Lee Quick

I have traveled far
Night has fallen hard
Out beyond the lights of town
I finally stop my car

Overhead I find
A jewel-encrusted sky
Clouds of luminescent wonder
Touched with streaks of light

[chorus]
The stars, the stars
The stars are falling down
The stars, the stars
Burn out without a sound

Heaven grants me rest
I am feeling blessed
Planets pull me, suns shine through me
On their journey west

Through the sky they flow
Some flash, some faintly glow
Never thinking, never knowing
Where their light will go

[repeat chorus]

This celestial calm
Must go on and on

Someday when I fall
Through the darkest night of all
Will I shine or will I smolder
When I hear the call

The stars, the stars
The stars are falling down
The stars, the stars
Burn out without a sound

I walk to hear my feet make noise
On silver-dusted checkered floors
The walls make rooms, and rooms make walls
I move through dark deserted doors
One step at a time

One bath
One kitchen sink
One tree in the yard
One phone
One TV set
One car in the drive
One mirage in one mind's eye
One house

The shadows fall around me while
I search through strange, familiar sights
Through picture windows in my mind
The sun shines on the darkest night
One night at a time

One clock
One turntable
One chair in the den
One hall
One needlepoint
One lamp by the bed
One mirage in one mind's eye
One house

Spend the night inside my head
Close my eyes to see what's there

Before these frozen, haunted scenes
Fade away and disappear
I chase the pictures in my dreams
Embrace the ghosts, erase the tears
One step at a time
One night at a time

One face
One photo book
One memory to spare
One life
One funeral
One heartbreak to bear
One mirage in one mind's eye
One house

All I am is lost
All I am is lost
All I am is lost
And all I need is you

All I am is broken
All I am is broken
All I am is broken
And all I need is you

The world is cruel
The world is blind
Where are the good
Where are the kind

All I am is weary
All I am is weary
All I am is weary
And all I need is you


The world is cold
The world is grey
You are the hope
You are the way

All I am is wandering
All I am is wandering
All I am is wandering
And all I need is you


All I am is unbelieving
All I am is unbelieving
All I am is unbelieving
And all I need is you

All I am is lost
All I am is lost
All I am is lost
And all I need is you

You might think
if you ask me just what it is I do
That I might say
“If I explain, would it be understood
What I do isn’t what I am,
and what is it to you?”

But you should know
I would never say a thing like that
Oh yeah you know
I would never say a thing like that

You might think
if you ask me just where I go to church
That I might say
“What if I don’t, and what gives you the nerve?
If there’s really a God up there,
Let’s leave it up to her”

[repeat chorus]

You could read me like a book
You could turn my pages
If you’ll only take a look
You’ll see past my cover

You might think
if you ask me just who I voted for
That I might say
“Am I living in another civil war?
or a place where the people
can be free to roll their own?”

[repeat chorus]

If you ask me who I am
I will say my name
If you ask me what I am
I won’t say a thing

You might think
if you ask me just where it is I stand
That I might say
“Well, if I said, would I be where I am?
Everyone can do what they like
and I don’t give a damn”

[repeat chorus]

I wandered lonely as a crowd
light as a stone
free as a rope
clear as the smoke
I wandered

I wondered if the notes were all used up
would we all have nothing left to play
I wondered if the cards were all turned up
would there be another move to make

and if ace beats king

does love beat lust
does pink beat blue?
does them beat us
does me beat you?
I wondered

I wondered if the words were all used up
would we all have nothing left to say
I wondered if the odds were all raised up
would the horse keep running in the race

and if ace beats king

does love beat lust
does pink beat blue?
does them beat us
does me beat you?
I wondered

I wandered lonely as a crowd
light as a stone
free as a rope
clear as the smoke
I wandered
I wandered

Sometimes I feel like a lonely lover
Sometimes I cry like a tired child
Sometimes I stand like a ragged wanderer
Left staring down this endless road

I see the miles stretchin’ on forever
I see the misery livin’ in my eyes
I see the darkness creepin’ round the corner
I’m staring down this endless road

Staring down this endless road
Staring down this endless road


My mama hurt me when I was hungry
My daddy hit me when I was wild
My baby left me when I was sorry
Left staring down this endless road

Staring down this endless road
Staring down this endless road


And when I go down the cold hard highway
And when I run thru the black of night
And when I see the clouds surround me
I’m staring down this endless road

Staring down this endless road
Staring down this endless road
Staring down this endless road

