Lyrics

From “Daniel Dye Featuring The Miller Road Band”

All songs copyright 2010

 

I’m Gonna Let You Go

A ship gets tossed about in the wind and the waves

And buildings come crashing down when the earth decides to shake

That’s how it is with you that’s the way it’s always been

So now I’m moving on before disaster strikes again

Chorus:

I’m gonna let you go

But you know I love you so

But the devil’s got a hold of you

I’m afraid he’ll get a hold of me too

So I’m gonna let you go

You know I love you so

I would jump from a speeding train if I know it’s gonna derail

And I would jump from a falling plane just hope my parachute sets sail

That’s how it is with you that’s the way it’s always been

So now I’m jumping from your arms before disaster strikes again

I always thought you’d bring me up but you only take me down

You send this world into a violent spin when it used to simply go round

That’s how it is with you that’s the way it’s always been

So now I’m moving on before disaster strikes again

 

Only Goes So Far

Go on and cry but it’s too late now, my heart ran dry long ago

Yes you can try but I’m not there

Because your tears they only go so far

Yes you can talk but I won’t listen, cause you never walked in another’s shoes

And every thought of you makes me cold

Now your words they only go so far

Back at the start you know you had me, my heart was in your hands

But it came apart with your lies

And your smile it only goes so far

Every time I’d give you’d only take more, and I let you live but you shut me down

We should have settled this back then

And my love it only goes so far

 

The Devil’s Drink

I left my mama when I was a boy

I left my mama with tears of joy

Oh she used to be an angel then she started drinking gin

She turned into a devil and blamed me for her sins

And the last time I saw her she was lying on the floor

With a bottle by her side I couldn’t take her anymore

Chorus:

Train, train, train, take me away

From the devil’s drink and I’ll be OK

Train, train, train, take me fast as you can

From the devil’s drink to the promised land

I met a preachin’ man way up in Illinois

We formed a band called the “Dixie Boys”

He could play the fiddle like you’ve never seen

But when he’d get to drinking he would  turn real mean

A fool in the crowd took the Lord’s name in vain

The devil took the Lord’s defense that fool will never be the same

I found a girl in Oklahoma and she could dance real good

And the way she was smiling at me I slowly understood

We got to talking and found love’s embrace

But the closer she got I smelled the sulfur on her face

My lips they started tingling and my throat turned real dry

I jumped on the train left the devil alone to cry

Well that devil’s drink it follows me wherever I go

From the plains of Minnesota to the banks of the Ohio

But a hobo’s life ain’t bad there’s much worse you can do

It’s hard to sleep  at night but you always make it through

I’m gonna find a small town that’s pure and that’s dry

A place where I can settle a place where I can die!

 

Geraldine

Geraldine they found you today, now I know they’re coming my way

Geraldine life was a sweet, sweet dream until you ran around and ruined everything

Chorus:

You’ve brought us down, down, down, down, down

You’ve brought us down, down, down, down, down

Geraldine

Geraldine it was the perfect plan I told them you ran off with another man

Geraldine they kindly let me be, ‘cause they knew what you were and thought that they knew me

Geraldine now I understand I should have buried you deeper in the sand

But who could’ve known the river would flood and they’d find your body washed up on the mud

Geraldine they’ve gathered ‘round the door, Geraldine they’ve got me on the floor

My hands are tied and they’re taking me away asking me what just I’ve got to say

Geraldine you’ve brought us to this place, daylight’s gone they’ve coving my face

They tell me I’m paying all my dues and in a moment I’ll be somewhere with you

 

Ohio

When you’re born somewhere the land runs through your veins

And Ohio is the place where I was raised

With empty railroad tracks and wide open roads

And lazy evenings watching muddy rivers flow

Chorus:

I miss you Ohio, Ohio

I didn’t stay but your memory carries on

Ohio I’ll be back someday I hope it won’t be long

Ohio, Ohio

Now I live in a valley between mountains of concrete and glass

And I’m lost in a sea of lonely faces drifting past

And a bitter wind blows and I’ve never felt so cold

And grey snow on the ground makes me feel so old

And now I know that Spring is coming soon

And when I close my eyes I can see your flowers bloom

And warm midnight walks where you always see the sky

And when I think of you I swear I will not cry

 

