song lyrics from "past forward" cd (lyrics used by permission © Sandsong Road Musicworks, ASCAP)
idle hands lyrics and music ©2009 chris rhodes
i tried to make an honest living
but i can't feed my hungry family
when life's all taking and no giving
here in the land of opportunity
•••chorus (1)
idle hands ain't good for nothing
they've seen better days than these
good for nothing, going nowhere
mercy father, come on help us if you please
i could put food upon the table
until they up and closed the factories
and now it's plain that i'm not able
since all the jobs went running overseas
•••repeat chorus (2) (...how'd all this turn out to be)
bridge
while all the fat cats smoke cigars living in luxury
the working man is damned to social insecurity
•••bridge chorus (3)
idle hands ain't good for nothing
they've seen better days than these
good for nothing, going nowhere
no one to take responsibility
i tried to make an honest living
but now i'm down upon a bended knee
and to the devil i'll be driven
this unemployment line is killing me
•••repeat chorus (1) ( ...if you please)
repeat bridge
•••repeat chorus 2 (...how'd all this turn out to be)
repeat verse 1
sister rosie lyrics & music ©2009 chris rhodes
bless my soul, miss rosie
what's this poor boy to do?
now that summer's been and gone
i can't seem to get next to you, whoa no!
chorus
hey now, sister rosie
could you play some hookey this afternoon?
(it wouldn't be too soon)
well, it's been a long time since september
and i really can't wait 'til june...oh, sister rosie
on school days in the classroom
they say you're the teacher's pet
my mojo's working overtime
but it hasn't gotten to you yet, whoa no!
repeat chorus
bridge
well, you can run and hide, miss rosie
read your books about history
but all your writing and 'rithmetic
ain't gonna help you
when you need a little tlc
(right down to the xyz)
so, bless my soul, miss rosie
i'm bound to find a way
but please don't keep me hangin' on
'til i see your graduation day, whoa no!
repeat chorus
tell me, sister rosie what's a poor boy gonna do?
polynesian moon lyrics-c. rhodes / music-c. rhodes & m. yeaman ©2005
in a sapphire ocean on a mystical isle
where the tiare blooms, vanilla perfumes
and porpoises smile
women wrapped in pareos wearing orchid tattoos
serve you papayas sweet with mangos to eat
and sorrow's tabu
chorus
tropical blue aquamarine
waters surround you
washing your senses clean
polynesian moon
you're a siren across the sea
tahitian lagoon
if i am late please wait for me
bridge
so tranquil the breeze
through coconut trees
hibiscus around your door
your outrigger sails
with dolphins and whales
the volcano high above the shore
how long until i return
can't stop my desire burning
as you gaze at the sunset from your beach bungalow
ukuleles will play, the dancers will sway
and bonfires glow
bridge
chorus
the final round lyrics & music © 2009 chris rhodes
hey, it looks to me from ringside
that you've been through living hell
you took a mighty beating
but you made it to the bell
don't say this fight is over
just 'cause he knocked you down, oh no
whoa, keep your dukes up, buddy
get your gloves to go the final round
well, he's dizzy from your dancing
time to cut him down to size
don't let the noise distract you
keep your eyes upon the prize
your left right combination
should shake him to the ground, oh yeah
so wipe the sweat off, buddy
get your gloves to go the final round
you grew up on a mean street
got in trouble with the law
your momma left you hungry
and you never knew your pa
you didn't get no schooling
but were smart enough to see
a gangster life would kill you
if you didn't cop a plea
the army taught you boxing
and how courage wins the day
two fisted with the grit
to put a rival heavyweight away
oh, your knees they may be quaking
while your head is in a spin
but don't throw in your towel
'til they count him down to ten
you've got him on the ropes now
soon you'll be title bound
don't pull no punches, buddy
get those gloves to go the final round
oh sara lyrics & music chris rhodes ©2006
she was born a restless brown eyed girl
from way down home arkansas
she was heading for memphis tennessee
where she met that mississippi boy she would marry at eighteen
in a year they were raising a family
but at night there on the riverside they'd dream of far away
you can't imagine her surprise when he woke up to say
chorus
oh sara, why don't we leave this sleepy town behind us
let's say farewell to the place that we are from
oh sara, i know that better days will surely find us
go pack the bags, chicago here we come
oh, sara, we've got to get us some...
