Frank's Wild Years - Lyrics
1Hang On St. Christopher
2Straight To The Top (Rumba)
3Blow Wind Blow
4Temptation
5Innocent When You Dream (Barrroom)
6I'll Be Gone
7Yesterday Is Here
8Please Wake Me Up
9Frank's Theme
10More Than Rain
11Way Down in The Hole
12Straight To The Top (Vegas)
13I'll Take New York
14Telephone Call From Istanbul
15Cold Cold Ground
16Train Song
17Innocent When You Dream (78)


Hang On St. Christopher
(Tom Waits 1987)
Hang on St. Christopher through the smoke and the oil
Buckle down the rumble seat let the radiator boil
Got an overhead downshift and a two dollar grill
Got an 85 cabin on an 85 hill
Hang on St. Christopher on the passenger side
Open it up tonight the devil can ride
Hang on St. Christopher with a barrel house dog
Kick me up mt. Baldy, throw me out in the fog
Tear a hole in the jack pot drive a stake through his heart
Do a 100 on the grapevine, do a jump on the start
Hang on St. Christopher now don't let me go
Get me to Reno and bring it in low, yeah

Hang on St. Christopher with the hammer to the floor
Put a hi ball in the crank case, nail a crow to the door
Get a bottle for the jockey, gimme a 294
There's a 750 Norton bustin down January's door
Hang on St. Christopher on the passenger side
Open it up tonight the devil can ride
Hang on St. Christopher now don't let me go
Get to me Reno got to bring it in low
Put my baby on the flat car
Got to burn down the caboose
Get 'em all jacked up on whiskey
Then we'll turn the mad dog loose
Hang on St. Christopher on the passenger side
Open it up tonight the devil can ride
Top


Straight To The Top (Rumba)
(Tom Waits/Greg Cohen 1987)
I'm going straight to the top
oh yeah up where the air is fresh and clean
I'm going straight up to the top, oh yeah
If you know me, you know what I mean
I can't let sorrow pull ol' Frankie down
Live for tomorrow I have found you
I'm going straight up to the top, oh yeah
Up where the air is fresh and clean
I just know that I will never stop, oh no
Until I know I'm wild and free
I'm like a champagne bubble pop pop pop
I'm like those birdies high up in the trees
I can't let sorrow pull ol' Frankie down
Live for tomorrow I have found you out
I'm going straight up to the top oh yeah
Up where the air is fresh and clean, yeah
I can't let sorrow pull ol' Frankie down
Live for tomorrow I have found you
I'm going straight up to the top, oh yeah
Up where the air is, up where the air is
Up where the air is up, where the air is
Up where the air is fresh and clean
Top


Blow Wind Blow
(Tom Waits 1987)
Blow wind blow wherever you may go
Put on your overcoat, take me away
You gotta take me on into the night
Take me on into the night
Blow me away, blow me away

Mary's on the black top
There's a husband in the dog house
In the middle of a shakedown
I got quiet as a church mouse
She found Raleigh's on the dashboard
Sugar daddy caught a polocar
There's no solitary tap dance way down here

Blow wind blow wherever you may go
Put on your overcoat, take me into the night
Take me on into the night
Blow me away

I ride upon a field mouse
I was dancin' in the slaughterhouse
And it was swing along the beltway
You skid along there all day
Cause I went a little crazy
And I sat upon a high chair
And I'm smokin like a diesel way out here

And if you blow wind blow wherever you may go
Put on your overcoat, take me away
You gotta to take me on into the night
Well you take me on into the night
Blow me away, blow me away
You gotta blow mw away, blow me away
Top


Temptation
(Tom Waits 1987)
Rusted brandy in a diamond glass
Everything is made from dreams
Time is made from honey slow and sweet
Only the fools know what it means
Temptation, temptation, temptation
I can't resist

I just know that she's made of smoke
But I've lost my way, yeah
She knows that I am broke
But I must play, yeah
Temptation, temptation yeah, temptation
I can't resist

oh, whoa, temptation, temptation, temptation
I just can't resist
Dutch pink and Italian blue
She there waiting there for you
My will has disappeared
My confusion's oh so clear
Temptation, temptation, temptation
I can't resist
Temptation, temptation, temptation
I just can't resist

