When blackness was a virtue and the road was full of mud
D
A
G
Gadd9
I came in from the wilderness, a creature void of form
D
A
G
D
"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"
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D
A
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G
D
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x2
And if I pass this way again, you can rest assured
I'll always do my best for her, on that I give my word
In a world of steel-eyed death, and men who are fighting to be warm
"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"
Not a word was spoke between us, there was little risk involved
Everything up to that point had been left unresolved
Try imagining a place where it's always safe and warm
"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"
I was burned out from exhaustion, buried in the hail
Poisoned in the bushes and blown out on the trail
Hunted like a crocodile, ravaged in the corn
"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"
Suddenly I turned around and she was standin' there
With silver bracelets on her wrists and flowers in her hair
She walked up to me so gracefully and took my crown of thorns
"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"
Now there's a wall between us, somethin' there's been lost
I took too much for granted, I got my signals crossed
Just to think that it all began on a non-eventful morn
"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"
Well, the deputy walks on hard nails and the preacher rides a mount
But nothing really matters much, it's doom alone that counts
And the one-eyed undertaker, he blows a futile horn
"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"
I've heard newborn babies wailin' like a mournin' dove
And old men with broken teeth stranded without love
Do I understand your question, man, is it hopeless and forlorn?
"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"
In a little hilltop village, they gambled for my clothes
I bargained for salvation and she gave me a lethal dose
I offered up my innocence and got repaid with scorn
"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"
Well, I'm livin' in a foreign country but I'm bound to cross the line
Beauty walks a razor's edge, someday I'll make it mine
If I could only turn back the clock to when God and her were born
"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"
Copywrited lyric:
Just to think that it all began on a long-forgotten morn
Additional 7th verse from the outtake:
Now the bonds are broken, but they can be retied
By one more journey to the woods, the holes where spirits hide
It's a never-ending battle for a peace that's always torn
"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"
I can't help it if I'm lucky
People see me all the time
And they just can't remember how to act
Their minds are filled with big ideas
Images and distorted facts
Even you, yesterday
You had to ask me where it was at
I couldn't believe after all these years
You didn't know me better than that
Sweet lady
G
C
G
Idiot wind, blowing every time you move your mouth
C
D7
Blowing down the backroads headin' south
G
C
G
Idiot wind, blowing every time you move your teeth
C
You're an idiot, babe
D7
G
It's a wonder that you still know how to breathe
I ran into the fortune-teller
Who said beware of lightning that might strike
I haven't known peace and quiet
For so long I can't remember what it's like
There's a lone soldier on the cross
Smoke pourin' out of a boxcar door
You didn't know it, you didn't think it could be done
In the final end he won the war
After losin' every battle
I woke up on the roadside
Daydreamin' 'bout the way things sometimes are
Visions of your chestnut mare
Shoot through my head and are makin' me see stars
You hurt the ones that I love best
And cover up the truth with lies
One day you'll be in the ditch
Flies buzzin' around your eyes
Blood on your saddle
Idiot wind, blowing through the flowers on your tomb
Blowing through the curtains in your room
Idiot wind, blowing every time you move your teeth
You're an idiot, babe
It's a wonder that you still know how to breathe
It was gravity which pulled us down
And destiny which broke us apart
You tamed the lion in my cage
But it just wasn't enough to change my heart
Now everything's a little upside down
As a matter of fact the wheels have stopped
What's good is bad, what's bad is good
You'll find out when you reach the top
You're on the bottom
I noticed at the ceremony
Your corrupt ways had finally made you blind
I can't remember your face anymore
Your mouth has changed, your eyes don't look into mine
The priest wore black on the seventh day
