DAVE CARTER AND TRACY GRAMMER CHORDS & LYRICS


Ordinarily, out of respect for the artists, I don't post songs that can be found in commercially available songbooks. And since Dave and Tracy published songbooks for "Tanglewood Tree" and "Drum Hat Buddha," I'm recommending that you order them if you're looking for the official versions of songs from those CDs. However, since I worked up these transcriptions before the books came out (and because Dave and Tracy were okay with it), I've kept them up on this site.

Anyway, the guitar/vocal songbooks were transcribed by Dave himself and include chords, notation, lyrics and tab. Plus, Tracy has released songbooks for "When I Go" and "Flower of Avalon." To order the songbooks, just visit the Merchandise page at either www.daveandtracy.com or www.tracygrammer.com.



WHEN I GO

Capo V

On the When I Go CD, this song is played on the banjo. But just a few days before he left us, I saw Dave at a local house concert at which he played it on the guitar. When the show was over, I asked him if he'd show me the guitar chords, which he graciously did. Meaning that the last song I will ever have heard Dave Carter play is "When I Go," just for me. But it also means that you can take this transcription on pretty good authority.

D5: xx0235 (if your pinky can't reach, simply play a Dsus2: xx0230)
Fsus2: xx3011

Intro: (Am)(C)(G)(D5)(Fsus2)(G)(Am)

(Am)Come, lonely hunter, (C)chieftain and (G)king
I will (D5)fly like the (Fsus2)falcon (G)when I (Am)go
Bear me my brother (C)under your (G)wing
I will (D5)strike fell like (Fsus2)lightning (G)when I (Am)go
I will (C)bellow like the thunder drum, in(G)voke the storm of war
A twisting (Dm)pillar spun of dust and blood up (Am)from the prairie floor
I will (C)sweep the foe before me like a (G)gale out on the snow
And the (D5)wind will long recount the story, (Fsus2)reverence and(G)glory, when I (Am)go

(Am)(C)(G)(D5)(Fsus2)(G)(Am)

(Am)Spring, spirit dancer, (C)nimble and (G)thin
I will (D5)leap like co(Fsus2)yote (G)when I (Am)go
Tireless entrancer, (C)lend me your (G)skin
I will (D5)run like the (Fsus2)gray wolf (G)when I (Am)go
I will (C)climb the rise at daybreak, I will (G)kiss the sky at noon
Raise my (Dm)yearning voice at midnight to my (Am)mother in the moon
I will (C)make the lay of long defeat and (G)draw the chorus slow
I'll send this (D5)message down the wire and hope that (Fsus2)someone wise is (G)listening when I (Am)go

(Am)(C)(G)(D5)(Fsus2)(G)(Am)
(Am)(C)(G)(D5)(Fsus2)(G)(Am)

And (C)when the sun comes trumpets from his (G)red house in the east
He will (Dm)find a standing stone where long I (Am)chanted my release
He will (C)send his morning messenger to (G)strike the hammer blow
And I will (D5)crumble down uncountable in (Fsus2)showers of crimson (G)rubies when I (Am)go

(Am)(C)(G)(D5)(Fsus2)(G)(Am)

(Am)Sigh, mournful sister, (C)whisper and (G)turn
I will (D5)rattle like (Fsus2)dry leaves (G)when I (Am)go
Stand in the mist where my (C)fire used to (G)burn
I will (D5)camp on the (Fsus2)night breeze (G)when I (Am)go
And (C)should you glimpse my wandering form out (G)on the borderline
Between (Dm)death and resurrection and the (Am)council of the pines
Do not (C)worry for my comfort, do not (G)sorrow for me so
All your (D5)diamond tears will rise up and a(Fsus2)dorn the sky be(G)side me when I (Am)go

(Am)(C)(G)(D5)(Fsus2)(G)(Am)


GRAND PRAIRIE TX HOMESICK BLUES

(D)Grand Prairie, Texas, home on the range
I come here for salvation but I'm just another stranger
On a (G)strip highway
Where nobody (D)stops or stays
(A)Hell-bent on revival, lookin to grow some roots
I have (G)mortgaged my survival
For these worn out cowboy boots
But there's (D)just one horse in forty miles
And he's the prize possession of the (G)Dallas zoo
And he feels like a (D)stranger, too

Old (D)Silver, take me riding through the foothills of my life
I went easy in the saddle with a lever-action rifle
And a (G)tin canteen
Through a (D)field of dreams
(A)Way out by the Beltline where the armadillos play
With the (G)noble bootjack rabbit in the evening of the day
Oh (D)where my brothers have you gone
For I return to thank you for the (G)gifts you gave
But the (D)field is paved (G)(D) . . . (A)(G) . . .(D)

(D)These nights I work the graveyard at the Burger King downtown
I get off in the morning and I lay my wages down
At the con(G)venience store
Where stood my (D)old front door
St. (A)Peter when you call me, you can find me waiting here
Be(G)neath this sad mimosa tree with a quart of drive-thru beer
For (D)home is in the heartland but the heartland cannot save you
When the (G)heart is gone
And (D)home's moved on


KATE AND THE GHOST OF LOST LOVE (CD)

Listen up -- I believe this is the most perfect song ever written. You see, if before I'd ever heard it, you'd have asked me to describe what I consider to be My Ideal Song, I would have said something like this: "Ok, nice acoustic song. Duet with guy and girl. Instruments? Oh, guitar and violin. Let's make it so that the guy sings a verse, the girl sings a verse, maybe there's a place or two where they trade lines. Harmony, yeah, we need harmony. A heartbreaking violin solo would be nice. And just for kicks, if you could throw in a verse where there's some counter-singing going on, I'd like that a lot. Oh, and the song should be sad."

Those of you who may not have been blessed enough to see Dave and Tracy perform this live may not know that Dave always introduced the song with a background story. It's about as heartbreaking as the song itself, and since we'll never have the opportunity to hear Dave do it again, I thought it might be nice to transcribe it here:

Long time ago, there was this boy and this girl. And stop me if you've heard this, but they fell in love. And stop me if you've heard this, but he promised her that he would stay with her forever. Well he meant it, at the time. But after all too short a time, the call of the open road proved too great for him, and he took off running, right on down it.

Still, she believed that some day he would return to her. And so every night, she would burn a candle in anticipation of his return. This went on for weeks, and months, and years, this burning of candles. It went on for almost twenty years. And just as she was coming right up on that twenty year mark, well, she was running mighty short on candles. In fact, she was down to her very last candle.

But you know that just as that last candle was flickering and sputtering and about to go out, and just as the first winter snowflakes were beginning to fall beneath the midnight sky, she thought she heard his voice at her garden gate. Or maybe it was his ghost, after all those years of being gone. Or maybe it was only the wind. But either way, they had this little conversation, which we call "Kate and the Ghost of Lost Love."

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, lovers and dreamers, I give you Dave Carter's "Kate and the Ghost of Lost Love." The most perfect song ever written.

