TABLE 10:
Starry Night · Lie To Me · Problem Child · Don’t Toss Your Heart · Broken Wheels
Laurie · Lenore · Nicotine Blues · Love’s Luggage Lost · LamentStarry Night · I didn’t come this far · Just to turn around · Awkward silence, here we are · Both staring at the ground · You’ll never know how much I hope · You’re thinking that I’m cool · More likely, though to you I seem · Just a sentimental fool · I didn’t come this far · To let you walk away · I drove all night my best friend’s car · Hoping that you’d stay · Spend the night, or don’t · You see it matters not to me · We both know we’re far beyond · Such mere formalities · I didn’t come this far · Just to be ignored · You act like you’re some opera star · Pretending that you’re bored · If I could make you sing · I’d ask your heart to stay with me · And then I’d bite my nails in fear · And hope that you’d agree · I didn’t come this far · Looking for a fight · How I wonder what you are · On this starry, starry night · To say you dance divinely · Heaven justice wouldn’t do · And I would give my heart, my soul · For just this night with you · I didn’t come this far · To watch you fall apart · Living in your own bell-jar · You’re tearing up my heart · The night is starry, starry · And I’m asking for your love · You won’t have to say a word · Just trust the Lord above · ©2008 Tom Woodbury (BMI)
Lie To Me · I saw you walking down the street one day · And thought lord she looks so fine · I stopped to wonder what a girl like that · Would take to make her mine · Oh Lord, she’s walking toward me · But everything’s okay · Just got to keep myself from saying something stupid · And scaring that girl away · Lie to me · Tell me I’m the one you’re dreaming of · Lie to me · That would really make my day · Lie to me · Tell me that my love is good enough · Lie to me · That’s the only way to make me go away · I was talking to a friend of mine · Turned out he knew your name · He was saying how he’d overheard · That you might feel the same · No way I’d ever say it · For anyone else to hear · There ain’t a reason in the world for her to notice · And that’s my greatest fear · Lie to me · Tell me I’m the one you’re dreaming of · Lie to me · That would really make my day · Lie to me · Tell me that my love is good enough · Lie to me · That’s the only way to make me go away · You were standing on the other side · Of the bar when I walked by · Something about the way you held your head · Reached out and caught my eye · Look here, the choice is clear · There’s only one way to go · Just got to turn my back on happiness and follow it · No matter that she don’t know · Lie to me · The check’s in the mail · Lie to me · Ten minutes, three times a week · Lie to me · Oh darling, this coffee’s great · Lie to me · If you leave a message at the beep · I promise to get back to you · [Not on the album: · Lie to me · It’s not you, it’s me · Lie to me · I promise we can still be friends · Lie to me · No, those jeans don’t make your butt look fat] · Lie to me · That’s the only way to make me go away · That’s the only way to make me go away · Yeah · ©2008 Tom Woodbury (BMI)
Problem Child · Early summer nineteen-sixty-five · My mother had a child · So small and fragile, what keeps those things alive · He’ll be fine for a while · He grew up lonely, scared to make new friends · Largely by his choice · He wasn’t like them, he was different to the end · Not like the other boys · He was howling at the moon · Wishing on the stars · Wondering what to make of all this · Wishing to go far · Praying to the forest · Like the heretics of old · Looking for his place in life · His pocketful of gold · Teachers called him a problem child · They simply couldn’t understand · He wasn’t drinking, he wasn’t running wild · And still they bound his hands · They sought the guidance of a local seer · ‘Doctor, heal my son’ · He asked some questions, got under the veneer · But it was all in fun · He was howling at the moon · Wishing on the stars · Wondering what to make of all this · Wishing to go far · Praying to the forest · Like the heretics of old · Looking for his place in life · His pocketful of gold · What’s the problem, you’re not all that strange · You don’t need me anymore · All you needed was some reason to change · I think we’ve found the door · Keep on howling at the moon · Wishing on the stars · Wondering what to make of all this · Wishing to go far · Praying to the forest · Like the heretics of old · Looking for your place in life · Your pocketful of gold · Looking for your place in life · Your pocketful of gold · Looking for my place in life · My pocketful, pocketful of gold · ©2008 Tom Woodbury (BMI)