And sat stone-faced while the building burned
I waited for you on the running boards
Near the cypress trees, while the springtime turned
Slowly into Autumn
Idiot wind, blowing like a circle around my skull
From the Grand Coulee Dam to the Capitol
Idiot wind, blowing every time you move your teeth
You're an idiot, babe
It's a wonder that you still know how to breathe
I can't feel you anymore
I can't even touch the books you've read
Every time I crawl past your door
I been wishin' I was somebody else instead
Down the highway, down the tracks
Down the road to ecstasy
I followed you beneath the stars
Hounded by your memory
And all your ragin' glory
I been double-crossed now for the very last time
And now I'm finally free
I kissed goodbye the howling beast
On the borderline which separated you from me
You'll never know the hurt I suffered
Nor the pain I rise above
And I'll never know the same about you
Your holiness or your kind of love
And it makes me feel so sorry
Idiot wind, blowing through the buttons of our coats
Blowing through the letters that we wrote
Idiot wind, blowing through the dust upon our shelves
We're idiots, babe
It's a wonder we can even feed ourselves
I can't help it if I'm lucky
People see me all the time
And they just can't remember how to act
Their minds are filled with big ideas
Images and distorted facts
Even you, yesterday
You had to ask me where it was at
I couldn't believe after all these years
You didn't know me better than that
Sweet lady
D
G
D
Idiot wind, blowing every time you move your mouth
G
Em
Blowing down the backroads headin' south
D
G
D
Idiot wind, blowing every time you move your teeth
G
You're an idiot, babe
Em
D
It's a wonder that you still know how to breathe
I threw the I-Ching yesterday
It said there might be some thunder at the well
Peace and quiet's been avoiding me
For so long it seems like living hell
There's a lone soldier on the hill
Watchin' falling raindrops pour
You'd never know it to look at him
But at the final shot he won the war
After losin' every battle
I woke up on the roadside
Day dreamin' about the way things sometimes are
Hoofbeats pounding in my head
At break-neck speed and making me see stars
You hurt the ones that I love best
And cover up the truth with lies
One day you'll be in the ditch
Flies buzzin' around your eyes
Blood on your saddle
Idiot wind, blowing through the flowers on your tomb
Blowing through the curtains in your room
Idiot wind, blowing every time you move your teeth
You're an idiot, babe
It's a wonder that you still know how to breathe
It was gravity which pulled us in
And destiny which broke us apart
You tamed the lion in my cage
But it just wasn't enough to change my heart
Now everything's a little upside down
As a matter of fact the wheels have stopped
What's good is bad, what's bad is good
You'll find out when you reach the top
You're on the bottom
I noticed at the ceremony
That you left all your bags behind
The driver came in after you left
He gave them all to me, and then he resigned
The priest wore black on the seventh day
And waltzed around while the building burned
You didn't trust me for a minute, babe
I've never known the spring to turn
So quickly into autumn
Idiot wind, blowing every time you move your jaw
From the Grand Coulee Dam to the Mardi Gras
Idiot wind, blowing every time you move your teeth
You're an idiot, babe
It's a wonder that you still know how to breathe
We pushed each other a little too far
And one day it just jumped into a raging storm
A hound dog bayed behind your trees
As I was packing up my uniform
I figured I'd lost you anyway
Why go on? What's the use?
In order to get in a word with you
I'd have had to come up with some excuse
It just struck me kinda funny
I been double-crossed too much
At times I think I've almost lost my mind
Lady-killers load dice on me behind my back
While imitators steal me blind
You close your eyes and part your lips
And slip your fingers from your glove
You can have the best there is
But it's gonna cost you all your love
You won't get it for money
Idiot wind, blowing through the buttons of our coats
Blowing through the letters that we wrote
Idiot wind, blowing through the dust upon our shelves
We're idiots, babe
It's a wonder we can even feed ourselves
'Twas on a bright March morning I bid New Orleans adieu
C
Em
F
C
C
F
I took the train from Jackson, my fortune to renew
C
Em
F
C
F
I cursed all foreign money, no credit could I gain
C
Em
F
C
G
C
Which sent my heart a-longing for the lakes of Pontchartrain
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C
Em
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F
C
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C
