Well Suited

Some people live their lives always racing for the top,

spinning in circles and striving nonstop,

chasing down something always just out of reach.

I sit back in the shade, and I have me a peach.

Capo II

C - F C / C - G C :||

I've never been one for fine wine.

Cheap wine always suits me just fine.

I'll never be rich, and maybe that's why

I've never been one for fine wine.

C - F C / F - G C / C - F C / C - G C

You can live your life like there's always something missing,

always wishing it was someone else's lips you were kissing,

but take the time to savor what you've got here today.

If it left you tomorrow, you'd be wishing it had stayed.

If you gave me a glass of fine wine,

I'm sure that I'd like it just fine.

I'm not one to push good things away.

I just take life as it comes from day to day.

I take love where I find it. I take it as it comes.

I always seem to find more than enough,

and when I get to feeling I could use a little more,

I find it overflowing where I'd overlooked before.

Just a simple song with simpleminded words

carried along by three simple chords.

I'm not above singing simple melodies.

I rest in the beauty of simplicity.

Ensnared

Well, I don't frequent those fine print proprietors,

picking people's pockets under the pretense of law.

D - F E - / D F Fm E C7 -

They say the devil is in the details.

You know the deck has been stacked.

You're busy looking out for the missile,

and you're taken down by the flak.

F C / E C7 :||

Yonder comes a politician with a twinkle in his eye.

Saying he's for the people, but he's taking kickbacks on the sly.

Well, don't you buy what they're selling.

They say the water is perfectly fine.

Trying to save some money from your taxes

while they guzzle down fine wine.

If you complain, they'll say you're just a bitch.

They're pushing shoddy clothing, but their suits are double stitched.

You're like a black dog on a chain

running down a train

filled with righteous rage,

but the snare is bound to engage.

F G / E Am :||

Restless

Hey there Pope Francis, what are the chances

this silly old human race will ever make it through?

I like the things I've heard you say. You point out a better way,

but what if it's just a little too late for people
     to hear the truth?

Capo II

F C G C / E - F C - :||

It's another worrisome day. It's another restless night.

Will we ever find a way to bring peace to our everyday lives?

F Am E Am / Dm C F - E -

Interlude: F Am E Am / F Am G Am -

Hey there Dalai Lama, I'm tangled up in so much drama!

Help me unravel the trauma from being stuck in my own head!

You're living out this life of peace, but for the life of me

I just can't seem to overcome my narrow selfish ways.

It's another worrisome day. It's another restless night.

Will I ever find a way to bring peace to my everyday life?

Hey there Bill Mckibben, I have seen some of your figures.

Do you think we'll turn the tide before we're washed away?

You keep fighting the good fight, up against something
     out of sight.

I'd sure like to do my part with you, but I feel so overwhelmed.

It's another worrisome day. It's another restless night.

Will I ever get the nerve to stand up and fight?

Hey there Ta-Nehisi Coates, your world's a world away from mine.

You've cracked open a window that's been sealed tight
     far too long.

Let's air some of this violence out, get a better idea
     what it's all about.

It's plain to see good intention alone hasn't gotten us too far.

It's another worrisome day. It's another restless night.

Will we ever find a way to claim our minds and bodies as our own?

Hey there friend and neighbor, this life is our's to savor!

I'll reach out my hand for yours if you reach back for mine.

Let's invest in trust instead of fear. We might yet make it 
     out of here,

out of this callous habit of just turning a blind eye.

And we could have brand new brighter days,
     and quiet restful nights,

living a little closer to peace every day of our lives.

Irrevocable

I thought that I was privy to some profound knowledge,

thought I had some great wisdom that I ought to share;

so I gathered people around and convinced them to listen,

but all that came out was a burst of hot air.

Capo V

G C G D / G C D G :||

I'm losing it. I've lost it, never even had it.

I guess I couldn't lose what I never even had.

I'm losing it. I've lost it, never even had it.

I guess I couldn't lose what I never really had.

Too bad.

D C G C / D C G - :|| C - - - G -

I thought I saw love reflecting in her eyes,

like a pillar of fire burning in the sky.

When I told her how I felt, just to try it on for size,

she laughed in my face; that's when I got wise.

I thought God was speaking to me through the written word.

I took as a sign that time that a bird

landed on my shoulder, but then it took a shit.