Capo III

Intro: (C)(D)(G) . . . (C)(D)

(G)Sweet (C)Kate, (G)open your (C)gate
Here I (G)stand (D)in the (G)wind (C)(D)
(G)Thread(C)bare, (G)snow in my (C)hair
How I (G)need (D)you (G)again (G/F#)
For (Em)lone stalks the (Bm)hunter's moon
(Em)Time takes her (Bm)toll (D7)
(G)Love, (C)please, (G)mercy on (C)me
And my (G)poor (D)wandrin (G)soul (C)(D)

(G)Love is a (C)star that (G)will not (C)shine
Til the (G)hour of (D)your (G)return (C)(D)
(G)I count the (C)days in (G)cups of (C)wine
And the (G)candles (D)I have (G)burned (G/F#)
(Em)And sunrise comes only (Bm)when I am far away
In (Em)dreams or when the black thunder (Bm)rolls (D7)
(G)I cannot (C)save my (G)own sad (C)heart
Nor your (G)poor, poor (D)wanderin (G)soul (G/F#)

(Em)I heard the grey wolf sing (Bm)her serenade at night
But you (C)never held me (D)by the light of (G)day (G/F#)
(Em)I climbed the redwood tree and (Bm)caught the wren in flight
But her (Am)wings were soft as (Em)morning and the (C)morning slipped a(D)way

(G)Sweet (C)Kate, (G)open your (C)gate
Here I (G)stand (D)in the (G)wind (C)(D)
(G)Thread(C)bare, (G)snow in my (C)hair
How I (G)need (D)you (G)again (G/F#)
For (Em)lone stalks the (Bm)hunter's moon
(Em)Time takes her (Bm)toll (D7)
(G)Love, (C)please, (G)mercy on (C)me
And my (G)poor (D)wandrin (Em)soul

Open the (C)gate, love
So many (Am)candles
Suddenly morning slips a(Bm)way from (Em)me
And the (C)wax heart (D)weeps and (Em)blisters
And it's (Am)burning (D)where he (Em)kissed her
And the (C)ghost of lost love (D7)whispers, "sweet (G)Kate..." (C)(G)(C)(D)(G)


KATE AND THE GHOST OF LOST LOVE (Live)

On the When I Go CD, this song is performed in Bb (capo at the third fret, G fingering), which is how I've transcribed it above. However, when Dave and Tracy performed it live, it was done with no capo, in the key of C, so I figured I'd show you that version, too.

Fsus2: x33011

(C)Sweet (Fsus2)Kate, (C)open your (Fsus2)gate
Here I (C)stand (G)in the (C)wind (G)
(C)Thread(Fsus2)bare, (C)snow in my (Fsus2)hair
How I (C)need (G)you (C)again (C/B)
For (Am)lone stalks the (Em)hunter's moon
(Am)Time takes her (Em)toll (G7)
(C)Love, (Fsus2)please, (C)mercy on (Fsus2)me
And my (C)poor (G)wandrin (C)soul (G)

(C)Love is a (Fsus2)star that (C)will not (Fsus2)shine
Til the (C)hour of (G)your (C)return (G)
(C)I count the (Fsus2)days in (C)cups of (Fsus2)wine
And the (C)candles (G)I have (C)burned (C/B)
(Am)And sunrise comes only (Em)when I am faraway
In (Am)dreams or when the black thunder (Em)rolls (G7)
(C)I cannot (Fsus2)save my (C)own sad (Fsus2)heart
Nor your (C)poor, poor (G)wanderin (C)soul (C/B)

(Am)I heard the grey wolf sing (Em)her serenade at night
But you (F)never held me (G)by the light of (C)day (C/B)
(Am)I climbed the redwood tree and (Em)caught the wren in flight
But her (Dm)wings were soft as (Am)morning and the (F)morning slipped a(G)way

(C)Sweet (Fsus2)Kate, (C)open your (Fsus2)gate
Here I (C)stand (G)in the (C)wind (G)
(C)Thread(Fsus2)bare, (C)snow in my (Fsus2)hair
How I (C)need (G)you (C)again (C/B)
For (Am)lone stalks the (Em)hunter's moon
(Am)Time takes her (Em)toll (G7)
(C)Love, (Fsus2)please, (C)mercy on (Fsus2)me
And my (C)poor (G)wandrin (Am)soul

    (C)Love is a (Fsus2)star that (C)will not (Fsus2)shine
    Til the (C)hour of (G)your (C)return (G)
    (C)I count the (Fsus2)days in (C)cups of (Fsus2)wine
    And the (C)candles (G)I have (C)burned (C/B)
    (Am)And sunrise comes only (Em)when I am far away
    In (Am)dreams or when the black thunder (Em)rolls (G7)
    (C)I cannot (Fsus2)save my (C)own sad (Fsus2)heart
    Nor your (C)poor, poor (G)wanderin (Am)soul

Open the (Fsus2)gate, love
So many (Dm)candles
Suddenly morning slips a(Em)way from (Am)me
And the (Fsus2)wax heart (G)weeps and (Am)blisters
And it's (Dm)burning (G)where he (Am)kissed her
And the (Fsus2)ghost of lost love (G7)whispers, "sweet (C)Kate..." (Fsus2)(C)(Fsus2)(G)(C)


THE RIVER, WHERE SHE SLEEPS

Capo V

G: 320033
C: x32033

Playing tip: When doing the back-and-forth G-to-C moves in the verses, first strum the chord, then hammer your index finger (on the 5th string/2nd fret for the G chord and the 4th string/2nd fret for the C chord) and strum it again.

Intro: (G)(C) – (G)(C) – (G)(C) – (D)(G)(C)(G)(D)

(G)She's a walkin (C)talkin breathin (G)New Age wonder, (C)old time heathens
(G)Don't know what to (C)make of (D)Mary (G)Jane (C)(D)
'Cause (G)she ain't tryin to (C)be no swami, (G)she ain't mad at (C)dad and mommy
(G)She don't curse the (C)storm clouds when it (D)rains

When the sun refuse to (G)shine she don't (D)mind, she make (C)everything look (D)fine
She got (G)moon in her (D)eyes, crescent (C)windows on the (D)skies
And the (Em)rain comes down in (C)sheets on the (Em)people in the (A)streets
And it (C)carries all the (D)secrets that they (C)keep to the (D)river where she (G)sleeps

(G)(C) – (G)(C) – (G)(C) – (D)(G)(C)(G)(D)

She (G)comes to me when (C)I'm dejected, (G)leaves her soul out (C)unprotected
(G)Tells me that the (C)truth can (D)make me (G)free (C)(D)
And (G)she don't need what (C)she ain't got, she (G)reads me books by (C)Alan Watts
(G)Speakin words o' (C)wisdom: let it (D)be

When the sun refuse to (G)shine she don't (D)mind, she take (C)thunder for a (D)sign
She got (G)stars in her (D)head, super(C)novas in her (D)bed
And it (Em)rains most every (C)day, but I (Em)like it fine that (A)way
'Cause the (C)waters run so (D)marvelous and (C)deep in the (D)river where she (G)sleeps

(G)(C) – (G)(C) – (G)(C) – (D)(G)(C)(G)(D) . . . (two times through)

(G)Mary ain't in(C)clined to drinkin, (G)still she stumbles (C)without thinkin
(G)Anywhere she (C)gets the (D)urge to (G)stray (C)(D)
And (G)everybody (C)knows about her, (G)they don't want to (C)change or doubt her
(G)They just grin when (C)she comes out to (D)play

When the sun refuse to (G)shine she don't (D)mind, she be (C)movin down the (D)line
She got (G)bells on her (D)toes, gene(C)rations in her (D)clothes
And she (Em)sings without a (C)sound as the (Em)evenin rolls a(A)round
And she (C)dances as the (D)twilight shadows (C)creep down the (D)river where she (G)sleeps

