HALFWAY HOME 4:56
Darryl Purpose and Robert Morgan Fisher

I first started hanging with Laura Lee, when they took away her father
We’d go on down to the five and dime, where she was no man’s daughter
I took her favorite doll from the shelf, ’cause I thought that she deserved it
But the next time I passed by the store I saw that she’d returned it
I’d look outside my window, stare across the street
She’d wave back, kill the light, and settle off to sleep
I’d feel the hole inside my heart, and wish that we were grown
And someday Laura Lee and me would be more than halfway home

Years later she went off to college, and I went to work for this pawn-broker
But when that didn’t pay the rent, I taught myself to play poker
I’d drive up to her dormitory and I would clean those frat boys out
I’d show her all the money I’d won But I could see she had her doubts
She’d look outside her window, stare across the street
I’d wave back, she’d kill the light, and settle off to sleep
I’d feel the hole inside my heart, and wish that we weren’t grown
And often times I’d cry till I was more than halfway home

But when Laura Lee got accepted, down at the police academy
I took my luck to the isle of St Martin, by way of Atlantic City
By the time I’d left, inside my boots I had hidden half a mil’
But if the hired goons don’t get you, darlin’ you know US customs will
I’d wish I had a window, so I could stare across the street
And wish the guards would kill the light, so I could get some sleep
I’d feel the hole inside my heart, and wish I had a phone
So I could call my Laura Lee, and dream me halfway home

After two years of good behavior, they finally let me out
To spend the rest of my time in a skid row halfway house
Then one night, my room-mate broke parole and they came for his arrest
He pulled a gun, shots were fired and one ripped through my chest
I looked outside the window, heard the sirens in the street
Closed my eyes, saw a light, and they covered me with a sheet
I felt the hole inside my heart, but I did not feel alone
’Cause standing there was Laura Lee, to see me halfway home

I’d look outside my window, stare across the street
She’d wave back, kill the light, and settle off to sleep
I’d feel the hole inside my heart, and wish that we were grown
And someday Laura Lee and me would be more than halfway home 


SAME RIVER TWICE 3:45

The water flows by this holy place
and I am anointed here
But when I come back to get my fill
I find It’s disappeared
Wound through these hills and these valleys
Far from these yearnings of mine
Past the most modest of my expectations
Around the world in time

YOU CAN’T STEP INTO THE SAME RIVER TWICE
YOU CAN’T STEP INTO THE SAME RIVER TWICE

All we have are these moments
And memories of moments we’ve had
And if I’d lost this song today
I wouldn’t feel that bad
Cause I remember that moment
As real as the love in the air
And I might like to remember that moment
But I can’t go back there

YOU CAN’T STEP INTO THE SAME RIVER TWICE
YOU CAN’T STEP INTO THE SAME RIVER TWICE

I know what happens when two people are as one
The heavens open when love has begun
I know what happens when all is said and done
We’re left to contemplate
and live in this new moment’s sun
and love from this new moment on.......

YOU CAN’T STEP INTO THE SAME RIVER TWICE
YOU CAN’T STEP INTO THE SAME RIVER TWICE 


MR. SCHWINN 4:03
Darryl Purpose and Robert Morgan Fisher

Mr. Schwinn was as thin as a pelican’s grin
And I took him my bike when the wheel wouldn’t spin
When the wheel wouldn’t spin or the gear wouldn’t shift
For fixin’ a bike the man had a gift

They were stashed in the back of his waterfront shack
His and her bikes, perfectly matched
Perfectly matched, like a groom and a bride
Waiting to take a honeymoon ride

He’d say “One of these bikes is more than a twin,”
As he pumped up the tires and polished the rim
“I’m saving it for my Mrs. Schwinn...”

The tires and wires filled him with desire
The sprockets and streamers were truly admired
Were truly admired by all kinds of folks
Who watched as he carefully tightened the spokes

The chrome really shone but if truth be known
At the end of the day he went home alone
He went home alone by way of the pier
And watched the tide turn and the sun disappear

He’d say “One of these bikes is more than a twin,”
As he pumped up the tires and polished the rim
“I’m saving it for my Mrs. Schwinn...”