I began to reconsider what on the bathroom stall was writ.

I woke up with this feeling that I just couldn't shake,

so I went out on the street asking everyone I'd meet,

“Have you seem my marbles?” Well, they hauled me away

and filled me with pills to relieve me of my dreams.

They said. “I was losing it. I'd lost it.”

     I said, “I'd never had it.

How could I lose what I never even had?”

They said. “I was losing it. I'd lost it.” 

     I said, “I'd never had it.

Just give me back my marbles, I'll be glad.”

Too bad.

So sad.

They're irrevocable.

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Ephemeral Iridescences

It's a bright and sunny day, but I don't feel that way.

I feel like such a fool for staying stuck inside of this gloom,

but what else can I do? I'm still hung up on her,

so I go out for a run. I just keep running from

opening up to embrace all the changes in my life;

but the rhythm of my footsteps sets my heart at ease,

and you never know what you might come across on a friendly neighborhood street.

Spontaneous joy might arise. You might be caught by surprise...

C* G F C :|| (8x)

...by big bubbles bursting with the

laughter of little children in the park,

bright rays of light

shimmering through the dark.

C* G / F Am G - / C* G / F G C -

This old world can bring me down. There's a lot of heavy shit going round,

so I try to appreciate life's little gifts along the way:

tomatoes ripening on the vine, an occasional glass of wine,

a warm smile passing by, clear and starry nights,

my morning cup of coffee, a bear that's crisp and hoppy,

dark chocolate rich and creamy, a hot shower soothing and steamy,

soft rain against my skin, shelters from the wind,

a lover's tender embrace, so many things like these.

They're like big bubbles bursting

with the laughter of little children in the park,

bright rays of light shimmering away the dark.

We might be tempted to put the things we love up on a shelf,

to keep them away from everybody else,

but the life they contain would quickly fade away.

The change would be drastic. Our love would turn to plastic.

Don't give me plastic bubbles.

I get no return from them.

They don't have the right float or iridescent spin.

They'll never quench my thirst without that effervescent burst.

Give me big bubbles bursting

with the laughter of little children in the park,

bright spheres of light

flashing and passing like a spark.

Come Hear It on the Mountain

It's quite a life up in these hills, up here on the mountain.

There's nothing like an old dirt road to keep the mind from counting.

Take care not to lose your way, or you might not make it back,

and here's to those who find their way and never go back.

Capo IV

Am - E E7 :|| (4x)

There's nothing like a life up on the mountain!

You can take it or leave it, but if you leave, then I'll be doubting

that you've seen all there is to see.

Oh, you might want to take another look before you leave.

F C E7 Am :|| (3x)

F C G - E - Am -

Up here in these heights, it's a world away from time,

and for the most part the law can't pay it any mind.

In the quiet of these hills a mind can roam free.

Out here there's nothing between this old world and me.

Every day's another step closer to the grave.

You can bow your head and fold your hands, just sit around and pray,

but you might be missing a lot of life as you wait for Judgment Day.

Oh, I'm not trying to look down on you or tell you what to do.

I just hope you make the most of this life before it's through.

Capo up to VI for final verse and chorus

Vintage Beauties

Your body just won't move anymore

like your spirit wants it to.

What I wouldn't give to see you out on that floor

dancing like you used to do!

If only I could do the dancing for you,

I would oblige happily,

but dancing has always been something

that has eluded me.

Although you might not ever see it,

I've got a secret for you:

the joy you retain gets something like a dance

moving through my soul.

Capo II

Bm - Am - / Bm - C - / Bm - Am - / C - G - :|| (3x)

You make me wish I could've known you

when you were more

of the beautiful

you that you still are.

Bm - C - / Bm - Am - / / C - G -

Your brain has lost some of that razor sharpness

that once glistened through your mind,

but I can still see it glimmering

and sparkling in your eyes.

When you crashed to the ground that morning,

you lost much more than your legs.

In a moment you went from standing tall

to being blindsided by the fall,

but you're surely still a teacher

through and through.

I wish I could articulate

all the things I learn from you.

You had to be one tough cookie

in your day.

You lost two sons to war

and an infant daughter along the way.

Your husband turned to alcohol

and was consumed by that disease.

He left you alone in this old world

when he crashed into that tree.

