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| Everlasting Shining Peace of Mind |  | | Words: Dennis Johnson, Music: Steve Turner | | | This was song number one really - the first attempt made at our own brand of skiffle tune. Knocked out in one afternoon at Den's flat in Camden, rehearsed at the back of the Opera House and in the busking set all in the space of a couple of days. It became our anthem eventually, and summed up the spirit of the band - whatever else the Gutter Brothers was, it was always fun. It was also quite a personal statement by Den, the words aren't as upbeat as they first may seem… | | I’m leaving on the early train, the first one at the station
Find a place to sit me down and run things through my mind,
Another job, another town, an unknown destination,
Another dingy rooming house, somewhere down the line. | | All I ever wanted was a reason to be happy,
Happiness can be so hard to find.
All I ever needed was for you to get to know me,
Everlasting shining peace of mind. | | I’m tired of fighting for the things you often take for granted,
I’m tired of all the cheap talk in the bar rooms and saloons,
I’m heading out for pastures new where the eagle rules the canyon,
Down below the mesa, grow some scars upon my wounds. | | All I ever wanted was a reason to be happy,
Happiness can be so hard to find.
All I ever need was for you to get to know me,
Everlasting shining peace of mind. | | I’m leaving here to find somewhere that holds no false illusion,
Illusions are like promises, the same old hollow ring,
I’m leaving here for anywhere that offers me seclusion,
Live below the mountains, watch the eagle on the wing. | | All I ever wanted was a reason to be happy,
Happiness can be so hard to find.
All I ever needed was for you to get to know me,
Everlasting shining peace of mind. |
| Girl For Granted | | | Words: Tony Green, Music: Jeff Walker | | | One of very few lyrics Tony wrote for the GBs, and a fine bit of work it is too. This was originally a Frank song which we boogified for the street and the Tea Chest. It was also recorded for the 'Lost' Album with Jon Cleary adding some fabulous piano, and once again for the Gone to the Dogs album. Great tune from Jeff too - they should've written together more often! | | I once had a woman, she treated me too kind
I took her for granted, I thought that she’d always be mine
But now I’m a loner, I don’t like being by myself
The kind of love I’m looking for I can’t find with nobody else
Boy don’t take your girl for granted
Boy why don’t you listen to me
Boy don’t take your girl for granted
‘Cos you don’t know a good thing till it’s gone | | She won’t come running and begging for your time
But soon she’ll be leaving, leaving your hard head behind
And then you’ll be crying, but your tears will all be in vain
‘Cos once she walks out that door she ain’t coming back again
Boy don’t take your girl for granted
Boy why don’t you listen to me
Boy don’t take your girl for granted
‘Cos you don’t know a good thing till it’s gone |
| Where You Should Be | | | Words: Dennis Johnson, Music: Chris Cawte and Jeff Walker | | The sun sets on our time together and sunrise brings its own despair
Waking up with eyes half open and finding you're no longer there
You used to break my concentration, interrupt my train of thought
You tried to get my attention just so you could hear me talk
And this is all that's left of me, I'm passing into history
I only have the memory to fill the space where you should be | | I can't help but think about you but I don't want you on my mind
A love designed to keep you from me, is there any other kind?
