Song Lyrics

"The Winterside of Nowhere"

Louisiana

I go to work each day, I've got a salesman's job.
Chasing the greenback sign, sometimes go to liqueur shops.
My doctor told me, son, slow down or you will die.
Right away I knew what he meant, didn't have to question why.
I asked him what to do, he said I know a place to go.
Down in the bayou land, enjoy a fais-dodo.

Chorus:
He told me to slow down in Louisiana,
take a rest beneath the Cajun moon.
When times get rough just go to Louisiana,
your troubled mind will be at ease real soon.

Five years down the road fate would hit me again.
I lost the one I loved to a stranger in Providence.
I's cruising down the interstate,
someone wrecked my Chevy van.
Trying to buy a new car I found I had no sand.
A friend said "Come with me, we'll go and ditch this town."

Chorus:
She took me all the way to Louisiana,
we found some peace beneath the Cajun moon,
we trusted one another in Louisiana,
we'd feel at ease real soon.

Guitar Solo

I had a dream one night, must have been some years back.
Was vacationing near the town of Lafayette.
I found myself in a trailer shop, my father right by me.
The Cajun radio played a traditional melody.
Now I Don't know how it came,
no I can't remember why I said to my dad, Here I want to die.

Chorus:
I said I was gonna die in Louisiana,
they'll lay me down beneath the Cajun moon.
I'd say my final prayers in Louisiana,
comes a time to be there soon.
Comes a time, hope it won't be soon.

The best old Friend of mine

I can still remember the year of 71,
my life had been everything but fun.
Late at night in my backroom with no place to go,
my only company was the Country radio.
It was the time when I was quite alone,
music was the flower that helped me grow.
And while the others would call me a fool,
with her deep within me I just played it cool.

Chorus:
She's the best old' friend of mine,
and she's been with me ever since I've grown.
She always knows the way that I feel,
I never was afraid she would leave me alone.

I once was married, got a loving wife,
at least when it started it was the way it seemed.
In fact it turned out worse than hell,
Lord, it turned out worse than I had ever dreamed.
Through all that time I had my songs,
that I grew up with, that had made me strong.
When life would treat me in the meanest kind
she would be here to sooth my mind.

Chorus
Acoustical guitar solo

I can recall when I made forty-four,
had to start all over from where I'd been before.
I was turned down, felt like being used,
got to the point of nothing much to lose.
During that time I wrote a lot of songs,
they were like a doctor who helped me along.
They told of my sorrow, told of my joy,
they told of all the hopes of a sad old' country boy.

Chorus

I finally found Jesus, the best choice of my life.
He helped me find my one and only wife.
Got a beautiful boy, a beautiful home.
I'm so grateful for the love God's shown.
Sometimes late at night my mind sets out on the road,
and my company's still the Country radio.
While people had come and then gone again,
my music always has remained the same.

Chorus:
She's the best old' friend of mine,
she's been with me ever since I've grown.
Always knows the way that I feel,
ain't gotta be afraid she'd ever let me go.

Repeat Chorus

Time for the last Farewell

Well, I'm travelling across this mountain ridge
all along that forest road.
On my mind is just what used to be,
lots of stories still untold.
Somebody came to me last night,
spoke of bad news he had to tell.
He said: "Son, you better pack up your things,
'cause it is time for the last farewell."

Well, he's got him a woman and he's got him a home.
It was a place they really loved.
They had two kids and a place of their own,
all they had ever dreamed of.
Then one day the bad news came,
the last chime of the factory bell.
And all they told him was to move out west,
said it was time for the last farewell.

Flute solo

Well, you tell me about this friend of yours,
you saw him when he last pulled away.
He would start out on one of his usual tours,
many miles in a few days.
Then you got this call from him,
didn't understand what he meant to tell.
Shortly after you had to realize:
Those were the words of his last farewell.

Bridge:
Can't you hear the bell,
as it chimes for the last farewell?

