See him across a crowded room, he’s propping up the bar
Puppy eyes, hunched frame and a toothy grin
He’s dishing out those life plans to anyone who’ll hear
All heads will nod, they hang on his every word
Oh-oh it’s the ghost of John
Oh-oh it’s the ghost of John
He’s walking right beside me on the coldest winter’s day
Wants to put the whole world right again
Do it this way, don’t do that, come rifle shots of truth
Take the road less travelled ahead when you can
Oh-oh it’s the ghost of John
Oh-oh it’s the ghost of John
I hear that croaky voice cascade from the living room
Even hear his heavy footsteps on the floor
The channels keep on changing, to restless grunts and groans
I’d swear to you he’s sitting here right now
Oh-oh the ghost of John
Oh-oh the ghost of John
Oh-oh are you coming home?
Oh-oh are you coming home?
Sat on my suitcase at a rainy Dublin port
Just me, my Da and our goodbyes
Few words were spoken as we stared out at the ocean
Don’t you forget you’ll be a Duffy
Duffy til you die
I was born in Dublin but l’m living here in Boston
I’m Irish born and American made
Started on one south side, travelled over to another
I’m Irish born and American made
I watch the Red Sox on TV most weekday nights
The American flag blows on our lawn
When I get homesick I head to Foley’s on the south side
Raise up a whiskey and say I’m a Duffy
Duffy til I die
I was born in Dublin but I’m living here in Boston
I’m Irish born and American made
Started on one south side, travelled over to another
I’m Irish born and American made
The Pope and JFK look down from our hallway
As we cheer on old Notre Dame
But in the kitchen hangs a picture of my Da
Written below it says you’ll be a Duffy ‘Duffy til you die’
I was born in Dublin but l’m living here in Boston
I’m Irish born and American made
Started on one south side, travelled over to another
I’m Irish born and American made
I’m Irish born and American made
So I’m back gambling, but I’m winning again
Looks like I’m lucky, except when I ain’t
Those old snake eyes keep rollin’ on
Keep rollin’ on
Owe more money than I ever made
To a slender man with dark dead eyes
When he’s in town, the brightest bar
Goes dark on a summer’s night
He’s the man in the hat
No one even knows his name
He’s the man in the hat
Holds my fate right in his hands
No good with numbers, so I tried the track
The recovery bet yeah, it’ll be my last
As it drifts in fifth, I can hear my heart
Beat way too fast
He knows I’m stuck and I can’t pay
Says don’t worry, he’ll find a way
Got things to do for the slender dude
From now ‘til my dying day
He’s the man in the hat
Darkest eyes and palest skin
He’s the man in the hat
Terror draped on a frame so thin
Terror draped on a frame so thin
It’s Monday morning so I’m pushing my pen
I got a desk full of work and I’m bored again
By Friday though, I know what I’ll do
Put my Stetson on and play some Emmylou
I’m a weekend cowboy, that’s what I am
I got my buckle and my boots, cold beer in my hand
Monday to Thursday you can call me Paul
On Friday I’m Hank and I’m listening to Tom T Hall
Well the boss still thinks that I give a damn
About those missed deadlines and the work logjam
But come Thursday, thinking what I’ll get
I want a new check shirt and a Steve Earle box set
I’m a weekend cowboy that’s what I am
Got my buckle and my boots, cold beer in my hand
Monday to Thursday you can call me Paul
On Friday I’m Hank and I’m listening to Tom T Hall
On Friday I’m Hank and I’m listening to Tom T Hall
I know I’ll see you again
Next time‘ll be the fall
Stuck out in this dirty mining town
I think of you, that’s all
Miles of redwoods line that lonesome road
Show me where to find our love
Nuggets of time is all we spend together
Each one worth their weight in gold
Two days of driving hard, alone, for just a long weekend
Endless freeways, then back roads for a few nights in your arms
The highway takes me past cookie-cutter towns
I swear I could name them all
Every Walmart like a milestone on the road
Telling me I’m closer to your home
Mountains wearing snow caps in wintertime
Black ice out there in the night
Snowmen man the driveways on the final stretch
Like guards of honour to your heart
A thousand miles of open road for just those precious hours
Driving hard like the wind, I’d do it a thousand times
Lord, I’m goin’ uptown
To the Harlem River to drown
Dirty water gonna cover me over
And I’m not gonna make a sound
I’m on a roll, mama, I gotta go
Gotta get there while I still can
Troubled days are behind me now
And I know they’re gonna let me in
When you see me walkin’ up the FDR
Just a-singin’ and a-clappin’ my hands
Tell my mama I love her, tell my father I tried
Give my money to my baby to spend
‘Cos Lord, I’m goin’ uptown
To the Harlem River to drown
Dirty water gonna cover me over
And I’m not gonna make a sound
Good times come and they go
Even a good man’ll break
He’ll let his troubles bury him whole
Even though he knows what’s at stake
So I’m taking no chances
Carrying over while I’m still good in His grace
Sayin’ I’m no fool mama, I know the difference
B’tween tempting and choosing my fate
The Ballroom of Romance, where all true love began
First kisses and dates, some love affairs
Tommy he met Annie there, Mary she first met her Sean
Reams of romance started out in that hall
Charmers and romeos waltz in through its door
All suited and booted, they’re ready for the game
Walls lined with single men waitin’ on to take their chance
Walk across and say, ‘Do you wanna dance?’
