Lyrics
Song list & Lyrics for Hopey
FeatherCap
In the morning came there
a colder air...
He raised his hand then
brought it down
testing the wind's direction
it seemed he'd
tipped his hat
Feather cap
lightly he stepped
over our line of horizon
All of the ladies lined up to say
Good-bye
They rolled their eyes & they
fluttered their fans
I wouldn't join them I stayed inside
& it makes no
difference if I loved you best
but I could not admit that yet
I read your letter, little white letter
Again again
the simple note with a scalloped edge
"It was good to see you"
it read
"Thanks for the cigarettes.
All of them."
All of the ladies still love
to speak your name &
Your name's a gun fired at point blank range
I stay inside &
they can't read my face
When I fall to the ground
It's your ghost that would rise
Only lazing while I trembled...
The Azores Song
-----------------------------------------------
I have a picture...
you in my mind
your eyes are smiling
your mouth is shy
It's a pretty day , baby
sky set so gray
soft as a moth
gray seems so soft
you're far away
Aren't you my baby?
On a strange road
which way does it go?
closer to home
or further away
& I hear your voice baby
so low & warm
your heart was an island
littered with diamonds
washed up after
a hundred storms
& I miss you like crazy
faith bring me peace
peace like a blanket
falling down to my ankles
so you're always with me
Aren't you my baby
aren't you my baby?
Aren't you my baby :)
aren't you my baby....
Copyright Allysen Callery March 26th, 2006
(Backstory: Written while Ted was in Azores on assignment, apart one single week that was like a year- but has
happy ending- Ted moved in with me when he came back stateside, yay!! Cherry Street...:)
Just Another Girl
Oh, but I’m not just
another girl at the bar
I can play my own guitar…
better’n you-
just made me blue-
I can play my own guitar
play anytime that I want to
Clear as the day
choices we make
set on my face
it's a sycamore tree
against the stark of the sky
by & by
I’m sure to satisfy,
it keeps me from
resting
& quickens my flight
Oh, but I’m not just
another girl at the bar-
I can play my own guitar…
better’n you-
just made me blue
I can play my own guitar…
play anytime that I want to
So many men
think I’ll come ‘round again
but my feet won’t touch
a backward path
I’ll turn to the sun
find another one
who’ll make me laugh
or break my heart
Ah, but I’m not just
another girl at the bar-
I can play my own guitar…
better’n you-
just made me blue
I can play my own guitar…
play anytime that I want to
Allysen Callery copyright Feb 22, 2005
So Slo-Mo
Say my name
in your sweet way
Baby, won't you tear-stain tell me
you've come back to stay
Take my hand
take my kiss
Baby, won't you tear-stain tell me
you'll take me away from this
Pain & Empty
is all that I hold
since you've been gone
If you never loved me
why did your kisses go
so slo-mo?
Say my name
in your sweet way
Baby, won't you tear-stain tell me
you've come back to stay
Kiss me like water,
'cause you drink me like wine!
Baby, won't you tear-stain tell me
you'll always be mine
Pain & Empty
is all that I hold
since you've been gone
If you never loved me
why did your kisses go
so slo-mo?
Kiss me like water,
'cause you drink me like wine!
Baby, won't you tear-stain tell me
you'll always be mine
always be mine...
Always be mine
Brown-Eyed Susan
Is it too hard to understand?
Too gone to find
home again-
& come get what's waitin'
hopeful as an open door
Said I'm a soft touch
but I'm good when the ridin's rough.
maybe a little bit...too much
say I'm the one you love?
The stars do their soft scuff
dance upon heaven's brow...
What are you thinking now?
You're looking away...
The heart is naked & shy
sun fills the bedroom with light-
brown-eyed susan,
sweet breeze,
bee's pollen
Said I'm a soft touch
but I'm good when the ridin's rough!
Maybe a little bit...too much
say I'm the one you love?
Say I'm the one you love?
The Jesus Song (Keep It Friendly)
-----------------------------------------
Fair weather days
have come to an end...
each day makes it clearer to me
find out who's really my friend
& I'm not
feelin' sorry, just sometimes
feelin' sad
wish you would get plastered with me
like good ole times we had
& it's true
I could always count on you
to let me down
& I'm callin' out "Jesus!"
& He's
by my side, sitting right next to me
& He don't judge me
We just keep it friendly
A little red box, with a heart
& I'd
given it to you
friendship means nothin', isn't it
just what you've got to put in it
So give me an ear
got a
shoulder to cry!
I see the whole blue sky
my eyes been so opened wide,
& it's true
I could always count on you
to let me down
& I'm callin' out "Jesus!"
& He's
by my side, sitting right next to me
& He don't judge me
We just keep it friendly
Hopey
Hopey
Hopey, c’mon get your coat & go
Hopey, we’ve already stayed too long
Don’t you turn & look behind you
Just you walk with your head up…
I’ll be sure ‘n lock the door
C’mon dry your pretty eyes
& by the time that he wake up…
we’ll be 10 miles down that road
Hopey, c’mon get your coat & go
Hopey, it don’t matter any more
Never mind the pretty lies
he told you once upon a time
Once upon a time was long ago
Now, it takes a penny’s worth of kindness
for to fill your lovin’ cup-
you’ve been thirsting for so long
Hopey, c’mon get your coat & go
Hopey, the morning light gonna shine
outside our door
I said I see the morning light
it’s gonna shine it’s easy breezy light
Been so long a while -since we’ve seen you smile
I said it’s been a long long while
since we have seen your pretty smile…
We’re so happy, when you decide to show it
Midway
How's the veiw,
coming down upon
Midway -town carnival?
Were you swept up in it so fast
just out of habit
catch hands
scream laugh-trip on back
To the tilt-a-whirl
turn-on Christmas colored lights...
