All God's Children

All God's children are born to live and die
All God's children are born to live and die
No one knows the reason, but that's alright

All God's children suffer in their souls
All God's children suffer in their souls
Father has an answer, but he don't know

All God's children dream of judgement day
All God's children dream of judgement day
But there's no such thing
You gotta struggle day by day

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Backup Plan

You got a dream to chase
a cause to fight, love to give
but you still have to pay the rent
buy food, and work to live
You need a backup plan
Whatever you do, you need a backup plan

You need a second choice, a decent job
some kind of skill
but you never got with the program much
and I doubt you ever will
You need a backup plan
Whatever you do, you need a backup plan
I understand...

You need something to fall back on
something extra on the side
You need something to fall back on
something extra on the side
but no one wants to live their backup plan

There's business friends who organize the office pool
It's like they started their portfolios in nursury school
They've got a backup plan
Whatever you do, you need a backup plan
I understand...
You need something to fall back on
something extra on the side
You need something to fall back on
something extra on the side
but I don't want to live a backup plan
No, no, no, no, no....

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Blackwater Dam

Let me tell a story about a peaceful town
One day at the reservoir the mayor's daughter drowned
How could this have happened to a child so pure?
In despair the mayor jumped off the dam for her
Blackwater Dam

At the funeral of the daughter, they rang a lonesome bell
At the funeral of the father, they cursed his soul to hell
From that moment on, things could never be the same
The water turned to poison and the poison turned to rain
Blackwater Dam

His widow had a nightmare swimming with their ghosts
The preacher killed a sparrow just to see it float
Billy's sweetheart cried, "Billy, I can't swim"
He said, "Our baby's better off unborn" and kicked her in
Blackwater Dam

Brothers turned on sisters, husbands turned on wives
Day by day the broken hearts jumped off the dam to die
Until the last remaining child learned the lesson well
And said, "Now I must do what others do unto themselves"

As the bodies sank, the water level rose
until the levee broke and the bitter waters flowed
pouring through the rivers, filling up the sea
flooding all the world, and washing over you and me
Blackwater Dam

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Caroline

Sad is the future Caroline, your body still confined
Controlled by father until you're a wife
And a slave for the rest of your life
A man wants you to be his bride for power and for pride
So you dress in sailor's blue to search for someone true

Caroline, cross the line, to the ocean blue

If the crew discovers you, they'll tie you down with chains
And throw you in the ocean to kick and scream in vain
And if the captain fights for you
And saves you from the sea
He'll give you dresses of blue and say
"Now you're breath belongs to me"

Caroline, cross the line, to the ocean blue

So listen caroline and people all around:
If you wear the blue it's up to you
to save yourself or drown

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Century of Warfare

It's a Century of Warfare from Time Life Magazine
Simply the most sensational wars you've ever seen:
World wars, civil wars and holy wars you won't regret
Enjoy them all today on videocassette

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Rewind the times and find our crimes
And change our minds and pause before it starts
Pass the popcorn if I cry
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A Century of Warfare-the first one's free
Just call 1-800 W-A-R-F-A-R-E
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If you order now you'll the Greatest Hits of Hitler CD-ROM

Rewind the times and find our crimes
And change our minds and pause before it starts
Pass the popcorn if I cry
Fast forward through the tragic parts
Fast forward through the tragic parts
Fast forward through the tragic parts

It's a treasury of tragedy delivered to your door
Family entertainment, send your payment
But wait there's more
For the ones who are too young to remember way back then
In another hundred years you'll have a host
of brand-new wars to buy again
The horror of it all
Please have your credit card ready when you call
You can cut through anything with this set of knives
This could be the most amazing introductory offer of all time

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Cheat on You

I don't think it's funny
You've been cheating on me honey
I've seen it happen and I've had enough
So I'm gonna do something terrible to you
That's why tonight I'm all dressed up
I'm gonna cheat on you
Cheat on you
If you don't think it's fair, I don't really care
When the tables turn, you better grab a chair

I might call up an ex for some Tyrannosaurus Sex
And if that makes you cry, I'm glad
She might be a floozy and I'll swim in her Jacuzzi
Pardon me, I don't mean to brag
But I'm gonna cheat on you
Cheat on you
I'll handle it with grace as I rub it in your face
And call you in the morning from her place

Blame it all on Cupid
Maybe he needs glasses or maybe he's just stupid
Love is for the dodos
And I think you'll agree when I show you the photos

When you cheated on me sweetie
You gave me a freebie--
A one-way ticket to revenge
Everybody has their limits
All I need is fifteen minutes
And with some luck one of your best friends
To cheat on you
Cheat on you
And if it's a menage a tois
You're not invited ha ha ha
But you know I still love you
na na na na...

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Cinderella's Midnight Surprise

Her father says, "Cinderella, the hour has come.
I'm giving you a bullet, you must go and find the gun
that has a barrel which this bullet fits.
It won't be easy, Cindy, because only one exists,
and the man who owns the gun,
no matter who or what he may be
will take you as his bride. Goodbye Cindy baby."

Cinderella says, "Oh, to leave you brings me sorrow,
but I know joy awaits me in the forests of tomorrow.
I trust in you, my father, as I trust in God above.
I shall find the gun. I shall find the man I love.
Eagerly I go into this unknown world so pray for me."
Her father sighs, "Things are as they shall be."

Meanwhile in the distance, in a sunset headed west,
two lovers argue over who loves the other best.

Cinderella rides in her silver wedding gown,
past the crippled drummer boy, to the battleground.
Her body trembles. Her knees go weak.
An arena full of soldiers are killing cheek to cheek.
The instant she arrives, the smoky cannons hush.
Tucking in their shirts, down the generals rush.

