Eric Patrick Clapton

Eric Patrick Clapton was born on 30 March 1945 in his grandparents' home at 1 The Green, Ripley, Surrey, England. He was the illegitimate son of 16-year-old Patricia Molly Clapton (b. 7 January 1929, d. March 1999) and Edward Walter Fryer (b. 21 March 1920, d. 1985), a 24-year-old Canadian soldier stationed in England. Before Clapton was born, Fryer returned to his wife in Canada. Pat's parents, Rose and Jack Clapp*, cared for young Eric. Eventually, Pat met another Canadian soldier, Frank McDonald. After their marriage, they would move to Canada and Germany as McDonald continued his military career. Pat would have three more children: Brian (b. 1948, d. 1974), Cheryl (b. 5 May 1953), and Heather (b. 27 September 1958). Clapton's grandparents never legally adopted him, but remained his guardians until 1963.

Quiet and polite, Clapton was characterized as an above-average student with an aptitude for art. From his earliest years in school, he realized something was not quite right when he wrote his name as "Eric Clapton" and his parents' names as "Mr. and Mrs. Clapp". At the age of nine, Clapton's emotional world was shattered when Pat returned to England with his six-year-old half brother for a visit. He had been raised under the illusion that his grandparents were his parents and that his mother was his older sister, ostensibly to protect him from the truth. This singular event would change Clapton's personality and create a loss of identity. He became moody and distant and stopped applying himself at school. Emotionally scarred by this event, Clapton failed the all-important 11 Plus Exams. He was sent to St. Bede's Secondary Modern School, and two years later, entered the art branch of Holyfield Road School. In 1961, Clapton began studying at the Kingston College of Art on a one-year probation. He was expelled at the end of that time for not submitting enough work. The reason was that guitar playing and listening to the Blues dominated his waking hours. Before turning to music as a career, he supported himself as a laborer at building sites, working alongside his grandfather.

Clapton was raised in a musical household. His grandmother played piano and his mother and uncle both enjoyed listening to the sounds of the big bands. (It is interesting to note that his father often made a living by playing piano.) By 1958, Rock and Roll had exploded onto the world. Typical of his nature, Clapton began exploring its roots in American Blues. The blues meshed perfectly with his self-perception as an outsider and being "different" from other people. For his 13th birthday, he asked for a guitar. Finding it difficult to play, Clapton put the Spanish Hoya aside for a time. He began playing again around the time he started college. Sometime in 1962, he asked for his grandparents' help in purchasing a 100 pound electric double cutaway Kay (a Gibson ES335 clone) after hearing the electric blues of Freddie King, B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, and others.

In early 1963, Clapton joined his first band, The Roosters. Following the band's demise, he spent one month in the pop-oriented Casey Jones and The Engineers. In October 1963, Keith Relf and Paul Samwell-Smith recruited him to become a member of The Yardbirds because Clapton was the most talked about player on the R&B pub circuit. It was with The Yardbirds that Clapton made his first albums Five Live Yardbirds, Sonny Boy Williamson and The Yardbirds, and the single, "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl". During this time, he also earned his nickname, "Slowhand", because whenever he would break a string on stage, he would change it to the accompaniment of a "slow hand clap" from the audience. His serious research into the American Blues continued and when The Yardbirds began moving towards a more commercial sound with the single "For Your Love", he quit the band. His path in music was the blues.

In April 1965, John Mayall invited Clapton to join his band, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. During his tenure with this band, Clapton established his reputation as a guitarist. His time with the band was turbulent and Clapton even left for a while to tour Greece with friends. Upon his return, the album Blues Breakers With Eric Clapton was recorded.

In late 1966, he teamed up with Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker to form Cream. Extensive touring in the U.S. and three solid albums - Fresh Cream, Disraeli Gears, and Wheels of Fire - brought the band worldwide acclaim. While a member of Cream, he cemented his reputation as rock's premier guitarist. The band crumbled beneath the weight of the member's egos and constant arguing. Following Cream's break-up in 1968, Clapton founded Blind Faith - rock's first "supergroup" - with Steve Winwood, Ginger Baker, and Rick Grech. Disbanding after one album and a disastrous American tour, Clapton tried to hide from his growing fame by touring as a sideman with Delaney & Bonnie. A live album from that tour was released in 1970. Clapton's self-titled debut was also released in that year. In the summer of 1970, he formed Derek and the Dominos with members from Delaney & Bonnie's band. The Dominos would go on to record the seminal rock album, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs. A concept album, its theme revolved around Clapton's unrequited love for George Harrison's wife, Pattie**. The band would drift apart following an American tour and a failed attempt at recording a second album.

Hit hard by the break up of The Dominos, the commercial failure of the Layla album and his unrequited love, Clapton sunk into three years of heroin addiction. Although he and his girlfriend, Alice Ormsby-Gore, emerged rarely from his Surrey Estate, he filled box upon box with tapes of songs. Clapton kicked his drug addiction and relaunched his career in January 1973 with two concerts at London's Rainbow Theater. In 1974, he would reappear with a new style and sound with the now-classic album, 461 Ocean Boulevard. Sadly, he replaced heroin with an addiction to alcohol. Throughout the 70s and 80s, his life and studio work suffered because of it. In 1981, he was hospitalized for ulcers caused by a combination of pain killers and prodigious quantities of brandy. In January 1982, he entered the Hazelden Foundation, a rehabilitation facility for alcoholics. He would backslide, but Clapton has remained sober since 1987 through membership in Alcoholics Anonymous.

On 26 August 1990, guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan and Clapton road-crew members Colin Smythe and Nigel Browne were killed in a helicopter crash following a performance at Wisconsin's Alpine Valley Music Center. Rather than end the tour, Clapton and his band completed the final dates as a tribute to their friends. Less than one year later, on 20 March 1991, his son Conor (b. 15 August 1986) fell to his death from his mother's Manhattan high-rise apartment. Clapton's grief would be expressed in the song "Tears In Heaven", which would bring him worldwide accolades and a legion of new fans, following its release on the album Unplugged. It is a tribute to his resolve that Clapton did not return to drink or drugs following these events. Since the early 1990s, he has developed a solid relationship with his daughter, Ruth Kelly Clapton (b. 11 January 1985).

With each album subsequent to 461 Ocean Boulevard, Clapton has reinvented himself musically. This practice has continued to the present day. In 1985, Clapton found a new audience following his performance at the worldwide charity concert, Live Aid. In the last years of that decade, he reemerged as a musical force to be reckoned with. Clapton also carved out a second career as the composer of film scores. Annual stands at the Royal Albert Hall and successful albums like August, Journeyman, Unplugged, and the Crossroads box set kept him well in the public mind. Clapton returned to his blues roots with the 1994 release From The Cradle. The album was Clapton's tribute to his musical heroes and contained cover versions of Blues classics. The year 1997 brought an excursion into electronica with the release of TDF / Retail Therapy with Clapton posing as X-Sample. In 1998, Clapton released Pilgrim, his first album of all new material in nine years and toured in support of it. During 1999, Clapton appeared at several one-off charity concerts and toured Japan. During the first few months of 2000, he recorded an album entitled "Ridin' With The King" with American blues legend, B.B. King. It was released in June appearing at Number 3 on Billboard's chart. Within three weeks of release, it was certified gold. Clapton is currently recording his next solo album which is scheduled for tentative release in early 2001.