We slipped like eels
swimming currents
within this all electric night
easy to forget
this was all in artificial light
Walk past the Snake oil salesman works a
flim-flam scam
barks the crowd hard
conceals his heart
but bares his chest
shell game style
Oh, little marks
It don't mean nothing
(he makes it look so easy)
He don't risk nothing,
showing nothing
less than the perfect...
"Would you guess~? Just whats behind my eyes
Lust or love?" he's saying
Watch the wheel turn 'round
but Hope alone
is a worthy prize..
Pay your prices
play your chances.
Truth or Dare me
I wasn't a child when I'd heard the words you'd throw
Destiny, Love, Fate-
such poetry
hangs heavy come midway
sags from ceilings of sad concession
stands
out like stars
too large out of reach
still delight & entice me
Teacher, teach me!
Hope alone seems worthy, hope alone...
Tell me
This is only how its done.
We're both fully grown,
this is just how
candy floss cotton melts fast on the tongue...
Did I kiss you?
Seems you needed to be kissed.
Gambled all, with a hard luck heart knowing
the games a fix
do my best to forget it
but still remember...
When we kissed
it was a carnival kiss
Work your mouth to my mouth, didn't our breath pump like pistons?
Thrill ride high
Push your thigh between mine
Didn't I die?
Didn't I die/sigh
Sweet Bliss...
Quick- strawberry gloss, slick those lips
erase the traces from your face
quick-
Strawberry gloss -slick those
lips
(I wouldn't mention this)
Quick
Strawberry gloss he said slick those lips...
"Next!"
Asleep By The Roadside
What goes first
are the words
I carried my own part & parcel
I tried
Tried to be cheerful
& you became so far away
the wait was cruel
& I'd began
just by being frankly grateful
the relief
was so fruitful & deep
I was way
way down the road
when I
turned 'round to realise he'd stumbled
on a crack in the skyline
he stood still as death
his eyes
were so sweet
they were always so cloudy
my mind
my mind was so cloudy that I
fell asleep by the roadside
copyright 2005 Allysen Callery
Full Moon/Sleepy Eye
Summer comes
weather want to make you
take a walk outside...
& I might/ walk the night
with a pale moon in the sky
& by my side
is a ghost of you
keep stride, keep stride
my pale you
Sweet bird flown home
you've made your home in a
feather nest /feather bed
you'll rest your head
while a pale moon shines through
calls through my window...
I'm wide awake I'm
wide awake now
When the full moon
it's a pale moon...
when the full moon got it's sleepy eye
upon you better Watch out!
Wolf dog
here's a half moon smile for a
honey child
Can you hear him howlin' now?
Rabbit run, gotta gun pressed to your mouth
Can you feel him stare?
He's staring at you now
When I'm a
Grandma Grandma
I'll rock you in my chair
like I rocked on little girl
lost in the black wood
Rag & bone, all alone
I knew my way home
but little dog, little dog...
you think you're a wolf now?
Full moon got it's sleepy eye upon you...
Mmm hmmm...;)
Pea Green Boat
Said when he gave me
he made me up
a paper heart
said It don't mean a thing
said It's only, made out of paper
so the words float away in the light of day
from the light of day
Say you'll stay
sit beside me
give me a word or two
that's true
I will wrestle
with you shadow
barter for a piece of you...
All that lies.........
between us
Is a blue silver sea
& a love so strange.........
ly familiar
The memory is dreaming me
All that lies.........
between us
Is a blue silver sea
& if Love were the Only
thing
that
matterd
There would be
you & me
in a little Pea
Green
Boat
Said when he gave me
he made me up-
a paper heart
said It don't mean a thing
said It's only, made out of paper...
so the words float away in the light of day
from the light of day
***********************************************************************************
(Some BeSides)
Jack Jumps Back
Jack jumped back
from the ledge we had met
when his lips had been humid
& we walked in step
past the deer by the ocean…
singing “Sweet mead & selkies-"
whose touch on my forehead
was a kiss
or a shadow
Jack jumped back
every word was a flower
heaping them deep
past my perfumed knees
were bruised by the blush
It’s a rush
of blood-
So I’d said ‘walk but don’t run”
then I’d weep for the loss
(of what we’d begun)
Jack jump back
through the milk weed
& nightshade
remember your dreams &
when you’re done-
remember me…
I swear on my life!
I can stay still & quiet
velvet dusk
brings the twilight &
velvet dusk brings the twilight…
it is morning
it is morning
wake
copyright May 4, 2005 Allysen Callery
My Carolina
Meet me
midnight
soft step
by candlelight & why
I'm on fire, driving down the highway
Bring me
sweet tea, & cigarettes
let me forget
them on the nightstand by your bed
Oh, my Carolina
what you do to me
Oh, my Carolina
I want done to me forever
I am
the ramblin' rose
& climb the highest fence to
thrust my faith, my love, my self,& my world
& bloom outside your window
No consequence to me
if you're making me happy
No consequence to me
if you're bringing me misery
Oh,my Carolina
Oh,my Carolina
Oh,my Carolina
See what you've done
what you've done to me
Before We Met
I stay awake
not for to dream
I dreamed the day away
before we met
dreaming of the day
before we met
I stay alert
Hear for your step
Was waiting on the radio
my love
& hear my favorite song
come on, my love
I searched for you
in hidden things
in books & woods & whelks
& mushroom rings
you were hard to find now,
how,my love
you were hard to find,now
how,
my love
I stay awake
not for to dream
I dreamed the day away
before we met
Now there's too much to do, now
,my love
there's too much to do
now, how my love
There's so many things....
Copyright Allysen Callery Oct 2006
(This song is extra special because it's the first one I've written that has the word 'whelk' in it.)
CHERRY STREET
I want to live with you
on Cherry street baby
on Cherry street baby...
