Lyrics

THE STARS, IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY © 2024 THE STETSON FAMILY

THE STARS, IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY (written by Andrew Carswell, Nadine Budge)

That long silver train cuts through the desert sand like the blade of a Mexican knife

The scorpion’s tail reaches over its head to greet its first kill for the night

The coyote’s howl chills you to the bone, stays with you ‘til it’s time to wake

The man at the station he’s checking his wrist, he’s worrying that train might be late

 

And the sun keeps on burning, the moon sits on the river bend

And the stars, if you look closely, can guide you to your journey’s end

 

The shadows are long across the desert sand

As the dawn breaks the spell of the night

That man at the station, he lets out a sigh

As that long desert train, oh it comes into sight

 

And the sun keeps on burning, the moon sits on the river bend

And the stars, if you look closely, can guide you to your journey’s end

 

And the sun keeps on burning, the moon sits on the river bend

And the stars, if you look closely, can guide you to your journey’s end

 

THE OTHER SIDE (written by John Bartholomeusz, Nadine Budge)

I rode my horse to Bordertown just as fast as he could run

But I could not get there fast enough to avoid the sheriff’s gun

Then they laid me on my horse’s back while my life-blood flowed away

‘Til the doctor pulled the bullet out and sent us on our way

 

Then they led me to the courthouse and threw me in a cell

Whiel the judge passed down his verdict, he sentenced me to hell

And now I’m staring at the gallows while the hangman takes his fee

And he’s testing out his trapdoor so that everyone could see

 

But I will rise where I am fallen, I will swim the sea so wide

Where my true love will be waiting when I make the other side

I will rise where I am fallen, I will swim the sea so wide

Where my true love will be waiting when I make the other side

 

Well, they tried their best to hang me but the trapdoor would not drop

Three times I’m left there standing ‘til the judge cried “hold, enough”

If three times the noose is tightened and three times she does not hang

Then her crimes must all be pardoned for that’s the law of this proud land

 

I will rise where I am fallen, I will swim the sea so wide

Where my true love will be waiting when I make the other side

I will rise where I am fallen, I will swim the sea so wide

Where my true love will be waiting when I make the other side

 

I will rise where I am fallen, I will swim the sea so wide

Where my true love will be waiting when I make the other side

 

DOLLAR IN MY HAND (written by John Bartholomeusz)

It’s 1967, the devil’s on the loose

The dogs are closing in now and you’re staring at the noose

He’s comin’ for your daughters, he’s comin’ for your sons

So mother check your oven ‘cause he’s comin’ for your buns

 

Oh I’ve tried and I’ve tried but I cannot be satisfied

This life is killing me, there ain’t nowhere to hide

Oh I am what I am, so catch me if you can

I’ll be gone by tomorrow, with a dollar in my hand

 

Be sure to rub your horseshoe and stroke your rabbit’s claw

That nasty scrap of vermin’s gonna help you out for sure

You’ll find him in the boardroom, find him at the track

He’s waiting at the crossroads with a banjo on his back

 

Oh I’ve tried and I’ve tried but I cannot be satisfied

This life is killing me, there ain’t nowhere to hide

I am what I am, so catch me if you can

I’ll be gone by tomorrow

 

I’ve tried and I’ve tried but I cannot be satisfied

This life is killing me, I’m burning up inside

I am what I am, so catch me if you can

I’ll be gone by tomorrow

 

Oh I’ve tried and I’ve tried but I cannot be satisfied

 

LONESOME VALLEY (written by John Bartholomeusz)

At the tender age of 18 years I left my family home

Drawn to the city like water to the moon

Where I’m waiting tables 9 to 5

Pulling beers at night

Closing time could never come too soon

 

Yeah, I started at the bottom and worked my way back down

Living on the outer limits of my pay

All my dreams were like the cargo ships I could see from off the bridge

Close enough until they sailed away

To my country friends, I’m living out the dream

But the high life isn’t always what it seems

 

Oh Lonesome Valley, I’m coming back to die in your arms

Mumma come on down anddrag me out of this ol’ town

Turn your wheels around and take me home

 

On the streets of the city my dreams were bought and sold

But in the end it led back to the fold

 