"Hello hello," she cries. "Everybody listen.
My name is Cinderella, I'm a princess on a mission.
I'm holding here a bullet and whoever has the gun
which this bullet fits is quite the lucky one."
The men fall into line. Cinderella searches
the weapons one by one, stepping over corpses.

Meanwhile in the bedroom, the lovers get undressed
and argue with each other who loves the other best.

The final soldier stands, infernos in his eyes,
clawing at his bandage like a lunatic, he cries,
"I see burning mansions. I see burning stairs.
I see love overcome the horror and despair."
She wraps her arms around herself, shattered by the misery.
Falling on his saber, he dies against her knees.

She picks up the gun from the dead soldier's hand.
The bullet fits perfectly. She says, "I understand
how love can overcome. I hear my true love call."
lays the gun against her breast,
and lets the hammer fall.
Her father back at home can hear the roaring wind
and mutters to himself,
"Things are as they have always been."

Meanwhile in the hall, echoes murmer as if ghosts,
and enemies argue who hates the other most.

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Cracks Me Open

White steeples and black witches hats
point up at the Salem sky
On Halloween the trick-or-treaters
fill the streets as I walk by

Mrs. Penny says, "Beware
of candy apples with razor blades"
I'm too young to take her seriously
and old enough to be afraid

Hold tight to an iron kite
Lions tigers Charlie Brown, oh my
Fold back cut some slack
he who burns the cigarette at both ends
I feel a bird it's peckin' at my back
It cracks me open

I realize I should dream-hope
though I'm not quite sure why
I know how the jack o' lanterns feel
'cause I got fire in my eyes

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Death of a Turkey

The death of a turkey
The turkey is me
Standing by the barnyard fence
Watching the autumn leaves
They're heating up the oven
They're sharpening the axe
I think about cranberry sauce and pilgrims
And try to relax
Please excuse my awkwardness
But this dying thing, I'm new at this
And I must admit some nervousness
And terrorness

Goodbye goodbye
I'm gonna fly
To that turkey farm in the sky

I walk around in circles, clucking, clucking
Twist and shake my head
It won't be very long
'Til I'm up to my neck in bread
I've emptied out my feeder
I've cleaned my water bowl
I've looked into the puddles
I've looked inside my soul
Don't leave me now in my distress
'Cause before I pass beyond this fence
I've got some final sentiments
I need to express
ahem...
To all my turkey brothers
To all my turkey friends
To all my turkey sisters and lovers and teachers
This is the end for this here turkey
All our turkey traumas
Our finer turkey arts
Yhose special turkey times
Ya'll in my turkey heart
And to my turkey God
Please forgive my turkey sins
Oh and please next time
Don't make me a turkey again
'Cause can't you turkeys see
Being a turkey ain't easy
'Cause turkeys are tasty
And to tell you the truth dumb
Every fence I see, t-t-t-turkeys we be
Trying to be free
c'est la vie

The death of a turkey:
But I'm gonna be a swan
Here's a feather to remember me once I'm gone

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Don't Go Straight, Go Forward

Don't go straight go forward
Don't let them turn you around
Don't go down, don't go backwards
We're moving on to higher ground

You don't need just one direction
You don't need a yellow line
You don't need a big connection
You don't need some kind of sign

All you need, all you, all you need
to keep on moving is your soul

You don't need the march of progress
You don't need the steering wheel
You don't need an act of congress
You don't need a special deal

Stop looking for a miracle
The miracle is you
The miracle that matters has arrived
It's alive!

All you need, all you, all you need
to keep on moving is your soul

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Everything But You

Daylight opens the shade
April melts the snow
Wallpaper fades
People come and go
Still you remain tender, strong, and true
Time changes everything but you

Young souls step to the stage
Oceans rise and fall
Tears stain the page
Shadows climb the wall
Now you're the one I trust to help me through
Time changes everything but you

Today I carve a stone
With your name next to mine alone

Seven seas turn back to rain
Bottles fill the glass
The whistle calls the train
Destinations pass
Free from despair, you make each day new
Time changes everything but you

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Everything Looks Like a Hammer

Everything looks like a hammer
When you feel like a nail
And every light's a train
When you're tied up to the rail
And every kiss is cold
When it all goes to hell
And every heart's a fist
When it's filling up with hate
And the twilight looks like blood
At the end of every day
And progress sounds like marching boots
When you're the one who's in the way
And the silence turns to footsteps
As you lock the door and pray

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The Evil Genius Lost His Touch

The evil genius lost his touch.
He hates the world but not as much
As he did in his prime
When he was angry all the time.
The evil genius lives alone
With his birds in a trailor home,
The time machine he's working on
Up on blocks out on the lawn.

All illusions fly away, again
All illusions fly away.

The evil genius at the store
Drops a coupon on the floor.
The checkout girl reminds him of
Heroines he longed to love.

All illusions fly away, again
All illusions fly away.
All illusions fly away, again
All illusions fly away.

In a dream he's on a beach,
A woman's hand just out of reach.
Footprints vanish in the sand,
A broken tooth in his hand.

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Falling into Place

Jenny So, she had a disco,
And she could barely pay the rent,
But what a life, dancing day and night.
She was crazy but content.

Some people say we're falling to pieces.
Some people say we're falling out of grace.
I say we're just falling into place.

Aisha from California
Went to New Mexico
To marry Pablo and on the East Coast
They tried to find a home.

Some people say we're falling to pieces.
Some people say we're falling out of grace.
I say we're just falling into place.

Marilyn had a girlfriend,
And she said, "I love you,"
But some people around the steeple,
They said,"Ooooooh! "

Some people say there's only one way to be.
It isn't true -- obviously.

Doomsday could come on Tuesday,
or it might never come at all.
All these changes through the ages
make us afraid we might fall.

Some people say we're falling to pieces.
Some people say we're falling out of grace.
I say we're just falling into place.

