Where I Have Walked – Lyrics
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NO TURNING BACK by Brian Bouthillier
My feet, they sometimes stumble,
But there are no breaks.
The only direction’s forward,
So try to limit the mistakes.
Some jumps I take with vigor,
But some I just can’t hack.
Sometimes I want to turn around,
But there is no turning back.
Someone should have told me
There is no turning back.
I was having fun,
But there is no turning back.
Stay with me while you can
As we go down the track, (On the road like Kerouac,)
For once I’m on my way,
There is no turning back.
My friends, they climb a different branch;
I could have followed them.
They took another turn somewhere;
I lost them on the stem.
I think that they’re still going;
I hope they’ll do all right.
It’s hard for me to tell though now;
They’re far beyond my sight.
I wanted them to stay with me;
I hate to be alone.
We had good times all together,
But for now I’m on my own.
It’s still within my memory
When once I had the knack;
I think that I was better then,
But there is no turning back.
Once again I meet some friends
Though they are not the same.
They’re something like the last ones;
They’ll soon forget my name.
I’ll spend some time with these ones,
Forgetting what I lack,
Until I take another step
And there is no turning back.
Someone should have told me
There is no turning back.
I was having fun,
But there is no turning back.
Stay with me while you can
On the road like Kerouac,
For once I’m on my way,
There is no turning back.
Stay with me while you can;
There is no turning back,
For once I’m on my way,
There is no turning back.
MORE THAN BLUES by Brian Bouthillier
It’s more than I can stand
Yeah, it’s more than I can stand
To see a girl like her
Controlling my friend.
It’s more than I can bear
Yeah, it’s more than I can bear
To see her taking him
So unaware.
Oh the right kind of woman
Could have done him well
But the wrong kind of woman
Will make his life just hell.
It’s more than I can take
Yeah, it’s more than I can take
To see that he don’t realize
That she’s just a fake.
Oh the right kind of woman
Could have done him well
But the wrong kind of woman
Will make his life just hell.
FORTRESS IN THE VALLEY by Brian Bouthillier
The blondes are joining forces; they’re gonna gun me down.
I’ve got my tail between my legs like some crazy kind of hound.
In the night I’m runnin’; the snowflakes sting my face.
I knew I was mistaken and this was not my place.
I’d like to write a love song, but I don’t know what love is.
Lovely Linda’s big brown eyes keep makin’ me a mess.
Not knowing what she wants now, I couldn’t even guess.
She grabs me by the shoulder and makes me quite annoyed.
People try to help her out, but them I just avoid.
I’d like to write a love song, but I don’t know where love is.
Seeking out the dusty hills where the brunettes hide;
The battle would be even if they were on my side.
But when they ganged upon me, I knew it wasn’t so;
I could have changed direction once very long ago.
I’d like to write a love song, but I don’t know what love is.
Back into the mountains, I’d take my chances there.
Whatever happened to me now, I didn’t even care.
The pine trees softly whisper; it eases up my mind,
But at times the weather’s so cold, no comfort can I find.
I’d like to write a love song, but I don’t know where love is.
The Day the Outhouse Door Fell Off by Brian Bouthillier
The hinges on the outhouse door were very rusty and old,
But no one even suspected they’d ever cease to hold.
The building had a shingled roof and it’d been painted twice;
Something that gets that much use might as well be nice.
Mr. Sam was the neighbour man; he lived across the draw.
We never got along too well after what I saw.
Now I admit it may sound funny but then it was no joke;
I’ll never forget that awful day the outhouse hinges broke.
Cousin Bob had a mighty bad temper; it ain’t too bad no more,
But on that morning he was mad and he slammed the outhouse door.
When I took a look at the result, I think I almost cried;
The door had fallen completely off; the shack was open wide.
The hinges were completely broke so we let the door lay down.
Not too much could be done ‘til someone went to town.
The door was almost forgotten then ‘til later on that day;
I was looking through binoculars towards the neighbour’s way.
I was so shocked at what I saw; I knew there’d be a war
Cause Mr. Sam had field glasses focused on the outhouse door.
Aunt June had gone to the outhouse only minutes before,
And Mr. Sam was watching her through the open door.
My only thought was for revenge so I scanned his whole yard over,
And to my delight was Mrs. Sam laying naked in the clover.
If Mr. Sam hadn’t started it, I never would’ve stared so long,
But after all, that was my aunt he had his eyes glued on.
I finally turned my attention back towards the spy,
And at that very moment the gaze was eye to eye.
He must have been embarrassed for he threw the glasses down.
I had to get some hinges from the hardware store in town.
