I been dreamin' of
Mother of one, look at what you done
What a one you was a mother of
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2. |
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She Sent Me Home Laughing
She sent me home laughing,
What else could I do?
It was astounding
That much is true
Climbing the stairs
To her cavern of dust
I shouldn't talk
But, darling, I must
What was she saying and how could it be?
Why was she talking to me?
A sheep in wolf's clothing
Watching her slip
On shoulders of giants
Biting her lip
It was only a moment, that's all it took
Only an instant and look
What am I doing and why am I here?
I wish I could disappear
She sent me home laughing
I'm laughing still
When I think of her
I always will
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3. |
What Happened Here?
02:26
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What Happened Here?
Can you tell me what happened here?
You can whisper in my ear
Streets are empty, store fronts closed
What happened here? Nobody knows
No one's talking, something's changed
Things I once knew now seem strange
I can see it in your face
What has happened in this place?
Something's wrong I do believe
Can you tell me before I leave?
You try to hide it but it still shows
What happened here? Nobody knows
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4. |
Ingenue
03:36
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Ingenue
Can I have a lemon drop?
Once I start I can't stop
It would mean so much to me
If, one day, I could be
Walking hand in hand with you
I said it so you know it's true
Ingenue
You are such a pretty thing
There are songs that I could sing
Any hour of the day
Just to pass the time away
Nothing I would rather do
Than to be alone with you
Ingenue
I hope that it's not too late
How much longer must I wait?
Sunshine's streaming through the blinds
I can't get you off my mind
Ever since I saw your face
I can't find a resting place
Could be you been thinkin' too
Of the things that we could do
Ingenue
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5. |
A Little Bit Closer
02:51
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A Little Bit Closer
Stand up if you want to be counted
I got everything you need
But you don't seem to want it
If you can hear me raise your hands
Do the best, the best you can
Come a little bit closer
A step or two
Just a little bit closer
That's all you got to do
There's a chance that you
Might be mistaken
And it's a chance that might,
It might be worth taken
I can't tell you if that's true
All I got to say to you
Come a little bit closer
Don't forget
Just a little bit closer
Why play hard to get?
Nothing here is guaranteed
But hold on girl, before you leave
Come a little bit closer
What'd I say?
Just a little bit closer
You're too far away
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6. |
Everything for Everybody
03:38
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Everything for Everybody
Long before I made the connection
Long before sunrise
I caught sight of my better half
Staring up at the sky
There was nothing I could see
She stood there hypnotized
Strike me down if I were to be
Telling you lies
You may wonder, you may doubt
While I'm talking this way
Stay beside me and you'll find out
I have nothing to say
Long ago I might have told you
Things I won't say today
If there's something you must do
I won't stand in your way
Everything for everybody
One for all, all for one
This is such a strange affliction
don't know what's to be done
We were walking through Silvertown
Then we started to run
If we ever go back down
I won't tell anyone
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7. |
I Can't Say Where
03:03
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I Can't Say Where
I'm talking to the wall and it won't answer me
Picking up the apples falling from my apple tree
I'm whistling in the dark just like you told me to
Big boss man, I'm waiting here, waiting here for you
Come with me out to the sea
And feel the south wind blow
I can't say where but
I got to go
While you're still on your feet clap hands and sing along
The line forms on the right, I hear, that is unless I'm wrong
It's up to you again, can't say that I'm surprised
I knew you wouldn't last the night, I saw it in your eyes
The more you do the less it's worth
That's all you need to know
I can't say where but
I got to go
Bring back my book of knots, my shiny dancing shoes
I'm just your little so and so with nothing left to lose
Can't tell if you're awake, there's days I wish I knew
What did you say now don't you know who you're talking to?
Every time I take a step
it echoes down below
I can't say where but
I got to go
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8. |
Don't Blame Her
02:52
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Don't Blame Her
Time was when I thought we made quite a pair
The days and nights they passed without a care
But now those times are just a memory
Please don't blame her if things aren't like they used to be
We had our words somewhere along the line
And soon familiar doubts they crossed my mind
When I think back it seems like yesterday
No, don't blame her because I threw it all away
If you should see me somewhere with a friend
Painting the town each night from end to end
And I should speak of days gone by again
No, don't blame her if I mention things that might have been
Can you tell me what is that sound me dear?
Could it be closing time is drawing near?
And soon my good friends will all disappear
But don't blame her when you see me sitting here
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9. |
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Is This A House Or A Ruin
I did some talking and I had myself a time
When I start thinking straight then I'll make up my mind
If I dare to go another round I think I might go blind
Is this a house or a ruin?
