Song Lyrics (a work in progress)
by Bud Summers
 

From the album Hard Lessons
(Digital release March 15, 2019 Physical release April 6, 2019)
#badfishinthatlake

So Deep 

I’ve known women who pushed me around 
I’ve known women who’ve walked all over me 
I’ve known women who laughed when I was down so low 
Until you I never knew a woman who loved so deep 
I’ve known women who’d cheat with my best friend 
I’ve known women who’d go out while I sleep 
I’ve known women I would not recommend oh no 
Until you I never knew a woman who loves so deep 
If you’ve got one fault that I can see 
You’re so ever lovin’ better lovin’ good to me 
And the end result   that I can see 
Is that our love is gonna last right through eternity 
Because your love is given just to me 
Because you fill my every fantasy 
Because yes  because you love so deep   
Oh, I”ve found a woman who won’t push me around 
Yes, I found a woman who won’t walk over me 
Oh, I found a woman who wants to stick around and  I know 
That I’ve found a woman who loves so deep 
If you’ve got one fault that I can see You’re so ever lovin’, better lovin’ good to me 
And the end result    that I can see
s that our love is gonna last right through eternity
Because your love is given just to me
Because you fill my every fantasy
Because, yes  because, you love so deep 

Endless Fantasy 

She knows everyone in the Hollywood magazines 
She stays up late to watch them on TV 
She’s got nothing on her mind 
But her thoughts are so sublime 
She can live in clueless reverie 
Cause Life is just an endless fantasy 
She knows nothing more than the talking heads on TV 
When she wakes up she tunes in to their debris 
She’s got nothing on her mind 
But her thoughts are so sublime 
She can live in clueless reverie 
Yes, life is just an endless fantasy 
If ignorance is bliss 
She’ll succumb to happiness 
When all the world sees her with their eyes 
It starts with just a kiss 
Then something goes amiss 
Far too late she'll finally realize 
Life is just an endless fantasy 
Life is just an endless fantasy 
Life is just an endless fantasy 
Life is just an endless fantasy 

Bad Fish 

You can take out your pole
Let your line run long and deep 
You can go home when you’re done 
Or just stay lay there and sleep 
But brothers let me warn you  Oh be careful what you take 
Be careful what you take 
Cause there’s some bad fish in that lake 
Johnny, and James, and Kenny 
Went out last Saturday Night 
They was lookin’ at all the gills goin’ by 
They was holdin’ their poles so tight 
I said brothers let me warn you 
Be careful what you take 
Yes, be careful what you take 
Cause there’s some bad fish in that lake 
They was usin’ up all the bait they had 
And they was startin’ to wear out 
When Johnny got his self hooked up 
With a fine speckled trout 
He had himself a good time 
But then his pole began to ache 
It turned out brother Johnny 
Got a bad fish from that lake 
I said brothers let me warn you
Be careful what you take
Yes, be careful what you take
Cause there’s some bad fish in that lake 

Who’s Your Daddy? 

“Who’s your daddy?” “Who’s your daddy?”  “WHO?” 
He played black keys and white ones down on Beale Street 
He tickled them ivories as he sang those melodies 
He drank whiskey strong and stayed up all night long 
He played their favorite songs He never got one note wrong 
He said “Who’s your daddy?” “Who’s your daddy?” “WHO?” 
Is he rich does he take the time for you 
Does he make you scream the way I do 
Who's your daddy who? Who's your daddy who? 
He made them pretty mama’s pay to hear the melodies 
A fin for just a tease a sawbuck for harmonies 
He whipped his belt free it snapped and cracked and teased 
He made no apologies for giving them what they need 
He said “Who’s your daddy?” “Who’s your daddy?”  “WHO?” 
Is he rich does he take the time for you 
Does he make you scream the way I do 
Who's your daddy, who? 
Whatever happened to that piano man…..I’ll never know 
He played every single note like it was gonna be his last show 
“Who’s your daddy?” “Who’s your daddy?”  “WHO?” 
Is he rich does he take the time for you 
Does he make you scream the way I do 
Who's your daddy, who? 

