I am at your halfway station darling and I've been waiting
for your train.
I am at your halfway station darling and I've been waiting
for your train.
But you've been too long darling and it looks like rain.

I have seen these strange little girls who come up to you
and they don't know when to stop.
I have watched your eye as it follows the line of the leg
right up to the top.
Now Betty Sue and Mary Jane have come around to play again,
but I am standing at your door and I do believe I'll tell
them to go home.

There's this black widow spider darling and she's been
walking on my hand.
There's this black widow spider darling and she's been walking
on my hand.
And we've had this little heart to heart and I think I
understand.

It's a funny situation, I mean what am I to do?
With Lisa in the upstairs room and Joan and Martha too.
I can't come down to breakfast 'cause the plates have all
been used.
And it's as crowded as a subway car and I think that you're
confused.
Now I would wait at your station but I do believe it's time
that I went home.

I am at Black Widow station darling and I've been waiting for
your train.
I am at Black Widow station darling and I've been waiting for
your train.
You've been to long darling and it looks like rain.
You've been to long darling and it looks like rain.

(January 1981)

I like you
and you like him
and he likes me
and we all love each other.
We like to sit in the cafe
and eat and drink and talk all day
and watch the sun.
We like to read the newspaper
and talk about him and her
and who is getting along with who these days,
and when the sun goes down
we walk along the cobblestone ground.

He loves the city
with the bricks and broken bottles
and the pretty little flowers
as they grow against the wall.
He is dark,
he is tall,
he is the tallest one of all
of us.
You are bright and quick and fair
and seems that you have lost some hair
but this is all right.
This is OK. We do not mind.
We write and fight and sing
and this is fine.

We drink the wine
if we get it free
and if he buys you a coffee
he can surely buy some for me
and one day we will work real hard
and get a job
and not just sit here
writing letters
on this silly boulevard.
And everyone will know our name
and we'll be rich
or we'll at least
have some kind of fame.
We'll be brave,
we'll be bold,
we'll come riding through
like knights of old.

The sun is like
a lover's hand
as it comes down
and touches you
touches me
touches him
touches you.
And we have all got dirty feet
from wearing sandals in the street,
and we should all go home.
But still you will
insist insist
until each last one has been kissed
and each one is happy.
And when the sun goes down
we walk along the cobblestone ground.
This is OK. We do not mind.
We write and fight and sing
and this is fine.

(1981)

Sonny boy, you need new sneakers
Better go into town and get then Friday night
Come to think of it, kid, you need just about everything
But I think things are gonna be all right,
Yes, I think things are gonna be all right.

So you went and got yourself back into trouble
Went and got yourself into another fight
Come on here, let me see your eye, now it's all black and swollen
But I think you're gonna be all right
Yes, I think that you're gonna be all right.

I don't know why you're such a troublemaker
You'd think that maybe by now you'd see the light
Getting yourself torn up, boy, and we don't have that much money
But I think maybe things will be all right,
Yes, I think maybe things will be all right.

Now maybe I shouldn't yell
'Cause I know you're just a kid
But I can't always tell
What's on your mind, half of the time, brother mine.

Now I know that you're just my little brother
And I don't expect you to get everything just right
But I think you ought to use a little more sense than what you're using
And maybe then things would be all right,
Yes, and maybe then thing would be all right.

I know that I sit and I worry too much
Especially when you come home such a sight
But I guess what you've got to do, boy, you go ahead and do it
And I sure hope thing will be all right,
Yes, I sure hope things will be all right.

Now you come back here, you scruffy little brother
Come on back here and let me kiss you goodnight
'Cause I know if you were gone I'd miss the sound of laughter
And that's gonna make everything all right,
Yes, that's gonna make everything all right.

(May 12, 1974)

It won't do
to dream of caramel
to think of cinnamon
and long for you.

It won't do
to stir a deep desire
to fan a hidden fire
that can never burn true.