(G)(C) – (G)(C) – (G)(C) – (D)(G)(C)(G)(D)

Pro(G)fessor come to (C)burst my bubble, (G)says that girl is (C)bound for trouble
(G)Serves me solace (C)in a (D)paper (G)cup (C)(D)
But it (G)looks a bit like (C)agent orange and (G)when he leaves he (C)slams the door and
(G)Just about that (C)time she phones me (D)up

When the sun refuse to (G)shine she don't (D)mind, she just (C)ain't the worryin (D)kind
She got (G)dogs, she got (D)cats, she keeps (C)rabbits in her (D)hats
And the (Em)people that she (C)sees, they're all (Em)buddhas or po(A)lice
And the (C)banks rise high and (D)perilous and (C)steep by the (D)river where she (G)sleeps

(G)(C) – (G)(C) – (G)(C) – (D)(G)(C)(G)(D) . . . (two times through)

Now (G)one dismayed De(C)cember dawn I (G)wake to find my (C)Mary's gone
And (G)no one knows when (C)she'll come (D)back (G)again (C)(D)
And (G)all the silent (C)temple bells from (G)Styx to Glenn to (C)Hazel Dell
Are (G)mournin all the (C)nights that might have (D)been

When the sun refuse to (G)shine she don't (D)mind, she just (C)leave this world be(D)hind
She got (G)wheels in her (D)smile, she can (C)coast along for (D)miles
Me I'm (Em)walkin all a(C)lone, feelin (Em)soulful to the (A)bone
Till I (C)stop and I (D)hang my head and (C)weep by the (D)river where she (G)sleeps

(G)(C) – (G)(C) – (G)(C) – (D)(G)(C)(G) -- (D)(G)


LANCELOT

Capo III

C: x32033

(G)Lancelot (C)rode on a (D)swayback (G)mare
He (Em)won in a (C)card game up (G)north some(D)where
He was (Em)bottom-out (Bm)lonesome, (C)he was too tired to (Em)care
Keepin (C)one step ahead of the (D)rain
Well he (G)blew into (C)Broken Bow (D)late last (G)year
(Em)Talkin up the (C)vision of his (G)lost Guine(D)vere
But he (Em)couldn't tell a (Bm)grail from a (C)glass of (Am7)beer
So he (C)settled for (D)Lady E(G)laine

He sang "(D)Yodelayhee (C)I ain't no untarnished (G)Galahad
(C)Down from (C/B)Arcadia like a (D)dream in your (G)head
But (D)gentle lady (C)lend me the true heart I (G)never had
And (C)I'll wash the (C/B)years from your (Am7)bed (D)
With (C)all the salt tears I have (D)shed," Lancelot (G)said (C)(D)

(G)(C)(D)

Well, (G)mornin came (C)sleepy and (D)mornin came (G)slow
And the (Em)mirror re(C)vealed a face (G)she didn't (D)know
And the (Em)last autumn (Bm)robin was (C)packin to (Em)go
As an(C)other year slipped by the (D)way
So she (G)rose and she (C)dressed and she (D)pushed back the (G)night
She (Em)put up her (C)hair by the (G)dawn's early (D)light
And the (Em)man in her (Bm)bed was an (C)eagle in (Am7)flight
And a (C)crooked old (D)crow in the (G)hay

He sang "(D)Yodelayhee (C)I ain't no untarnished (G)Galahad
(C)Down from (C/B)Arcadia like a (D)dream in your (G)head
But (D)gentle lady (C)lend me the true heart I (G)never had
And (C)I'll stain the (C/B)lavenders (Am7)red (D)
With (C)all of this good blood I (D)shed," Lancelot (G)said (C)(D)

(G)(C)(D) . . . 3x

So (G)bugles blow (C)golden and (D)banners fly (G)blue
But (Em)these days the (C)castle's just (G)drywall and (D)glue
And (Em)tiltin at (Bm)windmills is the (C)best you can (Em)do
With the (C)black knight of time on your (D)lawn
So (G)I wouldn't (C)know if he (D)left or he (G)stayed
(Em)Prospered or (C)starved by the (G)promise he (D)made
Or (Em)maybe he (Bm)straggled and (C)maybe he (Am7)strayed
While the (C)bright world went (D)barrellin (G)on

Singin "(D)Yodelayhee (C)I ain't no untarnished (G)Galahad
(C)Down from (C/B)Arcadia like a (D)dream in your (G)head
But (D)gentle lady (C)lend me the true heart I (G)never had
And (C)I'll bring you (C/B)roses and (Am7)bread (D)
And (C)we'll fashion gold out of (D)lead
With (C)all the illusions we (D)shed," Lancelot said

(G)(C)(D) . . .(G)(C)(D)


FRANK TO VALENTINO

Capo I

(C)They raised him up on the in(D)stallment plan
(F)The homely son of a (G)handsome man
(C)Neither (G)clear-complected nor (F)expected to ac(G)hieve
(C)A little bit ragged, a (D)little big rough
(F)A little too rowdy for the summer of love
(C)Still he's looking for a (G)reason to be(C)lieve

CHORUS:
And he's (F)changed his name from (C)Frank to Valen(G)tino
And he's (F)growin out his (C)sideburns
And he's wearin platform (G)shoes
And he's (F)drivin on the (C)midnight road from (E)Medford down to (Am)Reno
And he (F)thinks he's found a (C)way to cure his (G)workin blues

(C)He got himself married at (D)seventeen
She (F)looked real pretty but she (G)talked kinda mean
(C)He thought they'd (G)work things out in the (F)fullness of (G)time
Well (C)twenty years later he's (D)headed south
The (F)close-range victim of her sawed-off mouth
(C)Leavin their (G)salad days be(C)hind

CHORUS

(C)Lord have mercy on the (D)workin stiff
(F)Pullin graveyards and (G)double-shifts
(C)Tryin to (G)hold his own beside the (F)pretty and the (G)bright
(C)Givin up the dream of his (D)own backyard
(F)Jugglin taxes and credit cards
(C)Now he's rollin like a (G)ghost train through the (C)night

And he's (F)changed his name from (C)Frank to Valen(G)tino
And he's (F)growin out his (C)sideburns
And he's wearin platform (G)shoes
And he's (F)drivin on the (C)midnight road from (E)Medford down to (Am)Reno
And he (F)thinks he's found a (C)way to cure his (G)workin blues
And he (F)thinks he's found a (C)way to cure his (G)workin blues
Yes he (F)thinks he's found a (C)way to cure his (G)workin blues


ELVIS PRESLEY

Am/G: 30220x
Fsus2: x33011

*For the D chord at the end of the sixth line in each verse, don't play it as a full D, but rather play it as xx023x. It's not a Dsus2, not a D5, just basically an arpeggio of most of a standard D fingering.