In February of 1998, Clapton announced the opening of Crossroads Centre, a rehabilitation facility for drug and alcohol abuse in Antigua. One of its founding principles is to provide subsidized care for some of the poorest people of the Caribbean who could not afford to enter such a facility on their own. A foundation was established to provide this much-needed care.On 24 June 1999, Clapton auctioned off 100 of his guitars, including "Brownie" (the guitar on which he recorded Layla), at Christie's / New York. The sale netted almost $5 million (US) for the foundation. On 30 June 1999, Clapton hosted a concert to benefit the Centre at New York City's Madison Square Garden. Proceeds from its airing on America's VH1 and DVD and video sales will also go to the Centre.


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All Your Love
(by Otis Rush and Willie Dixon)
All the love I miss loving, all the kiss I miss kissing.
All the love I miss loving, all the kiss I miss kissing.
Before I met you baby, never knew what I was missing.
All your love, pretty baby, that I got in store for you.
All your love, pretty baby, that I got in store for you.
I love you pretty baby, well I say you love me too.
All your loving, pretty baby, all your loving, pretty baby.
All your loving, pretty baby, all your loving, pretty baby.
Since I first met you baby, I never knew what I was missing.
Hey, hey baby, hey, hey baby.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, baby, oh, oh, baby.
Since I first met you baby, never knew what I was missing.
Another Man
(tra***ional)
Another man done gone.
Another man done gone.
Another man done gone, another man done gone, another man done gone.
On the country farm.
He's on the country farm, on the country farm, he's on the country farm.
Another man done gone.
Another man done gone, another man done gone, another man done gone.
I don't know his name.
Didn't know his name, I didn't know his name, I didn't know his name.
Bad Love
(by Eric Clapton and Mick Jones)
Oh what a feeling I get when I'm with you
You take my heart into everything you do
And it makes me sad for the lonely people
I walked that road for so long
Now I know that I'm one of the lucky people
Your love is making me strong
I've had enough bad love
I need something I can be proud of
I've had enough bad love
No more bad love
And now I see that my life has been so blue
With all the heartaches I had till I met you
But I'm glad to say now that's all behind me
With you here by my side
And there's no more memories to remind me
Your love will keep me alive
Chorus
Chorus
Chorus
Bell Bottom Blues
(by Eric Clapton)
Bell bottom blues, you made me cry.
I don't want to lose this feeling.
And if I could choose a place to die
It would be in your arms.
Do you want to see me crawl across the floor to you?
Do you want to hear me beg you to take me back?
I'd gladly do it because
I don't want to fade away.
Give me one more day, please.
I don't want to fade away.
In your heart I want to stay.
It's all wrong, but it's all right.
The way that you treat me baby.
Once I was strong but I lost the fight.
You won't find a better loser.
Chorus
Chorus
Bell bottom blues, don't say goodbye.
I'm sure we're gonna meet again,
And if we do, don't you be surprised
If you find me with another lover.
Chorus
I don't want to fade away.
Give me one more day please.
I don't want to fade away.
In your heart I long to stay.
Before You Accuse Me
(by Eugene McDaniel)
Before you accuse me, take a look at yourself
Before you accuse me, take a look at yourself
You say I've been spending my money on other women
You've been taking money from someone else
I called your mama 'bout three or four nights ago
I called your mama 'bout three or four nights ago
Well your mother said "Son"
"Don't call my daughter no more"
First Verse
Come back home baby, try my love one more time
Come back home baby, try my love one more time
If I don't go on and quit you
I'm gonna lose my mind
First Verse
Blow Wind Blow
(by McKinley Morganfield)
When the sun rose this morning, I didn't have my baby by my side.
When the sun rose this morning, I didn't have my baby by my side.
I don't know where she was, I know she's out with some another guy.
Don't the sun look lonesome shading down behind the trees?
Don't the sun look lonesome shading down behind the trees?
But don't your house look lonesome when your baby's packed to leave.
Blow wind, blow wind, blow my baby back to me.
Blow wind, blow wind, blow my baby back to me.
Well you know if I don't soon find them, I will be in misery.
Goodbye baby, that is all I have left to say.
Goodbye baby, that is all I have left to say.
But you have lost your good thing, go ahead and have your own way.
Blues Before Sunrise
(by Leroy Carr)
I have the blues before sunrise, tears standing in my eyes.
I have the blues before sunrise, tears standing in my eyes.
It was a miserable feeling, now babe, a feeling I do despise.
I have to leave, leave you baby, because you know you done me wrong.
I have to leave you baby, because you know you done me wrong.
I'm gonna pack up and leave you darling and break up my happy home.
I have to leave, leave you baby, I'm gonna leave you all alone.
I'm gonna leave you baby, I'm gonna leave you all alone.
I'm gonna pack up and leave you darling because you know you done me wrong.
Well now goodbye, goodbye baby, I'll see you on some rainy day.
Well now goodbye baby, I'll see you on some rainy day.
You can go ahead now little darling, 'cause I want you to have your way.
Blues Leave Me Alone
(by James Lane)
Blues, blues trying to drive me away from home.
Blues, blues trying to drive me away from home.
Had the blues so bad, blues followed me all day long.
Blues, blues won't let me take my rest.
Blues, blues won't let me take my rest.
My mind is rambling like a wild geese out in the west.
Well, you're my all day steady, baby you're my midnight dream.
Yes, you're my all day steady, baby you're my midnight dream.
I love that woman better than anyone I've ever seen.
Blues, blues follow me all day long.
Blues, blues follow me all day long.
Blues, blues won't you please leave me alone.
Blues Power
(by Eric Clapton and Leon Russell)
Bet you didn't think I knew how to rock 'n' roll.
Oh, I got the boogie-woogie right down in my very soul.
There ain't no need for me to be a wallflower,
'Cause now I'm living on blues power.
I knew all the time but now I'm gonna let you know:
I'm gonna keep on rocking, no matter if it's fast or slow.
Ain't gonna stop until the twenty-fifth hour,
'Cause now I'm living on blues power.
First Verse
Talking to you, now.
The boogie's gonna pull me through.
Keep on, keep on, keep on keeping on.
Keep on keeping on, keep on keeping on.
Bottle Of Red Wine
(by Bonnie Bramlett and Eric Clapton)
Get up; get your man a bottle of red wine.
Get up; get your man a bottle of red wine.
I can't get up out of bed
With this crazy feeling in my head.
Get up; get your man a bottle of red wine.
Get up; get your man a bottle of red wine.
Get up; get your man a bottle of red wine.
You hear what I say?
Gonna love you anyway.
Get up; get your man a bottle of red wine.
I went to an all-night get together
And everyone I knew was there.
Had the love that would last forever.
Everywhere I looked, I saw you standing there.
Get up; get your man a bottle of red wine.
Get up; get your man a bottle of red wine.
I can't get up out of bed
With this crazy feeling in my head.
I said get up right now, oh oh.
I said get up right now.
Feel so bad this morning; got a terrible headache in my head.
Do me a favor, baby, do me a favor please.
Please get up; get your man a bottle of red wine.
