Going My Way (full album)
Going My Way
If you’re going my way girl could you stop and wait up for me?
My head is feeling heavy, as I’m sure your pretty eyes can see.
I was hoping you would stop; I’ve been standing here for way too long.
Most people pass me by and when I wave they are already gone.
They’re already gone.
If you’re going my way girl do you mind if I bring my guitar?
I’ll play you every song I know and that should get us pretty far.
Old time is still a-flying, gather ye rosebuds while ye may.
There’s a rhythm and a rhyme stuck somewhere inside of every day.
Now don’t you let it get away.
If you’re going my way girl there’s something I should say to you.
I've got some old bones in my closet and a bag of tricks you’d never do.
There’s a pile of regret and some sneakers that are full of holes.
But if you blow off all that dust, you know, you just might find a pot of gold,
Or your big rainbow.
So say sha la, sha la la low
Where have you been? Where will you go?
Just say sha la la la la, sha la la low
Where will you be? I’d like to know.
So say sha la la la la la la, sha la la la low
Say sha la la la la la la, sha la la la la la la low
You said you should be leaving baby, but you’ve got nowhere to go.
Say sha la la la la la la, sha la la la la la la low
You said you should be leaving baby, now you’ve got somewhere to go.
So say sha la la la la la la la, sha la la la low
Waiting for the Sun
I’m worn out to the souls of my shoes
From dancing to this rhythm and blues.
I’m as lazy as the gray in the day
Out there wearing San Francisco away.
Some blue ink and a photograph;
A smile followed by a laugh.
Frustration and a vacant stare;
A crumpled piece of paper there.
Hey, I’m waiting for the sun.
Hey, I’m waiting for the sun.
I’m waiting for the sun to shine on me.
The days are getting longer now,
So I let the morning go somehow.
I slept some worries off my chest
And put some tired words to rest.
The window’s closed; the blinds are drawn.
I’ve got some old Paul Kelly on.
He’s singing about wanting more
And his poor lady walking out the door.
(Chorus)
I could take this time to sink down in this room
And watch the hours die in the afternoon.
But it’s getting dark in here.
Maybe I should go outside.
There might be something new out there for me tonight.
(Chorus)
Maybe
On the shores of the summer you left me to wonder if we’ve come that far at all.
There’s a cold, black shadow in a slow daydream just waiting for somebody to fall.
Over and over I keep finding myself here standing in these same old shoes,
Filling your tired eyes; holding your empty hands; pretending I’ve got nothing to lose.
I keep watching you leave and laugh and leave me again; I turn around and you’re not there.
I occupy myself with possibilities until you finally reappear.
The rain is falling down fast but I just know it won’t last much longer than it needs to be.
I hear a knock on the door just like so many before and there you are again I see.
Maybe I’m lucky or maybe I’m scared.
Maybe my imagination is hooked on despair.
I may be too drastic or melodramatic,
But baby I don’t give a damn.
My eyes are getting tired of looking at me at the end of every single day.
But I’m not depressed or obsessed or feeling meaningless, unfortunate or underpaid.
I turn the pages over searching for something bolder but nothing worth my time today.
There’s just a picture in the paper of celebrities smiling their lives away.
I hear a crowd outside; part of me wants to hide my love away until they’re gone.
I smoke a cigarette that’s insignificant, inconclusive, incorrect and wrong.
I grab my guitar and I strum me a bar that sounds like Tracy Chapman riding in her Fast Car.
I make up my mind to take my sweet time; tic-tock I want to be a star.
(Chorus)
I take a deep breath of the city and I sigh.
I fold my hands improperly and lie.
I say your name out loud with confidence I shout,
And I’ll never take the time to wonder why.
And you say ooh.
(Repeat 1st verse & chorus)
I Can’t Get High
It’s Sunday evening and I’m stuck here again
Waiting for the hours to turn.
I’m not broken-hearted, hurt or humiliated;
Ain’t got no lessons to learn.
Predictably I sit here thinking of you
With a blue pen and a white page.
Maybe some words will find a new definition
Saying I’m in need of a change. I’m in need of a change.
I used to get high at the end of the day.
I used to get high at time ticking away.
I used to get high with nothing to lose.
Now I can’t get high. I can’t get high.
Days come to pass and nights tend to last
Much longer than they should.
I hear last call and fill up my glass,
One more to make me feel good.
When I get home all the blankets are cold,
I don’t want to turn out my light.
These walls are tired and this silence is old.
Let your picture make it all right. Make it all right.
