Don Williams


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"(Turn Out The Light And) Love Me Tonight"


I've been lonesome,
I've been empty
I got an achin',
Way down inside
I need someone,
Someone to hold me
Pull down the shade,
Turn out the light
And love me tonight.

Don't think about tomorrow
It don't matter any more
We can turn the key
And lock the world outside the door.

I need you so now
Come on let's go now
Kick off your shoes,
Turn out the light
And love me tonight.

[Instrumental]

Now don't you worry
We're all alone now
Let your hair down
Sit by my side
Turn off the T.V.
Put on some music
Pull down the shade
Turn out the light
And love me tonight

Don't think about tomorrow
It don't matter any more
We can turn the key
And lock the world outside the door.

I need you so now
Come on let go now
Kick off your shoes
Turn out the light
And love me tonight...

"A Handful Of Dust"



Handful of Dust, Handfuls of Dust,
True love makes perfect these handfuls of dust.

Well break us down by our elements,
And you might think He failed.
We're not copper for one penny or even iron for one nail.
And a dollar would be plenty to buy twenty of us
Til true love is added to these handfuls of dust

A handful of dust, a handful of dust
Sums up the richest and poorest of us
And true love makes priceless the worthless
Whenever it is added to these handfuls of dust

However small though our worth may be,
When shared between two hearts.
Is evermore than it would ever be
Measured on it's own apart.
And our half what it could be is now twice what it was
When true love is added to these handfuls of dust

A handful of dust, a handful of dust
Sums up the richest and poorest of us
And true love makes priceless the worthless
Whenever it is added to these handfuls of dust
Handfuls of dust

Sums up the richest and poorest of us
And true love makes priceless the worthless
Whenever it is added to these handfuls of dust...

"Ain't It Amazing"


I've never had a face you'd notice
The world never took much notice of me
I've never been good at conversation
I was too busy tripping on my own feet

I've never had grand illusions
Love was always for someone else
But in a world, so few surprises
There's still a few surprises left

Ain't it amazing, that miracles happen
Ain't it amazing, you can still find your dream
Ain't it amazing, it all comes true
When someone like you can happen to someone like me

So hold me now so warm beside you
Let me stay forever near
Sometimes I think I'm only dreaming
But I wake up, you're still here

Ain't it amazing, that miracles happen
Ain't it amazing, you can still find your dream
Ain't it amazing, it all comes true
When someone like you can happen to someone like me...

[Instrumental to fade]

"All I'm Missing Is You"


I go to places we like to go
I do the things we like to do
Familiar faces we both know
All I'm missing is you

Don't ask me how I'm getting along
'Cause there's really nothing new
Everything's about the same since you've gone
All I'm missing is you

The same ole memories are just as strong
Same ole dreams don't come true
That same ole feeling goes on and on
All I'm missing is you

Don't ask me how I'm getting along
'Cause there's really nothing new
Everything's about the same since you've gone
All I'm missing is you

[Instrumental]

Don't ask me how I'm getting along
'Cause there's really nothing new
Everything's about the same since you've gone
All I'm missing is you

[Instrumental to fade]

"Amanda"


I've held it all inward
Lord knows I've tried
It's an awful awakenin'
In a country boy's life
To look in the mirror
In total surprise
At the hair on your shoulders
And the age in your eyes.

[Chorus]
Amanda light of my life
Fate should have made you a gentle man's wife
Amanda light of my life
Fate should have made you a gentle man's wife.

Well the measure of people
Don't understand
The pleasures of life
In a hillbilly band
I got my first guitar
When I was fourteen
Now I'm crowding thirty
And still wearin' jeans.

[Chorus]

"And So It Goes"



I thought we'd always be together
In my mind, there was no doubt
Our two hearts were bound forever
We would never be without

Spring to summer, falls to winter
those that can just fly away
to find a place for them that's better
I guess here is where I'll stay

And so it goes
while we were busy with the details of our lives
everyday thinking' time was on our side
I turned around and you were gone
and I left here with the words I never got around to saying
I don't know why, I guess I never thought our time could pass us by

Life for you took new direction
What I may never figure out
that nature goes about her business
With new surprises every day

And so it goes
while we were busy with the details of our lives
everyday thinking' time was on our side
I turned around and you were gone
and I'm left here with the words I never got around to saying
I don't know why, I guess I never thought our time could pass us by