Get up, get up; get your man a big big bottle of red wine.
County Jail Blues
(by Alfred Fields)
They picked me up, put me in the county jail.
They picked me up, put me in the county jail.
They wouldn't let my woman come and post my bail.
Now I'm in prison, I've almost done my time.
Now I'm in prison, I've almost done my time.
They gave me six months, I had to work out nine.
I know my baby, she's gonna jump and shout.
I know my baby, she's gonna jump and shout.
When the train comes in and I come walking out.
Take these stripes from around me, chains from around my legs.
Take these stripes from around me, chains from around my legs.
The stripes don't hurt me; the chains could kill me dead.
CROSSROADS
by Robert Johnson
I went down to the crossroads, fell down on my knees.
I went down to the crossroads, fell down on my knees.
Asked the Lord above for mercy, "Save me if you please."
I went down to the crossroads, tried to flag a ride.
I went down to the crossroads, tried to flag a ride.
Nobody seemed to know me, everybody passed me by.
I'm going down to Rosedale, take my rider by my side.
I'm going down to Rosedale, take my rider by my side.
You can still barrelhouse, baby, on the riverside.
You can run, you can run, tell my friend-boy Willie Brown.
You can run, you can run, tell my friend-boy Willie Brown.
And I'm standing at the crossroads, believe I'm sinking down.

Crosscut Saw
(by R. G. Ford)
I'm a crosscut saw,
Baby, drag me across your log.
I'm a crosscut saw,
Baby, drag me across your log.
I cut your wood so easy for you,
You can't help but say, "Hot Dog!"
Some call me Woodcutting Sam,
Some call me Woodcutting Jim.
The last girl I cut wood for,
She wants me back again.
I'm a crosscut saw,
Baby, drag me across your log.
I cut your wood so easy for you,
You can't help but say, "Hot Dog!"
I got a double-bladed axe
That really cuts good.
Well, I'm a crosscut saw,
Gonna bury me in your wood.
I'm a crosscut saw,
Baby, drag me across your log.
I cut your wood so easy for you,
You can't help but say, "Hot Dog!"
Double Crossing Time
(by John Mayall and Eric Clapton)
It's a mean old scene when it comes to double crossing time.
It's a mean old scene when it comes to double crossing time.
When you think you got good buddies, they will spin around and cheat you blind.
Double crossing man is mean, he will try to make it so you lose.
Double crossing man, he will try to make it so you lose.
You'll fill your mind with worry, you know he hurt me with the blues.
Double Trouble
(by Otis Rush)
Lay awake at night,
Oh so low, just so troubled.
Can't get a job,
Laid off and I'm having double trouble.
Hey hey, to make you've got to try.
Baby, that's no lie.
Some of this generation is millionaires;
I can't even keep decent clothes to wear.
Laugh at me walking,
And I have no place to go.
Bad luck and trouble has taken me;
I have no money to show.
Chorus
Driftin'
(by Charles Brown, Johnny Moore and Eddie Williams)
I'm drifting and drifting, just like a ship out on the sea.
I'm drifting and drifting, just like a ship out on the sea.
Well I ain't got nobody in this world to care for me.
If my baby would only take me back again.
If my baby would only take me back again.
I would feel much better, darling, and at least I'd have a friend.
I give you all my money, tell me what more can I do.
I give you all my money, tell me what more can I do.
You is a sweet little girl but I swear you won't be true.
I'm drifting and drifting, just like a ship out on the sea.
I'm drifting and drifting, just like a ship out on the sea.
Because I ain't got nobody in this world to care for me.
Early In The Morning
(tra***ional)
When a girl reach the age of 18
She begins to think she's grown,
And hat's the kind of little girl
You can never find at home.
Come and see me early in the morning,
Just about the break of day.
Want to see me hug my pillow
Where my baby used to lay?
One drink of wine,
Two drinks of gin.
Pretty young got me
In the shape I'm in.
Chorus
I pass by the juke joint,
Look through the door.
She's doing the boogie-woogie
In the middle of the floor.
Chorus
First Verse
Chorus
Everybody Oughta Make A Change
(by Sleepy John Estes)
Change in the weather, change in the sea,
Come back baby, you'll find a change in me.
Everybody, they ought to change sometime,
Because sooner or later we have to go down in that lonesome ground.
I changed suits, I changed shirts,
I changed, baby, just to get shed of the dirt.
Everybody, we ought to change sometime,
Because sooner or later we're going down in that lonesome ground.
I changed honey, I changed money,
I changed, people, just to keep from being funny.
Everybody, they ought to change sometime,
Because sooner or later we're going down in that lonesome ground.
Change in the ocean, change in the sea,
Come back baby, you'll find a change in me.
Everybody, we ought to change sometime,
Because sooner or later we're going down in that lonesome ground.
Five Long Years
(by Eddie Boyd)
Have you ever been mistreated? You know just what I'm talking about.
Have you ever been mistreated? You know just what I'm talking about.
I worked five long years for one woman, she had the nerve to put me out.
I got a job in a steel mill, shucking steel like a slave.
Five long years, every Friday I come straight back home with all my pay.
Have you ever been mistreated? You know just what I'm talking about.
I worked five long years for one woman, she had the nerve to put me out.
I finally learned my lesson, should a long time ago.
The next woman that I marry, she gonna work and bring me the dough.
Have you ever been mistreated? You know just what I'm talking about.
I worked five long years for one woman, she had the nerve,
She had the nerve,
She had the nerve,
She had the nerve to put me out.
Floating Bridge
(by Sleepy John Estes)
Well I never will forget that floating bridge.
Lord I never will forget that floating bridge.
Lord I never will forget that floating bridge.
They tell me five minutes time underwater I was hid.
I was going down and I throwed up my hands.
As I was going down I throwed up my hands.
As I was going down I throwed up my hands,
Saying, "Please Lord, take me on dry land."
Well they carried me in the house and they laid me 'cross the bed.
Well they carried me in the house, they laid me 'cross the bed.
Well they carried me in the house, they laid me 'cross the bed.
I couldn't hear nothing but muddy water running 'round my head.
Oh my mother often told me, "Quit playing a bum."
My mother always told me, "Quit playing a bum."
Lord, my mother always told me, "Son, quit playing a bum.
Go out somewhere and make a crumb."
All the people on the bridge was screaming and crying.
Well all the people on the bridge was screaming and crying.
All the people on the bridge stood screaming and crying,
Saying, "Lord have mercy, wher's we g'wine?"
Forever Man
(by Jerry Lynn Williams)
How many times must I tell you babe,
How many bridges I've got to cross?
How many times must I explain myself
Before I can talk to the boss,
'Fore I can talk to the boss?
How many times must I say I love you
Before you finally understand?
Won't you be my forever woman?
I'll try to be your forever man,
Try to be your forever man.
Second Verse
Forever man, forever man, forever man.
Forever man, forever man, forever man.
Try to be your forever man.
Forever man, forever man, forever man.
Forever man, forever man, forever man.
Try to be your forever man.
Goin' Away Baby
(by James A. Lane)
Lord, I'm going away just to wear you off my mind.
Lord, I'm going away just to wear you off my mind.
Well you keep me worrying 'bout it all the time.
Well, I ain't been loved but four womens in my life.
