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Fair & Square EP

by John Prine

/
1.
I'm going down to ride the merry-go-round in the middle of a bad storm I feel a little forlorn - Your man blows a mean horn I think my baby's stuck on a roller coaster looking for a sad song I'm trying to get her back on the track of the carousel of love. If I could only go back in time to at least last Tuesday Then there wouldn't be a blues day - or maybe April Fool's Day I'd buy her flowers and and I'd tell her tomorrow might be a better news day And take her hand and ride on the carousel of love If our love is gonna last then you know it's gonna have to go the long way There's a hundred million wrong ways - trying to find the strong way But if you'll take my hand I'll always be your man and go the right way Down the highway that leads to the carousel of love Down the highway that leads to the carousel of love
2.
If you wish upon a falling star To figure out exactly who you are That's alright by me, girl That's alright by me You've been gone about a week or so Well, you'll be comin' home to me I know Your love always sets me free, girl That's alright by me. The wind the keeps blowin' the whole world upside down The leaves are fallin' from the trees The birds are flyin' the wrong way around 'til you come back to me The wind the keeps blowin' the whole world upside down The leaves are fallin' from the trees The birds are flyin' the wrong way around 'til you come back to me When mixed emotions hit a big brick wall That don't matter much to me at all We can solve this mystery, girl That's alright by me Your love always sets me free, girl That's alright by me
3.
Caught a train from Alexandria Just a broken man in flight Running scared with his devils Saying prayers all through the night Oh but mercy can't find him Not in the shadows where he calls Forsaking all his better angels That's how every empire falls The bells ring out on Sunday morning Like echoes from another time All our innocence and yearning and sense of wonder left behind Oh gentle hearts remember What was that story? Is it lost? For when religion loses vision That's how every empire falls. He toasts his wife and all his family The providence he brought to bear They raise their glasses in his honor Although this union they don't share A man who lives among them Was still a stranger to them all For when the heart is never open That's how every empire falls Padlock the door and board the windows Put the people in the street "It's just my job," he says "I'm sorry." And draws a check, goes home to eat But at night he tells his woman "I know I hide behind the laws." She says, "You're only taking orders." That's how every empire falls. A bitter wind blows through the country A hard rain falls on the sea If terror comes without a warning There must be something we don't see What fire begets this fire? Like torches thrown into the straw If no one asks, then no one answers That's how every empire falls.
4.
Dual Custody 03:50
That's my toaster over there. It was mine before we married I bought it fair and square And that's my purple Persian oriental Polyester continental rug on the floor Pots and pans and ugly dishes One old dog and 2 gold fishes, Broken dreams and shattered wishes, A lucky horseshoe hanging above the door What was that for? Sweet memories you and me Dual custody Dual custody Your oven roaster Your rocking chair The walnut secretary Your wedding silverware You only brought out on Thanksgiving When Gramma was still living Rest her soul, heart of gold You only took the things you needed Hanging plants and old bird feeders, The jug we used for margaritas Back when everything was mighty fine - most all the time. Sweet memories, you and me Dual custody Dual custody These memories, you and me Dual custody Dual custody There's our photo you and me, it was taken in Orlando in 1993 when we were holding hands and laughing, we were lovin', we were livin' naturally so happily Now we only meet on Fridays When you drop the kids at my place You want yours and I want my space and that's the one thing we agreed upon Life goes on Sweet memories of you and me Dual custody Dual custody Sweet memories of you and me Dual custody Dual custody Alllll right

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released October 28, 2008

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John Prine Nashville

A two-time Grammy-winner, John Prine is among the English language’s premier phrase-turners. Almost 50 years into a remarkable career that has drawn praise from Bob Dylan, Kris Kristofferson, Bonnie Raitt, Roger Waters, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen & others. He is a 2019 Rock & Songwriter’s Hall of Fame inductee, a Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member and a PEN New England Lyrics Award. ... more

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