Take me in your lifeboat, oh
Take me in your lifeboat
It will stand the raging storm
Take me in your lifeboat, oh
Take me in your lifeboat
It will bear my spirit home.

Now come brothers and sisters and don't fall asleep
We'll pray night and day or we'll sink in the deep
Fathers and mothers are prayin' so well
The Lord won't you take me in your lifeboat.

The clouds are so heavy the winds are so loud
The thunder are rollin' and burstin' the clouds
They pray to their sinner mates for what they have done
They took the dyin' sinner in their lifeboat.

Well, I tried everything just to get along with you
And now I'm gonna tell you just what I'm gonna do
Well, I'm sick of all your cryin' when you shoudl be leavin' me alone
If you don't believe me, you pack my bag, I'm gone

Won'tcha please? A don't that sun look good goin' down?
You almost lost your love girl when your ol' man ain't around

Wontcha please? Don't that sun look good goin' down?
Won't you please? Don't that sun look good goin' down?
Well, you best believe that I love ya aby when your ol' man ain't around

New Dance
Go
Wontcha please? Don't that sun look good goin' down?
Won't you please? Don't that sun look good goin' down?
Well, you best believe that I love ya baby when your ol' man ain't around

And around, and around, and around, and around, around

I walk in silence when it comes
This feeling when the spirit leads me on
If the dogs are barking and the night is rough
I take it as a sign to climb above
The city to the hill among the clouds
Where I can see my Savior now
He's waiting with His palm to me outstretched
His mercy is a balm when I'm perplexed

I find Jesus in the darkest night
I find Jesus in the morning light
I find Jesus in the face of those
Whose hearts are singing with the Heavenly Host

Sometimes when I feel all alone
I look around and all are gone
The friends that I rely upon
Are busy doing what they want
I look within and I am told
It's Sunday morning in my soul
And there I find a holy hall
Where congregations heed the call

I find Jesus in the darkest night
I find Jesus in the morning bright
I find Jesus in the face of those
Whose hearts are singing with the Heavenly Host

And when I lay down my last time
And feel a chill run up my spine
And recognize my time has come
I'll look around, He'll lead me home
He'll reach His loving hand to me
And bid me climb to victory
Where we'll find kindred spirits there
Hearts raised in song without a care

I find Jesus in the darkest night
I find Jesus in the morning bright
I find Jesus in the face of those
Whose hearts are singing with the Heavenly Host

Hold Whatcha got, I'm a-coming home, baby
Hold Whatcha got ad I don't mean maybe
Been a-thinkin about you and I'm on my way

Don't sell the house and don't wreck the car
Stay there, honey, right where you are
Hold whatcha got, I'm a-coming home to stay

Well, in my mind, I can see
That's a pretty good sign that I need you
That's why I can't wait to get back home

So squeeze yourself real good and tight
And I'll be there before daylight
Hold whatcha got, I'm a-coming home to stay

Hold whatcha got, I'm a-coming home, baby
Hold whatcha got and I' don't mean maybe
Been a-thinking about you and I'm on my way

Don't sell the house and don't wreck the car
Stay there, honey, right where you are
Hold whatcha got, I'm a-coming home to stay

Well, when I get back, honey, I ain't leaving
I been too lonely, a little too much grieving
When I get back, honey, this time I'm going to stay

Well, we won't fuss and we won't fight
And this time things are gonna be all right
If you hold whatcha got, I'm a-coming home to stay

Hold whatcha got, I'm a-coming home, baby
Hold whatcha got and I' don't mean maybe
Been a-thinking about you and I'm on my way

Don't sell the house and don't wreck the car
Stay there, honey, right where you are
Hold whatcha got, I'm a-coming home to stay

Hold whatcha got, I'm a-coming home, baby
Hold whatcha got and I' don't mean maybe
Been a-thinking about you and I'm on my way

Don't sell the house and don't wreck the car
Stay there, honey, right where you are
Hold whatcha got, I'm a-coming home to stay

Don't sell the house and don't wreck the car
Stay there, honey, right where you are
Hold whatcha got, I'm a-coming home to stay

She grew up plain and simple in a farming town.
Her daddy played the fiddle and used to do the calling when they had hoedowns.
She says the neighbors would come and they'd move all my grandma's furniture 'round.
And there'd be twenty or more there on the old wooden floor dancin' to a country sound.