(Chorus)
I wrote a thousand words today
But I couldn’t paint a picture of you.
Inspiration seems like another bird
Trying to fly without wings.
Eyes open slowly, sunshine coming inside
Falling down onto my head.
Newspaper stories and a slow cup of coffee
Might get me out of my bed.
But I’m not ready to start up this day
And I’m much too tired to sleep.
Springtime in Paris getting caught in the rain
Is right where I need to be. Need to be.
(Chorus)
I can’t get high without you (x4)
On Highland Street
I followed the trail of footprints in snow,
A little desperate and jaded again.
Those dimly lit houses all perfectly quiet;
I stopped and I stared through the fence.
I thought about Allison lying in bed;
I was hoping that she was alone.
This pitiful season of tired resentment,
The winter is always so cold.
I can’t pick myself up; I can’t wander away.
I can’t find all the answers today.
I want to cash in my chips and run from all this
Before all the snow melts away.
A white picket fence and a yellow porch light,
I used to spend summertime there.
A kiss on the steps and a flower she kept
Tucked away in her dirty blonde hair.
What happened to her? What happened to me?
I was once a bright star in those eyes.
Fresh flowers and scenes in bright blue and green,
New mornings in sunny July.
I can’t pick myself up; I can’t wander away.
I can’t find all the answers today.
I want to cash in my chips and run from all this
Before all the snow melts away.
Shadows and stars and telephone wires,
Cold concrete and salt mixed with sand.
There are pieces of me beneath this old street,
Back here where my story began.
My neighbors are sleeping soundly tonight,
Their cars are all safely inside.
My hands in my pockets, my heart on my sleeve,
Tomorrow is never a lie.
A December wind comes up ‘round that bend;
I shudder before I retreat.
Up over the crest I follow it down
Until the last gust is complete.
(Chorus)
Back here on Highland.
Sometimes on the 38
I counted up my money and I hopped on the bus,
I stared blankly outside and I thought about us.
The scenes out the window of this fair San Francisco
Without you don’t seem to be good enough.
Sometimes I wonder if I would have taken a chance
Then maybe you would be here with me.
But when I think of all the good years that have become my life
I guess this city still seems pretty indeed.
A beleaguered, deranged, lonely man counts his change
And he sits down in the seat next to me.
I hear him talking about somebody else and he shouts:
“Hey, I’m a part of this world too, you see?”
I don’t know what to do so I tell him ‘that’s true’,
And I look into the black of his eyes.
He turns his head away just as he curses the day
And he gets off at O’Farrell and Hyde.
Sometimes I read the paper and I get depressed.
Sometimes I stand and stare at the ground.
Sometimes I wish I were a lot more stylish
And I had some hipster job downtown.
Like this high-tech couple holding hands in the back
Talking quietly enough to be heard.
I wish they lived in the Mission or in Western Addition
So I wouldn’t have to hear every word.
I lower my head into a sentence I’ve read
And my stomach starts to turn upside down.
The driver slams on his brakes just before it’s too late
And my coffee spills all over the ground.
A late night dancer getting off her shift
Walks those high-heeled shoes right down the aisle.
Before she passes by me I stand up quickly
And I offer her my seat and a smile.
She stares straight ahead and lets out a sigh,
Last night’s make-up is her morning glow.
She changes her shoes and she turns on her tunes
And starts singing softly to JLo.
Sometimes I wear my headphones and I tune it all out.
Sometimes I have to stand and wait.
Sometimes we sit in traffic and I get to work
At least a half an hour late.
Now outside a vacancy sign lights up the front of my mind
And I convince myself I’m somebody else.
I look for the meaning in the woman who’s leaning
In the doorway of some old hotel.
And before I think about her for too long I replace
Her sorry image in my head
With a business woman reading Cosmopolitan
There criss-crossing her successful legs.
Sometimes I’m really tired so I fall asleep.
Sometimes I watch the road up ahead.
Sometimes a cell phone conversation drives me nuts
And I wish I had stayed home in bed.
Instead I counted up my money and I hopped on the bus,
I stared blankly outside and I thought about us.
The scenes out the window of this fair San Francisco
Without you don’t seem to be good enough.
Sometimes I wonder if I would have taken a chance
Then maybe you would be here with me.
But when I think of all the good years that have become my life
I guess this city still seems pretty indeed.
Down Again
Baby, shut your mouth and close your eyes;
I don’t want to see that face of compromise.
The colors of the day are gray and blue;
They’ll never be bright; they’ll never be true.
