Acoustic Set — Craig Carothers

NEXT TIME AROUND

She doesn’t wanna be in love
As a part time thing
She only wants the moon and the stars
More than just a brass ring

She’s a little bit careful I guess
Doesn’t wanna rush into that “big mistake”
She knows what’s easy, and she knows what’s best
Yeah, the clock is ticking, but it’s worth the wait

Cause it’s gotta be right next time
It’s gotta be right next time around
She’s already made up her mind
It’s gonna be right next time around

She doesn’t need anyone
Just to have somebody there
She’s been down that road before
And it’s goin’ nowhere

She’s a little bit gun-shy its true
Her heart’s protected, but there’s no barbed wire
A man on a mission, he just might get through
Armed with good intentions, and a strong desire

Cause it’s gotta be right next time
It’s gotta be right next time around
She’s already made up her mind
It’s gonna be right next time around

She’s waiting on the real thing
She just can’t help believin’
It’s gonna be right next time

She’s already made up her mind
It’s gonna be right next time around

It’s gotta be right next time
It’s gotta be right next time around
She’s already made up her mind
It’s gonna be right next time around

MEXICAN CAFE

I pulled into a tiny cafe on the Mexican border
And the waitress said something I think meant,
“may I take your order?”
Her eyes were the color of coal
But no habla Español, unfortunately

Still it seemed like that goddess in gingham couldn't keep her eyes off me
So I said, “huevos rancheros, guacamole, salsa, and...coffee”
She disappeared with a wink
And I started to think...

She’s been waiting for me all her life
I could take her away from all this
She could be mine, leave her apron behind
With just one little word from her lips
I could take her away from all this

She brought me my coffee, silverware, sugar and cream
Then she went back to the kitchen, and I went back to my dream
Where I wait ‘til the end of her shift
Then I say, “do you need a lift?”
And she says, “si”

But three hour later I met my new waiter named “Juan”
And when I asked of my sweetheart, he said, “Carmelita?, she’s gone”
I guess I missed my chance
To tell her of our big romance

That she’s been waiting for me all her life
I could take her away from all this
Yeah, my lady of Spain could’ve shared my last name
But now she’ll never know what I've missed

That she’s been waiting for me all her life
I could take her away from all this
And there’s a little cafe on the street where I live
Where she would’ve made excellent tips
I could take her away from all this

TO MY WAY OF THINKIN’

I told her one day
That she’d walk away
And she was just too good for me

She could do better
It can’t last forever
I thought she was out of my league

She’d smile and tell me that’s not how she felt
That I was just bein’ too hard on myself
But, she’s finally come around to my way of thinkin’

Her love was true
But all I could do
Was find things to worry about

I was just livin’
On fear and suspicion
Constantly riddled with doubts

She always swore there was nobody else
And she tried to love me in spite of myself
But, she’s finally come around to my way of thinkin’

I made it happen, it’s so hard to change
I couldn’t help it, I drove her away
To my way of thinkin’

Now she’s happy with somebody else
‘cause you can’t love somebody who can’t love themself
She’s finally come around to my way of thinkin’
She’s finally come around to my way of thinkin’

© 1997 Craig Carothers / Caryl Mack Parker / Scott Parker / Irving Music BMI / Two Bagger Music BMI / Bonny Black Music BMI /
Howlin’ Hits Music ASCAP / Square West Music ASCAP

FAITH IN US

She throws her diamond out the taxi window
He throws himself into his job
We stand by helpless as they’re goin’ under
How did it get this far

Everywhere you look some love is fallin’ apart
Nothin’ you can do, but still it’s breakin’ your heart

And it can’t help but make you wonder
Are we strong enough?
To cling to one another when the road gets rough

Have a little faith in us, I’m here beside you
Have a little faith in us, Do like I do
Have a little faith in us, a little faith in us

I know we sometimes have our stormy weather
But into every love some rain must fall
Even when it’s cats and dogs we pull together
And our troubles seem so small

When everywhere you look somebody’s fallin’ apart
There’s a broken home or there’s a broken heart

And if sometimes it makes you wonder
Are we strong enough?
To cling to one another if the times get tough

Have a little faith in us, I’m here beside you
Have a little faith in us, Do like I do
Have a little faith in us, a little faith in us

Don’t give out, don’t give up
And I believe our love will survive
Don’t lose heart, don’t lose hope
Just keep your eyes on the prize

