Lyrics: The River In Reverse
From ElvisCostello
On Your Way Down
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Sunrise
Sunset
Since the beginning it hasn't changed yet
People fly high begin to lose sight
You can't see very clearly when you're in flight
It's high time that you found
The same people you misuse on your way up
You might meet up
On your way down
Vintage wines from the year '62
It's your thing, it's your thing
It pleases you
You got to frown when you cross town
You think it's an honor just to have you around
It's high time that you found
The same dudes you misuse on your way up
You might meet up
On your way down
You think the sun rises and sets for you
But the same sun rises, sets and shines
On the poor folks too
I don't mind you turning round
I myself would even like a little higher ground
It's high time that you found
The same people you walk on on your way up
You might meet up
On your way down
On your way down
Nearer To You
I may do things you don't understand
But remember I'm only doing the best I can
Every little thing I do
I'm trying to get closer to you
Nearer, nearer...
I'm sorry if I seem a little bit stubborn sometimes
I hope I'm not being a nuisance to you
I know you say that you'd be home soon
I've got to be nearer, nearer to you
Every deed I do
I'm trying to get closer to you
Nearer, nearer...
I know you say that you'd be home soon
I've got to be nearer, nearer to you
I've got to be nearer, nearer to you
I've got to be nearer, nearer to you
Tears, Tears And More Tears
Wake up early in the morning
I got you on my mind
Even a simple phone call would suit me just fine
Tears, tears and more tears
I can't help but keep on crying
Tears, tears and more tears
I can't get you off of my mind
You didn't say what happened
You just walked away
You've been nothing but sorrow
And a lot of rainy days
Tears, tears and more tears
Baby won't you please come home
Tears, tears and more tears
Oh you've been gone too long
I remember the good times
The good times we had
How can you leave all that behind
Like it was just another place you've had
Remember the time when we drank sweet wine
I thought that everything was fine
Remember the walk in the park
When we talked about love and peace of mind?
Remember the night when I held you tight
Let the world pass us by
Remember the day when I heard you say
We can make it if we try
Tears, tears and more tears
What happened to the love we had?
Tears, tears and more tears
I got the blues and I got them bad
Wake up early in the morning
I got you on my mind
Even a simple phone call would suit me just fine
Tears, tears and more tears
I can't help but keep on crying
Tears, tears and more tears
I can't get you off of my mind
Tears, tears and more tears
Baby won't you please come home
Tears, tears and more tears
Oh you've been gone too long
The Sharpest Thorn
I wore my finest suit of clothes
The sharpest thorn defending the rose
Hot as a pistol
Keen as a blade
The sharpest thorn upon parade
And it's the same most every year
Ghosts of the dear departed are near
We raise our glasses and we cheer
Should old acquaintance disappear
Just as we wipe away a tear
Archangel Michael will lead the way
Archangel Gabriel is ready to play
Although we know we must repent
We hit the scene and look for sins
That haven't even been invented
The strongest cage that guards the prize
The longest lash that covers your eyes
A sight no eyes are meant to know
Then on the third day he arose
Archangel Michael will lead the way
Archangel Gabriel is ready to play
Although we know we must repent
We hit the scene and look for sins
That haven't even been invented
So Good and Evil were having a fight
It lasts much longer than any one night
It may last longer than a life
And turn a mistress into a wife
And so confetti fills the air
My head is aching
My pockets are bare
I didn't recognise their warning
Then I wasn't born the sharpest thorn
I wasn't born the sharpest thorn
I wasn't born the sharpest thorn
I wasn't born the sharpest thorn
I wasn't born the sharpest thorn
Who's Gonna Help Brother Get Further?
We may seem happy like everything's alright
But from the outside looking in
Everything's uptight
But deep down inside we're covering up the pain
It's an old thing
It's a soul thing
But it's a real thing
Pray tell what’s gonna happen to brother
Who’s gonna help him get further
One another
One another
There's old dude standing on the corner
Waiting for a fox to pass
The only thing he's got to go by
Is this is where he saw her last
And there's old John, two dollars in his pocket
Talking loud and thinks he's rich
And look for little fool, too cool to go to school
Get a job, in two days he quits
Pray tell what’s gonna happen to brother
Who’s gonna help him get further
One another
Is that the truth?
One another
Yeah, you're right
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Pray tell what’s gonna happen to brother
Who’s gonna help him get further
One another
One another
Mama get up early, early in the morning
Papa's already gone
Going out a-working for half of what he's worth now
You know that it's wrong
What happen to the Liberty Bell I heard so much about?
Did it really ding-dong?
It must have dinged wrong
It didn't ding long
Pray tell what’s gonna happen to brother
Who’s gonna help him get further
One another
Is that the truth?
One another
Yeah, you're right
Mama get up early, early in the morning
Papa's already gone
Working two jobs for half of what he's worth now
You know that it's wrong
What happen to the Liberty Bell I heard so much about?