City of The Blues 

A warm rain is falling
The barmaid needs new shoes 
It’s ten o’clock Friday morning
I’m havin’a hangover for two 
Sittin’ on a stool at the Double J
Tryin’ to forget last night 
I was the fool who was on display 
I Couldn’t get a damn thing right    
In the city, In the city of the blues 
I was smooth, I was suave, I was savoir faire 
I was searching for my prize 
I was talking to every last woman there 
Gonna make somebody’s night 
I’d narrowed it down to two fine ladies 
And I went into my spiel 
It never occurred to me they’d played me             
And I was their third wheel               
In the city, In the city of the blues 
The clock on the wall said closing time 
They were staring in each other’s eyes 
I tried my best with one last line 
But they went upstairs for a ride 
I left those roses and drank myself blind 
On a gin-soaked Memphis night 
In the city, In the city of the blues   
 

Goodbye to Nashville 

Nashville’s got those shiny buildings 
And shiny singers sing shiny songs 
Memphis rusts in a layer of dust But that’s where I belong 
Goodbye to Nashville I should have seen this coming 
Hello to Memphis I came here chasing truth 
All my time in Music Town I heard a distant drumming 
Now  I’ve found my rhythm in the home of the blues 
CMA’s got sold out crowds Graceland isn’t quite so proud 
Music city is on the rise  Memphis music’s Bona fide 
Goodbye to Nashville I should have seen this coming 
Hello to Memphis I came here chasing truth 
All my time in Music Town I heard a distant drumming 
Now  I’ve found my rhythm in the home of the blues 
Nashville thrives on shine and glitz 
Memphis survives through Soul and grit 
Sun, sun, sun, sun, Beale, Beale, Beale, Beale 
Stax, Stax, Stax, Stax, Soul, real 

End Times Comin' 

I see the end times comin’ you better get it right 
I see the end times comin’ you may not have much time 
Evil will soon appear  Make no mistake it's clear 
Evil is comin’ here you must not show your fear 
Righteous and full of fire devil strides the open road 
Righteous and full of fire  devil gonna take your soul 
I see the end times comin’ I see they’re on their way 
I see the end times comin’ get straight or walk away 
You’ve got your cross to bear Get down and say a prayer 
It’s not your own affair Everyone must do their share 
Righteous and full of fire devil strides the open road 
Righteous and full of fire  devil gonna take your soul 
I see the end times comin’ you better get it right 
I see the end times comin’ you may not have much time 

Auld Lang Syne- instrumental 

Drunk Before Midnight Mass (A Hard Lesson Learned Too Late) 

I've never been too spiritual
Lacked in-depth conversation 
Now and then the lights come on
And I have a revelation 
I suddenly see what you mean to me
I'm struck down by the implication 
It’s a hard lesson learned too late 
It meant everything to you
To be assured of my salvation 
It meant nothing at all to me
As I slipped toward my own damnation 
I suddenly see what you mean to me
As if I needed confirmation 
It’s a hard lesson learned too late 
It’s a hard lesson learned too late
Lord why'd you have to make me wait? 
Now I realize I’ve memorized the sadness in your eyes
It's a hard lesson learned too late 
I was drunk before the Midnight Mass
And I stumbled to the pew 
I ate the bread and I drank the wine
And I sang hymns out of tune 
I suddenly knew what I meant to you A
nd I wished that I’d been true 
It’s a hard lesson learned too late 
It’s a hard lesson learned too late 
Lord why'd you have to make me wait? 
Now I realize I’ve memorized the sadness in your eyes 
It's a hard lesson learned too late

 

Summers Solstice 2016 was a guitar instrumental album

 

 From the album "The Way" 2015

That’s Why
You’re standing in front of your mirror tonight 
Checking yourself making sure that it’s right 
Maybe that’s how you caught my eye 
Baby that’s why I made you mine 
I see you’re wearing that Ruby Woo 
Mac smack looking so good on you 
Maybe that’s how you caught my eye 
Baby that’s why I made you mine 
My world is spinning floor is gone 
I float but then I fly away 
I am beginning to catch on 
That it was meant to be this way 
Ohh we’’re  steppin’ out and you’re sizzlin’ hot 
Rollin’ and strollin’ at a thousand watt 
Maybe that’s how you caught my eye 
Baby that’s what why I made you mine 

