On CDs by:
Hot Rize | Pete Wernick |Pete Wernick and Flexigrass | Red Knuckles & The Trailblazers | Country Cooking | Jeff White | Unrecorded
Hot Rize
Pete Wernick
Pete Wernick and Flexigrass
Red Knuckles and the Trailblazers
Country Cooking
Jeff White
Unrecorded Pete Wernick Lyrics
HOT RIZE:
JUST LIKE YOU, Pete Wernick
On Hot Rize “Untold Stories” and “So Long of a Journey”
Hector Brown lives on a farm
He’s been a farmer all his life
But he had to slow down when his heart broke down
And went under a surgeon’s knife
And the four kids that he raised
All live so far from home
And since his wife died last December
Hector’s all alone
(1st refrain:)
And if you don’t think an old man
Could be alone and blue
Let me tell you, my friend
He’s just like you.
Ethel Klein lives in the city
Her landlord lives out of town
And when the cold wind blows it chills her
And the backache gets her down
So she reads by day and sleeps by night
And never goes nowhere
And scarcely anybody
Even knows she’s there
(2nd refrain:)
And if you don’t think that woman
Could be alone and blue
Let me tell you, my friend
She’s just like you.
I know it’s not too long ago
You were only twenty-one
But time moves only one way
You won’t always be young
And if you don’t think when you get old
You could be alone and blue
Let me tell you my friend
You’ve got some thinking to do.
(3rd refrain:)
And if you don’t think an old man
Could be alone and blue
Let me tell you, my friend
He’s just like you.
YOUR LIGHT LEADS ME ON, Pete Wernick
On Hot Rize “In Concert” and “40th Anniversary Bash”
Driving down this long lonesome road
I feel like I’m breaking in two
The scenes of my life are all fading away
All I have left now is you
(Chorus:)
Your light leads me on through the darkness
I feel you here by my side
By your light I might find the right pathway
And forget all the sorrows I’ve cried
As I look up in the heavens
I see your smiling face
And though in this world I am lost and alone
I still feel your beauty and grace
So moon, keep shining forever
You’ll be here long after I’m gone
Lighting the way for those poor lonely souls
As they travel on an on.
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN, Pete Wernick
On Hot Rize “Radio Boogie”
Since first we met somehow I knew
It wouldn’t last our whole life through
Now sure enough, years later on
I look for you and you are gone
(Chorus:)
Gone but not forgotten
You’re still in my memory
Gone but not forgotten
I’ll stay right here till you come home to me
One rainy night, a no-good fight
When I awoke you were out of sight
Now after all that we’ve been through
I thought I’d hear just once from you
I search for you most every day
More sorry now than words can say
Maybe you don’t live in this world
But you’ll still be my only girl
COME AWAY, Pete Wernick and Nick Forster
On Hot Rize “When I’m Free”
Last night I dreamed about the cabin
Where we stayed those years ago
Those blissful nights so sweet and tender
I wonder now where did they go?
Your hand in mine was all we needed
Your tender touch, your loving eyes
Now here we are almost like strangers
So far apart, too numb to cry
(Chorus:)
Come away, come away
And leave this old scenery behind
Come away, let’s leave today
We’ll never know, we’ll never know what we may find.
It’s only life that came between us
There’s no place we both went wrong
It been so long since I’ve really seen you
It’s been so long I’ve been alone.
I close my eyes and reach out for you
The smell of woodsmoke is in the air
Two hearts wrapped around each other
I want it back, is it still there?
(Last Chorus:)
Come away, come away
And leave this old scenery behind
Come away, let’s leave today
We’ll never know, we’ll never know what we may find.
We’ll never know, we’ll never know, don’t say goodbye.