Rusted brandy in a diamond glass
Everything is made from dreams
Time is made from honey slow and sweet
Only the fools know what it means
Temptation, temptation, temptation
Temptation, temptation, temptation
Top


Innocent When You Dream (Barroom)
(Tom Waits 1987)
The bats are in the belfry
The dew is on the moor
Where are the arms that held me
And pledged her love before
And pledged her love before

And it's such a sad old feeling
Oh, the fields are soft and green
It's memories that I'm stealing
But you're innocent when you dream, when you dream
You're innocent when you dream, when you dream
You're innocent when you dream

I made a golden promise
That we would never part
I gave my love a locket
And then I broke her heart
And then I broke her heart

And it's such a sad old feeling
Oh, the fields are soft and green
And it's memories that I'm stealing
But you're innocent when you dream, when you dream
You're innocent when you dream, when you dream
You're innocent when you dream

We're running through the graveyard
And we laughed my friends and I
We swore we'd be together
Until the day we died
Until the day we died

And it's such a sad old feeling
Oh, the fields are soft and green
And it's memories that I'm stealing
But you're innocent when you dream, when you dream
You're innocent when you dream, when you dream
You're innocent when you dream

And it's such a sad old feeling
The fields are soft and green
And it's memories that I'm stealing
But you're innocent when you dream, when you dream
You're innocent when you dream, when you dream
You're innocent when you dream
Top


I'll Be Gone
(Tom Waits/Kathleen Brennan 1987)
Tonight I'll shave the mountain
I'll cut the hearts from pharoahs
I pull the road off of the rise
Tear the memories from my eyes
In the morning I'll be gone
I drink a thousand shipwrecks
Tonight I'll steal your paychecks
I paint the sheets across my bed
The birds will all fly from my head
And in the morning I'll be gone
Take every dream that's breathing
Find every boot that's leaving
Shoot all the lights in the cafe
And in the morning I'll be gone
I bet a thousand dollars
I have a french companion
I tie myself below the deck
I pull the rope around my neck
In the morning I'll be gone

It takes a life to win her
There is a drum of bourbon
800 pounds of nitro
His boots are thunder as he plays
There is a stone inside it
Tonight his bones will ride it
I'll need a tent to hide it
And in the morning I'll be gone
And in the morning I'll be gone
And in the morning I'll be gone
And in the morning I'll be gone
And in the morning I'll be gone
Top


Yesterday Is Here
(Tom Waits/Kathleen Brennan 1987)
If you want money in your pocket
A top hat on your head
A hot meal on your table
And a blanket on your bed
Well today is grey skies
Tomorrow is tears
You'll have to wait til yesterday is here
Well I'm going to New York City
And I'm leaving on a train
And if you want to stay behind
And wait til I come back again
Today's grey skies
Tomorrow is tears
you'll have to wait til yesterday's here
If you want to go
Where rainbows end
You'll have to say goodbye
All our dreams come true
Baby up ahead
And it's out where your memories lie
Well the road is out before me
And the moon is shining bright
What I want you to remember
As I disappear tonight
Today's grey skies
Tomorrow's tears
You'll have to wait til yesterday is here
Today's grey skies
Tomorrow's tears
You'll have to wait til yesterday's here
You'll have to wait til yesterday's here
You'll have to wait til yesterday's here
Top


Please Wake Me Up
(Tom Waits/Kathleen Brennan 1987)
I put my chips on her shoulder
Running in carnival time
She bought the things that I told her
Made her eyes sparkle and shine
Together we'll ring in the new year
I know that she'll be my queen
And if I fall asleep in your arms
Please wake me up in my dreams

Her outfit was all made of vinyl
Like nothing that I've ever seen
When our divorces are final
She'll fit right into my scheme
Together we'll ring in the new year
I know that she'll be my queen
And if I fall asleep in your arms
Please wake me up in my dreams
Top


Frank's Theme
(Tom Waits 1987)
Dream away the tears in your eyes
Dream away your sorrows
Dream away all your goodbyes
Dream away tomorrow
I promise when the sun comes up
I promise I'll be true
And just like before the band starts to play
They always play your favorite tune
And dream away when everyone's gone
Dream away your grey skies to
Dream away and nothing is wrong
Dreams have wishes that are waiting for you
And up ahead the road is turning
Turning for you and me
And just like before
The band starts to play
Now there's that twinkle in your eye
And dream away
Top