 

My Baby’s Big and Bad 
More chins than a Chinese phone book 
More pounds than a pot of gold 
More thighs than Colonel Sanders 
And meaner than a Texas Bull 
But If you criticize the things I do 
She will mop the floor with the likes of you 
My baby’s big and bad and she has always got my back 
I was down at the tavern talkin’ politics 
Tryin’ to explain it to them country hicks 
Somehow someone took offense and attacked 
He threatened me once, he threatened me again 
My baby did him in with a left to the chin 
My baby’s big and bad and she has always got my back 
I was down at the corner with a Catholic Priest 
Tellin’ him what his religion needs 
Next thing I know Father Nelson attacked 
He got real mad and started to spring 
My baby stopped him made him hear the angels sing 
My baby’s big and bad and she has always got my back 
I was workin’ overtime with a pretty little blonde 
We were startin’ to develop a chemical bond 
I didn’t hear my baby but creepin' up she attacked 
She cracked my skull with a fryin’ pan 
And now she’s off lovin’ some other man 
My baby’s big and bad and she ain’t never comin’ back 
More chins than a Chinese phone book 
More pounds than a pot of gold \
More thighs than Colonel Sanders 
And meaner than a Texas Bull 
But If you criticize the things I do 
She will mop the floor with the likes of you 
My baby’s big and bad and she ain’t never comin’ back 

She Sings Karaoke 

She really knows about music, she sings karaoke 
Been workin’ every Tuesday night for a week 
And she’s paid her dues done the hokey pokey 
She’s got a beautiful voice and a stunning physique 
She’s gotta get herself an agent and a trumpet playin’ band 
You know all  her friends swear that she’s gonna go far 
When the word gets out she’s gonna be in demand 
Because she’s got the makings of a really big star 
Won’t she be surprised when reality comes along? 
When they hold the Grammys and it turns out she doesn’t belong? 
She oughta get herself a job;  a few kids would be grand 
That’s what she oughta do if you’re asking me 
Every now and then she’ll sit in with a band 
I just hope she doesn’t want to sing Bobby McGee 
She really knows about  music, she sings karaoke 

Ain’t Got Time For Whiskey Anymore 

Ain't Got Time For Whiskey Any More 
Ain't Got Time For Whiskey Any More 
I ain’t spending all my money at the bar 
Cause I Ain't Got Time For Whiskey Any More 
I woke up mornings with a splittin’ head 
Most often I was passed on the floor 
Till afternoon I was the walking dead 
But I ain’t got time for whiskey anymore 
That barroom it was like my second home 
I’d check the ladies coming in the door 
I would drink and wonder why I was alone 
But I ain’t got time for whiskey any more 

The Way I Do 

Stop Now Don’t YouEven Think About Leavin’ 
Cause there ain’t nobody ever gonna make you feel the way I do 
We’ve been Through some Bad times But You Don’t want to  Leave Me 
Cause there ain’t nobody ever gonna make you feel the way I do 
You’ve been sayin’ all along I’m the best thing 
That you have ever known and you won’t be 
As happy if I’m gone so just don’t be a fool and let this go Whoa! 
There ain’t nobody ever gonna make you feel the way I do 
Try to  Forget All the  Times I wasn’t true 
Because there ain’t nobody ever gonna make you feel the way I do 
Stay here With me I’ll be  Better than I was 
Because there ain’t nobody ever gonna make you feel the way I do 
You’ve been sayin’ all along I’m the best thing 
That you have ever found and you won’t be 
As happy if I’m gone so just don’t be a fool and let this go Whoa! 
There ain’t nobody ever gonna make you feel the way I do 

Bedtime Story 

I will not seek fame or glory 
Surely I would fail 
I will look for a bedtime story, 
An  everlasting tale 
I want it close at hand 
Right beside my bed 
To better understand 
Every time it’s read 
The last thing that I hold 
Kneel down and pray 
The last thing that I touch 
Before I drift away 
I’ll  faithfully come home 
I’ll come home again 
Every time I’m gone 
To find out how it ends 
Will you be my tale 
The one that shapes my dreams 
Lift me when I fail 
Be my center beam 
Be my bedtime story 
Help me sow and reap 
Be my bedtime story 
Till I fall asleep 