On Cherry Street you’ll
live with me
& all our days be sweet
& all our days be…
sweet
Make Cherry street/ a pretty street
shuttered houses in a row
& a rose
bower by the front door
for my love
For to have you by my side
I'd hang up tiny white
Christmas lights
let them shine all year
like stars
for to have you by my side I'd
hang up every star in the sky...
let them shine all around you
Make Cherry Street
a cheerful street
the sun will splash our window
in the garden grow
tomatoes
Come kiss me in the garden
when we're alone
I want to
live with you
on Cherry street baby
on Cherry street baby...
On Cherry Street you’ll
live with me
& all our days be sweet
all our days be…
sweet
On Cherry Street
you’ll sleep with me
in a bed of silk & feather
I will wear your tattered sweater
in the winter when it’s cold
Copyright March 10, 2005 Allysen Callery
Foggy Mountain Mindset
"Baby, have a sweet dream
better days ahead"
He said "Baby, have a sweet
dream...
better days ahead"
I'll surely get a pistol-
& point it at your head.
Oh, Daddy -you want killin'-
for that kind of cruelty.
& your foggy moutain mindset-
has made a fool of me.
You turned a smoky wisp that drift,
you drift & slipped away...
you turned a smoky wisp that drift,
you drift & slipped away...
& the only time you looked me in the eye-
was when your finger's in my cake.
Oh...
Daddy -you want killin'-
for that kind of cruelty.
& your foggy moutain mindset...
has made a fool of me.
"Baby, I've been stupid,
maybe even cruel"
he said
"Baby I've been stupid
baby , even cruel...
but what you need from me baby
my baby, I just can't give to you"
Ohhh...
Daddy you want killin',
for thta kind of cruelty.
& your foggy mountain mindset...
& your foggy mountain mindset...
& your foggy mountain mindset~!
has made a fool of me.
Be That As It May
----------------------------------------------
He gave me a crown of gold,
but silver was all that I'd wanted
the silver of the moonlight
on the water
& a lover who would look
into my eyes
& everybody said
I was foolish
& everybody knew
they knew better
than
but be that as it may
be that as it may
I only feel sorry
for the Lily-of-the-valley
that grew behind the shade
of the dogwood tree
'cause they'll always remind me
always remind me
but be that as it may
white coral bells
ring
came up in the spring
where I'll plant a lilac tree
If someone has to be
the hard headed hammer-
let me play the part
that pries the nails out
so all of the walls
built between us are gone
we'll just lay on the grass
in the warm
sun
baby, do you wanna go?
back where I come from?
I am the daughter
of mother nature's son
Copyright April 20, 2006 Allysen Callery
(Written for RISA assignment for in-the-round , & will be on the CD.
Funny what can come out of a homework - but TRUE as blue- money can't buy me love!)
Copyright Allysen Callery, November 2004
Rain Today
I come here when
I can’t talk to you…
-----------------------------------------
the day began with the sun
spilt upon my bed
& my head
still
half hoping
to go to sleep again
as if sleep
could bring a dream
that I had planned,
I could set it up & work it
like I’d built it with my hands
If I said we
were
two different species
I hadn’t thought
that you would wind yourself inside of me
& I was wrong
all along
& it was you
who
would turn out to be
dangerous
though I am scared,
I run in place
& hold my tongue
hold my breath & wait
for words
that should’ve come
along
a long
long time
ago
When we kiss, let it be for nothing
but happiness
When you call me on the phone,
let it be
because you know how much
you wanted this
When we sigh
let it be
for love
& not that you are lost to me
you are lost to me
you are lost to me
Copyright Allysen Callery Oct 19th , 2005
Regrettable moment
in a sober hour
that I got to live with
Won't someone please kill me now!
Look back on what I'd written, & I
feel like a clown (!)
& I hate clowns...
Can't help but think, I do better on the drink!
You know , 'cause drunk I would've known better
than to ever
press the 'send' on that letter
I want nothing
but
rain today
but the sun still shines,
all outside's bright yellow
& white
the most unforgiving light
I want nothing,
but
rain today
rain today...
wash it away
wash it away
back to where you come from, baby
wish you'd go back to where you come from, baby
Hang- Man's Noose
Hang-Man's noose...
know you got me thirsty
for death
Got me smoking cigarettes on
the back of my deck-
Now I know
Sleazy Joe...
& only the low know about
ole sleazy joes!
Hang-Man's noose...
know you got me thirsty
for death
Got me smoking cigarettes again
on back of my deck
Now I know...
You in the moonlight
& I think
So sweet...
You in the moonlight, now
Shouldn't be alone
With only the pale moon
in the black sky
got it's sleepy eye upon you, now
I think ...
Hold me, hold me...
Hold me, hold me-
Tell me sweet things!
Dance with me
You shouldn't be alone
You shouldn't be alone
& I'm always
& I'm always
(My Aunt Heidi used to call a half-smoked cigarette that you fish out of the ashtray
to smoke later a "sleazy joe"- I thought everybody did!)
Tiny Armageddon
Tiny armageddon small enough
to fit inside your mouth &
almost never
talk about it
There's a certain kind of forgiveness-
reserve for the soldier
given if his eyes are appropriately weary
given that his body's burdened & broken
You don't ask questions
Did you see while standing
surrounded by death?
Coughed within all fire & flame...
Curious to step
between the fallen
find your own self laid amongst them
I will see my own startled face
each day when I awake
as each morning you must
breathe
rise up slowly
comb your gold, thinning hair
Place each foot carefully
in sock, in ox-blood leather
walk into the world once more
Step outside, into the world
once more
Tiny armageddon small enough
to fit inside your mouth &
almost never
talk about it
talk about it
Tear-Stain Tell Me/ So Slo-Mo
Say my name
in your sweet way
Baby, won't you tear-stain tell me
you've come back to stay
Take my hand
take my kiss
Baby, won't you tear-stain tell me
you'll take me away from this
Pain & Empty
is all that I hold
since you've been gone
If you never loved me
why did your kisses go
so slo-mo?
Say my name
in your sweet way
Baby, won't you tear-stain tell me
you've come back to stay
Kiss me like water,
'cause you drink me like wine!