Well, I ain't ever loved but four womens in my life.
Well, my mother and my sister, sweetheart and my wife.
If you don't want me baby, please don't call me 'round.
If you don't want me baby, please don't call me 'round.
Well, just like you found me, you can put me down.
Well now goodbye baby, if you call at home.
Well now goodbye baby, if you call at home.
You can go away; swear you won't stay long.
Groaning The Blues
(by Willie Dixon)
I'm so tired of moaning, trying to groan away my blues.
I'm so tired of moaning, trying to groan away my blues.
I keep weeping and crying every time I think of you.
I would rather die of starvation, perish out in the desert sun,
I would rather die of starvation, perish out in the desert sun,
Than to think of some other man holding you in his arms.
My heart gets so heavy, Lord I shakes down in my bones.
My heart gets so heavy, Lord I shakes down in my bones.
I can't hurt a murderer, oh Lord, but I'm forced to weep and moan.
Hard Times
(by Ray Charles)
My mother told me
'Fore she passed away
Said son when I'm gone
Don't forget to pray
'Cause there'll be hard times
Lord those hard times
Who knows better than I?
Well I soon found out
Just what she meant
When I had to pawn my clothes
Just to pay the rent
Talkin' 'bout hard times
Lord those hard times
Who knows better than I?
I had a woman
Who was always around
But when I lost my money
She put me down
Talkin' 'bout hard times
Hard times
Yeah, yeah, who knows better than I?
Lord, one of these days
There'll be no more sorrow
When I pass away
And no more hard times
No more hard times
Yeah, yeah, who knows better than I?
Have You Ever Loved A Woman
(by Billy Myles)
Have you ever loved a woman so much you tremble in pain?
Have you ever loved a woman so much you tremble in pain?
And all the time you know she bears another man's name.
But you just love that woman so much it's a shame and a sin.
You just love that woman so much it's a shame and a sin.
But all the time you know she belongs to your very best friend.
Have you ever loved a woman and you know you can't leave her alone?
Have you ever loved a woman and you know you can't leave her alone?
Something deep inside of you won't let you wreck your best friend's home.
Have You Heard
(by John Mayall)
Have you heard about my baby?
Yes, how I love her you don't know.
Have you heard about my baby?
How I love, how I love her you don't know.
I declare it hurt me so bad,
Yes, when I heard she'd got to go.
Have you heard about my baby?
Yes I tried, yes I tried, but I let her down.
Heard about my baby?
Ooh yes, I tried and I let her down.
Ooh, she burned me with her love,
Yes, no other, no other will wear her crown.
Yes, indeed.
Have you heard about my baby?
Where she gone, where she gone, I just don't know.
Yes, have you heard about my baby?
Ooh, where she gone, where she gone, I just don't know.
Well, if you should see my baby,
Yes, please tell her that I love her so.
Yes, no more next time.
Hey Hey
(by Big Bill Broonzy)
Hey hey. Hey hey, baby, hey.
Hey hey. Hey hey, baby, hey.
I love you baby,
Sure ain't gonna be your dog.
Hey hey. Hey hey, baby, hey.
Hey hey. Hey hey, baby, hey.
My arms around you baby,
All I can say is hey.
First Verse
Hey hey. You lost your good thing now.
Hey hey. You lost your good thing now.
You had me fooled,
I found it out somehow.
Hoochie Coochie Man
(by Willie Dixon)
Gypsy woman told my mother 'fore I was born,
You got a boy-child coming, gonna be a son of a gun.
Gonna make pretty womens jump and shout,
And then the world wanna know what this all about.
But you know I'm here.
Everybody knows I'm here.
Well, I'm the hoochie coochie man.
Everybody knows I'm here.
I got the black cat bone and I got a mojo tooth.
I got the John the Conquerer Root, gonna mess with you.
I'm gonna make you girls lead me by my hand,
And then the world will know the hoochie coochie man.
Chorus
On the seventh hour, on the seventh day,
On the seventh month, seven doctors say,
"He was born for good luck, that you'll see."
I got seven hundred dollars; don't you mess with me!
Chorus
How Long Blues
(by Leroy Carr)
How long, baby how long,
Has that evening train been gone?
How long, how how long, baby how long?
Went to the station, didn't see no train.
Down in my heart, I have an aching pain.
How long, how how long, baby how long?
I feel disgusted, I feel so bad
Thinking 'bout the good time that I once had had.
How long, how how long, baby how long?
I could see the green grass growing on the hill;
I ain't seen no greenback on a dollar bill.
How long, how how long, baby how long?
You're gonna be sorry you feel so blue.
When you want me, baby, I declare I want, want you.
How long, how how long, baby how long?
Don't have no money for to ride the train.
I would ride the rugs, baby, to be with you again.
How long, how how long, baby how long?
How long, baby how long
Must I keep my, my watching point?
How long, how how long, baby how long?
I Can't Hold Out
(by Elmore James)
I just talked to my baby on the telephone,
She said, "Stop what you're doing and baby come on home."
I can't hold out, I can't hold out too long.
I get a real good feeling talking to you on the phone.
You said, "Baby don't you worry, you're my heart's desire.
You know that I love you, I can't stand to see you cry."
I can't hold out, I can't hold out too long.
I get a real good feeling talking to you on the phone.
She said, "Baby you can run, you can walk or fly.
You know that I love you, you're my heart's desire."
I can't hold out, I can't hold out too long.
I get a real good feeling talking to you on the phone, oh yeah.
I talked to my baby, I talked to my baby.
I talked to my baby, I talked to my baby.
I get a real good feeling talking to you on the phone.
I'm Tore Down
(by Sonny Thompson)
I'm tore down, I'm almost level with the ground.
I'm tore down, I'm almost level with the ground.
Well, I feel like this when my baby can't be found.
I went to the river to jump in.
My baby showed up and said, "I will tell you when."
Well, I'm tore down, I'm almost level with the ground.
Well, I feel like this when my baby can't be found.
I love you babe with all my heart and soul;
Love like mine will never grow old.
Love you in the morning and in the evening too.
Every time you leave me I get mad with you.
Chorus
I love you baby with all my might;
Love like mine is out of sight.
I'll lie for you if you want me to.
I really don't believe that your love is true.
Chorus
I'm tore down, I'm almost level with the ground.
Well, I'm tore down, I'm almost level with the ground.
Well, I feel like this when my baby can't be found.
It Ain't Right
(by Walter Jacobs)
You know it ain't right just to treat me this a way.
Well, you know it ain't right just to treat me this a way.
Well, you know, my baby, have you home one day.
You know it ain't right just to treat me like you do.
Well, you know it ain't right just to treat me like you do.
Well, you know, my baby, coming home to you.
You know it ain't right, baby, stay out all night long.
Well, you know it ain't right, baby, stay out all night long.
Well, you know, my baby, you done something wrong.
It Hurts Me Too
(by Elmore James)
You said you was hurting, almost lost your mind,
And the man you love, he hurts you all the time.
When things go wrong, go wrong with you, it hurts me, too.
You love him more when you should love him less.
I pick up behind him and take his mess.
When things go wrong, go wrong with you, it hurts me, too.
He love another woman and I love you,
But you love him and stick to him like glue.
When things go wrong, go wrong with you, it hurts me, too.