THE OLD ROUNDER, Pete Wernick
On Hot Rize “Take It Home”
All alone now in my little cabin
I watch the sun going down
My thoughts trace back over my lifetime
And I wonder where I am bound
Oh the years have been tough on this body
And troubles have tortured my mind
Now the last thing I ever will ask for
Are a few words of kindness to find
(Chorus:)
Come away now to my little cabin
That stands on the outside of town
Don’t bring me no flowers, just stay by my bedside
And see this old rounder go down
I started my life with ambition
I tried to be a good man
But I fell prey to temptation
And a lifetime of sorrow began
I had to leave the place of my raising
I’ve spent many years on the road
Gone are my old friends and family
Alone I have carried my load
Now the path to my cabin is lighted
By lanterns I’ve left on the way
And the flame in my heart will burn brighter
By your kindness on my dying day.
PETE WERNICK:
AN OLD BOX OF MEMORIES, Pete Wernick
On Pete Wernick, “On A Roll”
It’s an old box I put away
with memories of other days
Up in the attic it will stay
Till they haul it all away.
Oooh, no sad farewells
I’ll just keep it on the shelf
An old box, but don’t you see
It still means a lot to me.
(Chorus:)
An old hat I used to wear
A pretty lock of baby’s hair
Birthday cards and magazines
My grampa’s wedding ring.
I don’t know exactly why
But losing them would make me cry
Just an old box of memories
They really mean a lot to me.
There’s someone I used to know
How many years ago
Photographs and a radio
We used to listen low
Oh here’s that silly poem
The old front porch at home
Memories from other days
I can’t bear to throw away.
(Last time:)
An old hat I used to wear
A pretty lock of baby’s hair
Birthday cards and magazines
My grampa’s wedding ring.
It’s an old box I put away
with memories of some younger days
Up in the attic it will stay
Till they haul us all away.
Oooh, no sad farewells
I’ll just keep it on the shelf
An old box, but don’t you see
It really means a lot to me.
BROKEN VOW, Pete Wernick
On Pete Wernick, “On a Roll”
I don’t know why I let you treat me like you do
When you know it isn’t fair
Were those just lies you told me not so long ago?
Is it true you don’t even care?
(Chorus:) Broken vow, don’t you remember what you said?
Broken vow, I hear it in my head
Broken vow, I bet you think you’ll come back now
But it’s too late for your broken vow
Imagine my surprise to see you on the street
When you said you’d be at home
Don’t bother introducing me to your new friend
Just tell me, babe, what’s going on?
It makes me crazy just to picture you with him
I’ll get you back for this somehow.
But I can’t stay here thinking how you’ve done me wrong
I’ve got to start my new life now.
RUTHIE, Pete Wernick
On “On a Roll”
I just met a special girl, makes me want to tell the world,
Run through the streets singing “Ruthie”
She’s so pretty and she’s smart, I think I lost my heart
Can’t help thinking of my Ruthie
Walk through the streets singing Ruthie.
Her mama took a shine to me, treats me like family
Think she wants me to marry her Ruthie
But my good family says she’s not good for me
They don’t know about my Ruthie
Don’t know the treasure of my Ruthie.
Twenty years have come and gone, a daughter and a son
I’m still singing ’bout my Ruthie
I rise with the morning sun, it’s nighttime when I get home
To the loving arms of my Ruthie
I do it all for you Ruthie.
Now I am old and gray, Ruthie has gone away, want to
Walk through the streets crying “Ruthie”
Got me no loving wife, I’ve got to make a life
Without the love of my Ruthie
I’ll be with you someday Ruthie.
Walk through the streets humming Ruthie
Love of my life, my sweet Ruthie
PETE WERNICK AND FLEXIGRASS:
I’M THINKING OF YOU (a.k.a. THINKING OF YOU), Pete Wernick
On Pete Wernick and Flexigrass, “What The”
I’m out on the road, many miles from home
Woke up this morning, I was all alone
But a little bright light came smiling through
I’m happy to be just thinking of you.
(Chorus:)
I’m thinking of you wherever I go
The light of my life, my heart and soul
Inside of me, whatever I do
I’m happy to be just thinking of you.
