Erasers On Pencils

1. Jigorous

There's no one in the house- it's quiet as a mouse
But eight o'clock they will all be home
Our Momma isn't well- she hasn't been herself
Forgetting things she's always known
Well tonight she's gonna dance, tonight she's gonna sing
Little Momma's gotta shake it, we're gonna get you back into the swing
Let's get jigorous- jigorous
Jig-jivin', jumpin' into the
Swirlin', twirlin', whirl of life that's all around us
Jigorous- jigorous
Get livin' dangerous cause there's
Only so much more daylight
So today will have to cheat its way into tonight
The family loves to dance- we seize on any chance
To kick up our heels and cut a rug
Tom and Linny rhumba, & me and Megan waltz
Lookit Ma & Johnny jitterbug!
You could say it doesn't help her, it's only just a dance
But when you have a partner, you always have a chance- so let's get
Let's get jigorous- jigorous
Jig-jivin', jumpin' into the
Swirlin', twirlin', whirl of life that's all around us
Jigorous- jigorous
Get livin' dangerous cause there's
Only so much more daylight
So today will have to cheat its way into tonight
Jig, jig, everybody- jig jig hand in hand
Jig jig for the love of each pair of feet in the land
Reach out for a partner- grab on, do-si-do
Find you one who won't let go, find you one who won't let go
I got one who won't let go
INSTRUMENTAL
Stealthily I creep- the nurse says she's asleep
I sit on the bed & watch her breathe
Cause when she comes awake- she'll say it's a mistake:
"I don't belong here, son, let's leave!"
Well momma isn't sure of her way from here to there
Like all of us she tries to be brave but she's scared
But when she hears a song that she thinks she's heard before
She reaches for her Partner, and heads out to the floor
She says: Let's get- c'mon now, let's get

Let's get jigorous- jigorous
Jig-jivin', jumpin' into the
Swirlin', twirlin', whirl of life that's all around us
Jigorous- jigorous
Get livin' dangerous cause I want to deserve this light
That's shinin' down on us
Jigorous (jigorous)- jigorous (jigorous)
Jig-jivin', jumpin' into the
Swirlin', twirlin', whirl of life that's all around us
Jigorous- jigorous, ain't it fabulous, cause I'm
Bathin' in the warmest light
And today is gonna cheat its way into tonight

2. God Done Good

I met her on a Sunday- third day of May
Tried not to show her- I was swept away
By her giddy girlish laughter- & long raven hair
And the way that she barely- seemed to care
And I love and admire her still to this day, so I have to say
If I could
God done good- God done good
God done good- God done good
He made a promise- said he would
And God done good
We tried to have a baby- we tried and we tried
We couldn't make it happen- we cried and we cried
Searched for an answer- we prayed and we prayed
Then one day it happened- from far, far away
A baby boy he came and changed our lives- and we cried and we cried
Cause we understood
God done good- God done good
God done good- God done good
He made a promise- said he would
And God done good
Got no money- got no fame
Got no title before my name
Got food and water- brick and wood
Got love and laughter- God done, God done good
INSTRUMENTAL
We watch our baby sleepin'- peaceful and calm
We look at those eyelashes- so graceful and long
He will be a prize for - some lucky girl
And a gift of laughter- to a cold, lonely world
And we wink at the sky and we kneel- and we cry and we cry
And it's understood
God done good- God done good
God done good- God done good
He made a promise- said he would
And God done good

3. The Fighting Chair

I was standin on the shoreline
Fishin' pole gettin' heavy in my hand
As usual catchin' nothin' the story of my life, the story of the man
Then some geezer in a schooner
Said son "Take a look at the sky
Still time to get out where the fish are
Still time to find the gleam in your eye
You wanna catch a big one, you wanna be a hero
You'll never get nothin' standin' over there
So strap yourself in and we'll sail away deep
You only reel 'em in from the fighting chair"
It felt scary, kinda crazy, like things usually feel to me
But it got me thinking I'm standin'
On the shoreline everytime there's somewhere to be
So I jumped up on his schooner
He strapped me in, put the pole in my hand
He said "Twilight is gonna get your head right
You're gonna feel clean, you're gonna make a stand
You wanna catch a big one, you wanna be a hero
You'll never get nothin' standin' over there
So strap yourself in and we'll sail away deep
You only reel 'em in from the fighting chair"
I felt somethin', somethin'- I started tuggin', tuggin'
Said "Brother, this is it, the only way you beat me is if I up and quit!"
Well I ain't quit- well, not yet

In my daydream, I drop my line in, they all swim by laughin' in my face
But I believe if I snag that one big fish it'll make the vision go away
We all have one good catch in us, one sweet day, one perfect moonlight
Gonna sail out into the wind and
I'll taste the salt water on my face tonight
You wanna catch a big one, you wanna be a hero
You'll never get nothin' standin' over there
So strap yourself in and we'll sail away deep
You only reel 'em in from the fighting chair
Wanna find love, wanna find home
Lookin' for peace, lookin' everywhere
The way to peace is a dang hard struggle
Strap yourself in to the fighting chair
I'm gonna make my own peace with the fighting chair

