Caitlin Ayers provides the spooky oohs in this version
Words and music © Copyright 2005, 2015 Peter Lloyd

I saw a ghost 
It was a most unusual apparition
I saw a ghost 
It made me want to make an act of contrition 
I don’t believe in things that science can’t explain 
But I swear that I just saw a ghost 

I saw a ghost 
It gave me chicken flesh and muscle constriction
I saw a ghost 
I tried my very best to hide my affliction 
My best friend Roger took one look at me and said 
You look like you just saw a ghost 

My hands are tremblin’
My nerves are toast 
Can’t stop remembrin’
The haunted look on the face of that ghost 

I saw a ghost 
It made me question all my deepest convictions
I saw a ghost 
It told me things that seem much stranger than fiction 
I learned that straw can give you warts 
Oh, yeah, it’s true, I know ‘cuz I just saw a ghost 

I know ‘cuz I just saw a ghost 
I know ‘cuz I just saw a ghost

I Saw a Ghost

Words and music © Copyright 2013 Peter Lloyd
David Lloyd on bass

Fetch a keg, deep and hollow
Fill it up with alcohol, I'll drink it
Down. I'll drink it up
I'll drink it from a bottle
I'll drink it from a cup

I may sip. I will swallow
Long as it's got alcohol, I'll drink it
Down. I'll drink it up
I'll drink it from a bottle
I'll drink it from a cup

I drink whiskey. I drink wine
I drink beer all the time
But if I make I make it to heaven someday
I'll drink nothing but Courvoisier

Lead me on. I will follow
Long as you've got alcohol, I'll drink it
Down. I'll drink it up
I'll drink it from a bottle
I'll drink it from a cup

I'll drink it from a bottle
I'll drink it from a cup

Alcohol

He took her in his arms, held her tight
And told her she saved his life
It might have been the start  of a fine romance
Except she was my wife

She needed to be told she never would grow old
And he'd love her like I never could
As soon as she believed  he always would
He turned his back on her for good

Some kisses feed a hunger
Some kisses mean, I love you
But no lips that long for love can tell
The difference between the two

The difference between the two is only
The distance between heaven and hell
But when your eyes go blind with love
There's no way you can tell the difference

The leaves flew from the trees on autumn breezes
The winter wind chilled the air
No sooner than it seemed  too much to bear
I saw her standing there

Her heart was in her hand, suitcase at her feet
Her smiled opened up the door
Even though I tried  to turn away
I took her in my arms once more

Some kisses feed a hunger
Some kisses mean, I love you
But no lips that long for love can tell
The difference between the two
No lips that long for love can tell
The difference between the two
No lips that long for love can tell
The difference between the two

Words © Copyright 2001, 2015, 2025 Peter Lloyd
Music by Suno.com AI

Difference Between the Two

Words by Lawrence Ferlinghetti, music © Copyright 2015 Peter Lloyd

What could she say to the fantastic foolybear
And what could she say to brother
And what could she say
To the cat with future feet
And what could she say to mother

After that time that she lay lush among the lolly flowers on that hot Riverbank
Where ferns fell away in the broken air of the breath of her lover
And birds went mad and threw themselves from trees 
To taste still hot upon the ground
The spilled sperm seed

Fantastic Foolybear

© Copyright 2023 Peter Lloyd

Arleen was just about seventeen and so was Frank, plus three
When he saw Arleen at the record hop and asked, “Hey, wanna dance with me?”
Arleen was like a feather on her feet, sweet as honeycomb  
When the dee jay stopped, Frank bowed and said, "Arleen, let me walk you home"

Arleen said, no! Arleen said, no (she said)
You've gone about as far as you gon’ go
I’m fun but I ain’t easy, and I like you more or less (but)
You got a few more hoops to jump through, Frank, before I acquiesce

A few days later, Frank called Arleen and asked her for a date
She agreed and they proceeded. Things were goin great
Frank drove her home ‘round midnight and walked her to her door
Kissed Arleen on the cheek and asked, "How ‘bout a little bit more?"

Arleen said, no! Arleen said, no (she said)
You've gone about as far as you gon’ go
I’m fun but I ain’t easy, and I like you more or less (but)
You got a few more hoops to jump through, Frank, before I acquiesce

When Arleen and Frank started goin steady, she proudly wore his ring
They did a whole a lot a-huggin and a-kissin up on her front-porch swing
Things got hot and heavy, so close to satisfied
Made Frank whine and plead and beg, "Arleen, can't we go inside?"

Arleen said, no! Arleen said, no (she said)
You've gone about as far as you gon’ go
I’m fun but I ain’t easy, and I like you more or less (but)
You got a few more hoops to jump through, Frank, before I acquiesce

The very next time Frank saw Arleen, he got down on his knee 
Gently held her hand and asked, "Arleen, will you marry me?"
She paused and thought about it. Then she smiled and answered, yes
They’ve been so gosh-darn happy now, ever since Arleen acquiesced 

Oh, Frank’s so glad Arleen acquiesced

Ballad of Frank and Arleen

Mike Kenney provided the idea for this song. Jason Liles composed the music and sang the part of Pete. David Lloyd played guitars, bass and built percussion. Caitlin Ayers sang the part of the Wife. Peter Lloyd wrote lyrics, sang the part of the Bartender and played harmonica.

