The Fretbenders

LYRICS FOR CD, LONG OVERDUE BY FRETBENDERS – LYRICS/MUSIC BY DIANE KORDAS

1 SOMEBODY LEFT ME WITH THE BLUES – GENRE -BLUES

Guitar, bass, vocals- Diane Kordas

Dobro- Bob Kordas

Piano- Kent Allyn

Harmonica- Stu Barer

Percussion- Paul Wolf

Bowed bass – Mike Harmon

SOMEBODY LEFT ME WITH THE BLUES,

A SHOT OF BOURBON IN MY GLASS, AND IT’S QUARTER OF 2. 

I’M JUST BROKEN DOWN, I’M MELTED TO THE CORE,

A SCATTERING OF EMBERS THERE IS NOTHING MORE. 

THE FLAME’S GONE OUT ACCORDING TO YOU

SOMEBODY LEFT ME WITH THE BLUES.

A DOOR SLOWLY CLOSES, RAIN FALLS ON THE GRAVEL ROAD,

FIRE JUST BURNT OUT, NOW THERE ARE ONLY COALS. 

FOG GENTLY SWIRLS, AND BLURS MY EYES ,

THE BACK OF YOU IN SHADOWS I HEAR FOOTSTEPS IN THE NIGHT. 

NOW YOU ARE FADING FROM VIEW

SOMEBODY LEFT ME WITH THE BLUES.

LOOK AROUND THERE’S PIECES OF MY LONELY HEART,

SCATTERED IN THIS PLACE GROUND IN THIS OLD CARPET. 

THE DUST HAS SETTLED ON MY GUITAR CASE IN THE HALL. 

WITH THE LEATHER JACKET THAT YOU LEFT HERE IN THE FALL. 

NOW I HOLD IT CLOSE LIKE IT WAS YOU.

SOMEBODY LEFT ME WITH THE BLUES.

2  WILL YOU BE MY DARLIN ANYWAY-  GENRE – FOLK

Guitar, vocals- Diane Kordas

Dobro- Bob Kordas

Piano- Kent Allyn

IF I WERE A FLOWER   WOULD YOU LOVE ME MORE

WOULD YOU WELCOME ME   OR DRIVE ME FROM YOUR DOOR

I COULD BE A ROSE, SO CULTURED AND FINE

OR A MEADOW DAISY, GROWING WILD.

IF I WERE A BIRD THAT SINGS SO SWEET

WOULD YOU LOVE MY SONG  AND FEATHERS SO NEAT?

I COULD BE A ROBIN,  WELCOMING SPRING

OR AN EAGLE SOARING, WITH MAJESTIC WINGS

CHORUS:

WHAT MORE CAN I DO

WHAT MORE CAN I SAY

WILL YOU BE MY DARLIN’

ANYWAY

IF I WERE A GLASS  OF THE FINEST WINE

I’D GO TO YOUR HEAD   I’D EASE YOUR MIND

AS I TOUCH YOUR SOFT TENDER LIPS

I’D DREAM OF LOVES  FIRST SOLEMN KISS

CHORUS

OH I’M NOT A FLOWER,    NOR AM I A BIRD

I’M NOT A GLASS OF WINE  I’M JUST A GIRL

WHO LOVES YOU MORE   THAN I EVER CAN SAY

WILL YOU BE MY DARLIN   ANYWAY?

3  LONG COLD WINTER – GENRE- SWING

Guitar, bass, vocals- Diane Kordas

Dobro- Bob Kordas

Piano- Kent Allyn

Fiddle- Ellen Carlson

Percussion- Paul Wolf

EARLY IN THE MORNING  THE SNOWFLAKES FLOATIN BY

PULL UP THE COVERS   GO AHEAD AND CLOSE YOUR EYES

SHUT OFF THE ALARM   PUT YOUR ARMS AROUND ME TIGHT 

DON’T SAY ANOTHER WORD   SLEEP LATE IT’S ALRIGHT 

CUZ IT’S ANOTHER LONG COLD WINTER SETTING IN.