Now we live our lives holding on
to things we believe will always remain;
think we're holding the future in our hands,
and nothing will ever change.
Remember: It can be a moment or two
that can take you straight to hell,
'cause for each and every one of us
comes the time for the last farewell.
Yes for each and every one of us
comes the time for the last farewell.

The Winterside of Nowhere

You work hard at you job,
you give it all with no rest.
Your colleague he's a smooth talking guy
on the heels of your success.
At the end of the year
he'll get promoted,
don't need to care,
and your luck leaves you all strung out
on the winterside of nowhere.

That little girl of yours,
she was the joy of your life,
'till some crazy-minded dude
stabbed her in the back with a penk knife.
He got out after 3 years,
that's so hard for you to bare
cause it leaves you back
so cold on the winterside of nowhere.

Bridge:
You play the lottery, son,
and your neighbor sais bingo.
Some Mex took up with your woman,
now she calls you a gringo.
when your house burned down,
the insurance man said mind your own business.
Your best buddy goes telling around
you took his lady for your mistress.

Guitar Solo

One day a guy comes up, says brother,
you know we've got a plan.
Gonna clean out the local bank,
and you know son, you're our man.
We'll have a gun, sure,
we don't hope we're gonna use it.
Got one day left to decide:
Be there or refuse it.

At night you pray to God
as you rarely did before.
You said: Tell me Lord,
is this my chance, or is it even more.
Then in your sleep you hear his voice say:
"Forget it, don't need to care!
I'll lead you off the winterside of nowhere."

Prairieland

Riding' in my rusted Ford along some county lane.
The evening sun blood red above ME's sinking' down again.
I have come from far away to spend here a few days,
To escape the restless towns and their restless ways.

Passin' by some endless Wheatfield's waving in the breeze,
Drivin' into some small towns, see friends and families.
Manitoba Sunday evening makes me feel quite sad,
‘cause I'm just about to lose a treasure that I had.

Chorus:
Prairieland, Prairieland, I wanna see you once again.
Trouble time ooh I know, will keep me away from you.
Prairieland, Prairieland, I won't make it back so soon.
Let me breathe you, feel you just for one more day.

It has been so many years since I left it all behind.
Headed out for California and the San Francisco skyline.
I had left to make it big, now I come back quite small.
Thought a man could only rise, but now I learn to fall.

Chorus

Guitar solo

Now it's late at night, I'm driving' towards the borderline.
I have seen my friends again, and I'm glad they're doing' fine.
I'm no longer a country boy, ‘cause I've been gone too long.
I won't be no city boy, ‘cause, mister, I don't feel that strong.

Chorus

Shoeshine Working Song

A kid came up while I was
Walkin' down the street today
And asked if he could shine my shoes
For two bits worth of pay.
I wasn't in no hurry,
And it wouldn't take too long.
But as he worked I heard him sing
A strange and mournful song.

Chorus:
Why does Daddy drink so much
And come home sad and mean?
Why does he just sit there Lookin' at the T.V. screen?
Why does he get sick and cry
And blame it all on me?
Why does Daddy drink so much
And come home sad and mean?
Why does Daddy drink so much
And come home sad and mean?

I asked him where his Daddy was.
His thumb jerked past his ear.
He's over in the hotel
Tryin' to drown himself in beer.
My Mom says he's my Daddy,
but he says that he don't know.
I don't know why he's like he is.
I try to love him though

Chorus

Well I said, I'm no authority
on bein' beaten down.
But sometimes this old world
can drive a man into the ground.
Can chain him to his paycheck
If some boss will give him work,
or put him in a welfare line
And treat him like he's dirt.
When the dreams they give a man are gone
There's little left but hate.
Some men are blinded to the truth
Until it's just too late.
Until he finds himself begging
with his hand all around his hat.
Kid, you ask your Daddy
If he knows a man like that.

The kid looked at me funny
And I gave him fifty cents.
And he knew as he took it
That it was already spent.
I smiled as he picked up his box.
The kid, he said "So long",
And as he left I heard him sing
his shoeshine workin' song.

