Thread #102943   Message #2091548

Posted By: Rog Peek

01-Jul-07 - 09:49 AM

Thread Name: Songs for/about Phil Ochs

Subject: Lyr Add: THIRSTY BOOTS (Eric Andersen)

THIRSTY BOOTS
(Eric Andersen)

You've long been on the open road, you've been sleeping in the rain.
From dirty words and muddy cells your clothes are smeared and stained,
But the dirty words and muddy cells will soon be hid in shame,
So only stop to rest yourself till you are off again.

CHORUS: So take off your thirsty boots and stay for a while.
Your feet are hot and weary from a dusty mile,
And maybe I can make you laugh. maybe I can try.
I'm just looking for the evening, the morning in your eye.

So tell me of the ones you saw as far as you could see
Across the plain from field to town a-marching to be free,
And of the rusted prison gates that tumbled by degree.
Like laughing children, one by one, they look like you and me.

CHORUS
I know you are no stranger down the crooked rainbow trails,
From dancing cliff-edged shattered sills of slandered, shackled jails,
For the voices drift up from below as the walls they're being scaled.
Yes, all of this, and more, my friend, your song shall not be failed.
CHORUS

Yes, you've long been on the open road. you've been sleeping in the rain,
From dirty words and muddy cells your clothes are smeared and stained
But the dirty words, the muddy cells, they'll soon be judged insane,
So only stop to rest yourself 'til you are off again.
CHORUS

Notes:
Originally written about a civil rights worker this song was dedicated to Phil Ochs after his death. It first appeared on the album "'Bout Changes an' Things" (Vanguard LP VRS 79206) released in 1966.
RP jul07

---

For comparison, here are the lyrics we have in the Digital Tradition:


THIRSTY BOOTS
(Eric Andersen)

You've long been on the open road
You've been sleepin in the rain
From the dirt of words and mud of cell
Your clothes are dark and stained.
But the dirty words and muddy cells
Will soon be judged insane
So only stop and rest yourself
Till you'll be off again.

    Then take off your thirsty boots
    And stay for awhile
    Your feet are hot and weary
    From a dusty mile
    And maybe I can make you laugh
    Maybe if I try
    I'm just lookin' for the evening
    And the morning in your eyes.

But tell me of the ones you saw
As far as you could see
Across the plain from field to town
A-marching to be free
And of the rusted prison gates
That tumbled by degree
Like laughing children one by one
Who looked like you and me

    CHORUS

I know you are no stranger down
The crooked rainbow trails
From dancing cliff-edged shattered sills
Of slender shackled jails
But the voices drift up from below
As the walls they're being scaled
All of this and more my friend
Your song shall not be failed.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Words and music by Eric Andersen, copyright 1965 by United
Artists Music, all rights reserved.

Recorded on his Bout Changes 'N Things.
@love
filename[ THIRBOOT
DC