The Carters and Jimmy Rodgers played her favourite songs.
And on Saturday nights there was a radio show and she would sing along.
And I'll never forget her face when she revealed to me,
That she'd dreamed about singing at The Grand Ol' Opry.

While walking out, one evening
Not knowing where to go
Just to pass the time away
Before we held our show

I heard a little mission band
Playing with all their might
I gave my soul to Jesus
And left eh show that night

The day will soon be over
And evening will be gone
No more gems to be gathered
So let us all press on

When Jesus comes to claim us
And says it is enough
The diamonds will be shining
No longer in the rough

I sit here alone on the banks of the river
The lonesome wind blows and the water rolls high
I can hear a voice calling out there in the darkness
But I sit here alone too lonesome to cry

Oh, the water rolls high on the river at midnight
I sit on the shore to grieve and to cry
The woman I love she left me this morning
With no one to love or kiss me goodnight

We met there one night on the banks of the river
Sat there holding hands and making our vow
That we never would part and be happy together
But a new love she's found, she's gone from me now

Oh, the water rolls high on the river at midnight
I sit on the shore to grieve and to cry
The woman I love she left me this morning
With no one to love or kiss me goodnight

I'd rather be in some dark holler
Where the sun don't never shine
Than to be here alone just knowing that you're gone
As I slowly lose my mind.

So blow your whistle freight train
Take me farther on down the track
I'm going away I'm leaving today
I'm going and I ain't coming back.

I'd rather be in some dark holler
Where the sun don't never shine
Than to be in some big city
In a small room with your love on my mind.

So blow your whistle freight train
Take me farther on down the track
I'm going away I'm leaving today
I'm going and I ain't coming back.

I'd rather be in some dark holler
Where the sun don't never shine
Than to be here alone just knowing that you're gone
As I slowly lose my mind.

So blow your whistle freight train
Take me farther on down the track
I'm going away I'm leaving today
I'm going and I ain't coming back.

I'm going away I'm leaving today
I'm going and I ain't coming back...

I'm heading for the Lowlands,
won't you please direct my way
The train is leaving shortly,
there's no time for delay
She told me she'd be waiting,
I'm not so sure she is
I think that there's a nother,
who claims that she is his

Chorus
Lowlands were my home,
when I was but a child
They will be my deathbed,
when I'm past my time

I remember one summer day,
the clouds began to build
We gathered the crops
and scanned across the fields
It started to rain
and continued several days
The river over flowed
and the crops all went to waste

Chorus

You know that I'm no failure,
though my victories are few
I'm trying my best
but there's too much here to do
That girl I loved once told me
I made her feel secure
It's hard to think I've been replaced
but nothing does endure

Are you read this letter that write to you
Sweetheart, I hope you'll understand
That you're the only love I knew
Please forgive me if you can

Sweetheart, I beg you to come home tonight
I'm so blue and alone
I promise that I'll treat you right
Love, oh love, oh please come home

That old wind is cold and slowly creeping around
And thefire is burning low
The snow has covered up the ground
Your baby's hungry, sick and cold

* Refrain

Irene good night Irene good night
Good night Irene Good night Irene
I'll see you in my dreams

Last Saturday night I got married
Me and my wife settled down
Now me and my wife have parted
I'm gonna take a little stroll downtown

Irene good night Irene good night
Good night Irene Good night Irene
I'll see you in my dreams

Some times I live in the country
Some times I live in town
Some times I take a great notion
To jump in the river and drown

Irene good night Irene good night
Good night Irene Good night Irene
I'll see you in my dreams

