1. EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY

Spent some time feelin' inferior
Standing in front of my mirror
Combed my hair in a thousand ways
But I came out looking just the same

Daddy said, "Son, you better see the world
I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to leave
But remember one thing don't lose your head
To a woman that'll spend your bread"
So I got out

Paris was a place you could hide away
If you felt you didn't fit in
French police wouldn't give me no peace
They claimed I was a nasty person
Down along the Left Bank minding my own
Was knocked down by a human stampede
Got arrested for inciting a peacful riot
When all I wanted was a cup of tea
I was accused
I moved on

Down in Rome I wasn't getting enough
Of the things that keeps a young man alive
My body stunk but I kept my funk
At a time when I was right out of luck
Getting desperate indeed I was
Looking like a tourist attraction
Oh my dear I better get out of here
'For the Vatican don't give no sanction
I wasn't ready for that, no no

I moved right out east yeah!
On the Peking ferry I was feeling merry
Sailing on my way back here
I fell in love with a slit eyed lady
By the light of an eastern moon
Shangai Lil never used the pill
She claimed that it just ain't natural
She took me up on deck and bit my neck
Oh people I was glad I found her
Oh yeah I was glad I found her

I firmly believe that I didn't need anyone but me
I sincerely thought I was so complete
Look how wrong you can be

The women i've known I wouldn't let tie my shoe
They wouldn't give you the time of day
But the slit eyed lady knocked me off my feet
God I was glad I found her
And if they had the words I could tell to you
To help you on the way down the road
I couldn't quote you no Dickens, Shelley or Keats
'Cause it's all been said before
Make the best out of the bad just laugh it off
You didn't have to come here anyway
So remember, every picture tells a story don't it


2. SEEMS LIKE A LONG TIME

Nighttime is only the other side of daytime
But if you've ever waited for the sun
You know what it's like to wish daytime would come
And don't it seem like a long time
Seem like a long time, seem like a long, long time

Hard times are only the other side of good times
But if you ever wished hard times were gone
You know what it's like to wish good times would come
And don't it seem like a long time
Seem like a long time, seem like a long, long time

Help me, seems like a long time
Seems like a long time, seems like a long, long time

And don't it seem like a long time
Seem like a long time, seem like a long, long time
And don't it seem like a long time
Seem like a long time, seem like a long, long time
And don't it seems like a long time
Seems like a long time, seems like a long, long time

You know it makes me sad
Seems like a long time, seems like a long time
Seems like a long, long time

War time is only the other side of peace time
But if you've ever seen how wars are won
You know what it's like to wish peace time would come
And don't it seem like a long time
Seem like a long time, seems like a long, long time


3. THAT'S ALL RIGHT

That's all right my mama, that's all right for you
That's all right my mama any old way you do
But that's all right, well that's all right
Well that's all right my mama
Any way that you wanna do

My mother she did tell me
Papa did tell me too
Son, that woman that you're foolin' with
She ain't no good for you

I'll be leaving here tomorrow
Leaving here for sure
You ain't gotta be bothered with me
Hangin' 'round your door


4. TOMORROW IS A LONG TIME

If today was not an endless highway
If tonight was not a crooked trail
If tomorrow wasn't such a long time
Then lonesome would mean nothing to you at all

Ah but only if my own true love is waitin'
Yes and if I could hear her heart a softly poundin'
Only if she were lying by me
Would I rest in my bed once again

I can't see my reflection in the mirror
I can't speak the sounds that show no pain
I can't hear the echoes of my footsteps
And can't remember the sound of my own name

Ah but only if my own true love is waitin'
Yes and if I could hear her heart a softly poundin'
Only if she were lying by me
Would I rest in my bed once again

There's beauty in the silver singin' river
There's beauty in the sunlight in the sky
But none of these, and nothing else
Can steal the beauty
That I remember in my true love's eyes

Ah but only if my own true love is waitin'
Yes and if I could hear her heart a softly poundin'
Only if she were lying by me
Would I rest in my bed once again


