Kenny Rogers Album

W/ Dolly Parton

Baby, when I met you there was peace unknown
I set out to get you with a fine tooth co-omb
I was soft insi-ide, There was somethin' going o-o-on

You do something to me that I can't explain
Hold me closer and I feel no pain
Every beat of my hear-eart, We got something going o-o-on

Tender love is blind, It requires a dedication
All this love we feel, Needs no conversation
We ride it together, ah-ha-ah, Makin' love with each other, ah-ha-ah

Islands in the stream, That is what we are, No one in between
How can we be wrong, Sail away with me, To another world
And we rely on each other, ah-ha-ah, From one lover to another, ah-ha-ah

I can't live without you, if the love was gone
Everything is nothing if you got no one
And you did walk in the night, Slowly losing sight of the real thi-ing

But, that won't happen to us and we got no doubt
Too deep in love and we got no way out
And the message is clear, This could be the year for the real thi-ing

No more will you cry, Baby, I will hurt you never
We start and end as one, In love forever
We can ride it together, ah-ha-ah
Making love with each other, ah-ha-ah

Islands in the stream, That is what we are, No one in between
How can we be wrong, Sail away with me, To another world
And we rely on each other, ah-ha-ah, From one lover to another, ah-ha-ah

Sail away-ay
Oh come sail away-ay with me

Islands in the stream, That is what we are, No one in between
How can we be wrong, Sail away with me, To another world
And we rely on each other, ah-ha-ah, From one lover to another, ah-ha-ah

Islands in the stream, That is what we are, No one in between
How can we be wrong, Sail away with me, To another world
And we rely on each other, ah-ha-ah, From one lover to another, ah-ha-ah

And he'll tell her - He's working late again
But she knows to well there's something goin' on.
She's been neglected - and she needs a friend
So her trembling fingers dial the telephone.

And Lord, it hurts her - doin' this again
He's the best friend that her husband ever knew.
When she's lonely - he's more than just a friend
He's the one she loans her body to.

Daytime friends and nighttime lovers -
Hoping no one else discovers
Where they go - What they do -
In their secret hideaway

Daytime friends and nighttime lovers -
They don't want to hurt the others
So they love - In the nighttime -
And shake hands in the light of day.

And when it's over - there's no peace of mind
Just a longin' for the way things should have been.
And she wonders - Why some men never find
That a woman needs a lover and a friend.

While she lay sleeping
I stayed out late at night and play my songs
And sometimes all the night can be so long
That's good and I finally make it home all alone
While she lays dreaming
I try to get undressed without the light
And quietly she says
How was your nights
And I come to her
And say it was alright
And I hold her tight
And she believes in me

I'll never know
Just what she sees in me
I told her someday if she was my girl
Could change the world with me little
I was wrong
But she has faith in me
And so go on trying restless
and who knows may be
On some special night
If my song was right
I will find the way, find the way
While she lay waiting
I stumble to the kitchen for a bite

Then I see my old guitar in the night
Just waiting for me
Like my secret friend
And there's no end
While she lay crying
I fumble with a melody or two
Then I'm thru between the things that I should do
Then she said I wake her up
And I'm thru
God my love is true
So while she lay

You've painted up your lips
And rolled and curled your tinted hair
Ruby are you contemplating
Going out somewhere
The shadow on the wall
Tells me the sun is going down
Oh Ruby
Don't take your love to town

It wasn't me
That started that crazy Asian war
But I was proud to go
And do my patriotic chore
And yes, it's true that
I'm not the man I used to be
Oh, Ruby I still need some company
It's hard to love a man
Whose legs are bent and paralyzed
That my wants and needs of a woman of your age
Ruby, I realized
Oh Ruby
Don't take your love to town

She's leaving now cause
I just heard the slamming of the door
The way I know I've heard it
Some 100 times before
And if I could move I'd get my gun
And put her in the ground
Oh Ruby
Don't take your love to town

You can run you can hide never let it inside
Keep livin your life in the dark
But sooner or later that gentle persuader
Is gonna catch up with your heart
Make you a dreamer, believer
Believin in love

Right when a man doin all that he planned
And he thinks he got just what he needs
Life will deliver a shock that will shiver
And drivin him down to his knees
Make him start givin, livin, Livin again