I know your name
I know your skin
I know the way
These things begin

But I don't know
how I would live with myself
What I'd forgive of myself
If you don't go

So goodbye
Sweet appetite
No single bite
Could satisfy

I know your name
I know your skin
I know the way
These things begin

But I don't know
What I would give of myself
how I would live with myself
if you don't go.

It won't do
To dream of caramel
To think of cinnamon
And long for you.

Daniella, she sits by the tree in the playground
sometimes we go there and the children all play
But no one can tell me just where is Daniella
when she looks in the distance that way

Daniella, your hair is growing wild like a jungle
like a garden of ivy that's been blown by the wind
In the morning we brush it and tie it with a ribbon
and in the evening it has flown loose again

In the afternoon when the day seems forever
and the night feels like never then she will sigh
But no one can tell me just where is Daniella
when her thoughts wander off to the sky

Ilana's her friend, she runs fast like a squirrel
she has big brown eyes and sometimes she cries
But she stops very soon and they both play together
making castles and strawberry pies

And sometimes Daniella believes she's a sparrow
she sits by the window and eats sunflower seeds
She watches the rain and the birds on the rooftops
often I wonder just what she sees

In the afternoon when the day seems forever
and the night feels like never then she will sigh
Oh no one can tell me just where is Daniella
when her thoughts wander off to the sky

(1976)

you said, come with me
and so I did
I thought I could take
all your sorrow
I thought I could hold it all
I never imagined
your oceans
so bitter
the killing
the falling
the slaughter
of feather and bone.

I sat, still
in the five o'clock light
the sun came in through the crack
the floor to your room
was all splinters
and, still,
some are remaining
through skin
and through flesh
cutting in patterns
like diamonds
like needles
down to the bone.

I had to know
I had to see
I can take it all
but I will learn
to be free

I loved you
more that you'll ever know
even through broken windows
through the blood as it
ran down your fist
even
though it was my life
and my truth
and my hope
and my window gone.

and now
if you think I'm
coming back home
first I should tell you a secret.
I sleep with a sword near my hand
each night
sharpened with dreams
of your body
your murder
your blood
as it runs down
my street.

(July 1981)

Here I am at last, I've just jumped off the train
I'm about to start my life as a wanderer in the rain
I know so many people would give anything to be in my shoes
Well, that's all right for them to say, but my shoes are soaked right through.

I don't know what made me want to come all the way out here
I guess when I was dreaming, my skies were always clear
Now I'm here in a meadow with the rain streaming through my hair
I guess this is what you call traveling freely, living without care.

Here I am, all by myself, and I'll admit I'm scared
All I've got is my guitar and a couple of dollars to spare
And I know even that's not gonna last me long.

I suppose I could pick myself up and carry myself back home
But after what I put my folks through, I think I better stay alone.
Anyhow, five years of aching are packed behind this plan
Since I was ten, I've wanted to get out of the city and live out on the land.

My parents thought I was crazy and I think now maybe they're right
But I can still feel the freedom in following the eagle's flight.
I just had to come and see what all the songs were about
My hope is returning quickly and I don't think there's any doubt

That I'd better start moving if I want to get somewhere
I'll go on to the next town and see what I find there
And stay a while until I go traveling on.

(July 3, 1975)

If you had no name
If you had no history
If you had no books
If you had no family

If it were only you
Naked on the grass
Who would you be then?
This is what he asked
And I said I wasn't really sure
But I would probably be
Cold

And now I'm freezing
Freezing

(198?)

