Every Picture Tells a Story
Album - 1971 - Debaser id 66106

Spent some time feelin' inferior
standing in front of my mirror
Combed my hair in a thousand ways
but I came out looking just the same

Daddy said, "Son, you better see the world
I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to leave
But remember one thing don't lose your head
to a woman that'll spend your bread"
So I got out

Paris was a place you could hide away
if you felt you didn't fit in
French police wouldn't give me no peace
They claimed I was a nasty person
Down along the Left Bank minding my own
Was knocked down by a human stampede
Got arrested for inciting a peacful riot
when all I wanted was a cup of tea
I was accused
I moved on

Down in Rome I wasn't getting enough
of the things that keeps a young man alive
My body stunk but I kept my funk
at a time when I was right out of luck
Getting desperate indeed I was
Looking like a tourist attraction
Oh my dear I better get out of here


'for the Vatican don't give no sanction
I wasn't ready for that, no no

I moved right out east yeah!
On the Peking ferry I was feeling merry
sailing on my way back here
I fell in love with a slit eyed lady
by the light of an eastern moon
Shangai Lil never used the pill
She claimed that it just ain't natural
She took me up on deck and bit my neck
Oh people I was glad I found her
Oh yeah I was glad I found her

I firmly believe that I didn't need anyone but me
I sincerely thought I was so complete
Look how wrong you can be

The women I've known I wouldn't let tie my shoe
They wouldn't give you the time of day
But the slit eyed lady knocked me off my feet
God I was glad I found her
And if they had the words I could tell to you
to help you on the way down the road
I couldn't quote you no Dickens, Shelley or Keats
'cause it's all been said before
Make the best out of the bad just laugh it off
You didn't have to come here anyway
So remember, every picture tells a story don't it

That's all right my mama, that's all right for you
That's all right my mama any old way you do
But that's all right, well that's all right
Well that's all right my mama
any way that you wanna do

My mother she did tell me
Papa did tell me too
Son, that woman that you're foolin' with
she ain't no good for you

I'll be leaving here tomorrow
leaving here for sure
you ain't gotta be bothered with me
hangin' 'round your door

Wake up Maggie I think I've got something to say to you.
It's late September and I really should be back at school.
I know I keep you amused but I feel I'm being used.
Oh Maggie I couldn't have tried any more.
You led me away from home just to save you from being alone.
You stole my heart and that's what really hurts.

The morning sun when it's in your face really shows your age
But that don't worry me none in my eyes you're everything.
I laughed at all of your jokes - my love you didn't need to coax.
Oh, Maggie I couldn't have tried any more.
You led me away from home, just to save you from being alone
You stole my soul and that's a pain I can do without.

All I needed was a friend to lend a guiding hand
But you turned into a lover
And mother what a lover, you wore me out.
All you did was wreck my bed
And in the morning kick me in the head.
Oh Maggie I couldn't have tried any more.
You led me away from home cause you didn't wanna be alone
You stole my heart I couldn't leave you if I tried.

(Really long Guitar Improv Bit)

I suppose I could collect my books and get on back to school.
Or steal my daddy's cue - make a living out of playing pool.
Or find myself a rock and roll band that needs a helpin' hand.
Oh Maggie I wished I'd never seen your face.

You made a first class fool out of me
But I'm as blind as a fool can be
You stole my heart, but I love you anyway.

(guitar bit again, this time with mandolins too!)

Maggie I wished I'd never seen your face
I'll get on back home one of these days

(a few whoo hoos...)

When the rain came I thought you'd leave
'cause I knew how much you loved the sun
But you chose to stay, stay and keep me warm
through the darkest nights I've ever known
If the mandolin wind couldn't change a thing
then I know I love ya

Oh the snow fell without a break
Buffalo died in the frozen fields you know
Through the coldest winter in almost fourteen years
I couldn't believe you kept a smile
Now I can rest assured knowing that we've seen the worst
And I know I love ya

Oh I never was good with romantic words
so the next few lines come really hard
Don't have much but what I've got is yours
except of course my steel guitar
Ha, 'cause I know you don't play
but I'll teach you one day
because I love ya

I recall the night we knelt and prayed
Noticing your face was thin and pale
I found it hard to hide my tears
I felt ashamed I felt I'd let you down
No mandolin wind couldn't change a thing
Couldn't change a thing no, no

The coldest winter in almost fourteen years
could never, never change your mind

And I love ya
Yes indeed and I love ya
And I love ya
Lordy I love ya

Your love is fadin' I feel it fade
Ah, your love is fadin' I feel it fade
Ah, your love is fadin' Woman I feel it fade

Ah, woman, woman your touch, your touch has gone cold
As if someone else controls your very soul
I've fooled myself long as I can
Can feel the presence of another man

It's there when you speak my name
It's just not the same
Ooh babe, I'm losing you
It's in the air
It's there everywhere
Baby, baby, babe, I'm Losing you

When I look into your eyes
A reflection of a face, I see
I'm hurt, down-hearted and worried, girl
'Cause that face doesn't belong to me

It's all over your face
Someone's takin my place
Ooo baby, I'm losing you
You try hard to hide
The emptiness you feel inside
Oo babe, I'm losing you

I can't bear the thought of losing you
Ah woman, can't you see what I'm goin' through
I'm losin' my mind (losin' my mind)
And it's all because of you
I can't bear the thought of losing you
I'm losin' my mind (losin' my mind)
And It's all because of you
I can't stand the thought of losing you

If I listened long enough to you
I'd find a way to believe that it's all true
Knowing that you lied
Straight-faced while I cried
Still I look to find a reason to believe

Someone like you
Makes it hard to live without
Somebody else
Someone like you
Makes it easy to give
Never think about myself

If I gave you time to change my mind
I'd find a way just to leave the past behind
Knowing that you lied
Straight-faced while I cried
Still I look to find a reason to believe

If I listened long enough to you
I'd find a way to believe that it's all true
Knowing that you lied
Straight-faced while I cried
Still I look to find a reason to believe

Someone like you
Makes it hard to live without
Somebody else
Someone like you
Makes it easy to give
Never think about myself

Someone like you
Makes it hard to live without
Somebody else
Someone like you
Makes it easy to give
Never think about myself
Whoo

Someone like you
Makes it hard to live without
Somebody else
Someone like you
Makes it easy to give
Never think about myself

Someone like you
Makes it hard to live without
Somebody else