The Ballad of Spartacus Jones
I was born one mornin’ when the sun didn’t shine
On Tobbacco Road, under a bad sign
In a rundown shack by the railroad track
Standin’ up and talkin’ back
Born to be wild
Born to run.
It was the night they drove old Dixie down
Sweet home Chicago, that toddlin’ town
I been down since I began to crawl.
The words of the prophets were written on the subway walls.
My mama done tol’ me. Papa was a rolling stone
If you want to start a rumble don’t you try it all alone.
Honky-Tonk women give me the Honky-Tonk blues.
You can do anything but stay off of my blue suede shoes
I was just thirteen when I had to leave home.
Ride away from tears and sorrow.
Playin’ in a travelin’ band.
King of the road.
The leader of the pack.
The wayward wind.
I am a rock.
Like a rock.
Jailhouse rock.
All or nothing at all, like lightning striking again
I ain't good lookin' but you know I ain't shy
Hard-headed woman, Let me stand next to your fire.
Gimme some lovin’
Lay down Sally.
You give me fever, Light my fire
I am the words you are the tune
Let’s spend the night together
Use me until you use me up
Just catch that wave, Let your love flow
You can leave your hat on.
Lay, Lady lay
How insensitive I must have seemed
But your lovin’ don’t pay my bills
When the thrill is gone
There must be fifty ways to leave your lover
A day in the life of a fool
Now and then there’s a fool such as I
Time after time
I who have nothing
I’m a fool to want you
I only have eyes for you
If it takes forever, I will wait for you
No, you don’t know me
You’re the reason I’m travelin’ on
The last train to Clarksville
Baby, the rain must fall.
And echo in the sounds of silence
Melancholy serenade
The shadow of your smile
There’s always something there to remind me
Things we said today
In the heat of the night,
Try to think that love’s not around,
Down at the end of lonely street
Tall and tan and young and lovely
I’ve got you under my skin
I’m so into you
Black Magic woman
Loves strange ways
Devil woman let go, of me
I’m not your steppin’ stone
That’s no way to say good-bye.
All the burning bridges that have fallen after me
I wish I knew how it would feel to be free
There are patterns I must follow just as I must breathe each breath
All the leaves are brown and the skies are grey
One tin soldier rides away
The falling leaves drift by my window
Round like a circle in a spiral
Chain of fools
Quiet nights of quiet stars
There’s a bad moon on the rise
This ain’t no technological breakdown
And everybody knows
I’ve seen the future, brother and it’s murder
We’re on the eve of destruction
We’ve got a right to be angry
Caught in the crossfire
Walking the tightrope
I am a man of constant sorrow
Mamas don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys
I’m older now but still running against the wind
I’ve really got to use my imagination
To dream the impossible dream
But that’s not the shape of my heart
I’ll be holdin’ on
-30-