Music and Words © Murray Mclaughlan 1971

Willy

His mama said: „Willy“,
you know she called him Willow.
She said „Willow you're a killer,
gonna kill your Ma.
Gonna do it slow and easy“.
Willy was six years old.

His Mama said „willow,
you're gonna pass that piano course.
Or Willow I will kill you,
gonna cut you down,
carry you to the graveyard“.
Willy was eight years old.

His mama said „Willy,
you'll be the like of me.
Or Willy I'll send you
the correctional facility.
It's gonna be like in a Jail there“,
Willy was ten years old.

Chorus:
One night after he had turned sixteen,
during a nightmare he was in St. Augustin.
People on a square, his mama screamed „Killer“,
he held up a knife and started to shiver.

Guitar Solo

His mama said „Willy,
you're gonna be a lawyer man.
Or Willy I'll destroy you,
I'll disinherit you.
You're gonna end put in the gutter“,
Willy was twelve years old.

Chorus:
One night as he had turned seventeen
he dreamed again of St. Augustin.
He hurled a hand grenade into a crowd,
he saw the blood spill, he shouted out loud.“

Solo

Chorus:
On the day that young Willy turned eighteen
he took a bus down to St. Augustin.
In the bus station the crowd was waiting,
Willy stood there hesitating.
His mama's words pounding in his head,
he drew his gun, shut them all dead.

Solo

Chorus:
Now all you mentally misused kids,
for God's sake don't do what Willy did.
Talk to your teacher, talk to a friend,
or talk to Jesus, and you'll win in the end.

The Ballade of Tom and Isabell

Lost on a cold November day, a sad and dreary Sunday,
I was walking down the alley way.
She, like she was meant to cross my way,
her head bowed to the grey an dirty sidewalk.
I said: "Girl, I'm looking for a way to turn away
this grey and cold November Sunday rain."
She said: "Mister, please help me
to find a way to turn away this day, find shelter from myself."
I said: "Come on, let us find us something warm,
a place where we can talk 'cause we both seem to need it so."
She said: "I know a little roadside cafe
where no one knows my name.
By the way it's Isabell."

Chorus:
Isabell, I want to ring your bell,
Wanna take you to the well of your God given life.
Isabell, drifting like a shell upon a windy beach
with no one there in reach to Anker down and feel just well, Isabell.

She told me that when she'd been a child her mama would grow wild,
called her lots of ugly things.
A thief, a child of unbelief, a murderer, a criminal;
threatened to cut her down.
Then as a fifteen year old girl
she escaped from this world she couldn't call her home.
But instead she'd been running through the streets,
cold and aimlessly, until she found some help.
I looked into sad eyes that turned bright.
With every word she spoke she seemed to feel just right.
I felt the warmth of her loving heart,
and by the coming of the dark I fell for Isabell.

Chorus:
Isabell, let's enjoy the snow that fell,
the country's like a white and powdered fairy tale.
Isabell, let's forget that nasty spell.
Look forward, all is well! You're finally out of hell,
and I'm so happy just to be with you ma bell Isabell.

Bridge:
We found a quiet place to live,
and she bloomed like a flower in the spring.
And when I came home from work I couldn't wait
for the joy that this would bring.
But as if I didn't notice her demons
never really went away.
They just left her alone for a while
meaning to come back some day.

Saxophone solo

After a year, one day at my job, a stranger called me up,
said: "Just come home quick".
The prowl cars screaming up my drive, a woman lost her life,
just slashed her writs" I couldn't drive.
A taxi took me home. I found her lying on the stone.
A little note beside her read: "I feel they're coming closer every day.
I'm sorry to leave that way,
Thank you for all, I wish you well, yours' Isabell."

Chorus:
Isabell, for God's sake why didn't you tell about that threat of hell,
I could have brought relief.
Isabell, may God cradle you well.
I'm waiting for the day that he calls me away
and I can be with you so real and well, Isabell.