Oh Lonesome Valley, I’m coming back to die in your arms

So mumma come on down, drag me out of this ol’ town

Turn your wheels around, yeah, turn your wheels around,

Turn your wheels around and take me –

Oh Lonesome Valley, I’m coming back to die in your arms

So mumma come on down, drag me out of this ol’ town

Yeah, turn your wheels around, turn your wheels around,

Turn your wheels around and take me home

 

NIGHTFALL (Instrumental) (written by Nadine Budge)

‘Dusk, the onset of night…….the time when the sun gives in to the night sky’

 

BETTER LEFT UNSAID (written by Nadine Budge)

Trouble on my mind, trouble in my head

A bottle of gin by my side

Wishing it was you instead

And these thoughts keeps going round inside my head

They were better left unsaid

 

Lost myself in you, now my world keeps spinning round

When I look up to the sky, all the stars they’re upside

And your words keep going round inside my head

Yeah, they were better left unsaid

 

I wish you’d never said those things to me, put those notions in my head, Made me open up my heart to you

Yeah, they were better unsaid

‘Cause now you’re not here in my bed

Telling me it’s me and not her instead

Telling me it’s me and not her instead

Telling me it’s me and not her…..instead

 

I wish you’d never said those things to me, put those notions in my head

Made my me open up my heart to you

Yeah, they were better left unsaid

‘Cause now you’re not here in my bed

Telling me it’s me and not her instead

Telling me it’s me and not her instead

Telling me it’s me and not her instead

Telling me it’s me and not her….instead

 

HEADING WEST (written by John Bartholomeusz)

Winter’s set in hard upon this city

Morning came with 10 degrees of frost

Cars are sliding off the motorway

I’ve heard several lives may be lost

 

I’m freezing alone in my apartment

Ever since that old heater’s broken down

My teeth are chattering like a typewriter

But pretty soon I won’t be around

 

‘Cause I’m goin’ where the cold don’t rattle my bones

Goin’ where the sun always shines

I have enough of the trials of a poor girl

Heading west to the end of the line

 

There’s wildcats howling in the alley

There’s a baby crying out in vain

There’s black crows laughing as they fly away

I wanna fly, fly away like them

 

So farewell to my friends in this high-rise

I know you’re doing it hard

Oh how I wish that I could take you all with me

But I’ll be sure to send a postcard

 

‘Cause I’m goin’ where the cold don’t rattle my bones

Goin’ where the sun always shines

I have enough of the trials of a poor girl

Heading west to the end of the line

 

‘Cause I’m goin’ where the cold don’t rattle my bones

Goin’ where the sun always shines

I have enough of the trials of a poor girl

Heading west to ease my mind

 

So farewell to my friends in this high-rise

I know you’re doing it hard

Oh how I wish that I could take you all with me

But I’ll be sure to send a postcard

 

BROTHER (written by Nadine Budge)

If that train don’t pull into your station

And you can’t get there no matter how you try

Ain’t got no ticket, you keep comin’ up empty-handed

Brother, I’ll be right there by your side,

I’ll be right there, right there by your side

 

If that ship sets sail without you

And you’re left stranded starin’ out to sea

If that old south wind it starts a’blowin’

Brother, you can always count on me

You can always, always count on me

 

Brother, don’t get down-hearted

Brother, don’t give in to despair

Brother, I’ve got you covered

Just call my name, and, Brother, I’ll be there, I’ll be there

….Brother

 

 

Brother, don’t get down-hearted

Brother, don’t give in to despair

Brother, I’ve got you covered

Just call my name, and, Brother, I’ll be there, I’ll be there….

 

Don’t get down-hearted, my brother, I’ll be there…I’ll be there

Just call my name, I’ll be there.