4. Thanks

Thanks- for keepin' track of me
Thanks- for givin' a dang about me
Thanks- for sayin' that you love me
Thanks- just thanks

Thanks- for lettin' me know you care
Thanks- for always bein' there
Thanks- for makin' me do my share
Thanks- just thanks
Can't thank you enough
I'm high from you liftin' me up
Thanks- for sayin' what you said
Thanks- for clearin' out my head
Thanks- for givin' me hope instead
Thanks- just thanks
Can't thank you enough
I'm high from you lifting me up
Thanks- you left me who I was
Thanks- you showed me what a smile does
Thanks- you loved me just because
Thanks- just thanks

Thanks- for cryin' when I bleed
Thanks- for wavin' when I leave
Thanks- for bein' what I believe
Thanks- just thanks

5. Long For You

I know there's water- because I'm thirsty
I know there's food- because I'm hungry
I know there's love- because love is all I wanna do
And I know that you're out there- because I
Long for you
Because I long for you
I know there's air- because I'm breathing
I know there's light- because I'm seeing
I know there's truth- because I believe it to be true
And I know that you're out there- because I
Long for you
Because I long for you
Because I long for you
You know I long for you
I need you to be there- I know you must be there
I know you share what I share
I know you care 'cause I care

I may be wrong- but I ain't never ever seen the proof
So I still believe that you're out there- because I
Long for you
Because I long for you
Because I long for you
You know I long for you

6. Erasers on Pencils

I wrote a "d" when I meant a "b," now I'm stuck with the "d"
(That's what erasers on pencils are for)
I tried to think my thought with "d," but it doesn't come out like me
(That's what erasers on pencils are for)
How come I do this everytime?
I s'poze it's prob'ly not a crime
That don't stop it drivin' me outta my mind
I hate when this happens, I hate when this happens, well
Mama better look here
I made some mistakes, I'm afraid I'll make more
'n she says: "Darlin, when those fears appear
That's what erasers on pencils are for"
I introduced my friend to Bruce, but I called him "Brent"
(That's what erasers on pencils are for)
I'd put the blame on my poor brain, but I don't know where it went
(That's what erasers on pencils are for)
I thought I could but now I know
I'll never be some perfect Joe
But it's so hard to just let go
I hate when this happens, I hate when this happens, well
Mama better look here
I made some mistakes, I'm afraid I'll make more
'n she says: "Darlin, when those fears appear
That's what erasers on pencils are for"
I feel so lowly, so bottom-of-the-bowl-y
So next-to-nearly none
But you won't see me at no pity party
That's a table set for one
Erasing mistakes is supposed to be fun

I've been a loser (That's what erasers on pencils are for)
Been so uptight
I've been so foolish (That's what erasers on pencils are for)
Lo these many days & nights
How come I do this everytime?
Mother, Father this is my crime
I bet it's drivin' you outta your mind
I betcha hate when this happens, you hate when this happens, you say

Darlin' better look here
You made some mistakes, I'm afraid you'll make more
Well I promise, when those fears appear- I will help you
(That's what erasers on pencils are for) I'll be with you
(That's what erasers on pencils are for) I'll forgive you
That's what erasers on pencils are for

7. Barely Inside of my Own Skin

Well I can hardly stand the heightened state I'm in
Barely stay inside of my own skin
Can't believe the life I get to live
Can't conceive the joy I have to give
All because- because of you
Cause you made me- made me new
I am not the frightened guy I've been
Barely stay inside of my own skin

Well I can hardly keep the pace and catch my breath
Barely tell my right foot from my left
Got a giant guyser in my heart
Blowin' up but hopefully not apart
All because- because of you
Cause you made me- chase the truth
Not the timid guy I've always been
Barely stay inside of my own skin
INSTRUMENTAL
Well I can see the dawn of brighter, bold new days
See my troubles wilt and blow away
See us holdin' hands both black and white
See myself, attempting what is right
All because- because of you
Cause you made me- wanna come through
Not the empty promise that I've been
Barely stay inside of my own skin

Jump, jump, jumpin' right out of- jump, jumpin' outta my skin
Jump, jump, jumpin' right out of the rest of the mess to the pickle I'm in

8. It Only Tickles When You Do It

I revel in days of abiding great joy
Bestowed upon me by that one little boy
Well it's true that it smarts when he shouts in my ears
But the silence hurt more before he was here

Well he laughs til he cries as we flail on the floor
And he pleads with me "Stop!", though he knows there'll be more
With an innocent whimsy he hasn't lost yet
Then he leads me to wisdom I'll never forget
When he says "Now Daddy, you tickle yourself"
And I say: "If I could I'd get to it
But it only tickles when you do it"

Now that my bonnie boy has grown into a man
I am left all alone here with these idle hands
So they reach up to You who've been Father to me
And they're craving the joy that Your touch always means
I say this in not the most reverent terms
And pray You won't misconstrue it
But it only tickles when You do it