Cheatin on Us

Bartender speaks:
A bartender sees a lot of shit
But nothing like last night
Mike stormed in, face all red
That boy was looking to fight

Pete sat alone nursing his beer
His face was sad and long
Mike picked him up, threw him on the floor
Then Pete started singing this song:

Pete sings:
I know you love your lovely wife
But I'm in love with her too
And when I hit you with the truth
It’s gonna hurt me more than you

When she's with me she's cheatin' on you
But please don't make a fuss
Cuz when she's with you, she's cheatin' on me
Your wife's been cheatin' on us

I saw her just the other day
Stepping on the crosstown bus
That can only mean one thing, Mike
Your wife's been cheatin on us

Each of us gets time enough
Why should we complain?
Let's have ourselves another round
And drink to love in vain

Harmonica break

Bartender speaks:
Well then she walked in, wouldn't you know
On the arm of yet another man
All three men looked hard at her
That’s when the fun began

Wife sings:
Oh, you little boys, you silly boys 
Please try to act like men
I told y’all, when it comes to love
I choose who and when

So love me or leave me, make up your mind 
But it’s gonna go my way
You know I love all three of you 
And I hope y’all choose to stay 

© Copyright 2024 Peter Lloyd and Jason Liles

Cheatin On Us

Another November I stand with the trees
Their black branches robbed by a mean autumn breeze
I lean on a tall oak, my cheek to her bark
And mourn my companion as the woodland grows dark

Oh, I miss my companion, always more, never less
As the years wrap around me, they embrace my distress
I return to you empty. Speak again what you teach
From the ages inside you round and as wide as my reach

Then the oak speaks for hours and her wisdom I heed
I hear in her silence all the solace I need
"Stay standing, she minds me, "let death do its worst
"Welcome each sunrise as if it's your first"

Yes, another November I stand with the trees
Their black branches robbed by a mean autumn breeze
I must leave you again now with tears on your bark
But I'll come back each autumn till my memory goes dark

© Copyright 2025 Peter Lloyd
Music with Suno AI

Companion

You walked right in
With a smile in hand
The years being good to you
Easy to understand
Talked about the past
Talked about the day-to-day
Laughed out loud
Talked the night away

What part of my smile don't you understand?
When I touch my hair and wave my hand
At the end of that strand, on the top of my mind
Without exception, dear
You're that near
It's you every time

I feel the heat
Cooking dinner with you
It feels like kissing you
Cuz it's so easy to do
I want you on my plate
We won't need that serving spoon
You taste so good
I'm coming after you

What part of my smile don't you understand?
When I see you turn and touch your hand
At the end of that hand, so easily mine
Without exception, dear
You're that near
It's you every time

My pillow's sweet
With dreams of you
Your voice still fills my head
Honey, it comes on through
It's the way you say
An ordinary "How are you?"
Night or day
Yeah, I'm talking to you

What part of my smile don't you understand?
When I rest my head and hold out my hand
Like the wind in my ear at the end of a sigh
Without exception, dear
You're that near
It's you every time
You're that near
It's you every time

© Copyright 2001, 2025 Annamarie Borich and Peter Lloyd

Every Time

Is that a note from Casanova?
Better send him on his way
If he starts to turn your pretty head
This is all you have to say

Tell him you're deep in love already
If he asks you for a name
Say he's well known as the Hunchback
And he comes from Notre Dame

Don't worry, you won't miss a thing
You can't read in Robert Frost
It's better to have never loved
Than to have loved and lost

Never love unless you have to
Never give your heart away
Nothing's free in this old world
And when you love, you pay

Take no pity on the Phantom
Don't get led into his lair
We don't need another Romeo
Trust me, there's no future there

You'd do better by a fireman
With a head of wavy hair
When your wedding bed goes up in flames
Then you might just have a prayer

But if you can't resist a tango
Get your money in advance
Then you won't have to beg for cab fare
When he leaves you at the dance
\
I've been around this world a whole lot longer than you
I've had my ups and downs and learned a thing or two
I had some breaks, I've made mistakes
And now I'm warning you

Never love unless you have to
Never strain your heart that way
Nothing's free in this old world
And when you love, you pay

Now when that overwhelming emptiness
Comes and grabs you by the throat
Starts to slowly suck your breath away
Sinks you like a tiny boat

Know you're better off to drown in tears
Than watch your lying lover choke
On his vows of everlasting love
Like goodbye's some kind of joke

There's no such thing as loneliness
If you live for what you do
When you clean up after no one
No one cleans up after you

Never love unless you have to
Never give your heart away
Nothing's free in this old world
And when you love, you pay

© Copyright 1984, 2001, 2025 Peter Lloyd
Music with Suno.com AI

Never Love

Pay attention, pay attention
Pay attention to me and see what you see

Pay attention, pay attention
Pay attention to me and see what you see

Now I’m not talking about my fantastic figure
Or my knack of wrapping men around my finger 
All I need is almost a master
Someone who's a  challenge and understands
The ins and outs and...
Pay attention, pay attention
Pay attention or lose your chances with me

Pay attention, pay attention
Pay attention to me and see what you see
Now I’m not talking about my fantastic figure
Or my knack of wrapping men around my finger 
All I need is almost a master
Someone who's a challenge and understands
The ins and outs and...
Pay attention, pay attention
Pay attention or lose your chances with me

Pay attention, pay attention
Pay attention or lose your chances with me

© Copyright 1977, 2025 Peter Lloyd
Music by suno.com

Pay Attention

Hello, you wanna have some fun?
My name is Madeleine and I'm the one
My, my, you're such a handsome guy
I love your eyes, oh, your hair
Pardon, I can't help but stare

I've got no needle for my phonograph
The water's running but there ain't no bath
I'm needy, but, oh, you're so greedy
Now, not so fast
I'd love to love you but you make me laugh

Slow down before you break your heart
You're off and running way before we start
Now, there. That's much better
Do that again
Oh, I'd better go before I go too far

I'm in the middle of the mood for love
But what you do you do in such a rush
It's necessary to be fairly nonchalant
That's how I get everything I want

[burlesque music]