Looking back on the year when we first met
I wandered away but I could not forget
That little bright light told me what to do
And I came back to spend my life with you.
This troubled old world may tremble and storm
But there’s a place for a cheerful little song
That midnight star is smiling at you
As I sit here picking and thinking of you.
RED KNUCKLES AND THE TRAILBLAZERS:
THE GIRL OF MY DREAMS, Pete Wernick
On Red Knuckles & the Trailblazers, “Shades of the Past”
How would you like to be my girl
And walk with me and talk with me.
I’ll take you by your pretty hand
And give my heart to you.
(Chorus:)
Yes it’s true that you are the girl of my dreams
As I sleep at night I hold you tight.
And though our love is never to be
I’ll love you as long as I dream.
I dream of long past happy days
With every year they’re further away
But scenes long remembered can come back again
When I see you each night in my dreams.
COUNTRY COOKING:
COLORADO BOUND, Pete Wernick
On Country Cooking, “Barrel of Fun”
I’m getting out on the road again
I may be back but I don’t know when
I’m leaving town (bye bye) Colorado bound
Cause there’s a dear old girl I’m going to see
She said that she’d be waiting for me
When I hit town (so I’m) Colorado bound
(Chorus:) I keep thinking it’s all wrong to be here in this place so long
If I don’t get on the very next train I just might go insane
So my shoes are shined and my bags are packed
I’m heading down to the railroad track
See you around (bye bye) Colorado bound.
California girls are sweet
But my baby’s got ’em beat
No contest (hands down) Colorado bound
I think about her all the time
Seems she’s always on my mind
It’s got me down (so I’m) Colorado bound
LONESOME SONG, Pete Wernick
On Country Cooking, “Barrel of Fun”
(Chorus:)
I’m gonna sing myself a lonesome song, my baby
I’ll be thinking about you all night long
I thought you were mine, now I find that I was wrong
So I’m just sittin’ here all alone singin’ a lonesome song
(Verse:)
It’s not very often such a good thing comes my way
When I first met you I thought it wouldn’t be long till we’d be making hay
But now I’m back to hanging around some place where I don’t be long
And spend the rest of my time just singin’ a lonesome song.
In the beginning it was roses and clover
Now it’s just another thing I hope I’ll get over
I know I won’t get far convincing myself that I should try to be strong
It’s so much easier sittin’ here singin’ a lonesome song.
(Last chorus:) I’m gonna sing myself a lonesome song, my baby
I’ve been thinking about you all night long
I thought you were mine, now I know that I was wrong
So I’m just sittin’ here all alone singin’ a lonesome song
Yeah, I thought you were mine, now I know that I was wrong
So I’m just sittin’ here all alone singin’ a lonesome song
JEFF WHITE:
COLD COLD HEART, Pete Wernick
On Jeff White, “The White Album”
(Chorus:) Cold cold heart, cold cold heart
Cold cold heart, stay away from my door
Hoo hoo hoo, hoo hoo hoo-oo
Hoo hoo hoo-oo, hoo-oo hoo-oo
Verses:
(1) The first time with you was like heaven ___
But then you put me down below.
(Cho.)
(2) Second time around I knew I loved you ___
And that was convenient for you. ___
(this chorus:) Cold cold heart, cold cold heart
Cold cold heart, I’m through with you.
Hoo hoo hoo, (etc.)
You’re coming around, you know I’m lonesome ___
But I know now I’m better off alone.