Baby, won't you tear-stain tell me
you'll always be mine
Pain & Empty
is all that I hold
since you've been gone
If you never loved me
why did your kisses go
so slo-mo?
Kiss me like water,
'cause you drink me like wine!
Baby, won't you tear-stain tell me
you'll always be mine
always be mine...
Always be mine
Shoot Me
I met a man he was
a very bad man
he said 'I have my Grandfather's hands'
& he led me down a long twisty path
full of stones & broken glass
& he
broke my back
& he
hurt my heart
& he
bit my skin
& left his mark
& left me a broken thing
'Now you're a broken thing' he said
'You're gonna wait on me'
& he went for to slip the yoke on me...
& I said 'Oh,Shoot me!
Won't carry no burden, baby!
I was made for better things...
& you had better have a bullet for me.
You took my heart & left me a broken thing-
Just take my eyes, gonna take your sight from me
Go on take my ears, & I'll never hear you
call my name...
Just take my life, gonna take your love from me
Oh, shoot me!
Won't carry no burden Baby
& this love's a burden on me'
Just last night I had the strangest dreams-
I was walking underneath the leaves...
& how my heart still sang a song so sweet!
I heard a little bird up in the tree
Whistle it to me
I met a man he was
a very bad man
you can tell him by his old grandaddy hands!
He'll lead you down a long twisty path
full of old bones & broken glass
With Human Hands
I shot my car
right through the dark night
that night
Trying to find you
I'll catch you up-
I'll catch you by your
little red tail-lights!
The shadows from the trees catch me
with human hands
my human heart
don't know better
Love
when to let it go
or let the pedal slow
Why you have to bring her here?
Everybody knows...
my shame, my sorrow is
a f***ing joke!
Why you have to bring her here?
Everybody knows...
my shame, my sorrow is-
my shame, my sorrow!
I shot my car
right through the dark night
that night
Trying to find you
I'll catch you up-
I'll catch you by your
little red tail-lights!
The shadows from the trees catch me
with human hands
my human heart
knows better, now
Love
when to let it go
I'll let the pedal slow
I let the pedal slow
Long Way Home
Ohh oh Ohh oh
I won't think of you
no more
Ohh oh ooh oh
I won't
think of you- time to listen to
"A Hatful Of Hollow"
I gave my heart two days ago
it come walking along, alone
takin' the back roads home
& kickin' a stone...
I gave my heart two days ago
it came rollin along...
takin' the long way home
kickin' a stone!
Ooh ooh uh ah
We had no chance
to lean on you is to
lean on the willow branch
You can't depend on me
See I'm...
Everything I seem
SweeDeeDee*/Blue Sky Cry
You wash them clothes, SweeDeeDee
& hang 'em on the line
I can see by the way you wash them clothes...
Your cookin' must be fine
I'm with you in the mornin', until the break of day
I know everybody
Has a little hard luck, sometimes...
I know lately
I've been havin' mine...
Blue sky cry-for me!
Full up on heaven rain some down
for my heart
I get so sad sometimes but I can't cry
people say you gotta stay happy
all the time
Blue sky cry-for me!
Full up on heaven rain a little down
for my heart
I get so lonely sometimes
& them people all around around me
Don't tell anybody...don't tell anybody!
Big storm you run indoors,
you can run indoors & hide-
you've got your good reason
to idle down in eiderdown!
When I'm down it's so sunny outside
& it don't look right !
I think... maybe I'm not right...
Don't tell me, Blue Sky!
Blue sky cry-for me!
Full up on heaven rain some down
for my heart
I get so sad sometimes, but I can't cry
people say you gotta stay happy
all the time -all the time
*SweeDeeDee by Michael Hurley (I learned by hearing Cat Power aka Chan Marshall... Buy her Covers CD!!! I hide my face in shame how I am such a thief of her arrangements!)
Pale Muslin night
Pale muslin night
didn't I come to you like a bride?
A face round & white
with the moon behind her shadow
Dressed like a bride
skirts of pale muslin
hopeful, ephemeral in white
Moon sheds her shadow
lay down beside me
deep under blankets of night
Pale muslin night
didn't I come to you like a bride?
A face round & white
with the moon behind her shadow
Deep under blankets of night
you & I
you & I
did the stars raise their faces
turn 'round to look
still I spelled our names in the sky
Heaven Knows
I want you, Baby
& you don't
take care with me, Baby
Heaven knows-
I got to go!
& it hurts me
know that it hurts me...
but you're killing me with cold
& you had yourself the sweetest rose!
Just how sweet & pink & deep-
Heaven knows!
Heaven knows...
knows that I love you-
knows how I love you...
but you're killing me with cold
I got to leave you baby
You had yourself the sweetest rose
Understand that...
understand that...
Heaven knows
Firefly
I'm gonna catch my heart up in a jar
place it on a window sill...
You could be driving by in your car one night
& you're gonna
see the light!
A flicker-fire that burns for you
It's just my foolish heart...
Shine on!
Little firefly- dance on through the night
I'm gonna catch my fool heart up in a jar
place it on a window sill...
You just might see it from afar one night
Yeah, you're gonna
see the light!
A flicker-fire that burns for you
t's just my foolish heart...
Shine on!
Little firefly- dance on through the night
When you gonna see the light?
Across The Kitchen Table
You & me
across the kitchen table
hold fast my hand- or then again
hold up your morning paper
Early evening comes down again
could you look at me, really see me
see I need another minute without the television, please
Shall I begin to
string these few moments together like knitting
pearl one knit two...
Perhaps there can be still something useful
if not beautiful...
Something warm to cover up
all the misplaced love
stacked up in cupboards, hidden
under sinks
misplaced affection, displaced passion
& the lies
The lies beside the true reason I don't leave
I love you
& all the other unpalatable words
I'll just spit out into small bits of paper
I'll hide away forever
say it's just bad poetry, don't mean anything
don't read it
don't!
Just hold fast
my hand
hold fast
my hand
or then again...