 

 

ANGEL’S HAND (Written by Andrew Carswell, Nadine Budge, John Bartholomeusz)

I’ve never seen the sky so blue, I’ve never seen such light

I’ve never seen a bird sit and sing at the end of a lonesome flight

I never knew when I woke today I’d touch an angel’s hand

I never knew I’d stand on rock, instead of the shifting sand

 

I’ve never seen an ocean wave break with mane so white

I’ve never seen the sands on the shore gleam and shine so bright

 

I never knew when I woke today I’d touch an angel’s hand

I never knew I’d stand on rock, instead of the shifting sand

 

I’ve never seen a tree stand tall and reach out for the sun

I’ve never seen the grass so green or heard an old river run

 

I never knew when I woke today I’d touch an angel’s hand

I never knew I’d stand on rock, instead of the shifting sand

 

I’ve never seen a baby’s smile light up all of the world

I’ve never seen anything as pure in the form of a baby girl

 

I never knew when I woke today I’d touch an angel’s hand

I never knew I’d stand on rock, instead of the shifting sand

 

MAKE ME ASHES (written by Nadine Budge)

When it’s time to meet my maker, come the fire or the hole

Please undertaker make me ashes, I won’t need my body, just free my soul

Mm’hm.

 

Then take a handful of my ashes, go out east far as you can go

Cast me to the deep blue yonder when that ol’ wind starts to blow

Mm’hm

 

When the full moon’s on the horizon rising yellow as can be

Take a handful of my ashes and cast me to the deep blue sea

Mm’hm

 

When it’s time to meet my maker, come the fire or the hole

Please undertaker make me ashes, I won’t need my body, just free my soul

Mm’hm, yeah just free my soul.

 

MAMA’S GONNA TAKE YOU HOME (written by John Bartholomeusz)

Wake up baby, it’s light outside

If we don’t get movin’ we’ll miss our ride

I’ve seen seven wonders everywhere I roam

One more day on the road, my friend, and this big adventure it’s gotta end

So come on daddy, mumma’s gonna take you home

 

They set us down in the centre of town

We pan-handled til’ the sun went down

It’s hard, like getting blood from a stone

Find a doorway away from the street light

And bring that bottle, it’s a chilly night

So come on daddy, mumma’s gonna take you home

 

We rode the bus from coast to coast

Trains and planes and fishing boats,

And I’ve seen trouble everywhere I roam

So now we spend every evenin’ at the local bar

Talkin’ ‘bout movin’ but we don’t get far

So come on daddy, mumma’s gonna take you home

 

Well, that dog pulled into the centre of town

We pan-handle ‘til the sun went down

Hell it’s hard, like getting blood from a stone

So now we spend every evenin’ at the local bar

Talkin’ ‘bout movin’ but we don’t get far

So come on daddy, mumma’s gonna take you home

 

Well, we rode the bus from coast to coast

Trains and planes and fishing boats

I’ve seen trouble everywhere I roam, yeah

Now we spend every evenin’ at the local

Talkin’ ‘bout movin’ but we don’t get far

So come on daddy, mumma’s gonna take you home

Yeah, come on daddy, mumma’s gonna take you

Get a move on daddy, mumma’s gonna take you home

Whoa whoa whoa

Whoa whoa whoa

Whoa whoa whoa

 

TRUE NORTH © 2015 THE STETSON FAMILY

Hey Bartender (Nadine Budge, John Bartholomeusz, Andrew Carswell)

Chorus

Bartender pour me a strong one

I got me a pocket full of cash

This race it ain’t gonna be a long one

Gonna be more like a 50-yard dash

 

From Monday to Friday I never see the sun

I’m working my fingers to the bone

And when the week is over gonna cut myself loose

Gonna ride it hard until the weekend’s gone

 

Chorus

 

Gonna find me a bar that never closes down

I’m gonna go where I can go get gone

With like-minded people with minds just like mine

Gonna pull me an all-nighter all night long

 

I feel like I’ve died and gone to heaven

I hope this night of glory never ends

We’re emptying our pockets for one more round

For me and all my like-minded friends

 

Gonna find me a bar that never closes down

I’m gonna go where I can go get gone

With like-minded people with minds just like mine

Gonna pull me an all-nighter all night long

 

Last Chorus

Hey! Bartender make mine a double

I just found a tenner on the floor

I know I’m heading for trouble

They’re gonna have to pour me out the…

 

Bartender pour me a strong one

I got me a pocket full of cash

This race it ain’t gonna be a long one

Gonna be more like a fifty yard dash

 

Run Daddy Run (Nadine Budge)

Chorus

Run daddy run, mama’s got the gun

Run daddy run, mama’s got the gun

‘Cause she knows what you have done

 