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Greek Tragedy

I applied for work as a waiter
In a family-owned Greek restaurant.
I walked in and the old man looked at me
And said, "What the hell do you want?"

I gave him my resume
As he mopped up some grease on the floor.
He said, "Looks like you've been to college--
Have you ever done dishes before?"

He threw me an apron,
And I looked at his hands and I knew
The only vacation that he'd ever had
Was fighting in World War Two.

He would scream and call me John Lennon
And a moron when I made mistakes.
I wept with rage in the bathroom
During my five-minute breaks.

In the kitchen I cut up pastrami
And made tuna in a ten-gallon vat
As he yelled, "We need some goddamn salami--
John Lennon, imagine that."

I knew I had to get out,
But his deli was all that he knew,
And the flag that hung in the window
Was faded to pink, white, and blue.

Sometimes he called me a moron
In front of the afternoon crowd.
When he did I wanted to kill him;
When he didn't I almost felt proud.

I survived there for three months
'Til one day my apron string snapped.
I announced my two-minute notice,
And he flipped a grilled cheese and just laughed
And said, "John, go save yourself,
'Cause you won't save the world 'til you do."
And I picked up my bookbag,
Looked at that old flag,
And decided to go back to school.

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Green Into Gold

Summer ends, the school bus makes me restless
Like a kid I'm asking stupid questions
Why'd you have to go
The moment I was helpless?
And why does all the green turn into gold?

The school bus rocks and rattles down my back roads
Fallen leaves the color of tobacco
I used to ride with you
Traffic lights by meadows
Why does all the green turn into gold?

Tell me why one more time

Stepping off a Greyhound bus defenseless
I hold a crumpled paper with your address
You can't say yes or no
I still expect an answer
Why does all the green turn into gold?

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Hard Not to Fall in Love

It's hard not to fall in love with you.
Won't you let me down gently if I do?
Just so you know, before I start,
Not to fall in love with you is hard.

It's hard not to watch the water shine.
Everybody stares at the things that make them blind,
And you're so bright from afar.
Not to fall in love with you is hard.
It's hard.

The moon is made of marble stone.
The sea is filled with drunkard's wine.
The bottle's empty on the subway at the end of the line.

It's hard not to hold on and believe
As fortune on the rail carries you away from me,
Letting go is the hardest part,
And not to fall in love with you is hard.
It's hard.

Hearts of Stone in a City of Glass

Your heart's a stone in a city of glass
As you lay beside me
You'd be careful if you cared
About the world you're breaking

Your heart's a stone in a city of glass
Shattering vows in the shadows
How can you be truly sorry for mistakes
You keep on making?

The wind burns stone cold

Your heart's a stone in a city of glass. I depart these ruins
Leaving you in crooked streets to face your sad reflection

Your heart's a stone in a city of glass
Shattering all we believed in
How can I return to you treasures you yourself have taken?

The wind burns oh stone-cold
The wind burns oh stone-cold
Sunlight's crashing all around

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Heavy Metal Dayz

Flashback: heavy metal dayz
I should have been home in bed
Yes, I was drinking and I wasn't 21 quite yet
But don't tell on me, 'cause according to my fake ID
my name was Olaf, I was 21 and six foot three

The four of us were cruising the Binghamton rotary
Yelling as we cracked open our beers
And yeehawing and yodeling
Back in the days before throwing up lost its glamour
Drinking vodka straight from the plastic bottle
I said, "This tastes like water"

Oh no it's New Years Eve
Wasted and way naive
The Dark Side of the Moon was meaningful
Zeppelin IV was beautiful

We had a four-hundred-Watt Kenwood deck
With subwoofers, and we were cranking
Megadeth, Kiss, Quiet Riot
We were playing air guitar to
"Iron Man," "Crazy Train," and "Frankenstein"
We sang along to "Sweet Child of Miiiiiiiiiiiiine"

Oh no it's New Years Eve
Wasted and way naive
The Dark Side of the Moon was meaningful
Zeppelin IV was beautiful

We skidded down the country roads
Barely missing every ditch
Down by the riverside
Down by the abandoned bridge
We climbed the cables
And swung on them like monkey bars
Spitting at the water, staring at the stars

Death would flirt with us--hey what's up Jack--
We flirted back
It wasn't just a joke to us--the music really spoke to us
It wasn't just a joke to me
Wah-wah pedals spoke to me.

Nobody died--amazing. We wound up on my couch
Ate some pizza, drank more vodka
Ate more pizza, and passed out
But before we did, we gathered for one final song
Swore our love, and banged our heads to AC/DC:
You shook me all night long
you shook me all night long
you shook me all night long

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Hercules and Einstein

Hercules and Einstein
Genghis Kahn and Calvin Klein
The Beauty and the Boss
Betsy and Diana Ross

Atomic bombs and ploughshares
Ichabod Crane and Care Bears
Jay Leno and Plato
Dr. J. in lime-green dayglow

The heroes rode in, the heroes started looking around
But there were no dragons to be found

Hercules and Einstein
Forrest Gump and Gertrude Stein
Silence can be golden
Malcolm X meet Michael Bolton
South paws and outlaws
Hummingbirds and buzz saws
Pop Rocks and mop tops
Angels, mutineers, and mall cops

The heroes rode in, the heroes started looking again
But there were no dragons to apprehend
The heroes rode in, the heroes started shaking their heads
And rode off in the sunset on their mopeds

Hercules and Einstein
Just kicking back with a bottle of wine
It's the dawn of humankind
When the body meets the mind

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Higher Education

With a kiss from mom, a hug from dad
And, "Son good luck"
Trey drove to college in his graduation truck
Where the artsy rebel crowd comes down to party
Trey met a blue-eyed Rasta mon named Marley
Marley posed with his yellow dreadlocks, making friends
Leaning on the bumper of his new Mercedes Benz
And said, "Stealing from the bookstore
Undermines the bourgeiose system
Can I bum a smoke. Yo, pass the pipe and listen"

There it goes, your higher education

Where the new age gathered 'round
The Old Milwaukee keg
And shouted in each other's ears
"Hey what's that you just said?"
Trey hooked up with Jenny in her retro polyster
Back in Jenny's room he got up the nerve and kissed her
But the next day Marley hit on Jenny in the hall
By midnight they were dirty dancing at the disco ball
Trey was pretty bummed, but then he met Sibyl
Her curly country western hair was parted down the middle

There it goes, your higher education

Everything was moving fast; they were learning slow
Sibyl said, "My better judgment tells me you should go"
He said, "Tell me why, I don't mean to make this heavy"
She said, "I'm still getting over my ex-girlfriend Jenny"

There it goes, your higher education.