FeatherCap
In the morning came there
a colder air...
He raised his hand then
brought it down
testing the wind's direction
it seemed he'd
tipped his hat
Feather cap
lightly he stepped
over our line of horizon
All of the ladies lined up to say
Good-bye
They rolled their eyes & they
fluttered their fans
I wouldn't join them I stayed inside
& it makes no
difference if I loved you best
but I could not admit that yet
I read your letter, little white letter
Again again
the simple note with a scalloped edge
"It was good to see you"
it read
"Thanks for the cigarettes.
All of them."
All of the ladies still love
to speak your name &
Your name's a gun fired at point blank range
I stay inside &
they can't read my face
When I fall to the ground
It's your ghost that would rise
Only lazing while I trembled...
The Azores Song
-----------------------------------------------
I have a picture...
you in my mind
your eyes are smiling
your mouth is shy
It's a pretty day , baby
sky set so gray
soft as a moth
gray seems so soft
you're far away
Aren't you my baby?
On a strange road
which way does it go?
closer to home
or further away
& I hear your voice baby
so low & warm
your heart was an island
littered with diamonds
washed up after
a hundred storms
& I miss you like crazy
faith bring me peace
peace like a blanket
falling down to my ankles
so you're always with me
Aren't you my baby
aren't you my baby?
Aren't you my baby :)
aren't you my baby....
Copyright Allysen Callery March 26th, 2006
(Backstory: Written while Ted was in Azores on assignment, apart one single week that was like a year- but has
happy ending- Ted moved in with me when he came back stateside, yay!! Cherry Street...:)
Just Another Girl
Oh, but I’m not just
another girl at the bar
I can play my own guitar…
better’n you-
just made me blue-
I can play my own guitar
play anytime that I want to
Clear as the day
choices we make
set on my face
it's a sycamore tree
against the stark of the sky
by & by
I’m sure to satisfy,
it keeps me from
resting
& quickens my flight
Oh, but I’m not just
another girl at the bar-
I can play my own guitar…
better’n you-
just made me blue
I can play my own guitar…
play anytime that I want to
So many men
think I’ll come ‘round again
but my feet won’t touch
a backward path
I’ll turn to the sun
find another one
who’ll make me laugh
or break my heart
Ah, but I’m not just
another girl at the bar-
I can play my own guitar…
better’n you-
just made me blue
I can play my own guitar…
play anytime that I want to
Allysen Callery copyright Feb 22, 2005
So Slo-Mo
Say my name
in your sweet way
Baby, won't you tear-stain tell me
you've come back to stay
Take my hand
take my kiss
Baby, won't you tear-stain tell me
you'll take me away from this
Pain & Empty
is all that I hold
since you've been gone
If you never loved me
why did your kisses go
so slo-mo?
Say my name
in your sweet way
Baby, won't you tear-stain tell me
you've come back to stay
Kiss me like water,
'cause you drink me like wine!
Baby, won't you tear-stain tell me
you'll always be mine
Pain & Empty
is all that I hold
since you've been gone
If you never loved me
why did your kisses go
so slo-mo?
Kiss me like water,
'cause you drink me like wine!
Baby, won't you tear-stain tell me
you'll always be mine
always be mine...
Always be mine
Brown-Eyed Susan
Is it too hard to understand?
Too gone to find
home again-
& come get what's waitin'
hopeful as an open door
Said I'm a soft touch
but I'm good when the ridin's rough.
maybe a little bit...too much
say I'm the one you love?
The stars do their soft scuff
dance upon heaven's brow...
What are you thinking now?
You're looking away...
The heart is naked & shy
sun fills the bedroom with light-
brown-eyed susan,
sweet breeze,
bee's pollen
Said I'm a soft touch
but I'm good when the ridin's rough!
Maybe a little bit...too much
say I'm the one you love?
Say I'm the one you love?
The Jesus Song (Keep It Friendly)
-----------------------------------------
Fair weather days
have come to an end...
each day makes it clearer to me
find out who's really my friend
& I'm not
feelin' sorry, just sometimes
feelin' sad
wish you would get plastered with me
like good ole times we had
& it's true
I could always count on you
to let me down
& I'm callin' out "Jesus!"
& He's
by my side, sitting right next to me
& He don't judge me
We just keep it friendly
A little red box, with a heart
& I'd
given it to you
friendship means nothin', isn't it
just what you've got to put in it
So give me an ear
got a
shoulder to cry!
I see the whole blue sky
my eyes been so opened wide,
& it's true
I could always count on you
to let me down
& I'm callin' out "Jesus!"
& He's
by my side, sitting right next to me
& He don't judge me
We just keep it friendly
Hopey
Hopey
Hopey, c’mon get your coat & go
Hopey, we’ve already stayed too long
Don’t you turn & look behind you
Just you walk with your head up…
I’ll be sure ‘n lock the door
C’mon dry your pretty eyes
& by the time that he wake up…
we’ll be 10 miles down that road
Hopey, c’mon get your coat & go
Hopey, it don’t matter any more
Never mind the pretty lies
he told you once upon a time
Once upon a time was long ago
Now, it takes a penny’s worth of kindness
for to fill your lovin’ cup-
you’ve been thirsting for so long
Hopey, c’mon get your coat & go
Hopey, the morning light gonna shine
outside our door
I said I see the morning light
it’s gonna shine it’s easy breezy light
Been so long a while -since we’ve seen you smile
I said it’s been a long long while
since we have seen your pretty smile…
We’re so happy, when you decide to show it
Midway
How's the veiw,
coming down upon
Midway -town carnival?
Were you swept up in it so fast
just out of habit
catch hands
scream laugh-trip on back
To the tilt-a-whirl
turn-on Christmas colored lights...
We slipped like eels
swimming currents
within this all electric night
easy to forget
this was all in artificial light
Walk past the Snake oil salesman works a
flim-flam scam
barks the crowd hard
conceals his heart
but bares his chest
shell game style
Oh, little marks
It don't mean nothing
(he makes it look so easy)
He don't risk nothing,
showing nothing
less than the perfect...