If I were you I’d get out of town

Head for the hills before the sun goes down

Before the sun goes down

 

Get down on your knees and pray for your soul

‘Cause that look in her eyes would make your blood run cold

It will make your blood run cold

 

Chorus

 

You swore on your life you’d turn back the tide

But time after time you left mama dyin’ inside

She was dyin’ inside

 

Chorus

 

Every Second Beat of my Heart (Nadine Budge, Bree Hartley)

He sits in his old chair just counting the hours till its light

No, these days he don’t sleep much, he knows he’s on borrowed time

When he looks at her picture his mind wanders off to the past

And he knows it’s not long till he sees his beloved at last

 

From the moment he saw her he knew that she’d stolen his heart

And they never broke the promise they made, ‘til death do us part

And he swore on his children he’d love her with all his might

Now he’s alone in his old chair just waiting on the first light

 

Chorus

Have I been a good, have I been a good man

Tried to never do you wrong right from the start

And I knew I’d always love you

As if you were every second beat of my heart

 

Now the days of the week they don’t mean much to him any more

Now his minds an old movie that plays over the scenes from before

Before she left his world and left him without his best friend

But he wouldn’t have her back ‘cause he couldn’t bear to lose her again

 

Chorus

 

Lover Where You Going (John Bartholomeusz)

Chorus

Lover, where you goin’ now?

When the grape is on the vine

You’re off to play a show in town

Or some such waste of time

Lover, where you goin’ now?

I see your bags are packed

Your heart is on the easy road

And you ain’t comin’ back

 

Take a look at this farmhouse

We built with our own hands

With a couple of extra rooms

For the family we had planned

 

Take a look at these photographs

You hung up on the wall

We fit together like a hand in a glove

Until the highway called

A familiar stranger called

 

Flash forward to Saturday night

You’re playin’ in the big saloon

Trading shots with the city boys

Sleepin’ in someone’s room

 

Take a last long look at this farmhouse

That couldn’t hold you down

When the seasons turn and the crops come in

You’re nowhere to be found

You just ain’t the settlin’ kind

 

Man And A Pretty Gal (Andrew Carswell)

Chorus

What is it with a man and a pretty gal?

What is it with a man and a pretty gal?

He gets on the bus to heaven but he winds up gettin` off in Hell.

 

Well I had a friend he said he was in love,

I had a friend he told me he was in love,

Now he`s standing on a ledge and he`s waiting for a shove.

 

Chorus

 

I had a friend he was head over heels,

I had a friend in love head over heels,

Well she stole his heart, stole his guns and stole his wheels.

 

Chorus

 

Well I had a friend he was so infatuated,

I had a friend he was infatuated,

Well they found him in a ditch in his own blood saturated.

 

Chorus

 

Billy 4 (Bob Dylan)

There’s guns across the river about to pound you
There’s a lawman on your trail he’d like to surround you
Bounty hunters are dancing all around you
Billy, they don’t like you to be so free.

 

Playing around with some sweet signorita
Into her dark chamber she will greet you
In the shadows of the mesa she will lead you
Billy, and you’re going all alone.

 

They say that Pat Garrett’s got your number
So sleep with one eye open, when you slumber
‘Cause every little sound just might be thunder
Thunder from the barrel of his gun.

 

So hang on to your woman, if you got one
Remember in El Paso once you shot one
And up in Santa Fe one time you bought one
Billy, and you’re goin’ all alone.

 

Gypsy queens will play your grand finale
Way down in some Tularosa alley
Maybe in La Rio Pecas valley
Billy, you’re so far away from home
Billy, you’re so far away from home

 

Travelin’ Man (Nadine Budge)

All my life I’ve been a travelin’ man

I’ve never had a home

Had no front door to cross through

No bed to call my own

See my daddy was a drinkin’ man

A heart as cold as steel

And my mama not too far behind

He kept her down at heel

 

My brothers and sister haven’t seen since I was five

And I wonder what they look like now

Or if they’re still alive

This picture I carry all faded with time

Is all I have of my childhood

And that family of mine

 

Chorus

So now the sky is my blanket

The moon is my light

And this riverbank it gently rocks me at night

The trees tell me stories and kiss me goodnight

And I dream of my mama’s arms holding me tight

 