Good night. I hope you had your fun
I'm going upstairs, if you wanna come
Bye-bye. Tell your wives I said, Hello
And come back next week, for another show

(c) Copyright 2025 Peter Lloyd
music by suno ai

Madeleine

You've made a conscious effort to make a damn fool out of me
I know it's your endeavor to turn me into your enemy
Oh, but, I'm just a hard-headed lover boy
I'll bang my head against your wall until it falls

I know it's your intention to laugh me off the face of the earth
You better ease the tension or I'll see you get your money's worth
No, I'm just a hard-headed lover boy
I'll bang my head against your wall until it falls

You’ll never make me lose my appetite
I’ve made my mind up on you
I’ll try and try until I get it right
That’s what a lover boy’s supposed to do

You've got your concentration set on bringing me to my knees
Call the United Nations cuz I don't buckle under easily
Yeah, cuz I'm just a hard-headed lover boy
I'll bang my head against your wall until it falls

They may find me on the street some day
Or lying face-down on your lawn
But you won't see me take defeat that way
I'll take you down, baby, long before I'm gone

You've made a conscious effort to make a damn fool out of me
I know it's your endeavor to turn me into your enemy
Oh, but, I'm just a hard-headed lover boy
I'll bang my head against your
I'll bang my head against your
I'll bang my head against your wall until it falls
I’ll bang my head until you fall

© Copyright 1984, 2000, 2025  Peter Lloyd
Music by suno.com AI

Hard-headed Lover Boy

i broke my own heart

i fell for her like a leaf from a tree
not a thing i could do about it
she gave me proof of her love— at least
i had no reason to doubt it
but i played around from the very start
only meant to break a few rules
instead, i broke my own heart 

i know i did wrong, but you might as well 
tell a fox to stop chasing rabbits 
i live for the chase, get bored with the catch
it’s not easy to break old, bad habits 
yeah, i played around from the very start
only meant to break a few rules
instead, i broke my own heart 

someday you may find someone 
with everything you require
don’t even think about playing around 
you’re better off playing with fire

i played around from the very start
only meant to break a few rules
instead, i broke my own heart 
like fool, i broke my own heart
serves me right, i broke my own heart

Copyright 2025 Peter Lloyd
music by suno AI

I Broke My Own Heart

She needed someone to talk to
Just as you happened to walk by
You marked the day and the hour
As if you had no scars to hide

She brought you silver and sunshine
You thought she opened up the sky
Don’t let her bright eyes delude you
Your sun and moon will soon collide

You’re headed for a heartbreak
All your stars are falling, falling
Falling all the wrong way
Headed for a heartbreak
I hope you know it breaks my heart
To see you headed that way
Uh-uh-uh-uh-oh!

When she decides to undo you
No doubt you’ll be the last to know
As walls come crashing around you
Just understand you’re not alone

You’re headed for a heartbreak
All your stars are falling, falling
Falling all the wrong way
Headed for a heartbreak
I hope you know it breaks my heart
To see you headed that way
Uh-uh-uh-uh-oh!

Headed for a heartbreak, Uh-uh-uh-uh-oh!
Headed for a heartbreak, Uh-uh-uh-uh-oh!

© Copyright 2025 Peter Lloyd 
mudic by suno ai

Headed for a Heartbreak

Be a bee, not to be a bee
Never crosses the mind of the carpenter bee
He’s got much better things to do 
Than to sit and ask why the blue sky is so blue

Get some nectar and bring it home
Never think about some other places to roam
Ev’ry day got to help his crew
Go to work, hurry back, a lot more he can do

Black and yellow
Busy fellow
Never mellow
Lazy? Hell no!

My, how I’d love to buzz and fly
Through the hot summer air underneath a blue sky
Gee, if I was a bee I’d be
A fat fuzzy, bizz-buzzy, black carpenter bee

My, how I’d love to buzz and fly
Through the hot summer air underneath a blue sky
Gee, if I was a bee I’d be
A fat fuzzy, bizz-buzzy, black carpenter bee

Be a bee, not to be a bee
Never crosses the mind of the carpenter bee
He’s got much better things to do 
Than to sit and ask why the blue sky is so blue

Get some nectar and bring it home
Never think about some other places to roam
Ev’ry day got to help his crew
Go to work, hurry back, a lot more he can do

Black and yellow
Busy fellow
Never mellow
Lazy? Hell no!

My, how I’d love to buzz and fly
Through the hot summer air underneath a blue sky
Gee, if I was a bee I’d be
A fat fuzzy, bizz-buzzy, black carpenter bee

My, how I’d love to buzz and fly
Through the hot summer air underneath a blue sky
Gee, if I was a bee I’d be
A fat fuzzy, bizz-buzzy, black carpenter bee

© Copyright 2025 Peter Lloyd
music by suno ai

Carpenter Bee

It’s sizzling hot computer combat​​​​​​
Every soggy wad of nerves armored for the race
Don’t they know they’re standing still, the world is rolling underneath
Oh, they must not, because I just got a finger in my face
 
But a day is not a day if nothing happens
Too many days like that will make you weak
now I tried to place my tangled, tattered life in order
when I start to sort the pieces, I feel like such a freak
 
Why am I so lucky?
How did I find you?
On this big, blue ship of fools
In an endless starry sea
 
How could I be so lucky?
Why did you choose me?
What will you do when you find out
What a fool I can be?
 
One wall, I tried them all, but the weight won’t let me​​​
These shadows of myself rumble by me through the night
I lie here thinking round and round and round in silly circles
How can I be wrapped in shadow when there isn’t any light?
 