CHORUS:

IT’S A BLANKET OF WHITE A WINTER WONDERLAND

SNOW KEEPS FALLIN LOOKS LIKE WE’RE SNOWED IN AGAIN

LET’S YOU AND I SIGH A SIGH

SING A SWEET AND SOFT LULLABY

CUZ IT’S ANOTHER LONG COLD WINTER SETTIN IN.

WINTER WINDS BLOW AND SHAKE THE CABIN DOOR

WINDOWS WILL RATTLE THE FIRE FLICKERS SOME MORE.

CUDDLE UP CLOSE AND FEED THE FLAME

OUR LOVE WILL KEEP US WARM UNTIL THE SPRINGTIME COMES AGAIN

CUZ IT’S ANOTHER LONG COLD WINTER SETTIN IN.

CHORUS X2

4. BAD ATTITUDE, by SK & MJ WEST

Guitar, vocals- Diane Kordas

Dobro- Bob Kordas

Piano, bass – Kent Allyn

Harmonica- Stu Barer

Percussion- Paul Wolf

5  EMPTY POCKET BLUES- GENRE -BLUES

Guitar, vocals- Diane Kordas

Lap Steel- Bob Kordas

Harmonica- Stu Barer

Bowed bass, percussion – Mike Harmon

IF I HAD THE MOST MONEY IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD

WOULD I SIP CHAMPAGNE WITH MY BUDDIES  

HAVE HANDS DRIPPING WITH PEARLS.

NO I’D FEED POOR SOULS LIKE ME- WHO’S DOWN AND OUT  

BREAKFAST LUNCH AND DINNER SECOND HELPINGS ALL ABOUT.

CHORUS:  I GOT HOLES IN MY POCKETS  I GOT HOLES IN MY SHOES

IM SINGING THIS OLD SONG I GOT THE EMPTY POCKET BLUES.

IF I HAD THE MOST MONEY  I’D THROW ALL THE DRIFTER’S BAIL   I’D BUY THE JUDGES AND JURY NEVER LAND IN THE COUNTY JAIL.  MY WAY WOULD BE THE LAW THERE WOULD BE NO MORE GUNS  NO COPS JUST GYM TEACHERS AND WAVY GRAVY JUST FOR FUN.

CHORUS

IF I HAD THE MOST MONEY  MORE THAN BEZOS AND MUSK   COULD I BUY EVERYBODY HAPPINESS COULD I BUY EVERYBODY LOVE?   NO BUT MAYBE I COULD BUY ALL THE FACTORIES   THAT MAKE MACHINES THAT KILL.

INSTEAD HAVE EM MAKE  NEW SHOES AND POCKETS OF STEEL.  

CHORUS

6  GRANDMA’S FEED SACK QUILT- GENRE – FOLK

Guitar, bass, vocals- Diane Kordas

Dobro- Bob Kordas

Fiddle, harmony vocal- Betsy Heron

Clawhammer banjo, harmony vocal- Scott Heron

I HAVE A QUILT HE EDGES ALL WORN

MADE BY MY GRANDMA BEFORE I WAS BORN

BENT BACK CROKER SACK, SHE PICKED COTTON BY HAND

STITCHED UP THE FEEDSACKS SO SIMPLE AND GRAND.

CHORUS:  GRANDMA’S QUILT FROM DAYS GONE BY

WHEN DRESSES WERE LONGER AND DEBT WAS SO HIGH

SELLING QUILTS KEPT HER FAMILY FED SO THEY COULD ENDURE.

A FAMILY RICH IN LOVE, IN MONEY SO POOR.

THE FEED SACKS ONCE HELD FLOUR AND BEANS

FANCY CLOTH OUT OF REACH, AS A SEWING MACHINE

BACK BREAKING WORK ALL DAY, SHE MADE EM EACH NIGHT

HUSK TOUGHENED HANDS, SEWING BY LAMP LIGHT.

CHORUS

THE PATCHWORK OF COLORS KEEPS US WARM EACH NIGHT

SAFE HAVEN FROM THE NORTH WIND’S CRUELEST BITE

THIS QUILT JOURNEYED TO WHITE MOUNTAINS FROM THE LAND OF RED CLAY

GRANDMA WOULD SAY “BLESS YOUR HEART GLAD YOU USE IT TODAY.”

