Tom Paxton

[fox69]

"All The Way Home"

"All The Way Home"


All the way home, let me stay home
Where the cool summer breezes always blow
Been the world 'round, been in your town
All the way home I want to go
Been a rover, been all over
Down the Mississippi and the Ohio
Had a good time, lost my last dime
All the way home I want to go
All the way home, let me stay home
Where the cool summer breezes always blow
Been the world 'round, been in your town
All the way home I want to go
Been in London, walked it over
And we sang all night long in old Soho
It's been good here, it's been good beer
And all the way home I want to go
All the way home, let me stay home
Where the cool summer breezes always blow
Been the world 'round, been in your town
All the way home I want to go
By the water, there I caught her
And I never gave her time to tell me no
Introduced me to her father
All the way home I want to go
All the way home, let me stay home
Where the cool summer breezes always blow
Been the world 'round, been in your town
All the way home I want to go
Earned some wages, turned some pages
And the days never seemed to pass too slow
Let my last train be a fast train
All the way home I want to go
All the way home, let me stay home
Where the cool summer breezes always blow
Been the world 'round, been in your town
All the way home I want to go

 

[fox69]

"Allen Gator"

"Allen Gator"


Down in the jungle, down in the swamp
Down where the weather is warm and damp
Lived an alligator with a little green tail
And it wiggled when he wriggled down the watery trail
His name was Allen, he was three feet long
His skin was tough and his teeth were strong
His eyes were clear and his brain was smart
And deep inside he had a friendly heart
He was Allen Gator, little alligator with a great big bite
He was Allen Gator, he wanted to do what's right
Allen loved his swampland fun
Loved to bask in the warm, warm sun
He'd lie all day in the sun, and then
He'd slide right back in the water again
He'd do what the grown-up alligators did
He'd slide where the grown-up alligators slid
He'd practice swimming, he'd twist and turn
For a little alligator has a lot to learn
He was Allen Gator, little alligator with a great big bite
He was Allen Gator, he wanted to do what's right
One day he was swimming in the shady pool
When he heard some children coming home from school
Teasing each other, playing with the ball
One little child took a great big fall
One little child took a great big spill
Down in the dandelions rolling down the hill
Down in the water with a great big smack
She landed right on Allen's back
On Allen Gator, little alligator with a great big bite
He was Allen Gator, he wanted to do what's right
Allen was gentle, Allen was good
Did what any gentleman would
He carried that child to the bank of the creek
He winked his eye because he could not speak
The little girl smiled and ran away
And when Allen came swimming in the creek next day
The little girl blew a kiss his way
And left wild flowers in a bright bouquet
For Allen Gator, little alligator with a great big bite
He was Allen Gator, he wanted to do what's right
He wanted to do what's right
He was Allen Gator, little alligator with a great big bite
He was Allen Gator, he wanted to do what's right
He wanted to do what's right
He wanted to do what's right

 

[fox69]

"Along The Verdigris"

"Along The Verdigris"


Everywhere I look today everything is green
Oklahoma’s prettier now than I have ever seen
High up in the cottonwood an eagle makes her nest
Evening on the Verdigris, the time I love the best
Down along the Verdigris, the seasons come and go
Life is right beside you here and you can feel it flow
Down to meet the Arkansas then rolling to the sea
All the way to New Orleans from here on the Verdigris
Come and take a walk with me along the Verdigris
I’ll show you a sunset that’s the way it’s meant to be
Blackbird heading homeward at the closing of the day
Just like me, the Verdigris is where he means to stay
Down along the Verdigris, the seasons come and go
Life is right beside you here and you can feel it flow
Down to meet the Arkansas then rolling to the sea
All the way to New Orleans from here on the Verdigris
My first steps were taken where her muddy waters flow
All my life I’ve walked these hills, these hills are what I know
I tried life in Tulsa did not do a thing for me
I long to hear the birds in song along the Verdigris
Down along the Verdigris, the seasons come and go
Life is right beside you here and you can feel it flow
Down to meet the Arkansas then rolling to the sea
All the way to New Orleans from here on the Verdigris
Down along the Verdigris, the seasons come and go
Life is right beside you here and you can feel it flow
Down to meet the Arkansas then rolling to the sea
All the way to New Orleans from here on the Verdigris
Down to meet the Arkansas then rolling to the sea
All the way to New Orleans from here on the Verdigris