Is it make believe?
Open up the window
I can hardly breathe
I don't raise my voice in anger, I don't raise my voice at all
That won't stop your fancy man from coming down the hall
The door is off its hinges, It's leaning on the wall
Is this a house or a ruin?
Tell me if it's true
Nothin's gonna change
No matter what we do
I tell myself to hurry but I can't make a move
Sitting on a window ledge staring at my shoes
Before too late my ride'll come, bringing me the news
Is this a house or a ruin?
I can sympathize
There's nothin' left to say
I see it in your eyes
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10. |
Blonde Dressed in Black
03:22
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Blonde Dressed In Black
If one is too many then why ask for two
There must be a reason for these things I do
I had a good friend, I took her uptown
Took her to Harlem, showed her around
What caught my attention
When I think back
Under a street light
A blonde dressed in black
What is she doing, why should I care?
It doesn't matter what she's doing there
Me and my good friend, we made our plans
I got what I want right here where I am
Yet I have to wonder
When I think back
What caught my attention
Was something like that
It makes me wonder
Turns me around
I don't want to lose
The good thing I found
I better get ready, why, I don't know
If I'm feeling restless I'll tell you so
Walk out my front door, what do I see?
Looks like a stranger staring at me
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11. |
6 Days Out of 7
02:50
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6 Days Out Of 7
I keep calling but there's nobody around
Wonder if my baby, maybe she left town
Could be flying in a big jet plane
Flagging down a trucker in the rain
6 days out of 7 everything's the same
The night's so long but I'm gonna see it through
Staring out my window 'cause there's nothin' else to do
Looking 'round for pictures from another time
Seems like everybody's doing fine
6 days out of 7 I walk the line
Hey conductor where you taking me?
Maybe where the palm trees sway
I never been down south of Tennessee
So why you going up the other way?
My heart is broken and I think I'm lost
I got what I wanted and I paid the cost
Owe my soul to the company coal
Who says that we ain't on roll?
6 days out 7 got it under control
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12. |
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Take Your Hands Off My Baby
Take your hands off my baby 'cause she's mine all mine
She might look a little rattled but she's feeling fine
When the big light comes on
My eyes can't help to see
I been down here so long
It looks like up to me
Take your hands off my woman it's a crying shame
We been drinking all night, I wish I knew her name
While I'm still on my feet
An' I can tell the time of day
I won't go back on the street
Weaving down my winding way
Every time I hit the ground
The walls start closing in
The room is spinning 'round
And there you go again
Take your hands off my baby
Take your hands off my woman, am I standing still?
Better call for protection, if you don't, I will
I don't carry a gun
And I lost my switchblade knife
but I'm not gonna run
I'm staying here all night
Take your hands off my baby
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13. |
Ghost Town
03:39
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Ghost Town
Many years ago the wheels went spinning 'round
Come a time, I'd be standing there
Staring at the lights, the shining lights of town
Now I can't see them anywhere
Ghost town, ghost town
I'm living in a ghost town
I walk the streets alone much like I've always done
But now someone walks behind
I can't make out their face or where they're coming from
Or who it is that they're trying to find
Ghost town, ghost town
I'm living in a ghost town
If you hear this can you please
Write someone for me
They live on the lovely coastline
By the tideless sea
Stay the course my son and press on if you can
Until a stranger's voice will call to you
With questions and requests, orders and demands
Things, my son, that you will have to do
Ghost town, ghost town
You're living in a ghost town
We're living in a ghost town
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14. |
Pocketful of Bones
03:01
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Pocketful of Bones
A banner's hanging from the midway tent
Flags are flying up on deck
Nobody came and told me what it meant
Until they hung a noose around my neck
It wasn't me who wanted to cross
The line bound for parts unknown
That's not me, that's my pocketful of bones
There's nowhere to stand your ground
When it starts shifting under you
Can't understand what they're saying now
But I think I know what I might do
I'm not the one who wanted to ride
This Tilt-A-Whirl all alone
That's not me, that's my pocketful of bones
She licks her lips and parts the seas
Smacks a whip across her knees
She don't do much, she just do what she please
I can't get up from off this chair
I'm backing down and punching air
Can't find my way, I can't find it anywhere
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Maurice Mattei Cincinnati, Ohio
Musically, everything I do revolves around songwriting. I began writing in the mid '70s, took a long break and started into it again in the late '80s. It was then that I found my own approach. I was influenced by the narratives in old Rock & Roll songs, folk & country tunes, and swing-era standards. My songs became more riff-oriented when I started the Tempers but not much changed lyrically. ... more
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