Dancehall of dreams, dancehall of dreams
True love runs through it, like rivers and streams
The Ballroom of Romance, true church of love and hope
Dance floor crammed with jivers out in full flow
Lucky ones leave with love, others with a broken heart
A few just came to hear old Big Tom sing
Factories and shops up town brewing news of Saturday night
Everyone saw Jimmy ditched so he’ll be back again next week
Its doors are long since closed, romance fades away
But you can still see the dance marks in that floor
Dancehall of dreams, dancehall of dreams
True love runs through it, like rivers and streams
Dancehall of dreams, dancehall of dreams
Dancehall of dreams, dancehall of dreams
It’s been a long time since I knelt in church
Now I’m sitting here praying to God that I’m through the worst
Hmm, hmm… hmm, hmm
Been down to the bottom of a bottomless pit
Fought snakes and demons there, finally feel I got a grip
Hmm, hmm… hmm, hmm
This time I think I’ll make it through
Seek out the bright side of any road
This time I’ll bring love and I’ll be loved
If I get home, home, like the prodigal son
Like the prodigal son
Hmm, hmm… hmm, hmm
Home is where the heart is, that’s where I must be
Home is where the heart is, that’s where I must be
Had black dog days, seen dark dark clouds
Now all I can see is the brightest silver lining
Hmm, hmm…. hmm, hmm
Pray for me mama, Pa if you could too
Just a few more days now, and I’ll be home again with you
Hmm, hmm…. hmm, hmm
This time I think I’ll make it through
Seek out the bright side of any road
This time I’ll bring love and I’ll be loved
If I get home, home, like the prodigal son
Like the prodigal son
Like the prodigal son
Like the prodigal son
Hmm, hmm…
This’ll be the last time
The last time I let teardrops fall
This’ll be the last time
I let my heart get beaten and bruised
I’m checking out, moving on
Staying away from the blues
As good as it gets, I’m heading off
As good as it gets, I’m movin’ on
Out of here
This’ll be the last time
The last time I hear myself cry
This’ll be the last time
I’ll drop my guard and bare my soul
I’ll go alone, sail my course
So baby, please don’t call
As good as it gets, I’ll leave the scene
As good as it gets, I’ll head to the road
Hope I don’t fall
This’ll be the last time,
The last time I let someone in
This’ll be the last time
I share my hopes, my thoughts and dreams
I’m closing up, keeping to myself
Live my life on my own
Brand new town, bright new day
On a coast road, mid 20s all summer
But he knew soon, he’d find something wrong
He’d be gone in the night
Last little place was even called Hope Town
Steady job, a place out of town
But then came the questions, the prying neighbours
And he was gone in the night
He was gone in the night
He was gone in the night
No one knew why he kept running
Seems that he could just never stop
One time someone even asked him
He didn’t even know himself
Tried a big city, smog full and soulless
Where any man can hide if they want
But even there, someone got too close
And he was gone in the night
No one knew why he kept running
Seems that he could just never stop
One time someone even asked him
He didn’t even know himself
He was gone in the night
He was gone in the night
Gone in the night
It’s a long, long road, but I’ll be there
It’s a long road heading somewhere
Let’s choose a path and ride together
Let’s go as one, let’s go as one
Seems out on the road there’s a myriad of highways
Some run straight for miles, some are rife with bends
Not always clear now, just where they’re leading
We just make a turn and wait and see what’s up ahead
It’s a long, long road, but I’ll be there
It’s a long road heading somewhere
Let’s choose a path and ride together
Let’s go as one, let’s go as one
Sometimes we’ll drive into the stormiest of weather
The nights so cold and dark, winds howling like the wolves
We can pull over and watch the electric skyline
Wake up next day and look to see the sun breaking through
It’s a long, long road, but I’ll be there
It’s a long road heading somewhere
Let’s choose a path and ride together
Let’s go as one, let’s go as one
When it’s all over, we’ll just be memories and dust
So let’s live our life like a pair of shooting stars
Next stop let’s find the bright lights and the night life
Put our names in neon lights to illuminate our endless love
Two hundred dollars and change
Still sleeping out in my car
Not much to show for fifty years
And the papers all say it’s only gonna get worse
The morning DJ here
He’s a real shaker of souls
Talks of the end like a prophet of doom
I don’t need him to give me the morning blues
So I’m gonna fight back, I’ll bang my own drum
Gonna up the tempo, you can sing along
It’s gonna be alright, yeah
It’s gonna be alright
Anchorman on the TV
Headlines are all bad news
He’s just a merchant of misery
By sundown he’s rained on my parade
Old man in the local bar
Like a real glass half full
Tells endless stories of rising crime
And I need a shot of something better than that
So I’m gonna fight back, I’ll bang my own drum
Gonna up the tempo, you can sing along
It’s gonna be alright, yeah
It’s gonna be alright
I’m a man in despair
I’m a man beyond repair
Got a problem: I know what to do Have a drink, well maybe one or two
Got more trouble than any of you
Got more trouble than I know what to do Sup down a bottle, I sup again
No new answers, but it sure delays the pain
Where were you Lord, when I strayed?