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I Wish It Would Rain

Maybe the sun's too hot,
Maybe my throat's too dry,
Maybe I've seen too many
Movie sweethearts say goodbye,
Maybe I tried too hard to keep my peace
Before you got on the train,
I don't know, I don't know why
But I wish it would rain.
I wish it would rain.

Maybe I miss the thunder
Or the smell of plowed-up earth,
Maybe I'll get you off my mind
By making myself feel worse,
Maybe this dirt road runs forever
Like a gutter runs in vain,
I don't know, I don't know why
But I wish it would rain.
I wish it would rain.
I wish it would rain.
I wish it would rain.

Maybe it's better to keep
Your bitterness bottled inside.
I wish it would rain.

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Ginger and Ned

I pulled out a flask in my black classic Cadillac.
Ned from the back said, "Pass me some more of that."
Twisting the cap, I said, "You've had plenty."
But that won't guys who haven't turned twenty.

Ginger beside me shook sand from her sandal.
I swerved to the right. Ned grabbed the door handle.
We had been friends ever since we were little,
From halfway to nowhere to smack in the middle.

Ginger, Ned, and I in a car
Look at the lights. We watch from afar
A satellite, UFO, jet plane, or star.

Ginger was sweet. Ned was her football brat.
I liked her like he did but played the diplomat.
We would write notes. The marching band marched.
Ginger still dotted an "i" with a heart.

The dashboard was glowing, one headlight didn't work.
Ned said, "I'm feeling sick." Ginger said, "Red alert."
So we slowed down and parked by the river,
And lay on our backs, as the world still got bigger.

Ginger, Ned, and I in a car
Look at the lights. We watch from afar
Asatellite, UFO, jet plane, or star.

Fireflies flashing, the moon spinning like a wheel,
I tried to think, to figure out how I feel.
Ginger did somersaults, Ned kicked the air,
I lit a sparkler, sparks flying everywhere.

Ginger, Ned, and I in a car
Look at the lights. We watch from afar
Asatellite, UFO, jet plane, or star.

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Justice Song of the Birds

On the red horizon, ships appeared.
The missionaries came and spoke behind their beards:
"We admire the Indian, the pure and simple fawn,
but your soul must find a seat on the final voyage on."
An Indian girl heard and felt the Christian fear.
She tried to fly away but was surrounded by those beards.
The preachers' tongues were cocked,
the righteous muskets roared,
and her naked back felt the mercy of the Lord.
She became a perfect Christian white man's wife.
She loved her children faithfully and led a stainless life.
Then one sunny afternoon she felt her dying come.
She felt her heartbeat stop, and her spirit began to run.
She ran and ran and ran and ran to an open door,
but a voice inside said, "Sorry, there is no either or."
It said, "No no no no no no no, you can't come in--
this is Indian heaven, we don't take no Christians."
She ran and ran and ran and ran to another door,
but a voice inside said, "Sorry, there is no either or.
No no no no no no no, you can't come in--
this is Christian heaven. We don't take no Indians."
She fell and fell and fell and fell to the gates of Hell--
but the devil complained: "Why'd you ring my bell?"
He said, "No no no no no no no, you can't come in--
Hell is just for sinners, and you're guilty of no sins."
The only door left for her was the second birth:
a spiral shadow stairway straight back to the earth.
She didn't come back as a Christian or an Indian, no no no,
but a beautiful feathered bird the color of blood and snow.
Now she soars forever with her children in the clouds,
and if you listen now, you can hear her sing it loud:
"No no no no no no no, you can't come in--
the sky is just for birds. We don't take no humans."

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Liza Jane

The hardest work I've ever done I labored all in vain
The toughest love I've known was known by all as Liza Jane
All I had were promises when I knocked on her door
A stocking in her hand, she looked at me with scorn

Lord, Liza, here's some sugar cane
I wonder if it's sweet enough
To sweeten you up Liza Jane

I reached out for her hand, she recoiled and cursed
"Not even if you were the only man on God's gray Earth"
With a lovely look of pity, she wrung a rag and sighed
"You must be the dumbest thing that ever lived or died"

repeat chorus

One night I carried her in the rain for seven miles
I swear it was the first and only time I'd seen her smile
There's a baby in the backyard, a baby on her knee
I'll raise them like my own, but neither looks like me

repeat chorus

The children cry for mother, they never cry for me
They treat me like the stranger she said I'll always be
The essence of your soul is passed on as it is
The children love me even less than their mother did

repeat chorus

I may not know anything, but I know what love is
Love is something random, love is sad and sick
Love is so relentless, brutal, mad, and cruel
And love's a gift from heaven about to fall in you

repeat chorus

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Love Gone Right

You're my sweetheart. You're so bad.
You're the best friend I almost never had,
'Cause I was nervous, but you were bright.
We rose above to a love gone right.

Wide-open windows, no TV,
We make the bed, and you make me.
No need to worry, even if we fight,
We still agree it's a love gone right.