Yesterday was the day that I heard someone say
The old man at the bicycle shop passed away
Mr. Schwinn passed away and my wife and I cried
Cause he never did take that honeymoon ride

’Twas with grim discipline that the town all buried him
And his gravestone revealed that his name wasn’t Schwinn
No his name wasn’t Schwinn, But I’ll tell you with pride
That I got the groom, and my wife the bride

Mr. Schwinn was as thin as a pelican’s grin
And I took him my bike when the wheel wouldn’t spin
When the wheel wouldn’t spin or the gear wouldn’t shift
For fixin’ a bike, the man had a gift 


THE LAST GREAT KISS OF THE 20TH CENTURY 4:27

It was Friday, December 31st, 1999. All those new years came and went, but I was gonna make it special this time, so I walked on down to Venice Beach, found her apartment there.

Knocked on the door and she looked kind of surprised she said, "What the hell are you doin’ here" I said "I have noticed you lookin’ at me, and lately I’ve been thinkin’ about you quite a lot."

Sometimes we let these things slip through our fingers and sometimes not

And I don’t know if it was what I said or how I said it. And I
don’t know that I care. But we walked down to the Santa Monica pier, And I figured we’d be part of some fireworks there

And the moon shone bright and rolled off her hair
And the crabs nipped our feet in the salty air
And the time flew by as I looked at my watch and whoa
Come on baby, here we go....

Chorus:
It was the last great kiss of the 20th century
No time to think about the millions before me
I took her in my arms and the rest was history

When it was over she said, "Hey, that was really something!, This thing we’ve done." And I don’t mean to bring you down but you know, the new century doesn’t start until 2001

When the confusion cleared and I scratched my head, I said "Well, you’re not as dumb as I look. But I look for reasons to take chances ’cause it makes me feel good and I don’t often know what I’m doin’ next month, much less next year. But if you want to meet me same time, same place, you know I’ll be here

And the moon will shine bright and roll of your hair
And the crabs’ll nip our feet and the salty air
And the time will fly as I look at my watch and whoa
Come on baby, here we go....

Chorus:
It will be the last great kiss of the 20th century
No time to think about the millions before me
I’ll take you in my arms and the rest will be history

BRIDGE:
I have always been afraid of
Leaving this world without making my mark
All these plans for glory I seem so sure of... will fall...
If love don’t play a part

And the moon shines bright and rolls off her hair
And the crabs nip our feet in the salty air
And the time flies but I don’t look at my watch and whoa
Come on baby, here we go....

It was the last great kiss, It was the last great kiss
It was the last great kiss of the 20th century 


IF I WERE A BETTING MAN 3:46

If I were a betting man, I’d take a look at us
Not with sentimental eyes, But a gambler’s distrust
I’d check out the track record, Note what the data shows
And I’d say I’m bound to go, If I were a betting man

From the start I learned to play the odds so well
To tell a sure thing from a long shot
I played the game of love and found it could be hell
And I learned to close my heart off
But this time ’round it would be different
I would make a stand
And stick with you when every time I ran

But if I were a betting man, I’d take a look at us
Not with sentimental eyes, But a gambler’s distrust
I’d check out the track record, Note what the data shows
And I’d say I’m bound to go, If I were a betting man

It sounds so simple when you tell me to be kind
But your kindness is only what you’ve made it
And when the talk turns to what is yours and what is mine
Well, I see fairness overrated
But this time ’round it will be different
I will make a stand
And stick with you through all the things we planned

But if I were a betting man, I’d take a look at us
Not with sentimental eyes, But a gambler’s distrust
I’d check out the track record, Note what the data shows
And I’d say I’m bound to go, If I were a betting man

BRIDGE:
I’ve been so many men, I think that I’ve lost track
Some love this restless life, and like leaves, always come back,
they always come back

If I were a betting man, I’d take a look at us
Not with sentimental eyes, But a gambler’s distrust
I’d check out the track record, Note what the data shows
And I’d say I’m bound to go, If I were a betting man 


DANGEROUS GAME 4:07
Darryl Purpose and Robert Morgan Fisher

Columbo, Sri Lanka, two civil wars, One during the day, the other at night
I was counting cards at the house of risk, I was a little ahead, I was doing alright
Tapped on the shoulder, led to a room
He called it his office, but it felt like a tomb.