CHORUS

7  SMALL TOWN GIRL – GENRE – FOLK

Guitar, bass, vocals- Diane Kordas

Dobro- Bob Kordas

Harmonica- Stu Barer

Mandolin- Justin Quinn

Harmony vocals- Lindsay Lassonde

YES I KNOW YOU’RE A SMALL TOWN GIRL

AND I KNOW IT’S A BIG BIG WORLD

DO NOT LET IT GET YOU DOWN IN THIS BIG OLD CITY NOW

CHORUS:  BRUSH THE SAND OFF YOUR GINGHAM DRESS, SMALL TOWN GIRL  IT ONLY TAKES A SPECK OF SAND TO BECOME A PEARL.  LA LA….

LIFE HAS NOT BEEN AN EASY THING

YOUR DREAMS HAVE FOUND WAYS TO TAKE WINGS

NOWS THE CHANCE YOU BEEN LOOKIN FOR

GO RIGHT OUT WALK THROUGH THAT DOOR

CHORUS

YES I KNOW YOU GOT A LOT OF FRIENDS

I KNOW HEARTS DON’T ALWAYS MEND

I WILL ALWAYS BE RIGHT THERE, IN YOUR POCKET, ANYWHERE

CHORUS

8.  SUNRISE ON SATURDAY – GENRE – TEX MEX

Guitar, bass, vocals- Diane Kordas

Dobro- Bob Kordas

Percussion- Paul Wolf

Accordion- Stroker Rogovin

A SILKY BREEZE BRUSHED A DIM MOONLIGHT

YOU WERE THERE ON A SUMMER NIGHT

WAITING AMONG THE FRAGRANT  LILLIES

A SOFT GLOW RINSES YOUR FACE AND EYES

A PAUSE A BLINK OF FAINT SURPRISE

WE CAST SHADOWS OF DANCING GYPSIES.

CHORUS:  TEQUILA SUNSET LIGHTS THE SKY,

ANTICIPATION OF LOVES DISGUISE,

AND SUNRISE ON SATURDAY

THE PERFECTION OF THE FIREFLIES

THE WELL RUNS DEEP WITHIN YOUR EYES

WE TUMBLED INTO ROMANCE.

I START TO REMEMBER THEN I  FORGOT, 

TIES THAT KEPT ME IN A LOCK,

WHILE  SWAYING IN A SLOWDANCE

CHORUS

NO CANDID GLANCE OR SHAMEFUL CAST  

TO MYSTIFY THIS CIRCUMSTANCE  

SUSPENDED STARS, DAWN UNFURLS.  

THE DOOR STAYS OPEN JUST A CRACK,

I TOOK A STEP, DID NOT LOOK BACK,  

SUN IN THE EAST, I CLENCH MY PEARLS.

 BEAMS OF SUN LIGHT THE SKY,

A GENTLE WHISPER OF A SIGH,

AND SUNRISE ON SATURDAY, SUNRISE ON SATURDAY. 

9. YES I GUESS THEY OUGHTTA NAME A DRINK AFTER YOU, BY JOHN PRINE

Guitar, bass, vocal- Diane Kordas

Dobro, vocal- Bob Kordas

Fiddle- Ellen Carlson

Percussion- Paul Wolf

Mandolin- Scott Heron

10.  THE (BLUEGRASS) FESTIVAL SONG- GENRE – BLUEGRASS/FOLK

Guitar, bass, vocals- Diane Kordas

Dobro- Bob Kordas

Fiddle, harmony vocal- Betsy Heron

Banjo, harmony vocal- Dave Kiphuth

Mandolin- Justin Quinn

Harmony vocals- Betsy Heron

THE WIND IS BLOWIN SO COLD

I CAN’T FEEL MY HANDS ANYMORE

MY FEET ARE ACHIN MY VOICE KEEPS BREAKING

AND MY BABY WANTS TO GO HOME.