G
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C
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I hopped on board of a railway car, beneath the morning sun
I rode the roads till the evening, then I laid me down again
All strangers there, no friends to me, till a dark girl towards me came
And I fell in love with a Creole girl, on the lakes of Pontchartrain
I said, "My pretty Creole girl, my money here's no good
If it weren't for the alligators, I'd sleep out in the wood"
"You're welcome here kind stranger, our home is very plain
But we never turn a stranger out, on the lakes of Pontchartrain"
She took me into her mammy's house, and treated me quite well
The hair upon her shoulders in jet black ringlets fell
To try and paint her beauty, I'm sure 'twould be in vain
So handsome was my Creole girl, on the lakes of Pontchartrain
I asked her if she would marry me, she said that never can be
For she had got a lover, and he was far at sea
She swore that she'd be true to him and true she would remain
Till he returned to his Creole girl, on the banks of Pontchartrain
So fare thee well my pretty young girl, I never will see you no more
But I'll ne'er forget your kindness in the cottage by the shore
And at each social gathering a flowing glass I'll drain
And I'll drink a health to my Creole girl, on the banks of Pontchartrain
And watched out for a simple twist of fate
They walked along by the old canal
A little confused, I remember well
And stopped into a strange hotel
With a neon burnin' bright
He felt the heat of the night
Hit him like a freight train
Moving with a simple twist of fate
A saxophone someplace far off played
As she was walkin' on by the arcade
As the light bust through a beat-up shade
Where he was wakin' up
She dropped a coin into the cup
Of a blind man at the gate
And forgot about a simple twist of fate
Instrumental verse
He woke up, the room was bare
He didn't see her anywhere
He told himself he didn't care
Pushed the window open wide
Felt an emptiness inside
To which he just could not relate
Brought on by a simple twist of fate
He hears the ticking of the clocks
And walks along with a parrot that talks
Hunts her down by the waterfront docks
Where the sailors all come in
Maybe she'll pick him out again
How long must he wait?
Once more for a simple twist of fate
People tell me it's a sin
To know and feel too much within
I still believe she was my twin
But I lost the ring
She was born in spring
But I was born too late
Blame it on a simple twist of fate
And watched out for a simple twist of fate
A saxophone someplace softly played
As she was walkin' on by the arcade
She heard the melody rise and fade
The sun was comin' up
She dropped a coin into the cup
Of a blind man at the gate
And forgot about a simple twist of fate
He woke up, she was gone
He didn't see nothin' but the dawn
He got out of bed and put his clothes back on
Pushed back the blinds
Found a note she'd left behind
To which he just could not relate
All about a simple twist of fate
He hears the ticking of the clocks
And walks alone through the city blocks
Hunts her down by the waterfront docks
Where the sailors all roll in
Maybe he'll spot her out again
How long must he wait?
One more time for a simple twist of fate
People tell me it's a crime
To know too much for too long a time
She should have caught me in my prime
She would have stayed with me
Instead of going off to sea
And leaving me to meditate
Upon that simple twist of fate
*** Wembley ***
D
They sat together in the park
F#m
As the evening sky grew dark
D7
She looked at him and felt a spark
G
Tingle to her bones
Gm
'Twas then she felt alone
D
A
G
And wished that she'd gone straight
D
A
D
And watched out for a simple twist of fate
They walked along by the old canal
Down Waterfront Street at the Tolling Bell
Stopped into the big grand hotel
Where the desk clerk dressed in white
With a face as black as night
He said, "Check out time's at eight"
All a part of that simple twist of fate
He woke up and the air was thick
Something there inside was makin' him sick
He heard them boot heels in the hallway click
Pushed the door open wide
And he vomited it all up outside
Everything that last night he ate
And forgot about that simple twist of fate
He walked out where those chilly winds blow
And she looks at him from the street below
He said "I taught you everything you know
Now don't bother me no more
You know where to find the door
Go on, get out of here, before it's too late
And forget about that simple twist of fate"
I'm in the lane and she's in the hall
You wouldn't want him repeating any fall [?]
But you know that there ain't no chance at all
Oh what more can I do?
