Stranger
stranger came into town, no one knew he was around
and when he left the hotel, no one was there to wish him well
strange, the stranger smiled when he cried
strange, he told the truth when he lied
strange
stranger went outside, just to see what it is like
he walked among the crowds, he looked up at the clouds
strange, the stranger smiled when he cried
strange, he told the truth when he lied
strange
strange, no one has heard the stranger speak a word
strange, I have been told, he was seen walking up a misty, misty road
strange, the stranger smiled when he cried
strange, he told the truth when he lied
strange
Pot of Gold
you've been wondering if you could be playing for anyone, anyone else
do you like pushing in line, wasting your time, making a fool of yourself
there are few who still can see the rainbow, everyone's pushing for the pot of gold
it's not just what you got to give, it's how you're sold, who you know
I've been wondering if what we might be missing can't be sold
did you lose your rainbow in the pot of gold
Morning Song
sunlight through my window, I lay quiet in my bed, just awhile
morning air comes in, I sit up in my bed, just smile
morning breeze is blowing, I'm rocking on the porch, playing my guitar
a cat slinks down the stairway, a dog runs out the door, so good, so far
morning sun is shining, I'm walking in the woods, I'm not alone
the birds take to singing, the trees sway along, in a morning song
you can't go wrong in a morning song
The Pineapple Song
Laurie brought me a pineapple on a Tuesday afternoon
Wednesday she was back again and not too soon
she gave me a sprinkling can, I use it everyday
I watered Laurie's plant, and I feel okay
all I need is to be closer, everyday
I'm forgetting everything I ever know and I can't imagine why
when I'm with you the wind feels free, the sun shines bright
and if I get to thinking too much, I just might have to cry
and if I say my voice has wings, don't tell me I can't fly
all I need is to be closer, everyday
we woke up just a touch earlier, reaching high
it's true things aren't the same anymore
my, my, my
now she's moving, moving, I believe I'll move 2 thousand miles
yet if I think of it, I cannot help but smile
and if you ask me what I'm going to do, I have no idea
I have no idea what I'm going to do
all I need is to be closer, everyday
Laurie brought me a pineapple on a Tuesday afternoon
Wednesday she was back again and not too soon
she gave me a sprinkling can, I use it everyday
I watered Laurie's plant, and I feel okay
Bring in the Water
they read the story, heard the song, about a man and a woman alone
but, you've got to bring in the water, chop the wood, if he only could
bring in the water chop the wood, if she only could
Human Voices by The Tree People
Human Voices
in the morning when you're still sleeping, when you have those crazy nightmares
I swear I hear, within the bird song, human voices joining along in a laughing song
Grandfather
grandfather, grandfather, where did you go? grandfather, grandfather, where did you go?
the family is scattered, grandma's all alone
grandmother, grandmother, likes to complain. grandmother, grandmother, likes to complain, and I like to go walking in the pouring rain
I can see my grandfather walking through the trees. I can see my grandfather walking through the trees, and I can hear my grandmother crying in the breeze
grandfather, grandfather, is walking through the trees. grandfather, grandfather is walking through the trees, while grandmother, grandmother whispers in the breeze
Thomas
there was a little boy named Thomas, he was a little bit shy
he would not play with the other kids, he would not look you in the eye
he just recited numbers, just as far as he could go, he could go
Thomas liked to stage his secret shows
the first time I saw Thomas, it was in a special school
I took him to the music room, he sat down at the stool
he yelled "danger" at the piano, I yelled "monster" at the drums
Thomas liked to sing his secret songs
there was a little boy named Thomas, he was a little bit strange
he liked to spin in circles, and he smiled as he sang
he really was intelligent, people thought him slow, thought him slow
Thomas liked to stage his secret shows
the last time I saw Thomas, he was crying in a yard
a friend of his was leaving, and he always took things hard
I yelled "danger" at the piano, he yelled "monster" at the drums
Thomas liked to sing his secret songs
and if the world's not right with Thomas
then something must be wrong
Rain, Rain
I've been out in the rain, I've been out in the rain
I've been out in the rain, rain, rain, rain
I've been out in the cold, soaked the bone
I've been out in the rain, rain, rain, rain
if that's entertainment
when I lived in Santa Fe I used to go to a club where actors and artists and musicians used to go after the shows. and a man at the bar said, "I've seen you around this town, you're going to make a lot of money one day if you take some advice from someone who already has: give the people what they want, and they'll pay you back, give the people what they want, just do it, no matter what it is.