Have a little faith in us, Have a little faith in us

Have a little faith in us, I’m here beside you
Have a little faith in us, Do like I do
Have a little faith in us, a little faith in us

MISSING ME

She’s pickin’ up the dishes
In pieces on the floor
And pullin’ out the silver
Embedded in the door

When I’ve been out drinkin’
And try to sneak home late
She don’t throw tantrums
She just throws plates

Missing me, missing me
We may fight, but I’ll be alright
As long as she keeps
Missing me

She loves to toss a salad
And she can really chuck a roast
I’ve had to duck a turkey
And miss the gravy boat

I never used to worry
Let the chips lay where they fall
But hell hath no fury
Like a woman with a bowling ball

Missing me, missing me
We may fight, but I’ll be alright
As long as she keeps
Missing me

She went to see the doctor
He stared into her eyes
And she came home wearin' glasses
Now I think I'm gonna cry

Cause now she's 20-20
And it don't look good for me
I sure miss the good old days
Back when she use to be..

Missing me, missing me
We may fight, but I’ll be alright
As long as she keeps
Missing me

© 2020 Craig Carothers / Don Henry / Irving Music BMI / Two Bagger Music BMI / Bonny Black Music BMI /
Warner Tamerlane BMI / Warner Tamerlane Nomad Noman BMI

JUST ANOTHER CHECK

He’s a pillar of the community, not a pillar of salt
And nothing in his whole life’s ever been his fault
He’s a mother of a father if he bothers to at all
His wife is a frozen smile at the dark end of the hall

He’s the king of his castle... one man one vote
He rules by innuendo... and post-it note
The white picket fence... it’s just a moat
And love is just another check he floats

His kid’s are in and out of trouble
And he really don’t know why
‘Cause he played a little catch a couple times
His wife is slowly drifting, but he never sees her cry
‘Cause she’s learned to hide what he denies

’Cause he’s the king of his castle... one man one vote
He rules by innuendo... and post-it note
The white picket fence... it’s just a moat
And love is just another check he floats

And he don’t know it yet
But his world is crumblin’
All the markers have come due
But nobody can collect
‘Cause they get nothing...
Nothing but empty I.O.U.s

From the king in his castle... one man one vote
He rules by innuendo... and post-it note
The white picket fence... it’s just a moat
And love is just another check he floats

The white picket fence... it’s just a moat
And love is just another check he floats

LOVER’S DEATH ROW

I found a note in your pocket
When I was doing the wash
Evidence of a secret
That I wish you had lost

I meant to ask you about it
But I was afraid you would lie
Trust is all gone once you doubt it
Now I can't even cry

Every time you go
Love is dying slow
I think you should know
That every time you go
You put me here on lovers' death row

Bread and water and whiskey
A party for one that I'll throw
I know you won't even miss me
I know I have to let go

There'll be no call from the governor
No last minute reprieve
I guess someday I'll recover
But right now that's hard to believe

Every time you go
Love is dying slow
You'd think I would know
That every time you go
You put me here on lovers' death row

I should just walk away
But I can't break these chains

Every time you go
Love is dying slow
You'd think I would know
That every time you go
You put me here on lovers' death row

I found a note in your pocket

WAIT A LITTLE LONGER

Behind the old school
Up on the mountain
We played in a Westinghouse box

It was our happy home
Second grade newlyweds
Smallest couple on the block

All thru that summer we were thick as thieves
But, September more than seasons changed
When she/he moved away and we never found out
What would’ve happened
If we’d played a little longer

Cut to the drive in
Out in the valley
Two kids just barely seventeen

But we had high hopes
Of pushin’ the envelope
There in that borrowed Oldsmobile

We wanted magic on our perfect night
So be careful what you’re wishin’ for
‘cause when the baby came
We never found out
What would’ve happened
When you wait a little longer

Childhood dreams never disappear
You just file them away
I wish we could get back there from here
Back to the simpler days

Sittin’ here with you now
Out on the porch swing
It feels just like it used to feel
And all the talkin’ thru lawyers
With kids in the crossfire
Just fades away like a fevered dream

And am I dreamin’ that we’re not quite through
Is there still a chance we’ll get it right?