No more thunder, no more cold,
We take the wonder everywhere we go,
Over the hill, to the other side.
In a world gone wrong
We got love gone right.

We walk with rhythm. We move in time.
I know your number--it's the same as mine.
A tender kiss, some dynamite,
Add it up for a love gone right.

No more thunder, no more cold,
We take the wonder everywhere we go,
Over the hill, to the other side.
In a world gone wrong
We got love gone right.

Morning bird, pick your apple.
Dandelion, pick your bee.
Subway train, pick your people.
Broken lock, pick your key and open me.

If I lose my money, my heart, my home--
If I lose everything, I won't be alone
'Cause in my dreams, I'll hold you tight.
I won't let go of a love gone right.

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Making up Lost Love

The night begins with staying up too late.
We've been talking seven hours straight.
You've been kind of lonely,
And I've been way too busy.

After all the time apart
Together now, we can start
Making up, making up lost love.

The day continues, sleeping in 'til noon.
A dozen times we say, "Let's get up soon."
Later in the evening,
Shadows dance on the ceiling.

After all the time apart
Together now, we can start
Making up, making up lost love.

You're not an early bloomer,
But you'll be blooming sooner or later.

After all the time apart
Together now, we can start
Making up, making up lost love.

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Marry Me

Marry me
I propose to you tonight
In this highway hotel
The jangle of the keys
Will be our wedding bell

Marry me
There's a diner down the road
We'll share a wedding shake
And make a promise
The darkness cannot break
Let the starlight be our witness

Marry me
Silo like a steeple
in the field of haunted hay
We'll burn the map that led us here
and drive away

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Maya Bell

Maya Bell, Maya Bell,
You got my heart swingin' like a bell.
I won't tell if you don't tell.
Turn it up a little higher, I want you Maya Bell.

All across the dance floor, couples keep the beat.
Let me hold you in my arms and sweep you off your feet.
Just give me a chance to show you what I can do.
You're the kind of trouble I'd like to get into.

Maya Bell, Maya Bell,
You got my heart swingin' like a bell.
I won't tell if you don't tell.
Turn it up a little higher, I want you Maya Bell.

I heard a crazy rumor I'm getting down with you.
How about you take my hand and make the rumor true?
I know you brought a date, but he's a little slow.
If you dance with me, he'll never know. Let's go!

Maya Bell, Maya Bell,
You got my heart swingin' like a bell.
I won't tell if you don't tell.
Turn it up a little higher, I want you Maya Bell.

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Millionare

I don't want to be a millionare, I just want my train fare
I don't want to be in the hall of fame
I just want a nickname
I don't want to be a millionare, I just want my fair share
I don't want to get on TV, baby I want you to get on me

I'm not sayin' what's right and what's wrong
I'm just tryin' to get along
Joy for the world, when will you arrive?
When will sorrow say goodbye?

I don't want to drive a jaguar, I'd rather ride a trolley car
I don't want your portfolio, I just want your jelly roll

I'm not sayin' what's right and what's wrong
I'm just tryin' to get along
Joy for the world, when will you arrive?
When will sorrow say goodbye?

I don't want to be a millionare
So there

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Moon Inside You

The moon above the city fades away at dawn
The moon above the countryside is badly drawn
And the moon above our house was waning as we rose
But the moon inside you grows

If you want to see the moon that makes you round
You don't need a telescope -- you need ultrasound
Overwhelmed by everything, that's just how it goes
The moon inside you grows

The stars we're looking at tonight
Many died long ago, but we still see their light
The ones that were born yesterday
Are still invisible 'cause they're too far away

The tide is pulling like a blanket up the shore
The busy street is throwing shadows on the door
Another month goes by, and you need bigger clothes
The moon inside you grows

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New Frankie and Johnny

Frankie and Johnny were lovers.
Man, how they did love.
They swore to be true forever,
True as the stars above.
He's a man, and he done her wrong.

Work, work, working all day, Frankie couldn't feed her kid.
Johnny had no money, but Uncle Sam sure did.
He's a man, and he done her wrong.

"Goodbye mama, my sweet mama, you're the best I had.
I may come home a hero,
Or I might come home like Dad."
He's a man, and he done her wrong.

"Goodbye daughter, my sweet daughter, how proud I feel."
They went to Burger King for their last meal.
He's a man, and he done her wrong.

Frankie went off to the war, scared as a girl could be.
Her mother passed away
Watching the preacher on TV.
He's a man, and he done her wrong.

Bombs hit bunkers, bombs hit tankers,
Bombs even hit a house.
The dead girl Frankie saw
Wore a shirt with Mickey Mouse.
He's a man, and he done her wrong.

The bombs were pretty smart,
Smart as smart bombs come,
But how much would a smart bomb bomb
If a smart bomb weren't so dumb?
He's a man, and he done her wrong.

Frankie came back home with a darkness in her eye.
A voice in the back of her head said,
"Why don't you curse God and die?"
He's a man, and he done her wrong.

"Help me help me doctor, save me from my fate."
The doctor looked at her credit card's expiration date.
He's a man, and he done her wrong.

Johnny said to Frankie, "I found someone new
I'm leaving town tomorrow with her on a honeymoon."
He's a man, and he done her wrong.

"Johnny say a prayer." "Frankie, please don't shoot."
She pulled hard on the trigger,
And the gun went root-a-toot-toot.
He's a man, and he done her wrong.

Sirens started wailing. Bells began to ring.
Frankie wandered up the drive-thru at Burger King.
He's a man, and he done her wrong.

At the drive-thru menu, she fell to her knees.
The voice inside the speaker said, "May I help you please?"
He's a man, and he done her wrong.

This story's got no moral.
This story's got no end.
This story only goes to show
There ain't no good in men.
He's a man, and he done her wrong.