I left the home and joined the railways

Rode those rails for twenty years

Took up drinkin’ like my daddy

To drown out all my fears

But no amount of whisky

Can wash away the tears

And give me back those years

That family of mine

 

So now the sky is my blanket

The moon is my light

And this riverbank it gently rocks me at night

The trees tell me stories and kiss me goodnight

And I dream of my mama’s arms holding me tight

 

Top Of the Mountain (John Bartholomeusz, Andrew Carswell)

Set off down the highway

Never had a plan

Never had a problem

Never gave a damn

Never thought about the past

Or what I’m runnin’ from

Never thought of nothin’

I just wanted to be gone

 

Chorus

‘Cause it’s a long way to the top of the mountain

Far away from where I been

I’ll take the fast train to the top of the mountain

Where I’ll lie with my sweetheart again

Where I’ll lie with my sweetheart again

 

Found a town that’s nothing like

The one I left behind

Found a lowdown smoky bar

Lowdown smoky wine

Found myself entangled

Between two fightin’ men

Found myself in prison

Doing five to ten

 

I’m not looking for someone else to blame

And I got no desire for fortune or for fame

Take me back there to the one that loves me still

And let me hear that train whistle coming up the hill

 

Don’t Look Back (Andrew Carswell)

Chorus

Don’t look back, you’ll just see me ridin’

To the western sky

The moon will be low and the tumbleweeds blowin’

And you’ll be askin’ why

 

You said our love would last forever

I think we was in your bed

You said it was like that vase of flowers

But honey, they’re already dead

 

You said the moon and stars were nothin’

Compared to our life

I said somethin’ sweet and it started you cryin’

But it’s the same thing I told my wife

 

Now I’m no good, but there’s plenty worser

There’s people that kill and maim

I cheat and I lie and I don’t know why

But honey, it’s all just a game

 

Haunted Hills (Nadine Budge)

Brother don’t go, brother don’t go

Into the Haunted Hills

 

‘Cause old Jack Quidon, he’s 97

But he remembers the date way back in ‘38

It was the 15^th of May, and to this very day

No-one can say what took Old Diamond away

 

Chorus

So brother don’t go to the hills tonight

There’s a ghost on the wind and somethin’ ain’t right

There’s a howl in the trees, I’m beggin’ you please

Don’t go to the Haunted Hills

 

Then six years later there’s young Jimmy Slater

Had a newspaper round in the very next town

He waved to his mother, said I’ll be home by supper

Rode off up the track – and he never came back

 

Chorus

 

There’s rumours around about a man leaving town

The story’s been told he went out huntin’ gold

Now his horse can be seen runnin’ hungry and mean

Through them old hills at night when the moon’s shinin’ bright

 

Chorus

 

Let It Ride (Nadine Budge)

Been driftin’ away, further every day

I never knew we’d be so far apart

And it hurts me to say I’m sorry I can’t stay

But I can’t take what you’re doing with my heart

 

And I don’t know where I’m goin’

Just further each day, and there’s nothing more to say

As the wind it blows me every which way

 

Been sinkin’ like a stone, been drinkin’ all alone

Blowin’ smoke-rings to the chill night air

Now I’m on this road alone and I don’t know where I’m goin’

But I tell myself that I don’t need to care

 

And I don’t care where I’m goin’

Just further each day, there’s nothin’ more to say

As this road it takes me every which way

 

But I’ll just let it ride

As day gives in to night

Yeah, let these feelings slide

Yeah, I’ll just let it ride

I’ll just let it ride

I’ll just let it ride

 

Chorus

‘Cause I got to go for my heart’s sake

We’re like a storm that will not break

And there’s no time left to bide

So I’ll just let it ride

I’ll just let it ride

I’ll just let it ride

 

How Mountain Girls Can Love (Carter Stanley)

Chorus

Get out boys, go back home

Back to the girl you love

Treat her right, never wrong

That’s how mountain girls can love

 

Ridin’ alone on the high cold hills

On the trail of the old lonsome pine

Thinkin’ of you, feelin’ so blue

Wonderin’ why I left you behind

 

Remember the night we walked down the lane

Our hearts were gay and happy then

You whispered to me as I held you close

We wished that night would never end