You raised up my grandfather,

and though my memories of you are few,

as with those blankets you knitted,

in him your warmth passes through.

Final Verse:

Maybe some day I'll find myself in a

similar situation.

If I do I only hope I can

be such an inspiration

to all the people I might

happen to meet

as you have been

for me.

Bm - Am - :|| (6x)

C - G - / Am - G -

Blind Curves

I can't make you any promises

that I know the way out of this place.

Delusions of thinking that I had all the answers

have left me with nothing but mud on my face.

Your road ahead may seem dimly lit,

but if you'll come along even just for a bit,

one thing's for certain, this much I can say,

we both will wind up in some other place.

It may not be better, but it may not be worse.

At least it'll be a change of course.

Banjo:

E A / F A :|| (5x)

You've got a headlight out.

I've got my brains out.

There ain't too much brightness

between these two ears,

but I've managed to get by.

I've managed to not die.

I've navigated an adequate

series of steers.

E - / A - / F - / E A :||

I'm always talking myself round in circles

as thoughts bounce around in this tangled old brain.

Should I go left, or should I go right?

Do I really need to be so doggone uptight?

Should I be serious, or should I be silly,

anally methodic or willy-nilly?

Duh, hmm, um, I dunno?

Duh, hmm, um, I dunno?

I wish I could tell you that the road ahead

will reach the horizon in a nice straight line,

but the future's always creeping around some corner

as life twists and turns in curves that are blind.

The roads of our lives aren't always our's to decide

we pick the best pass that we happen to spy,

and sometimes we're utterly baffled to find

that it leads us somewhere better than what we had in mind;

so let's hope for the best: that we'll make it together,

but either way it'll be the ride of our lives.

Jumble of Words

You might think that I never did love you,

and I can't blame you for feeling that way.

Although it was something that I felt quite deeply,

I never could seem to get my tongue to say.

Capo II

A - E A / A - G A :||

The thoughts are there with feeling to spare,

but all that comes out is a jumble of words.

A - D A / A - E A

I ponder life's deepest questions.

My thoughts wander off to I don't know where,

so whenever you ask just what I'm thinking,

I come up empty, with nothing to share.

Maybe I've never made it beyond raw feeling.

Maybe I relate to the world preverbally.

Maybe you think that this makes me stupid.

I'm getting to the point where that's all right with me.

I articulate my inner world with my best effort.

trying not to get caught by fear, anger and such.

'Cause when I reduce this life to an explanation,

it tends to get my panties in more of a bunch.

Luck of the Draw

 
Don't you worry about me, honey.

Everything is going just great.

I've got my last fifty dollars riding on Denver,

and I'm counting on a lucky break.

Am - E7 - / Dm Am E - / Dm - F - / Am E7 Am -

I'm traveling light, just one set of clothes.

It's been quite a trip to this place.

The queen of diamonds cut me on down

when I could've sworn I'd drawn an ace.

The places I stay, they've got quite a view.

On clear nights I always see stars,

and when those storm clouds are looming large

I rely on a passing car.

One bit of advice I will toss on the table:

don't count your cards 'til their dealt.

You might think you've got quite a stack,

but you might end up with jack.

Yeah, you might think you've got quite a stack,

but she might walk away with Jack.

So don't you worry about me, honey.

Everything is going just great.

I've got my last fifty dollars riding on Denver,

and I'm counting on a lucky break.

Moonlight Piñata

Intro:

Am - E7 - :||

It was a midnight, Mississippi bike ride

on the Cinco de Mayo.

I was taking it all in stride,

that pale light shining down on me.

Dm Am / Dm E7 / Dm Am / E7 Am

It was a moonlight piñata

shining down on me,

a moonlight piñata,

oh, glory be!

F Am / E7 Am :||

I needed no companion beside me.

I wanted one even less,

no one else there to corrupt this moment,

just greedy to be personally blessed..

...by a moonlight piñata

shining just for me,

a moonlight piñata,

oh, glory be!

A raccoon scampered alongside me,

staring me down with those bandit eyes.

We were stealing the night away together.

I looked back with my own bandit eyes...

...at that moonlight piñata

in the open there for me,

a moonlight piñata,

oh, glory be!

Interlude:

Am E7 Dm Am / F Dm E7 Am

Like papier-mâché that orb hung above me.