Slam all the windows and shut the doors;
I don’t want to feel your wind go by no more.
Just forget my face and forget my name
And please don’t pass this way again.
Again, again, again, again.
Once upon a time when our hearts were right,
You thought I was a star up in the night
Collecting all the wishes of the day,
And giving them to you to throw away.
Then you thought me crazy and you thought me wrong.
You said there was no use in holding on.
I hung my weary head in shame
And I watched you walk away again.
Again, again, again, again, again, again.
And so you say that love can’t be that way
And you let me fall down again tonight.
And so you’ve found someone else to bring you down,
And you let me fall down again tonight.
I’ve been waiting for you; I’ve been playing for you.
I’ve been washing you away.
I’ve been lying for you; I’ve been trying for you.
You’ve been driving me insane.
Who’s to blame? Blame? Who’s to blame?
(Chorus)
Catch Up
Whenever guilt becomes me I just turn and walk away,
I’m not gonna sit here crying for forgiveness everyday.
These sheets are soft and slippery; I’m suddenly surprised,
Just lying in bed waiting and you’re telling me goodbye.
Doorways can be sad sometimes, and sometimes sadder still
Are days spent sitting lonely leaning on the windowsill.
Cold streets and broken sidewalks remind me of my youth.
Beauty may be stronger, but my age will tell the truth.
Catch up to me now, I’m waiting for you girl.
Time can be so heavy and so cruel can be this world.
Catch up to me now, I’m moving kind of slow,
Or in the morning, baby, I’ll wake up and let you go.
Our kindness and connections are more than just a game.
I’m taking back forever and I’m giving it a name.
Wishes are for dreamers and dreams should not be sold;
Wish for long enough, maybe those dreams will turn to gold.
Heavy are my thoughts and lonely are my hands;
Pity is a shame I think, but guilt becomes a man.
Shallow can be happy and fruitful can be lies,
But in the end you’re better off with truth filling your eyes.
(Chorus)
Pages of our past sometimes read like a book,
These mysteries and histories deserve a longer look.
But topsy-turvy times fill a shoebox ‘neath my bed;
Disarray and dust clouds cover words best left unsaid.
I’m not willing to be weary too long lest I may live
A year, a month, a dead end day I never will forgive.
Confessions, consequences and commitments fade away
But chances are for taking so with me I hope you’ll stay.
(Chorus)
Saving My Time
There’s still a little time left for us.
I know you want to go to the show.
I’ll buy you a ticket today,
And maybe by December we’ll be talking to each other.
I want to write everything down
And put all these thoughts in the mail.
I could say some nice things to you,
But I’ve got my pride and I don’t know your address.
Here we are now thinking of each other.
Here we are now trying to move on.
Here we are now waiting for somebody,
When somebody is just a phone call away.
You’re somewhere with boats and bright skies
Out talking to the sea with your eyes.
I wonder if I’m caught in those waves?
These days are too short and these nights last forever.
I woke up last night after twelve,
The telephone it rang and hung up.
For a moment I thought it was you,
But I guess it doesn’t matter, I didn’t get there in time.
(Chorus)
I wrote a letter to an old friend;
I told her of my new place out here.
I laughed when I came to the part
When I’m supposed to mention that I’ve fallen in love.
I think I turned the corner today,
Or at least I started walking that way.
It’s not that you hurt me so much,
It’s just hard to ignore you and I’m not fond of regret.
(Chorus)
I’m saving my time. I’m saving my time. I’m saving my time for you.
(Repeat 1st verse)
So Fine Today
Another day before me without sleep; I empty out my pockets and retreat
Back into my place out here between so far and few, so far from you.
I look at little memories in frames that live upon my shelves next to the names
Of Hemingway and Philip Roth beside E. Annie Proulx, right next to you.
There’s one more sip of coffee in my cup I swallow down although it keeps me up,
And now, I’ll toss and turn and twist myself way down too low, way down I’ll go.
But before I start to hear those screams please let me take a minute in between
To sing along with Martin Sexton on my stereo.
And then I’ll need a little sin to make my weekend.
I could use a little sun to make my day.
Hey, I’d rather get caught looking behind me than to watch you turn away.
I need a pair of socks for my bare feet.
I could use a little lovin’between my sheets.
But otherwise I’m doing fine today.
So fine today. So Fine Today.
I wander through the streets with my head hanging down, counting cigarettes butts there out on the ground,
Pretending that I didn’t hear a voice ask me for change. Why can’t I change?
