Chris King
1983






TWENTY EIGHT

I told you I would leave this state
to the mountains, to escape this place
Will I ever get the nerve to go?
Well baby I don't know
But now I'm older than I've ever been
Somehow this keeps on happening
Will I ever let it get to me?
Well, I guess we'll see

I was raised to be proud of where I came from
& I was raised to be a gentle man
And I was taught to make time for my family
& work when I can

Now there's this girl that calls me once a week
She makes me feel like she's checking in on me
Making sure I'm still alive
and that I haven't died
Because all my friends, they've all moved away
towards the suburbs and interstates
I just couldn't bring myself to go
& I blame my soul

Chorus

Now my regrets are far and few between
& I can't say that they've cost me a thing
except some money and a little bit of love
but I'd give that up
if I could say that I am still my own
without the rules that they've forced upon me
since the day that I was had
because I can't go back

NATIVE SON

Maybe if I was a modern man
then things would fall right into my hands
I wouldn't ever have to think about
anybody but myself
But as it is I'm just a native son
Born & raised and poured out on
a state that's larger than I'll ever be
And it's a burden to my heart

So lay me out across your long bed
and pull the thoughts straight from my head
They're loud enough for everyone to hear
but no one's listening but you

And write a story from what I have said
& make it one that I have not read
I'm crossing fingers for a happy end
to what's been going on with you

Now there's a memory that I'd like to keep
and it's a simple one you gave to me
about how love should never cost a thing
and how a woman needs her time
And it may be bothersome for you to know
& it's probably easier to let you go
But until you tell me that I'm done for good
I'll still be holding on to you

Chorus

HOMELAND

In my homeland I am someone
In my homeland I'm a fool
In my homeland I am well-known
But out here, I'm nobody to you

If my memory serves me correctly
you're hair is darker than the night
And I haven't spoken to you in years now
It's like my tongue's completely tied

And your mother was a drinker
And your father never was around
Well I guess you could call that your home
or call it the curse of your hometown

Chorus

Now you could go by the bruises
Or you could go by the scars
Or you could go all by yourself, dear
but I bet you won't make it very far

'Cause there are certain benefits to pairing
and there are certain benefits to love
Like an ear that's always caring
or a mind that's always thinking of you

Chorus

STILL HAVEN'T SAID

It's a long way back from where you are
I wrote you letters, but I think they all got
misplaced by you the last time that we talked
And the moonlight that spills over me
is the same one that I remember seeing
when we used to drink out in my front yard
Where have you gone,
baby where have you gone?

And I saw your mother at the local store
I think she saw me, but I wasn't sure if
she could recognize me & the ways that I've changed
And I got a job just east of town
Was thinking maybe I could settle down, but
my love for you is still hanging around
Where have you gone,
baby where have you gone?

And I'm no stranger to tomorrow
or everything today can bring
You never told me you were leaving
Aw, and you still,
you still haven't said a thing

I told you I could be a better man
but you left before I could prove I can
You just blew away like a cold north wind
And it doesn't matter how hard I pine
or how much I drink tonight, 'cause
my love for you's still hanging around
Where have you gone,
baby where have you gone?

Chorus