Whenever I Hear a Banjo

We used to play on warm summer nights, after the sun went down

We had a stage in the back of the barn, if you were there you would’ve heard the sound

Of fiddles, guitars, and mandolins, the music carried through the trees

The only thing missing was a banjo’s ring, and a woman’s harmony

Chorus:

Now whenever I hear the sound of a banjo in a song tears fill my eyes

’Cause your voice rings as clear as it did back then, even that very first time

When you came in with a banjo by your side, it was the prettiest thing we had ever seen

And your voice melted every heart there that night, but somehow you chose me

And we lived a life together with its ups and downs, and music every summer night

No one else could play or sing quite like you, you always were a beautiful sight

I know this world is still a beautiful place, but it’s not the way it used to be

Because now my hands are old and broken down, and time with you is just a memory

I still take walks on warm summer nights, after the sun goes down

And tall grass grows where our barn once stood, but if I listen close I can hear the sound…..of a banjo in the night

 

All These Years

It doesn’t make you human even if you cry

And it doesn’t mean you’re honest even if you never lie

And it doesn’t make you righteous even though you shine

And it doesn’t make me crazy and I haven’t lost my mind

Chorus:

After all these years, all these years, all these years with you

(repeat)

Now the fire inside is growing cold

And your words and you promises have lost their hold

Your cries roll in and your cries roll out

And the faith that I had has changed to doubt

You keep asking me to come back someday

At the same time you push me, push me away

You seem to wonder at the things I do

But no one should understand better than you

 

Saints and Sinners

The pope flew up to London town

And all the people gathered ‘round

He listened as they cursed his name

While others said there should be no blame

Was it worth it all that took him there

To the sea of signs and fists in the air

Chorus:

And the saints and the sinners stand side by side

Both knowing they are right, they are right

And the saints and the sinners do they realize, realize

There’s a story in those eyes, in those eyes

Now the loafing hero sang his heart

Exposing all his fractured parts

But the people wanted songs they’ve heard before

So he’d give them one, and hey’d beg for more

So the only ones who ever heard

Were the few who listened to every word

And yet still we open up our souls

When we know that passion can be cruel

And when I told you that I loved you so

I thought your love for me might show

So I’m praying that it’s worth it all

And I’m climbing as I hit this wall

 

Coming For You

Our ship is sailing in the morning

Planes are flying overhead

We’ll be on you without warning

And soon you’ll find that you’ll be dead

They say we’ve come here for tomorrow

And without tomorrow where would we be

And the cause will rise above the sorrow

But dyin’ friends are all I see

Chorus:

And we’re coming for you one way or the other

We’re coming for you one way or the other

We’re coming for you one way or the other

One way or the other

And I’ve seen strong men fade and slowly crumble

Quiet men scream as they hit the ground

Proud men break and quickly humbled

And big men fall without a sound

I see lights flashing in the morning

Feel bullets flying overhead

Once again they’re on us without warning

At least I know that I’m not dead

And we’ll be coming home one way or the other

We’ll be coming home one way or the other

Oh we’ll be coming home one way or the other

One way or the other

 

The Sun Will Rise

The days they are long now and the nights they are cruel

But I know the sun will rise

And my hands they are trembling and my feet they are slow

But I know the sun will rise

Chorus:

It will rise in the morning it will rise in the dawn

The sun will bring victory and the light will come

(Repeat)

My sleep is restless and dark thoughts they creep in

But I know the sun will rise

My bones they are aching and I’m weak in the limbs

But I knowe the sun will rise

It’s the end of all struggle and the end of all pain

When the sun will rise

No one said life was easy nor’ is it in vain

And the sun will rise

So you’ll find me waiting for the time that will be

When the sun will rise

So when I go missing just know that I’m free

When the sun will rise

 

