Mary Chapin Carpenter

[fox69]

"The Long Way Home"

"The Long Way Home"



You could be this man, he's got it all worked out
To the nth degree, no fears, no doubts
He'll retire at thirty to his big-ass house next to the putting green
Now he's got a picture in his head of the perfect wife,
Their perfect children, their perfect life
Bothing wrong with that, coming home each night to his cul-de-sac of dreams
Funny now how it all went by so fast
One day he's looking over his shoulder at the past
When everybody had to go, had to be, had to get somewhere
How did he forget about what got him there

Now you could be this woman, she's the CEO
She's got her powersuits and her IPO's
She punched a hole in the ceiling years ago and she hasn't pulled back since
Now there's a gardener for the flowers, a cook for the meals,
A maid for the laundry, an accountant for the bills
A walker for the dog and a trainer when she feels the need to lose an inch
Funny now how it all went by so fast
One day she's looking over her shoulder at the past
When everybody had to go, had to be, had to get somewhere
Somehow she forgot about what got her there

Accidents and inspiration lead you to your destination

Or you could be the one who takes the long way home
Roll down your window, turn off your phone
See your life as a gift from the great unknown
And your task is to receive it
Tell your kid a story, hold your lover tight
Make a joyful noise, swim naked at night
Read a poem a day, call in well sometimes and
Laugh when they believe it

Funny now how it all goes by so fast
One day I'm looking over my shoulder at the past
Now everybody's got to go, got to be, got to get somewhere
Baby don't forget about
You really shouldn't forget about
Baby don't forget what got you there
I think it's what got you there
Yeah it's really what got you there
You know what got you there

 

[fox69]

"The Longest Night Of The Year"

"The Longest Night Of The Year"



They say that spring will come again
No one knows exactly when.
Still the sun's a long lost friend
On the longest night of the year.

We stare into the firelight
While December beats outside
Where the darkest hearts reside
On the longest night of the year

So keep me safe and hold me tight
Let the candle burn all night
Tomorrow welcome back the night
It was longest night of the year

I used to think the world was small
Bright and shining like a ball
Seems I don't know much at all
On the longest night of the year

We press our faces to the glass
And see our little lives go past
Wave to shadows that we cast
On the longest night of the year

So keep me safe and hold me tight,
Let the candle burn all night,
Tomorrow welcome back the light.
'Twas the longest night of the year

Make a vow when Solstice comes:
To find the Light in everyone
Keep the faith and bang the drum
On the longest night of the year

So keep me safe and hold me tight,
Let the candle burn all night,
Tomorrow welcome back the light.
'Twas the longest night of the year

So keep me safe and hold me tight,
Let the candle burn all night,
Tomorrow welcome back the light.
After the longest night of the year

 

[fox69]

"The Moon And St. Christopher"

"The Moon And St. Christopher"



When I was young I spoke like a child, and I saw with a child's eyes
And an open door was to a girl like the stars are to the sky
It's funny how the world lives up to all your expectations
With adventures for the stout of heart, and the lure of the open spaces

There's 2 lanes running down this road, whichever side you're on
Accounts for where you want to go, or what you're running from
Back when darkness overtook me on a blind man's curve

I relied upon the moon, I relied upon the moon
I relied upon the moon and Saint Christopher
Now I've paid my dues cuz I have owed them, but I've paid a price sometimes
For being such a stubborn woman in such stubborn times

Now I've paid my dues cuz I have owed them, but I've paid a price sometimes
For being such a stubborn woman in such stubborn times
Now I have run from the arms of lovers, I've run from the eyes of friends
I have run from the hands of kindness, I've run just because I can

But now I'm grown and I speak like a woman and I see with a woman's eyes
And an open door is to me now like the saddest of goodbyes
It's too late for turning back, I pray for the heart and the nerve

And I rely upon the moon, I rely upon the moon
I rely upon the moon and Saint Christopher

I rely upon the moon, I rely upon the moon
I rely upon the moon and Saint Christopher

 

[fox69]

"The More Things Change"

"The More Things Change"



Well I think of you sometimes at night
And sometimes it's still the same
The way that it was when I was the keeper of your flame
We all have our ghosts, we all have our doubts
I'm no different with you or without
But one thing's certain: only the names have changed