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No Shirt, No Shoes, No Salvation (early version)

No shirt, no shoes, no salvation
That's the rule, and there's more
If you want to join the congregation
You'd better read the sign on the door
No shirt, no shoes, no salvation
No cash back on the merchandise
No food and drink in the sanctuary
No smoking in paradise

Follow the rules or you won't get in
To bingo night or the gates of heaven
You gotta show proper identification
No shirt, no shoes, no salvation

No cell phones, no cats or dogs
No trespassing, no way out
No standing, no stopping, no running, no talking
No skateboards, no pain, no doubt
No shirt, no shoes, no salvation
No free admission, no guarantees
No collect calls, no early withdrawals
And most of all, no questions please

Follow the rules or you won't get in
To bingo night or the gates of heaven
You gotta show proper identification
No shirt, no shoes, no salvation

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O Death

O Death, O Death
Cold, cold hands picking through the burning sand.

I am Death and I excel
At my chosen trade.
Thank you one and all
For digging your own graves.

O Death, O Death
Cold, cold hands picking through the burning sand.

Saving all your money
Just to give to me.
Making me my weapons,
One more baby on your knee.

O Death, O Death
Cold, cold hands picking through the burning sand.

I used to labor hard
Seeking souls to trap
Now the fires burn,
Bodies fall in my lap.

O Death, O Death
Cold, cold hands picking through the burning sand.

Snow-white morning doves
Gather 'round like children.
You take the olive branch, say, "thank you,"
And you kill them.

I understand you're wise
Only fools can dream.
I hope you're never fools enough
To live in harmony.

O Death, O Death
Cold, cold hands picking through the burning sand.

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Point of View

Today I saw another girl shoplift from the store,
Taking twice as much as the little girl before.
Her guilty look reminded me it's been about a year
Since the night I stood and watched
Your tail lights disappear.
The night we both agreed to disagree and let it stand,
The night I smoked, the night I drank
The most expensive brand
Of cigarettes like sacraments
And bottled water too.
I may have lost my mind
But I kept my point of view

Through the burning blades of rain
You always kept your cool,
Wearing biker boots to beauty school.
You said you'd be flattered
If I fought the fact you're gone.
Why do I lose everything lay my hands upon?
Tonight we meet on Beacon Street,
You linger next to me.
We're not much to look at,
But we're something to see
With leopard skin, a safety pin,
a mystical tattoo.
You may have lost your mind,
But you kept your point of view.

Love is round like an orange--it's all we grasp.
Once you were the fortuneteller
who told me my past.
You put a prayer on a post-it
telling God that you exist,
You handed me an orange
as I opened up my fist.
Nine to five I watch the world, but I don't mind the price
Of little girls who fill the streets
With stolen merchandise.
I suspect you love me still
The same as I love you.
We may have lost our mind
But we kept our point of view

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Promises Promises (old version)

I was waitin' for the pizza man just mindin' my business
When up to the door comes a Jehovah's Witness.
He said, "Are you ready for the coming of Jesus?"
I said, "No, I'm just waitin' for a pepperoni pizza."
He said, "The end of the world is here."
I said, "Promises promises--you told me that last year."

Promises promises.

I was standin' at the crossroads playin' guitar,
but the devil's too busy to make me a star,
so I worked real hard, got on TV.
Beautiful women started talkin' to me.
They said, "I like your style" and "You're so cool."
I said, "Promises promises--
where were you in high school?"

Promises promises.

I try to believe the hype
About Santa Claus and love at first sight,
And all their speeches 'bout the 21st century:
On the count of 4 let's all count to 3!

In the delivery room on the day I was born
The baby beside me said, "Be forewarned."
Now thirty years later I got somethin' to say
Standin' at the altar on my wedding day.
I slip on the ring, she says, "I do"
I say, "promises promises--I do too!"

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Raven on the Wire

Jack o' Neil was lost at war.
His lover jacqueline could not wait anymore,
So she flew in her disguise
Dressed up like a soldier to bring him back alive.

One by one to the storm, to the gun.
Two by two, and still I run to you.
Red red sun, raven on the wire.
Deliver us from fire tonight.
Deliver us, raven on the wire.

Jacqueline followed a dove,
But she found her lover's jacket buried in the blood.
"Goodbye my love, I'm going home,
Where I'll become a nun and mourn for every soul."

One by one to the storm, to the gun.
Two by two, and still I run to you.
Red red sun, raven on the wire.
Deliver us from fire tonight.
Deliver us, raven on the wire.

Jack o'Neil crawled back alive,
And he slipped into the convent
In a black and white disguise.
She saw his face and fell to her knees.
He said, "The masquerade is over, so marry me."

One by one to the storm, to the gun.
Two by two, and still I run to you.
Red red sun, raven on the wire.
Deliver us from fire tonight.
Deliver us, raven on the wire.

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Rose for a Blue Jay

I stood undecided where the river divided
not knowing which way to choose.
I dug with my fingers deep in the danger
until I found something to lose.

Promise me Ann Marie,
falling like mercury,
love that's in vain but in time,
a snapshot on Sunday,
a rose for a blue jay,
a heart no border will ever confine.

Down in the parlor
the groom and the father
shake hands on what should be mine,
while up in her chamber
Ann Marie wanders
the spaces I'm leaving behind.

Promise me Ann Marie,
falling like mercury,
love that's in vain but in time,
a snapshot on Sunday,
a rose for a blue jay,
a heart no border will ever confine.

From the red desert rocks to the fishermen's docks
to the homes we don't think about much anymore,
I'll be thinking of you, you'll think of me too,
as somebody new knocks on the door.

Walking at midnight, I'll aim my flashlight
up at the sky, it will shine,
and if you do the same thing, imagine you might see
our light beams cross like a sign.

Promise me Ann Marie,
falling like mercury,
love that's in vain but in time,
a snapshot on Sunday,
a rose for a blue jay,
a heart no border will ever confine.