Where were you Lord when I prayed and prayed and prayed? Oh Lord, yeh Lord, please help me now
Where were you Lord, when I strayed?
Where were you Lord when I prayed and prayed and prayed? Oh Lord, yeh Lord, please help me now
The last job I had was fixing cars
Last job I had kept me out of bars Turned up too often a little drunk,
Then got fired found sleeping in a trunk
You can find me now sleeping in a door You can find me now begging with the poor I was once a man of note
Now just a bum who needs a new coat
Where were you Lord, when I strayed?
Where were you Lord when I prayed and prayed and prayed? Oh Lord, yeh Lord, please help me now
I was once a man of note, I was once a man of note, I was once a man of note
Oh Lord, yeh Lord please help me now
Storm warning – she’s back in town
Storm warning, you’ll soon know she’s around Cos she can kill, with just one look
Few caustic words is all it took
Here comes a storm warning,
Storm warning when she’s around
Storm warning, whirlwind’s here again Storm warning, she’ll get you, it’s just when Her words dig in, like a rusty blade
Few fatal blows and out you’re laid
Here comes a storm warning
Storm warning, when she’s around
You been warned, here she comes You been warned, here she comes, Here she comes
Trouble’s here – you sense it in the air Trouble’s here – she’ll catch you in her stare She leaves a wake like a hurricane
Her every word dispensing pain
Here comes a storm warning,
Storm warning, when she’s around
You been warned, here she comes You been warned, here she comes, Here she comes
Trouble’s here – lock up and get inside
Trouble’s here – there’s nowhere else to hide
Cos no one’s safe when she’s around.
Watch out folks, she’s this way bound
Here comes a storm warning,
Storm warning when she’s around… when she’s around… she’s around
Trail my feet on this winter’s beach, just thinking of you Hope a great big wave can come, wipe away the view
Skimming stones out to sea, made it to three Look left as it’s your turn, then I fall to my knees
Remember the back roads we took that rainy night Deer in the headlights, I steered hard to the right Sent us into a ditch, you to eternity
Ah, ah, I’m on my own
Ah, I can’t go on alone
We were born months apart, destined to be one
Can’t carry on alone, lost my anchor, now you’re gone
Last night together we went to the county fair Too many beers and shots, cos you said dare
We danced our last waltz, never thought you’d be gone You said I had two left feet, I said better than one
Remember the back roads we took that rainy night Deer in the headlights, I steered hard to the right Sent us into a ditch, you to eternity
Ah, ah, I’m on my own
Ah, I can’t go on alone
Ah, ah, I’m on my own
Ah, ah, I’m on my own
You all think you know what you see,
as you spot me in the doorway
Watch your eyes look up to the sky
You never look this ghost in the eye
Every ghost, every ghost has a story
You seem to think I chose this world;
Want a cardboard, cold life
People don’t break their stride passing me,
They don’t care who this ghost might be
Every ghost, every ghost,
Every ghost, every ghost, has a story
Sitting here in a winter’s doorway
Sleep if the night’s not too cold
Life just seems to fall away from me
And I’ve not got the strength to hang on
I remember a life like the one you have now
Picture postcard family
Lost my job, was the start of it all
Drink and demons completed the fall
Every ghost, every ghost,
Every ghost, every ghost, has a story
Sitting here in a winter’s doorway
Sleep if the night’s not too cold
Life just seems to fall away from me
And I’ve not got the strength to hang on
When you see shimmers just like me,
Imagine the life that got ‘em there
Try and listen to the stories they tell
Hear all of the harrow and the hell
Every ghost, every ghost,
Every ghost every ghost, has a story
Debt was high and income was low, yeah Two jobs and nothing to show
Fighting hard on minimum wage
Can’t get no payday loans
I’ve gone off the grid, yeah – friends gone, no phone, no cable I’ve gone off the grid, yeah – just me and my two dogs
We keep it nice and simple – we’re living life off the grid
Found hope in tabs of codeine
