She was new to high school and impressionable
He wore a red plaid shirt that was exceptional
Things progressed exactly as they usually do
When I met her they were broken up and she was on her way to school
With the shirt already tucked into her bags
She said she didn't steal it
But knew she was gonna keep it for a while
If it ever starts to hurt
She just wears her red plaid shirt
And feels alright
I had just come out to university
In the early days, when drinking was the worst on me
I was caught outside once in a rainstorm
On the way to her party, and so I needed clothes
And the shirt was warm upon my back
I swore I wouldn't steal it
But knew I was gonna keep it for a while
If it ever starts to hurt
I just wear my red plaid shirt
And feel alright
You moved to my apartment for the summer
I went home and thought no more about her
Crossing on the shores of my Lake Wobegon
You found it in my closet and you thought you'd try it on
And the shirt was gone when I came back
You said you didn't steal it
But I know you're gonna keep it for a while
If it ever starts to hurt
Just wear your red plaid shirt and feel alright
If it ever starts to hurt
Just wear your red plaid shirt and feel alright
2009/10/05
January February
You gave a lot, I gave a little
You played guitar, I played the fiddle
And I didn’t know what you’d do when we hit it big
You’d write the music, I’d write the words
It didn’t matter, ‘cause no one ever heard
Except your mom came down to watch our first gig
At grad we played a song for them
Quick to applaud, and to condemn
And I didn’t see you before I had to leave
You came around to my new friends
I knew the party had to end
When I saw the chevron on your jacket sleeve
Chorus:
I still have your rhyming dictionary
My imaginary adversary, voluntary military
Honorary burial at an arbitrary mortuary
January, February, temporary solitary
Your father told me that you’re gone
Then why is your light always on?
The windowpane broke with a rock, but the blinds stayed drawn
I dreamed you came to our old school
It was too late, woke up in April
I don’t know why that’s in here, it doesn’t rhyme
Chorus
Dry-eyed sigh can’t satisfy the sky x2
You played guitar, I played the fiddle
And I didn’t know what you’d do when we hit it big
You’d write the music, I’d write the words
It didn’t matter, ‘cause no one ever heard
Except your mom came down to watch our first gig
At grad we played a song for them
Quick to applaud, and to condemn
And I didn’t see you before I had to leave
You came around to my new friends
I knew the party had to end
When I saw the chevron on your jacket sleeve
Chorus:
I still have your rhyming dictionary
My imaginary adversary, voluntary military
Honorary burial at an arbitrary mortuary
January, February, temporary solitary
Your father told me that you’re gone
Then why is your light always on?
The windowpane broke with a rock, but the blinds stayed drawn
I dreamed you came to our old school
It was too late, woke up in April
I don’t know why that’s in here, it doesn’t rhyme
Chorus
Dry-eyed sigh can’t satisfy the sky x2
Left out of Letters
Chorus:
You asked me what I left out of the letters
But I know better than to try and answer that
In those cluttered, buried, dusty days
I picked up what you threw away
And kept it like a secret
Now you ask me to repeat it, I say
I'll use simple words and let you sing along
It doesn't matter what just make it up
You know you can't be wrong and
Why...don't you need an education?
Why...don't you take your medication?
Why...don't you know he's on probation?
Why...don't you just try masturbation?
Chorus
And if my manuscript is nondescript and bland
If it makes no sense at all
Will you still tell me you understand and
Why...do you put up with my nonsense?
Why...don't I feel I have a conscience?
Why...'s it have to be so hard to say
The words I'm not sure if I mean, I mean
Chorus
I'll do my best to hone
Your soul your wit and charm
To be sure it's hearts not bones
So no one's been done any real harm
Why...do I feel I'm in a movie?
Why...do I know you see right through me?
Why...do I think there's nothing worse than
Why... have I never told you this in person?
You asked me what I left out of the letters
But I know better than to try and answer that
In those cluttered, buried, dusty days
I picked up what you threw away
And kept it like a secret
Now you ask me to repeat it, I say
I'll use simple words and let you sing along
It doesn't matter what just make it up
You know you can't be wrong and
Why...don't you need an education?
Why...don't you take your medication?
Why...don't you know he's on probation?
Why...don't you just try masturbation?
Chorus
And if my manuscript is nondescript and bland
If it makes no sense at all
Will you still tell me you understand and
Why...do you put up with my nonsense?
Why...don't I feel I have a conscience?
Why...'s it have to be so hard to say
The words I'm not sure if I mean, I mean
Chorus
I'll do my best to hone
Your soul your wit and charm
To be sure it's hearts not bones
So no one's been done any real harm
Why...do I feel I'm in a movie?
Why...do I know you see right through me?
Why...do I think there's nothing worse than
Why... have I never told you this in person?
In Vain
I've thought quite a lot about this
It's gone round in my head
From all the rolling around
Mostly it's been done in the dark
Alone in my bed, two feet from the ground
And a mile from the sense that light tries to make
Chorus:
When I try to call, when I start to shake
When I'm standing in the backyard
With my guitar in the shade of the rain
Coudn't you tell me without having to ask
Blink once for yes, I'll wave back
Didn't believe it so leave it
With all your achievements in vain
I'm not one to talk about this
But since you asked
I guess I'll give you the gist
Mostly it's been push and then pull
I thought you above me, then I thought you below
It's so easy to forget that it hasn't come to blows
Chorus
When I try to call I wait til it's too late
I never feel like doing nothing
It just kinda happens that way
It's gone round in my head
From all the rolling around
Mostly it's been done in the dark
Alone in my bed, two feet from the ground
And a mile from the sense that light tries to make
Chorus:
When I try to call, when I start to shake
When I'm standing in the backyard
With my guitar in the shade of the rain
Coudn't you tell me without having to ask
Blink once for yes, I'll wave back
Didn't believe it so leave it
With all your achievements in vain
I'm not one to talk about this
But since you asked
I guess I'll give you the gist
Mostly it's been push and then pull
I thought you above me, then I thought you below
It's so easy to forget that it hasn't come to blows
Chorus
When I try to call I wait til it's too late
I never feel like doing nothing
It just kinda happens that way
Ring, Tired Bells
Ring tired bells, out
Ring tired bells, out
With a love, won't ever falter
I'll follow you to the altar
So ring tired bells, don't ever falter
Don't give me reason to doubt her
O, shameful love that makes me wonder
Shouldn't I be torn asunder?