Common Ground 

There’s bars on the windows runnin’ down the street 
They go on and on as far as I can see 
I’m timing the green lights to keep me movin’ away 
It’s gonna take some time for me to get clear 
I’m sure  I’ve gotta get out out of here 
If I don’t I know I’ll never get past the gray 
I want to find something better than what’s around 
I won’t spend my life in this hopeless town 
Find something better  Find common ground 
Find common ground and start over again 
Gonna try to forget about where we’ve been 
Find common ground  and bury all our sin 
We can burn this town…. or find common ground 
This protest is gettin’ kinda hard to believe 
They’re looting and destroying everything they see 
Who can define justice, anyway? 
Misguided leaders only bring divide 
There’s a sense of fear on either side 
The tears of the wounded just keep flowing away 
I want to find something better than what’s around 
I won’t spend my life in this hopeless town 
Find something better Find common ground 
Find common ground and start over again 
Gonna try to forget about where we’ve been 
Find common ground  and bury all our sin 
We can burn this town…. or find common ground 
Preachers are just like medicine shows 
Peddling snake oil  … And so it goes 
Find common ground and start over again 
Gonna try to forget about where we’ve been 
Find common ground  and bury all our sin 
We can burn this town…. or find common ground 
:There’s bars on the windows runnin’ down the street 
They go on and on as far as I can see

From the album "Eons"  2010 

  Over You  

I took the bullets out of my gun yesterday  
And I threw all my razor blades away  
I think it’s a sign, I think it’s a sign  
I think it’s a sign of the times, I’m getting over you  

Last night I threw your picture away  
And I didn’t stay out drinking night and day  
I think it’s a sign, I think it’s a sign  
I think it’s a sign of the times, I’m getting over you  

The ties that bind me to you  
Sever and slash to pieces  
Let’s cut to chase and watch this film from the end  

The curtain rises and I  
Walk away without a ticket  
I know this story I ain’t comin’ back again  

If I never see you It will be too soon  
It’s like trying to solve a Rubik’s cube  
And I’m tired of this trivial pursuit  

Hope I never see you it would be too soon  
I’ve found hope again among the living  
Just can’t take a chance on giving  
Keep away my heart away from you  

I took the bullets out of my gun yesterday  
Last night I threw your picture away  
I think it’s a sign, I think it’s a sign  
I think it’s a sign of the times, I’m getting over you  
I’m getting over you 

  

One More  

One more time before I say goodbye  
One more night before I say goodbye  
One more hug, one more kiss before I say goodbye  

You say you’re gonna leave me like the way you always do  
But don’t believe yourself cause girl you know that it ain’t true  
One more time before I say goodbye  
One more hug, one more kiss before I say goodbye  

You found another man and that’s the way it always ends  
Please don’t lie to me and say that we’ll always be friends  
One more time before I say goodbye  
One more hug, one more kiss before I say goodbye  

I saw you in the alley with a most unsavory cat  
Bottom line it’s a matter of time till you’ll be runnin’ back  
One more time before I say goodbye  
One more hug, one more kiss before I say goodbye

 Big World

Little men trying to change a big world
They think they'll make it better than it was
Making waves leaving when the flags furl
Gone before the echoes of applause

Brother Mickey it's a big world
May you laugh more than you cry
Brother Mickey it's no small world
Keep your hopes up in the sky

Kings will come leaders passing by the wayside
They think they'll make it better than it was
Rising up then they start to backslide
Trying to remember what's the cause?