We were from different worlds, But there was no language barrier
He said "It’s a dangerous game you’re playing."
I said "I know one scarier."

Killington, Vermont, New Years eve, Passing on the left, passing on the right
Left my coat and helmet back at the bar,
There was ice on the road, there was ice on my bike
Cop pulled me over, top of the hill
I walked the line, I knew the drill

That’s when he gave me the lecture, The whole chapter and verse
He said "It’s a dangerous game you’re playing."
But I know one worse

Mercury, Nevada, Underground tests, Marchers with guns, marchers with signs
Nighttime hiking on a back country action
All the way to ground zero we climbed
Wackenhunts waiting in their ATV’s
Guns cocked and ready, tell us to freeze

They were protecting a bomb blast, Now, What could be stranger?
They said "It’s a dangerous game you’re playing."
But they don’t know from danger

Front porch, her house, 3AM, I’m feeling loose, door’s locked up tight
I reach for the doorbell, But then
I wander off into the middle of the night
She said don’t come back till you’ve made up your mind
But I let it drag out, play for more time

There was just one message, on my message machine
She said, "It’s a very dangerous game you’re playing."
I said, "I know." 


WHAT WAS I THINKING 3:19
Darryl Purpose and Mark Josephs

I see paintings in the sink
I see dishes on the wall
I hear a voice, It’s Marcel Marceau
He’s asking me why Harpo never speaks
If anyone knew, I’d think he’d know
You know, mime to mime, but,
What was I thinking?

I’m standing on this balcony
Finally on my own
But you’re here too, now, from the loud and boring party below
Your mouth opens and some words come out
I have to laugh when I hear you say
You would like to know
What I was thinking

What was I thinking
What was I thinking
You would like to know
What I was thinking

Well, everybody sees dishes in the sink, and everybody sees paintings on the wall
I was just thinking, what life would be like if we lived on the UP-beat instead of the down
Like...one AND two AND three AND four. and mimes spoke to mimes, things like that...Or did you actually MEAN when you ASKED what I was thinking, That you don’t really want to know what I was thinking at all!
What you were implying was,
Do I like you? Think you’re attractive? Maybe we could leave here together?

She gave me a long hard look
And went back to the party
I heard her say that I had lost my mind
I shouldn’t have told her all those things I thought
Like living on and’s and mime-speak to mime
But even if I’d talked straight she never would have wanted me
I mean, after all,
What was I thinking

What was I thinking
What was I thinking
I mean, after all,
What I was thinking 


CAN’T OUTRUN MY HEART 3:47
Darryl Purpose, Ed Burghoff & Kilty Reeves

Driving down this empty road
Fast as this old Ford can go, but it’s too slow
Tear are falling just like rain.
Rain is falling hard again

I’m starting to see just how it’s gonna be
I may outrun the memory of you
But I can’t outrun my heart

What is running round my head
Are all the things I should have said, instead
I’m strangling this steering wheel
Trying to fight the pain I feel

I’m starting to see just how it’s gonna be
I may outrun the memory of you
But I can’t outrun my heart

White lines ahead begin to blur
I know sleep won’t be easier, with dreams of her
Sunrise isn’t far away
But it only means another day alone

I’m starting to see just how it’s gonna be
I may outrun the memory of you
But I can’t outrun my heart 


YOU MUST GO HOME FOR CHRISTMAS 4:18
Darryl Purpose and Robert Morgan Fisher

By the time that I hit Barstow, I’d quit drinkin’
The silent night was cold, lights were blinkin’
I slept under a public Christmas tree
Woke up feeling stiff
Saw my life was a gift
Given exclusively to me

CHORUS: Going home for Christmas
Going home for good
Going to see the family
’Cause now it’s understood
That when you wander far away
From your old neighborhood
You must go home for Christmas
You must go home for Christmas
You must go home for good