I'll never sleep again without you, I'll never change those scented sheets
What better way to keep you with me, the echo of your heart still beats
And this is all that's left of me, I've passed into obscurity
There's nothing left at home to see except the space where you should be | | The sun sets on our time together and sunrise brings tears to my eyes
And though I knew you would be leaving, still it took me by surprise
And this is all that's left of me, I'm passing into history
I only have the memory to fill the space where you should be
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| History | | | Words: Dennis Johnson, Chris Cawte and Tony Green, Music: Chris Cawte | | There's a ruckus in the tower, there's a fracas going down
Sounds like bloody murder for the sceptre and the crown
And those lifeless suits of armour just sit around and grin
As the chain of time grows longer they still ain't said a thing | | But that's alright sugar cos you're talking to the king
I'll lock 'em up and throw away the key
And when they all come looking for those two lost little boys
They'll just be part of history | | Moses on the mountain found some tablets made of stone
He started hearing voices though he knew he was alone
I made a list of all the things you should and shouldn't do
Now go and tell your people I gave the law to you | | He led his people out of bondage but some got left behind
They idolised a golden effigy
But that burning bush commanded that he keep those dudes in line
And leave the rest to history | | The KKK is gathering at a mission down the street
It's a good day for a lynching, strange fruit swinging from the tree
But that dumb shit redneck attitude don't cut it any more
Once they've served their servitude they'll be knocking on your door | | And down in Louisiana crosses burn with southern shame
In Florida and good ol' Tennessee
The reverend Martin Luther told the world about his dream
And marched right into history | | All this history stuff is just like jazz to me
It's comic and it's tragic and it's wierd as can be
But it's just a reflection as far as I can see
Of mankind's misfortunes, historically | | And it's always the bad guys who make history first
And bad girls come second but good girls come last
I guess it's just a matter of priority
Who gets to be the baddest cat in history
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| Can't Sing Those Love Songs Anymore | | | Words: Dennis Johnson, Music: Steve Turner and Chris Cawte | | I've always had the greatest respect for you girl
And I know you've always kept the faith with me
But a country singer's life is spent sleeping at the wheel
And you know how hard that can be
I've been to every county fair on both sides of the border
I've been to every rodeo you'd care to name
I've played guitar and sung my songs, the ones I can remember
But now those songs all sound the same | | Cos singing is the only thing that I know babe
It's the only thing I really know for sure
But every song took a tool on me babe
And I can't sing those love songs any more | | I've seen cowboys break their bones just to make a living
I've seen hobos hopping trains from town to town
But I've never wanted anything that anyone was giving
And now I'm just sitting here, kicking dust around | | Cos singing is the only thing that I know babe
It's the only thing I really know for sure
But every song took a tool on me babe
And I can't sing those love songs any more |
| The Spoiler | | | Words: Dennis Johnson, Music: Steve Turner and Chris Cawte | | I’m going to spoil your day, I’m going to spoil your night
And the way you feel when you feel alright
Spoil your wedding and your honeymoon too
Spoil everything that you ever do
I’m the spoiler baby, and I’m spoiling for something to do. | | I’m going to spoil you wicked, spoil you bad
Spoil you with things that you never had
Spoil you with love and make you blush
Spoil you rotten then get caught in the rush
I’m the spoiler baby, and I’m spoiling for trouble with you. | | Well I spoiled everything that I ever touched
‘Cos it all fell apart in my hand
I’m the spoiler who once turned gold into rust
Like a mountain turns into sand | | Spoil your coffee, spoil your tea
And all the programs on your colour TV
Spoil the plans that you made in advance
Spoil your chances with the wild romance
I’m the spoiler baby, and I’m spoiling to spoil things for you. | | | I’m the spoiler baby, spoiling for trouble with you. |
| Shout | | | Words: Dennis Johnson, Music: Chris Cawte and Jeff Walker | | Why don't you stop and listen, just stay in one position
Why don't you stop and hear me out?
Put your tongue into suspension and give me your attention
Just so I don't have to shout | | You raise your hand at me and dismiss me with a wave
Turn your back and slam the door before I've had my say
I've reasoned with you but you're giving me no choice
Knowing that I've lost again as you make me raise my voice | | You say this thing ain't working but you've done all the talking
Something that you should think about
You can't hear a word I'm saying with that background music playing
Turn it down so I don't have to shout | | You raise your hand at me and dismiss me with a wave
Turn your back and slam the door before I've had my say
I've reasoned with you but you're giving me no choice
Knowing that I've lost again as you make me raise my voice | | Your behaviour is outlandish, it's pointless and it's childish
Why can't we work this out?
