All very experimental for me.
All songs Copyright S.P Oldham.
Wash-Basket Blues.
Scars and Silences
Open Up A Can.
Just a bit of fun, this first one!
Wash-Basket Blues
Well, I got me something
Keeps me busy all day long
I said I got me something
Keeps me busy all day long
Well, I empty it each morning
Don’t have time to sing my song
Don’t have time to sing my song, no
Lord my hands are raw and cold
Don’t have time to sing my song, no
Got me feeling sad and old
That old basket, she is mean yeah
Lord, please ease my weary load
Please ease my weary load, Lord
I can’t take this spin again
Yeah ease this weary load Lord
I can’t turn this wheel again
Just when I think I’ve reached the bottom
Baby’s spilling out again
Baby’s spilling out all over
We aint got no clothes to wear
Baby’s spilling out all over
Back is aching baby, yeah
That old handwash’s gonna kill me
And that label ‘Extra Care.’
Don’t have time to sing my song, no
Lord my hands are raw and cold
Don’t have time to sing my song, no
Got me feeling sad and old
That old basket, she is mean yeah
Lord, please ease my weary load
S P Oldham
This was my first ever attempt, a couple of years ago, at writing lyrics. Make of it what you will!
When I stroke your scars do I smooth away the pain?
When I kiss your lips
Are those hurting words restrained?
I’ve watched the lines crease the face
That used to be so trouble free.
But they make you seem so wise
And the crow’s feet at your eyes,
So how come you’re such a fool?
Two playing one game and always by your rules.
Still telling lies
Cheating at a game for fools.
The threat hanging silently
That you might not stick around.
Thoughts and words never spoken
Mending hearts, ever broken.
Love’s kindness is so cruel.
Am I the kind of woman
That makes a man feel strong?
Am I the kind of woman
That needs any kind of man?
Why did you never tell me
If I am?
Always watching from a distance
Whilst sharing the same bed
And guessing, not asking
What’s going through your head.
Needing the protection
Wanting it as well.
Pushing away the hands that offer it
And hurting like hell.
Saying more by not talking
Conversations in my mind
Feeling the ties cut deep and chafing
But tightening the binds.
Raging desire, need
Strength of a thousand men
Spinning; pulling; dragging us
Back to the beginning again.
S.P.Oldham
How do you hear this one? (If you 'hear' it at all!) Thanks for reading.
1.
Sitting on the front porch
Drinking by the moon torch
Listening to his new wife
Straining out a new life
Whiskers on his chin itch
Screaming raises up a pitch
Beer’s cold; night’s hot
Gonna build a new cot
Make it out of bottle tops
Ring pulls and dried hops
Baby’ll be real cool
Starting out in life school
Chorus
You know her but you just met
Haven’t broken up yet
Hard loving, double time
Drinking up your last dime
2.
Watch the moths flutter wings
At the bulb and bright things
Think about the first kiss
How the hell’d it come to this?
Got to get the car fixed
Mustn’t get the spirits mixed
Hears her calling his name
Drinks his beer just the same
Wailing rips the night sky
Rubs his head, shuts his eyes
Gonna be a new day
Pops a can anyway
Chorus
You knew her when you’d just met
Haven’t broken up yet
Hard loving double fast
Wonder how it’s gonna last
3.
Inside’s gone quiet
Out here’s just a riot
Hears the screen door slam
Wham bam thank you ma’am
You’ve got yourself a new child
Whisky’s smooth and so mild
Get up off your drunk ass
Pick a daisy from the grass
Greasy fingers through your hair
You’re trying but you don’t care
Baby’s small; she’s a mess
Drop the daisy on her nightdress
Chorus
You knew her, now you’re not sure
Thought the fun would be forever more
Hard loving burned out
Nothing left to talk about
4.
Back on the porch the moon’s low
Ten green bottles in a row
Listens to his new wife
Crooning to their new life
Stubble’s thick; starts to crave
The comfort of a wet shave
Whisky’s gone, so’s the beer
Gotta get away from here
Fix the car with bottle tops
Ring pulls and dried hops
Chorus
You know her but you just met
Haven’t broken up yet
Hard loving double time
Drinking up your last dime
Chorus
You knew her when you’d just met
Haven’t broken up yet
Hard loving double fast
Wonder how it’s gonna last
End.