My fingers long, they need so much to touch you
While every nerve inside is left to burn
The blood that churns in twisted rivers from my heart ​​​
I’m afraid it does not always desire to return
 
Why am I so lucky?
How did I find you?
On this big, blue ship of fools
In an endless starry sea
 
How could I be so lucky?
Why did you choose me?
What will you do when you find out
How cruel I can be?
 
At last I dreamed the clouds begin to open
A drop of silver sunlight fell and dissolved without a trace
When I awoke, I felt your hand, I heard your voice
I grabbed you, I breathed you in, I even saw your face
 
I cried
Why am I so lucky?
How did I find you?
On this big, blue ship of fools
In an endless starry sea
 
How could I be so lucky?
Why did you choose me?
What will you do when you find out
What a fool I can be?
 
Please don’t leave me when you find out
What a fool I can be

© Copyright 2006, 2021 , 2025 Peter Lloyd
music by suno AI

Why Am I So Lucky?

Johnny wooed sweet Mary with the emerald eyes
To the heights of passion soon they both did rise
There they met a rival they could not evade
Time

Mary's voice was silver, like a mountain stream
And her hair flowed gently, long golden beams
Oh, but from her rival, Mary could not hide
Time

Johnny led young Mary up to Lover's Ledge
There he laid her gently near the wind­swept edge
As he drew her to him, Mary softly sang

Johnny will ya kiss me when my fairness fails me?
Johnny will ya lead me when my eyes grow weak?
Johnny will ya brace me when my legs betray me?
Say you'll never leave me or no longer speak
Say you'll never leave me or no longer speak

As her words burned through him, Johnny turned around
Though his young lips parted, still he made no sound
From his only rival Johnny he did run
Time

Mary's flowing tresses lost their golden glaze
And her eyes grew cloudy like the morning haze
To her lifelong rival Mary did resign
Time

Hear me all young maidens, better to abstain
Than to trust a hunger surely bound to wane
If he will not promise never to forsake, sing

Who's gonna kiss ya when your fairness fails you?
Who's gonna lead ya when your eyes grow weak?
Who's gonna brace ya when your legs betray you?`
Better start lookin cuz it won't be me
Ya better start lookin cuz it won't be me

Ya better start lookin 'fore you run outa
Time

© Copyright 2014, 2025 Peter Lloyd

Time

wanna know why I’m crying?
too many friends are dying
the older I get the more I regret
surviving 

we be but boats on the ocean
leaning on the wind for motion
here come Mercury, Venus and Mars
each deserving our devotion 				

Ships slip on by through the starry night
hail us with light or a chime
With some we exchange precious cargo
And some we may board for a time

Anchors aweigh! Ain’t that what they say?
Gangway to starboard or port
May you stay watertight
May you wheel through the night
May you find a fair port in the storm

Through doldrums and tempests we wander
among fishes and St. Elmo’s fire
The spray of the waves, the bite of the brine
And the song of the albatross choir

Anchors aweigh! Ain’t that what they say?
Gangway to starboard or port
May you stay watertight
May you wheel through the night
May you find a fair port in the storm


wanna know why I’m crying?
too many friends are dying
the older I get the more I regret
surviving

Copyright 2025 Peter Lloyd

Death’s Door

He got the green light, I got the red
 He got the girlfriend, I got the bed
 He got a date if he want it or not
 My one commitment is to never get caught


 He got the corn, I got the cob
 He got the title, I got a job
 He work his ass off 80 hours a week
 When I get off I get a good night’s sleep

I got the ee-hee, ee-hee, easy life
I got the ee-hee, ee-hee, easy life
 He got the trouble and strife
I got the easy life

 He got the penthouse, I got the pent
 He pay a mortgage, I pay the rent
 He all tied up for the next fifty years
 All I think about is my next beer

I got the ee-hee, ee-hee, easy life
I got the ee-hee, ee-hee, easy life
 He got the trouble and strife
I got the easy life

 He took the straight road, I take the bends
 He got connections, I got friends
 When he get sick they gonna keep him alive
 When I get sick I’m gonna lay down and die

I got the ee-hee, ee-hee, easy life
I got the ee-hee, ee-hee, easy life
 He got the trouble and strife
I got the easy life

 He stand for hero, G stand for gnu
 P for pneumonia, Y stand for you
 X stand for xylophone and K stand for knee
 Don’t have to make no sense to no one but me

I got the ee-hee, ee-hee, easy life
I got the ee-hee, ee-hee, easy life
 He got the trouble and strife
I got the easy life

Copyright 2012, 2025 Peter Lloyd

Easy Life

Moonlight on the water paves
A ragged sea with steppingstones going nowhere
Specters from the ocean floor 
Beckon me with broken bones to go there

Moonlight on the water
Water in the sea
Footsteps on the water 
Water under me 

Please don't let me sink before I see the other shore
Please don't let me drown before I touch the ocean floor


Moonlight on the water paves
A ragged sea with steppingstones going nowhere
Specters from the ocean floor 
Beckon me with broken bones to go there

Moonlight on the water
Water in the sea
Footsteps on the water 
Water under me

Water under me

Copyright 2025 Peter Lloyd
music by suno AI

Footsteps on the Water

When I wore my pain so proud 
Along the streets of Lonely Town
I said a lot of things I didn’t mean
With eyes so full of jealousy
I saw a lot of things I didn’t see

Yes, I was all but penniless
No telephone and no address
Everything I owned I owed my greed
But I gathered all my dreams and found 
I had a lot of things I didn’t need

And I cried, “Love, love, love, Love, love, love
Love, love, love what’ll you have me do?”
And I cried, “Love, love, love, Love, love, love
Love, love, love what’ll you have me do?”      