CHORUS

IT’S 5 O’CLOCK IN THE MORNING

THE SUN RISES WITHOUT WARNING

IT MAY COME AS NO SURPRISE, I SEE THE BLOODSHOT LOOK IN YOUR EYES….

YOU SAY YOU ARE ALL DONE, BUT WE KNOW YOU GOT AT LEAST ONE,

BEFORE YOU GO, PLAY ONE YOU KNOW,

ONE MORE ONE MORE LAST SONG….

THE EMPTY’S ARE PILED UP SO HIGH

MY THROAT FEELS OH SO DRY,

SO PASS AROUND THE LAST OF THAT BOTTLE OF JACK

BEFORE WE CALL IT A NIGHT.

CHORUS

THE GUITAR’S A LITTLE OUT A TUNE

SO’S THE BANJO, SO WHAT’S NEW.

THE BASS PLAYER RETIRED, THE FIDDLE LOST ITS FIRE

AND THE DAWN IS BREAKING SOON.

CHORUS

ISN’T QUALITY IT’S QUANTITY YOU’RE AFTER

ISN’T THE MUSIC, IT’S THE LAUGHTER,

GRAB YOUR AXE AND COME PLAY, KEEP THE SANDMAN AWAY,

YOU CAN SLEEP IN THE HEREAFTER…..

CHORUS

BEFORE YOU GO, PLAY ONE YOU KNOW

ONE MORE, ONE MORE LAST SONG

11  WANDERING SOUL- GENRE – FOLK

Guitar, vocals- Diane Kordas

Dobro- Bob Kordas

Piano, bass – Kent Allyn

Accordion- Stroker Rogovin

OH WANDERING SOUL PLEASE COME HOME TO ME

YOU LOOK WEARY NOW, LAY YOUR HEAD TO REST

ON THE WINGS OF A PRAYER YOU ARE AN ANGELS GUEST

ROAMIN AROUND FEET BEAT THE GROUND, SO RESTLESS.

CHORUS 

DID YOU LOSE YOURSELF SOMEWHERE DOWN THE LINE

WHAT ARE YOU SEARCHING FOR IS IT SOMETHING YOU CAN FIND

OH WANDERING SOUL.

IN THE ALLEYWAYS, IN THE SHADOWS ALL ALONE

IN THE CARDBOARD JUNGLE TRYING TO STAY WARM

NICKLES AND DIMES THE HARD TIMES AND THE COLD,

YOU’RE CRADLING THE SLEEPING ROLL YOU CALL HOME.

CHORUS

THERE’S A FIRE BURNING HERE SO WARM AND BRIGHT

I KNOW COMFORT AND HOT SOUP WON’T MAKE IT ALL RIGHT

YOU CAN REST HERE NOW, FROM THE WEARY FIGHT

AND FIND  SOLACE IN MY ARMS, I’LL HOLD YOU TIGHT.

CHORUS

OHHHH   COME HOME TO ME

12  THE BEST GIFT MAMA GAVE ME – GENRE- FOLK/BLUEGRASS

Guitar, bass, vocals- Diane Kordas

Dobro- Bob Kordas

Fiddle, harmony vocal- Betsy Heron

Mandolin – Scott Heron

Banjo- Dave Kiphuth

MAMA WAS A WHOLE LOTTA DIFFERENT,

THOUGHT SOCIETY LIFE WAS FAKE,

SAID IDLE HANDS ARE THE DEVILS WORKSHOP,

ALWAYS WORKIN WAS HER WAY.

SHE USED A CROSSCUT SAW TO CUT UP WOOD

PILE IT HIGH NEAR THE GLENWOOD STOVE

WHILE SINGIN SONGS BY LORETTA AND MAYBELLE

TAMMY AND OLD GEORGE JONES.

CHORUS

  MAMA GAVE ME WHAT I NEED NOT MUCH FOR FANCY THINGS, THE BEST GIFT MAMA GAVE TO ME, SHE TAUGHT ME HOW TO SING.  HMMM.