More Than Rain
(Tom Waits 1987)
It's more than rain that falls on our parade tonight
It's more than thunder it's more than thunder
And it's more than a bad dream now that I'm sober
Nothing but sad times, nothing but sad times
None of our pockets are filled with gold
Nobody's caught the boquet
There are no dead presidents we can fold
Nothing is going our way
And it's more than trouble I've got myself into
It's more than woe-be-gotten grey skies now

And it's more than a bad dream now that I'm sober
There's no more dancing, there's no more dancing
And it's more than trouble I've got myself into
Nothing but sad times, nothing but sad times
None of our pockets are filled with gold
Nobody's caught the boquet
There are no dead presidents we can fold
Nothing is going our way
And it's more than goodbye, I have to say to you
It's more than woe-be-gotten grey skies now
And it's more than goodbye, I have to say to you
It's more than woe-be-gotten grey skies now
And it's more than woe-be-gotten grey skies now
Top


Way Down In The Hole
(Tom Waits 1987)
When you walk through the garden
You gotta watch your back
Well I beg your pardon
Walk the straight and narrow track
If you walk with Jesus
He's gonna save your soul
You gotta keep the devil
Way down in the hole
He's got the fire and the fury
At his command
Well you don't have to worry
If you hold on to Jesus hand
We'll all be safe from Satan
When the thunder rolls
We just gotta help me keep the devil
Way down in the hole

All the angels sing about Jesus' mighty sword
And they'll shield you with their wings
And keep you close to the lord
Don't pay heed to temptation
For his hands are so cold
You gotta help me keep the devil
Way down in the hole
Down in the hole, down in the hole
Down in the hole, down in the hole
Down in the hole, down in the hole
You gotta help me keep the devil
Down in the hole
Top


Straight To The Top (Vegas)
(Tom Waits/Greg Cohen 1987)
I'm going straight to the top, woa
I'm going where the air is fresh and clean
I'm going straight up to the top
If you know me, you know what I mean
I can't let Mr Sorrow try and pull ol' Frankie down
We'll live for tomorrow I have found you
Straight to the top
I'm going up where the air is fresh and clean
I know I'm never gonna stop
Until I know, I know I'm wild and free
Hey, I'm going straight up to the top
And if you know me, you know what I mean
I can't let ol' Mr Sorrow try and pull down
I'll live for tomorrow I have found you
I'm going straight to the top, woa
I'm going up where the air is fresh and clean

I can't let Mr Sorrow try and pull ol' Frankie down
We'll live for tomorrow I have found you
Straight to the top, oh yeah
Up where the air is, up where the air is
Up where the air is, up where the air is
Up where the air is fresh and clean

How about that band
Top


I'll Take New York
(Tom Waits 1987)
I'll tip the newsboy, I'll get a shine
I'll ride that dream to the end of the line
I'm gonna be going places, I'll get a ride
Take me to the Riverside, I'll gonna take you New York
I'll make it happen, climb on the caboose
I'm drinking Manhattan, I'll take a splash on the big town
That's how I will arrive, have you got two tens for a five?
You've gotta roll out the carpet, Strike up the band
Break into the best champagne when I land
You gotta beat the parade drum, hit all the bars
I want the moon and stars,I'm gonna take you New York
I'll make it happen, climb on the caboose
I'm drinking Manhattans
And I know someday they'll going to name a street after me
Right next door to old Franklin D
I'm going to take you big town
Come on New York come on move over big town
I'll take New York, come big town
Come on get happy, New York
Come on
Top


Telephone Call From Istanbul
(Tom Waits 1987)
All night long on the broken glass
Livin in a medicine chest
Mediteromanian hotel back
Sprawled across a roll top desk
The monkey rode the blade on an overhead fan
They paint the donkey blue if you pay
I got a telephone call from Istanbul
My baby's coming home today
Will you sell me one of those if I shave my head
Get me out of town is what fireball said
Never trust a man in a blue trench coat
Never drive a car when you're dead
Saturday's a festival, Friday's a gem
Dye your hair yellow and raise your hem
follow me to beulah's on dry creek road
I got to wear the hat that my baby done sewed