Elvis (C)Presley came to (C/B)me in a (Am)dream last night (Am/G)
Like a (Fsus2)sleepy golden (G)eagle on the (C)breeze (G)
Wearin (C)wings of Spanish (C/B)leather, (Am)he was lookin' all right (Am/G)
But his (F)rebel heart lay (Fmaj7)bleeding on his (G)knees
He said, (Am)"Sherman's (Em)wolves howl (F)'round the (C)gate
And the (Am)sheep have (Em)gone as(D*)tray
And Pri(C)scilla's flown to (C/B)Paris, now she's (Am)lost to me," (Am/G)
He said, (Fsus2)"throw out the (Am)lifeline, (C)throw out the (Am)lifeline
'Cause (Fsus2)somebody's (G)driftin' a(C)way." (G)

Then he (C)took me over (C/B)cracker malls and (Am)chicken shacks (Am/G)
Where the (Fsus2)lost souls prowl the (G)lonesome ocean(C)side (G)
They were (C)waitin on the (C/B)shadow of the (Am)Merrimack (Am/G)
Floatin (F)brave as Davis (Fmaj7)sabers on the (G)tide
But he said (Am)"Dixie (Em)slumbers in the (F)cold cold (C)ground
And (Am)Lincoln (Em) moulders in the (D*)clay
And they've got (C)John Wilkes (C/B)Booth on the (Am)radio (Am/G)
Singin' (Fsus2)"Throw out the (Am)lifeline, (C)throw out the (Am)lifeline
'Cause (Fsus2)somebody's (G)driftin' a(C)way.'" (G)

Now the (C)truth is plain and (C/B)simple, but it (Am)flickers on my (Am/G)lips
Like a (Fsus2)moonbeam in a (G)blue Kentucky (C)pool (G)
'Cause the (C)Union, she's a (C/B)clever and a (Am)worthy ship (Am/G)
But she's (F)prideful, and she (Fmaj7)will not bear a (G)fool
So the (Am)fleet sails (Em)blind past (F)Beauregard (C)
And the (Am)flagship (Em)founders in the (D*)bay
While the (C)captain (C/B)paces on the (Am)quarterdeck (Am/G)
Cryin (Fsus2)"Throw out the (Am)lifeline, (C)throw out the (Am)lifeline
'Cause (Fsus2)somebody's (G)driftin' a(C)way." (G)

These (C)blue suede shoes were (C/B)made for someone (Am)else's feet (Am/G)
Me, I grow (Fsus2)weary ever (G)walkin down that (C)line (G)
'Cause I (C)never seem to (C/B)reach the end of (Am)Lonely Street (Am/G)
Even (F)though my heart's been (Fmaj7)broken for some (G)time
Oh, if (Am)you should (Em)meet me (F)on the march (C)
From (Am)Appo(Em)mattox all in (D*)gray
Won't you (C)take this (C/B)message to the (Am)King for me (Am/G)
Tell him (Fsus2)"Throw out the (Am)lifeline, (C)throw out the (Am)lifeline
'Cause (Fsus2)somebody's (G)driftin' a(Am)way" (Am/G)
Tell him (Fsus2)"Throw out the (Am)lifeline, (C)throw out the (Am)lifeline
'Cause (Fsus2)somebody's (G)driftin' a(C)way."


TANGLEWOOD TREE

Capo II

Intro: (Am)(G)(Em)...(Am)(G)(Em)...(Am)(G)(Em)...(Am)(G)(Em)...

(Am)Love is a (D)tanglewood (Am)tree
In a (D)bower of (Am)green
In a (G)forest at (Am)dawn (G)(Em)
(Am)Fair while the (D)mockingbird (Am)sings
But she (D)soon lifts her (Am)wings
And the (G)music is (Am)gone
(G)Young lovers in the (C)tall grass with their (G)hearts open (C)wide
When the (Em)red summer (Bm)poppies (C)bloom
But (Am)love is a (D)trackless do(Am)main
And the (D)rumor of (Am)rain
In the (G)late after(Am)noon (G)(Em) . . . (Am)(G)(Em)

(Am)Love is an (D)old root that (Am)creeps
Through the (D)meadows of (Am)sleep
When the (G)long shadows (Am)cast (G)(Em)
(Am)Thin as a (D)vagrant young (Am)vine
It (D)encircles and (Am)twines
And it (G)holds the heart (Am)fast
(G)Catches dreamers in the (C)wildwood with the (G)stars in their (C)eyes
And the (Em)moon in their (Bm)tousled (C)hair
But (Am)love is a (D)light in the (Am)sky
And an (D)unspoken (Am)lie
And a (G)half-whispered (Am)prayer

(G)(C)...(G)(C)...(Em)(Bm)(C)...(Am)(D)...(Am)(D)...(Am)(G)(Am)

(Em)I'm walkin down a (C)bone-dry river
But the (G)cool mirage runs (D)true
(Em)I'm bankin on the (C)fables
Of the (G)far, far better (D)things we do
(Em)I'm livin for the day of reck'nin
(C)Countin (D)down the (G)hours
(C)I yearn away, (D)I burn away
(C)I turn away the (D)fairest flower of love, 'cause darlin . . .

    Love's garden of thorns, how it grows
    Black crow in the corn, hummin low
    Brake nettle so pretty and wild
    And thistles surround the edge of the dim dark hour
    As the sun moves away
    Lamenting a lost summer day
    Who nurtures the faith of a child
    When nothing remains to cover her eyes?
    My body has a number, maybe my face has a name
    Each hour like each hour before
    This longing is a voice on the wind
    She cultivates the wages of sin
    In a Tanglewood Tree

(Am)Love is a (D)garden of (Am)thorns
And a (D)crow in the (Am)corn
And the (G)brake growin (Am)wild (G)(Em)
(Am)Cold when the (D)summer is (Am)spent
In the (D)jade heart's la(Am)ment
For the (G)faith of a (Am)child
(G)My body has a (C)number and my (G)face has a (C)name
And each (Em)day looks the (Bm)same to (C)me
But (Am)love is a (D)voice on the (Am)wind
And the (D)wages of (Am)sin
And a (G)tanglewood (Am)tree (G)(Em) . . .(Am)(G)(Em) . . .(Am)


HEY CONDUCTOR

This rollicking, knee-slapping, toe-tapping tour-de-force is one the most wildly entertaining songs I've ever heard. From Tracy's exuberant "Yee-ha!" after the second chorus to her absolutely hysterical tribute to The Wabash Cannonball during the mandolin break, it never fails to crack me up.

Capo II

Intro: (G)(C)(D)(G)(D) . . . (G)(C)(D)(G)(D)

(G)Sittin on the dock at Union Station
(C)Waitin on the pride of the Indian nation
(D)Fastest thing on metal wings or (G)wheels (D)
(G)People come from all directions
(C)Just to see their own reflections
(D)In a thousand tons of polished (G)steel (D)

They say (G)"Hey con(G7)ductor, does (C7)this train go to Texas
With a (G)hoot and a holler all the way down to San (D)Antone?"
They say (G)"Hey con(G7)ductor, does (C7)this train go to Texas?
I got a (G)dime and a dollar and a (D)one-way ticket (G)home" (D)

(G)Whistle whine when the brakeman pull it
(C)See her flyin like a silver bullet
(D)Past the houses through the sleepy (G)hills (D)
(G)Blackjack oak and red dust risin
(C)Scarlet sun on the blue horizon
(D)Hear the lonesome call of the whipoor(G)whill

He says (G)"Hey con(G7)ductor . . . "

(G)Kids come out their eyes a-poppin
(C)Young men runnin, old men hoppin
(D)When they hear the mighty engine (G)roar (D)
(G)Lords a-leapin, bands a-playin
(C)Ladies dancin, hound dogs bayin
(D)Passengers and hopefuls by the (G)score (D)