Quit your rambling quit your gambling
Stop staying out late at night
Stay home with your wife and family
And stay by the fireside of right

Irene good night Irene good night
Good night Irene Good night Irene
I'll see you in my dreams
Irene good night Irene good night
Good night Irene Good night Irene
I'll see you in my dreams

I know what it means to be lonesome
And I know what it means to be blue
I know what it means to be lonesome in dreams
When there is no one at home for you

Well my baby left me this morning
As the clock was striking four
The sweet smiling face of my darling
I may never see any more

Well I've cried and I've cried since we parted
No one knows what I have been through
You know I'd give all I own just to have you back home
I'm lonesome, lonesome for you

I can see your heart is aching
She hurt you more than she knew
Should you ever want to love again
i'll be faithful to you

You've been crying like the willow
When the night bird sings so blue
Trust was broken but hearts will give
And I'll be faithful to you

In this world of pain and sorrow
Where a promise don't hold true
Here's a vow you can be sure of
I'll be faithful to you

So let me dry away your lonesome tears
Like the sun melts morning dew
And I will wrap you up in true, true love
I'll be faithful to you
And I will wrap you up in true, true love
I'll be faithful to you

on October 23rd, 1978
I lost a loved one and I confess, I cried
In the joyous celebration of the lady and her music
There were tears in the Holston River
When Maybelle Carter died

Then walking down that river road
I saw crystal tear-shaped droplets
Silver beads of love sparklin' on the river side

And I'll just bet they turn to diamonds
For the love that was behind 'em
There were tears in the Holson River
When mother Maybelle died

Then on January eighth, nineteen seventy-nine
We lost Sara Carter
And the pain was multiplied

Down below that old Clinch Mountain
We laid her at Mount Vernon
There were tears in the Holston River
When Sara Carter died

Then walking down that river road
I saw crystal tear-shaped droplets
Silver beads of love sparklin' in the riverside

and I'll just bet they turn to diamonds
For the love that was behind 'em
There were tears in the Holsston River
When Maybelle and Sara died

There were tears in the Holston River
When Mother Maybelle and Sara Carter died

Betcha' goin' fishin' all o' da' time
Baby goin' fishin' too.
Bet yo' life, Yo' sweet wife

Catch mo' fish than you.

Many fish bites if ya' got good bait,
Here's a little tip that I would like to relate.
Many fish bites if ya' got good bait.
I'ma goin fishin', Yes I'm goin' fishin,
And my baby goin' fishin' too.

I went on down to my fav'rit fishin' hole
Baby grab me a pole an' line.
Throw my pole on in, caught a nine poun' catfish
Now ya' know I brought 'im home for suppertime.

Provin' any fish bites if ya' got good bait,
Here's a little tip that I would like to relate.
Many fish bites if ya' got good bait.
I'ma goin fishin', Yes I'm goin' fishin,
And my baby goin' fishin' too.

Baby brother 'bout to run me outta my mind,
Say, can I go fishin' wi' chu?
I took 'im on down to the fishin' hole
Now what do you think that he did do?
Pulled a great big fish out da' bottom o' da pond,
Now he laughed and jumped 'cause he was real gone.
Many fish bites if ya' got good bait.
I'ma goin fishin', Yes I'm goin' fishin,
And my baby goin' fishin' too.

Put 'im in da' pot baby put 'im in da' pan
Honey cook 'im 'til he nice an' brown.
Make a batch o' buttermilk, Hoe cakes Mama
An' ya' chew them thangs an' ya' chomp 'em on down

Singin' any fish bites if ya' got good bait,
Here's a little tip that I would like to relate.
Many fish bites if ya' got good bait.
I'ma goin fishin', Yes I'm goin' fishin,
And my baby goin' fishin' too.

Play da' blues.....

Betcha' goin' fishin' all o' da' time
Baby goin' fishin' too.
Bet yo' life, Yo' sweet wife
She gonna Catch mo' fish than you.