The Musicman (May they Find someone to Cling to)

He's got his life full of memories,
he's got his memory full of pain,
he used to have a lot of good times,
he used to stand out in the rain.

He's seen a lot of dark motel rooms,
signed a lot of dirty deals,
if you're a winner or a looser,
he knows best how it feels.

Well I'm not talking about a big star
with his Cadillac or plane,
just a local band guitar man
who sings a song about his flame.

Chorus:
Here's to the musicman no one else would ever hear,
if there weren't a few friends or some women who get near.
Here's to all of the good folks who spend their life out on the run,
may they find someone to cling to before there better days are gone.

Well, I was travelling through Missouri in my warn out Chevrolet,
I came home after a hard day on that rainy night in May.
On the radio the DJ played a sad country song.
Then he said that the composer used a gun, and now he's gone.
He had always been a traveler, but there were oh so many roads,
and the more people he would meet there, the lonelier he would grow.

Chorus:
Here's to the musicman no one else would ever hear
if there weren't a few friends or some women who get near.
Here's to all of the brave ones who spend their life out on the run,
may they find someone to cling to before their better days are gone.

Well, the musicman he's used to act like he would just forget.
then he steels away in silence, and his eyes are turning wet.
And he' thinking of the lovely girl he had met the night before,
and he would have liked to stay there, but he couldn't any more.
So he writes another story someone would probably understand.
And the story will continue as the sun sets on the land.

Chorus

Mama

This is the tale of a little boy
Wandering far from his home.
Most of his family were with him then,
And nothing but life did they own.
Tortured by war in their native land,
Their only recourse was to flight.
Tracing the path of the sun by day
And led by the north star at night.
Onward they pressed to the promised land,
Not knowing if that was the way
And none of the children could understand,
And this little boy used to say:
Hey, hey, hey
Mamma, where do we go from here?
Mamma, why can' t we stay?
Mamma, is daddy very near?
Mamma, why do you pray?

Down came the winter, the food was scarce.
The people were falling like flies.
Disease helped starvation make matters worse.
And parents resorted to lies.
Hush, your mamma will soon be well,
though all they can do is to wait.
And one little boy hears the doctor tell
The others: He thinks it' s too late, It' s too late.
Mamma, he whispers quietly,
Mamma, you' re looking old.
Mamma, why don' t you answer me?
Mamma, your hands feel cold.

He rushes out into the chilly night.
He can' t believe what he has been told.
The tears in his eyes start to blur his sight
And freeze on his face with the cold.
But in the next camp, there is a mother mild
Who' s mourning a son passed away.
And fate brings the cries of the little child
To her just as he starts to say
Hey, hey, hey.
Mamma, she knows what she must do.
Mamma, she thinks of her.
Mamma, I must take the place of you
And take him into my care.

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit sees you through.
The Holy Spirit sees you through.
The Holy Spirit sees you through.
The Holy Spirit sees you through.
He says: "you've just gotta believe in God,
he's there for you, he sees you through."

The Holy Spirit is so grand.
The Holy Spirit is so grand.
The Holy Spirit is so grand.
The Holy Spirit is so grand.
He says: "A family's just made of kids,
a woman and a man", that's why he's grand.

The Holy Spirit sets you free.
The Holy Spirit sets you free.
The Holy Spirit sets you free.
The Holy Spirit sets you free.
If you live your life in chains
and misery he sets you free.

The Holy Spirit brings you joy.
The Holy Spirit brings you joy.
The Holy Spirit brings you joy.
The Holy Spirit brings you joy.
He shines his ever loving light
on every girl and boy, he brings you joy.

The Holy Spirit is unique.
The Holy Spirit is unique.
The Holy Spirit is unique.
The Holy Spirit is unique.
He shows the way to the Lord
to all who seek, that's why he's unique.

Laredo

I was tryin' to leave this town on Friday night's last train.
Somehow I must have missed it, found myself at your door again.
I was tryin' to fade away, I hit the highway in the dark night.
Someone grabbed my steering wheel and drove me right back to your side.
I booked the last flight out of here, waited in the check-in line.
But suddenly the plane was gone, I had to come back to you one more time.