He said, "Baby I'm leaving my heart here with you
Take good care of it, be on your way"
All about that simple twist of fate
People tell me now that it's a crime
Because she didn't catch me in my prime
But what do I care? I got nothin' but time
And she's got all that she stole
Remember me before you go
And remember that I'm travelling with nothing
All on that simple twist of fate
*** Barcelona ***
Down Waterfront Street by the bell
Stopped into the Riverfront Hotel
He woke up and it sure was dim
He could feel her eyes looking at him
That's all right, but her chance was slim
And in every way came pushing through
He said, "I'm leaving my heart with you
Take good care of it and don't be late"
All about that simple twist fate
Morning comes and she there
He could feel her climb on his hair
But he couldn't see her anywhere
And the dawn was coming up
She dropped a coin into the cup
Of a blind man at the gate
And forgot about that simple twist of fate
Oh, but now times are really slow
He thought about just before she'd go
He said, "I taught you everything that you know"
So don't bother me no more
I don't think you know where to find the door"
She said, "No, I just can't wait
All night for that simple twist of fate"
People say that it's a crime
To look commonly for too long a time
She should have caught me in my prime
She wouldn't leave that way
I'm leaving my heart with you and I can't stay
I'm going where the winds are wet
Always there upon a simple twist of fate
*** Gothenberg ***
Down Waterfront Street by the big old bell
Stopped into the Saint Claire Hotel
She was walking by the street parade
Oh man, but I underpaid
The sun burst through the beat-up shade
Where he was waking up
She dropped a coin into the cup
Of a blind man at the gate
And forgot about that simple twist of fate
Something there inside was making him sick
He hears boot heels in the hallway click
[...] gotta do it quick
All about what you tell
He said, "Baby I wish you well
But today you just came too late
And as for me, I've got that simple twist of fate"
People tell me it's a crime
To remember her for too long a time
She should have caught me in my prime
She wouldn't have stayed with me
Instead of going off to sea
And leaving me to meditate
Upon that simple twist of fate
*** Brussels/Copenhagen ***
Down Waterfront Street by the cathedral bell
Something inside his room was making him sick
He called, but the air sure is thick
Hears those boot heels in the hallway click
Pushed the window open wide
Then throws it all up outside
You know he just could not wait
One more time for that simple twist of fate"
The guy's walking through the city streets
Staring into the face of everyone he meets
Oh, but I'm gonna reach your downtown repaints [???]
He said, "Your fire a date
I'm all like a sailor at sea
He says, "You're mine, and I can't wait
One more time for that simple twist of fate"
*** Rome ***
They walked along by the old canal
Down avenues I remember well
Oh, did you hear that cathedral bell
Blowing down hands of mine [???]
Something about what she left behind [???]
Oh, but it falls down and time can wait [???]
All about that simple twist of fate
Oh madame on the corner there
... her long stranded hair
But, oh, he didn't seem to care
The desk clerk dressed in white
With a face as black as night
He said, "Check out time's at eight"
Remember now about that simple twist of fate
He bust down a room where the doors were thick
He outdoes somebody and they make him sick
He heard them boot heels in the hallway click
The sun was coming up
She dropped a coin into the cup
Of a blind man at the gate
And forgot about that simple twist of fate
Go down easy, baby, and go down slow
Born in Bulgary on your date, don't you know
But he suits himself on the streets, it's all go
While I just walk behind
He said, "You're gonna leave behind"
He said, "You're mine, but I can't wait
No more for no simple twist of fate"
From London, 28-Nov-2013
He woke up and she was gone
He didn't nothin' but the dawn
Got out of bed and put his shoes back on
Then he pushed back the blinds
Found a note she'd left behind, what did it say?
Said, you should have met me back in '58
We could have avoided this little, simple twist of fate
Everything went from bad to worse, money never changed a thing
D
A(ii)
G
Gadd9
Death kept followin', trackin' us down, at least I heard your bluebird sing
A(vii)
D
D
/a
G
Gadd9
Now somebody's got to show their hand, time is an enemy
D
/a
G
D
I know you're long gone, I guess it must be up to me
If I'd thought about it I never would've done it, I guess I would've let it slide
If I'd lived my life by what others were thinkin', the heart inside me would've died
I was just too stubborn to ever be governed by enforced insanity
Someone had to reach for the risin' star, I guess it was up to me
Oh, the Union Central is pullin' out and the orchids are in bloom
I've only got me one good shirt left and it smells of stale perfume
In fourteen months I've only smiled once and I didn't do it consciously
Somebody's got to find your trail, I guess it must be up to me
It was like a revelation when you betrayed me with your touch
I'd just about convinced myself that nothin' had changed that much
The old Rounder in the iron mask slipped me the master key
Somebody had to unlock your heart, he said it was up to me
Well, I watched you slowly disappear down into the officers' club
I would've followed you in the door but I didn't have a ticket stub
So I waited all night 'til the break of day, hopin' one of us could get free
When the dawn came over the river bridge, I knew it was up to me
Oh, the only decent thing I did when I worked as a postal clerk
Was to haul your picture down off the wall near the cage where I used to work
Was I a fool or not to try to protect your identity?