"Would you guess~? Just whats behind my eyes
Lust or love?" he's saying
Watch the wheel turn 'round
but Hope alone
is a worthy prize..
Pay your prices
play your chances.
Truth or Dare me
I wasn't a child when I'd heard the words you'd throw
Destiny, Love, Fate-
such poetry
hangs heavy come midway
sags from ceilings of sad concession
stands
out like stars
too large out of reach
still delight & entice me
Teacher, teach me!
Hope alone seems worthy, hope alone...
Tell me
This is only how its done.
We're both fully grown,
this is just how
candy floss cotton melts fast on the tongue...
Did I kiss you?
Seems you needed to be kissed.
Gambled all, with a hard luck heart knowing
the games a fix
do my best to forget it
but still remember...
When we kissed
it was a carnival kiss
Work your mouth to my mouth, didn't our breath pump like pistons?
Thrill ride high
Push your thigh between mine
Didn't I die?
Didn't I die/sigh
Sweet Bliss...
Quick- strawberry gloss, slick those lips
erase the traces from your face
quick-
Strawberry gloss -slick those
lips
(I wouldn't mention this)
Quick
Strawberry gloss he said slick those lips...
"Next!"
Asleep By The Roadside
What goes first
are the words
I carried my own part & parcel
I tried
Tried to be cheerful
& you became so far away
the wait was cruel
& I'd began
just by being frankly grateful
the relief
was so fruitful & deep
I was way
way down the road
when I
turned 'round to realise he'd stumbled
on a crack in the skyline
he stood still as death
his eyes
were so sweet
they were always so cloudy
my mind
my mind was so cloudy that I
fell asleep by the roadside
copyright 2005 Allysen Callery
Full Moon/Sleepy Eye
Summer comes
weather want to make you
take a walk outside...
& I might/ walk the night
with a pale moon in the sky
& by my side
is a ghost of you
keep stride, keep stride
my pale you
Sweet bird flown home
you've made your home in a
feather nest /feather bed
you'll rest your head
while a pale moon shines through
calls through my window...
I'm wide awake I'm
wide awake now
When the full moon
it's a pale moon...
when the full moon got it's sleepy eye
upon you better Watch out!
Wolf dog
here's a half moon smile for a
honey child
Can you hear him howlin' now?
Rabbit run, gotta gun pressed to your mouth
Can you feel him stare?
He's staring at you now
When I'm a
Grandma Grandma
I'll rock you in my chair
like I rocked on little girl
lost in the black wood
Rag & bone, all alone
I knew my way home
but little dog, little dog...
you think you're a wolf now?
Full moon got it's sleepy eye upon you...
Mmm hmmm...;)
Pea Green Boat
Said when he gave me
he made me up
a paper heart
said It don't mean a thing
said It's only, made out of paper
so the words float away in the light of day
from the light of day
Say you'll stay
sit beside me
give me a word or two
that's true
I will wrestle
with you shadow
barter for a piece of you...
All that lies.........
between us
Is a blue silver sea
& a love so strange.........
ly familiar
The memory is dreaming me
All that lies.........
between us
Is a blue silver sea
& if Love were the Only
thing
that
matterd
There would be
you & me
in a little Pea
Green
Boat
Said when he gave me
he made me up-
a paper heart
said It don't mean a thing
said It's only, made out of paper...
so the words float away in the light of day
from the light of day
***********************************************************************************
(Some BeSides)
Jack Jumps Back
Jack jumped back
from the ledge we had met
when his lips had been humid
& we walked in step
past the deer by the ocean…
singing “Sweet mead & selkies-"
whose touch on my forehead
was a kiss
or a shadow
Jack jumped back
every word was a flower
heaping them deep
past my perfumed knees
were bruised by the blush
It’s a rush
of blood-
So I’d said ‘walk but don’t run”
then I’d weep for the loss
(of what we’d begun)
Jack jump back
through the milk weed
& nightshade
remember your dreams &
when you’re done-
remember me…
I swear on my life!
I can stay still & quiet
velvet dusk
brings the twilight &
velvet dusk brings the twilight…
it is morning
it is morning
wake
copyright May 4, 2005 Allysen Callery
My Carolina
Meet me
midnight
soft step
by candlelight & why
I'm on fire, driving down the highway
Bring me
sweet tea, & cigarettes
let me forget
them on the nightstand by your bed
Oh, my Carolina
what you do to me
Oh, my Carolina
I want done to me forever
I am
the ramblin' rose
& climb the highest fence to
thrust my faith, my love, my self,& my world
& bloom outside your window
No consequence to me
if you're making me happy
No consequence to me
if you're bringing me misery
Oh,my Carolina
Oh,my Carolina
Oh,my Carolina
See what you've done
what you've done to me
Before We Met
I stay awake
not for to dream
I dreamed the day away
before we met
dreaming of the day
before we met
I stay alert
Hear for your step
Was waiting on the radio
my love
& hear my favorite song
come on, my love
I searched for you
in hidden things
in books & woods & whelks
& mushroom rings
you were hard to find now,
how,my love
you were hard to find,now
how,
my love
I stay awake
not for to dream
I dreamed the day away
before we met
Now there's too much to do, now
,my love
there's too much to do
now, how my love
There's so many things....
Copyright Allysen Callery Oct 2006
(This song is extra special because it's the first one I've written that has the word 'whelk' in it.)
CHERRY STREET
I want to live with you
on Cherry street baby
on Cherry street baby...
On Cherry Street you’ll
live with me
& all our days be sweet
& all our days be…
sweet
Make Cherry street/ a pretty street
shuttered houses in a row
& a rose
bower by the front door
for my love
For to have you by my side
I'd hang up tiny white
Christmas lights
let them shine all year
like stars
for to have you by my side I'd
hang up every star in the sky...
let them shine all around you
Make Cherry Street
a cheerful street
the sun will splash our window
in the garden grow
tomatoes
Come kiss me in the garden
when we're alone
I want to
live with you
on Cherry street baby
on Cherry street baby...