I turned around and you were gone
And I'm left here with the words
I never got around to saying
I don't know why,I guess I never thought
Our Time would pass us by

"Another Place, Another Time"



Oh, its late I know I should be leaving
We've both got someone waiting, we'll have to go
And it's so strange to think that I've just met you.
I almost wish I had met you long ago

And in your eyes I see a certain look
And that same look must be in mine
And who knows just what we might have been,
Another place another time

I'll admit in time that I'll forget you
'Cause the truth is I still love her after all
But even though we knew it couldn't happen
For a moment we felt something, Oh, so strong

And in your eyes I see a certain look
And that same look must be in mine
And who knows just what we might have been,
Another place another time

And who knows just what we might have been,
Another place another time...

"Atta Way To Go"



Atta way to go you finally broke it off
Atta way to go we can't even talk or cry
Or even wonder why that a way to go

Didn't you believe me when I loved you
I guess you thought we were playing games
All this time I tried to think I've known you
I guess I really only knew your name

Atta way to go you finally broke it off
Atta way to go we can't even talk or cry
Or even wonder why that a way to go

I thought you knew I lived my life just for you
There was just no price to big to pay
And even though I know I still live for you
The feeling's that you show won't let me stay

"Back In My Younger Days"


Back in my younger days, I used to go all night
Now I just stay at home, and everything is all right
Back when I first met you, I used to live in a haze
That was so long ago, back in my younger days

I would do anything, just a stumbling fool
It's a wonder I'm standing here, I've broken so many rules
Now I dance with you every night, and still I'm so amazed
Your love made a man of me, back in my younger days

Oh, it doesn't seem that long ago
You, you make it feel like the first time we made love
And I ain't ever getting enough
Well, well, well....

As I go through the photographs, I laugh and turn the page
It's the ballad of me and you, from such an innocent age
Talk about a dream come true, we reinvented a phrase
It's better than it used to be, back in my younger days

Back in my younger days, Back in my younger days
It's better than it used to be, back in my younger days...

[Instrumental to fade]

"Back On The Street Again"



I'm back on the street again
Got to stand on my own two feet again
I'm walking that lonely beat again
Remembering when, whoa, whoa, remembering when

Got a tear in my eyes again
To remind me that I might cry again
Feeling sad & wondering why again
Remembering when, whoa, whoa, remembering when

I remember a time when I thought the world was mine
The world belongs to somebody else now
And I'm just standing in line

So I'm thinking of me again
That's the way it's got to be again
I'll wait and I'll see till then
Remembering when, whoa, whoa, remembering when

I remember a time when I thought the world was mine.
The world belongs to somebody else now
And I'm just standing in line

So I'm thinking of me again
That's the way it's got to be again
I'll wait and I'll see till then
Remembering when, whoa, whoa, remembering when

Whoa, whoa, remembering when...

"Back To The Simple Things"



It' so easy to get all caught up
In the fast pace of this modern age
Makes you wonder if were making progress
Or just losing who we are along the way

I've been trying to figure out
How to dial it back and slow it down
Can't be as complicated as it seems
The heart of me loves yesterday
So pardon me now while I make
My way back to the simple things

If you call me I may not answer
Might not get back to you for quite a while
I'll be fishin' with my family
Cause livin' in the moments more my style

I've been trying to figure out
How to dial it back and slow it down
Can't be as complicated as it seems
The heart of me loves yesterday
So pardon me now while I make
My way back to the simple things

Tonight I'm turnin' off the TV
Watch the stars out for a change
Sit on the front porch with my baby
Rockin' all the way

Maybe that'll help me figure out
How to dial it back and slow it down
Can't be as complicated as it seems
The heart of me loves yesterday
So pardon me now while I make
My way back to the simple things

"Beautiful Woman"


I've been talking to a beautiful woman, all night long
And I don't know if I'm coming or going, feels so strong

There's a look in her eyes it's turning me on
Something inside says the bad time is gone
Wonder why it's taken so long

I've been looking for a beautiful woman, all my life
Love can hit you when you don't see it coming,
But that's alright

All the love in the world, stepped into my life
I'm feeling so good, I could never describe
Open your eyes can't you see
Baby what you're doing to me

[Instrumental]

All the love in the world, stepped into my life,
Feeling so good, I could never describe.
Open your eyes, can't you see

I've been talking to a beautiful woman, all night long
And I don't know if I'm coming or going, feels so strong

All the love in the world, stepped into my life
Feeling so good, I could never describe
Open your eyes can't you see
Baby what you're doing to me

I've been talking to a beautiful woman, all night long
And I don't know if I'm comin' or going, feels so strong
I've been talking to a beautiful woman

And I don't know if I'm coming or going...