We're friends, that's all we are
and that's all we will become
It's understood
we're only friends
And it's better that way
for everyone concerned
So if you brush against me
when we're walking side by side
I won't wonder what you're thinking
'cause we've got nothing to hide
And I know you didn't mean it that way
'cause we're just friends

We're friends, that's all we are
and that's all we'll ever be
Is friends
And we can split the cheque
But we'll never bring the conversation
around to you and me
If I see your hand upon me
it's no reason for alarm
I realize you must have seen
something walking down my arm
And I know you didn't mean it that way
'cause we're just friends

Oh I know, and you know
that this is really the way
that it ought to be
'Cause if it was another way
we'd have a lot of trouble
and we'd end up in confusion
and we'd lose a lot of sleep
We both know better than to slip and go
and get ourselves all tangled up again
If we want to keep our peace of mind
we've got to keep a little distance
and just be friends

Oh yeah, uh huh, oh

So I'll try to understand
when I feel your arm around my back
That you really meant to do something else
but somehow you've gotten off the track
'Cause I know you didn't mean it that way
'cause we're just friends

I know you didn't mean it that way
oh I know, you didn't mean it that way
yes I know, you didn't mean it that way
'cause we're just friends

(1979)

Lightning struck a while ago
And it's blazing much too fast
But give it rain of waiting time
And it will surely pass
Blow over

And it's happening so quickly
As I feel the flaming time
And I grope about the embers
To relieve my stormy mind
Blow over

Shaken this has left me
And laughing and undone
With a blinding bolt of sleeplessness
That's just begun
And a windy crazy running
Through the nights and through the days
And a crackling
Of the time burned away
Burned away

Now I feel it in my blood
All hot and sharp and white
With a whipcrack and a thunder
And a flash of flooding light

But there'll be a thick and smoky
Silence in the air
When the fire finally dies
And I'm wondering who'll be left there

In the ashes of the time
Burned away
Burned away

(1978)

If you want me
You can find me
Left of center
Off of the strip

In the outskirts
In the fringes
In the corner
Out of the grip

When they ask me
"What are you looking at?"
I always answer
"Nothing much" (not much)
I think they know that
I'm looking at them
I think they think
I must be out of touch

But I'm only
In the outskirts
And in the fringes
On the edge
And off the avenue
And if you want me
You can find me
Left of center
Wondering about you

I think that somehow
Somewhere inside of us
We must be similar
If not the same
So I continue
To be wanting you
Left of center
Against the grain

If you want me
You can find me
Left of center
Off of the strip
In the outskirts
In the fringes
In the corner
Out of the grip

When they ask me
"What are you looking at?"
I always answer
"Nothing much" (not much)
I think they know that
I'm looking at them
I think they think
I must be out of touch

But I'm only
In the outskirts
And in the fringes
On the edge
And off the avenue
And if you want me
You can find me
Left of center
Wondering about you
Wondering about you

I have dreamed that many men
Have marched across this field
I have wished that I could take each man
And hold him against the flame in my heart

I had a dream that my face was old
And all the children came to see
First they laughed and then they ran
And I slammed the door behind them

And as the tears began to rise
You climbed the stairs
You came into my room
Where I was waiting there

Now I have dreamed of all men's arms
But this time it was you
I drew the curtains and it was dim
And it was strange and it was new

I have wished that I could hear
Each secret told
By lovers in the battle
With each shade of red and gold

I have wished that I could take each man
And hold him to the flame
And read the secret writing there
And know each one by name

I have dreamed that many men
Have marched across this field
I have wished that I could pour
My life into each one
Listening
Listening
Listening

(May 1980)

Men will be men and they'll call me the governor
I'll walk through the bar and I'll buy the next round
Because this is my ship and I say it's my destiny
And we'll all go up and go down, we go down, go down

Through the town and back up through the avenues
And into the places where people don't stay
Go visit the king and then leave through the window
Go hang with the gang and get lost in the fray

Andy's a saint or a savage, I forget
Depends on the day and if he's eaten yet
He's something to see when he's first out of bed
Not that I'd know, I've just heard it said

Said that men will be men and they'll call me the governor
I'll walk through the bar and I'll buy the next round
Because this is my ship and I say it's my destiny
And we'll all go up and go down, we go down, go down