They say (G)"Hey con(G7)ductor . . . "

Now (G)baby I would beg or borrow
(C)Hock my own best boots tomorrow
(D)Just to git up on that train and (G)go (D)
(G)Kings and beggars, saints and villains
(C)You and me and all God's chillin
(D)Ponca City to the Gulf of Mexi(G)co (D)

We say (G)"Hey con(G7)ductor, does (C7)this train go to Texas
With a (G)hoot and a holler all the way down to San (D)Antone?"
We say (G)"Hey con(G7)ductor, does (C7)this train go to Texas?
I got a (G)dime and a dollar and a (D)one-way ticket (G)home (C)
I got a (G)dime and a dollar and a (D)one-way ticket (G)home" (D)(G)


ORDINARY TOWN

Capo III

C: x32033
G: 320033
G/B: x20010 (this is really just a transitional walk-up to the C)
Am: x02210
B7: 021202

Intro: (G)(C)--(G)(C)--(G)(C)--(D)(C)

(G)Common cool he was a (C)proud young fool
In a (G)kick-ass Wal-Mart (C)tie
(G)Rippin down the (C)main drag
Trippin on the (D)headlights rollin' (C)by
In the (G)early dawn when the (C)cars were gone
Did he (G)hear the master's (C)call
In the (D)five and dime did he (C)wake and find
He was (Am)only (G/B)dreamin (C)after (D)all, cause . . .

(Em)This is an (Am)ordinary (D)town
And the prophet stands a(Em)part
This is an (Am)ordinary (D)town
And we brook no (B7)wayward (Em)heart
And every (C)highway leads you (G)prodi(C)gal back (F)home (B)
To the (Em)ordi(C)nary (G)sidewalks you were (D)born to roam

(G)Rock of ages, (C)love contagious
(G)Shine the serpent (C)fire
So (G)sang the sage of (C)sixteen summers
(D)In the upstairs (C)choir
So (G)sang the old dog (C)down the street
Be(G)side his wailing (C)wall
"Go (D)home, go home," the (C)mayor cried
When (Am)Jesus (G/B)came to (C)city (D)hall, cause . . .

(Em)This is an (Am)ordinary (D)town
And the prophet stands a(Em)lone
This is an (Am)ordinary (D)town
And we cruci(B7)fy our (Em)own
And every (C)highway leads you (G)prodi(C)gal a(F)gain (B)
To the (Em)ordi(C)nary (G)houses you were (D)brought up in

(G)Raised on hunches and (C)junk food lunches
And (G)punch-drunk ballroom (C)steps
You (G)get to believin you're (C)even-steven
With the (D)kids at Fast-Track (C)Prep
So you (G)dump your bucks on a (C)velvet tux
And you (G)run and join the (C)dance
But your (D)holy shows and the (C)Romans know
You're (Am)just a (G/B)child of (C)circum(D)stance, cause . . .

(Em)This is an (Am)ordinary (D)town
And the prophet has no (Em)face
This is an (Am)ordinary (D)town
And the seasons (B7)run in (Em)place
And every (C)highway leads you (G)prodi(C)gal and (F)true (B)
To the (Em)ordi(C)nary (G)angels watchin (D)over you

(G)(C)--(G)(C)--(G)(C)--(D)(C)


236-6132

Capo II

Playing tip: During the bridge section ("I am not looking . . . "), play the C as x32033 and the G as 320033 and simply move your first two fingers together as a unit, back and forth between the 5th/4th strings (for the C) and 6th/5th strings (for the G).

Intro: (G)(C)(C/B)(A)(D) . . . (G)(C)(C/B)(A)(D)

(G)23(C)6-613(Am)2 is the (D)number of my (Em)love
Even (C)though it's been some (D)time since (Am)he made (D)fair to (G)answer
'Cause he (C)feints and fades from (A)view like a (D)fighter ducks a (Em)glove
Though I (C)play the highway (D)kind and (Am)he the (D)china (Em)dancer

If I (C)was afraid to (D)break or bleed
(Em)I would find (C)someone much (Em)easi(C)er to (D)need
(G)But when (C)drifters' dreams come (A)true
And when (D)push comes round to (Em)shove
23(C)6-613(D)2 is the (C)number (D)of my (G)love (C)(C/B)(A)(D)

(G)23(C)6-6(C/B)13(Am)2 is the (D)number I must (Em)call
When (C)Casey's at the (D)bat, and (Am)Sleeping (D)Beauty (G)slumbers
When the (C)frost is on the (A)dew, and my (D)teardrops trip and (Em)fall
'Til the (C)world is frozen (D)flat, and the (Am)long night (D)snows me (Em)under

On the (C)icy nails of (D)no return
(Em)We will (C)strike the match and (Em)set the (C)night to (D)burn
(G)'Cause when (C)Beauty wakes a(A)new
And when (D)Casey cracks the (Em)ball
23(C)6-613(D)2 is the (C)only (D)number

(G)(C)(C/B)(A)(D) . . . four times

(Em)I am not (D)looking for no (Am)champion of my (C)freedom
(G)I am (C)any(G)thing but (C)any(Am)body's (D)foundling
(Em)Sometimes I (Bm)feel like I am (Am)wandering
An (C)old bal(G)loon on (C)broken (G)string
A (C)bubble (G)in a (C)baby's (G)dream
A (C)lost and (G)lonely (C)buzzard(G)ling
A (C)vulture (G)beating (C)creaky (G)wings
While (C)angry (G)storms (C)go gather(Am)ing a(D)round me

(G)23(C)6-613(Am)2 is the (D)number of my (Em)love
When the (C)clouds are howling (D)rain and the (Am)sky is (D)black as (G)ashes
'Cause it's (C)sunlight where we (A)flew, though the (D)trail is cold a(Em)bove
And the (C)raven quakes in (D)vain while the (Am)lightning (D)barks and (Em)flashes

Still the (C)clouds will fade to (D)gray cocoons
And (Em)spring the winkin (C)monarchs, nodding (Em)never-(C)blinkin (D)moons
(G)When the (C)crows come home to (A)roost and (D)eagle weds the (Em)dove
23(C)6-613(D)2 is the (C)number (D)of my (G)love (C)(C/B)(A)(D)

(G)(C)(C/B)(A)(D)


GENTLE ARMS OF EDEN

Capo V

On this song, be sure to concentrate on plucking the notes in bold to create the tune's signature riff.