Met three men ’bout half a mile from Vegas
Said this town was no place to spend Christmas
They offered me a ride in their old car
Said "The answer that you seek,
lies somewhere in the east"
So we followed that rising morning star

Repeat Chorus

By the time I made Missouri I decided
To reunite the family I’d divided
To try to find some peace here on this earth
Return to the city
Of my nativity
Foster some good will for what it’s worth

In Bethlehem PA I shaved and showered
Called to say I’d be home in three hours
It sounded like the phone line had gone dead
But before I hung up
The other end spoke up
And tearfully I listened as she said -

Please come home for Christmas
Please come home for good
Come and see your family
’Cause now it’s understood
That when you wander far away
From your old neighborhood
You must go home for Christmas
You must go home for Christmas
You must go home for good 

SINGER SONGWRITER HEAVEN 5:17
Kevin Faherty

Last night I had a dream, I went to Singer/Songwriter Heaven
Jim Croce was at the gate, shook my hand, said, "Well, you’ve been expected."
"Let me hail you a taxi, to show you these heavenly grounds."
So he flagged down Harry Chapin, who was out just makin’ his rounds.

Well, I gave him my best, "How are ya, Harry?" and Harry said, "Up yours!"
"Don’t give me your cheap imitation, son. Just get in now and close that door."
He said, "Welcome to a state of mind called "alpha and omega",
where now is always sooner and sooner is never later."

Well, we took an alternative route, right on past that writers’ block
Saw Gram Parsons on his porch, singin’ country folk and rock
And nodding over coffee, right outside the Angelic Cafe
Mark Heard, Stan Rogers, Steve Goodman, Nick Drake

Roll down your window, steal a good line if you hear one
Give one away, if you have a spare one
There’s a racket goin’ on between cloud seven and eleven
On cloud nine is where you’ll find Singer/Songwriter Heaven

I said, "Stop the car, Harry. I really got to hear that conversation!"
He said, "All right, just remember the meter’s running and you’ll be paying"
I heard Goodman say, "You know what the problem is with some songwriters down on earth?"
"Why, mucho pointless chorus, and ditto pretentious verse."

Well, I was sitting two tables down trying to go unnoticed and not to blush
’Cause I knew I had been guilty, of exactly what he was speaking of
Then Rogers made a point that pierced open my whole point of view
He said, "They need an eye for the obvious, and an ear for the god damn truth."

Well, I washed down that thought with a big old cloud nine espresso
Got back into the cab said, "OK, Harry, there’s just one thing I’d like to know..."
"Why’d they all die so young? Seems they were all in their prime."
He said, "We need new songs up here, too. Angels tire of singing the same old rhymes."

Roll down your window, steal a good line if you hear one
Give one away, if you have a spare one
There’s a racket goin’ on between cloud seven and eleven
On cloud nine is where you’ll find Singer/Songwriter Heaven

Well we passed a bunch of old coffee houses... Gerdes, Iguana, Club 47
I said, "What are these places doing up here, Harry, in Singer/Songwriter Heaven?"
He said, "Those rooms had a spirit, son. This is where great old spirits go.
You see, all those years of music, why it gave those rooms a soul."

I said, "OK, I’d like to stay here, Harry. Can you get me a room on that writers’ block?
He said. "Whoa, no can do kid that, son, and I hate to send you into shock,
But this is only a dream for you. You better let these sweet memories dwell...
’Cause tomorrow morning you’ll wake up in Los Angeles...Singer/Songwriter hell."

Well I felt like I’d been choked, just like a capo on the 12th fret.
But I quickly recomposed myself, and re-modulated my breath
Then I said, "Up yours, Harry!" as he brought his taxi to the proverbial stop
and I gave him 2.50 for a 20 dollar fare, just to piss him off

Roll down your window, steal a good line if you hear one
Give one away, if you have a spare one
There’s a racket goin’ on between cloud seven and eleven
On cloud nine is where you’ll find Singer/Songwriter Heaven

Roll down your window, steal a good line if you hear one
Give one away, if you have a spare one
There’s a racket goin’ on between cloud seven and eleven
On cloud nine is where you’ll find Singer/Songwriter Heaven