Now you better leave him; he better put you down.
Oh, I won't stand to see you pushed around.
When things go wrong, go wrong with you, it hurts me, too.
It's Too Late
(by Chuck Willis)
It's too late, she's gone.
It's too late, my baby's gone.
Wish I had told her she was my only one.
It's too late, she's gone.
It's a woman that cries,
So I guess I've gotta hide my eyes.
Yes, I will miss her more than anyone.
It's too late, she's gone.
She's gone, yes she's gone.
She's gone, my baby's gone.
She's gone, yes she's gone.
Where can my baby be?
And I wonder does she know
When she left me, it hurt me so.
I need your love babe, please don't make me wait.
Tell me it's not too late.
Chorus
Third Verse
Key To Love
(by John Mayall)
I never realized that you were in pain.
I wanna help you honey, let me see you again.
Hurts my soul, babe, when I find you feeling rough.
Life is so bad, baby, when I find the key to love.
Put a smile on your face and dry away your tears.
Life is bound to get better as you live your years.
Hurts my soul, babe, when I find you feeling rough.
Life is so bad, baby, when I find the key to love.
Somewhere in this world, the one you waited for
Come along and find you, turn the key your door.
Hurts my soul, babe, when I find you feeling rough.
Life is so bad, baby, when you find the key to love.
Key To The Highway
(by Charles Segar and Willie Broonzy)
I got the key to the highway,
Billed out and bound to go.
I'm gonna leave here running;
Walking is most too slow.
I'm going back to the border
Woman, where I'm better known.
You know you haven't done nothing,
Drove a good man away from home.
Live Verse: When the moon peeks over the mountains
I'll be on my way.
I'm gonna roam this old highway
Until the break of day.
Oh give me one, one more kiss mama
Just before I go,
'Cause when I leave this time you know I,
I won't be back no more.
First Verse
Second Verse
Last Night
(by Eric Clapton)
Last night, I lost the best friend I ever had.
Last night, I lost the best friend I ever had.
She's gone away and left me; that makes me feel so bad.
It's early in the morning and my love is coming down to you.
It's early in the morning and my love is coming down to you.
I'll love you, love you, baby, till I don't know what to do.
Last night, I lost the best friend I ever had.
Last night, I lost the best friend I ever had.
Now you've gone away and left me; that makes me feel so bad.
Layla
(by Eric Clapton and Jim Gordon)
What'll you do when you get lonely
And nobody's waiting by your side?
You've been running and hiding much too long.
You know it's just your foolish pride.
Layla, you've got me on my knees.
Layla, I'm begging, darling please.
Layla, darling won't you ease my worried mind.
I tried to give you consolation
When your old man had let you down.
Like a fool, I fell in love with you,
Turned my whole world upside down.
Chorus
Let's make the best of the situation
Before I finally go insane.
Please don't say we'll never find a way
And tell me all my love's in vain.
Chorus
Chorus
Let It Grow
(by Eric Clapton)
I'm standin' at the crossroads
tryin' to read the signs
to tell me which way I should
go to find the answer
and all the time I know
let your love and let it grow.
Let it grow, let it grow,
let it blossom, let it flow.
In the sun and in the snow
love is lovely, let it grow.
Lookin' for a reason
to check out on my mind.
It's so hard to find a
friend that I can count on.
There's nothin' left to show,
plant your love and let it grow.
Let it grow...
Time is gettin' shorter
and there's much for you to do,
only ask'n you will get what you are needin',
the rest is up to you.
Plant your love and let it grow.
Let it grow...
Let It Rain
by Bonnie Bramlett and Eric Clapton
The rain is falling through the mist of sorrow that surrounded me.
The sun could never thaw away the the bliss that lays around me.
Let it rain, let it rain,
Let your love rain down on me.
Let it rain, let it rain,
Let it rain, rain, rain.
Her life was like a desert flower burning in the sun.
Until I found the way to love, it's harder said than done.
Chorus
Now I know the secret; there is nothing that I lack.
If I give my love to you, you'll surely give it back.
Chorus
Little Girl
(by John Mayall)
You're gonna be mine, little girl, you've been through 18 years of pain.
You're gonna be mine, little girl, you've been through 18 years of pain.
I'm gonna give you a love, child, you won't feel bad again.
You've been mistreated, little girl, but I swear, I swear it'll be outgrown.
You've been mistreated, little girl, but I swear, I swear it'll be outgrown.
I'm gonna give you a love, child, something you've never known.
You're gonna be mine, little girl, even if I can't have you by my side.
You're gonna be mine, little girl, even if I can't have you by my side.
You're gonna remember the love, child, that made you satisfied.
Lonesome And A Long Way From Home
(by Bonnie Bramlett and Leon Russell)
Out on an open highway,
Such a lovely day but something's wrong.
Something, something's gotta be wrong.
I just left home this morning,
This old road keeps rolling on and on.
Rolling, rolling on and on.
Won't somebody help me?
Won't somebody help me?
Won't somebody help me?
I've never been so lonesome and long way from home,
Never been lonesome and long way,
Never been lonesome and long way from home.
Chorus
Malted Milk
(by Robert Johnson)
I keep drinking malted milk, trying to drive my blues away.
I keep drinking malted milk, trying to drive my blues away.
Baby, you're just as welcome to my loving as the flowers is in May.
Malted milk, malted milk, keep rushing to my head.
Malted milk, malted milk, keep rushing to my head.
And I have a funny, funny feeling and I'm talking all out my head.
Baby, fix me one more drink and hug your daddy one more time.
Baby, fix me one more drink and hug your daddy one more time.
Keep on stirring my malted milk, mama, until I change my mind.
My doorknob keeps on turning, there must be spooks around my bed.
My doorknob keeps on turning, there must be spooks around my bed.
And I have a funny, funny feeling and the hair's rising on my head.
Mean Old World
(by Walter Jacobs)
This is a mean old world, try and live it by yourself.
This is a mean old world, try and live it by yourself.
Can't get the one you love, have to use somebody else.
I've got the blues, gonna pack my things and go.
I've got the blues, gonna pack my things and go.
Guess you don't love me, babe, loving mister so-and-so.
Sometimes I wonder why can your love be so cold?
Sometimes I wonder why can your love be so cold?
I guess you don't love me, gonna pack my things and go.
Motherless Child
(tra***ional)
If I mistreat you girl, I sure don't mean no harm.
If I mistreat you girl, I sure don't mean no harm.
Well, I'm a motherless child; I don't know right from wrong.
Please tell me pretty mama, honey where'd you stay last night?
Please tell me pretty mama, honey where'd you stay last night?
Well, you didn't come home till the sun was shining bright.
I had to go so far girl to get my ham bones boiled.
Had to go so far girl to get my ham bones boiled.
Well, he's had a lotta women, gonna let my ham bones burn.
Well, I did more for you, girl, than your daddy ever done.
Well, I did more for you, girl, than your daddy ever done.
Well, I give you my jewelry, he ain't give you none.
And when you see two women, always running hand in hand.
When you see two women, always running hand in hand.
You can bet your bottom dollar, one got the other one's man.
Lord, I'm going to the river, get me a tangled rocking chair.
I'm going to the river, get me a tangled rocking chair.
And if the blues overtake me, gonna rock away from here.