On Cherry Street you’ll
live with me
& all our days be sweet
all our days be…
sweet
On Cherry Street
you’ll sleep with me
in a bed of silk & feather
I will wear your tattered sweater
in the winter when it’s cold
Copyright March 10, 2005 Allysen Callery
Foggy Mountain Mindset
"Baby, have a sweet dream
better days ahead"
He said "Baby, have a sweet
dream...
better days ahead"
I'll surely get a pistol-
& point it at your head.
Oh, Daddy -you want killin'-
for that kind of cruelty.
& your foggy moutain mindset-
has made a fool of me.
You turned a smoky wisp that drift,
you drift & slipped away...
you turned a smoky wisp that drift,
you drift & slipped away...
& the only time you looked me in the eye-
was when your finger's in my cake.
Oh...
Daddy -you want killin'-
for that kind of cruelty.
& your foggy moutain mindset...
has made a fool of me.
"Baby, I've been stupid,
maybe even cruel"
he said
"Baby I've been stupid
baby , even cruel...
but what you need from me baby
my baby, I just can't give to you"
Ohhh...
Daddy you want killin',
for thta kind of cruelty.
& your foggy mountain mindset...
& your foggy mountain mindset...
& your foggy mountain mindset~!
has made a fool of me.
Be That As It May
----------------------------------------------
He gave me a crown of gold,
but silver was all that I'd wanted
the silver of the moonlight
on the water
& a lover who would look
into my eyes
& everybody said
I was foolish
& everybody knew
they knew better
than
but be that as it may
be that as it may
I only feel sorry
for the Lily-of-the-valley
that grew behind the shade
of the dogwood tree
'cause they'll always remind me
always remind me
but be that as it may
white coral bells
ring
came up in the spring
where I'll plant a lilac tree
If someone has to be
the hard headed hammer-
let me play the part
that pries the nails out
so all of the walls
built between us are gone
we'll just lay on the grass
in the warm
sun
baby, do you wanna go?
back where I come from?
I am the daughter
of mother nature's son
Copyright April 20, 2006 Allysen Callery
(Written for RISA assignment for in-the-round , & will be on the CD.
Funny what can come out of a homework - but TRUE as blue- money can't buy me love!)
Copyright Allysen Callery, November 2004
Rain Today
I come here when
I can’t talk to you…
-----------------------------------------
the day began with the sun
spilt upon my bed
& my head
still
half hoping
to go to sleep again
as if sleep
could bring a dream
that I had planned,
I could set it up & work it
like I’d built it with my hands
If I said we
were
two different species
I hadn’t thought
that you would wind yourself inside of me
& I was wrong
all along
& it was you
who
would turn out to be
dangerous
though I am scared,
I run in place
& hold my tongue
hold my breath & wait
for words
that should’ve come
along
a long
long time
ago
When we kiss, let it be for nothing
but happiness
When you call me on the phone,
let it be
because you know how much
you wanted this
When we sigh
let it be
for love
& not that you are lost to me
you are lost to me
you are lost to me
Copyright Allysen Callery Oct 19th , 2005
Regrettable moment
in a sober hour
that I got to live with
Won't someone please kill me now!
Look back on what I'd written, & I
feel like a clown (!)
& I hate clowns...
Can't help but think, I do better on the drink!
You know , 'cause drunk I would've known better
than to ever
press the 'send' on that letter
I want nothing
but
rain today
but the sun still shines,
all outside's bright yellow
& white
the most unforgiving light
I want nothing,
but
rain today
rain today...
wash it away
wash it away
back to where you come from, baby
wish you'd go back to where you come from, baby
Hang- Man's Noose
Hang-Man's noose...
know you got me thirsty
for death
Got me smoking cigarettes on
the back of my deck-
Now I know
Sleazy Joe...
& only the low know about
ole sleazy joes!
Hang-Man's noose...
know you got me thirsty
for death
Got me smoking cigarettes again
on back of my deck
Now I know...
You in the moonlight
& I think
So sweet...
You in the moonlight, now
Shouldn't be alone
With only the pale moon
in the black sky
got it's sleepy eye upon you, now
I think ...
Hold me, hold me...
Hold me, hold me-
Tell me sweet things!
Dance with me
You shouldn't be alone
You shouldn't be alone
& I'm always
& I'm always
(My Aunt Heidi used to call a half-smoked cigarette that you fish out of the ashtray
to smoke later a "sleazy joe"- I thought everybody did!)
Tiny Armageddon
Tiny armageddon small enough
to fit inside your mouth &
almost never
talk about it
There's a certain kind of forgiveness-
reserve for the soldier
given if his eyes are appropriately weary
given that his body's burdened & broken
You don't ask questions
Did you see while standing
surrounded by death?
Coughed within all fire & flame...
Curious to step
between the fallen
find your own self laid amongst them
I will see my own startled face
each day when I awake
as each morning you must
breathe
rise up slowly
comb your gold, thinning hair
Place each foot carefully
in sock, in ox-blood leather
walk into the world once more
Step outside, into the world
once more
Tiny armageddon small enough
to fit inside your mouth &
almost never
talk about it
talk about it
Tear-Stain Tell Me/ So Slo-Mo
Say my name
in your sweet way
Baby, won't you tear-stain tell me
you've come back to stay
Take my hand
take my kiss
Baby, won't you tear-stain tell me
you'll take me away from this
Pain & Empty
is all that I hold
since you've been gone
If you never loved me
why did your kisses go
so slo-mo?
Say my name
in your sweet way
Baby, won't you tear-stain tell me
you've come back to stay
Kiss me like water,
'cause you drink me like wine!
