James Taylor

[fox69]

"Up On The Roof"

"Up On The Roof"



When this old world starts a getting me down,
and people are just too much for me to face.
I'll climb way up to the top of the stairs and all my cares just drift right into space.
On the roof, it's peaceful as can be and there the world below don't bother me, no, no.

So when I come home feeling tired and beat, I'll go up where the air is fresh and sweet.
I'll get far away from the hustling crowd and all the rat-race noise down in the street.
On the roof, that's the only place I know, look at the city, baby.
Where you just have to wish to make it so, let's go up on the roof.

And at night the stars, they put on a show for free.
And, darling, you can share it all with me, that's what I said, keep on telling you
That right smack dab in the middle of town , I found a paradise that's trouble-proof.
And if this old world starts a getting you down, there's room enough for two
up on the roof, up on the roof, up on the roof.
Everything is all right, every thing is all right.
You got the stars above and the city lights below, let's go up on the roof.

 

[fox69]

"Valentine's Day"

"Valentine's Day"



Beneath the tide the fishes glide, fin to fin and side to side.
For fishy love has now begun, fishy love, finny fun.

Paper moon, paper heart, pink balloon, work of art. Al Capone, Bugs Moran, Valentine's Day.
Bootleg gin, porkpie hat, dew Drop Inn, dirty rat, through the heart Cupid's dart, Valentine's Day.

Oh, day to repay the one that you love, Gentlemen, take off your hats as I speak thereof.
Just a brief break from the push and the shove, we may go a few rounds without boxing gloves.

Land your punch, I stand my ground, we break for lunch and a second round.
We set them up, we knock them down, Valentine's Day.

Me and you, you and him, him and her, us and them, we keep score love as war, Valentine's Day.

I lost my teeth, I lost my hair, I lost my mind, you don't care.
Love is war, all is fair on Valentine's Day.

 

[fox69]

"Walking Man"

"Walking Man"



Moving in silent desperation, keeping an eye on the Holy Land.
A hypothetical destination, say, who is this walking man?

Well, the leaves have come to turning and the goose has gone to fly,
And bridges are for burning, so don't you let that yearning pass you by.
Walking man, walking man walks.
Any other man stops and talks but the walking man walks.

Well the frost is on the pumpkin and the hay is in the barn.
Pappy's come to rambling on, stumbling around drunk down on the farm.

And the walking man walks. Doesn't know nothing at all.
Any other man stops and talks but the walking man walks on by, walk on by.

Most everybody's got seed to sow. It ain't always easy for a weed to grow, oh no.
So he don't hoe the row for no one, for sure he's always missing,
and something ain't never quite right.
Ah, but who would want to listen to you kissing his existence good night?

Walking man walk. Walk on by my door. Well, any other man stops and talks
but not the walking man. He's the walking man, born to walk, walk on walking man.
Well now, would he have wings to fly? Would he be free?
Golden wings against the sky, walking man, walk on by.
So long, walking man.

 

[fox69]

"Walking My Baby Back Home"

"Walking My Baby Back Home"



Gee it's great after staying out late, walking my baby back home.
Arm in arm, over meadow and farm, walking my baby back home.

We go on harmonizing a song or she's reciting a poem,
owls fly by and they give me the eye, walking my baby back home.

We stop for awhile, she gives me a smile and cuddles her cheek to my chest.
We start to pet and that's when I get her powder all over my vest.

After I kind of straighten my tie, she has to borrow my comb.
It's one kiss then we continue again walking my baby back home.

 

[fox69]

"Wandering"

"Wandering"



I've been wandering early and late from New York City to the Golden Gate,
and it don't look like I'll ever stop my wandering.

My daddy was an engineer, my brother drives a hack,
my sister takes in laundry while the baby balls the jack,
and it don't look like I'll ever stop my wandering.

I've been in the army, I've worked on a farm
and all I've got to show is the muscle in my arm,
and it don't look like I'll ever stop my wandering.

My ma, she died when I was young, my daddy took to stealing and he got hung,
and it don't look like I'll ever stop my wandering.

Snakes in the ocean, eels in the sea, I let a redheaded woman make a fool out of me,
and it don't look like I'll ever stop my wandering.

I've been wandering early and late from the New York City to the Golden Gate,
and it don't look like I'll ever stop my wandering.
No, it don't look like I'll ever stop my wandering.