Brother Mickey it's a big world 
May you laugh more than you cry 
Brother Mickey it's no small world 
Keep your hopes up in the sky

 Trying hard to find the truth out must concede it doesn't fit
Shadow hanging out in droves now best to cover than admit

 Summer Sunset

He went to the door to meet her folks
He's gifted with gab and quick with jokes
They might go to see a show tonight 
Or catch a bite on their way home

He opens her door ease into glide
Away from the road she comes alive
They won't go to see a show tonight
Or catch a bite on their way home

Sultry, steamy, spicy, summer evening
Never want to find their way back home
Seize another summer sunset moment
Serenity now resurrecting balm
Seize another summer sunset moment
Touching every second left till dawn

And when you look back two score and four
It ended so fast new parmour
They won't go to see a show tonight 
Or catch a bite on their way home

Sultry, steamy, spicy, summer evening 
Never want to find their way back home 
Seize another summer sunset moment 
Serenity now resurrecting balm 
Seize another summer sunset moment 
Touching every second left till dawn

Soulard Lady

Soulard Lady tried to play me
Tried to take me home
She tried to tie me
And tried to bind me
Soulard Lady no

I saw her down on South Broadway
One night after a game
I rounded third and she took me home
Things have never been the same

Soulard Lady please come save me
Please come take me home

 

92nd Floor 

I step out a 92nd floor window and look to see the gathering crowd 
I wonder if they’re here because of me
I take my time get sure of my feet check my ropes and adjust my seat 
There’s no collective gasp when I step out 

I’m falling I’m rising I’m barely surviving 
The wind, current events lead to barroom surmising 
My strength’s giving out but more clowns are arriving 
The jokers can’t be too far behind 

I call once I call again I stop on by but you’re not in 
I wonder if I’ll find another show 
I get on the phone to Maggie O callin’ ahead to let her know 
There’s no one left in town to turn me down 

I’m falling I’m rising I’m barely surviving 
The wind, current events lead to barroom surmising 
My strength’s giving out but more clowns are arriving 
The jokers can’t be too far behind

Eons

Instrumental

 

From the album "Golden" 2008

Kings
Instrumental

I  Might Fall
She left me long ago for no real reason
It hurt so bad I couldn’t sleep at night
I swore I didn’t want to see her again
She moved away and I was doin’ fine

But now she’s back in town
and she’s askin’ around about me
I don’t know what I’m gonna do
cause if I’m not careful, if I don’t watch my step
I might fall in love with her again

I started drinkin’ whiskey with the boys every night
And chasin’ every woman around
I’m havin’ a good time, I”m known in almost every
motel and barroom in this town

But now she’s back in town
and she’s askin’ around about me
I don’t know what I’m gonna do
cause if I’m not careful, if I don’t watch my step
I might fall in love with her again

 

Comin’ Home
I swear I wasn’t tryin’ to make you mad
But there’s more than one way to disguise it when you’re sad

I’m comin’ home
Check the beat of my heart
Just once before you judge me through
I’m comin’ home
Cause I breathe and I see
And I hope and I cry like you

Don’t use a snapshot of just one thing I do
I didn’t see it the way you wanted me to
Please don’t think that I don’t feel
Sometimes what I feel is far too real
I’m not evilI just didn’t see things through

And I’m comin’ home
Check the beat of my heart
Just once before you judge me through
I’m comin’ home
Cause I breathe and I see
And I hope and I cry like you

 

I Would 
I would if she would and she won’t but I’ll try 
I would if she would and she won’t but I’ll try 
Cause she’s the finest thing I’ve seen on this side of the sky 

I could if she could and she can’t but I try 
I could if she could and she can’t but I try 
If I spend another night alone I’ll just lay down and I”ll die 

Thou Shalt Not! But Lord, You put her here 
My heart is always racing and my mind is never clear 
Thou Shalt Not! This is no  way to be 
Lord have mercy on me 

I know that I should find another place to stay 
I know that I should find another place to stay 
But I come here every night now just to watch her walk away

 

Freeway Ride 
Lay the hammer down fly to catch the sun 
Never touch the ground I’m the only one 
No more city bound take a highway run 

Everybody try to talk to me get up in my ear 
Everybody try to tell me things that I don’t want to hear Take a freeway ride 
Rushing down the highway leave it all behind

I'm ridin' back bare nothin' in my head
I"m walkin' on air, far horizon's red
I'm livin' four-square chasin' one godhead

