Mean Old World
Composer(s): Little Walter
Originally performed by: Little Walter
Covered by various other artists



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

On The Road Again
Composer(s): Willie Nelson
Performer(s): Willie Nelson



Just can't wait to get on the road again
The life I love is makin' music with my friends
And I can't wait to get on the road again

On the road again
goin' places that I've never been
Seein' things that I may never see again
And I can't wait to get on the road again

On the road again
like a band of gypsies we go down the highway
We're the best of friends
Insisting that the world be turnin' our way

And our way
Is on is on the road again
Just can't wait to get on the road again
The life I love is makin' music with my friends
And I can't wait to get on the road again

Mean Old Frisco
Composer(s): Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup
Performer(s): Eric Clapton



Well that mean old dirty Frisco and that low down Santa Fe
Mean old Frisco and that low down Santa Fe
You know they take my girl away, Lord, and blow back out on me

Well my mama, she done told me, and my papa told me too
Mama told me and my papa told me too
A woman that gets in your face, Lord she ain't no friend for you

Well I'm goin' away now baby, and I won't be back until fall
Goin' away, baby. Lord, I won't be back till fall
If I don't come back by then, Lord, I won't be back at all

Well that mean old dirty Frisco and that low down Santa Fe
Mean old Frisco and that low down Santa Fe
Gonna take my gal away, Lord, and blow back out on me

On The Road Again
Composer(s): Floyd Jones; Alan Wilson
Performer(s): Canned Heat



Well, I'm so tired of crying
But I'm out on the road again
I'm on the road again
Well, I'm so tired of crying
But I'm out on the road again
I'm on the road again
I ain't got no woman
Just to call my special friend
You know the first time I traveled hard
Out in the rain and snow 
In the rain and snow
You know the first time I traveled hard
Out in the rain and snow 
In the rain and snow
I didn't have no payroll
Not even no place to go
And my dear mother left me
When I was quite young 
When I was quite young
And my dear mother left me
When I was quite young
When I was quite young
She said "Lord, have mercy
On my wicked son"
Take a hint from me, mama
Please don't you cry no more 
Don't you cry no more
Take a hint from me, mama
Please don't you cry no more 
Don't you cry no more
'Cause it's soon one morning
Down the road I'm going
But I aint going down
That long old lonesome road
All by myself
But I aint going down
That long old lonesome road
All by myself
I can't carry you, Baby
Gonna carry somebody else

On The Road Again
Composer(s): Bob Dylan
Performer(s): Bob Dylan



Well, I woke up in the morning
There's frogs inside my socks
Your mama, she's a-hidin'
Inside the icebox
Your daddy walks in wearin'
A Napoleon Bonaparte mask
Then you ask why I don't live here
Honey, do you have to ask?

Well, I go to pet your monkey
I get a face full of claws
I ask who's in the fireplace
And you tell me Santa Claus
The milkman comes in
He's wearing a derby hat
Then you ask why I don't live here
Honey, how come you have to ask me that?

Well, I asked for something to eat
I'm hungry as a hog
So I get brown rice, seaweed
And a dirty hot dog
I've got a hole
Where my stomach disappeared
Then you ask why I don't live here
Honey, I gotta think you're really weird

Your grandpa's cane
It turns into a sword
Your grandma prays to pictures
That are pasted on a board
Everything inside my pockets
Your uncle steals
Then you ask why I don't live here
Honey, I can't believe that you're for real

Well, there's fist fights in the kitchen
They're enough to make me cry
The mailman comes in
Even he's gotta take a side
Even the butler
He's got something to prove
Then you ask why I don't live here
Honey, how come you don't move?

Mean Old Bed Bug Blues
Composer(s): Ernest Tubb
Performer(s): Ernest Tubb



Did you ever see a bed bug that looks just like a whale?
Did you ever see a bed bug that looks just like a whale?
Well if you never did you never in a real jail

These bugs are divin’ me crazy I don’t know what to do
These bugs are divin’ me crazy I don’t know what to do
I could turn my bed over but they’re all over side too

There’s a boy in here with me with 99 years to go
There’s a boy in here with me with 99 years to go
Boy these dog gone bud bugs will get fed up on him I know

This here old jailer sure is a mean old man
This old jailer sure is a mean old man
All he bring me is beans in my little old bent up can

Just like a little old dog’s can

Got a letter from my baby she didn’t have much to say
I got a letter from my Mama she didn’t have much to say
She said son don’t let them bed bugs whittle my Daddy away

Well I’ll soon be leavin’ and I’ll be so glad to go
I’ll soon be leavin’ and I’ll be so glad to go
‘Cause these dog gone bed bugs done got me beat I know

On The Road Again
Composer(s): Bernard Lavilliers
Performer(s): Bernard Lavilliers



Nous étions jeunes et larges d'épaules
Bandits joyeux, insolents et drôles
On attendait que la mort nous frôle

On the road again, again
On the road again, again

Au petit jour on quittait l'Irlande
Et derrière nous s'éclairait la lande
Il fallait bien un jour qu'on nous pende

On the road again, again
On the road again, again

La mer revient toujours au rivage
Dans les blés mûrs y a des fleurs sauvages
N'y pense plus, tu es de passage

On the road again, again
On the road again, again

Nous étions jeunes et larges d'épaules
On attendait que la mort nous frôle
Elle nous a pris les beaux et les drôles