I never told poor Aunt June that she’d been stared upon,
But I made sure before that night the door was fastened on.
I never saw Mr. Sam lookin’ our way no more
Cause he’ll never forget that awful day the outhouse had no door.
PROBABLY BEEN SAID by Brian Bouthillier
A simple explanation
from my troubled imagination
could have been all that you would need.
But my thoughts were wrung like soggy clothes,
until too late, my insides froze.
Confined inside, you could have me freed.
Hesitation’s losing you,
I think too much instead of do,
waiting to say something new,
but probably it’s all been said before.
Before I get off the track
and paint my future solid black,
speak the words to get me standing tough.
You turn away, I watch you go,
my communication won’t let you know,
thoughts of you just are not enough.
Hesitation’s losing you,
I think too much instead of do,
waiting to say something new,
but probably it’s all been said before.
Maple Summer by Brian Bouthillier
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I was sitting in the classroom of the university
Reading the exploits of other men
A voice was telling me there’s so much that I could learn
And I was getting sick of wondering when
So I settled in my shoes, threw my pack upon my back
And rode out on the luck of poor boy’s thumb
Said goodbye to Pacific, whatever happens next
The Atlantic Ocean, here I come
It was maple summer glory, glory all the way
Maple summer warm me, I have to be away
Kindness on the way I didn’t expect to find
Softened my cankored attitude
The vastness of the land I always longed to see
Mile after mile overviewed
Doctors, farmers, bluesmen, I’ve something from them all
A maple summer holds such finery
I could do a job one day for a bed in someone’s barn
This must be a taste of being free
It was maple summer glory, glory all the way
Maple summer warn me, you’re going to go away
In the end when things got cooler, I ended up at home
Prospects didn’t look so bright
A struggle for a dollar, every cent I make
I never thought I’d know this jobless plight
But my efforts can’t be wasted, I’ve convinced myself
I have to know the easiness I miss
From every last obstruction I’m going to try to clear
Maple summer still owes me a kiss
It was maple summer glory, glory all the way
Maple summer take me, come again my way
DO IT ALL AGAIN by Brian Bouthillier
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I tried to sleep under a tree in Regina
But was kept awake by the lightning and the rain.
Sometimes I say maybe, yes, and kinda,
But I really would do it all again.
A lot of folks are doin’ lots of complainin’;
You know that there’s a lot to cry about.
But you also know you cannot stop the rainin’;
It’ll stop, you’ve just got to wait it out.
Some things ain’t as bad as people are sayin’,
And some things may be worse, I will agree.
But I believe in a fair share of playin’;
An even balance is possible to see.
Not so serious,
And not so careless,
Just have some faith.
Oh, I tried to sleep under a tree in Regina
But was kept awake by the lightning and the rain.
Sometimes I say maybe, yes, and kinda,
But I really would do it all again.
I really would do it all again
I really would do it all again.
BEFORE THE RADIO DIED by Brian Bouthillier
The radio was dyin’,
The batteries were runnin’ low.
Just then the news came on
Bringin’ tales of woe.
I tried to detach myself
And pretend I didn’t care,
But oh Lord, it saddens me,
What I’m hearin’ on the air.
Interest rates a-goin’ up
And prices gettin' higher,
And every politician
Calls the other one a liar.
The value of our dollar
Has dropped a few more cents,
And some men use their guns
To shoot at presidents.
And somewhere off in Ireland
A young man died in prison.
He fought for what he thought was right
In the struggle that’s arisen.
Some people try to protect what’s theirs
While others try to steal,
And often they don’t think about
How their neighbours feel.
On comes advertisements
For things I can’t afford.
The sports man, in a monotone,
Tells how the goal was scored.
The weatherman has more bad news,
The coastal front is white;
It’s rain for yet another week,
No sunshine is in sight.
Then the news was over,
The music it did start,
People singin’ about sex and love
That don’t come from the heart.
Some people really think
That love is found in bed.
I got up to stop the radio
But it already was dead.
CLEOPATRA by Brian Bouthillier
Cleopatra, she was calling, she said “Bri, come over here.
I sent Antony to fight some war, so you needn’t fear.
He won’t be back for awhile, maybe not at all;
So don’t you be nervous, and come whene’er I call.”
I said, “Aren’t you a little forward? Shouldn’t I have made the move?”
She looked a little offended and said, “What you tryin’ to prove?”
So I advanced and moved towards her and smiled boyishly.
I asked her what was on her mind; she said, “Wait and see.”
She pulled a deck of cards out from underneath her shirt,
And looked me squarely in the eyes to see I was alert.