If we don’t throw it away
And never find out
What’s gonna happen
If we wait a little longer

Don’t throw it away
So we never find out
What’s could’ve happened
If we wait a little longer

IT’S A JUNGLE OUT THERE

When you insisted that I sleep in the yard
I laughed pretty hard
For a little while

But you weren’t foolin’
Now I’m here on the lawn
And though admitting I’m wrong
Is not my style

It’s a jungle out here
A whole lot of wild life
Creepin’ and crawlin’, the mercury’s fallin’
It’s gonna be a long night
I won’t make it ‘til dawn
Though I might be right where I belong
Have mercy my dear
It’s a jungle out here

Shoulda built that patio
And bought that chaise lounge
Wouldn’t be here on the ground
With the snails and slugs

I know you’re in there prob’ly watchin’ TV
Not even thinkin’ of me
But I’m thinkin’ ‘bout you my love

‘Cause it’s a jungle out here
A whole lot of wild life
Creepin’ and crawlin’, the mercury’s fallin’
It’s gonna be a long night
Won’t you let me back in
Don’t leave me twistin’ in the wind
Have mercy my dear
It’s a jungle out here

I’d sleep in the dog house
But he sees it your way too
So much for man’s best friend

© 1996 Craig Carothers / Steve Seskin / Irving Music BMI / Two Bagger Music BMI / Bonny Black Music BMI
Sony-ATV Cross Keys Music ASCAP / Kobalt Songs ASCAP / David Aaron Music ASCAP

NOTHING BUT TIME

I am eighty-one years old
Anymore, nothing’s like it used to be
Most of all, me
My Elizabeth is gone
But her memory keeps me strong

I stare at her picture
My mind drifts away
And it feels like I’m with her
Lost in yesterday

I am twenty-three years old
Comin’ home, taking off my uniform
After the war
Lizzy is standing on the pier
I can see her smile from here

We found an apartment
And our place in the sun
And three children later
We were still two kids in love

I can’t believe how much it hurts
To be the one left behind
I always thought I’d go first
But now I’m left with nothing but time

When you’re young you can’t picture the end of the line
You run around thinkin’ you’ve got nothing but time

I am sixty-four years old
And You know, in seven months I can retire
It’s down to the wire
We’re busy makin’ travel plans
Second honeymoon in France

The neighborhood’s changing
And the kids are all grown
Me and the Mrs. have learned to love our time alone

I can’t believe how much it hurts
To be the one left behind
I always thought I’d go first
But now I’m left with nothing but time

© 1996 Craig Carothers / Steve Seskin / Irving Music BMI / Two Bagger Music BMI / Bonny Black Music BMI
Love This Town Music ASCAP / David Aaron Music ASCAP

ROBIN’S NEST

Robin’s nest outside my window looks so cold
But I’m sure you’re somewhere safe and warm
You both went south, and what will happen no one knows
I’m guessing only one returns

Little darlin’ I know
It’s more than a stone’s throw
But I’ll call you every day
It’s gonna be OK

You’ll have a new room, you’ll have a new school
Lots of new friends, it’s gonna be cool
And while you’re away I’ll take care of the treehouse
Your mother and I will be living apart
But you’ll have a home in both of our hearts
We’ll be out on a limb doin’ our best
Protecting Robin’s nest

All through last summer with our hammers and our hearts
We climbed up and built your hideaway
We put it together so it wouldn’t fall apart
But not everything works out that way

Little darlin’ I know
It’s not how the story’s s’pose to go
But we’ll hold on ‘til spring
Don’t you worry ‘bout a thing

You got a new room, got a new school
A lotta of new friends it’s gonna be cool
And while you’re away I’ll take care of the treehouse
Your mother and I will be living apart
But you’ll have a home in both of our hearts
We’ll be out on a limb doin’ our best
Protecting Robin’s nest

Couple more seasons
You’ll come back to the nest
We’ll fall into a rhythm
Just like you never left

You’ll have your old room, three months without school
All your old friends, it’s gonna be cool,
And when you come back we’ll camp out in the treehouse
Your mother and I will be living apart
But you’ll have a home in both of our hearts
We’ll be out on a limb doin’ our best
Protecting Robin’s nest

We’re doin’ our best
Protecting Robin’s nest

© 1997 Craig Carothers / Don Henry / Irving Music BMI / Two Bagger Music BMI / Bonny Black Music BMI
Warner-Tamerlane BMI / Warner-Tamerlane Nomad Noman BMI

NO GOIN’ BACK

I found your picture in a drawer just yesterday
It brought back a flood of memories
Just for a moment I was wishing you were here
But some things were never meant to be

