One More Cigarette

Mosaic Tile

Point Betsie's Nocturne

Oh I've done it now
Put under a curse

I was wandering down the road and saw a lonely man
He said "Mister, if you'd please, I need to feed my son"
I said "No" and "Go away" and far along I ran
As I fled I heard his breath whisper incantations

Oh, I'm as good as dead!
This man is the wizard
His life's so sad
So he ensorcels others
Oh, this was a test!
Alone and with power
His strength drives him mad
So he ensorcels others
I'm as good as dead

I woke up the next day and I thought I'd break my fast
But the food that touched my lips transmuted to charcoal
Oh, I knew with certainty the wizard would harass
But without a way to eat my blood will cease to flow

Tried to drink some water for my strength
But the water took the wizard's shape
He laughed and said "I'm not done, just wait"
Then the water did evaporate
Oh no
Three months pass by
I cannot die
Even if I tried
I cannot eat
I cannot drink
I cannot think
Can't even cry

When the wizard returned I said "Please give me a hand
I will never turn my back upon my fellow man"
He said "I don't care at all about your fellow man!
You have turned your back on me and now you have been damned"

Oh, I'm as good as dead!
This man is the wizard
His life's so sad
So he ensorcels others
Oh, this was a test!
Alone and with power
His strength drives him mad
So he ensorcels others
I wish I was dead

The Wizard

She had a heart of silver
But silver can tarnish
If no one gives it the proper love
Or so I thought
I thought I was her doctor
Could give her the answers that she really needed
I had a heart of copper
I told myself it was gold
I confused love with good conversation
I worked ninety-nine hours
And then I went home to her
Not much of a home, more like a halfway house
But I had nothing to lose
Except maybe her
And that was a bet that I could put chips on

I woke up one Sunday
It was rainy and gray
When I stumbled upon a grim realization
I was still alone
I was always alone
And I used this poor girl to fill up the silence
I didn't love her
I didn't really like her
But I was a fool, and she was convenient
I said, "Baby, I need a break
"It seems I've made a mistake
"But we can try later once I lick my wounds"
But I'm a bit of a bastard
I knew there wasn't a later
I'm just to spineless to tell the whole truth
But she knew

Claire

I'll speak slow and explain as I go
Before all these whiskey drinks swallow my words
I was a man on the run
'Til one day I ran out of luck

I took to the sea, left my skeletons be
Hoped they'd pay heed to the water's decree:
"Let this pour soul drift away
and let the waves christen his woes"

I tried and I tried
To turn my black heart back from stone
Find respite in being alone
Oh I tried

I lied and I lied and I lied
To hide from their curious eyes
No audience to my demise
Cut me free

I occupied mind and body with work,
and women, and filling my empty coinpurse
Before long I knew I'd fail
'Cause nothing helps if you've no pulse

I tried and I tried
To turn my black heart back from stone
Find respite in being alone
Oh I tried

I lied and I lied and I lied
To hide from their curious eyes
No audience to my demise
Cut me free

Drift Away

My nose is going numb and
My hands come out to play
Words are flowing free and
My worries fade away

Even know I'm having fun
I know that it won't last
So smile now
Smile while you can
The whiskey's wearing off
Smile while you can

I feel so new and happy
Or maybe it's the drink
What's it truly matter, though
When you're alone like me?

Even know I'm smiling now
I know it's just the gin
And soon enough
I'll confront me again
Oh no
I'll confront me again

I can't see my reflection
But I can't stand my mirror anyway
It's hard to see the shining sun
When you're still drowning in dark rum
I don't see another way
So I'll smile while I can
Hear the sirens singing from an empty keg
I'll smile while I can
That's how this song ends

Smile While You Can

Lay your head where my heart used to be
Hold the earth above me
Lay down on the green grass
Remember when you loved me
Come closer don't be shy
Stand beneath a rainy sky
The moon is over the rise
Think of me as a train goes by
Clear the thistles and brambles
Whistle 'Didn't he ramble'
Now there's a bubble of me
And it's floating in thee
Stand in the shade of me
Things are now made of me
The weather vane will say
It smells like rain today
God took the stars and he tossed 'em
Can't tell the birds from the blossoms
You'll never be free of me
He'll make a tree from me
Don't say goodbye to me
Describe the sky to me
And if the sky falls, mark my words
We'll catch mocking birds
Lay your head where my heart used to be
Hold the earth above me
Lay down on the green grass
Remember when you loved me

The River Bards

Popular tracks