Before long I was out of my mind Sheer will brought me right back, yeah Ain’t going back to hell again
So I’m living off the grid, yeah – three channels on an old TV So I’m living off the grid, yeah – hear the birds call at night We keep it plain and simple – we’re living life off the grid
Daddy said you gotta pay your way, boy Church said stay honest and humble Did it all and still in deep debt
Will try a brave new world, yeah
Ex-wives and a pick-up truck
Too much for me to pay
No hopes no dreams, all that shit
I’ve cashed my chips and now I’ll ride away
So I’ve gone off the grid – you’ll find me hard to find
I’ve gone off the grid – saves me from more fake news, yeah We keep it plain and simple – we’re living life off the grid I’m living life off the grid
Off the grid, off the grid, off the grid, off the grid
You’re lying next to me, fake charm so plain to see We’re talking every day, don’t trust a word you say Where were you Thursday with a friend called Lou? Tuesday you said you have work to do
Every night, you’re lying, every night, every night You’re lying next to me, the truth so plain to see
Our bodies close, but so far away, I feel the space grow day by day Excuses are built on sand; feel you flinch when you hold my hand New shoes and hair, now new dress;
Is this the time that you’ll confess?
Every night, you’re lying, every night, every night You’re lying next to me, the truth so plain to see
Why don’t you just tell the truth, tell me what’s going on? Maybe we could make it through, or am I foolishly wrong?
Every night, you’re lying, every night, every night You’re lying next to me, the truth so plain to see
Woke up and you’re on the phone, hear you say you’re not alone Gonna catch you in a net yeah, you’ll slip up – that’s my bet
Jo’s birthday again don’t sound right, or even another girls’ big night
Every night, you’re lying, every night, every night You’re lying next to me, the truth so plain to see. Every night, every night, every night
Heavy drinking ain’t a heavy load
Drinking whiskey by the bottle ain’t no skill at all But it’s killing me inside, it ain’t helping me to hide Lord I’m still so terrified
Bourbon breakfast helps me start the day
Glass of rye in the morning, that’s my Special K But it’s killing me inside, it ain’t helping me to hide Lord I’m still so terrified
Cuz the world keeps goin’ on and on and on, without me there Cuz weeks pass by, then months are gone,
I don’t know what’s going on
Sat in Joe’s – drinking out the day
Cold Bud, with a shot – that’s the usual way. Excuses’re getting lame, but it all still ends the same I keep playing a losing game
Cuz the world keeps goin on and on and on, without me there Cuz weeks pass by, then months are gone,
I don’t know what’s going on
Bourbon breakfast helps me start the day
Glass of rye in the morning, that’s my Special K But it’s killing me inside, it ain’t helping me to hide Lord I’m still so terrified, Lord I’m still so terrified Lord I’m still so terrified, Lord I’m still so terrified
8-track still played some old Johnny Cash
Knew they were dead, just looking at the crash Then up came a big black car
Looked behind – saw the bishop standing there That was the start of the story of the county affair
Then came a rumour of bags in the trunk
Got tongues wagging, how low had they sunk? Parish priest and headmistress of the school Doing Lord’s work or had they broken the rules? Opinions differed on the story of the county affair
No-one knew what went on
Charity work or some carry on?
Father Jo with his sweet Mary in the car Out too late and out too far
More gossip came from a border bar
Seems one or two there recognised the car
They’d been seen off sitting by the fire
Some say formal some say with desire
That gave some fuel to the story of the county affair
No-one knew what went on
Charity work or some carry on?
Father Jo with his sweet Mary in the car Out too late and out too far
I can’t tell you the truth of that day,
Was it good work or Lord, did they stray?
40 years and the story lives on
No one can agree and the bodies are long gone That’s all there is to the story of the county affair
No-one knew what went on
Charity work or some carry on?