Did it really ding-dong?
It must have dinged wrong
It didn't ding long
Pray tell what’s gonna happen to brother
Who’s gonna help him get further
One another
Is that the truth?
One another
Yeah, you're right
Pray tell what’s gonna happen to brother
Who’s gonna help him get further
One another
Is that the truth?
One another
Yeah, you're right
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Did it really ding-dong?
It didn't ding long
Did it really ding-dong?
It didn't ding long
The River In Reverse (song)
How long does a promise last?
How long can a lie be told?
What would I take in exchange for my soul?
Would I notice when it was sold?
Wake me up
Wake me up
Wake me up with a slap or a kiss
There must be something better than this
'Cos I don't see how it can get much worse
What do we have to do to send
The river in reverse
Every man a crawling kingsnake
Every girl a half a heartbreak
Every woman sold into shame
To any son without a name
Are your arms too weak to lift?
Another shovel on the graveyard shift
Here comes the flood if you catch my drift
Where the things that they promised are not a gift
If man falls through the mirror of a lake
They fish him out quick and they call him a fake
Give him all the temptations he can take
Tie him up high 'til his bones break
Wake me up
Wake me up
Wake me up with a slap or a kiss
There must be something better than this
'Cos I don't see how it can get much worse
What do we have to do to send
The river in reverse
I thought I heard somebody laugh
Look out your window
They're chasing shadows in the dark
They're counting widows
I felt a sliver of glass
Saw a cross in splinters
I felt the truce of spring
Dig me out of the trench of winter
So count your blessings when they ask permission
To govern with money and superstition
They tell you it's all for your own protection
'Til you fear your own reflection
But the times are passing from illumination
Like bodies falling from a constellation
An uncivil war divides the nation
So erase the tape on that final ape running down creation
Running down creation
Wake me up
Wake me up
Wake me up with a slap or a kiss
There must be something better than this
Wake me up
Wake me up with a slap or a kiss
There must be something better than this
Freedom For The Stallion
Freedom for the stallion
Freedom for the mare and her colt
Freedom for the baby child
Who has not grown old enough to vote.
Lord, have mercy, what you gonna do about the people who are praying to you?
They got men making laws that destroy other men,
They've made money "God"
It's a doggone sin,
Oh, Lord, you got to help us find the way.
Big ship's a-sailing, slaves all chained and bound,
Heading for a brand new land that some cat said he upped and found.
Lord, have mercy, what you gonna do about the people who are praying to you?
They got men making laws that destroy other men,
They've made money "God"
It's a doggone sin.
Oh, Lord, you got to help us find the way.
Some sing a sad song
Some got to moan the blues
Trying to make the best of a home
That the man didn't even get to choose
Lord, have mercy, how you gonna be with people like John and me
They've got men building fences to keep other men out
Ignore him if he whispers and kill him if he shouts
Oh, Lord, you got to help us find the way
Oh, Lord, you got to help them find the way
Oh, Lord, you got to help us find the way.
Broken Promise Land
There's a place
Where words mean nothing or much less
Such a disgrace
We got to get out of this mess
Coming in under the cover of darkness
How high shall we build this wall?
I could've said more but it would've seemed heartless
How hard did I slam that door?
I swore I'd never walk away
Until I saw this day
It didn't turn out the way we planned
Now I'm living in
Broken Promise Land
Broken Promise Land
There's a town I know
Has a strange resemblance to Jericho
Even though
Seven horns are getting ready to blow
Coming in under the cover of darkness
How high shall we build this wall?
Could've said more but it would've seemed heartless
How tight shall we close that door?
They only claimed to be redeemed
They take that name and then blaspheme
It didn't turn out the way we planned
Now I'm living in
Broken Promise Land
Broken Promise Land
There's a place
Where infidels and showgirls meet
Such a disgrace
Wedding bells crumble in the street
Coming in under the cover of darkness
How high shall we build this wall?
I could've said more but it would've seemed heartless
How tight shall we shut that door?