Will you sell me one of those if I shave my head
Get me out of town is what fireball said
Never trust a man in a blue trench coat
Never drive a car when you're dead
Saturday's a festival, Friday's a gem
Dye your hair yellow and raise your hem
follow me to beulah's on dry creek road
I got to wear the hat that my baby done sewed
I got to cut a hole in the day
I got a telephone call from Istanbul
My baby's coming home today
Sell me one of those if I shave my head
Get me out of town is what fireball said
Never trust a man in a blue trench coat
Never drive a car when you're dead
Saturday's a festival, Friday's a gem
Dye your hair yellow and raise your hem
follow me to beulah's on dry creek road
I got to wear the hat that my baby done sewed
Top


Cold Cold Ground
(Tom Waits 1987)
Crest fallen sidekick in an old cafe
Never slept with a dream before he had to go away
There's a bell in the tower Uncle Ray bought a round
Don't worry about the army in the cold cold ground
Cold cold ground, cold cold ground, cold cold ground
Now don't be a cry baby when there's wood in the shed
There's a bird in the chimmney and a stone in my bed
When the road's washed out they pass the bottle around
And wait in the arms of the cold cold ground
The cold cold ground, the cold cold ground, cold cold ground
There's a ribbon in the willow there's a tire swing rope
And a briar patch of berries takin over the slope
The cat'll sleep in the mailbox and we'll never go to town
Til we bury every dream in the cold cold ground
In the cold cold ground, the cold cold ground
In the cold cold ground, in the cold cold ground

Gimme a Winchester rifle and a whole box of shells
Blow the roof off the goat barn let it roll down the hill
The piano is firewood, times square is a dream
I find we'll lay down together in the cold cold ground
In the cold cold ground, cold cold ground, in the cold cold ground
Call the cops on the Breedloves, bring a bible and a rope
And a whole box of rebel and a bar of soap
Make a pile of trunk tires and burn 'em all down
Bring a dollar with you baby in the cold cold ground
In the cold cold ground, in the cold cold ground, in the cold cold ground
Take a weathervane rooster throw rocks at his head
Stop talking to the neighbors til we all go dead
Beware of my temper and the dog that I've found
Break all the windows in the cold cold ground
In the cold cold ground, in the cold cold ground
In the cold cold ground, in the cold cold ground
In the cold cold ground, in the cold cold ground
In the cold cold ground, in the cold cold ground
In the cold cold ground, in the cold cold ground
Top


Train Song
(Tom Waits 1987)
Well I broke down in East St. Louis on the Kansas City line
Drunk up all my money that I borrowed every time
And I fell down at the derby, the night's black as a crow
It was a train that took me away from here
But a train can't bring me home
What made my dreams so hollow was standing at the depot
With a steeple full of swallows that could never ring the bell
And I've come ten thousand miles away, not one thing to show
It was a train that took me away from here
But a train can't bring me home

I remember when I left without bothering to pack
Don't you know I up and left with just the clothes I had on my back
Now I'm sorry for what I've done and I'm out here on my own
It was a train that took me away from here
But a train can't bring me home
It was a train that took me away from here
But a train can't bring me home
Top


Innocent When You Dream (78)
(Tom Waits 1987)
The bats are in the belfry
The dew is on the moor
Where are the arms that held me
And pledged her love before
And pledged her love before

It's such a sad old feeling
The hills are soft and green
It's memories that I'm stealing
But you're innocent when you dream, when you dream
You're innocent when you dream, when you dream
You're innocent when you dream

I made a golden promise
That we would never part
I gave my love a locket
And then I broke her heart
And then I broke her heart

It's such a sad old feeling
The fields are soft and green
It's memories that I'm stealing
But you're innocent when you dream, when you dream
You're innocent when you dream, innocent when you dream

Running through the graveyard
We laughed my friends and I
We swore we'd be together
Until the day we died
Until the day we died

It's such a sad old feeling
The hills are soft and green
It's memories that I'm stealing
But you're innocent when you dream, when you dream
You're innocent when you dream, when you dream
Top