And I think of you sometimes baby
When an old friend gives a call
And to hear us talk you'd think I felt nothing at all
'Cause nothing remains that used to be yours
We all have our way of closing the door
But it takes some time to get up when you fall

But I'm the same sweet girl you couldn't get enough of
Way back when you pledged your love
And you'd drive to find me through the pouring rain
Now I hear all about your running around
Man you're a legend all over town
The more things change, the more they remain the same

Sometimes I wonder if you've ever heard
The sound of a broken heart
It ain't real pretty, it ain't the thing the nice folks talk about
And the hardest thing you'll ever have to do
Is face the one who's done it to you
His eye's like an angel's, they're so devout

But I'm the same sweet girl you couldn't get enough of
Way back when you pledged your love
And you'd drive to find me through the pouring rain
Now I hear all about your running around
Man you're a legend all over town
The more things change, the more they remain the same

Now I hear all about your running around
Man you're a legend all over town
The more things change, the more they remain the same

 

[fox69]

"The Shelter Of Storms"

"The Shelter Of Storms"




You always had the gift of speed;
You'd disappear without a trace.
It all depended on the need,
And on the pain you could not face.
So you would leave the home you'd found,
Pack it up without delay.
Cut your losses, blow that town,
Tomorrow was another day.

All the years and all the miles,
They lost track of time.
I look back now only once in awhile;
My memory just wants to blur the lines.
'Cause you know me, I just can't change.
I greet the sun, and find it strange
To watch you run
For the shelter of storms
For the shelter of storms.

Now where are you out in the world
Searching for a little grace
Searching for a precious pearl
Wisdom from some future place.
You let me go without a wave
I noticed that and nothing more
I guess I'm going to my grave
Wondering what it all was for.

All the years and all the miles
It's so hard keeping track of time
Do you think of me every once in awhile
When the rain lets up and the sun can shine -
Just a little peace and quiet for a change.
I still greet the sun and find it strange
To watch you run
For the shelter of storms
For the shelter of storms.

Go back the years, subtract the miles,
And see what's left for you to find
All the battles, all the trials,
You can't be free till you leave behind
Your bitter heart, but you can't change;
You curse the sun, and pray for rain,
You always run
For the shelter of storms,
For the shelter of storms.

 

[fox69]

"The Swords We Carried"

"The Swords We Carried"



Back when I believed in luck
And stones & crosses
I’d put a coin found on the street
Towards cosmic losses
And passing graveyards in a car
Tracing every falling star
Luck was never very far from childhood causes

And pennies kissed with wishes arced into the fountains
And time was said to heal all pain
And hope move mountains
And all that could befall a heart
Or break this perfect life apart
The swords we carried could not do a thing about them
Away I am going, away I am gone

Ghosts and angels are but memories and visions
And revenants are out there taking up positions
But back when I believed in you
You’d raise the sun and set the moon
How could I help but love you holy as religion
Away you are going, away you are gone

But back when I believed in luck and words as spoken
I found a lie could break and split the world clean open
And grief became my company
Pain so deep I could not breathe
All betrayal is like dying in slow motion

Is it luck that makes us shout or makes us whisper
Is it luck that makes us wise or turns us bitter
With our maps that point true north
With our vows we sally forth
The swords we carried can’t protect us from eachother
Away we are going
Away we are gone
Away we are going
Away we are gone

 

[fox69]

"The Way I Feel"

"The Way I Feel"



I'm heading out without a tear
I'm heading out without a fight
Nothing like this empty road
To take some trouble off my mind

Had enough of sad days
Had enough of sleepless nights
I only need a tank of gas
Babe I'm going for a ride

Cause when I'm all alone on a midnight highway
There's nothing like two hands on the wheel
And the radio playing I Won't Back Down
Baby that's about the way I feel

Might be gone a couple of hours
Might be gone a couple of days
I won't know til I turn around
We'll have to see just how it plays

All the way down 81
I've got some friends in Nashville
Atlanta it's been way too long
By morning I'll make Asheville

Cause when I'm all alone on a midnight highway
There's nothing like two hands on the wheel
And the way the wind blows just before a rainstorm
Baby that's about the way I feel

Don't know if you tried to call
My phone ran out of signal
I don't know if you miss me at all:

'Cause I'm out here all alone on a midnight highway
And I've got both hands on the wheel
Passing darkened towns the world's forgotten
Baby that's about the way I feel
Just a little speck on the far horizon
Baby that's about the way I feel
And I won't back down