Motherless Children
(tra***ional)
Motherless children have a hard time when mother is dead, lord.
Motherless children have a hard time when mother is dead, lord.
They don't have anywhere to go;
Wandering around from door to door.
Nobody treats you like a mother will when your mother is dead, lord.
Father will do the best he can when your mother is dead, lord.
Father will do the best he can when your mother is dead, lord.
Father will do the best he can;
So many things a father can't understand.
Nobody treats you like a mother will when your mother is dead, lord.
Sister will do the best she can when your mother is dead, lord.
Sister will do the best she can when your mother is dead, lord.
Sister will do the best she can;
So many things a sister can't understand.
Nobody treats you like a mother will when your mother is dead.
When your mother is dead, when your mother is dead.
When your mother is dead, Lord, when your mother is dead.
Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out
(by Jimmie Cox)
Once I lived the life of a millionaire,
Spent all my money, I just did not care.
Took all my friends out for a good time,
Bought bootleg whisky, champagne and wine.
Then I began to fall so low,
Lost all my good friends, I did not have nowhere to go.
I get my hands on a dollar again,
I'm gonna hang on to it till that eagle grins.
'Cause no, no, nobody knows you
When you're down and out.
In your pocket, not one penny,
And as for friends, you don't have any.
When you finally get back up on your feet again,
Everybody wants to be your old long-lost friend.
Said it's mighty strange, without a doubt,
Nobody knows you when you're down and out.
When you finally get back upon your feet again,
Everybody wants to be your good old long-lost friend.
Said it's mighty strange,
Nobody knows you,
Nobody knows you,
Nobody knows you when you're down and out.
Old Love
(by Eric Clapton and Robert Cray)
I can feel your body
When I'm lying in bed
There's too much confusion
Going around through my head
And it makes me so angry
To know that the flame still burns
Why can't I get over?
When will I ever learn?
Old love, leave me alone
Old love, go on home
I can see your face
But I know that it's not real
It's just an illusion
Caused by how I used to feel
And it makes me so angry
To know that the flame will always burn
I'll never get over
I know now that I'll never learn
Chorus

Parchman Farm
(by Mose Allison)
I'm sitting over here on Parchman farm.
I'm sitting over here on Parchman farm.
I'm sitting over here on Parchman farm,
Ain't never done no man no harm.
Well, I'm putting that cotton in a never-full sack.
Well, I'm putting that cotton in a never-full sack.
Well, I'm putting that cotton in a never-full sack,
A twelve-gauge shotgun at my back.
I'm sitting over here on Parchman farm.
I'm sitting over here on Parchman farm.
I'm sitting over here on Parchman farm,
Ain't never done no man no harm.
Pretending
(by Jerry Lynn Williams)
How many times must we tell the tale?
How many times must we fall?
Living in lost memory
You just recalled
Working on the sound of the band
Trying to get the music right
Two go out working
Three stay home at night
That's when she said she was pretending
Like she knew the plan
That's when I knew she was pretending
Pretending to understand
Pretending, pretending
Pretending, pretending
Satisfied but lost in love
Situations change
You're never who you used to think you are
How strange
Chorus
I get lost in alibis
Sadness can't prevail
Everybody knows strong love
Can't fail
Don't be pretending about how you feel
Don't be pretending that your love is real
Don't be pretending about how you feel
Don't be pretending that your love is real
Pretending, pretending
Pretending, pretending
Ramblin' On My Mind
(by Robert Johnson)
I got rambling, I got rambling all on my mind.
I got rambling, I got rambling all on my mind.
Is to leave my baby, 'cause she treat me so unkind.
I'm going down to the station, catch that old first mail train I see.
I'm going down to the station, catch that old first mail train I see.
I got the blues 'bout miss so-and-so, and her son's got the blues about me.
I got mean things, I got mean things all on my mind.
Lil girl, lil girl, I got mean things all on my mind.
Is to leave my baby, 'cause she treat me so unkind.
Reconsider Baby
(by Lowell Fulson)
So long, oh I hate to see you go.
So long, oh I hate to see you go.
And the way that I will miss you, I guess you will never know.
We've been together so long to have to separate this way.
We've been together so long to have to separate this way.
I'm gonna let you go ahead on now baby, pray that you'll come back home someday.
You said you once had loved me, but now I guess you've changed your mind.
You said you once had loved me, but now I guess you've changed your mind.
Why don't you reconsider baby? Give yourself just a little more time.
Rollin' & Trumblin'
(by McKinley Morganfield)
Well, I woke up this morning; I best get rolling on.
Well, come here baby, sit down on daddy's knee.
Well, come here baby, sit down on daddy's knee.
I want to tell you about the way they treated me.
Well, I rolled and I tumbled, cried the whole night long.
Well, I rolled and I tumbled, cried the whole night long.
When I woke up this morning, all I had was gone.
Running On Faith
(by Jerry Lynn Williams)
Lately I've been running on faith
What else can a poor boy do?
But my world will be right
When love comes over you
Lately I've been talking in my sleep
I can't imagine what I'd have to say
Except my world will be right
When love comes back your way
I've always been
One to take each and every day
Seems like by now
I'd find a love who cares just for me
Then we'd go running on faith
All of our dreams would come true
And our world will be right
When love comes over me and you
Chorus
Then we'd go running on faith
All of our dreams would come true
And our world will be right
When love comes over me and you
When love comes over you
Same Old Blues
(by Eric Clapton)
I'm sorry baby, but I can't afford to stay.
Your good, kind treatment will worry me someday.
I love you baby, but I'm gonna have to say goodbye.
Woman, I got to move, I really got to fly.
Same thing every morning,
Tell me what's it all about.
I get those same old blues every night.
I miss you already, baby, more than words can say.
Seems like I've been gone twenty-four hours, more like a million days.
I love you baby, you know I woudn't tell you no lies.
If you don't believe I love you, look at the tears standing in my eyes.
Chorus
Here I am back home, baby, I'm back home to stay.
I love you babe, never more will I go away.
I won't hurt you no more, baby, ain't gonna tell you no more lies.
No more running 'round, no more phony alibis.
Chorus
Chorus
Chorus
San Francisco Bay Blues
(by Jesse Fuller)
I got the blues from my baby left me by the San Francisco Bay,
The ocean liner's gone so far away.
Didn't mean to treat her so bad, she was the best girl I ever have had,
She said goodbye, I can take a cry, I want to lay down and die.
I ain't got a nickel and I ain't got a lousy dime.
She don't come back, think I'm going to lose my mind.
If she ever gets back to stay, it's going to be another brand new day,
Walking with my baby down by the San Francisco Bay.
Sitting down looking from my back door,
Wondering which way to go,
The woman I'm so crazy about, she don't love me no more.
Think I'll catch me a freight train, 'cause I'm feeling blue,
And ride all the way to the end of the line, thinking only of you.
Meanwhile, in another city,
Just about to go insane,
Thought I heard my baby, Lord, the way she used to call my name.
If I ever get her back to stay, it's going to be another brand new day,
Walking with my baby down by the San Francisco Bay,
Walking with my baby down by the San Francisco Bay,
Walking with my baby down by the San Francisco Bay.
Sinner's Prayer
(by Lowell Glenn and Lowell Fulson)
Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy on me.
Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy on me.
Well if I've done somebody wrong, Lord, have mercy if you please.
I used to have plenty of money, the finest clothes in town,
But bad luck and trouble overtaken me, bound to get me down.
Please have mercy, Lord have mercy on me.
Well if I've done somebody wrong, Lord, have mercy if you please.
Keep on working now, child.
Lord every morning.
Well if I've been a bad boy, baby, I declare I'll change my ways.
I don't want bad luck and trouble to follow me all my days.
Please have mercy, Lord have mercy on me.
Well if I've done somebody wrong, Lord, have mercy if you please.
Someday After While
(by Freddy King and Sonny Thompson)
I've got to ride that lonesome train.
My heart is heavy with aches and pain.
I said but someday, someday baby,
After a while, you will be sorry.
Every day my clouds are grey;
It takes you to roll all those clouds away.
I said but someday, someday baby,
After a while, you will be sorry.
Trouble, trouble, trouble on my mind.
Trouble, trouble, way down the line.
I don't need, I don't need no sympathy,
So babe, babe, don't you, don't you pity me.
I may be blue, but I don't mind,
Because I know way down the line,
I said someday, someday baby,
After a while, you will be sorry.
Something's Happening
(by Jerry Lynn Williams)
Something's happening, something's going on.
Something's happening, something so strong.
Something's happening, something all over the world.
Spirit's moving and it's moving fast.
You better get aboard and don't be last.
Something's happening, something all over the world.
My life has been a series of endless changes,
A constant struggle to be free.
One thing I know for sure now baby,
It's me for you and you for me.
Chorus
First Verse
Chorus
Standin' Round Crying
(by McKinley Morganfield)
Oh baby, look how you got me standin' 'round crying.
Oh baby, look how you got me standin' 'round crying.
Lord I love you little girl, you're always resting on my mind.
Oh baby, I ain't gonna be riding you 'round in my automobile.
Oh baby, I ain't gonna be riding you 'round in my automobile.
You got so many men, I'm afraid you may get me killed.
Oh baby, you ain't nothing like you used to be. (No, don't get me killed, honey!)
Oh baby, you ain't nothing like you used to be. (Oh man, leave that woman alone!)
When I was deep in love with you, little girl,
you were just sweet as an apple on a tree.
Steady Rollin' Man
(by Robert Johnson)
I am a steady rollin' man and I roll both night and day.
I am a steady rollin' man and I roll both night and day.
But I ain't got no sweet woman, woo-hoo Lord, to be rollin' this way.
I am the man that rolls when icicles are hanging on the tree.
I am the man that rolls when icicles are hanging on the tree.
Why can't you hear me begging mama, woo-hoo Lord, down on my bended knee?
First Verse
Sunshine Of Your Love
(by Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker)
It's getting near dawn,
When lights close their tired eyes.
I'll soon be with you my love,
To give you my dawn surprise.
I'll be with you darling soon,
I'll be with you when the stars start falling.
I've been waiting so long
To be where I'm going
In the sunshine of your love.
I'm with you my love,
The light's shining through on you.
Yes, I'm with you my love,
It's the morning and just we two.
I'll stay with you darling now,
I'll stay with you till my seas are dried up.
Chorus
Second Verse
I've been waiting so long
I've been waiting so long
I've been waiting so long
To be where I'm going
In the sunshine of your love.
Tell The Truth
(by Eric Clapton and Bobby Whitlock)
Tell the truth. Tell me who's been fooling you?
Tell the truth. Who's been fooling who?
There you sit there, looking so cool
While the whole show is passing you by.
You better come to terms with your fellow men soon, cause...
The whole world is shaking now. Can't you feel it?
A new dawn is breaking now. Can't you see it?
Tell the truth. Tell me who's been fooling you
Tell the truth. Who's been fooling who?
It doesn't matter just who you are,
Or where you're going or been.
Open your eyes and look into your heart.
The whole world is shaking now. Can't you feel it?
A new dawn is breaking now. Can't you see it?
I said see it, yeah, can't you see it?
Can't you see it, yeah, can't you see it?
I can see it, yeah.
Tell the truth. Tell me who's been fooling you
Tell the truth. Who's been fooling who?
Hear what I say, 'cause every word is true.
You know I wouldn't tell you no lies.
Your time's coming, gonna be soon, boy.
Chorus
Chorus
The Sky Is Crying
(by Elmore James, Morgan Robinson and Clarence Lewis)
The sky is crying, look at the tears rolling down the streets.
The sky is crying, look at the tears rolling down the streets.
I looked out my window, the rain was falling down in sheets.
My baby left me this morning, Lord knows I don't know the reason why.
My baby left me this morning, I don't know the reason why.
And everytime I think about it, I hang my head and cry.
The sun is shining, although it's raining in my heart.
The sun is shining, although it's raining in my heart.
I love my baby, I hate to see us part.
Third Degree
(by Eddie Boyd and Willie Dixon)
Got me accused of peeping, I can't see a thing.
Got me accused of petting, I can't even raise my hand.
Bad luck, bad luck is killing me.
Well I just can't stand no more of this third degree.
Got me accused of murder, I ain't harmed a man.
Got me accused of forgery, I can't even write my name.
Chorus
Got me accused of taxes, I ain't got a dime.
Got me accused of children, and ain't nary one of them was mine.
Chorus
Walkin' Blues
(by Robert Johnson)
Woke up this morning, feel 'round for my shoes,
You know 'bout that babe, had them old walkin' blues.
Woke up this morning, I feel 'round for my shoes,
You know 'bout that babe, Lord, I had them old walkin' blues.
Leavin' this morning, I had to go ride the blinds.
I've been mistreated, don't mind dying.
This morning, I had to go ride the blinds,
I've been mistreated, Lord, I don't mind dying.
People tell me walkin' blues ain't bad;
Worst old feeling I most ever had.
People tell me the old walkin' blues ain't bad.
Well it's the worst old feeling, Lord, I most ever had.
What'd I Say
(by Ray Charles)
Tell your momma, tell your pa,
Gonna move you back to Arkansas.
All right, baby what'd I say?
Whoa, all right, baby what'd I say?
Oh baby, oh baby.
All right, baby, what'd I say?
Baby, what'd I say?
Oh, all right, yeah.
Baby, what'd I say?
Yeah, what'd I say?
Baby, what'd I say?
Baby, what'd I say?
Oh, what'd I say?
Baby, what'd I say?
Ah well, ah hey, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Hey, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
All right, baby.
Circus
(by Eric Clapton)
Little man with his eyes on fire
And his smile so bright.
In his hands are the toys you gave
To fill his heart with delight.
And in the ring stands a circus clown
Holding up a knife.
What you see and what you will hear
Will last you for the rest of your life.
And it's sad, so sad,
There ain't no easy way round.
And it's sad, so sad,
All you friends gather round
'Cause the circus left town.
Little man with his heart so pure
And his love so fine.
Stick with me and I'll ride with you
Till the end of the line.
Fall Like Rain
(by Eric Clapton)
Tell me why did I fall in love with you?
Tell me why did I fall in love with you?
Tore me all to pieces, cut me half in two.
Tell me why did I fall in love with you?
Tell me why do my tears fall like rain?