'Cause you never wanted to be any more than friends
Or be in love with anyone
I broke the rules when I confessed how much I cared
And you took off just as fast as you could run

But I'm not looking over my shoulder
I'm not living in the past
Everyday your trail’s a little colder
There's no goin' back
There's no goin' back

We used to talk along the river late at night
Skipping stones, lying in the sand
I always figured that one day you'd come around
But I guess I never had a chance

Well, I'm not looking over my shoulder
I'm not living in the past
Everyday your trail’s a little colder
There's no goin' back
There's no goin' back

I’m not sittin’ up nights
Since I found your black & white
And though your heart remains a mystery to me
That’s ancient history

No I'm not looking over my shoulder
I'm not living in the past
Everyday your trail’s a little colder
There's no goin' back
There's no goin' back

IN LOVE FOR THE LAST TIME

I had plans
They went south
When I found my heart
Putting words in my mouth

I thought that was a feeling
That I’d left behind
But now I’m in love for the last time

I was sure
Love was dead
Nothin’ but strangers
In and out of my bed

So many days lonely
And I was resigned
But now I’m in love for the last time

I know about young love that dies on the vine
But your love’s gonna hold me for the rest of my life
Even if you were no longer mine
I’d still be in love for the last time

I’m in love for the last time

People say
Time will heal
But I think we just forget
How we used to feel

But there’s no getting over
What’s burned in your mind
Now I’m in love for the last time

I know about young love that dies on the vine
But your love’s gonna hold me for the rest of my life
Even if you were no longer mine
I’d still be in love for the last time

I’m in love for the last time

HANNAH’S COMIN’ HOME

With a cardboard box and a canvas valise
She made it seem so easy to leave
And then her face grew small through the window of the train
As it pulled out of the station and we lost her in the rain

I used to feel like it was all my fault
Until I gave up feeling anything at all

Now they say Hanna’s coming home
But that don’t mean a thing to me
‘Cause I can’t roll away the stone
And be the child I used to be
Just because Hanna’s coming home

She was like the glue that held us all together then
And without her we just crumbled like a card house in the wind
It wasn’t very long ‘til I was getting into trouble
While my dad became the captain of a ship inside a bottle

I used to think that it was all her fault
‘Til I didn’t think about her anymore at all

But I heard Hanna’s coming home
Still it don’t mean a thing to me
‘Cause I can’t roll away the stone
And be the child I used to be
Just because Hanna’s coming home
Hanna’s coming home

All we knew of her
Was the rumors that we’d hear
And a birthday card that came one time
At the wrong time of year

Now she’s coming back, this morning after all this time
And I’m lookin’ for some sign of room inside this heart of mine
I can hear the train and soon she’s makin’ one last stop
With an canvas valise and a long pine bo

Hanna’s coming home
I don’t what it means to me
Can I roll away the stone?
And find the child I used to be
Just because Hanna’s coming home

Hanna’s coming home
Can I roll away the stone?

TOO MANY HOLES

I always liked the sparklin’ bangles that dangled from her lobes
And I got used to the diamond on the left side of her nose
Now there’s a gold hoop on her eyebrow and another on her lip
But she’s gone too far, she’s got a tongue with a platinum tip

Time and again I tried to warn her
‘Bout all those punctures that adorn her
But she never listened to a word I said
Now she’s got too many holes in her head

Too many holes in her head
Too many holes in her head
She insists that it’s not painful ‘cause all the nerves are dead
She’s got too many holes in her head

It’s a fairly standard practice when you do it to your ears
But she could’ve hugged a cactus and had fewer places pierced
And I know she likes the ornaments of precious stones and gold
But I don’t understand why she needs so many bleedin’ holes

It’s not that I don’t respect her
It’s just annoying when she sets off the airport metal detector

Too many holes in her head
Too many holes in her head
She insists that it’s not painful ‘cause all the nerves are dead
She’s got too many holes in her head

Too many holes in her head
Too many holes in her head
She says I ain’t seen nothin. ‘wait ‘til she does her belly button
She’s got too many holes in her head

NEXT TIME AROUND

MEXICAN CAFE

TO MY WAY OF THINKIN’

FAITH IN US

MISSING ME

JUST ANOTHER CHECK

LOVER’S DEATH ROW

WAIT A LITTLE LONGER

IT’S A JUNGLE OUT THERE

NOTHING BUT TIME

ROBIN’S NEST

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