Everybody try to talk to me get up in my ear  
Everybody try to tell me things that I don’t want to hear Take a freeway ride  
Rushing down the highway leave it all behind

 

Now You’re Gone   
Black cat crossed my path 
Looked  in the mirror and the mirror cracked 
Now you’re gone, now you’re gone 

Repossesin’ everything I own 
Layin’ claim to these old broken bones 
Now you’re gone, now you’re gone 

Now you’re gone 
I can feel my heart a breakin’ 
I can’t help but thinkin’ that I’ve been takin’ 
Now you’re gone, and never comin’ back 

Friday thirteen got nothin’ new to say 
I live through one Every single day 
Now you’re gone, now you’re gone

 

Run Out of Love 
Go west young girl, north or east 
Go south young girl, feel the heat 
Take a bus or take a train 
Take your car and escape the rain 

You do what you want to 
And see who you want to see 
I’ll do what I want to 
And be who I want  to be 

We’ve run out of love I don’t know why 
We never use it But the well has run dry 
We’ve run out of love But I couldn’t tell you why 
I couldn’t tell you why 

Just get out girl go somewhere 
Take your heart and leave it there 
Just get out girl take a chance 
There’s no saving this romance 

You do what you want to 
And see who you want to see 
I’ll do what I want to 
And be who I want  to be 

Before you blame it all on me 
Why don’t you step back and you’ll see 
Some things just weren’t meant to be 
We can’t even agree to disagree 

We’ve run out of love I don’t know why 
We never use it But the well has run dry 
We’ve run out of love But I couldn’t tell you why 
I couldn’t tell you why

Mail Man
I might look kinda old  I might seem kinda frail 
But the thoughts I’m thinkin’ of you Could wind me up in the county jail 
Let’s just forget the truth and say I’m the man who delivers the mail 
Strollin’ down my favorite lane carryin’ packages postage due 
Shufflin’ down that lonesome road, wearin’ the soul right offa my shoe 
Honey you put the zip in my code, I’m on my way to a pas de deux

 

Don’t Bother 
Don’t bother cookin’ if you don’t want me lookin’ 
Don’t dress up all nice if you’re gonna pummel me with ice 
Don’t call me on the phone cause I”d rather be alone 
Don’t bother botherin’ me 

When your mamma sets the table I know that supper won’t be free 
So if you’re passing forks around now baby don’t bother askin’ me 
I ain’t seen a woman yet who’s worth my sanity 
Don’t bother botherin’ me 

If you’re puttin’ on a show make sure that it’s not for me 
Cause I will find a better time no matter where I’ll be 

Don’t bother cookin’ if you don’t want me lookin’ 
Don’t dress up all nice if you’re gonna pummel me with ice 
Don’t call me on the phone cause I”d rather be alone 
Don’t bother botherin’ me

 

Desperate Times 

You’ve got your reasons for wantin’ me so near 
I’ve got my reasons for tryin’ to stay clear 
You’ve got your man and I’ve got you 
Now he knows about us what’s he gonna do 

Thirty-eight special pointed at me 
Mac Eleven will make him history 
Desperate Times call for desperate measures 

I hear his footsteps comin’ up  the stairs 
Your moans grow louder but I’m just sayin’ prayers 
I hear the lock turn you’re still far away 
I’m left wonderin’ if I’ll live to see another day 

Thirty-eight special pointed at me 
Mac Eleven will make him history 
Desperate Times call for desperate measures

Aldeberan 

Close reefing topsails in a gale 
Alone upon the air you stand 
Leave constellations lesser lights 
Say farewell to rights of man 

Handsome sailor’s imperfections luminous, indomitable, penultimate 
God Bless the captain 
Swaying to and fro from yardarms everyone forgive the one who hurt you most 
With love and graces 

Dreaming by the halyards, still 
A dirge proceeds from merry tune 
A fate proclaimed by Man of Sorrows 
Hold tight to fragments from the boom 

Handsome sailor’s imperfections luminous, indomitable, penultimate 
God Bless the captain 
Swaying to and fro from yardarms everyone forgive the one who hurt you most 
With love and graces

 Golden
instrumental