She’d rather not drink coffee all alone every morning
She’d rather have him standing there beside her when she goes walking
She’d rather not keep wondering if he might be calling her this evening
But I guess she’d rather be the other woman than nothing at all


I told her, darlin’, you don’t have to settle for what he gives you
He’s got another life and if he’s leaving, he would have told you
You shouldn’t sit around and wait for a dirty dog that don’t respect you
But I guess you’d rather be the other woman than nothing at all


She just smiled and tidied up her kitchen to picture perfect
He don’t have to marry me, she said, I can’t expect that
As long as, every now and then, he makes me feel like someone who’s important


She poured herself another cup of coffee, though she was shaking
I couldn’t figure out if she was angry, or close to crying
I’d rather not admit it, but I think I understood what she was feeling
And I think I’d rather be the other woman than nothing at all
I think I’d rather be the other woman than nothing at all

Amethyst Jane fell out of bed
A thousand thoughts filled up her head
Then she took a look at the world and smiled

And she was young
And she was happy
And the day was long
And the time went by, in a way, that would say
A better day is gonna come

Amethyst Jane got into the fray
Took a deep breath, and looked at the day
Then she took a turn on a bumpy ride

And she was long
And she was sexy
And the day was long
And the time went by, in a way, that would say
A better day is gonna come

Amethyst Jane got out of the fray
Spun around blind, and had to say
Please don't make me look at myself inside

And she was wrong
And she was angry
And the day was long
And the time went by, in a way, that would say
A better day has gotta come

And she thought
Up or down, it's all the same
See the sunshine and the rain
Come or go, it's all the same
Feel the laughter and the pain
Win or lose, it's all the same

Amethyst Jane got out of bed
A thousand dreams filled up her head
Then she took a look at herself and smiled

And she was strong
And she was happy
And the day was long
And the time went by, in a way, that would say
A better day has finally come

Up or down, it's all the same
See the sunshine and the rain
Come or go, it's all the same
Feel the laughter and the pain
Win or lose, it's all the same

Well, long time no see, sure has been a while
Looks like you’re getting around in town while you flash that smile
And now you've got that look in your eyes again
It is a little tempting, but I remember when

You wore your clothes one time and threw ‘em all over the floor
You wore me out and then you came around for more
You whispered in my ear, I thought I knew what for
But then you packed your bags and added up your score
You tore out my heart, showed it to me, threw it on the floor, stepped on it,
turned around and walked out the door

Well, you rolled into my life in tight blue jeans
You proved a pretty face ain’t always what it seems
And though that slippery tongue knew just what to say
You showed off your good asset when you turned away

(repeat CHORUS)

I can’t be sure when a love comes knockin’
I can’t think straight when my heart is throbbin’
I can’t believe every smiling face
But I can put you back in your place

Well, so long babe, I hope you have a time
Maybe you’ll gain a little wisdom down the line
And when that flashy smile goes by the wayside
Remember why there’s no one standing by your side

(repeat CHORUS)

Yeah, you tore out my heart, showed it to me,
threw it on the floor, stepped on it, turned around
– showed your best side – and walked out the door

When he calls me on the phone, he doesn’t seem to realize
That he’s got nothing to say
When I want him I let him know
Then it’s done my way

I get little from his company, much less his conversation
His mind could be concealed, or else there’s nothing to reveal
Yes, he’s picture-perfect but what’s wrong with (this)--
This boy bores me to hell

When I look into his eyes, I see pretty colors and
A spot of blackness inside
Why do I get the creepy feeling
He’s got nothing to hide

I get little from his company, much less his conversation
His mind could be concealed, or else there’s nothing to reveal
Yes, he’s picture-perfect but what’s wrong with (this)--
This boy bores me to hell

What’s behind that door?
Same room, different number
I’ve seen it all before

If this trip is going nowhere
His skin-deep amenities are wasted on me
What good’s a pretty view
In a place I don’t want to be

I get little from his company, much less his conversation
His mind could be concealed, or else there’s nothing to reveal
Yes, he’s picture-perfect but what’s wrong with (this)--
This boy bores me to hell
This boy bores me to h

When I was young and lost
You were so wise and strong
But when I gave my trust
You were already gone

Why don’t you take off that mask
And take a day to explain
I just don’t believe you’ll have something to say
Anything to say
Anytime soon

When I looked up to you
You looked away and turned your back
A little girl's love refused
A lifetime of questions passed

Why don’t you take off that mask
And take away all the pain
I just don’t believe you’ll have something to say
Anything to say
Anytime soon

Why do these ties keep on pulling us apart?
And when will the time wear down that wall around your heart?