Through the town and back up through the avenues
And into the places where people don't stay
Go visit the king and then leave through the window
Go hang with the gang and get lost in the fray

Spider's the guy to handle the gun
He'd show me how, but I don't want one
He's oh-so polite for a second-story man
And he's changed his spots as much as anyone can

We know men will be men and they'll call me the governor
I'll walk through the bar and I'll buy the next round
Because this my ship and I say it's my destiny
And we'll all go up and go down, we go down, go down

Through the town and back up through the avenues
And into the places where people don't stay
Go visit the king and then leave through the window
Go hang with the gang and get lost in the fray

Come and sit with the whores and admire the view
Drink down these beers, I think you've had a few
Yes and don't look at me, I'm not selling today
Over the crowd hear the bartender say

Say that men will be men and they'll call me the governor
I'll walk through the bar and I'll buy the next round
Because this is my ship and I say it's my destiny
And we'll all go up and go down, we go down, go down

Through the town and back up through the avenues
And into the places where people don't stay
Go visit the king and then leave through the window
Go hang with the gang and get lost in the fray

Men will be men and they'll call me the governor
I'll walk through the bar and I'll buy the next round
Because this is my ship and I say it's my destiny
And we'll all go up and go down, we go down, go down...

(1990-91)

It's 2 o'clock this morning
every sane person is asleep
I wonder where you are tonight
and down whose hallways do you creep
I know you, you're out somewhere
you know you shouldn't be
Anyhow, wherever you are, I know you're not thinking of me.

So it's goodnight
Maybe I'll see you in the morning
Soldier of the night
You try to combat the new day dawning
Do you fear the light?
Or do you fear the emptiness in your yawning?

So you search for life by night
Hidden from sight
Safe within the night
Lost in your crazy flight
And looking for the fight
That may prove you are someone
But you can't stop the rising sun.

When the sun comes up, the world can see your face
You slink along the sidewalk, outnumbered and out of place
All your boldness is gone, you stand there tongue-tied and shy

And then it's goodnight
You put on your criminal disguise
Make sure your mask is tight
Safe now from all accusing eyes
You let loose in delight
Attacking night walkers by surprise
Protected by the night
You feel you have the right
To destroy all in your way
With the anger built by day
Now you have learned to kill
And you do it just for spite
The twisted rules of night
Have caught you in its game
Nobody knows your name
But the day will come
And you'll have no place to run

Because you can't stop the rising sun.

(January 8, 1975)

I said, I am a little girl
he said, you never were
I said, I am not ready
he said, then tell me when you are
I said, I am too young for this
he said, you are not really
I said, I think I am afraid
he said, you're being silly

not me
not me

I said, I do not understand
he said, you are pretending
that would seem to contradict
the message you are sending
I said, you must be lonely
he said, I would not worry
I said, I think I'm dreaming
or I'm growing in a hurry

this is not me
not me

he took somebody by the hair
and dragged her down the hall
he took her to the bathroom
where they could not hear the call
he took her to a little room
she could not find the key
but I don't know who it was because
I know it was

not me
not me

and when will you stop running
from a human situation?
he said, do you think your silences
are helping this relation?
do you think your solitude
will teach you to be free?
I said, I don't know who you're talking to
I know it is not me

not me
not me

(June 1981

We're all in one white field
We thought there was no end
Walking as the field went dry
What did we do then?

We're all in one white place
Burning every leaf and bough
Watching as the field goes dry
And what do we do now?

And what do we do now?

(1990)

Smile no smile
On this face today
Jerk like a thing on a string
And go join the parade

Code will keep your privacy in
It won't help to win friends
Influence strangers
Or otherwise be in the swim

Mask will keep your features in check
Cause face is the place
Where the private goes public
And steps through the gate

Take your last kick now
At any regime
Smile no smile
See if they see what you mean

Da da da...

(199?)