In the name of the Father and the Son
In the name of gasoline and a gun
It didn't turn out the way we planned
Now I'm living in
Broken Promise Land
Broken Promise Land
Ascension Day
Not a soul was stirring
Not a bird was singing, at least not within my hearing
I was five minutes past caring
Standing in the road just staring
Thought I heard somebody pleading
I thought I heard someone apologise
Some fell down weeping
Others shook their fists up at the skies
And those who were left
Seemed to be wearing disguises
Now there's a queen in waiting
Not enough loving and too much hating
For the prince hidden within her man
Always seems to be hesitating
He said, "Let her go, let her go, God bless her"
"She hasn't been gone long enough for me to miss her"
"Except every minute of every hour of every day when I wish I could possess her"
40 days passed by
40 alibis
So carry on... that way
And in time... you'll pay
But we'll all be together
Come Ascension Day
Not a hound was howling
Or whimpering or prowling
Now the wind had departed
Not a leaf was hanging on the tree like when it started
But I know they will return
Like they've never gone away
Come Ascension Day
International Echo
The streets were deserted and the house was dark
Down in the basement there was the faintest spark
Three boys hoping to make their mark
International echo
They said it was nothing but a worthless toy
Sign right here and you can be employed
Woke up startled in the state of joy
International echo
The roof is shaking and the house is ablaze
I've been wide-awake for days
I thought I heard a signal breaking through
And at this distance that is hard to do
Could be seven inches
Could be twelve
Drop the needle on it and let it revolve
I felt a pulse and a drum tattoo
I was just thinking about you
Send out a message and it's sure to rebound
What's that I hear?
What is that sound?
Seems to be coming from under the ground
International echo
It can't be repeated
It can't be resisted
It went out straight and it came back twisted
If you didn't see it then, then you probably missed it
International echo
Must be something in the atmosphere
Let me be your volunteer
I thought I heard a signal coming through
In a language that I never knew
Give me seven inches
Give me twelve
Drop the needle on it and let it revolve
I felt a pulse and a drum tattoo
Even though it was taboo
Solo!
They paid me money for playing pretend
And they said this must be the end
I was just following the popular trend
International echo
Beer from the bottle and wine from the grape
Stood up straight, got bent out of shape
Now I'm just looking for some way to escape
International echo
Everything I said just seems automatic
Radio plays nothing but static
I think that I'm about to flip my lid
My waitress said that she might be my kid
Give me seven inches
Give me twelve
Drop the needle on it and let it revolve
Did you hear me calling you?
'Cos hear I go
International echo
Echo
Solo!
The streets were deserted
The house was dark
Down in the basement there was the faintest spark
Three boys hoping to make their mark
International echo
All These Things
The touch of your lips next to mine
Gets me excited makes me feel fine
The touch of your hand
Your sweet hello
The fire inside you
When you're holding me close
Your love so warm and tender
The thrill is so divine
It is all these things that make you mine
If you should leave me
I surely would die
You started to go
I started to cry
I've got it bad
But that's alright
As long as you're with me every night
Your love so warm and tender
The thrill is so divine
It is all these things that make you mine
If I should live forever
The only thing that I want to do
With all that time
Would be to give forever
All of my love, all my love
To you
Your love so warm and tender
The thrill is so divine
It is all these things that make you mine
Wonder Woman
When I'm down and out she stays by me without a doubt
And if I stumble like I'm gonna fall
She's right there at my beck and call
She's my wonder woman, wonder one
What she can't do, can't be done
(Make me feel so good)
Early in the morning
(I feel so good and thing)
A friend a mine said with this girl I shouldn't stay
But hey guess what?
I stuck by her anyway
O Lord, I'm glad I did
Just look what I'd be missing if I'd listened to that young kid
Every now and then, yeah yeah
I thank my maker for the shape I'm in
(Make me feel so good)
Early in the morning
(I feel so good and thing)
She makes me feel ten feet tall
If I'm worth anything she's got it all
Weeks into months
Months into years
I got to tell you how sweet it is
If you ever leave my life
I would surely die (cry and cry)
(Make me feel so good)
Make me wanna...
(I feel so good and thing)
Sometimes I think something will go wrong
Nothing this good ever lasts long
Then you come along and guarantee
Just how much you care for me
Every now and then, yeah yeah
I thank my maker for the shape I'm in
(Make me feel so good)
Early in the morning
(I feel so good and thing)
Six-Fingered Man
Six-Fingered Man
Playing a seven-string guitar
There are Seven Deadly Sins
Any one of them can do you in
Take what you lost from what you win
It's never enough
Six-Fingered Man
Always the first to blow his horn
His achievements multiply
Pity half of them seem to be lies
Always helps to advertise
It's never enough
He seems so satisfied
With a reputation to protect
Unless he thinks that you're more qualified
Gets so much of his own affection
Stares for hours at his reflection
Long-legged gal walking a very tiny man
They say that it should be forbidden
Must be something he has hidden
Take what you want from what you're given
Oh, it's never enough
Six-Fingered Man
Shaking his fist at everyone
Couldn't even act his age
If you put him on a stage
You might say he's all the rage
But it's never enough
Getting his prints on everything
He's got semi-precious gems
Glinting in his signet ring
Needs his fingers and his thumbs
To help him calculate his sums
Six-Fingered Man
Can't be bothered to stir himself
Sleeps the whole day long or more
Dreams of someone he adores
Drains one drink and starts to pour
Oh, it's never enough
Oh, it's never enough
Oh, it's never enough
Six-Fingered
Man Alive!
How'd I ever get along with five?