"Better Than Today"



I got high hopes that tomorrow is gonna be better than today
it don't look like it's comin' I know, why not believe it anyway
Call it a prayer, call it a dream, Call it a leap of faith, call it anything
I got high hopes that tomorrow is gonna be better than today

I got two hands that ain't afraid to work hard and I jump out of bed every day
I know these times are real hard, lookin' on the bright side always pays.
Call it a prayer, call it a dream, Call it a leap of faith, call it anything
I got high hopes that tomorrow is gonna be better than today

I know it's dry, but that's gonna change,
no I ain't felt a dropbut I can smell the rain,
Call it a prayer, call it a dream, Call it a leap of faith, call it anything
I got high hopes that tomorrow is gonna be better than today

It don't look like it's comin' I know, why not believe it anyway
oh why not believe it anyway

"Broken Heartland"



He climbs up on his John Deere
Shoves a plug of Redman in his jaw
His eyes stretch 'cross the valley
Way down to where they're putting up a mall

His baseball cap says Kansas
The Washington says how much he can grow
There's a bank note in his pocket
That says in 30 days they'll have his home

It's hard living in a broken heartland
It's enough to break a man and his beliefs
Lord give him strength to mend this broken heartland
'Cause he's living proof of a dying breed

His sons gone off to college
Learning skills that'll get him off the farm
And his wife just keeps it all inside
Still he finds his only comfort in her arms

And this tractors been his treasure
Oh, how could an auction measure its true worth
And every night he asks the Father
That he may never lose this mother earth

It's hard living in a broken heartland
It's enough to break a man and his beliefs
Lord give him strength to mend this broken heartland
'Cause he's living proof of a dying breed

Lord give him strength to mend this broken heartland
'Cause he's living proof of a dying breed...

"Catfish Bates"



They call me Catfish Bates
'Cause I can catch a catfish anytime I want to
Even when the moon man tells me they won't bite
They call me Catfish Bates
'Cause I know where that big ole flathead's a hiddin'.
I'm a gonna take him home with me tonight

I am the king of Looseyhatchie
My home is on the river
And them catfish they all know me by my sigh
I keep my nose on the westwind
My eye on the water
And my mind on my business all the time

Well I get me a plug a days worth of tobacco
And a can a big ole redworms
I go down to where the rivers runnin' strong
I throw my hook out on the water
I let it float on down the channel
And I'll have me a big ole flathead 'for too long

They call me Catfish Bates
'Cause I can catch a catfish anytime I want to
Even when the moon man tells me they won't bite
They call me Catfish Bates
'Cause I know where that big ole flathead's a hiddin'.
I'm a gonna take him home with me tonight

Oh when they bury me I want to be somewhere on the river
With a big ole flathead layin' on my stone
And them catfish will all be prayin
They'll be flatheads up in heaven
So my ghost will leave them Hatchie cats alone

They call me Catfish Bates
'Cause I can catch a catfish anytime I want to
Even when the moon man tells me they won't bite
They call me Catfish Bates
'Cause I know where that big ole flathead's a hiddin'.
And I'm a gonna take him home with me
I'm a gonna take him home with me
I'm a gonna take him home with me tonight...

"Come A Little Closer"


Now Stop that small talk, turn that light off, it ain’t my fault, you look so fine;
My hearts achin’, and I ain’t fakin’, I don’t ask for much of nuthin', I just need a little lovin’;

Come on babe, come a little closer, honey move it over, feels so right,
Pull that shade, just a little lower, come a little closer, baby tonight.

Now put that phone down, shut that door now, let’s just think about, me and you;
My hearts racin', time is a wastin’, I don’t want much of nothin’, a little kiss a little hugin’

Come on babe, come a little closer, honey move it over, feels so right
Now pull that shade, just a little lower, come a little closer, baby tonight

[guitar break]
[steel break]

Cut off that late show, turn that lamp low, honey you know, how I feel;
My hearts beatin’, the night is pleasing, I ain’t asking that much of ya, all I want to do is love ya;

Come on babe, come a little closer, honey move it over, feels so right
Now pull that shade, just a little lower, come a little closer, baby tonight.