I am sitting by my window;
I am thinking of my rent.
I am looking through my pockets,
and I'm wondering where it went.
I am feeling like the Devil,
maybe like the Devil's wife.
I am singing for my supper.
I am singing for my life.

Things go up and things go down,
and we have all these highs and lows,
but are we even in the end,
I don't think anybody knows,
but when I look from my window
I pretend that I'm in France.
You know I never have been there
but I might jump at the chance.

Tell me what do you do
with a troubled mind?
Do you sing? Do you cry?
Do you wait for a better time?
Do you think about tomorrow
when you're living in today?
And can you stop this tide against you,
make it go the other way?

And when I look from my window
I can hear the little bird sing;
And I like to hear those little birds
because then I know it's Spring.
And Spring comes after Winter,
surely all of this we know.
And Spring is really coming,
it's just so god damn slow.

I am sitting by my window;
I am thinking of my rent.
I am looking through my pockets
and I am wondering where it went.
I am feeling like the Devil,
maybe like the Devil's wife.
I am singing for my supper.
I am singing for my life.

Tide came in
And then went out
And left behind
In hollow places
Cradled once
And cooling twice
You feel the sting of

Salt water

Wave goes back
And leaves the sand
It's high and barren
Dry and wasting
Cradled once
And cooling twice
You feel the sting of

Salt water

Taste this
It's really raw
It comes with the skin
And the sand still on it
And it comes with the shell
And the flesh within it
You can tell that it came
From a seedy and watery place

Taste this
It's really good
It will make your mouth
Feel like something's in it
And it's gotten and given
From a cold black piece of the sea

From a piece of the sea

Salt water

(1991)

When I was a little girl
Younger than nine or ten
I once spoke to the Silver Lady
But I never saw her again.

To me she flew out of the sky
She was born riding on the water
Her hair blew all around her
She was the crazy man's only daughter.

I used to see her every day
Riding her golden pony
Only once did I hear her laugh
And it echoed far and lonely.

Once I watched the river run
And I wandered too far from home
There I met the Silver Lady
She was crying, all alone.

I said, "Lady, why are you crying?
If I had wings like you
I would be flying over this river
And singing like only birds do."

Well she threw back her head and she smiled at me
Her tears, how they shone in the sun
She said, "I have no wings to fly with
If I did I would surely be gone.

"My brothers have all gone far away
To follow their hearts and be free
But I am the youngest and my father is ageing
And all he's got left is me.

"I love my father dearly
Madman though he may be
It would break his heart if I should leave him
But this life is killing me.

"I feel the ocean pulling me
The breezes come and tell me things
I want to go with them wherever they go
And see what the new morning brings."

So she sadly turned away from me
So I stumbled my way back home
The next day I heard she had taken her horse
And gone off to parts unknown.

Her father stayed inside his lonely house
And he never more came into town
He could be seen roaming the riverside
And they say that he jumped in and drowned.

Long though I waited, she never returned
But when I felt a silver breeze
I knew she had sent it from wherever she was
To tell us that now she was free.

(July 2, 1974)

Too hot. No air.
Loud fan and a big tin can.
Wait here. Steer clear.
They've gone to get your man.

10 AM.
Through gate 3 with picture ID.
This old billfold
Experiences security.

I hear the click. These men are hard.
I'll see your face through bar and guard.
You're new to me. I'm new to you.
I see your fate. I'll see you
You through.

Ice within.
And it's all cement in the government.
Approved? Then move
To the plywood booth where the prisoner's sent.

You read in red
The letters on the door and you know what they're for.
You feel unreal.
And the rattling chain's coming over the floor.

I hear the clock. These walls are green.
I see your face through tin and screen.
You're new to me. I'm new to you.
I see your fate. I'll see you
You through.

Too hot. No air.
Loud fan and a big tin can.
Wait here. Steer clear.
They've gone to get your man.

Copyright © 1995 WB Music Corp./Waifersongs Ltd. (ASCAP)