My life played like a masquerade 
Until you walked onto the stage
My eyes, they could not bear to leave your face
I heard trumpets from the wings of night 
Announce the presence of my saving grace

And I cried, “Love, love, love, Love, love, love
Love, love, love what’ll you have me do?”
And I cried, “Love, love, love, Love, love, love
Love, love, love what’ll you have me do?”

Now when my feet grow weary way 
Before the end of every day
And every breath believes it has a choice
To make my load feel light again
All I have to do is hear your voice

And I cry, “Love, love, love, Love, love, love
Love, love, love what’ll you have me do?”
And I cried, “Love, love, love, Love, love, love
Love, love, love what’ll you have me do?”
And I cried, “Love, love, love, Love, love, love
Love, love, love what’ll you have me do?”

Copyright 1996, 2025 Peter Lloyd
music by suno ai

Around Love

[news announcer speaks]
We go now to St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Cold Spring, Kentucky, where a crowd of people have gathered, expecting to see the Virgin Mary. About one thousand parishioners have been allowed inside the church, while many more gather outside. According to an unidentified visionary, the Virgin has promised to appear at midnight tonight, a few minutes from now…

[crowd sings, a cappella]
We come to Cold Spring, we have been told things
We come to Cold Spring, we shall behold things
Praying with all our might, looking to you for the light
It's midnight, Mary, and we've got a date tonight

We come to Cold Spring, we have been told things
We come to Cold Spring, we shall behold things
Holding our hopes up high, save you a place in our eyes
It's midnight, Mary, don't let the vision die

[news announcer speaks]
I’m Tracy White, here across the street from St. Joseph’s. It’s well past the time for the predicted appearance of the Virgin Mary. Some of the faithful here say they saw lights, but nothing extraordinary. As soon as I can, I will try to speak with pastor LeRoy Smith to see what he says has happened here…

[crowd sings, a cappella]
We come to Cold Spring, we have been told things
We come to Cold Spring, we shall behold things
We’ll follow you to the stars, just don’t let us go too far
It's midnight, Mary, we’re ready when you are

We come to Cold Spring, we have been told things
We come to Cold Spring, we shall behold things
Ready to take the leap, fall down on our knees and weep
It's midnight, Mary, and you've got a vow to keep

We come to Cold Spring, we have been told things
We come to Cold Spring, we shall behold things
Leaving it up to you, whatever you say must be true
It's midnight, Mary, where in the world are you?



© Copyright 1996, 2025 Peter Lloyd
music by suno ai

Midnight Mary

Some time ago, before I knew you
In the days when hearts were sealed in class rings
I played the game
Won the love of a girl who let me know she’d gladly sell her soul for me

But I was narrow, young, and foolish
Chasing after something I called freedom
I hit the road
Shut the lights, shut the door, left no tears behind, no time to say goodbye

And if makes me kind of sad
‘Cause it didn’t hurt that bad

Years when by, but she was there
When I returned with alibis and flowers
A second chance
Is something only a certain kind of fool can throw away

It didn’t last, it couldn’t last
For she’d grown up while I grew so much so much younger
When I look back
It seems she had a soul too serious for this boy's heart to hold

And if makes me kind of mad
‘Cause it didn’t hurt that bad

Remember when you wrote and told me
All you need to do was make me happy?
That kind of love
Only a certain kind of fool would throw away

But you know you haunt me when you touch me
Trap my eyes and ask me what I’m thinking
I can’t explain
It’s just my restless spirit rustling tempting me to go and hit the road again

And it didn’t hurt that bad
Sometimes I wish it had
I’m on the road again, the lonely old road again, back on the road

© Copyright 1968, 2025  Peter Lloyd
music by suno AI

A Certain Kind of Fool

Timber!

Cat on the windowsill, moon on his back
I’m just an ugly old lumberjack
I ain’t had a woman since July-one
Go tell the water boy to fetch me one
I sing, “Timber! Timber! Timber!” all day long

I got some girlie books up in my trunk
I’d go and get ‘em but I’m too drunk
Got ax-handle blisters on both my hands
Go tell the water boy I’ll settle for a man
I sing, “Timber! Timber! Timber!” all day long

Moths eat the blankets right off of my bed
Ticks suck the blood right out of my head
Damn cabin rats eatin’ up all my socks
I’m sick and tired of livin’ in a box
I sing, “Timber! Timber! Timber!” all day long

Cat on the windowsill, moon on his back
I’m just an ugly old lumberjack
I ain’t had a woman since July-one
Go tell the water boy to fetch me one
I sing, “Timber! Timber! Timber!” all day long

© Copyright 1977, 2025 Peter Lloyd
music by suno ai

Timber

Bobby Lee was born in the South
Big, blue eyes and a pretty, little mouth
Loved to run up side the hill
Run back down and take a spill
Bobby’s mama was tall and thin
Raven-black hair and milk-white skin
Loved to sing while Bobby played
Wore a bracelet Bobby made

Bobby Lee, oh, Bobby Lee
Won’t you please have mercy on me

Bobby's house was small and square
Miles from just about everywhere
Windows shined like polished chrome
Least until his pa came home
Rolled in slow like a thundercloud
Dark and fierce, full and proud
Kept t' himself till you got him riled
Then he'd crack like lightning, quick and wild

(repeat refrain)

When Pa was home not much was heard
Mama got quiet as a frightened bird
Pa'd bump Bobby from his Mama's bed
So he listened up when Papa said
"When you grow up, boy, you'll understand
A man's gotta keep the upper hand
A woman's mouth's like an open cut
Gets real nasty 'less you keep it shut."