D: x00232
C: x32033
G: x20033

Intro: (D)(C)(G) . . (D)(C)(G) . . . (C)(G)(C)--(D)

On a (D)sleepy (C)endless (G)ocean
When the (D)world (C)lay in a (G)dream
There was (C)rhythm (G)in the (C)splash and (G)roll
But (Am)not a voice to (C)sing
So the (D)moon fell (C)on the (G)breakers
And the (D)morning (C)warmed the (G)waves
'Til a (C)single (G)cell did (C)jump and (G)hum
For (Am)joy as though to (D)say

This is my (G)home
This is my (C)only (G)home
This is the (C)only sacred (Em)ground that I have (D)ever known
And should I (G)stray
In the (C)dark (D)night a(Em)lone
(C)Rock me (G)Goddess (Em)in the (C)gentle (D)arms of (G)Eden

Then the (D)day shone (C)bright and (G)rounder
'Til the (D)one turned (C)into (G)two
And the (C)two in(G)to ten (C)thousand (G)things
And (Am)old things into (C)new
And (D)on some (C)virgin (G)beach head
One (D)lonesome (C)critter (G)crawled
And he (C)looked (G)about and (C)shouted (G)out
In his (Am)most astonished (D)drawl

CHORUS

Then (D)all the (C)sky was (G)buzzin
And the (D)ground was (C)carpet (G)green
And the (C)wary (G)children (C)of the (G)woods
Went (Am)dancin in be(C)tween
And the (D)people (C)sang re(G)joicing
When the (D)fields were (C)glad with (G)grain
This (C)song of (G)cele(C)bration (G)
From their (Am)cities on the (D)plain

CHORUS

Now there's (D)smoke (C)across the (G)harbor
And there's (D)factories (C)on the (G)shore
And the (C)world is (G)ill with (C)greed and (G)will
And (Am)enterprise of (C)war
But (D)I will (C)lay my (G)burdens
In the (D)cradle (C)of your (G)grace
And the (C)shining (G)beaches (C)of your (G)love
And the (Am)sea of your em(D)brace

CHORUS


LOVE, THE MAGICIAN

Here's a really fun song to play . . . and those three funky chords in the last line of the chorus were explained to me by Dave himself, so I reckon you can trust that they're right. Also, the lyrics (as Tracy sings them) don't exactly agree with the liner notes, so this is the "sung" version.

G: 320033
C: x32033
D: x00232
Bb: 113331 (although Tracy plays it: x1033x)
Asus: x02230
Fsus2: x33011
/F#: 20xxxx (this isn't a full chord, just a transition thingy at the end of the song)

Intro: (G)

She come down from Oklahoma
(C)With her brown-eyed pride and (G)joy
She come (C)down from Oklahoma
With her brown eyed pride and (G)joy
The (D)fair-haired Desdemona (C)and her ramblin guitar (G)boy

Well they kept to the thorn-brake thickets
(C)'Cause her daddy was a logchain (G)man
Yeah they (C)kept to the thorn-brake thickets
'Cause her daddy was a logchain (G)man
On a (D)night as long and wicked (C)as the scar on his tattooed (G)hand

Fly a(C)way, fly away, little wildwood flower
Lift your cares to the wind, coyote, and (G)whine
Your (D)rollin tears, your restless visions
(C)Rattle (Bb)up to (Asus)love, (Fsus2)the ma(G)gician

Well he (G)tracked 'em by the muddy waters
(C)And he trailed 'em by the lonely (G)lake
Yeah he (C)tracked 'em by the muddy waters
And he trailed 'em by the lonely (G)lake
But he (D)only saw two black otters (C)swimmin over by the farther (G)bank

(For the instrumental break, play the chords of the chorus one time through)

They stole through the head-high blossoms
(C)When he set his houndogs (G)run
Yeah they (C)stole through the head-high blossoms
When he set his houndogs (G)run
And the (D)dogs treed two white possums (C)at the risin of an angry (G)sun

Fly a(C)way, fly away, little wildwood flower
Lift your cares to the wind, coyote, and (G)whine
Your (D)rollin tears, your restless visions
(C)Rattle (Bb)up to (Asus)love, (Fsus2)the ma(G)gician

When her (G)daddy rode in to find 'em
(C)There wasn't nothin for to meet the (G)eye
When the (C)old man come to find 'em
There wasn't nothin for to meet the (G)eye
Just a (D)pair of lovebirds risin' in the (C)blue and boundless (G)sky (/F#)(G)


MERLIN'S LAMENT

Intro: (C)(F)(C)(G)

In a (C)castle (C/B)keep, in a (F)vault of stone(C)
In a house at the (F)end of the (C)lane (G)
And (C)old man (C/B)weeps in his (F)door alone(C)
And he sings out this (F)mournful re(C)frain

She will (F)not come (C)back
She will (G)not come (C)back
Though the (F)mountains fall (C)down to the (G)sea
And the (F)sky burns to (C)cinders and the (G)river runs (Am)black
She will (F)not come (G)back to (C)me (G)

No (C)lightnin (C/B)reed from his (F)books of lore(C)
And the staff in the (F)corner, no (C)fire (G)
And the (C)crystal (C/B)ball always (F)bright before(C)
Is grey as the (F)dust of de(C)sire

She will (F)not come (C)back
She will (G)not come (C)back
Though we (F)call on the (C)powers that (G)be
They will (F)cipher this (C)message in his (G)cold zodi(Am)ac
She will (F)not come (C)back
She will (G)not come (Am)back
She will (F)not come (G)back to (C)me (G)

And (C)joy my (C/B)love was a (F)dancin spring(C)
And life was the (F)touch of her (C)lips (G)
And a (C)brook ran (C/B)mad to my (F)cave down(C)stream
From the miracle (F)hills of her (C)hips

She will (F)not come (C)back
She will (G)not come (C)back
Though the (F)stars hang their (C)tears in the (G)trees
And (F)tireless O(C)rion lies (G)spent in his (Am)tracks
She will (F)not come (C)back
She will (G)not come (Am)back
She will (F)not come (G)back to (Am)me (F)
She will (C)not come (G)back to (C)me


GIDDYUP SAID SANTA CLAUS

Capo III

(G)I was drivin' through the timber, 'round about December
Took a wrong turn some(D)where
Straight up north in a bent frame Ford
It was lookin' mighty snowy out (G)there
I saw a jolly old coot in a bright red suit
He was hitchin' up a gaggle of (C)deer
Yellin' "Pull that sled, boys, the (G)kids are in (Em)bed
And we're (D)leavin' kinda late this (G)year" (D)

CHORUS
Giddy(G)up said Santa Claus, Dasher get your mittens
Cause it's (C)getting mighty cold out(G)side
Christmas is a coming, (E)better get a-running
Son, (A7)we got a long, long (D)ride
We gotta (C7)roll these toys from (G)Tampa to Boise
(C)Visit every (C/B)kid in (A7)L.A.
(G)London to At(G/F#)lanta, (E)Hurry, said Santa
(A7)Christmas is a (D)dream a(G)way

(G)Well I called to the stranger, "Buddy, I'm in danger
Loster than a bug in the (D)grass
Polar bears growlin', shaggy wolves howlin'
And I'm getting' awful low on (G)gas"
He said, "Don'tcha be naggin' me, hitch up your wagon
We can get tow you where you're needin' to (C)go"
And off we went at a (G)hundred and (Em)ten
(D)Over the boulders and (G)snow (D)

CHORUS

(G)Now I was feeling right cheerful, when man, I got an earful
Of the merriest music a(D)round
He was a dancin' and singin' to the sleigh bells ringin'
But Lord, I shoulda never looked (G)down
When I rolled down the window and peered across my fender
We were forty miles up in the (C)air
Cuttin' pirouettes around (G)rockets and (Em)jets
(D)Heading out for who knows (G)where (D)

CHORUS

(G)Oh, please Mister Jolly, take me back to Raleigh
Terra firma's where I be(D)long
He just kept on drivin', janglin' and jivin'
Singing all his yuletide (G)songs
Yeah, it was cold and windy, but he never missed a chimney
He stopped at every little one's (C)den
Every bundle and bow in a (G)fine bright (Em)row
Then he was (D)back in the saddle a(G)gain (D)