Well it's your mind, that tricks you in believin every time
Love will turn you around, turn you around
Well it's your heart, that talks you into to stayin where you are
Love will turn you around, turn you around

Out of the blue she reaches for you
And you tell her you dont have the time
So you move away fast but you know it wont last
cause you cant get her off of your mind
Thoughts are burning, turnin, Their turning around

How do you know when to stay or to go
And how do you know when it's real
You dont need a sign to make up your mind
You got your heart at the wheel
You wanna start sharing, carinng, Caring again

Well it's your mind, that tricks you in believing every time
Love will turn you around, turn you around
Well it's your heart, that talks you into to stayin where you are
Love will turn you around, turn you around

Love will turn you around, turn you around
Love will turn you around, turn you around

I can't remember when you weren't there
When I didn't care for anyone but you
I swear we've been through everything there is
Can't imagine anything we've missed
Can't imagine anything the two of us can't do

Through the year, you've never let me down
You turned my life around, the sweetest days I've found
I've found with you ... Through the years
I've never been afraid, I've loved the life we've made
And I'm so glad I've stayed, right here with you
Through the years

I can't remember what I used to do
Who I trusted whom, I listened to before
I swear you've taught me everything I know
Can't imagine needing someone so
But through the years it seems to me
I need you more and more

Through the years, through all the good and bad
I knew how much we had, I've always been so glad
To be with you ... Through the years
It's better everyday, you've kissed my tears away
As long as it's okay, I'll stay with you
Through the years

Through the years, when everything went wrong
Together we were strong, I know that I belonged
Right here with you ... Through the years
I never had a doubt, we'd always work things out
I've learned what love's about, by loving you
Through the years

Through the years, you've never let me down
You've turned my life around, the sweetest days I've found
I've found with you ... Through the years
It's better everyday, you've kissed my tears away
As long as it's okay, I'll stay with you

Little boy in a baseball hat stands in the field with his ball and bat
Says, "I am the greatest player of them all"
Puts his bat in his shoulder and he tosses up his ball.
And the ball goes up and the ball comes down,
Swings his bat all the way around
The world so still you can hear the sound, the baseball falls to the ground.
Now the little boy doesn't say a word, picks up his ball he is undeterred.
Says, "I am the greatest that there has ever been"
And he grits his teeth and he tries again.
And the ball goes up and the ball comes down,
Swings his bat all the way around
The world so still you can hear the sound, the baseball falls to the ground.
He makes no excuses he shows no fear
He just closes his eyes and listens to the cheers.
Little boy he adjusts his hat, picks up his ball, stares at his bat
Says "I am the greatest when the game is on the line"
And he gives his all one last time.
And the ball goes up and the moon so bright
Swings his bat with all his might
The world's as still as still can be, the baseball falls
And that's strike three.
Now it's suppertime and his momma calls,
little boy starts home with his bat and ball.
Says, "I am the greatest, that is a fact,
But even I didn't know I could pitch like that!"
Says, "I am the greatest, that is understood,

Show me a bar with a good looking woman
Then just get out of my way
Turn on the jukebox, I'll show you a song you should play
Sooner or later a few shots of Bourbon
And I'll think of somethin' to say
Whoa, I can take her or leave her
I'd like to take her away

Liquor and music, a good combination
If you've got love on the brain
I never knew two women who acted the same
Some want a drink first, and some want to just sit and talk
Whoa, oh, it's two in the mornin'
I'm running' and she wants to walk

Something's got a hold on me
It's cheap but it ain't free
Love or somethin' like it's got a hold on me

That's when I asked her, my place or your place
I hope I'm not out of line
I asked the wrong thing, but just the right woman this time
She knew a hotel, she even had a name we could sign
Whoa, oh, the cheaper the grapes are, the sweeter the taste of the wine

Something's got a hold on me
It's cheap but it ain't free
Love or somethin' like it's got a hold on me

Something's got a hold on me
It's cheap but it ain't free
Love or somethin' like it's got a hold on me

I can't remember when you weren't there
When I didn't care for anyone but you
I swear we've been through everything there is
Can't imagine anything we've missed
Can't imagine anything the two of us can't do

Through the year, you've never let me down
You turned my life around, the sweetest days I've found
I've found with you ... Through the years
I've never been afraid, I've loved the life we've made
And I'm so glad I've stayed, right here with you
Through the years