Now you are old and lost
And time is pressing on your back
There must be a way to touch
With more than a passing glance

I’ll have to take off my mask
And search my soul till it hurts
I’ll look into the glass
And I’ll take stock of my words
I’ve got to believe I’ll have something to say
Anything to say
Sometime soon

At the source of the river stands the source of our pain
He's a killer and no law will bind him
So gather your weapons and sail on upstream
'Cause it may take us all just to find him
And for those against killing him
Here's what I say

He is, after all, just another lost soul
Not that he isn't a bad one
And we must do our part to destroy his black heart
Assuming that he ever had one
But it's best for the rest of us
At least, for what's left of us
Like losing a finger to save your hand.

At the source of the river we planted our flag
And we slew that bad man, or we thought so
But who would have known
He had friends who threw stones
And a lesson would need to be taught, so
For those against killing them
What can I say?

They are, after all, just a thousand lost souls
He led them astray, now they're bad ones
And we must do our part to destroy their black hearts
Tho we can pretend that they had none
But it's best for the rest of us
At least, for what's left of us
Like losing an eye to save your face.

Then their villagers cried
"We have God on our side!"
Tho we knew for certain that we did
And with weapons in hand
Swore they'd make their last stand
Seems history will be repeated
And although we must kill them all
Still we will say

They are, after all, the uncounted lost souls
Not that they all will be bad ones
And we must do our part with a cold, calloused heart
Tho the legacy may be a sad one
But it's best for the rest of us
At least, for what's left of us
Like losing your soul to save your pride.

If I earned the fortune of choice
And I could make only one wish
I'd spend my decision fulfilling my vision
And pass a good time with my friends

There's two guests whose presence I'd bless
To sit at my table and talk
George played a tune while Mike played the fool
Though their paths and mine haven't crossed

[chorus 1]
They've both been a-traveling
Enigmas unraveling
Scouting the landscape for the source of the soul
Their wisdom would fill me
I'd not ask for more
If I could have dinner with Michael and George

They've seen all, without and within
Everything ventured and gained
George dug the earth, Mike circled around it
Collecting a treasure unseen

[repeat chorus 1]

They'd tell me the meaning of life
I'd feast on the insight and wit
While George calmly muses, and Michael enthuses
I'd give thanks for friends I've just met

But one day, George left this world
Leaving the stories untold
IGeorge reached nirvana, and Mike's getting older
And I'm spinning visions no more

They're both done a-traveling
Enigmas unraveling
Scouting the landscape for the source of the soul
Their wisdom won't fill me
I won't get no more
I'll never have dinner with Michael and George

Now my wish is gone with the time
For all things must pass away
So I'll sit at my table, and look out my window
And search for a place beyond pain

Now I will go traveling
Enigmas unraveling
Scouting the landscape for the source of the soul
The wisdom will fill me
I won't need no more
Someday I'll have dinner with Michael and George

Oh I am going to music college in the county seat someday
To gain a lot of knowledge ‘bout how to sing and how to play
The Folk University’s a name most folks have seen
Cause when I say “Folk U.” they understand just what I mean

[chorus:]
I’m goin to Folk U.
Until I’m satisfied
That I’m the best there is and no one does it quite like I do
I’m goin to Folk U.
Though it might take a while, I’ll come out with a smile
And I’ll hang up that old sheepskin on the wall when I’m through
I’m goin to Folk U., Folk U., Folk U.
Until I get it right

This institute of higher learning gets a great deal of respect
Why, just the thought of getting in there makes you hold your head erect
That’s why the Folk University’s the college of my choice
I’m going to Folk U. until the whole world hears my voice

[repeat chorus]

No matter how hard that it gets, I’ll just keep on keepin’ on,
I know that I can make it in the end
There might be some dull professors that I’ll end up sleepin’ on
But with firm determination
And a lot of perspiration
I will reach my destination
And when I finish, I won’t need to pretend

And though the competition might be stiff, I’ll do much more than pass
I’ll take on the student body, be on top of my class
And the Folk University will be my claim to fame
Cause all the folks who went there always said they’re glad they came.

I’m goin to Folk U.
Until I’m satisfied
That I’m the best there is and no one does it quite like I do
I’m goin to Folk U.
Though it might take a while, I’ll come out with a smile
And I’ll hang up that old sheepskin on the wall when I’m through
I’m goin to Folk U., Folk U., Folk U.
And even if I have to practice thru the night
I'll get it right!