with the land of lincoln waiting there the old car flew up the road
when they got to that windy city shore
all around were bustling factories and tall buildings in the sky
soon a brighter tomorrow was bound to be in store
as the memories of the cotton fields began to disappear
the words she heard came rushing back
to ring inside her ear
chorus (...so tell the kids chicago here we come)
well, they moved up north from dixie for new opportunities
saving all those old fried chicken recipes
yes, they missed some southern comforts
when the wintertime would freeze
but she kept it warm with corn bread, fatback and black eyed peas
as the memories of the cotton fields began to disappear
the words she heard came rushing back
to ring inside her ears
chorus
walkin' with my baby lyrics chris rhodes - chris rhodes & bob mcgilpin © 2003
oh, boy, i'll tell you something
listen to my news
'cause you can't know the story
'less you step inside my shoes
and head out on the highway
just about a country mile
the skies are always smiling on me
anytime i'm walking with my baby
when i'm walking, talking to my girl
when i'm walking with my baby
life is brighter it's a brand new world
oh, boy, she's really something
i'm sure you will agree
she gives me the directions
where to find how to be me
no matter where i wander
no matter where i roam
i'm never not at home
as long as i can keep on walking with my baby
when i'm walking, talking to my girl
when i'm walking with my baby
life is brighter it's a brand new world
got me off that foggy mountain
moving up the line
singing in the sunlight
dancing in the moonshine
oh, boy, i'll tell you something
then i'll be on my way
got so much to discover
with her each and every day
we'll head out on the highway
free and running wild
the skies will always smile upon me
everytime i'm walking with my baby
when i'm walking, talking to my girl
when i'm walking with my baby
life's is brighter it's a brand new world
wake up and smell the coffee lyrics-c. rhodes/music-c. rhodes & m. yeaman ©2005
wake up and smell the coffee
that senorita's way too good for you
you'll never get her
no matter what you say you're gonna do
you're a fool to fall for a fantasy
going crazy blind with desire
time to take a dose of reality
time to put your feet to the fire
wake up and smell the coffee
that senorita's way too good for you
come to your senses
what are these changes you've been going through?
you're a fool to fall for a fantasy
in an ocean over your head
time to take control of your sanity
time to put that notion to bed
wake up and smell the coffee
she's a high maintenance woman
and you're a low budget kind of a man
she's such a high maintenance woman
and you're a lowdown low life low budget kind of a man
(forget her as fast as you can)
wake up and smell the coffee
that senorita's way too good for you
you never listen
when all your friends say find somebody new
you're a fool to fall for a fantasy
making wishes playing pretend
time to break this impossibility
time to bring this dream to an end
(ain't gonna tell you again)
wake up and smell the coffee
she's a high maintenance woman
and you're a low budget kind of a man
she's such a high maintenance woman
and you're a low budget kind of a man
(forget her as fast as you can)
wake up and smell the coffee
last call lyrics & music chris rhodes ©1999
so long, everybody gotta say goodnight
bottoms up, turn out the lights
that's all, you know it's really been a natural ball
chorus
it's time to get yourself together
'cause the bartender's callin' last call
whoa, thank you, everybody gotta close the doors
clear those dancers off the floor
that's all, you see the clock is tickin' off the wall
chorus
don't give the waitress any trouble
when she's busy totin' up your tab
my advice to those who drink the doubles
if you're too high to drive better call for a cab
sorry, everybody gotta fade away
no more tunes for me to play
That's all, you know it's really been a natural ball
chorus
i know you're feelin' fine and frisky
and you've got some money left to spend
save it for the beer and wine and whisky
you'll order tomorrow
when we do it again
so long, everybody gotta say goodnight
bottoms up, turn out the lights
that's all, you know it's really been a natural ball
it's time to get yourself together
for any kind of weather
it's time to get yourself together
'cause the bartender's callin' last call
raggedy ann lyrics chris rhodes - music - chris rhodes & ken rhodes ©2008
now tell me what's come over you
how did you you ever get so blue?