....and then the Lord speaks.... :
"I am God, I am happy in heavens above
I've had eons and ages of Myself to love
Still I found it amusing to see Adam come
And the earth did seem greener, and brighter the sun
Well I may try to hide this from even Myself
But clearly you always knew it
That it only tickles when you do it
Yes it only tickles when you do it"

9. These Things have a Way of Working Out

Late late for my date with Lindy Lou
Lead foot doin' 99
Officer please try'n' understand
He said: "The bottom of the ticket's where you pay your fine"
I pull up and she says: "It's over, boy"
I couldn't fight back the tears
Well Lindy Lou is the Missus now
And I haven't had a ticket in 22 years
These things have a way of workin' out
These things have a way of workin' out
Lord knows what it's all about but
These things have a way of workin' out
Swing swing then I swing and miss again
Last out of the final game
Slugger boy cries all the way home
Heads down to the basement in rage and shame
Bang bang my fist on the piano keys
But that sound kinda set me free
Well now baseball's just in the papers
But rock'n'roll been berry good to me
These things have a way of workin' out
These things have a way of workin' out
Lord knows what it's all about
These things have a way of workin' out
You don't get what you want- at least not yet
You don't get what you need
But do you get what you get? Boy, you bet-hey!
Tough times for myself and the family
The day came we had to sell the farm
You can pray and you can think good thoughts
But nobody's ever really safe from harm
Pack up and we hit the highway
A new road where the old one ends
A few kind words, a few smiles and
Hope is back in business again
These things have a way of workin' out
These things have a way of workin' out
Lord knows what it's all about but
These things have a way of workin' out

10. Tween the Jigs and the Reels

To see you dance would be a treat
Hips and hands and legs and feet
With all the joy your heart can feel
To our new song "Tween the Jigs and the Reels"- c'mon

You lads and lassies here tonight
To see you dance is a wonderful sight
You swirl and twirl and kick your heels
Spreading joy with your jigs and reels

Well the dance you're doin' is a lot like life
Back and forth and left and right
We get confused as to what we feel
With all that happens 'tween the jigs and the reels
Well I lost my job three weeks ago
The boss said: "Hate to see you go
Here's fifteen bucks for a couple of meals
You'll be fine, with your jigs and reels"

Well he didn't know how right he was
It got me mad and it woke me up
To a simple truth that'd been concealed
Life is what happens 'tween the jigs and the reels

You may be sober, may be drunk
But ponder this on which I've thunk
If life is such a dubious deal
How did we get these jigs and reels?

Well if the devil's on our trail tonight
He hopes we'll stumble in the dance of life
But we swirl and twirl and kick our heels
Well you can't catch me 'tween the jigs and the reels

Well you can't catch me 'tween the jigs and the reels

11. Life is a Polka

Allright, so we rocked and rolled, we swung a little
We did a jig and maybe a reel
But listen, now- it's Polka Time!

My friend Johnny Cleveland says he feels his
Life's a big baloney and dirt sandwich
Phony chances, girls who leave him
I said well Johnny, now, we can't let our jukebox just play the blues
What I do is picture myself out on the floor in my most comfortable shoes
Aw, well I say that:
Life is a polka- and I'm gonna dance, dance, dance
Life is a polka- I'm gonna dance, dance, dance
Johnny says nice try but since last night I made thirteen phone calls
No one's called me back or loved me back, that's none at all
Well that's how it is, Johnny- some of our partners got two left feet
But they'll never know the great dancer you are if you stay glued to your seat
Aw get out there cause
Life is a polka- and I'm gonna dance, dance, dance
Life is a polka- I'm gonna dance, dance, dance
Stuck in the corner you can't dance, dance, dance
Crouched in horror you can't dance, dance, dance
You're gonna miss it- you gotta risk it
Can't win the Lotto 'til you take a chance, chance, chance, chance

Johnny says: "You're right I danced last night and boy, oh boy
It's like I walked on air like Fred Astaire, man, I held the spotlight
Aw, sweet Johnny- so glad to see you boogaloo
While we're out here- could ya teach us a step or two?
Ow, this crazy
Life is a polka- and I'm gonna dance, dance, dance
Life is a polka- and I'm gonna dance, dance, dance

12. Junkward

Saw a movie where a guy
Kills another guy- twice
Don't know if I can forget about it
Saw a guy finish a fight
With a butcher knife- slice
Pretty sure I won't forget about it
Is it okay- if I say
My heart is not a junkyard
My mind is not a dump for all the gunk around
My spirit's not a junkyard
No, it's Holy ground
Saw a photo on the net
Can't believe that I've seen
Don't know if I can forget about it:
Two kids were playin' in some dirt
That'll never come clean
Wish to God I could forget about it
No one's safe 'til we all say
My heart is not a junkyard
My mind is not a dump for all the gunk around
My spirit's not a junkyard
No, it's Holy ground
Wanna keep- keep the temple clean
Gotta keep- keep the temple clean
Tryin' to keep- keep the temple clean
How do I keep the temple clean?

A vicious rumor went around
Wrecked my Uncle John's life
Guess he never could forget about it
No one's safe 'til we all say
My heart is not a junkyard
My mind is not a dump for all the gunk around
My spirit's not a junkyard
No, it's Holy ground