FIDDLE SINGING IN THE TREES, Pete Wernick
On Jeff White, “The Broken Road”
(Chorus:)
There’s a sound that calls me from my memory
It’s a sound that I’ve heard coming through the trees
When I hear that sound, my blood starts to freeze
The fiddle… singing in the trees
(Verse:)
The moonlight that night was a strange shade of white
The fiddle played a lonesome sound ………
The drinking, the shouting, a short streak of light
Two bodies cold on the ground ………
The fiddler he ran to the top of the hill
A fire was burning in his eye ………
And the sound that came out of those dreary high woods
Will haunt me till the day I die. ………
(Chorus:)
Now the one who is guilty sits all alone
And counts the days he’s been free ………
But also he knows that the truth never dies
And he knows what the verdict will be ………
And out in the night comes that same mournful sound
……… Or is it only a dream ………
Is it only the wind whistling in the trees
Or is it a last muffled scream. ………
(cho)
I’M LEAVIN’ TOWN, Pete Wernick
On Jeff White, “The White Album”
Lights on the highway, out into the night
Voices in my head are going round ___
I just turned left at the corner where I always make a right
I’m leaving this town, leavin’ tonight
(Chorus:)
Leaving town, out bound ____
This highway is setting me free ____
Done wrong, ____ I’m gone ____
____ Don’t even think about me ____
It’s dark up ahead, I don’t know where I’m bound
But anything’s better for me ____
Than a two timin’ woman and gossip all around
And driving up and down on a dead end street
Hot burning tears, stinging my eyes
My heart is full of regret ____
I took it too long, then I finally got wise
One day I’ll forgive but I’ll never forget
UNRECORDED PETE WERNICK LYRICS:
A DAY IN 89 (YOU NEVER KNOW), Pete Wernick
Not recorded
There’s a movie that I’ve seen a lot
I’ve even seen it in my dreams
About a day out of my life
I remember all the scenes
Just a day in 89
My wife and child were at my side
Going east on a vacation
Lining up to take a ride
Two hundred ninety six went through the gate
Leaving earth with few goodbyes
It’s such a sunny pretty July day
Up here in the friendly sky
Short subject playing on TV
Lunch was good, the end is nigh
I hope you made the best of your short life
You never know when you could die
There goes the bang, the engine’s gone
Captain says we’re gonna try
To get her down to ground safe and sound
With no controls he’s gonna fly
Me and my family sitting there
I hope it’s gonna be all right
My little boy sleeping next to me
I hope it’s gonna be all right
I can’t believe what’s going on
This aint no roller coaster ride
Now we’re out here in the tall green corn
You never know when you could die
You’ve seen the coverage on TV
The crew and captain saved a lot of lives
But when the fire and the smoke had cleared
One hundred twelve good people died
A lot of people ask about that day
Has it changed my life in any way
Well I can tell you but it’d take too long
It wouldn’t fit in just a song
The most important thing that I can say
Is when I think of those who died
They never said some things they had to say
They never heard a last goodbye
Even if you didn’t almost die
You should feel lucky just to be alive
Tell your dear ones that you love them so
That’s the main thing that I know.
THE FIRE IN MY HEART, Pete Wernick
Not recorded
I can remember back in my childhood
A cozy old home nestled deep in the wildwood
A chill in the air and a warm fire burning at dawn.
My mom and daddy raised me with love and affection
Hand on the shoulder, sense of direction
The friends that I’ve had, they helped me get out on my own.
And that’s where my roots and my family are from
As I see the long years unfold
And I wouldn’t change places with anyone
I know they’re a part of my soul.
Through troubles of life I’ve gone more than halfway
I sometimes reflect as I go down the pathway
It’s dark up ahead and I worry of what I may find
Sometimes I feel so lost and forsaken
Filled with regrets over roads that I’ve taken
I search for an answer, an anchor to steady my mind
(Second chorus:)
And that’s when I think of that home in the wildwood
A warm fire burning at dawn
And voices of love speak to me from my childhood
And give me the strength to go on
How lucky I am for the gifts I’ve been given
I want to give back all the days I am living
The fire in my heart, may it burn bright from midnight till dawn.
The fire in my heart, may it burn bright from midnight till dawn.
The fire in my heart, may it burn bright from midnight till dawn.
For rights to commercial printing or recording of these lyrics, please email Pete.