Many fish bites if ya' got good bait,
O Here's a little tip that I would like to relate.
Many fish bites if ya' got good bait.
I'ma goin fishin', Mama's goin' fishin,
And the baby goin' fishin' too

Got anything good you better save it save it
Got anything good you better save it save it
Got anything good you better save it save it
Baby I might need it some day

They say your cooking is the best in town
Everybody's been talking around
If it's so I'm a'coming to town
I'll let you turn my damper down

You roll your stockings to your knees
Strut around dear as you please
Cuddle up like a turtle dove
If you don't stop you'll flub your dub

There'll come a day when you're old and gray
When all your friends have strayed away
Then I'll look at you and say
You had it but it got away

Now stop your honky tonking around
Stop your painting up the town
Change your way from what you did
If you don't stop I'll blow my lid

We've all got wheels to take ourselves away
We've got the telephone to say what we can't say
We all get higher and higher everyday
Come on wheels take this boy away.

Chorus:
We're not afraid to ride,
We're not afraid to die
So come on wheels take me home today
Come on wheels take this boy away.

When I feel my time here is almost up
And destiny is in my right hand
I will turn to him that made my faith so strong
Come on wheels make this boy a man.

Chorus:
We're not afraid to ride,
We're not afraid to die
So come on wheels take me home today
Come on wheels take this boy away.

I ain't gonna work on the railroad
Ain't gonna work on the farm
Gonna lay round the shack
Till the mail train comes back
Roll in my sweet baby's arms.

Roll in my sweet baby's arms
Roll in my sweet baby's arms
Lay around the shack
Till the mail train comes back
Roll in my sweet baby's arms.

Where were you last friday night
While I was laying here in jail ?
You were walking the streets with another man,
Wouldn't even go my bail.

Roll in my sweet baby's arms
Roll in my sweet baby's arms
Gonna lay around the shack
Till the mail train comes back
Roll in my sweet baby's arms.

I ain't gonna work on the railroad
I ain't gonna work on the farm
Gonna lay around the shack
Till the mail train comes back
Roll in my sweet baby's arms.

Roll in my sweet baby's arms
Roll in my sweet baby's arms
Gonna lay around the shack
Till the mail train comes back
Roll in my sweet baby's

Roll in my sweet baby's
Roll in my sweet baby's arms.

Alright, kids, risin' up the bow, ready for twin fiddles now,
Mary and larry you two ready together now, alright ?
It's a crazy little thing and we call it the cotton-eyed joe!

Fire on the asphalt L.A. freeway
Santa Anna windstorm come blow me away
Cause this rearview mirror could use some adjustment
Some other reflection some other place

Oh Cumberland I'm a faithful son
No matter where I go I hear you calling me
The Mississippi's wide long St. Paul to New Orleans
But my heart's resting on your banks in Tennessee

Lazy ol' river not a lick of ambition
Get to Kentucky then you roll on home
If you were a highway you wouldn't go nowhere
And I wouldn't be lost and all alone

Oh Cumberland I'm a faithful son
No matter where I go I hear you calling me
The Mississippi's wide long St. Paul to New Orleans
But my heart's resting on your banks in Tennessee

There's a stolen river in the San Fernando
Down in the valley in the shadow of greed
But I have a memory knee deep in salvation
That old muddy water that once washed me clean

Oh Cumberland I'm a faithful son
No matter where I go I hear you calling me
The Mississippi's wide long St. Paul to New Orleans
But my heart's resting on your banks in Tennessee
Oh Cumberland
Oh Cumberland

I am a pilgrim and a stranger
Traveling through this wearisome land
I've got a home in that yonder city, good Lord
And it's not not made by hand

I got a mother, a sister and a brother
Who have gone tot his way before
And I am determined to go and see them, good Lord
Over on that other shore

I am a pilgrim and a stranger
Traveling through this wearisome land
iv'e got ahome in that yonder city, good Lord
And it's not not made by hand

Now I'm goin' down to that river jordan
Just to bathe my weary soul
If I can touch but just the hem of His garment, good Lord
Than I know You'll take me home

I am a pilgrim and a stranger
Traveling throug this wearisome land
I've got a home in that yonder city, good Lord
And it's not not made by hand

Mama said don't go near that river
Don't be hangin' around old catfish John
But come the morning I'd always be there
Walking in his footsteps in sweet delta dawn.