and if that's entertainment, if that's entertainment, if that's entertainment, I'm not going to make it, I'm not going to make it if that's entertainment
I said, "you know in Rome they liked to watch the lions destroy the humans, in Spain they liked to watch the humans kill the bulls, in the United States they like to watch the Texas Chainsaw massacre, Friday the 13th, everybody can't get enough of the latest murder trial".
and if that's entertainment, if that's entertainment, if that's entertainment, I'm not going to make it, I'm not going to make it, if that's entertainment
the moonlight was all over the land like a lover, you could look up into the sky and just get lost, but inside that club there were clouds of cigarette smoke and the noise of human talk. and a woman at the bar said, "I've been listening to you guys talk about making it, look at that guy, he's not going to make it home tonight, he's so drunk. I'm a painter, I've got paintings in the best galleries, I think I know about what I'm talking about because I used to be married to a man who made it, but he walked out, he left me with the kids, I'm glad he did, it hasn't been easy but I've made it".
and if that's entertainment, if that's entertainment, if that's entertainment, I'm not going to make it, I'm not going to make it, if that's entertainment
if that's entertainment, if that's entertainment, if that's entertainment
,
there was a little boy named Thomas, he was a little bit shy
he would not play with the other kids, he would not look you in the eye
he just recited numbers, just as far as he could go, he could go
Thomas liked to stage his secret shows
the first time I saw Thomas, it was in a special school
I took him to the music room, he sat down at the stool
he yelled "danger" at the piano, I yelled "monster" at the drums
Thomas liked to sing his secret songs
there was a little boy named Thomas, he was a little bit strange
he liked to spin in circles, and he smiled as he sang
he really was intelligent, people thought him slow, thought him slow
Thomas liked to stage his secret shows
the last time I saw Thomas, he was crying in a yard
a friend of his was leaving, and he always took things hard
I yelled "danger" at the piano, he yelled "monster" at the drums
Thomas liked to sing his secret songs
and if the world's not right with Thomas
then something must be wrong
Rain, Rain
I've been out in the rain, I've been out in the rain
I've been out in the rain, rain, rain, rain
I've been out in the cold, soaked the bone
I've been out in the rain, rain, rain, rain
if that's entertainment
when I lived in Santa Fe I used to go to a club where actors and artists and musicians used to go after the shows. and a man at the bar said, "I've seen you around this town, you're going to make a lot of money one day if you take some advice from someone who already has: give the people what they want, and they'll pay you back, give the people what they want, just do it, no matter what it is.
and if that's entertainment, if that's entertainment, if that's entertainment, I'm not going to make it, I'm not going to make it if that's entertainment
I said, "you know in Rome they liked to watch the lions destroy the humans, in Spain they liked to watch the humans kill the bulls, in the United States they like to watch the Texas Chainsaw massacre, Friday the 13th, everybody can't get enough of the latest murder trial".
and if that's entertainment, if that's entertainment, if that's entertainment, I'm not going to make it, I'm not going to make it, if that's entertainment
the moonlight was all over the land like a lover, you could look up into the sky and just get lost, but inside that club there were clouds of cigarette smoke and the noise of human talk. and a woman at the bar said, "I've been listening to you guys talk about making it, look at that guy, he's not going to make it home tonight, he's so drunk. I'm a painter, I've got paintings in the best galleries, I think I know about what I'm talking about because I used to be married to a man who made it, but he walked out, he left me with the kids, I'm glad he did, it hasn't been easy but I've made it".
and if that's entertainment, if that's entertainment, if that's entertainment, I'm not going to make it, I'm not going to make it, if that's entertainment
if that's entertainment, if that's entertainment, if that's entertainment
,
It's My Story by The Tree People
It's My Story
in the outdoor marketplace, I heard her sing with the band, I saw her dance in the crowd, and I knew my life was about to change, and it did.
it's my story, it's my story, you can take it, please don't leave it,
it's my story, it's my story, I can tell it, I can tell it, you can try it, you can try it.
I can give it, we can live in it.