Father Jo with his sweet Mary in the car Out too late and out too far
They met in Nancy’s bar,
Fell in love at first chord
Shaggy guitar player, pick-up band Sultry waitress
She’d seen ‘em all, the cocky, shy and tall Now she had fallen
They had a good run from ‘82 Dreams came into view Bigger tours, louder crowds Home a guitar hero
She’d seen ‘em all, the cocky, shy and tall Now she had fallen
They were the darlin’s of the town, People listened to his hopes
For his brand-new sound,
But fame came tumblin’ down
Fell apart in late ‘92
Success never came
Drink filled the void, fuelled the rows And dope replaced the dream
She’d seen ‘em all, the cocky, shy and tall Wished she’d not fallen
They were the darlin’s of the town, People listened to his hopes
For his brand-new sound,
But fame came tumblin’ down
But fame came tumblin’ down But fame came tumblin’ down Yeh, fame came tumblin’ down
Thirty miles north of nowhere Sells fuel, whiskey and gin Five miles south of some ocean You’ll find the Seaview Inn
I’ve been drinking in the Seaview Inn
I’ve been drinking in the Seaview Inn
Ain’t seen the ocean since I don’t know when No views in the Seaview Inn
Charlie’s here with fishing stories Caught salmon the size of sharks We ain’t seen none of his catch Tall stories in the Seaview Inn
I’ve been drinking in the Seaview Inn
I’ve been drinking in the Seaview Inn
Ain’t seen the ocean since I don’t know when No views in the Seaview Inn
Behind the bar is old man Tom
Got a beard as long as your arm
He ain’t a sailor but we all say
He’s the captain of the Seaview Inn
I’ve been drinking in the Seaview Inn
I’ve been drinking in the Seaview Inn
Ain’t seen the ocean since I don’t know when No views in the Seaview Inn
Funeral car came passing by
Paddy died on Saturday night
Head to the wake to say goodbye When we’re done in the Seaview Inn
I’ve been drinking in the Seaview Inn
I’ve been drinking in the Seaview Inn
Ain’t seen the ocean since I don’t know when There’s no views from the Seaview Inn There’s no views from the Seaview Inn
Come and join me in the Seaview Inn
Have my eye on the prize, never thinking of the risk,
Sure I’ve got the running flush – this could be the big deal. Borrowed money from a man in a hat, said I’d pay him back by fall. Snow’s settling on the hilltops now, so I’m lying low.
Playing poker with my life, not for the first time; Playing poker with my life, not for the last.
Last time, a man in the bar knew a jockey took a bung.
I sold the car, went full in, you can guess the rest.
Post to wire ran at the back, think it’s still running now; Just another of those debts I got to pay.
Playing poker with my life, not for the first time; Playing poker with my life, hope the cards fall well.
I’m always looking for the aces, destiny just gives me twos. Only thing there is left now is my life to lose.
Latest deal’s just a scam, could double all my money. In so deep can’t see the sky, now it ain’t worth a dime. Every time I see a Stetson, I head to the shadow’s edge. Fate’s in town now, so how long can I hide?
Playing poker with my life, not for the first time; Playing poker with my life, I know I’ll bet again. I know I’ll bet again.
Baby thanks a lot
You made me smile and I smiled a lot Baby thanks a lot
You girl were like a shimmer of light When all was dark, one long black night You brought light, you brought light
Before you hung a big dark cloud Followed me round and round Left me no place to hide
So baby thanks a lot
You made me cry, I even cried a lot Baby thanks a lot
You girl shone like a beacon bright
Into the shadows of my heart
Dragged day from night, dragged day from night
Before you hung a big dark cloud Followed me round and round Left me no place to hide
So baby thanks a lot
You made me smile and I smiled a lot
Baby thanks a lot, baby thanks a lot, baby thanks a lot.
I rake the coals in the range on the farm
His words still hitting me just like a winter’s storm
‘I’m sorry I’m going away, don’t want to farm so I can’t stay’
Go tell your father what you said to me
Gonna leave this land behind
Leaving him, leaving me, leaving him, leaving me
My brother left back in 1916
Came back once in a Cadillac, so big black and green
Then just letters in the post, later just a Christmas card at most
Go tell your father what you said to me
Gonna leave this land behind
Leaving him, leaving me, leaving him, leaving me
He never liked the land – sure that I could see Loves cars and music he wants to be free
‘I’m sorry I’m going away; Ma don’t curse me I pray’
Go tell your father, go tell your father, Go tell your father, go tell your father
Leaves just one son behind, he’d better stay home
Farm needs a strong man – Pa can’t go on alone
Early milking kills him bit by bit, need to keep a young son who’s fit
So go tell Seamus what you told me Tell him he can’t leave this land Can’t leave Pa, can’t leave me
Now the farm’s down to three.
Go tell your father, go tell your father, Go tell your father, go tell your father