 

[fox69]

"And Then You Smiled"

"And Then You Smiled"


Something happened in the moment
Just before you whispered yes
All my hopes and dreams were shaking
At the edge of emptiness
I was certain you'd be tender
As you turned my love away
But then you smiled
Then you smiled
I could feel my heart beat louder
And my fingers turned to ice
I had dared to say, “I love you”
Now I'd have to pay the price
Who was I; what could I offer
Was I mad to even try
But then you smiled
Then you smiled
Then, if such a thing is possible
Your beauty seemed to grow
And I don't remember breathing
For a hundred years of so
And though you had not spoken
Still, you had not turned to go
And then you smiled
Then you smiled
I was certain to survive it
I was sure I'd love you still
Even though I had not won you
I'd had time to speak my fill
Then you took my hand and held it
And you whispered, “Yes, I will”
And then you smiled
Then you smiled
Then, if such a thing is possible
Your beauty seemed to grow
And I don't remember breathing
For a hundred years of so
And though you had not spoken
Still, you did not turn to go
And then you smiled
Then you smiled
Something happened in the moment
Just before you whispered yes
All my hopes and dreams were shaking
At the edge of emptiness
I was certain you'd be tender
As you turned my love away
But then you smiled
Then you smiled
Then you smiled
Then you smiled
Then you smiled

 

[fox69]

"Angie"

"Angie"


Angie, from where I stand
The water breaks on the spit of sand
How does it survive
Angie, for all I know
The sand is tired and ready to go
It's less than alive
But you so ready to leave
The first trembling leaf to break loose in the Fall
Angie, so ready to fly
Is there time to ask why
Is there no time at all
Or, is there nothing hidden I can blame
Angie
If Angie's your name
Angie, from where I stand
Your smile is so discreetly planned
I'm not sure it's there
Angie, for all I know
You'll notice me
You’ll turn and go
You won't even care
That you're so ready to leave
The first trembling leaf to break loose in the Fall
Angie, so ready to fly
Is there time to ask why
Is there no time at all
Or, is there nothing hidden I can blame
Angie
If Angie's your name
Angie, I was getting along
Nothing quite right but nothing too wrong
I didn't know you existed
I ran my life like a safe machine
Lost myself in a safe routine
But now it's all twisted
With my hand on the knife
For the rest of my life
Angie, from where I stand
You rise and wave an un-gloved hand
You smile in the sun
Angie, you smile for him
He calls to you
The light is dim
You break into a run
And you're gone, so ready to leave
The first trembling leaf to break loose in the Fall
Angie, so ready to fly
Is there time to ask why
Is there no time at all
Or, is there nothing hidden I can blame
Angie
If Angie's your name

 

[fox69]

"Anita O.J."

"Anita O.J."


Jesus loves Anita, or so it doth appear.
Lately things are looking strange or dare I say it? - queer.
In spite of controversy, so the morning paper said,
She's retained her high commission to squeeze fruits for heavy bread.

You squeeze mine, Anita.
I squeeze yours, Anita.
You've been chosen, Anita.
Yours are frozen, Anita.
Terrible cost, Anita.
Covered in frost, Anita.
Smile and pray, Anita.
You'll feel gay.

You spoke in Miami to set the record straight.
Gave the folks a target acceptable to hate.
You told us there are somethings one may never do in bed.
One wonders, dear Anita, if you'll ever get ahead.

You squeeze mine, Anita.
I squeeze yours, Anita.
You've been chosen, Anita.
Yours are frozen, Anita.
Terrible cost, Anita.
Covered in frost, Anita.
Smile and pray, Anita.
You'll feel gay.

 

[fox69]

"Annie's Going To Sing Her Song"

"Annie's Going To Sing Her Song"


What's your hurry? Just watch this.
This is one you mustn't miss:
Annie's going to sing her song,
Called "Take Me Back Again."

A drink for me, a drink for you;
You're going to need a drink or two:
Annie's going to sing her song,
Called "Take Me Back Again."

You never heard it sung before;
I hear it twice a month or more,
Complete with tears and sheepish grins;
It only lacks the violins.

The tune goes flat from time to time,
The lyric sometimes fails to rhyme,
But Annie's going to sing her song,
Called "Take Me Back Again."