Lullaby on a Lonely Night

Tonight it’s cold and clear and the stars are shining bright and yet all he sees

is an empty road because he’s been driving blind, haunted by her memory

He’d find her in a bar, sitting all alone and she doesn’t know

That he’s been dying since he said goodbye, since he let her go

Chorus:

And we’ve a lullaby,lullaby on a lonely night

And the world has gone to bed

And nobody knows that they’re giving up the fight

That they’re giving up the fight tonight

It’s cold and clear and the stars are shining bright, he should be going home

Because the sun will come and he could see its light, but he keeps driving on

And now the bar is empty except for her, and she doesn’t know

That they’ve all gone and the tender should have closed hours ago

Just to sleep in the night, just to sleep in the night

Just to lay down their heads and sleep at night

Then everything would be alright

Now the lights are down and she should go home, but the jukebox plays their favorite song

It’s a lullaby, brings tears to her eyes and she knows everything’s gone wrong

And it’s cold and clear and the stars are shining bright, he listens to their favorite song

And the road it turns and yet he never slows, and he will never see the sun

 

Letter From Spain

Oh Mama you should see how they are falling at our feet

The lights here seem so bright there’s more color in the streets

The crowd sings when we sing and moves to every beat

But at night I still dream of Ellie Jane

And the men who introduce us oh they say that we are stars

And were drinking better coffee and we’re smoking big cigars

But the moments when it’s quiet we remember what we are

And I think of the words of Ellie Jane

Chorus:

When you’ve got people all around

And they say they love your sound

And they ask you how it feels

To be a refuge and a thrill

When you’re walking down some street in Spain

Will you tell them what you did to Ellie Jane?

I’ve been trying to tell myself she latched on for the ride

And at times I believe this so I push her words aside

But the day that she left something inside me died

When no one knew me I was loved by Ellie Jane

And these cathedrals here are pretty but they make me feel so lost

I’m tired of seeing poor Jesus still hanging on that cross

Flames and incense in the air makes you question what you tossed

The words of Ellie Jane

But I’ve been told to take this train just as far as it will go

So tonight we’ll bring them music oh tonight will be a show

And they’ll never see the sadness and they will never know

There was a time I only sang for Ellie Jane

 

Is That You Jesus?

Is that you knocking at my door Jesus?

I can’t sleep any more Jesus

I never meant to run

I meant to get things done

Chorus:

But will you take me as I am?

Take me as I am?

Is that you talking in my head Jesus?

I can’t remember all you said Jesus

And I hope you understand

I should have been a better man

The saints are marching one by one Jesus

Saying my time is almost gone Jesus

And my head is hanging low

But there’s nowhere else to go

It’s just you and me Jesus

You’re the only one I see Jesus

Don’t want to be alone

I just want to go on home

I don’t mean to cry Jesus

It’s a sweet by and by now Jesus

It’s been a long, long ride

Now the sky is open wide

 

Eileen

I didn’t think you would break my heart, I didn’t think you could break my heart

I should have listened when they said we were doomed from the start

Oh those rumors would fly around, rumors would fly around

Oh but rumors always fly in this loud, dusty town

Chorus:

Now I’m singing Eileen, Eileen, Eileen where are you now!?

I always told them they were wrong I told them they were wrong

And no matter what they say that you and I were strong

Then you left me for a city man, you left me for a city man

With a 50 dollar haircut and a California tan

And I’m singing Eileen, Eileen, Eileen where are you now!?

You got me drinking on Saturday nights, I’m drinking every Saturday night

And I get all lit up but I never ever see the light

They know your name at every bar in town, they know your name at every single bar in town

‘cause in the morning hours you start buying every round

And we’re singing Eileen, Eileen, Eileen where are you now!?

Come Sunday morning and I’m in the pew, you’d find me kneeling in the pew

Asking for forgiveness for both me and you

I just go to hear the choir sing, I just gotta hear that choir sing

But when they raise their voices I only hear one thing

And they’re singing Eileen, Eileen, Eileen where are you now!?