I can't remember what I used to do
Who I trusted whom, I listened to before
I swear you've taught me everything I know
Can't imagine needing someone so
But through the years it seems to me
I need you more and more

Through the years, through all the good and bad
I knew how much we had, I've always been so glad
To be with you ... Through the years
It's better everyday, you've kissed my tears away
As long as it's okay, I'll stay with you
Through the years

Through the years, when everything went wrong
Together we were strong, I know that I belonged
Right here with you ... Through the years
I never had a doubt, we'd always work things out
I've learned what love's about, by loving you
Through the years

Through the years, you've never let me down
You've turned my life around, the sweetest days I've found
I've found with you ... Through the years
It's better everyday, you've kissed my tears away
As long as it's okay, I'll stay with you

In a bar in Toledo across from the depot
On a bar stool she took off her ring
I thought I'd get closer so I walked on over
I sat down and asked her name
When the drinks finally hit her
She said I'm no quitter but I finally quit livin' on dreams
I'm hungry for laughter and here ever after
I'm after whatever the other life brings

In the mirror I saw him and I closely watched him
I thought how he looked out of place
He came to the woman who sat there be-side me
He had a strange look on his face
The big hands were calloused he looked like a mountain
For a minute I thought I was dead
But he started shaking his big heart was breaking
He turned to the woman and said

You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille
With four hungry children and a crop in the field
I've had some bad times lived through some sad times
But this time your hurting won't heal
You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille.

After he left us I ordered more whisky
I thought how she'd made him look small
From the lights of the bar room
To a rented hotel room
We walked without talking at all
She was a beauty but when she came to me
She must have thought I'd lost my mind
I couldn't hold her 'cos the words that told her
Kept coming back time after time

You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille
With four hungry children and a crop in the field
I've had some bad times lived through some sad times
But this time your hurting won't heal
You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille.

Just look at you sitting there
You never looked better than tonight
And it'd be so easy to tell you I'd stay
Like I've done so many times
I was so sure this would be the night
You'd close the door
And wanna stay with me
And it'd be so easy
To tell you I'd wait
Like I've done so many times

Don't fall in love with a dreamer
Because he'll always take you in
Just when you think
You've really changed him
He'll leave you again
Don't fall in love with a dreamer
Because he'll break you every time

So put out the light and just hold on
Before we say goodbye
Now it's morning
and the phone rings and ya say
You gotta get your things together
You just gotta leave
Before you change your mind
And you know
What I was thinking I'd turn around
If you'd just ask me one more time
Don't fall in love with a dreamer
Because he'll always take you in
Just when you think
You've really changed him
He'll leave you again
Don't fall in love with a dreamer
Because he'll break you every time
so put out the light and just hold on

Everyone considered him
The coward of the county
It never stool one single time
To prove the county's
His mama named him Tommy
The folks just called him Yellow
Something always told me
They were reading Tommy's wrong
He was only ten years old
When his daddy died in prison
I looked after Tommy
Because he's my brother's son
I still recalled the final words
My brother said to Tommy,
"Son, my life was over,
But yours just begun.
Promised me son,
Not to do the things I've done,
Walked away form troubles if you can
It won't mean your weak
If you turned the other cheek
I hope you're old enough to understand
Son you don't have to fight to be a man
There's someone for everyone."

And Tommy's love was working
The gambling boys came calling
They took turns of Veckie
And there was three of them
Tommy opened up the door
Saw his Veckie crying
The torn dress, the shattered look
Is more than he could stand
He reached above the fire place
And took down his daddy's face
He heard these words again
Promised me son
Not to do the things I've done,
Walked away form troubles if you can
It won't mean your weak
If you turned the other cheek
I hope you're old enough to understand
Son you don't have to fight to be a man
The gambling boys just laughed at him
When he walked into the barroom
One of them got up
And meet him halfway cross the floor
When Tommy turn around
They said,
Hey look old Yellow's leaving
But you could have heard a pin drop
When Tommy stop and lock the door
The bottle up inside him
He let them have it all
He wouldn't hold nothing back
He let them have it all
When Tommy left the barroom
Not a gambling boy was standing
He said this one's for Veckie
As he watched the last one fall
I heard him say
I promised you dad
Not to do the things you've done,
I walked away form troubles when I can
Now please don't think I'm weak
I didn't turn the other cheek
And papa I surely hope you understand
Sometimes you got to fight when you're a man
Everyone considered him