(repeat refrain)

Mama came home too late one night
Slipped in quiet, Pa hit the light
Grabbed her arm, took her to the floor
Broke the bracelet she always wore
Bobby's eyes could not erase
His papa's fist on his mama's face
The bloody flame on her milk-white cheek
The price you pay for being meek

(repeat refrain)

Gravel flew when Pa hit the gas
A stone cut through the fragile glass
Night wind whistled through hole it made
Such a mournful tune it played
Mama held him close and tight
Warmed his body all through the night
Blood and tears, warm and wet
Bitter comfort he could not forget

(repeat refrain)

When Bobby left his mama's home
He bragged about how far he'd roam
But he got a job in a music store
Stocked the shelves and swept the floor
Met a girl looking for a song
They were making love before too long
It was working out the way he planned
And it sure felt like the upper hand

(repeat refrain)

One night he opened his girlfriend's door
Found naked lovers on the kitchen floor
Somebody screamed, the man attacked
Something inside Bobby cracked
His blood had never burned so hot
He killed her lover on the spot
Plain to see somebody lied
Something inside Bobby died

(repeat refrain)

Shamed and shaken, hurt and scared
His woman cursed the dreams they shared
He tried to hide from the thundercloud
But her words were wicked, cruel, and loud
When she refused his crude embrace
His fists rained down on her tear-stained face
One blow killed, don't know which
Carried her out to a shallow ditch

(repeat refrain)

Brittle comfort, the warmest yet
Lying with her, cold and wet
Blood and tears, close and tight
Barking dogs, blinding light
Bobby proud on the witness stand
"A man's gotta keep the upper hand."
Guilty verdict, eye for eye
Bobby Lee condemned to die

(repeat refrain)

Bobby's cell was small and square
A long, long way from anywhere
Cold and dark like an open tomb
But his mama's songs fought the awful gloom
His last day came, his last day went
All his legal options spent
TV cameras, a spark of fame
Call from the governor never came

(repeat refrain)

We strapped him down to that deadly chair
Said he liked it, small and square
"I just might stay here till I'm dead."
At least that's what I thought he said
Lightning cracked through Bobby's bones
Reporters grabbed their mobile phones
Headline spun the words he spoke
"Killer's Final Words a Joke"

(repeat refrain)

Our job don't take a lot of skill
Never did and it never will
Wait for the light, throw the switch
One of us kills but we don't know which
Bobby's grave is small and square
Don't know who can tell you where
Nothing gained, nothing learned
Another mama's baby burned

Bobby Lee, oh, Bobby Lee
Won’t you please have mercy on me

© Copyright 2025 Peter Lloyd
music by suno.com ai

Ballad of Bobby Lee

No sun shines bright on Breonna Taylor’s home
There sorrow and darkness remain
In empty rooms where the fatal shots have flown
The echoes of death will always reign

Our heads must bow for how far we fall behind
True justice without and within
When bullets fly, it’s the darker skin they find
No matter how slight or small the sin

Weep no more, good people
Oh, spare your thoughts and pra yers
Rather sing one song for Breonna Taylor’s home
And the shameful stain that lingers there
How many times will we pause at end of day
And wonder how long we must roam
Until we lay down that fair and level way
We take to our bright and better home
Weep no more, good people
Oh, spare your thoughts and prayers
Rather sing one song for Breonna Taylor’s home
And the shameful stain that lingers there 

Let us sing one song for Breonna Taylor’s home
And the shameful stain that lingers there

(c) Copyright 2025 Peter Lloyd
music by suno AI

Breonna Taylor’s Home

[spoken]
look at all that! Would ya? 
good morning, wood!

[sung]
[verse]
wake up at the crack of dawn 
fall outa bed with your work clothes on
camp house mess, grab a bite 
head on out to the loggin site

work all day, without much pay
bull-of-the-woods never faraway
saw trees down and haul em out
that’s what a lumberjack’s all about 

[chorus ]
good, hard wood
makes a man feel good

[bridge]
We cut down trees, so you can pick your teeth
We live in a shack, so you can scratch your back
We risk our lives, so you can make beehives
and
chairs, stairs, doors, floors, tools, stools,
crates, gates, beds, treads, sleds, beds, bats, slats,

where would y’all be without 
good, hard, wood?

paddles, saddles, ship keels, spiked heels, sandals, handles, dobros, oboes, yardsticks, broom sticks, chopsticks, match sticks, drum sticks, hogs heads, mastheads, wet bars, guitars, woodwinds, clothes pins

where would y’all be without 
good, hard, wood?

lighthouse, White House, frat house, cat house, tool house, schoolhouse

where would y’all be without 
good, hard, wood?

bench dogs, and Lincoln logs
bassoons, and serving spoons
doll eyes, and railroad ties 
gun stocks, and cuckoo clocks
board games, and picture frames
shop signs, and valentines
sun decks, and banjo necks, 
wash clubs, and billy clubs

where would y’all be without 
good, hard, wood?

[verse]
work all day, without much pay
bull-of-the-woods never faraway
saw trees down and haul em out
that’s what a lumberjack’s all about

[chorus]
good, hard wood
makes a man feel good

where would y’all be without 
good… hard… wood?