She shuffled the cards clumsily and dealt us both a hand,
Then she said, “I’m uncomfortable; let’s go sit on the sand.”
We broiled in the sun ‘til I looked just like a prune.
I was afraid that I would die if I didn’t get wet soon.
I said to Cleopatra, “Could you show me to a phone;
Then tell one of your servants to saddle up my roan.”
She said, “Where do you think you’re going? You still owe me some dough.
And even if you didn’t, I couldn’t let you go.”
I tried to make a run, but she grabbed me by the hair;
She threw me down and kissed me while I struggled for some air.
I didn’t really mind, but it sent me into shock;
I barely got my wind when I babbled senseless talk.
I told her about my mother and the cannon on the lawn;
Then I told her that a queen was no better than a pawn.
I must have upset her cause a tear rolled down her face;
I managed then to wriggle out of her strong embrace.
“I’m sorry if I hurt you,” I told her, with a sigh,
“But Antony might soon return; perhaps I better fly.”
She smoothed out her clothes, and she lit a cigarette.
“Antony,” she smiled, “I’d just as soon forget.
The crack about the pawn though, didn’t please me none;
You never should have said it ‘cause I was havin’ fun.”
She finally let me go after raising a big fuss,
But she kept my roan and money, so I had to hop a bus.
I wandered many miles before I broke down and sobbed;
I’d lost the Queen of Egypt, not to mention being robbed.
Cleopatra taught me something I never thought I’d learn.
In spite of the danger, I vowed I would return.
Ever since that day I’ve been playing solitaire,
And I haven’t drawn the card yet that’ll give my hand the pair.
MY TEACHER HAS BEAUTIFUL LEGS by Brian Bouthillier
My teacher has beautiful legs
A beautiful lady with beautiful legs
Long and smooth, muscular too
She teaches so well but nothing gets through.
She strides back and forth
I think she knows
She has my attention
But it ain’t her clothes.
No, it’s her legs
Those beautiful legs
Yes, she’s one fine teacher
With two fine legs.
She talks so sweetly and smiles so bright
I even think of her when she’s out of sight
I’m so lucky she’s teachin’ me
‘Cause I’m aware of her quality
And her legs
Those wonderful legs
Yes, she’s one fine teacher
With two fine legs.
I’ve seen her swim and I’ve seen her run
I’ve seen her smiling and havin’ fun
I think her subject is one of the best
But every time I keep failin’ the tests
‘Cause of her legs
Those beautiful legs
Yes, she’s one fine teacher
With two fine legs.
My teacher has beautiful legs.
I MUST RELATE A DREAM I DREAMT by Brian Bouthillier
I must relate a dream I dreamt
I am not sure yet what it meant
But I woke up feeling spent
And slightly terrified.
Oh, I was sick, confined to bed
A funny feeling in my head
“Prepare for death,” the people said
But I’d already died.
As if I had a grandstand seat
I could see those who were beat
I shouldn’t help them on their feet
But I had an urge to.
Unnoticed by all those concerned
I helped them ‘til their luck had turned
So it was that I learned
How the feeling felt.
Helping to change wrong to right
Again I felt a need to fight
I wakened to the morning light
All around me.
It’s a pity that a person’s best
Doesn’t come ‘til he’s laid to rest
But my death was the test
That made me wiser.
I must relate a dream I dreamt
I am not sure yet what it meant
But I woke up feeling spent
And slightly terrified.
CLIFF AND SHEILA by Brian Bouthillier
Cliff was just a quiet guy who tried to get along.
He always went the straight and narrow, never doing what was wrong.
He always felt that he’d missed out when all his friends were wed.
Just when he’d get his hopes up, his heart would sink like lead.
Sheila was the wild type; it was said she’d been around.
She was out to have her share of fun, and fun was easily found.
She hung around with popular guys; her standards were quite stiff,
So it wasn’t any wonder that she didn’t notice Cliff.
Guys would come and guys would go, and so it was she flirted,
But then one night as fate would have it, Sheila was deserted.
At a table she sat alone; her loss she couldn’t bear,
And only a few yards away, Cliff was sitting there.
Thinking she was not alone, Cliff tried to divert his mind,
But when he saw she was upset, he decided to be kind.
Cliff was nervous, but other than that, the introductions went quite well.
Then Sheila poured her heart out ‘cause Cliff would never tell.
When they parted for the night, they agreed to meet again,
But Cliff was worried that like before, his love would be in vain.
But as it was, they hit it off, and soon he had no fear;
He had a lot of love to give, and she enjoyed him, it was clear.