CHORUS

(G)Well I kinda got to diggin' all the zaggin' and the ziggin'
And the flying and the presents and (D)fun
And by dawn next day, I was up in the sleigh
And we were talking 'bout Christmas to (G)come
Now time keeps a-turnin' and I'm still learnin'
But brother don't you know I'm still (C)here
Santa's on his night run, (G)I'm riding (Em)shotgun
(D)Looks like another good (G)year (D)

Giddy(G)up said Santa Claus, Dasher get your mittens
Cause it's (C)getting mighty cold out(G)side
Christmas is a coming, (E)better get a-running
Son, (A7)we got a long, long (D)ride
We gotta (C7)roll these toys from (G)Tampa to Boise
(C)All across the (C/B)U.S.(A7)A.
(G)London to At(G/F#)lanta, (E)Hurry, said Santa
(A7)Christmas is a (D)dream a(G)way (D)(G)


AMERICAN NOEL

Note: On the "Wonderland" CD, there's a (D)(D/C#)(D/B)(D/A) walkdown at the end of the first line in each chorus. This is not really how Dave and Tracy intended the song to be heard, so unless you absolutely must play the song as it was recorded, you'll more accurately honor the songwriter's intentions by going straight from the (D) to the (G).

(D)Three wise men
Riding (A)hard through the (D)cold
(G)Lost on some big (D)city street
With (A)no place warm to go
They are (D)looking for a manger
Or a (A)sign in the (D)lights
But they're a (G)long way from (D)Bethle(A)hem to(D)night (Asus4)

But they heard about a (D)savior
And a preacher in the (G)park
Who will camp with the (D)homeless
Where they shiver in the (A)dark
He'll deliver sal(D)vation
To the weary and the (G)cold
And he'll bring (D)joy (G)joy (D)joy to the (A)wandering (D)soul (A)

The (D)cleaning lady sighs
As she (A)closes up the (D)gate
'Cause (G)this job don't quite (D)pay the bills
And she's (A)always working late
But (D)all in a moment
Comes a (A)light from a(D)bove
It's an (G)angel speaking (D)words of (A)joy and (D)love (Asus4)

And he tells her of a (D)savior
And a preacher in the (G)park
Who will camp with the (D)homeless
Under bridges in the (A)dark
He'll deliver sal(D)vation
To the weary and the (G)cold
And he'll bring (D)joy (G)joy (D)joy to the (A)wandering (D)soul (A)

(D)Four in the morning
At the (A)Tradewinds Mo(D)tel
The (G)register reads (D)"all full up"
And the (A)clerk thinks just as well
But (D)out in the tool shed
'Round an (A)old Coleman (D)lamp
A (G)little family (D)makes its (A)meager (D)camp (Asus4)

The (D)Wise Men bring presents
And the (A)angels gather (D)'round
The (G)cleaning lady (D)slips in through the (A)door without a sound
And an (D)old black dog
Looks (A)on with the (D)rest
At the (G)little babe up(D)on his (A)mother's (D)breast (Asus4)

And there comes a (D)savior
And a preacher in the (G)park
And he camps with the (D)homeless
Where they shiver in the (A)dark
He delivers sal(D)vation
To the weary and the (G)cold
And he brings (D)joy (G)joy (D)joy to the (A)wandering (D)soul (G)
And he brings (D)joy (G)joy (D)joy to the (A)wandering (D)soul


THE DITCHLING CAROL . . . Traditional, arranged by Dave & Tracy

Capo II

Intro: (Em)(D/F#)(G)(Asus2)(C)(D)(Em)

(Em)Be merry (B7)all, be (C)merry (G)all
With (D)holly deck the (Am)festive (Em)hall
Prepare the (D/F#)song, the (G)feast, the (Asus2)call
To (C)welcome (D)merry (Em)Christmas

And (Em)you in (B7)velvet (C)all a(G)dorned
De(D)fying winter's (Am)tempest's (Em)scorn
Oh (Em)spare one (D/F#)garment (G)from your (Asus2)store
To (C)clothe the (D)poor at (Em)Christmas

And (G)all re(D)member, (G)gentles (D)gay
For (C)you who (D)bask in (C)fortune's (D)ray
The (Em)year is (D)all a (C)holi(B7)day
The (C)poor have (D)only (Em)Christmas

You (Em)who the (B7)costly (C)banquet (G)deal
To (D)friends who never (Am)famine (Em)feel
Oh (Em)spare one (D/F#)morsel (G)from your (Asus2)meal
To (C)feed the (D)poor at (Em)Christmas

And (G)all re(D)member, (G)gentles (D)gay
For (C)you who (D)bask in (C)fortune's (D)ray
The (Em)year is (D)all a (C)holi(B7)day
The (C)poor have (D)only (Em)Christmas

So (Em)shall each (B7)note of (C)mirth ap(G)pear
More (D)sweet to heaven than (Am)praise or (Em)prayer
And (Em)angels (D/F#)in their (G)carols (Asus2)there
Shall (C)bless the (D)poor at (Em)Christmas
(C)Bless the (D) poor at (Em)Christmas


YOU MUST SLUMBER

This is a song that Dave wrote when he was 17 years old, and which Tracy indicates was recorded for – but eventually left off – the "Tanglewood Tree" CD. Although it was never released on an official Dave & Tracy album, a recording of it was included on the Signature Sounds 10th Anniversary Collection disc.

(G)Go to (D)sleep, (C)tiny (D)dreamer
(G)Let your (D)thoughts drift (Am7)far (D)a(G)way
(C)You must (D)slumber, (G)you (G/F#)must (Em)slumber
(C)In my (D)arms
And (Am7)I (D)must (G)pray

(G)Mother, (D)I have (C)heard a (D)story
(G)That our (D)country (Am7)goes (D)to (G)war
(C)Leave it, (D)leave it
(G)These (G/F#)are (Em)the af(C)fairs of (D)men
And (Am7)no(D)thing (G)more

(Em)Mother, (B)mother, (Em)people (B)say
They (Em)fought a (B)war to(Em)day
(C)Leave it, (D)leave it
(G)To (G/F#)the (Em)soldiers
(C)They are (D)young
And (Am7)far (D)a(G)way

(G)Mother, (D)did I (C)hear a (D)rifle
(G)Off a(D)gainst the (Am7)far(D)ther (G)shore
(C)That was (D)just a (G)wild (G/F#)wing (Em)beating
(C)In the (D)sky
And (Am7)no(D)thing (G)more

(Em)Mother, (B)what is (Em)that bright (B)flashing
(Em)Like no (B)light be(Em)fore
(C)Just the (D)moonlight (G)fal(G/F#)ling (Em)on your (C)guiltless (D)face
And (Am7)no(D)thing (G)more

(G)Mother, (D)what is (C)that great (D)pounding
(G)Like the (D)drum on (Am7)Judg(D)ment (G)Day
(C)Leave it, (D)leave it
(G)You (G/F#)must (Em)slumber
(C)In my (D)arms
And (Am7)I (D)must (G)pray


SEPTEMBER SEA

Here's a sweet little tune about "parting and reunion across the Great Water." Dave had indicated that they had no plans to record it, but he and Tracy often used it as an encore to their live shows, and it has eventually wound up on the "Little Blue Egg" CD.