Ring tired bells, don't ever wonder
Don't feed my fear, or make me blunder
Could you make me blunter?
Chorus:
Anchor, tether, latch yourself to me
Anchor, tether, latch or set me free x2
My foolish mind that never rests
Can't even sleep at your behest
But shallow eyes will let me rest
You bare your soul, I'll bare your breasts
You iron bells, you'll never tire
Nor would you melt were this my pyre
Ring tired bells, til I expire
You never will make me a liar
Chorus
Within but without her
Ring tired bells, out
With a love, won't ever falter
I'll follow you to the altar
So ring tired bells, don't ever falter
Don't give me reason to doubt her
O, shameful love that makes me wonder
Shouldn't I be torn asunder?
Ring tired bells, don't ever wonder
Don't feed my fear, or make me blunder
Could you make me blunter?
Chorus:
Anchor, tether, latch yourself to me
Anchor, tether, latch or set me free x2
My foolish mind that never rests
Can't even sleep at your behest
But shallow eyes will let me rest
You bare your soul, I'll bare your breasts
You iron bells, you'll never tire
Nor would you melt were this my pyre
Ring tired bells, til I expire
You never will make me a liar
Chorus
Within but without her
Little Vermin
Your fur is gleaming so lifelike on your side
But I'm reeling at the great divide
Between your tail and your tiny little feet
And your skull which is almost level with the street
Sure your nose, ears and your darting beady eyes
Are straining to hear, see and smell your own demise
But you're frozen an expression of surprise
Coats the features of the creature that had shortly been alive
Little vermin, I'm quite sorry for your death
You know in German, die doesn't mean you're dead
It just means the, yeah, that's what I said
It's too bad about what happened to your head
Should not have worried when that we'd arrive
Should have walked or just done anything but drive
Maybe then you'd be a little more alive
But I'm late now, I won't see you so goodbye
Little vermin, I'm so sorry what I did
Peewee Herman kinda looks like you a bit
I would have stopped but I didn't think you had the guts
Now in them I can see partially digested nuts
But I'm reeling at the great divide
Between your tail and your tiny little feet
And your skull which is almost level with the street
Sure your nose, ears and your darting beady eyes
Are straining to hear, see and smell your own demise
But you're frozen an expression of surprise
Coats the features of the creature that had shortly been alive
Little vermin, I'm quite sorry for your death
You know in German, die doesn't mean you're dead
It just means the, yeah, that's what I said
It's too bad about what happened to your head
Should not have worried when that we'd arrive
Should have walked or just done anything but drive
Maybe then you'd be a little more alive
But I'm late now, I won't see you so goodbye
Little vermin, I'm so sorry what I did
Peewee Herman kinda looks like you a bit
I would have stopped but I didn't think you had the guts
Now in them I can see partially digested nuts
Life of Fridays
Woke up got to school on time
Saw your smile wished you'd be mine
Next thing I know I'm sitting in class
Seems like time is running fast
An hour or so of pretending I know
A hundred and one equals two, here I go
Now I just just can't keep caring I'm lost and I'm staring
Hands are beginning to move
Chorus:
Don't care what the clock says
I was speeding by, the week was just a blur
Living a life of Fridays
Cause tomorrow is the weekend for sure
Late again and I'm stepping fast
People in cars keep on driving past
Like an opposite tide or a current I ride
They're trying to push me back inside
And that's where I want to be
Free from responsibility and rules
And rules
Chorus
Given the time and the space I could make a mistake oh the things I could bend I could break I don’t need an excuse cause I don’t see the use with just me and just you we will know what to do but the thing is I don’t see it happening soon, now I’ll be in my bed sleeping til noon cause I’m sick of this rhyme and sick of the pattern, la ta da ta da ta da da, as I don’t have to grow up, yet, I will still take my time waking up oh yeah
Saw your smile wished you'd be mine
Next thing I know I'm sitting in class
Seems like time is running fast
An hour or so of pretending I know
A hundred and one equals two, here I go
Now I just just can't keep caring I'm lost and I'm staring
Hands are beginning to move
Chorus:
Don't care what the clock says
I was speeding by, the week was just a blur
Living a life of Fridays
Cause tomorrow is the weekend for sure
Late again and I'm stepping fast
People in cars keep on driving past
Like an opposite tide or a current I ride
They're trying to push me back inside
And that's where I want to be
Free from responsibility and rules
And rules
Chorus
Given the time and the space I could make a mistake oh the things I could bend I could break I don’t need an excuse cause I don’t see the use with just me and just you we will know what to do but the thing is I don’t see it happening soon, now I’ll be in my bed sleeping til noon cause I’m sick of this rhyme and sick of the pattern, la ta da ta da ta da da, as I don’t have to grow up, yet, I will still take my time waking up oh yeah
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