Lady, I'm your knight in shining armour
And I love you
You've made me what I am
And I am yours
My love, there's so many ways
I want to say I love you
Let me hold you in my arms
Forever more
You have gone and made me such a fool
I'm so lost in your love
And all we belong together
Won't you believe in my song
Lady, for so many years I'd thought
I'd never find you
You have come into my life and made me whole
Forever let me wake to see you
Each and every morning
Let me hear you whisper softly in my ears
In my eyes I see no one else but you
There's no other love like our love
And yes, oh yes
I'll always want you need me
I've waited for you for so long
Lady your love is the only love I need
And beside me is where I want you to be
Because my love there is something I want you to know
You're the love of my life

On a warm summer's evening
On a train bound to now
Where I met up a gambler
We were both too tired to sleep
So we took turns to staring
At the window at the darkness
Two board I took over us
And he began to speak
He said son I'd made a life
Out of written people's face
Knowing what the card was
By the way they held your eyes
So if you don't mind my saying
I could see you out of face
For a taste of your whisky
I'll give you some advice

So I handed him my bottle
And he drinks down my last swallow
Then he pumped up a cigarette
And ask me for a light
And the night gets deadly quiet
And his face last all its expressions and said
If you can't play the game boy
You got to learn to play it right
You got to know when to hold them
Know when to fold them
Know when to walk away
Know when to run
You never count your money
When you're sitting at the table
There'll be time enough for counting
When the dealing's done

Every gambler knows
The secret to surviving
He's knowing what to throw away
Knowing what to keep
Because every hand's a loser
And the best that you hope for
Is to die in your sleep
And he finished speaking
He turned back forth the window
Crashed out the cigarettes
Faded off to sleep
And somewhere in the darkness
The gambler has broken ever
But in his final words

w/ Sheena Easton

I know it's late, I know you're weary 
I know your plans don't include me 
Still here we are, both of us lonely 
Longing for shelter from all that we see 
Why should we worry, no one will care 
Look at the stars so far away 
We've got tonight 
Who needs tomorrow? 
We've got tonight 
Why don't you stay? 

Deep in my soul, I've been so lonely 
All of my hopes, fading away 
I've longed for love, like everyone else does 
I know I'll keep searching, even after today 

So that there it is 
We've got it all now 
And here we are 
What do you say? 

We've got tonight 
Who needs tomorrow? 
We've got tonight 
Why don't you stay? 

I know it's late, I know you're weary 
I know your plans don't include me 
Still here we are, both of us lonely 
Both of us lonely 

We've got tonight 
Who needs tomorrow? 
Let's make it last 
Let's find a way 
Turn out the light 
Come take my hand now 
We've got tonight 
Why don't you stay? 

All my life was a paper
What's plain, pure and white
Till the balance was right
Till you moved with your pen
Changing mood now and then
Then you added some music
Every note was in place
And anybody could see
All the changes in me
By the look on my face
And you decorated my life
Created a world where dreams are apart
And you decorated my life
By painting your love all over my heart

You decorated my life
Like a rhyme with no reason
And an unfinished song
There was no harmony
Life meant nothing to me
Until you came along
Then you came along
Then you brought out the colors
What a gentle surprise
How I'm able to see all the things life can be

(Pat Bunch/Doug Johnson)

Grady Johnson was a common man
Four children and some bottom land
Early to bed he said well that ain't me
I gotta spend some time with my family

Left to it's own device May becomes June
But children grow up all too soon

So love your neighbor as yourself
Don't use money to measure wealth
Trust in God but lock your door
Buy low sell high and slow dance more

Mama Johnson was Grady's wife
She bore his children and she graced his life
Hand in hand and side by side
They worked hard to simplify

Some folks have and some have not
What really counts is what you do with what you've got

So love your neighbor as yourself
Don't use money to measure wealth
Trust in God but lock your door
Buy low sell high and slow dance more

And more I think I understand
What my father's father meant
When he said son what matters most
You can count on just one hand

So love your neighbor as yourself
Don't use money to measure wealth
Trust in God but lock your door
Buy low sell high and slow dance more