Intro: (D)(A)(D)

Darlin (A)fair, the hour ap(D)proaches
When I will (A)bid this troubled world a(D)dieu
I will spurn fine (D7)chariots and (G)coaches
For the (D)hold of the (A)master's swift ca(D)noe

CHORUS:
No, my (D)love, we cannot row to(G)gether
Out up(D)on the wide September (A)sea
When I (D)cross the (D7)ocean of for(G)ever
In the (D)Spring will you (A)still remember (D)me

(A)When you have gone a-sailing (D)yonder
(A)I'll be a sister to the (D)wind
I will not (D7)rest nor cease to (G)wander
Un(D)til I slumber (A)in your arms a(D)gain

CHORUS

No reaper's (A)hand can hold or (D)touch us
No swell of (A)darkness raging (D)wild
When the fierce and the (D7)mighty breaker (G)crushes
I will (D)come safe to (A)harbor in your (D)smile

    No water wide can long divide us
    No sund'ring water come between
    When the sage moon rise to guide us
    We'll meet in fields of evergreen

CHORUS

BETTER WAY

Note: on the chorus, there's a walk-down sequence from the (C) to the (G) in the first and third lines, and a walk-down from the (F) to the (C) between the second and third lines.

(C)Summer is (Am)over and her (Dm)temples are (G)gray
And I (Dm)guess you'll be (Am)looking 'round for (F)somebody (G)new
Or (C)maybe you (Am)found him and (Dm)you're just not (G)sayin
Cause (Dm)he makes you (Am)feel the way (F)I used to (G)do

CHORUS
(C)Babe, if there's a (G)better way to (Dm)love you
(Am)Show (Em)it to (F)me
Cause I could not (C)live and let you (G)get away
Knowing (Dm)there was a (F)better way (G)

(C)Out on that (Am)highway a (Dm)mean wind is (G)screamin
And it (Dm)cuts right (Am)through you and the (F)rain bites (G)hard
But (C)I'd walk be(Am)side you to (Dm)share in your (G)dreamin
And (Dm)while you were (Am)sleepin I'd (F)be standin (G)guard

CHORUS

(C)Hard roads bust (Am)open with (Dm)bitter words (G)spoken
And (Dm)hearts can be (Am)broken, and (F)dreams un(G)done
But (C)hearts can be (Am)mended and (Dm)hard words for(G)gotten
And (Dm)roads return (Am)often where (F)they started (G)from

CHORUS

(C)Death came to my (Am)window in the (Dm)form of a (G)maiden
But she (Dm)didn't say (Am)nothin, she just (F)stood and (G)stared
And (C)'round about (Am)midnight she (Dm)lay down be(G)side me
But (Dm)when I a(Am)woke there was (F)nobody (G)there

CHORUS

CROSS OF JESUS

Capo II

(C)He's a motor(F)cycle (C)preacher, he's a seeker (F)and a (C)teacher
And he says the faithful shall not want for (G)anything
When the (Dm)good lord come to (G)take us where the (Dm)big sky meets the (G)Pecos
And the flowers bloom and grow in ever(C)lasting spring

And he's (F)bustin loose and breakin even
Glory-bound and true-believin
Ridin down the edge of a switchblade (G)knife
And he (C)speaks the (F)truth that (C)frees us
And he moves on (F)when he (C)pleases
And he wears the cross of (Am)Jesus as he (G)wanders through this (C)life

She's a (C)waitress (F)and a (C)mother, she the keeper (F)of her (C)brother
She's a patient force of nature livin in a (G)double-wide
And she (Dm)used to be a (G)dancer, now she (Dm)says she knows the (G)answer
'Cause she loves the lord and she keeps the cove(C)nant inside

And she's (F)bustin loose and breakin even
Glory-bound and true-believin
Dancin down the edge of a switchblade (G)knife
And she (C)speaks the (F)truth that (C)frees us
'Cause she knows us (F)when she (C)sees us
And she wears the cross of (Am)Jesus as she (G)wanders through this (C)life

Now I'm (C)only (F)a be(C)ginner, I'm a helpless (F)mortal (C)sinner
I'm a self-reflectin derilectin (G)also-ran
But I'm a (Dm)tender of the (G)fire, and I'm (Dm)merciful with (G)liars
And I think I've had a vision of the (C)promised land

And I'm (F)bustin loose and breakin even
Glory-bound and true-believin
Livin on the edge of a switchblade (G)knife
And I (C)keep the (F)truth that (C)frees us
And I (C)deal with (F)my di(C)seases
And I wear the cross of (Am)Jesus as I (G)wander through this (C)life
Yes I wears the cross of (Am)Jesus as I (G)wander through this (C)life

GIRL FROM GOLDEN

This lovely song was never officially recorded by Dave Carter, so this transcription is from Darryl Purpose’s wonderful version on his 2012 “Next Time Around” album.

Capo III

It’s a (G)hard (C)road that (G/B)leads to (D)Spirit (G)Hollow
It’s the (Em)last best kiss of (Bm)winter
This (C)bitter breeze that (D)blows
And even (G)though he (C)knows that (G/B)she will (D)never (Em)follow
It’s the (C)changing of the (G)year that sets his (D)mind to go

So he (G)makes his (C)way from (G/B)Aspen (D)over (G)Natchez
And he (Em)sends his love a (Bm)letter
But no (C)answer ever (D)comes
So he (G)listens (C)for a (G/B)whisper (D)in the (Em)branches
And the (C)rustlin’ of the (G)needles in the (D)noonday sun

And the (G)light, when it (Em)shines through the (C)proud Dixie (D)pines
Paints her (Em)face in the (Bm)flash and the (C)sha(D)dow
And he (Em)stares down the (Bm)wind ‘til he’s (C)waltzin’ (G/B)once a(A7)gain
With the (G)gypsy (C)girl from (G)Golden, Colo(D)ra(G)do

It was (G)in the (C)holy (G/B)season (D)of the (G)harvest
That he (Em)found her in the (Bm)meadow
Over(C)looking Boulder (D)Bridge
She was (G)weaving (C)lady (G/B)slippers (D)into (Em)garlands
Singing (C)”Bringing in the (G)Sheaves” along the (D)Chloe Ridge

Now the (G)light, when it (Em)shines through the (C)proud Dixie (D)pines
Paints her (Em)face in the (Bm)flash and the (C)sha(D)dow
And he (Em)stares down the (Bm)wind ‘til he’s (C)waltzin’ (G/B)once a(A7)gain
With the (G)gypsy (C)girl from (G)Golden, Colo(D)ra(G)do

Now the (G)hinges (C)on the (G/B)northern (D)gate need (G)mending
The (Em)sheep have gone to (Bm)pasture
But the (C)grass has burned to (D)brown
Still this (G)cinder (C)summer (G/B)shows no (D)sign of (Em)ending
And the (C)days turn like (G)molasses, nothing (D)makes a sound

But the (G)light, when it (Em)shines through the (C)proud Dixie (D)pines
Paints her (Em)face in the (Bm)flash and the (C)sha(D)dow
And he (Em)stares down the (Bm)wind ‘til he’s (C)waltzin’ (G/B)once a(A7)gain
With the (G)gypsy (C)girl from (G)Golden, Colo(D)ra(G)do