I'm so happy, I'm so happy, to be here today,
I've got some stories to tell, surprises as well, then I'll be on my way
it's my story, it's my story, you can take it, please don't leave it,
it's my story, it's my story, I can tell it, I can tell it, you can try it, you can try it.
I can give it, we can live in it.
I'm pleased to be here, I think I'll take a walk around tonight
I know everyone I see can be an artist in their own right
it's my story, but it could be your story, you can take it, please don't leave it,
it's my story, it's my story, we can tell it, we can tell it, we can try it, we can try it, we can give it, we can live in it.
I can give it, we can live in it.
a little blue house, 2 dogs sleeping, so many stories,
a radio voice breaking, a woman waking, so many stories
More Than Yoko
she said, "I love you even more than Yoko could ever love John".
he said, "this I know, I love you even more than, even more than
John loved Yoko".
Living with the Animals
she lives with the animals, she speaks with the animals,
she sleeps with the animals, she eats with the animals,
she drinks with the animals, she thinks with the animals
living with the animals, living with the animals, living with the animals
she stays with the animals, she plays with the animals,
she lays down with the animals, she hangs around with the animals,
she goes to town with the animals
living with the animals, living with the animals, living with the animals
The Change in Kate
every Jane and Joe in this little town wants to know about the change in Kate
every time she comes around, you can feel it, the spirit in her wake
her eyes are brighter, her step is lighter. you can hear soulful singing when she talks, you can see joyous dancing where she walks
every Jane and Joe in this little town wants to know about the change in Kate
every time she comes around, you can feel it, the spirit, the love in her wake
her thoughts are deep as she rises from her sleep. you can hear soulful singing when she talks, you can see joyous dancing where she walks
every Jane and Joe in this little town wants to know
about the change, about the change in Kate
Legends of the Tree People
be advised The Tree People are a gentle folk who inhabit woodlands and other arboreal landscapes. legend has it, when winter approached, The Tree People entered a giant tree through a secret passageway, where they found shelter from the elements. they passed the winter telling stories and filling the forest with muted echoes of music.
retiring for the night, The Tree People placed their faces in intricately carved wooden boxes, then they walked down the pathways of sleep and dreamed strange and effable dreams. in the morning they opened a box at random and took a new face for the day. where one had been handsome, he now might be homely, where one had a crooked nose, now her nose might be perfectly formed. this invariably caused gales of laughter.
and when spring arrived, the band of tree people musicians, magicians, mathematicians, politicians, technicians, inventors, dissenters, presenters, thinkers, tinkers and tradespeople began their long procession to the sea, where they lay their wooden bodies in the water, and let the waves carry them to distant lands.
in the outdoor marketplace, I heard her sing with the band, I saw her dance in the crowd, and I knew my life was about to change, and it did.
it's my story, it's my story, you can take it, please don't leave it,
it's my story, it's my story, I can tell it, I can tell it, you can try it, you can try it.
I can give it, we can live in it.
I'm so happy, I'm so happy, to be here today,
I've got some stories to tell, surprises as well, then I'll be on my way
it's my story, it's my story, you can take it, please don't leave it,
it's my story, it's my story, I can tell it, I can tell it, you can try it, you can try it.
I can give it, we can live in it.
I'm pleased to be here, I think I'll take a walk around tonight
I know everyone I see can be an artist in their own right
it's my story, but it could be your story, you can take it, please don't leave it,
it's my story, it's my story, we can tell it, we can tell it, we can try it, we can try it, we can give it, we can live in it.
I can give it, we can live in it.
a little blue house, 2 dogs sleeping, so many stories,
a radio voice breaking, a woman waking, so many stories
More Than Yoko
she said, "I love you even more than Yoko could ever love John".
he said, "this I know, I love you even more than, even more than
John loved Yoko".