© Copyright 2025 Peter Lloyd
music by suno ai

Morning Wood

If I were a lumberjack and you were the cabin cook
Would my name be “Casanova” Jones?
No, I’d still be Leslie Leslie, but I’d lumber in from logging 
With a much sweeter hunger in my bones

I wouldn’t treat you like a servant, more like a trusted friend
I would compliment the camp cuisine
But I serve meals and find the time to dream of what might be
If only I were you and you were me

our differences are skin deep
our masters are the same
love is love is love, it doesn’t
need a different name

our differences are skin deep
inside we’re all the same
love is love is love, it doesn’t
need a different name

I wouldn’t treat you like a servant, more like a trusted friend
I would compliment the camp cuisine
But I serve meals and find the time to dream of what might be
If only I were you and you were me

If only I were you and you were me

If I Were a Lumberjack

Timber!

here come the lumberjacks dead on our feet
go tell the cabin boy it’s time to eat
we ain’t had no sustenance, not one crumb 
hey, there, cabin boy, fetch us some
We sing, “Timber! Timber! Timber!” all day long

Up every morning before dawn cracks
Fallers do the kinda work that breaks men’s backs
Cut all day long with a crosscut saw
Drop half dead on a bed of straw
We sing, “Timber! Timber! Timber!” all day long

a tree topper’s job takes a hell of a man 
we shinny up trees as fast as we can
lop off her limbs, top off her crown
rig her up for when the yarder hauls her down
We sing, “Timber! Timber! Timber!” all day long

we are the sawyers, yeah, we work like dogs 
choppin felled trees down to smaller logs
it takes a big man to make a tall tree fall
a much tougher man gets it ready to haul
We sing, “Timber! Timber! Timber!” all day long

[solo]

i feed this hard-working, roughneck bunch
breakfast, supper, and mid-day lunch
if i had a dime for every “thanks” i get
i couldn’t even buy me a wet cigaret 

[solo]

the time has come again for me to hit the sack
Fittin for a lonely old lumberjack
dream about women, but i ain’t got none
go tell that cabin boy to fetch me one
I sing, “Timber! Timber! ….

Timber (Timber)

(verse)
look at you, you gorgeous man
sit still, big fella, if you can
you steal my breath, my head is reeling 
what would you call that kind of feeling?
I call it boom boom boom pah-pah boom boom boom!

(verse)
look at me, you big beefcake
I bet I make your timbers shake
Am I right? Find me appealing?
what would you call that kind of feeling?
I call it boom boom boom pah-pah boom boom boom!

(bridge)
boom boom boom pah-pah boom boom boom!
means our passions are the same	
love is love is love, it doesn’t
need a different name

(verse)
ready to go, my blue-eyed dream?
Wait! What if i’m not what i seem?
doesn’t matter, im not wrong 
i know you loved my song
I call it boom boom boom pah-pah …
boom boom boom pah-pah…
boom boom boom pah-pah boom boom boom!

(c) Copyright 2025 Peter Lloyd
music by suno ai

Boom Boom Boom

This bus don't make no local stops
Four more hours till we hit the coffee shop
It's only me and my designs, my designs
Along this steam of broken lines
 
How could love just disappear?
Slip through my fingers and leave me standing here
Cut my heart just like a knife, like a knife
Make a shambles of my life

I drive from here to Memphis
From Memphis on down to San Antone
She said goodbye and now I know she meant it
Heading back to Houston all alone

All my riders fast asleep
Somebody's dreaming hard, I hear him breathing deep
Now the loneliness begins, it begins
All my worries closing in

I drive from here to Memphis
From Memphis on down to San Antone
She said goodbye and now I know she meant it
Heading back to Houston
All alone in Houston 
Broken down in Houston all alone 

© Copyright 1977 2025 Peter Lloyd

From Here to Memphis

Love is stupid
I’m falling in love anyway
Like a tree in the forest, I can’t just run and hide
I’ll fall for that damn lumberjack some day 

Love is dumb
here i go again, anyway
that sawdust-covered bumpkin stirs his coffee with his thumb 
I’ll fall for that damn lumberjack some day 

mama says there’s no such thing as love
just couples fighting for the upper hand
mama says love is just like flying
and stepping off the plane before you land

love, i think i’ll wait 
not the time to fiddle with the flame
You always get burned. How come I never learn? 
I’m gonna fall for that damn lumberjack some day

coda
maybe soon, maybe later
but I’ll fall for that damn lumberjack one day

(c) Copyright 2025 Peter Lloyd
music by suno AI

Love Is Stupid (Timber)

Jones
come, city slickers, never swung no axe
listen to the glory of my lumberjacks
they do much more than cut trees down
risked our lives to save a tiny town

All
hey hi ho! look out below
twenty tons of timber heading down your way
hey hi ho! look at it go
that oughta do you till judgement day

Jones
log jams never ever took to river hogs
put many brave men in a grave of logs
i said, “we”ll never crack this on playing by the book
so i brought in a dancer and my cabin cook

All
hey hi ho! look out below
twenty tons of timber heading down your way
hey hi ho! look at it go
that oughta do you till judgement day

Madeleine 
when brute force failed, they asked me, “ma’am
“how would a woman break this log jam
i said, “men, it’s clear to me what you gotta do
find a force much mightier than all of you

All
hey hi ho! look out below
twenty tons of timber heading down your way
hey hi ho! look at it go
that oughta do you till judgement day

Leslie
Gooseneck River used to brooked no jams
till they choked it off with the Gooseneck dam
dynamite the dam and make mighty tide
send down a surge a water for the logs to ride

All
hey hi ho! look out below
twenty tons of timber heading down your way
hey hi ho! look at it go
that oughta do you till judgement day


© Copyright 2025 Peter Lloyd
music by suno ai

River Rap-So-D

You've done your darndest, Madeleine, to make a damn sap out of me
Okay, you’re on, little lady, if that’s the way you want it to be
I may just be an axe-swinging lumberjack 
But you’re gonna learn just what that means, soon as you fall

Round one, I lost a wager.  You really did a number on me 
Round two, you upped the ante, and brought me to the ground like a tree
I may just be an axe-swinging lumberjack 
But you’re gonna learn just what that means, soon as you fall

You’ll never make me lose my appetite
I’ve made my mind up on you
I’ll swing and keep on swinging till I get it right
Ain’t that what a lumberjack’s supposed to do?