not since i've known you have i seen you cry
what's the reason why?
raggedy annie...
is it the love that you have lost?
that keeps you sad and double crossed
only to toss you like a skipping stone
on the streets alone
and if it helps to ease your pain
i want to take you on a midnight train
to find a place where you can laugh again
smiling, dancing free of this reality
hey, little raggedy ann
i'll be your raggedy man
just let the music come take control
and rock-a-bye your soul
ain't nobody gonna love me better lyrics & music 1999 © chris rhodes
for the first time I can see forever
'cause I'm certain that you're all I'll ever need
i'm so happy i will leave you never
and I'll follow anywhere you want to lead
whoa, yes indeed
for the first time
with my heart wide open I can finally testify without a doubt
i'm so happy glad I kept on hopin'
that one day I'd know what love was all about
can't do without it
chorus
there ain't nobody gonna love me better
there ain't nobody gonna set me free
there ain't nobody gonna hold me closer
ain't nobody in this world like you for me...it's plain to see
for the first time i believe in winning
'cause you showed me how to be my very best
i'm so happy for the new beginning
heaven knows that when we put it to the test
that we've been blessed
chorus 2
there ain't nobody gonna love me better
there ain't nobody gonna turn the key
there ain't nobody gonna take me higher
ain't nobody darlin' you're my destiny...it's plain to see
ain't nobody gonna make me stronger
ain't nobody gonna help me start anew
ain't nobody gonna hang on longer
ain't nobody gonna make my dreams come true
not like you do...
choruses
now that i'm gone lyrics and music © 2008 chris rhodes
you kept dipping into my wishing well
thinking it never could go dry
this heart you took for granted
had to pack up and say goodbye
all that's left is a smoky memory
for your thirst that keeps coming on
as dusty clouds remind you
how you'll miss me now that i'm gone
bridge
i gave to you my everything
my rivers and my rain
i could live my whole life over
'fore it pours like that again
you never saw tomorrow coming
living for today
too late to stop the desert winds
from blowing me away
in the morning you'll read this letter
by the light of the breaking dawn
you'll reach for my cool waters
how you'll miss me now that i'm gone
repeat bridge
all that's left is a smoky memory
for your thirst that keeps coming on
you'll reach for my cool waters
you'll be missing me...
how you'll miss me now that i'm gone
it's the only life i know lyrics & music ©2008 chris rhodes
i sleep until it's afternoon
and when the sun goes down
i wake to find that dark has fallen on this town
and as the neon skyline glows
beneath the dancing stars
i'm off to play to earn my pay
by wailing in some funky bar
chorus
i was working on the day shift
but had to let it go
though the night life ain't no good
it's the only life i'll ever know
it's the only life i know
i'd punch the clock from 9 to 5
but found it's not for me
and early morning coffee ain't my cup of tea
cos' twilight sets my soul on fire
and never comes too soon
as shadow wait to celebrate
each rising of that devil moon
chorus
i can't go back cos' here i'm free
being who i want to be
i can't go back
made up my mind
to feel what's real
and leave the rest behind
chorus
joshua lyrics & music ©2008 chris rhodes
they called you old joshua
friend to the albatross
below the horn you made your lonesome way
through roaring high forties
down under the southern cross
exploring 'til one last day on the ocean
chorus
sailor...tell me where are you now?
are you out there at one with your sea?