5. MAGGIE MAY

Wake up Maggie I think I got something to say to you
It's late September and I really should be back at school
I know I keep you amused but I feel I'm being used
Oh Maggie I couldn't have tried any more
You lured me away from home just to save you from being alone
You stole my heart and that's what really hurt

The morning sun when it's in your face really shows your age
But that don't worry me none in my eyes you're everything
I laughed at all of your jokes my love you didn't need to coax
Oh, Maggie I couldn't have tried any more
You lured me away from home, just to save you from being alone
You stole my soul and that's a pain I can do without

All I needed was a friend to lend a guiding hand
But you turned into a lover and
Mother what a lover, you wore me out
All you did was wreck my bed
And in the morning kick me in the head
Oh Maggie I couldn't have tried anymore
You lured me away from home 'cause you didn't want to be alone
You stole my heart I couldn't leave you if I tried

I suppose I could collect my books and get on back to school
Or steal my daddy's cue and make a living out of playing pool
Or find myself a rock and roll band that needs a helpin' hand
Oh Maggie I wish I'd never seen your face
You made a first-class fool out of me
But I'm as blind as a fool can be
You stole my heart but I love you anyway

Maggie I wish I'd never seen your face
I'll get on back home one of these days


6. MANDOLIN WIND

When the rain came I thought you'd leave
'Cause I knew how much you loved the sun
But you chose to stay, stay and keep me warm
Through the darkest nights i've ever known
If the mandolin wind couldn't change a thing
Then I know I love ya

Oh the snow fell without a break
Buffalo died in the frozen fields you know
Through the coldest winter in almost fourteen years
I couldn't believe you kept a smile
Now I can rest assured knowing that we've seen the worst
And I know I love ya

Oh I never was good with romantic words
So the next few lines come really hard
Don't have much but what i've got is yours
Except of course my steel guitar
Ha, 'cause I know you don't play
But i'll teach you one day
Because I love ya

I recall the night we knelt and prayed
Noticing your face was thin and pale
I found it hard to hide my tears
I felt ashamed I felt I'd let you down
No mandolin wind couldn't change a thing
Couldn't change a thing no, no

The coldest winter in almost fourteen years
Could never, never change your mind

And I love ya
Yes indeed and I love ya
And I love ya
Lordy I love ya


7. (I KNOW) I'M LOSING YOU

Your love is fading I can feel your love fading
Woman it's fading away from me
'Cause your personal touch has grown cold
As if someone else controls your very soul
I fooled myself long as I can
I can feel the presence of another man
It's there when you speak my name
It's just not the same
Oh honey I'm losing you
I can feel it in the air, it's there everywhere
Oh I'm losing you

I can feel it in my bones
Any day you'll be up and gone
Ooh I'm losing you
It's all over your face someone's takin' my place
Could it be that I'm losing you

When I look into your eyes a reflection of a face I see
Oh Lord I'm losing you
I'm hurt, downhearted and worried girl
'Cause that face doesn't belong to me

Your love is fadin', I can feel it fadin'
Oh away from me
I can feel it in the air, it's there everywhere
Ooh I'm losing you

I don't wanna lose you
But I know I'm gonna groove you
Oh Lord I'm losing you, and I'm a losin' you

Your love is fadin', I can feel it fadin'
Oh Lord I'm losing you


8. (FIND A) REASON TO BELIEVE

If I listened long enough to you
I'd find a way to believe that it's all true
Knowing that you lied straight-faced while I cried
Still I look to find a reason to believe

Someone like you makes it hard to live without
Somebody else
Someone like you makes it easy to give
Never think about myself

If I gave you time to change my mind
I'd find a way just to leave the past behind
Knowing that you lied straight-faced while I cried
Still I look to find a reason to believe

If I listened long enough to you
I'd find a way to believe that it's all true
Knowing that you lied straight-faced while I cried
Still I look to find a reason to believe

Someone like you makes it hard to live without
Somebody else
Someone like you makes it easy to give
Never think about myself