Don't bother with those dishes, let me smother you with kisses
Just so I don't have to shout |
| Gone To The Dogs | | | Words and Music: Chris Cawte | | | Chris the cartoon cowboy! | | I bought a whole herd of cattle in Texas
A whole pot of lobster in Maine
I went to Arkansas just to see what I could saw
I stomped up to Dakota and I stomped right back again
I wandered out west in Wyoming, I traded in buffalo hides
I gave the shirt off my back for this old Cadillac
And my horse came along for the ride | | We headed down south to the border
Drove across Texas for days
I found some old rock and roll on that old car radio
I couldn't hear a thing that my horse tried to say
We got pretty wrecked on Tequila, stumbled in the gutter at dawn
We both fell asleep, two old drunks in a heap
But when I woke up my partner had gone | | You can search high and low for a lover
You can walk round the world for a friend
But a life with no steed is so lonesome indeed
A heart in little pieces is a heart that won't mend
He called from a bar in Toledo, saying 'give my regards to the hogs'
Now me and my horse are getting divorced
And my whole life has gone to the dogs |
| Mister Nasty | | | Words: Dennis Johnson and Tony Green, Music: Steve Turner and Chris Cawte | | | Written for and about Warren Clarke's character in Gone To The Dogs, Larry | | He believes in no-one, no-one believes in him
His fat face always wears a sneer or a stupid looking grin
He made a pile on videos but never pays his tax
His taste is what he's proud of but it's one thing that he lacks
Here comes Mr Nasty, if you want to know just ask me
If it's low don't put it past me, look out for Mr Nasty | | He has no table manners, a bit short on etiquette
As an after dinner speaker he's the cheapest you can get
His credentials have turned rusty and his standing has gone limp
But the bastard can get nasty when he's had too much to drink
Here comes Mr Nasty, if you want to know just ask me
If it's low don't put it past me, look out for Mr Nasty | | He's as charmless as a river rat, and as loveable I'm told
But he says all the women think he's worth his weight in gold
And at the massage parlour where the ladies know him well
He's known as Larry Blubberguts to all the clientele
Here comes the man himself and it's very plain to see
He isn't in the best of health, he's a bar stool casualty
Here comes the man himself grotesque and out of shape
Like a lump of bloated sausage meat well past its sell by date
Here comes Mr Nasty, if you want to know just ask me
If it's low don't put it past me, look out for Mr Nasty |
| Runaway Train | | | Words: Dennis Johnson, Music: Steve Turner | | On and on out of control
This rolling stock is on the roll
Metal on metal those sparks fly high
Burning up the trees as it passes by | | The signal man don’t know what to do
Waves his flag and his lantern too
Pulls the switch but it ain’t no use
This train ain’t stopping it’s coming on through | | Sometimes I feel like a runaway train
I got a fire in my belly but my smokestack has blown
Heading for collision with the buffer zone
Sometimes I feel like a runaway train | | On and on and down the line
This runaway train is gonna be on time
Better stand back on platform one
It’s picking up speed like a bullet from a gun | | The signal light turns to red from green
But there ain’t no stopping this runaway train
It’s got a mind of it’s own and it’s on the loose
That’s the engine and the box cars and the whole goddamn caboose | | Sometimes I feel like a runaway train
I got a head full of steam but my whistlestack has blown
I’m on a one way ride into the great unknown
Sometimes I feel like a runaway train | | Choo choo choo and clackety clack
It’s just a matter of time before we run out of track
You better clang on that klaxon and ring out those bells
I’ve got a hundred tons of loco and it’s going off the rails | | Signal flare like a shooting star
And if that don’t work then there ain’t no more
But the warning shot has come too late
To save this runaway train from a twisted mangled fate | | Sometimes I feel like a runaway train
I got a fire in my belly and my smokestack has blown
Heading for collision with the buffer zone | | Sometimes I feel like a runaway train
I got a head full of steam but my whistlestack has blown
I’m on a one way ride into the great unknown
Sometimes I feel like a runaway train |
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