Now come on babe, come a little closer, honey move it over, feels so right
And pull that shade, just a little lower, come a little closer, baby tonight.

[steel break]
[guitar break]
[fade]

"Come Early Morning"


I been a walkin', walkin' in the moonlight
Trippin' in the starlight, Lord, and I'm feelin' down
Walkin' in the shadows, sneakin' down a side road
Come early mornin' I'll be there on the edge of town

I was a thinkin', thinkin' bout a good thing
Thinkin' bout a sweet gleam, uum, in my honey's eyes
And I was a-sinkin', feelin' kinda lonesome
Come early morning I'll be home at my honey's side

I have drifted up across the mountain
And I have stumbled down the other side
And I've been tempted, tried and troubled
Come early morning I'll be home and satisfied

[Instrumental]

She give me little lovin'
Give me little sunshine
Make me have a good time, Lord
When I'm feelin' blue
I couldn't refuse her
Well I couldn't misuse her
Come early mornin' I'll be home
With my honeydew

I have drifted up across the mountains
I have stumbled down the other side
I've been tempted, tried and troubled
Come early mornin' I'll be home
And satisfied...

"Come From The Heart"


My daddy told me when I was a young man
A lesson he learned, a long time ago
If you want to have someone to hold onto
You're gonna have to learn to let go.

[Chorus]
You got to sing like you don't need the money
Love like you'll never get hurt
You got to dance like nobody's watchin'
It's gotta come from the heart if you want it to work.

[Instrumental]

Now here is the one thing that I keep forgettin'
When everything is fallin' apart
In life as in love, I need to remember
There's such a thing as tryin' too hard.

[Chorus]
You got to sing like you don't need the money
Love like you'll never get hurt
You got to dance like nobody's watchin'
It's gotta come from the heart if you want it to work.

[Chorus]
You got to sing like you don't need the money
Love like you'll never get hurt
You got to dance like nobody's watchin'
It's gotta come from the heart if you want it to work...

"Cracker Jack Diamond"


Well he spent that summer walkin' door to door
With a can of gas and an ol' lawn mower
That's a sure fire way to make a buck when you're fourteen

Well he walked the block with no luck at all
Then he spotted a place where the weeds were tall
With a young girl sitting on the front porch eating' ice cream

Deep in the pocket of his grass stained jeans
Was some caramel corn and a plastic ring
Leftover from the week before
Momma didn't wash them thank the lord

[Chorus:]
Just like a Cracker Jack Diamond,
You never know when your gonna find one
They found love from that day on
The hand of fate put them together,
Their hearts will stay forever young
Like a Cracker Jack Diamond

Well it's been five years since he gave her his prize
Now the sparkle's gone, but not in their eyes
And he's wanting to tell her what's been on his mind lately

He said, girl I ain't rich but I've been saving up
A little ever day 'til I had enough
Before he could finished she said, you know I will baby

Deep in the pocket of his holy jeans
Was money for the preacher and a diamond ring
He took her back to that old front porch
Slipped it on her finger and he thanked the Lord

[Chorus:]
Just like a Cracker Jack Diamond,
You never know when your gonna find one
They found love from that day on
The hand of fate put them together,
Their hearts will stay forever young
Like a Cracker Jack Diamond

once a year she takes it out but it don't fit her hand
she wears it in her heart
that's where it all began

[Chorus:]
Just like a Cracker Jack Diamond,
You never know when your gonna find one
They found love from that day on
The hand of fate put them together,
Their hearts will stay forever young
Like a Cracker Jack Diamond...

[Instrumental to fade]

"Cryin' Eyes"


Could you just tell me how you're feelin'
Lately that's all I want to know
We've been actin' so deceiving
You're holdin' on and lettin' go

Cryin'eyes don't give a reason
Lips don't always say whats so
When you touch me I'm believin'
You really don't want me to go

[Instrumental]

They say in life there comes a season
We don't know the answer why
Without any rhyme or reason
Folks drift apart and say goodbye

Cryin'eyes don't give a reason
Lips don't always say whats so
When you touch me I'm believin'
You really don't want me to go

Cryin'eyes don't give a reason
Lips don't always say whats so
When you touch me I'm believin'
You really don't want me to go...