Chorus:
Neon lights of Laredo don't mean that much to me.
But the girl that I had loved there must have cast a spell on me.
Tryin' to run home to Toledo, tryin' to find shelter seeing my kin.
A nightly voice from down on the river said: "Leaving you must be a sin."

I quit the best job that I ever had, left my car and thumbed up north.
Made it to the Kentucky boarder, ended up in a state trooper's Ford.
He said: "You're a wanted man down in Texas, and I'm gonna take you back there in a while."
Still before the break of dawn she stood in front of me and smiled.

Chorus

Well I've given up to run 'cause it always ends up with you.
But please let me make some music 'cause in my songs my dreams come true.
(Chorus: Neon lights of Laredo don't mean that much to me.
But the girl that I had loved there must have cast a spell on me.
Tryin' to run home to Toledo, tryin' to find shelter seeing my kin.
A nightly voice from down on the river said:
"Leaving you must be a sin.
Yes a nightly voice from the Rio Grande River said: "Leaving you must be a sin."

Warm Wind

A ticket for you, one for me;
soon we'll be headed for the open see.
We've got clouds above and warm wind in our hair.
We set the sails, watch for wales, leave back our world like a smoggy trail.
We've got clouds above and warm wind in our hair.

You don't understand? Just take my hand.
We'll see our town like a far-gone land.
We've got clouds above and warm wind in our hair.

Bridge:
Just lay back and find yourself by gliding out on the water.
ain't no reason to be afraid not to act like you ought to.

The fog horn blew, my memory flew
back to October of 1962;
we had clouds above and warm wind in our hair.

Solo

Bridge

The fog horn blew, my memory flew
back to October of 1962.
We had clouds above and warm wind in our hair.
Clouds above and warm wind in our hair.

Wheels of Life

Wheels of life, turn me on.
Wheels of life, no don't turn wrong.
Wheels of life, please don't turn me down.
Make sure we don't fall off that mary-go-round.

A boy just six years old, back in 1962,
running through the forest,
strolling through the grass in the morning dew.
Turns on his radio, but the answer is blowing in the wind,
He feels he's still far too young to understand.

Chorus:
Wheels of life, turn me on.
Wheels of life, no don't turn wrong.
Wheels of life, please don't turn me down.
Make sur we don't fall off that mary-go-round.

A boy just ten years of age as sixty-six
had come fell in love with a ten year old girl,
went home to tell it to his mom.
See them walking by on a sunny afternoon.
For fortune he doesn't know that she'd be gone so very soon.

Chorus:
Wheels of life, turn me on.
Wheels of life, no don't turn wrong.
Wheels of life, please don't turn me down.
Make sur we don't fall off that mary-go-round.

Back in seventy-six a man aged twenty
flying high as a dove.
His heart's beating loud and fast
'cause he'd just found his first true love.
They walked over fields on a bright clear summer's day,
making them future plans.
Then one day she went away.

Chorus:
Wheels of life, turn me on.
Wheels of life, no don't turn wrong.
Wheels of life, please don't turn me down.
Make sur we don't fall off that mary-go-round.

His twenty-sixth birthday came,
his family business wouldn't thrive,
He got himself a nine-to-five job trying to lead a real normal life.
Northern Canada was the place he dreamed
to go flying them bush planes across the land of the ice and snow.

Chorus:
Wheels of life, turn me on.
Wheels of life, no don't turn wrong.
Wheels of life, please don't turn me down.
Make sur we don't fall off that mary-go-round.

Many years down the road he's sitting on
the porch in the morning light,
writing down a country song with his family by his side.
He hopes his song will be played on the radio.
But sometimes life takes turns we will never know.

Chorus:
Wheels of life, turn me on.
Wheels of life, please don't turn wrong.
I know some day it's time you turn me down.
It's when I've spent enough time on that mary-go-round.