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Snow Globe

We're caught in a cycle generations old
Moving to the city to get away from home
But you never really can leave the town you're from
Looking back, you see the person you're bound to become

In my high school picture, I look a bit confused,
The same expression on my face I had when I met you
Through a friend we hardly knew in the sad old scene
Where I looked down on everybody looking down on me

The night of our first date, we braved a foot of snow
Our first anniversery we bought ourselves a globe
Shake it up, it settles down
Shake it up, it settles down
Shake it up, it settles down
Snow globe

The music I would listen to when I was seventeen
I still listen to, but with a touch of irony
You listen to it with me with a fresh and open mind
The music of your past I will understand with time

The night of our first date, we braved a foot of snow
Our first anniversery we bought ourselves a globe
Shake it up, it settles down
Shake it up,i t settles down
Shake it up, it settles down
Snow globe

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Star Trek, Star Wars, and the Holy Bible

The story I must tell is all about survival
It's about Star Trek, Star Wars, and the Holy Bible
The story I must tell turns out a little sad
Darth Vader says, "Luke, I'm your Dad"

A long time ago, on Planet Earth somewhere
Job on his knees said, "Beam me up, Lord, are you there?"
Mary sent a message, "Save me Obi-wan"
Luke says, "Abraham, I don't want to be your son"

The Death Star attacks the Star Ship Enterprise
The dark side of the Force takes Scotty by surprise
Captain Kirk cries out. Jesus comes to him
"Damn it," Jesus says, "I'm not a savior, Jim"

I know I know, I know
That's how the story goes
I know I know I know I see
Chapter 6, episode 22, season 6, verse 33

Moses parts the sea with his golden light saber
Three Jedi Knights pray to Yoda in the manger
In heaven Mr. Spock shakes God's hand
"Your logic, sir, I do not understand"

I know I know, I know
That's how the story goes
I know I know I know I see
Chapter 6, episode 99, season 6, verse 33

From the pearly gates to the final frontier
Noah's Ark flies up and out of here.
Everyone believes in a childhood idol
Star Trek, Star Wars, and the Holy Bible
Star Trek, Star Wars, and the Holy Bible

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Starlet with a Needle

The grave digger's daughter
is digging Daddy a grave
one September morning
Leave burn and blow away

What goes high comes down harder
What's good you throw away
What you keep inside comes out stronger
Baby you'll never change

Don't you know it's only human to kill a beautiful thing
a starlet with a needle, a girl on a swing

What goes high comes down harder
What's good you throw away
What you keep inside comes out stronger
Baby, you'll never change
Baby you'll never change

Proud flags are waving. Limousines flash in the sun
There's nothing worse than watching the old bury the young

What goes high comes down harder
What's good you throw away
What you keep inside comes out stronger
Baby, you'll never change

What goes high comes down harder
What's good you throw away
What you keep inside comes out stronger
Leaves burn and blow away

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Still Waters

At the reservoir's edge, you think about so many things
throwing a stone to watch the still water make rings

Still waters run deeper
deeper than rivers, deeper than rivers
that run to the sea
Still waters run deeper
like the deep, deep mirror
the deep, deep mirror
of your deepest dreams

You never talk, unless you have something to day
No, you're not shy, you're just happier out of the way

Still waters run deeper
deeper than rivers, deeper than rivers
that run to the sea
Still waters run deeper
like the deep, deep mirror
the deep, deep mirror
of your deepest dreams

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Sweat Socks and Cherry Bombs

Sweat socks and cherry bombs
All the souvenirs are gone
Summers swimming in the pond
Orion's belt, the great beyond
Popsicles and sticky palms
Bicycles with no brakes on
BB guns and campire songs
Life is short, the days are long

Sweat socks and cherry bombs
Put your shorts and t-shirt on
Accidentally stepping on
The sidewalk cracks, sorry Mom
Growing up to be strong
Don't go where you don't belong
Seven dollars mow the lawn
Watch Godzilla fight King Kong

Dirt bikes about to race
Say it right to your face
Lowly kids are picking on
The lowlier who dresses wrong
The lowliest girl proudly stands
Braces with rubber bands
She likes the boy who dresses wrong
Sweat socks and cherry bombs

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Sweet Liberty

My name's liberty, sweet liberty--hear me tell my tale
How I became the cause for a thousand ships to sail
Poets sang, philosophers wrote books
And pilgrims crossed the sea
When men and women spoke my name
They said sweet liberty

Liberty for all, said the father to the child
There's good and evil in the heart
That must be reconciled
The rebels fought the great empire
To set the New World free
With blood and sweat upon the soil
For me, sweet liberty.

To proud immigrants, I promised hope
I drew the pioneers
I cried for the Cherokee along the Trail of Tears
I gave courage to the Union
I brought freedom for the slave
I led the spirit of the soldier marching to his grave

Through the years I watch with sorrow
Nations waging wars
Men died for me at Normandy and fell on Asian shores
And now tomorrow sounds another call for victory
As all the world's a battleground for me, sweet liberty

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Tiny Dogs on Beacon Hill

Up on Beacon Hill
all around the block,
people in suits and stylish boots
taking their dogs for a walk,
every night you can see them:
hundreds of dogs,
perfectly groomed, brushed, and perfumed--
and disturbingly small.

I don't know why, I don't know why,
I don't get it and I never will.
Everybody's out walking tiny dogs on Beacon Hill.

A Cavelier King Charles Spaniel,
a Toy Italian Hound,
a miniature Terrier--nothing's scarier--
Chihuahas all around.

In this coffee shop, there's no dogs allowed.
I say "m'am", I say "sir, please leave it, him, her,
or whatever it is--keep it out."

I don't know why, I don't know why,
I don't get it and I never will.
Everybody's out walking tiny dogs on Beacon Hill.