Don’t Toss Your Heart · You never meant for me to be the one to fall · You swore you’d had it with romance · But how was I supposed to know you didn’t mean to call · And who am I to take that chance · You fell in love about a million years ago · He came and swept you off your feet · But he ran out on you as fast as he could go · And sent your heart into retreat · Don’t toss your heart across your shoulder · And don’t break my heart across your knee · Don’t make your heart a little colder · Because that would surely be the death of me · You sat alone across the table from the band · You caught my eye with just one look · Next thing I knew you came and took me by the hand · And just one dance was all it took · Don’t toss your heart across your shoulder · And don’t break my heart across your knee · Don’t make your heart a little colder · Because that would surely be the death of me · It seems to me you might be better on your own · Who’s got time for all this pain · But then again I want to love and take you home · Because you deserve it just the same · You know it’s been just like a roller coaster ride · Life’s just so full of ups and downs · And if when the morning comes you wake up by my side · We’ll both be drummed right out of town · Don’t toss your heart across your shoulder · And don’t break my heart across your knee · Don’t make your heart a little colder · Because that would surely be the death of me · ©2008 Tom Woodbury (BMI)
Broken Wheels · My car just died and I don’t know what to do · It left me at the junction of routes 1 and 102 · Well I’m sure that thing’s possessed · But you know it’s never second best · It’s too much, the pain it’s put me through · My car just died and I don’t know what to say · I panicked when it happened · And I just turned and walked away · Well it left me in the lurch · And you know that I was on my way to Church · Hell, Heaven knows, the Devil’s come to pay · Broken Wheels · Will never be unbroken · Tire squeals · And impolite words spoken · I’m gonna sell that thing for parts · Even though you know it breaks my heart · It’s time to trade in on these broken wheels · My car just died and I don’t know WHOM to call · My insurance is not paid up · And the writing’s on the wall · Well the other guy was nice · And he said, ‘Son take my advice · Get a parachute before you take this fall’ · Broken Wheels · Will never be unbroken · Tire squeals · And impolite words spoken · I’m gonna sell that thing for parts · Even though you know it breaks my heart · It’s time to trade in on these broken wheels · ©2008 Tom Woodbury (BMI)
Laurie · I tried to live my life the way my mother said · It doesn’t seem to matter either way · I wonder if I’ll ever get it through my head · That there ain’t no use in trying to run away · I lie awake and wonder what I should have done · And think about the magic in your eyes · If you were in my place would you have turned and run · And not so much as stopped to say goodbye · Laurie, please tell me you’ll be back someday · Laurie I love you, please come home to stay · If you look into my eyes you’ll see · I’m not the man I used to be · And you can’t lock the door without the key · We always knew there’d come a day · When we would choose our separate ways · There is no wrong, there is no right · And there will be no time to fight · You know I always wanted you · But then again what could I do · You know I’ll be here ’til the end · So take this time your heart to mend · Laurie, please tell me you’ll be back someday · Laurie I love you, please come home to stay · Maybe we can try again · And maybe you’ll forget the pain · And leave me like a child out in the rain · I close my eyes and pray for you · To find your way back home · I guess you’ve got to find this for yourself · The road to me is lonely but you’ll never be alone · So promise me you’ll love somebody else · Laurie, please tell me you’ll be back someday · Laurie I love you, please come home to stay · If you look inside your heart you’ll find · Your memories give you peace of mind · Oh Laurie · If not for that then why are we here · If not for you where would I be · We always knew there’d come a day · When we would choose our separate ways · There is no wrong, there is no right · And there will be no time to fight · You know I always wanted you · But then again what could I do · You know I’ll be here ’til the end · So take this time your heart to mend · Laurie, please tell me you’ll be back someday · Laurie I love you, please come home to stay · After all the bridges burned · You’d think by now we’d both have learned · Oh Laurie · ©2008 Tom Woodbury (BMI)