Living with the Animals
she lives with the animals, she speaks with the animals,
she sleeps with the animals, she eats with the animals,
she drinks with the animals, she thinks with the animals
living with the animals, living with the animals, living with the animals
she stays with the animals, she plays with the animals,
she lays down with the animals, she hangs around with the animals,
she goes to town with the animals
living with the animals, living with the animals, living with the animals
The Change in Kate
every Jane and Joe in this little town wants to know about the change in Kate
every time she comes around, you can feel it, the spirit in her wake
her eyes are brighter, her step is lighter. you can hear soulful singing when she talks, you can see joyous dancing where she walks
every Jane and Joe in this little town wants to know about the change in Kate
every time she comes around, you can feel it, the spirit, the love in her wake
her thoughts are deep as she rises from her sleep. you can hear soulful singing when she talks, you can see joyous dancing where she walks
every Jane and Joe in this little town wants to know
about the change, about the change in Kate
Legends of the Tree People
be advised The Tree People are a gentle folk who inhabit woodlands and other arboreal landscapes. legend has it, when winter approached, The Tree People entered a giant tree through a secret passageway, where they found shelter from the elements. they passed the winter telling stories and filling the forest with muted echoes of music.
retiring for the night, The Tree People placed their faces in intricately carved wooden boxes, then they walked down the pathways of sleep and dreamed strange and effable dreams. in the morning they opened a box at random and took a new face for the day. where one had been handsome, he now might be homely, where one had a crooked nose, now her nose might be perfectly formed. this invariably caused gales of laughter.
and when spring arrived, the band of tree people musicians, magicians, mathematicians, politicians, technicians, inventors, dissenters, presenters, thinkers, tinkers and tradespeople began their long procession to the sea, where they lay their wooden bodies in the water, and let the waves carry them to distant lands.
My Good, Good Friend
hello, my good, good friend it's so good to see you again
yes, we did walk in the hot sun and the cold rain
happy and sad, good and bad so much joy, too much pain
goodbye, my good, good friend
Movie Lot
they line up every morning at the movie lot
just to see the famous I'd rather have your autograph
you could do anything the rich could do
you could show the famous a thing or two
you've done things they've never seen
you've been places they've never been
they live inside the movie screens inside the trade magazines
you can do anything they can do you can do anything they can do
they line up every evening at a choice venue
just to see the famous I'd rather look at you
you could do anything the rich could do
you could show the famous a thing or two
you've done things they've never seen
you've been places they've never been
they live inside the movie screens inside the trade magazines
you can do anything they can do you can do anything they can do
they watch the late night, outtake interview
just to see the famous I'd rather hear from you
you could do anything the rich could do
you could show the famous a thing or two
you've done things they've never seen
you've been places they've never been
we live outside the movie screens outside the trade magazines
you can do anything they can do you can do anything they can do
you can do anything they can do better
Mathematics
we have to talk about the mathematics
so much depends on the mathematics
and begins and ends with the mathematics
let's talk about the numbers
this is about the mathematics
I don't have to shout about the mathematics
we can figure out the mathematics
let's talk about the numbers
we have to talk about the mathematics
so much depends on the mathematics
and begins and ends with the mathematics
let's talk about the numbers
this is about the mathematics
we can figure out the mathematics
and factor in the mathematics
let's talk about the numbers
Ally the Cat
a green-eyed, gray kitten was found in an alley by a woman named Ally
that cat came to live with me, and took the name of Ally
1 Hit Song
if I had just 1 hit song, if I had just 1 hit song
I would not be just another 1 hit wonder
if I had just 1 hit song, everyone could tag along
if I had just 1 hit song
if I had just 1 hit song, if I had just 1 hit song
I would not be a 1 hit man, not a flash in the pan
if I had just 1 hit song, everyone would sing along
if I had just 1 hit song
Ruins
no, it's not the first time, it won't be the last
that something has come and something has past
into ruins, into ruins, into ruins
people through the ages hear my call
it seems that we always must fall
into ruins, into ruins, into ruins
and if you're still left when so much has gone
there's nothing left but to live on
rise, rise, rise from these ruins
but the spirit still lingers like voices in the hills
in the conversations of the people who still
rise from the ruins, glide through the ruins, slide through the ruins
Walking Willow Tree
walking willow, walking willow, walking willow tree
walking willow, willow tree, walking willow
I knew you before, I just didn't see
just how much you would come to mean to me
now every day, you and me
sit and talk under the walking willow tree
walking willow, walking willow, walking willow tree
walking willow, walking willow, walking willow
I wrote this melody when I was just 15
dreaming under the walking willow tree
now time has passed and you and me
sit and laugh under the walking willow
walking willow, willow tree, walking willow tree
walking willow, willow tree, walking willow
there's no place else I'd rather be
than sitting under the walking willow tree
now everyday you and me
sit and talk under the walking willow tree