Because there’s too much smoke polluting my thin air; I wish it were okay for me to care
Without my government telling me my thoughts are strange; it’s such a shame.
Oh well, I guess by now I’ve thought enough, I think I’ll grab a six-pack of good stuff
To drink before I go out and get turned all upside-down, out on this town.
With people, places, parties, pretty girls, there never are enough left in this world.
But at least there’s always plenty of beer to go around.
(Chorus)
I wake up late and check the time, it’s getting past 9:30 again.
I comb my hair and rush outside; I’m not waiting for this day to begin.
There’s an empty spot in the parking lot where that little car of yours used to be.
There’s an empty space I call my heart, hey, why did you have to take it from me?
Why did you have to take it from me?
Why did you have to take it from me?
Another day before me without sleep, I empty out my pockets and retreat
Back into my place out here between so far and few, so far from you.
These dusty little memories in frames are all that I have left of what became
Another time I thought I’d find a place like you.
(Chorus)
Haight Street Blues
Bus stop morning glory, don’t hit me with the blues.
I see the same lame story breaking in the news.
Am I up too early? Was I up too late?
I know my destination just isn’t worth the wait.
Carelessness and colors, sidewalks filled with lovers.
Denim jeans and perfume queens are only meant for others.
I read a sign in passing but don’t know what it was asking.
Dirty hands on broken men are impressions everlasting.
So maybe it might be time for a change.
Yesterday’s temptations just won’t let me go.
My eyes say ‘yes’ but my head is trying to say ‘no’.
Fallacies and fantasies are making up my mind.
A few days up ahead of me are taking up my sweet time.
Lights bright rosy red turning into one.
Scarlet ruminations up there burning like the sun.
Make a moment change, slow it down and rearrange.
Silence speaks in shadows from the corners up to the stage.
So maybe it might be time for a change.
For a change. For a change. For a change.
There’s consequence upon your face; I hear some sorrow in your voice.
Innocence can’t be replaced but maybe you can fill that void.
New smiles and some phone calls; long letters and replies.
Loveliness is dancing slowly in the shades of your dark eyes.
I’m causing a commotion and I’m making quite a stir.
I’m trying to think about you; I’ve forgotten about her.
I’m contemplating geography and every mile in between.
I think I’m on the other side now, baby, and this grass is getting green, green, green.
So maybe it might be time for a change.
For a change. For a change. For a change
Farewell
Lately I’ve been counting my days holding my wishes changing my ways trying to take it slow. Maybe I won’t figure this out and I’ll spend my time locked up in doubt I guess you’ll never now. There’s enough temptation going around there’s too much lost may never get found or so they tell me so. There’s a time to show and a time to tell there’s still time to wish each other well before it’s time to go before it’s time to go say farewell. Say farewell. There’s a cat in the cradle been crying all night he’s losing the battle but winning the fight he keeps coming back for more. The cards on the table the deal has been made the check’s in the mail and the bills are all paid let’s even up the score. We’ll count those chickens one-two three two birds in the bush are enough for me you never can be sure. Well an eye for an eye makes the world go blind so open up the book and maybe you’ll find a little less is more. A little less is more. Say farewell farewell farewell my little lover. Say farewell farewell farewell my love. Now don’t try to be complacent don’t try to be cool don’t try to be courageous you’ll look like a fool tomorrow’s another day. I’ll get myself on track and stick to the plan I’ve got a few good hearts left in my hand I just can’t throw away. I’ll tell you where I’ve been when I come upon the end it’s not over ‘til it’s over so I’ll try and try again it never is too late. I’ll pick up where I left off and take a moment for my thoughts I’ll pull myself together before I pay the cost and start again today. I’ll start again today and say farewell farewell farewell farewell my love say farewell farewell farewell my love. I’m low low low. Low low low. I’m low la low la low la low la low la low la low la low la low low low low low low I’m low la low la low low low low. And by my own admission I’m to blame for this condition so fill my glass until it’s half full. I’ll meet you there tomorrow and we’ll drink away our sorry or at least until we get our fill. But if the last call comes too soon in the bright lights of this saloon and we realize that the truth must be told. We’ll pack up our old regrets and grab our jackets and our vests and we’ll finish off these drinks and go home. I said we’ll finish off these drinks and go home home home and say farewell farewell farewell my little lover. Say farewell farewell farewell my little lover. Say farewell farewell farewell farewell farewell I said farewell my lover. Say farewell farewell farewell farewell farewell I said farewell my lover. Don’t say farewell my love. My little love. My little love.
Shane Papatolicas (Sep 5, 2006)