 

[fox69]

"This Is Love"

"This Is Love"



If you ever need to hear a voice in the middle of the night
When it seems so black outside that you can't remember
Light ever shone on you or the ones you love in this or another lifetime

And the voice you need to hear is the true and the trusted kind, with a soft
Familiar rhythm in these swirling, unsure times, when the waves are lapping in
And you're not sure you can swim, well here's the lifeline

If you ever need to feel a hand take up your own
When you least expect but want it more than you've ever known
Baby, here's that hand, and baby's here's my voice that's calling

This is love, all that ever was and will be
This is love

If you ever need some proof that time can heal your wounds, just step
Inside my heart and walk around these rooms; where the shadows used to be,
You can feel as well as see how peace can hover

Time's been here to fix what's broken with its power and the love that
Smashed us both to bits spent its last few hours calling out your name,
And I thought, this is the kind of pain from which we don't recover

But I'm standing here now with my heart held out to you
You would have thought a miracle was all that got us through
Well baby, all I know, all I know is I'm still standing

And this is love, all that ever was and will be
This is love, standing up for you baby, standing up for me
And I see you still and there's this catch in my throat;
And I just swallow hard till it leaves me
There's nothing in this world that can change what we know
Still I know I am here if you ever need me

And this is love
If you ever think of me, let it be around twilight, when the world has
Settled down, and the last round of sunlight is waning in the sky as you
Sit and watch the night descending

A car will pass out front with lovers at the wheel, a dog will bark out
Back, and children's voices peal over and under the air, you've been there,
Lost in the remembering

If you ever wish for things that are only in the past
Just remember that the wrong things aren't supposed to last
Baby, it's over and done, the rest is gonna come when you let it

And this is love, all that ever was and will be
This is love, when you let it baby, if you let it now
This is love, all that ever was and can be
This is love

 

[fox69]

"This Is Me Leaving You"

"This Is Me Leaving You"



This is your voice of reason
This is your voice of calm
This is your heart that's speaking
Saying the time has come
Here is your pride and grace now
Here is your strengh and soul
Everything's at the ready, you're finally good to go
Now tell him there's one last thing that you forgot to do
This is me leaving you, this is me leaving you

He told you to try believing (don't you worry)
He asked you to keep the faith (or keep guessing)
He took all that you were giving (don't be sorry)
As if it all were his to take (you're progressing)
Now it's the truth that won't let go (don't you doubt it)
Now it's the facts that you can't shake (and don't fear it)
Now it's just time to let him know (each new step is)
You made a big mistake (one more near it)
Maybe these final words will offer up a clue
This is me leaving you, this is me leaving you
This is me baby, breaking us in two
This is me leaving you

I'm your better half
Baby that's a laugh

This is your voice of reason
This is your voice of calm
This is your heart that's speaking
Don't look back, just keep on going
This is me leaving you, this is me leaving you
This is me leaving you, this is me leaving you

 

[fox69]

"This Shirt"

"This Shirt"



This shirt is old and faded
All the color's washed away
I've had it now for more damn years
Than I can count anyway
I wear it beneath my jacket
With the collar turned up high
So old I should replace it
But I'm not about to try

This shirt's got silver buttons
And a place upon the sleeve
Where I used to set my heart up
Right there anyone could see
This shirt is the one I wore to every boring high school dance
Where the boys ignored the girls
And we all pretended to like the band

This shirt was a pillow for my head
On a train through Italy
This shirt was a blanket beneath the love
We made in Argeles
This shirt was lost for three whole days
In a town near Buffalo
'Till I found the locker key
In a downtown Trailways bus depot

This shirt was the one I lent you
And when you gave it back
There was a rip inside the sleeve
Where you rolled your cigarettes
It was the place I put my heart
Now look at where you put a tear
I forgave your thoughtlessness
But not the boy who put it there

This shirt was the place your cat
Decided to give birth to five
And we stayed up all night watching
And we wept when the last one died
This shirt is just an old faded piece of cotton
Shining like the memories
Inside those silver buttons

This shirt is a grand old relic
With a grand old history
I wear it now for Sunday chores
Cleaning house and raking leaves
I wear it beneath my jacket
With the collar turned up high
So old I should replace it
But I'm not about to try