Tell me why do my tears fall like rain?
Tore me all to pieces, nothing else remains.
Tell me why do my tears fall like rain?
Worry, worry, worry;
Worry all day long.
Don't know where I'm going;
Don't know right from wrong.
Tell me why, tell me why.
Tell me why, tell me why.
First Verse
Second Verse
Fall like rain, fall like rain.
Fall like rain, fall like rain.
Fall like rain, fall like rain.
Fall like rain, fall like rain.
Going Down Slow
(by St. Louis Jimmy)
I have had my fun if I never get well no more.
I have had my fun if I never get well no more.
All of my health is failing;
Lord, I'm going down slow,
I'm going down slow.
Please write my mother and tell her the shape I'm in.
Please write my mother and tell her the shape I'm in.
Tell her to pray for me,
Forgive me for my sin,
For all of my sin.
On the next train south, look for my clothes back home.
On the next train south, look for my clothes back home.
'Cause all of my health is failing;
Lord, I'm going down slow,
I'm going down slow.
All of my health is failing;
Lord, I'm going down slow,
I'm going down slow.
Feel like I'm going, like I'm going down slow.
I feel like I'm going, like I'm going down slow.
I feel like I'm going, like I'm going down slow.
I feel like I'm going, like I'm going down slow.
I feel like I'm going, like I'm going down slow.
My Father's Eyes
(by Eric Clapton)
Sailing down behind the sun,
Waiting for my prince to come.
Praying for the healing rain
To restore my soul again.
Just a toerag on the run.
How did I get here?
What have I done?
When will all my hopes arise?
How will I know him?
When I look in my father's eyes.
My father's eyes.
When I look in my father's eyes.
My father's eyes.
Then the light begins to shine
And I hear those ancient lullabies.
And as I watch this seedling grow,
Feel my heart start to overflow.
Where do I find the words to say?
How do I teach him?
What do we play?
Bit by bit, I've realized
That's when I need them,
That's when I need my father's eyes.
My father's eyes.
That's when I need my father's eyes.
My father's eyes.
Then the jagged edge appears
Through the distant clouds of tears.
I'm like a bridge that was washed away;
My foundations were made of clay.
As my soul slides down to die.
How could I lose him?
What did I try?
Bit by bit, I've realized
That he was here with me;
I looked into my father's eyes.
My father's eyes.
I looked into my father's eyes.
My father's eyes.
My father's eyes.
My father's eyes.
I looked into my father's eyes.
My father's eyes.
One Chance
(by Eric Clapton, Simon Clime)
Without wishing to cause you any pain,
I got to push on through, babe,
And if I take the chance of seeing you again,
I just don't know what I would do, baby.
And sometimes I think I'm gonna be just fine;
All I got to do is go through it, babe.
Then I hear those voices in the back of my mind,
Telling me over and over and over that I blew it babe.
You had one chance and you blew it.
You may never get another chance.
You had the floor and you knew it.
You can't blame it on your circumstance.
At the risk of causing you a little pain,
I'm going to have to forget you, babe,
'Cause you broke my heart, left it out in the rain
And you'd the same again if I let you, babe.
I would give anything to hold you in my arms,
But you know I can't do that, baby.
I guess I'll have to live with the choice that I have made
Even though deep down I still suspect that I blew it.
Chorus
Chorus
Chorus
Pilgrim
(by Eric Clapton, Simon Clime)
And how do I choose and where do I draw the line
Between truth and necessary pain?
And how do I know and where do I get my belief
That things will be all right again?
What words do I use to try and explain
To those who have witnessed all my tears?
And what does it mean to know all these things
When love's been wasted all these years,
When love's been wasted all these years.
Standing in the shadows
With my heart right in my hand,
Removed from other people
Who could never understand.
I was a pilgrim for your love,
A pilgrim for your love,
A pilgrim for your love,
I was a pilgrim for your love.
River Of Tears
(by Eric Clapton, Simon Clime)
It's three miles to the river
That would carry me away,
And two miles to the dusty street
That I saw you on today.
It's four miles to my lonely room
Where I will hide my face,
And about half a mile to the downtown bar
That I ran from in disgrace.
Lord, how long have I got to keep on running,
Seven hours, seven days or seven years?
All I know is, since you've been gone
I feel like I'm drowning in a river,
Drowning in a river of tears.
Drowning in a river.
Feel like I'm drowning,
Drowning in a river.
In three more days, I'll leave this town
And disappear without a trace.
A year from now, maybe settle down
Where no one knows my face.
I wish that I could hold you
One more time to ease the pain,
But my time's run out and I got to go,
Got to run away again.
Still I catch myself thinking,
One day I'll find my way back here.
You'll save me from drowning,
Drowning in a river,
Drowning in a river of tears.
Drowning in a river.
Feels like I'm drowning,
Drowning in the river.
Lord, how long must this go on?
Drowning in a river,
Drowning in a river of tears.
Sick And Tired
(by Eric Clapton, Simon Clime)
I'm gonna buy me a parrot, baby,
And teach him how to call my name.
I'm gonna buy me a parrot, baby,
And teach him how to call my name.
Then I won't have to miss you baby
And I won't have you driving me insane.
I was in love with you, baby,
Till the day you brought me down so low.
I was in love with you, baby,
Till the day you brought me down so low.
You had me walking 'round in circles, baby;
I didn't know which way to go.
Oh, I'm so sick and tired of you baby,
I'm sick and tired of the way you carry on.
Lord, I'm sick and tired, baby,
Sick and tired of the way you carry on.
You can pack up all of your things, baby;
Hit the road, get out of here, be gone.
Now I'm gonna get me a shotgun, baby,
Keep it stashed behind the door.
I'm gonna get me a shotgun, baby,
Keep it stashed behind the bedroom door.
I may have to blow your brains out, baby,
Then you won't bother me no more.
Wonderful Tonight
(by Eric Clapton)
It's late in the evening
She's wondering what clothes to wear
She puts on her make up
And brushes her long blonde hair
And then she asks me
Do I look alright
And I say yes, you look wonderful tonight
We go a party
And everyone turns to see
This beautiful lady
That's walking around with me
And then she asks me
Do you feel alright
And I say yes, I feel wonderful tonight
I feel wonderful
Because I see the love light in your eyes
And the wonder of it all
Is that you just don't realize
How much I love you
It's time to go home now
And I've got an aching head
So I give her the car keys
She helps me to bed
And then I tell her
As I turn out the light
I say my darling, you were wonderful tonight
Oh my darling, you were wonderful tonight
Tears In Heaven
(by Eric Clapton & Will Jennings)
Would you know my name
if I saw you in heaven?
Would you feel the same
if I saw you in heaven?
I must be strong and carry on
'Cause I know I don't belong here in heaven...
Would you hold my hand
if I saw you in heaven?
Would you help me stand
if I saw you in heaven?
I'll find my way through night and day
'Cause I know I just can't stay here in heaven...
Time can bring you down, time can bend your knees
Time can break your heart, have you begging please...
Beyond the door there's peace I'm sure
And I know there'll be no more tears in heaven...
Would you know my name
if I saw you in heaven?
Would you feel the same
if I saw you in heaven?
I must be strong and carry on
'Cause I know I don't belong here in heaven...
Anything Goes.