walking willow, walking willow, walking willow tree
THE TREE PEOPLE Live
Movie Lot
they line up every morning at the movie lot
just to see the famous I'd rather have your autograph
you could do anything the rich could do
you could show the famous a thing or two
you've done things they've never seen
you've been places they've never been
they live inside the movie screens inside the trade magazines
you can do anything they can do you can do anything they can do
they line up every evening at a choice venue
just to see the famous I'd rather look at you
you could do anything the rich could do
you could show the famous a thing or two
you've done things they've never seen
you've been places they've never been
they live inside the movie screens inside the trade magazines
you can do anything they can do you can do anything they can do
they watch the late night, outtake interview
just to see the famous I'd rather hear from you
you could do anything the rich could do
you could show the famous a thing or two
you've done things they've never seen
you've been places they've never been
we live outside the movie screens outside the trade magazines
you can do anything they can do you can do anything they can do
you can do anything they can do better
they line up every morning at the movie lot
just to see the famous I'd rather have your autograph
you could do anything the rich could do
you could show the famous a thing or two
you've done things they've never seen
you've been places they've never been
they live inside the movie screens inside the trade magazines
you can do anything they can do you can do anything they can do
they line up every evening at a choice venue
just to see the famous I'd rather look at you
you could do anything the rich could do
you could show the famous a thing or two
you've done things they've never seen
you've been places they've never been
they live inside the movie screens inside the trade magazines
you can do anything they can do you can do anything they can do
they watch the late night, outtake interview
just to see the famous I'd rather hear from you
you could do anything the rich could do
you could show the famous a thing or two
you've done things they've never seen
you've been places they've never been
we live outside the movie screens outside the trade magazines
you can do anything they can do you can do anything they can do
you can do anything they can do better
Breathing with the Trees
It is ever so nice in the light breathing with the trees
It is ever so right in the night breathing with the trees
trees do help us live and breathe breathing with the trees
we can help the trees live and breathe let the trees breathe
let the trees be breathing with the trees
Thomas
there was a little boy named Thomas, he was a little bit shy
he would not play with the other kids, he would not look you in the eye
he just recited numbers, just as far as he could go, he could go
Thomas liked to stage his secret shows
the first time I saw Thomas, it was in a special school
I took him to the music room, he sat down at the stool
he yelled "danger" at the piano, I yelled "monster" at the drums
Thomas liked to sing his secret songs
there was a little boy named Thomas, he was a little bit strange
he liked to spin in circles, and he smiled as he sang
he really was intelligent, people thought him slow, thought him slow
Thomas liked to stage his secret shows
the last time I saw Thomas, he was crying in a yard
a friend of his was leaving, and he always took things hard
I yelled "danger" at the piano, he yelled "monster" at the drums
Thomas liked to sing his secret songs
and if the world's not right with Thomas
then something must be wrong
there was a little boy named Thomas, he was a little bit shy
he would not play with the other kids, he would not look you in the eye
he just recited numbers, just as far as he could go, he could go
Thomas liked to stage his secret shows
the first time I saw Thomas, it was in a special school
I took him to the music room, he sat down at the stool
he yelled "danger" at the piano, I yelled "monster" at the drums
Thomas liked to sing his secret songs
there was a little boy named Thomas, he was a little bit strange
he liked to spin in circles, and he smiled as he sang
he really was intelligent, people thought him slow, thought him slow
Thomas liked to stage his secret shows
the last time I saw Thomas, he was crying in a yard
a friend of his was leaving, and he always took things hard
I yelled "danger" at the piano, he yelled "monster" at the drums
Thomas liked to sing his secret songs
and if the world's not right with Thomas
then something must be wrong
I'd like to be happy
I'd like to be happy, lazing around like an alley cat
Climbing on buildings and sleeping on window sills, you know I would like that
But it wouldn't be easy having to scrounge for food and there'd be old shoes thrown at me by some fool
And an alley cat looks like she's happy but I'm sure she must feell some misery, an alley cat must feel feel some pain
But I'd like to be an alley cat just the same
I'd like to be happy, quack, quack, quacking like a duck
Swimming and swerving, splishing and splashing in the muck
But a factory is spitting on the pond where i'm sitting with chemical crud
And it wouldn't be easy having to swim in a pond full of suds
And a duck looks like she's happy but I'm sure she must feell some misery, a duck must feel feel some pain
But I'd like to be a duckjust the same
i'd like to be happy sleeping all winter like a grizzly bear
Living in a forest cave, slurping up honey, you know I wouldn't care
But it wouldn't be easy having to be a bear on the run because a hunter wants to shoot me down with his gun
And a grizzly bear looks like he's happy but I'm sure he must feel some misery, a grizzly bear must feel some pain
But I'd like to be a grizzly bear just the same
I'd like to be happy playing and smiling like a little boy
Living in a magical, topsy-turvy land of so much joy.