When they decided to be married, it came as quite a shock;
People said it would never last, but the couple ignored the talk.
Cliff was proud, and so was Sheila, at least for a little while;
Marriage wasn’t right for her; it sort of cramped her style.
They made it through the first few years; they even had a child.
Cliff tried hard to make things work, but Sheila still was wild.
For a while, Sheila left; the kid stayed with his father,
But Cliff begged Sheila to return; the kid was too much bother.
Then it seemed that things improved; Sheila settled down.
They bought themselves a country home and moved away from town.
Sheila expected much from Cliff, but his heart was turning hard.
He was losing all his interest; the love they had was scarred.
The tables turned to a new position; it was Sheila now who tried.
Cliff wouldn’t pay her any mind, so at night she often cried.
They both decided there was no hope; the marriage was beyond repair,
So the child that they both still loved was put in Sheila’s parents’ care.
With nothing left to hold them, Cliff and Sheila parted,
But there’d never be a real end to the love that they had started.
Always they were sorry that the times they’d shared were gone,
And always, they did wonder just who to blame it on.
Thanks Above (For This Love) by Brian Bouthillier
I thought my prayers had gone unheard
I wondered why I did not deserve
To have a love.
The kind of love to give me pride
Give me feelings I couldn’t hide
Where was she?
Many times I thought I’d met
The women that I could bet
My life on.
But the real one I hadn’t found
And I felt I was sinking down
I was losing hope.
Now I guess God had a plan for me
I couldn’t see, I couldn’t see
I was led to you in Mexico
And you were led to me, led to me
Now what I have in every way
Is better than I imagined
Thanks above for this love.
You are a precious gem
I’ve seen a few of them
And they weren’t like you.
I am living in a dream
You are a gentle queen
There are so few.
I know money couldn’t buy
What is in your eye
When you look my way.
And it gives me such a thrill
And it probably always will
It is so pure.
(SHAKING HANDS) WITH MY FATHER Brian Bouthillier
When I wash my hands after a hard lost day
And I just can’t get them clean,
And I gaze with soul-struck honesty
At where and how I’ve been,
I get filled with a fear of falling out
Of the way that’s prearranged.
But I close my eyes with a dignity
That I know I must possess
To be on my feet and right up front,
No matter what the job or stress,
‘Cause until I’m clean, I won’t be seen
Shaking hands with my father.
Oh I don’t have to curse,
Knowing there’s better, knowing there’s worse;
There’s only one way I can go
If I’m ever going to reach my father.
I don’t remember much of what he said
But he’s always at my side;
When sometimes I need support,
In him I can confide,
Should I lose touch of what’s necessary
To always persevere.
I am here with my mother dear
And the man who’s been my dad;
To know the blood that’s half of me
Is all I’ve never had;
But it’s in my power to be on that tower
Someday talking with my father.
Oh I don’t have to curse,
Knowing there’s better, knowing there’s worse;
There’s only one way I can go
If I’m ever going to reach my father.
You Will Be Missed by Brian Bouthillier
Sometimes we marched together, and I often saw you lead
Were you ever shaken or in any need?
You held things together, and you kept your keenest wit
In your new endeavors, I wish as good a fit
Now you want to go beyond; you’ve certainly earned the right
We’re saying our goodbyes, trying to be polite
It’s not within my nature to accept and just stay calm
Won’t you come back at least occasionally after you have moved on?
I want you to look back and see it’s no surprising twist
Rest assured, you will be missed
Tulips bloom just once a year, and then we have to wait
The pine trees are disappearing; what will be their fate?
I remember our first meeting, the impression that you made
Your kindness and integrity were easily displayed
There are people who will come along
They move in and out of our lives
They take a part and then they chart
Their way to different seas.
I want you to look back and see it’s no surprising twist
Rest assured, you will be missed
THERE ARE TIMES by Brian Bouthillier
There are times when I am angry
There are times when I get scared
There are times when I am hurt and lonely
When the teeth of life are bared.
There’ve been times when I could not see
A friendly face in front of me
But I’ve been helped through these times by God.
There’ve been times when I’ve been greedy
And took more than my share
There’ve been times when I’ve acted selfish
And didn’t do what’s fair.
There were times when I had to fall
My ears were shut to a needy call
I needed to get helped through these things by God.
Though I may not understand His ways
God is a loyal friend.
He’s been there to get me through
When I thought I’d hit the end.
I’ve had some walks with glory
And I’ve danced ‘til the morning light
I’ve chased dreams and had them come true
I’ve been warmed by the sun so bright.
There are miracles in this world wide
I couldn’t see without a guide,
I was shown to those good times by God.