I am a modest man.
I'd like a Saint Bernard.
If I had the money, I'd have a Husky
in a big overgrown backyard.

But up on Beacon Hill
they've got nothing like that.
Last night I tripped and almost kicked
a poodle 'cause I thought it was a rat.

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Too Tired

I drag myself through the doorway after working all day
You're half-asleep in the bedroom, and all you can say...

I'm too tired to talk now
I'm too tired to try, too tired to fight
All I can do is lay down in your arms
I'm too tired tonight

TV noise in the background, the comforts of home
We can share the silence. It's all right, you know

I'm too tired to talk now
I'm too tired to try, too tired to fight
All I can do is lay down in your arms
I'm too tired tonight
I wish I could stay up late
Play a game, watch a movie, and make things right
I wish we had more time
Maybe tomorrow, I'm too tired tonight

Oh, oh let me sleep
Oh, oh lord let m dream

I'm too tired to talk now
I'm too tired to try, too tired to fight
All I can do is lay down in your arms
I'm too tired tonight
I wish I could stay up late
Save the world, part the ocean, and fly
If I could I would fly
I'm too tired

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Too Much Rum

Oh Melissa, I hope you're the one.
Ready to do what I've never done.
In the pines we'll park the car,
lemonade and rum in a jar.

Let's wait a little longer .

Oh Melissa, I'm not afraid.
I found courage in the lemonade.

Let's wait a little longer .

Oh Melissa, now I feel dumb.
Too much on my mind, too much rum.

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Truth that Hurts

He tells you why he's late, he tells you where he's been
when you know that he's been back in her arms again
You say that he led you along and then lied
But what hurts even more is the fact you both tried

You both tried all you could to make it work
It's not the lies, it's the truth that hurts

He had a dream girl, you had a script in your mind
When he said you were the one, it was true at the time
When somebody says "I'll love you forever"
That's a figure of speech, you should know better

You force a laugh and cough before you curse
It's not the lies, it's the truth that hurts

How can you say you've been betrayed
In the bed that both of you made?

Neither side wants to come out and break up first
It's not the lies, it's the truth that hurts

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Wait Up

In the time of strangers I believe
You're the only one who knows me
Wait up wait up

In the time of strangers gotta move
I'm the only one who knows you
Wait up wait up

Wait up wait up
It's only a game
Wait up wait up
And shoulder some blame
Wait up wait up
We stumble the same sunny sundown road

In the time of strangers we survive
"Hello how are you yeah goodbye"
Wait up wait up

You would never leave me -- would you?

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The Water's Pure

The population gets its water from a natural spring
Father knows best and every mother knows everything
Main Street looks ordinary
At Mary's mother's Famous Dairy
Mary scoops the homemade chocolate cherry
How would you describe the allure?
The water's pure

A small town's good for small town business
There's a funeral home
The sign says Long Funeral Service:
This is a Tow-Away Zone.
Mrs. Long drinks beer and wine
Driving drunk in the hearse one time
she smashed into the church's bingo sign
When you're a casserole connoissuer
The water's pure

Mary ended her engagement with the soda jerk
Mr. Long brings her fresh flowers left over from work
Mr. Long looks thin and pale
Mrs. Long drinks Harpoon ale
the ice cream scoop broke Mary's nail
the football coach had to go to jail
the mayor got a bomb in the mail
and the department store
had a Martin Luther King's Day White Sale
You need reasons to endure
where the water's pure

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White Men Rule the World

You look at me and wonder who the hell am I
Out of shape and pale-your average mainstream guy
But I'm here to tell you, I was born the king
The master, the ruler, the Lord of everything
I'm the Prince of Peace. I'm the Duke of Earl
I'm white and I'm a man
White men rule the world
White men rule the world

When I walk down the street policemen wave at me
Wherever I want I can stop and drop my khaki shorts and pee
I take every prize
I get every girl
Combing over my hair I let women stare
White men rule the world
White men rule the world

I'm the man, I'm the dude, I'm the globocop
I'm your back door man, Sally, I'm the man on top
My grass is always green
My teeth are white as pearl
Annointed at birth to conquer the earth
White men rule the world
White men rule the world

I wake up in the morning and servants bring me food
I play air guitar in front of the mirror in the nude
See me strut my stuff. Watch my flag unfurl
Look at me race off into space
White men rule the world
White men rule the world
White men rule!
White men rule!
I rule the world!

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Wrong Place

In the stadium, bass, guitar, and drum
smoke everywhere, lighters in the air
you can fly away from the everyday
in a concert black t-shirt
The heavy metal band truly understands
how your hometown can drag you down
when you're off the team all you do is dream
of buying beer and getting out of here

You're in the wrong place
to breathe

In the gymnasium, your school is number one
The head coach gives a big speech
about the big game on Saturday
when we can either win or suck again

You're in the wrong place
to breathe

In the ball park after dark
you dream you're on the team
in the pennant race on third base
bottom of the ninth, in the spotlight
You're in the wrong place
to breathe the American air...

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Xmas in Vegas

It's Christmas time in Vegas, and the parties are in swing
I'll be there by the punch bowl not saying a thing
When I get the courage, I'll mingle with the crowd
Sorry if I spill my drink or laugh a little too loud
If you ask me for the time I'll tell you I don't know
My watch is fifteen minutes fast, but it's also an hour slow

I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus, but that's about to end
'Cause I also saw her kissing Santa's ex-girlfriend
Egg nog on the slot machine, cocaine instead of snow
Prostitutes in santa suits--ho ho ho
Sorry, man, I don't know when the girls start the show
My watch is fifteen minutes fast, but it's also an hour slow

It's Christmas time in Vegas, and the bartenders are glad
Everyone's in love or else they're raving mad
If you ask me for the time I'll tell you I don't know
My watch is fifteen minutes fast, but it's also an hour slow

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