But it wouldn't be easy having to live in a world of fear, because the humans here don't know how to share
And a little boy looks like he's happy but I'm sure he must feel some misery, a little boy must feel feel some pain. But I'd like to be a little boy just the same.
Baggy Red Pants
baggy, baggy, homemade baggy, baggy, baggy, baggy red pants
in those hitchhiking days I arrived in Santa Fe I was wearing baggy red pants that my girlfriend had made
baggy, baggy, homemade baggy, baggy, baggy, baggy red pants
I needed some guitar strings so I found a Santa Fe music store
I was wearing those baggy red pants as I walked out the door
into the plaza where a tall bespeckled English man approached by chance
he said, "I'm producing a movie. Would you like to be in it?
meet me tomorrow and wear those red pants".
baggy, baggy, homemade baggy, baggy, baggy, baggy red pants
I slept in an alley that night
in the morning I met the cast and crew at a plaza hotel
we boarded a charter bus to go film a rock musical based on Shakepeare's Othello
the producer was impresario Jack Good, the movie was called "Catch my Soul"
the set was a fake hippy commune, ten miles up the road
baggy, baggy, homemade baggy, baggy, baggy, baggy red pants
I worked as an extra in that movie, everyday for 2 months I wore those red pants
one night they brought in a hundred hippies
for a party scene that turned into a stoned, chaotic dance
baggy, baggy, homemade baggy, baggy, baggy, baggy red pants
"Catch my Soul" opened in New York City
got some bad reviews and quickly disappeared
it stayed lost for 42 years then reappeared
I did other work for Jack Good, a good guy, who died last year
as for the pants, we threw them in the fire
and watched the ashes float into the mountain air
baggy, baggy, homemade baggy, baggy, baggy, baggy red pants
Living with the Animals
she lives with the animals, she speaks with the animals,
she sleeps with the animals, she eats with the animals,
she drinks with the animals, she thinks with the animals
living with the animals, living with the animals, living with the animals
she stays with the animals, she plays with the animals,
she lays down with the animals, she hangs around with the animals,
she goes to town with the animals
living with the animals, living with the animals, living with the animals
Ride the Train
listen, in the distance, a train
this old train is rolling, rolling down the line
this old train is going through space and time
ride, ride the train
hear that train coming, coming down the track
hear that train coming, going to bring my baby back
ride, ride the train
through the valley of sickness, valley of pain
valley of cloud, valley of rain
ride, ride the train
through a many-toned forest, behind an old stone wall
hear the voices in the forest after the fall
ride, ride the train
when the circus train comes into town
7 coaches long
people gather for miles around
listen, in the distance, a train
Our Last Century
I go up and down the street
I pay attention to the people I meet
I listen to what they say when they talk
I watch where they go when they walk
when my route is done
I go home to the listening room
when I wake and when I sleep, I wonder,
what will become of me?
what will become of me?
what will become of me?
in our last century?
Walking Willow Tree
walking willow, walking willow, walking willow tree
walking willow, willow tree, walking willow
I knew you before, I just didn't see
just how much you would come to mean to me
now every day, you and me
sit and talk under the walking willow tree
walking willow, walking willow, walking willow tree
walking willow, walking willow, walking willow
I wrote this melody when I was just 15
dreaming under the walking willow tree
now time has passed and you and me
sit and laugh under the walking willow
walking willow, willow tree, walking willow tree
walking willow, willow tree, walking willow
there's no place else I'd rather be
than sitting under the walking willow tree
now everyday you and me
sit and talk under the walking willow tree
walking willow, walking willow, walking willow tree