you'll anchor no more
to some foreign shore
no compass will guide you
free to drift eternally...
they called you old joshua
you vanished 'neath the tides
leaving a mystery out on the spray
this planet, around it
alone you would take that ride
exploring 'til that final day on the ocean
repeat chorus
to the wind and foam
there's a price you would pay
now the waves are your home
with the dolphins you'll stay
repeat chorus (sail on...)
they called you joshua friend to the albatross
they called you joshua under the southern cross
they called you joshua you vanished 'neath the tides
they called you joshua...
welcome to the club lyrics and music © 2009 chris rhodes
oh my brother, did she go and break your heart now?
did she cheat you blind, change her mind
fool you when you were so smart
right from the start?
did you see the future turn to stone
when she left you sitting on your own?
welcome to the the club
you know you're not alone
tell me sister, did he go and break your heart now?
did he buy you things, diamond rings
fool you when you played your part
right from the start?
did you wait beside your telephone
just to spend the evening on your own?
welcome to the the club
no need to weep and moan
happens every single night or day
that somebody steals a love away
you may give someone your all and all
just to stumble and fall
and there's the rub
so welcome to the club
hey now people, ask me how i've come to know now
'bout the crying eyes, sad goodbyes
i lost a love not so long ago
it hurt me so
if you're 'fraid to take another chance
on this crazy game they call romance
around and 'round we dance
welcome to the club
you know you're not alone
welcome to the club lyrics and music © 2009 chris rhodes
oh my brother, did she go and break your heart now?
did she cheat you blind, change her mind
fool you when you were so smart
right from the start?
did you see the future turn to stone
when she left you sitting on your own?
welcome to the the club
you know you're not alone
tell me sister, did he go and break your heart now?
did he buy you things, diamond rings
fool you when you played your part
right from the start?
did you wait beside your telephone
just to spend the evening on your own?
welcome to the the club
no need to weep and moan
happens every single night or day
that somebody steals a love away
you may give someone your all and all
just to stumble and fall
and there's the rub
so welcome to the club
hey now people, ask me how i've come to know now
'bout the crying eyes, sad goodbyes
i lost a love not so long ago
it hurt me so
if you're 'fraid to take another chance
on this crazy game they call romance
around and 'round we dance
welcome to the club
you know you're not alone
caribbean dreaming lyrics & music ©2008 chris rhodes
i met you on la playa near that tourist town
our love was for the moment as your skin was turning brown soon that precious moment started to unwind
I watched you fly away and i would stay behind
chorus
but everytime my thoughts begin
to take my memory back to then
i'm caribbean dreaming once again
warm like a trade wind...i feel you breathe
just like a trade wind
and through a bitter tear i see our last goodbye
i'm waving from the taxi as your plane takes to the sky
still i feel the magic of your final kiss
it's tragic how i'm left here just to reminisce
chorus (and)
remember running on the beach
every single star in reach
our feet were skipping in the sand
laughing singing, hand in hand
the sun had set upon the sea
silhouetting you and me
so close together it's a sin
that ever we could say that it's the end
'cause my heart it will never mend
i tried to forget all the nights i spent with you
only to realize there's nothing i can do
chorus ('cause)
i don't know how to love youlyrics & music © 1999 chris rhodes
i don't know how to love you anymore
i don't know how to kiss you
that's for sure
words you used to whisper
don't come out the same
i don't know how to love you
my old flame
maybe it's old fashioned
maybe it's uncool
i believe that passion
isn't just for fools
i don't know how to love you like before
i don't know how to tell you
what's in store
all there was to romance
has been rearranged
i don't know how to love you
how you've changed
it's a whole new story
how a boy can't catch a girl
always in a hurry
tryin' to rule the world
i don't know how to love you
that's the score
i don't know how to leave you
to close the door
what will be tomorrow
only time will tell
i don't know how to love you
i don't know how to kiss you
i don't know how to love you
fare thee well
[spoken] goodbye, baby