Round three, you surrender. There ain’t gonna be no round four
You’ll fall so nice ’n’ easy. I’ll catch you on your way to the floor
I may just be an axe-swinging lumberjack 
But you’re gonna learn just what that means
You’re gonna learn just what that means 
You’re gonna learn just what that means, soon as you fall

Nice ‘n’ easy

(c) Copyright 2025 Peter Lloyd
music by suno AI

Axe-swingin' Lumberjack

[Everybody]
(goin’ with the flow) we just fell the way that we were leanin’
(goin’ with the flow)  found each other on this boat convenin’
(goin’ with the flow) down the old Missouri Mississippi to New Orleans and the Gulf of Mexico

(c) Copyright 2025 Peter Lloyd
music by suno AI
(goin’ with the flow) oh, it sure beats peddlin’ or rowin’
(goin’ with the flow)  let the current take us where we’re goin’ 
(goin’ with the flow)  down the old Missouri Mississippi to New Orleans and the Gulf of Mexico

o-oo-oo o-oo-oo o-oo-oo o-oo-oo ooooo
o-oo-oo o-oo-oo o-oo-oo o-oo-oo ooooo


Madeleine
(goin’ with the flow) you can hear me sing in river cities
(goin’ with the flow)  songs of love and witty little ditties
(goin’ with the flow)  down the old Missouri Mississippi to New Orleans and the Gulf of Mexico


Jones
(goin’ with the flow) I collect the gate and stop the crashers
(goin’ with the flow)  bounce the drunks and cripple any mashers
(goin’ with the flow) down the old Missouri Mississippi  to New Orleans and the Gulf of Mexico


Leslie
(goin’ with the flow) I make every breakfast, lunch, and dinner
(goin’ with the flow)  don’t see anybody getting thinner
(goin’ with the flow)  down the old Missouri Mississippi to New Orleans and the Gulf of Mexico


Estelle
(goin’ with the flow) I’m the brains behind this crazy caper
(goin’ with the flow)  buy our gasoline and toilet paper
(goin’ with the flow)  down the old Missouri Mississippi to New Orleans and the Gulf of Mexico

o-oo-oo o-oo-oo o-oo-oo o-oo-oo ooooo
o-oo-oo o-oo-oo o-[]oo-oo o-oo-oo ooooo


[Everybody]
(goin’ with the flow) oh, it sure beats peddlin’ or rowing
(goin’ with the flow)  let the current take us where we’re goin’ 
(goin’ with the flow)  down the old Missouri Mississippi to New Orleans and the Gulf of Mexico

o-oo-oo o-oo-oo o-oo-oo o-oo-oo ooooo
o-oo-oo o-oo-oo o-oo-oo o-oo-oo ooooo

(c) Copyright 2025 Peter Lloyd
music by suno AI

Goin’ with the Flow

It doesn’t make any sense to fall in love with you 
But I’ve got no defense against those things you do 
I might as well confess—I love you, I guess…

I can't resist a pretty face
I like the way you dress
But I will never make you happy 
So let's not make a mess

I could turn your head around
And tell you pretty lies
But I will never make you happy
I see it in your eyes…

Let’s go down by the river 
Let’s go down there tonight 
Water runs on forever
Everything is sure to be all right

And should you say that you love me
Or if you say you’re my friend
It doesn’t matter what the words are
River water will never end 

(c) Copyright 2025 Peter Lloyd
music by suno AI

River Water (Timber)

You need somebody to want you
He only means to win a prize
You want somebody to need you 
He knows you’ll fall for pretty lies

He brings down towering timber
You live for laughter and applause
Don’t let his love notes delude you
He’s tied to his axes and saws

You’re headed for a heartbreak
All your stars are falling, falling, falling
All the wrong way
Headed for a heartbreak
I hope you know it breaks my heart
To see you headed that way
Uh-uh-uh-uh-oh!

When he decides to undo you
No doubt you’ll be the last to know
As walls come crashing around you
Just understand you’re not alone

You’re headed for a heartbreak
All your stars are falling, falling, falling
All the wrong way
Headed for a heartbreak
I hope you know it breaks my heart
To see you headed that way
Uh-uh-uh-uh-oh!

Headed for a heartbreak, Uh-uh-uh-uh-oh!
Headed for a heartbreak, Uh-uh-uh-uh-oh!

(c) Copyright 2025 Peter Lloyd
music by suno ai

Headed for a Heartbreak (Timber)

Is that a note from Casanova?
     Yes, it’s touching—in a way
Don’t let him turn your pretty head around
     What am I supposed to say?


Say, “Thank you for your pretty words
“Though I’ve heard them all before”
“I appreciate your overtures
“But I’m already spoken for”

     But I’m not in love with anyone 
     What if he asks me for a name?
     Should I say it’s Quasimodo
     And he lives in Notre Dame?

Shun that knuckle-dragging lumberjack
He probably doesn’t brush his chops
I could convince him to forget you
With a sack of lollipops 

     I’d rather live beside a lumberjack 
     Built of feisty flesh and bone
     Than a cynical, old woman
     With a bloodless heart of stone 

I’ve been around this world a whole lot longer than you
I've had my ups and downs and learned a thing or two
I had some breaks, I've made mistakes
And now I'm warning you:

Never love, it’s just a hustle 
Never give your heart away
Nothing's free in this old world
And when you love, you pay

Oh, I may be old and cynical
With a soul as cold as ice
But we must abide the loneliness 
When we live for what we do

And we live for what we do

(c) Copyright 2025 Peter Lloyd
music by suno AI

Never Love Duet

Songwriter since 1966. Can't believe I still have to write protest songs. Prefer writing love songs and songs of praise for stand-up women and men, parodies, lyrical nonsense, blues and adaptations.

Peter Lloyd

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