You looked a little burned out, my friend, I thought it might be up to me
Well, I met somebody face to face and I had to remove my hat
She's everything I need and love but I can't be swayed by that
It frightens me, the awful truth of how sweet life can be
But she ain't a-gonna make me move, I guess it must be up to me
We heard the Sermon on the Mount and I knew it was too complex
It didn't amount to anything more than what the broken glass reflects
When you bite off more than you can chew you pay the penalty
Somebody's got to tell the tale, I guess it must be up to me
Well, Dupree came in pimpin' tonight to the Thunderbird Cafe
Crystal wanted to talk to him, I had to look the other way
Well, I just can't rest without you, love, I need your company
But you ain't a-gonna cross the line, I guess it must be up to me
There's a note left in the bottle, you can give it to Estelle
She's the one you been wonderin' about, but there's really nothin' much to tell
We both heard voices for a while, now the rest is history
Somebody's got to cry some tears, I guess it must be up to me
So go on, boys, and play your hands, life is a pantomime
The ringleaders from the county seat say you don't have all that much time
And the girl with me behind the shades, she ain't my property
One of us has got to hit the road, I guess it must be up to me
And if we never meet again, baby, remember me
How my lone guitar played sweet for you that old-time melody
And the harmonica around my neck, I blew it for you, free
No one else could play that tune, you know it was up to me
Well I'm going down to Bangor, I want you to bring me my bucket and spade
C
/bb
C
/bb
G
/f
/g
/f
Well I'm going down to Bangor, bring me my bucket and spade
D
/c
C
/bb
G
/f
/g
/f
I'm going down to Pickie Pool, man we're going in the deep end
Well I got your letter this morning, when the sun was shining so bright
Well I got your letter this morning, oh, when the sun was shining so bright
I want you to know one thing, that you're the love of my life
We're going up to Cavehill, we're going to walk on Napoleon's Nose
We're going up to Cavehill, we're going to walk on Napoleon's Nose
Way up on the hillside, where the purple heather grows
Instrumental verse
I haven't seen my cousin Billie in such a long time
I haven't seen my cousin Billie, not in a long time
Well I saw her just the other day, she was standing in a supermarket line
Well we're going out in the charabanc, we're just as happy as we can be
Well we're going out in the charabanc, we're just as happy as we can be
Well we're going to go driving, watch the mountains of Mourne run down to the sea
Yeah we're going down to Bangor, just six miles from Donaghadee
Oh, we're going down to Bangor, some six miles from Donaghadee
I want you to sing this with me, tra-la-la, tra-la-lee
Tra-la-la, tra-la-la, tra-la-lee
Tra-la-la, tra-la-la, tra-la-lee
It's only six miles from Bangor to Donaghadee
Must be Santa, Santa Claus
Who wears boots and a suit of red?
(Santa wears boots and a suit of red!)
Who wears a long cap on his head?
(Santa wears a long cap on his head!)
Cap on head! Suit that's red!
Special night! Beard that's white!
Must be Santa
Must be Santa
Must be Santa, Santa Claus
Who's got a big red cherry nose?
(Santa's got a big red cherry nose)
Who laughs this way: "Ho, Ho, Ho"?
(Santa laughs this way: "Ho, Ho, Ho"!)
Ho, Ho, Ho! Cherry nose!
Cap on head! Suit that's red!
Special night! Beard that's white!
Must be Santa
Must be Santa
Must be Santa, Santa Claus
(Santa's little reindeer pull his sleigh!)
Reindeer sleigh! Come our way!
Ho, Ho, Ho! Cherry nose!
Cap on head! Suit that's red!
Special night! Beard that's white!
Carter, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton
Reindeer sleigh! Come our way!
Ho, Ho, Ho! Cherry nose!
Cap on head! Suit that's red!
Special night! Beard that's white!
C#m
F#
Must be Santa
B
G#m
Must be Santa
C#m
F#
B
Must be Santa, Santa Claus
Must be Santa
Must be Santa
Must be Santa, Santa Claus