 

[fox69]

"Whenever You're Ready"

"Whenever You're Ready"



Little one done run out of money now, no, it doesn't seem to have a home.
Left to fend for yourself in the wilderness, out there living life all alone.

Whenever you're ready, you could see a dream come true.
Whenever you're ready, I'm just saying it's up to you.
Whenever you're ready, things could start looking up.
Whenever you're ready, take a big sip from the loving cup.

Making that face carved out of stone, coping real hard with a losing hand.
Sound of a dog choking on a chicken bone,
it just can't be the way that you had things planned, my friend.

Whenever you're ready, yeah, yeah, things could start to happen real fast.
Whenever you're ready, my good friend, sure we could get one built to last.
Whenever you're ready, oh, we could get it done today.
Whenever you're ready, sure enough you could come out and play.

Cold, hot, ready or not, whatever you've got.
What have you got to lose, my good friend?
Whenever you're ready, whenever you're ready, my good friend...

 

[fox69]

"Who Comes This Night"

"Who Comes This Night"



Who comes this night, this wintry night,
As to the lowly manger?
The Shepards and the Kings did come
To welcome in the stranger.

Who sends this song upon the air,
To ease the soul that's aching?
To still the cry of deep despair
And heal the heart that's breaking.

Brother Joseph bring the light
Fast, the night is fading.
And who will come this wintry night
To where the stranger's waiting?

Who comes this night, with humble heart,
To give the fullest measure
A gift of purest love to bring
What good and worthy treasure.

Brother Joseph bring the lamb
For they are asking for him
The children come this starry night
To lay their hearts before him.

For those who would the stranger greet
Must lay their heart before him
And raise their song in voices sweet
To worship and adore him

Brother Joseph bring the light
Fast, the night is fading
And who will come this wintry night
To where the stranger's waiting

Brother Joseph bring the lamb
For they are asking for him.
The children come this starry night
To lay their hearts before him.

Pure of heart this starry night
To lay their hearts before him.

 

[fox69]

"Why Baby Why"

"Why Baby Why"



Tell me why baby, why baby, why baby why
You make me cry baby, cry baby, cry baby
Lord, I can't help but love you 'til the day that I die
So tell me, why baby, why baby, why baby why

Well I got a crow I wanna pick with you
Just like last time when the feathers flew
You're runnin' wild kickin' up your heels
A-leavin' me home with a hand full of bills
Lord, I can't live without you and you know it's true
But there's no livin' with you so what'll I do
I'm goin' honky tonkin', get as tight as I can
And maybe by then you'll 'preciate a good man

Tell me why baby, why baby, why baby why
You make me cry baby, cry baby, cry baby cry
No, I can't help but love you 'til the day that I die
So tell me why baby, why baby, why baby why

Well, now I don't know, but I've heard say
That ever' little dog is a-gonna have his day
You'd better pay attention, don't you dare forget
'Cause I'm just a little bitty puppy yet
Well, I caught you honky tonkin' with my best friend
The thing to do was leave you, but I should'a left then
Now I'm too old to leave you, but I still get sore
When you come home a-feelin' for the knob on the door

Tell me why baby, why baby, why baby why
You make me cry baby, cry baby, cry baby
Lord, I can't help but love you 'til the day that I die
So tell me, why baby, why baby, why baby why

Tell me, why baby, why baby, why baby why

 

[fox69]

"Wichita Lineman"

"Wichita Lineman"



I am a lineman for the county and I drive the main road
Searchin' in the sun for another overload
I hear you singin' in the wire, I can hear you through the whine
And the Wichita Lineman is still on the line

I know I need a small vacation but it don't look like rain
And if it snows that stretch down south won't ever stand the strain
And I need you more than want you, and I want you for all time
And the Wichita Lineman is still on the line

And I need you more than want you, and I want you for all time
And the Wichita Lineman is still on the line

 

[fox69]

"Will You Love Me Tomorrow"
(performed with Carole King)

"Will You Love Me Tomorrow"
(performed with Carole King)



Tonight you're mine completely
You give your love so sweetly
Tonight the light of love is in your eyes
But will you love me tomorrow

Is this a lasting treasure
Or just a moment's pleasure
Can I believe the magic of your sighs
Will you still love me tomorrow

Tonight with words unspoken
You say that I'm the only one
But will my heart be broken
When the night meets the morning sun

I'd like to know that your love
Is love I can be sure of
So tell me now and I won't ask again
Will you still love me tomorrow
Will you still love me tomorrow
Will you still love me tomorrow
Will you still love me tomorrow