THE VERY FIRST SONG SHE TAUGHT ME

WAS COLUMBUS STOCKADE BLUES

SHE SANG SONGS FROM THE GRAND OLE OPRY,

SHE SANG ALL THE SONGS SHE KNEW. 

WHEN I SANG CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN,

A TEAR CAME TO HER EYE,

HER APPROVAL WENT UNSPOKEN,

I FELT MY HEART LIFT HIGH.

CHORUS

NONE COULD SAY SHE SPARED THE ROD

SHE WAS STERN AND SHE WAS TOUGH. 

ON SUNDAY SHE’D SING AND PRAY TO GOD,

LORD, SHE COULDN’T PRAY ENOUGH.

NOW WHEN I VISIT IN THE OLD FOLKS HOME,

SHE DOESN’T KNOW MY NAME,

WHEN I SING ROCK OF AGES,

SHE JOINS IN JUST THE SAME.

CHORUS

13. EVERTHING IS FREE, BY GILLIAN WELCH & DAVID RAWLINGS

Guitar, vocals- Diane Kordas

Dobro- Bob Kordas

Piano, bass – Kent Allyn

 Harmonica- Stu Barer

Percussion- Paul Wolf

Harmony vocals- Dusty Clampitt

14   I JUST WANT TO DANCE – GENRE – FOLK/BLUEGRASS

Guitar, bass, vocals- Diane Kordas

Dobro- Bob Kordas

 Mandolin- Justin Quinn

 Accordion- Stroker Rogovin

 Harmony vocals- Dusty Clampitt

I WOKE UP THIS MORNING,

A LITTLE BIT OLDER AND A LITTLE BIT WISER. 

I SEE MORE LINES AROUND MY EYES,

MY HEART AND MIND CAN’T DENY

I STILL BURN WITH A FIRE. 

CHORUS

  THE FREEDOM TO LIVE AND CHOOSE,

SOMETIMES WIN, SOMETIMES LOSE,

LIFE IS A GAME OF CHANCE. 

I’M NOT INTO STANDIN STILL,

I JUST WANT TO DANCE. 

SOMETIMES I THINK I’M GOIN CRAZY,

THEN I THINK MAYBE, I BETTER GET READY. 

TO SETTLE DOWN IN AN EASY CHAIR,

GET A REGULAR JOB STYLED SUIT AND HAIR,

GO EVEN AND STEADY.

CHORUS

I WANT AS MUCH AS I CAN HOLD,

THEY’LL BE ENOUGH TIME WHEN I’M OLD

TO SIT AND DREAM. 

WILL YOU COME WITH ME OR WILL YOU STAY,

WILL YOU DANCE WITH ME ANYWAY?

CHORUS

15  LONG OVERDUE – GENRE – FOLK

Guitar, bass, vocals- Diane Kordas

Dobro- Bob Kordas

Fiddle, harmony vocal- Betsy Heron

Mandolin- Scott Heron

Banjo, harmony vocal- Dave Kiphuth

Harmony vocal- Stroker Rogovin, Lindsay Lassonde

THE YEARS WEAR ON, SOME HAVE GONE

WE SHARE HOPES WITH DAUGHTERS AND SONS

EMPTY PLACES, EMPTY CHAIRS,

HONOR LOVED ONES WE HOLD SO DEAR.

CHORUS

   OH ITS LONG OVERDUE

SEEMS YEARS SINCE WE SANG A TUNE

LIKE THE SUNSHINE FOLLOWS THE RAIN

BRINGS JOY TO SEE YOUR LOVIN SMILE AGAIN

TIME PASSES LIKE LEAVES ON A STREAM

FIND ALL YOU HAVE ARE PRECIOUS MEMORIES

SHARE MUSIC, SONGS AND A LAUGH

SAY GOODBYE, TO LONELINESS AT LAST

CHORUS

THESE HARD TIMES   KEPT US APART

YOUR FRIENDSHIP , HELPED MEND MY ACHIN HEART

COME SIT WITH ME  POUR A GLASS OR TWO

LORD KNOWS, SO LONG OVERDUE

CHORUS  x2

OH HARD TIMES COME AGAIN NO MORE.

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© 2021 by The Fretbenders.