Lenore · When I was a young man I made up my mind · Not to follow my father’s career · I was bound and determined to pay him in kind · Not to say what he wanted to hear · So the foolish young man headed out for the sea · And the whales off the Halifax piers · He came back broken-down, tired, and beat · And much older than his tender years · No more, Lenore, may I see you before me · No more to lay in your arms · My ship leaves at dawn and I must to move on · Though it pains me to cause you alarm · My name is William Edward and James · I was born thirty-five years ago · I left for the sea as a boy of fourteen · What I found there still doesn’t show · Admiral Barrett was brave and was true · And he’d fought in the great ocean war · He threw down a gauntlet and I threw one, too · For the sake of his daughter Lenore · No more, Lenore, may I see you before me · No more to lay in your arms · My ship leaves at dawn and I must to move on · Though it pains me to cause you alarm · To duel the next morning at sunrise with swords · Was the only way to satisfy · I struck him a blow that went straight through his heart · That’s the first time I saw Lenore cry · Farewell to my lovely, farewell to my home · I’m for England to see thee no more · With the sun on my forehead and the wind at my back · And my memories of my dear Lenore · No more, Lenore, may I see you before me · No more to lay in your arms · My ship leaves at dawn and I must to move on · Though it pains me to cause you alarm · ©2008 Tom Woodbury (BMI)
Nicotine Blues · I only smoked when I drank · When I was carrying you · Now the Surgeon G. says it’s bad for me · And that’s why you’re only four-foot-two · Great gosh a’mighty, · Swear I’m dying from these Nicotine Blues · I tried to quit about an hour ago · And now I’m going out of my mind · I’d roll my own, even sell my soul · For any brand, any kind · Great gosh a’mighty, · Swear I’m dying from these Nicotine Blues · Gimme that N-I-C-O-tine · If you’re a smoker, you know what I mean · The flavor’s there and it takes me there · On the back of a magazine · Well, everyone knows L.S.M.F.T. · I’d walk a mile for a Camel, you see · Winston tastes good just like a cigarette should · You’ve come such a long way, baby · Great gosh a’mighty, · Swear I’m dying from these Nicotine Blues · Gimme that N-I-C-O-tine · If you’re a smoker, you know what I mean · The flavor’s there and it takes me there · On the back of a magazine · If you happen to see that ol’ Marlboro Man · Won’t you give him a message from me · You son of a bitch, I’d rather fight than switch · And it’s bringing me down to my knees · Great gosh a’mighty, · Swear I’m dying · Great gosh a’mighty, · Swear I’m dying · Great gosh a’mighty, · Swear I’m dying from these Nicotine Blues · ©2008 Tom Woodbury (BMI)
Love’s Luggage Lost · You were standing by the baggage claim · Looking kinda flustered · When I sidled on up to you · I was thinking what to say · With all the courage I could muster · But I knew inside it just won’t do · You were staring at your ticket · Trying to figure out the numbers · And casting all about in pain · The place went deathly quiet · And a voice as loud as thunder · Cried you know you’re never gonna see · Your luggage again · Love’s luggage lost · You’ve got to claim it · No matter the cost · Love’s luggage lost · After all · I hadn’t seen you for a month · It seemed forever and a day · But then I knew I’d never last that long · Ain’t it funny how it seems · I never know just what to say · No matter what I do it comes out wrong · I tried to help you find your bags · But I was rendered so distracted · By the way you cut me down to size · So I pretended not to mind · Or give a damn at how you acted · But the time has come · You’re gonna have to realize · Love’s luggage lost · You’ve got to claim it · No matter the cost · Love’s luggage lost · After all · Now I’m searching in this bottle · For that place that I get lost in · Where my feet don’t have to touch the ground · But I’m not sitting in the basement · Of the airport down in Boston · Watching other people’s luggage · Going ’round and around · Love’s luggage lost · You’ve got to claim it · No matter the cost · Love’s luggage lost · After all · ©2008 Tom Woodbury (BMI)
Lament · I never saw a picture of you frowning · And you always had the kindest words to say · For a man to enjoy his work as much as you · I’d have to say that you turned out okay · The worlds that you created were my favorites · I especially liked the one about the frog · And the bear in the pork-pie hat who told those jokes · And taught us how we ought to get along · You spoke to us from the heart · And you always knew just what to say · What began as just a piece of felt with eyeballs · Found a place in every heart across the world · And the measure of a man is not the bottom line · It’s the smile on every boy and every girl · You spoke to us from the heart · And you always knew just what to say · I would sing a song of blue suede shoes for Elvis · For Buddy Holly I would sing of Peggy-Sue · And for Tollers I would sing about his golden Ring · But I sing a song of lessons learned from you · It’s not easy being green or so you taught us · But it’s not easy being black or white or brown · The most important lesson that we learned from you · Is that each of us deserves to be around · Yes, we all of us deserve to be around · ©2008 Tom Woodbury (BMI)