Born a slave in the town of Vicksburg
Traded for a chestnut mare
He never spoke a word in anger
Though his load was hard to bear.

Mama said don't go near that river
Don't be hangin' around old catfish John
But come the morning I'd always be there
Walking in his footsteps in sweet delta dawn.

Catfish John was a river hobo
He lived and died on the river bend
Thinkin' back I still remember
I was proud to be his friend.

Mama said don't go near that river
Don't be hangin' around old catfish John
But come the morning I'd always be there
Walking in his footsteps in sweet delta dawn.

You can swim in this old river
It's been delivered
Since the factory shut down
And like the river I'm waiting
For resurrection
Since I lost your affection
And love left town

There'll be no more crying
There's no one left to blame
Love will come out standing
So roll that stone away
We were good
But we could have been better
And the best is what we're after
When it comes right down to love
You were always the strong one
Bright as the setting sun
Go shine somewhere else my love
Some brand new world (some brand new world)

There'll be no more crying
There's no one left to blame
Love will come out standing
So roll that stone away

And like that river I'm waiting
For resurrection
Since I lost your affection
And love left town (and love left town)

There'll be no more crying
There's no one left to blame
Love will come out standing
So roll that stone roll that stone
Roll that stone away

I'm all prayed up
I'm ready to meet my Savior
Eternal life is waiting in the by and by
I'm all prayed up
My faith will never waiver
Heaven's doors gonna swing wide open when I die

I made my peace with Jesus a long, long time ago
Trusted in Him that He would save my soul
I walked up there beside Him
He guides me me on my way
I know He hears me when I kneel and pray

[Chorus]

Now I ain't afraid of Satan
His wicked way of sin tempted me
But he couldn't pull me in
When I've gone to live with Jesus
Face my judgment day
He'll fulfill for me the promise that He made

[Chorus]

There is a time for love and laughter
The days will pass like summer storms
The winter wind will follow after
But there is love and love is warm

There is a time for us to wander
When time is young and so are we
The woods are greener over yonder
The path is new the world is free

There is a time when leaves are fallin'
The woods are gray the paths are old
The snow will come when geese are callin'
You need a fire against the cold

So do your roaming in the springtime
And you'll find your love in the summer sun
The frost will come and bring the harvest
And you can sleep when day is done

Glory, glory, Hallelujah
When I lay my burden down
Glory, glory, Hallelujah
When I lay my burden down

I was standin' by my window
On a cold and cloudy day
When I saw tha thearse come rollin'
For to carry my mother away

Will the circle be unbroken
By and by, Lord, by and by
There's a better home a-waitin'
In the sky, Lord, in the sky

I said to the undertake
"Undertaker, please drive slow
For this body you are holdin'
Oh, I hate to see here go"

Will the Circle be unbroken
By and by, Lord, by and by
There's a better home a-waitin'
In the sky, Lord, in the sky

I followed close behind her
Tried to hold up and be brave
But I could not hide my sorrow
When they laid her in the grave

Will the circle be unbroken
By and by, Lord, by and by
There's a better home a-waitin'
In the sky, Lord, in the sky

I went back home, then my home was lonesome
Since mama, she was gone
All my brothers and sisters cryin'
What a home, home so sad and lone

Will the circle be unbroken
By and by, Lord, by and by
There's a better home a-waitin'
In the sky, Lord, in the sky

Glory, glory, Hallelujah
And I lay y burden down
Glory, glory, Hallelujah
And I lay my burden down