Baby, won't you tear-stain tell me
you'll always be mine
Pain & Empty
is all that I hold
since you've been gone
If you never loved me
why did your kisses go
so slo-mo?
Kiss me like water,
'cause you drink me like wine!
Baby, won't you tear-stain tell me
you'll always be mine
always be mine...
Always be mine
Shoot Me
I met a man he was
a very bad man
he said 'I have my Grandfather's hands'
& he led me down a long twisty path
full of stones & broken glass
& he
broke my back
& he
hurt my heart
& he
bit my skin
& left his mark
& left me a broken thing
'Now you're a broken thing' he said
'You're gonna wait on me'
& he went for to slip the yoke on me...
& I said 'Oh,Shoot me!
Won't carry no burden, baby!
I was made for better things...
& you had better have a bullet for me.
You took my heart & left me a broken thing-
Just take my eyes, gonna take your sight from me
Go on take my ears, & I'll never hear you
call my name...
Just take my life, gonna take your love from me
Oh, shoot me!
Won't carry no burden Baby
& this love's a burden on me'
Just last night I had the strangest dreams-
I was walking underneath the leaves...
& how my heart still sang a song so sweet!
I heard a little bird up in the tree
Whistle it to me
I met a man he was
a very bad man
you can tell him by his old grandaddy hands!
He'll lead you down a long twisty path
full of old bones & broken glass
With Human Hands
I shot my car
right through the dark night
that night
Trying to find you
I'll catch you up-
I'll catch you by your
little red tail-lights!
The shadows from the trees catch me
with human hands
my human heart
don't know better
Love
when to let it go
or let the pedal slow
Why you have to bring her here?
Everybody knows...
my shame, my sorrow is
a f***ing joke!
Why you have to bring her here?
Everybody knows...
my shame, my sorrow is-
my shame, my sorrow!
I shot my car
right through the dark night
that night
Trying to find you
I'll catch you up-
I'll catch you by your
little red tail-lights!
The shadows from the trees catch me
with human hands
my human heart
knows better, now
Love
when to let it go
I'll let the pedal slow
I let the pedal slow
Long Way Home
Ohh oh Ohh oh
I won't think of you
no more
Ohh oh ooh oh
I won't
think of you- time to listen to
"A Hatful Of Hollow"
I gave my heart two days ago
it come walking along, alone
takin' the back roads home
& kickin' a stone...
I gave my heart two days ago
it came rollin along...
takin' the long way home
kickin' a stone!
Ooh ooh uh ah
We had no chance
to lean on you is to
lean on the willow branch
You can't depend on me
See I'm...
Everything I seem
SweeDeeDee*/Blue Sky Cry
You wash them clothes, SweeDeeDee
& hang 'em on the line
I can see by the way you wash them clothes...
Your cookin' must be fine
I'm with you in the mornin', until the break of day
I know everybody
Has a little hard luck, sometimes...
I know lately
I've been havin' mine...
Blue sky cry-for me!
Full up on heaven rain some down
for my heart
I get so sad sometimes but I can't cry
people say you gotta stay happy
all the time
Blue sky cry-for me!
Full up on heaven rain a little down
for my heart
I get so lonely sometimes
& them people all around around me
Don't tell anybody...don't tell anybody!
Big storm you run indoors,
you can run indoors & hide-
you've got your good reason
to idle down in eiderdown!
When I'm down it's so sunny outside
& it don't look right !
I think... maybe I'm not right...
Don't tell me, Blue Sky!
Blue sky cry-for me!
Full up on heaven rain some down
for my heart
I get so sad sometimes, but I can't cry
people say you gotta stay happy
all the time -all the time
*SweeDeeDee by Michael Hurley (I learned by hearing Cat Power aka Chan Marshall... Buy her Covers CD!!! I hide my face in shame how I am such a thief of her arrangements!)
Pale Muslin night
Pale muslin night
didn't I come to you like a bride?
A face round & white
with the moon behind her shadow
Dressed like a bride
skirts of pale muslin
hopeful, ephemeral in white
Moon sheds her shadow
lay down beside me
deep under blankets of night
Pale muslin night
didn't I come to you like a bride?
A face round & white
with the moon behind her shadow
Deep under blankets of night
you & I
you & I
did the stars raise their faces
turn 'round to look
still I spelled our names in the sky
Heaven Knows
I want you, Baby
& you don't
take care with me, Baby
Heaven knows-
I got to go!
& it hurts me
know that it hurts me...
but you're killing me with cold
& you had yourself the sweetest rose!
Just how sweet & pink & deep-
Heaven knows!
Heaven knows...
knows that I love you-
knows how I love you...
but you're killing me with cold
I got to leave you baby
You had yourself the sweetest rose
Understand that...
understand that...
Heaven knows
Firefly
I'm gonna catch my heart up in a jar
place it on a window sill...
You could be driving by in your car one night
& you're gonna
see the light!
A flicker-fire that burns for you
It's just my foolish heart...
Shine on!
Little firefly- dance on through the night
I'm gonna catch my fool heart up in a jar
place it on a window sill...
You just might see it from afar one night
Yeah, you're gonna
see the light!
A flicker-fire that burns for you
t's just my foolish heart...
Shine on!
Little firefly- dance on through the night
When you gonna see the light?
Across The Kitchen Table
You & me
across the kitchen table
hold fast my hand- or then again
hold up your morning paper
Early evening comes down again
could you look at me, really see me
see I need another minute without the television, please
Shall I begin to
string these few moments together like knitting
pearl one knit two...
Perhaps there can be still something useful
if not beautiful...
Something warm to cover up
all the misplaced love
stacked up in cupboards, hidden
under sinks
misplaced affection, displaced passion
& the lies
The lies beside the true reason I don't leave
I love you
& all the other unpalatable words
I'll just spit out into small bits of paper
I'll hide away forever
say it's just bad poetry, don't mean anything
don't read it
don't!
Just hold fast
my hand
hold fast
my hand
or then again...