La la la la la la la,
La la la la la la la,
Annie's going to sing her song
Called "Take Me Back Again."

It sometimes lasts the whole night long,
Depends on how long she's been gone,
I sit and look as hard as nails;
She knows the damn thing never fails.

Take the bottle, fill your cup;
Don't miss the part where I fold up;
Annie's going to sing her song,
Called "Take Me Back Again."

La la la la la la la,
La la la la la la la,
Annie's going to sing her song,
Called "Take Me Back Again."

It isn't Annie's only tune;
The other I'll be hearing soon,
Next week, tomorrow, or today;
She sings it when she goes away.

Take the bottle, fill your cup;
Don't miss the part where I fold up;
Annie's going to sing her song,
Called "Take Me Back Again;"
Come on, Annie, sing you song,
Called "Take Me Back Again."

 

[fox69]

"Anytime"

"Anytime"


Anytime
Your trail takes you through the trees
And anytime
Those icy winds begin to freeze
If you need a little sunshine
All you gotta do is call
Anytime
Anytime at all
Anytime
You feel you’re runnin’ out of road
And anytime
You feel smaller than your load
There’s a safe haven here
Where you can ride out the squall
Anytime
Anytime at all
If you’ve got a problem
I’ve got a problem too
All I want’s a chance to show what a little love can do
Come on over here, darlin’
Tell me what’s been making you blue
I wanna make things better for you
Anytime
It gets a little rough out there
And anytime
You really need someone to care
You just circle the wagons
Till you hear the bugle call
Anytime
Anytime at all
If you’ve got a problem
I’ve got a problem too
All I want’s a chance to show what a little love can do
Come on over here, darling
Tell me what’s been making you blue
I wanna make things better for you
Anytime
It gets a little rough out there
And anytime
You really need someone to care
You just circle the wagons
Till you hear the bugle call
Anytime
Anytime at all
Anytime
Anytime at all

 

[fox69]

"As She Rides By"

"As She Rides By"


Lord, how I must make a pitiful sight
Standing alone in the rain tonight
I've abandoned a room that's warm and dry
To gaze at my love as she rides by
As she rides by
As she rides by
To gaze at my love
As she rides by
Lord, how I wish I was wealthy and free
I'd know my love and she'd know me
I would build me a tower, I'd build it high
Smile at my love as she rode by
As she rode by
As she rode by
Smile at my love
As she rode by
Lord, but a tower needs bricks and lime
Land for to stand and a host of time
Men for to raise it to the sky
And all for my love as she rides by
As she rides by
As she rides by
And all for my love
As she rides by
Lord, but a dream is a pleasure to find
I've built a tower in my mind
And I’ve only to blink and close my eye
To gaze at my love as she rides by
As she rides by
As she rides by
To gaze at my love
As she rides by
As she rides by
As she rides by
To gaze at my love
As she rides by

 

[fox69]

"At The 'quarium"

"At The 'quarium"


Oh, the shark, shark, shark
Goes a-swimming in the dark
He's ferocious and he's hungry every day
In the foaming ocean tide
Little fishes run and hide
'Til the great big shark will swim away
At the 'Quarium, the 'Quarium
All the fishes make the googlie eyes and stare-ium
Then the other little fishes come and marry 'em
At the 'Quarium, where we can go
Oh, the octopus's charms
Are its long and slender arms
They're as long and they're as sticky as can be
And the octopus's fun
Is to hug its honey-bun
But I don't believe I'd like it done to me
At the 'Quarium, the 'Quarium
All the fishes make the googlie eyes and stare-ium
Then the other little fishes come and marry 'em
At the 'Quarium, where we can go
There's a little, bitty clam
And he's sitting on the sand
And sits there every single day
And he doesn't wink an eye
At the fishes swimming by
And he doesn't have a single thing to say
At the 'Quarium, the 'Quarium
All the fishes make the googlie eyes and stare-ium
Then the other little fishes come and marry 'em
At the 'Quarium, where we can go
Oh, the swordfish has a sword
That would stick right through a board
So he swims just about wherever he pleases
Who would ever have supposed
He'd have a sword instead of a nose
Makes you wonder what he does whenever he sneezes
At the 'Quarium, the 'Quarium
All the fishes make the googlie eyes and stare-ium
And the other little fishes come and marry 'em
At the 'Quarium, where we can go
At the 'Quarium, where we can go