I felt like it was right within my reach.

like if I swung a branch and made solid contact

little candies of light would rain on down...

...from that moonlight piñata,

just raining down on me.

It was a moonlight piñata,

oh, glory be!

It was a moonlight piñata

shining down on me,

a moonlight piñata,

oh, glory be!

Stowaway Dreams

Intro:

D C G C :||

It couldn't have been easy for you

to give up your freedom,

to set aside your dreams

for someone else's needs.

So it should come as no surprise

that you grew to resent that job,

and it pains my heart to think of the cost

of the security that it bought.

But it helped you to raise a family

and get your children out on their own,

and somehow each morning still finds you there

even after they've grown.

Fadd9 C / F C / Fadd9 C / F G :|| (3x)

Oh, you gave up on some of your dreaming

'cause it's what you felt you had to do.

I hope your investment was worth it,

that the love returns to you.

F C / Fm C / F C / G C / (G C )

The dust piles high on that motorbike

out in the garage,

and how many other dreams

did you stow away in storage?

The secrets we hide inside ourselves

are deeper than anyone knows,

but when our dreams begin to fade

the eyes will let it show.

Every now and then

I catch this sadness in your eyes.

Don't give up on dreaming;

dreams are endless as the sky.

Oh, there's plenty of time left for dreaming.

Retirement is just around the bend.

I hope you can muster up the strength

and the energy to start again.

Interlude:

D C G C :||

I remember those Little League tryouts

when I didn't make the team.

In the parking lot flowed the teardrops

of a little boy's broken dreams.

My vision blurred, I looked over at you,

and I saw that love in your eyes.

You found another team where I could play

and taught me to keep on trying.

Every now and then

I still feel like that kid in that car.

Those loving eyes still look back at me

to keep me from losing heart.

So I'll keep on a-dreaming,

if you keep dreaming, too.

It seems to me the only way

that we're gonna make it through.

Yeah, I'll keep on a-dreaming,

and you keep dreaming, too.

Why not keep on dreaming?

We've got nothing better to do.

Coming of Age

We were drinking and passing joints

in the coming of our age,

in the foolishness of our youth,

but I loved it just the same.

Capo IV

A Asus2 G - / C - G - / / F - C -

I had just started college

when those towers came down.

Childhood was over,

but I'd never be full grown.

Our foolhardy, overgrown leaders

seemed more and more insane.

Hawks who looked more like pigeons,

I swore I'd never be like them.

Oh, they had all of the answers.

They'd bring this threat to its knees,

but when they brought their hammer down

they only bent the nail even more.

Bridge:

Oh, why couldn't they have seen

their shot in the dark was bound to miss?

When you try to force the human spirit,

it'll always rise up and resist.

F - C - / G - C - :||

So let's just keep our shirts on,

and not be too quick to roll up our sleeves.

Let's talk it out as long as we can

before we give up on peace.

Maybe you think I'm naïve,

and maybe you're right;

but if this old world is to have a chance,

we've got to pick the right fights.

So maybe it was just a way to cope

with all the bleakness that we'd seen,

a misguided search for hope,

for a catalyst to our dreams.

Whatever the reason,

we were drinking and passing joints

in the coming of our age,

in the foolishness of our youth,

but I loved it just the same.

Just as Real

I met her along the road.

She said, “I already knowed

just what you were singing about

before you even opened your mouth.”

Up in the hills underneath the stars,

we crept into a rock outcropping.

We made love the whole night through,

yeah, our hearts were a-throbbing.

I woke up suddenly with a start,

sat up in my bed with a racing heart.

How did I get here? Where did she go?

...Oh.

Capo III

A A7 A G / / / A C G - A C G - - :|| (3x)

Well, I know it was just a dream,

but you know that it felt so real;

and if you've ever had a dream,

maybe you know just how I feel;

and maybe you won't agree,

but you know it occurs to me

that a dream is just as real

as a memory.

G C A - / A C G - :|| (4x)

So I packed up my guitar,

hit the road in my beat-up car.

I had no idea where I was headed to;

I just had nothing better to do.

I pulled off alongside the curb,

dashed off a song of muddled up words.

I'm just waiting for someone to deliver me.

I expect that she'll come along soon.

Yeah, I'm hoping to meet her along this road.

She'll say, “I already knowed

just what you were singing about

before you even opened your mouth.”