On the road again, again
On the road again, again

Ami sais-tu que les mots d'amour
Voyagent mal de nos jours
Tu partiras encore plus lourd

On the road again, again
On the road again, again
On the road again, again
On the road again, again
On the road again

Mean Old Bed Bug Blues
Composer(s): Leo Wood
Performer(s): Bessie Smith



Gals, bed bugs sure is evil, they don't mean me no good
Yeah, bed bug sure is evil, they don't mean me no good
Thinks he's a woodpecker and I'm a chunk of wood

When I lay down at night, I wonder how can a poor gal sleep
When I lay down at night, I wonder how can a poor gal sleep
When some is holding my hand, others eating my feet

Bed bug as big as a jackass1, will bite you and stand and grin
Bed bug as big as a jackass, will bite you and stand and grin
Will drink all the bed bur for them turn around and bite you again

Something moan in the corner, I went over and see
Something moan in the corner, I went over and see
It was the bed bug a prayin', Lord, gimme some more cheese

On The Radio
Composer(s): Giorgio Moroder; Donna Summer
Performer(s): Donna Summer;
and various other artists



Someone found a letter you wrote me, on the radio
And they told the world just how you felt
It must have fallen out of a hole in your old brown overcoat
They never said your name
But I knew just who they meant

I was so surprised and shocked, and I wondered, too
If by chance you heard it for yourself
I never told a soul just how I've been feeling about you
But they said it really loud
They said it on the air
On the radio
Whoa, oh, oh
On the radio
Whoa oh oh oh
On the radio
Whoa, oh, oh
On the radio
Whoa, oh, oh

Now, now
Don't it kinda strike you sad when you hear our song
Things are not the same since we broke up last June
The only thing that I wanna hear is that you love me still
And that you think you'll be comin' home real soon
Whoa, oh, yeah, yeah
And it made me feel proud when I heard you say
You couldn't find the words to say it yourself
And now in my heart I know I can say what I really feel
'Cause they said it really loud
They said it on the air
On the radio
Whoa, oh, oh
On the radio
Whoa, oh, oh
On the radio
Whoa, oh, oh
On the radio

Played in shorter version:
If you think that love isn't found on the radio
Well tune right in you made find the love you lost
'Cause now I'm sitting here with the man I sent away long ago
It sounded really loud
They said it really loud
On the radio
Whoa, oh, oh
On the radio
Whoa, oh, oh
On the radio
Whoa, oh, oh
On the radio
Whoa, oh, oh
On the radio
Whoa, oh, oh

(end)

Played in longer version:
Sendin' in a letter to tell them that I love you, too
If you hear it, maybe you will know
When you hear them read the line about love's return on the radio
You'll think about the two of us and you'll come home
Whoa, oh, oh,
If you knew just how I'd felt why'd you make me wait?
Life goes on and on while you play with my heart
Don't hold on any longer 'cause now I know how you really feel
'Cause I heard it really loud
They said it on the air
On the radio
Whoa, oh, oh
On the radio
Whoa, oh, oh
On the radio
Whoa, oh, oh
On the radio
Whoa, oh, oh

Now
If you think that love isn't found on the radio
Then tune right in you made find the love you lost
'Cause now I'm sittin here with the man I sent away long ago
It sounded really loud
They said it really loud
On the radio
Whoa, oh, oh
On the radio
Whoa, oh, oh
On the radio
Whoa, oh, oh
On the radio
Whoa, oh, oh
On the radio
Whoa, oh, oh

Mean Mr. Mustard
Composer(s): John Lennon; Paul McCartney
Originally performed by: The Beatles
Covered by various other artists



Mean Mr. Mustard sleeps in the park 
shaves in the dark, tries to save paper 
Sleeps in a hole in the road 
Saving up to buy him some clothes 
Keeps a ten bob note up his nose 
Such a mean old man 
Such a mean old man 

His sister Pam works in a shop 
she never stops, she's a go getter 
Takes him out to look at the Queen 
Only place that he's ever been 
Always shouts out something obscene 
Such a dirty old man 
Dirty old man

Mama Tried
Composer(s): Merle Haggard
First release by: Merle Haggard and The Strangers - 1968
Covered by multiple other artists



First thing I remember knowin' was a lonesome whistle blowin'
And a young'uns dream of growin' up to ride
On a freight train leavin' town, not knowin' where I'm bound
And no one could change my mind, but Mama tried
One and only rebel child from a family meek and mild
My Mama seemed to know what lay in store
Spite of all my Sunday learnin', toward the bad I kept on turnin'
Till Mama couldn't hold me anymore
I turned twenty-one in prison doin' life without parole
No one could steer me right, but Mama tried, Mama tried
Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleading I denied
That leaves only me to blame 'cause Mama tried
Dear old Daddy rest his soul left my Ma a heavy load
She tried so very hard to fill his shoes
Workin' hours without rest, wanted me to have the best
She tried to raise me right but I refused
I turned twenty-one in prison doin' life without parole
No one could steer me right, but Mama tried, Mama tried
Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleading I denied
That leaves only me to blame 'cause Mama tried

On The Outgoing Tide
Composer(s): Lew Brown; Mabel Wayne
Performer(s): Perry Como;
Vic Damone; Jo Stafford



On the outgoing tide
I know that you're leaving today
And my tears will be
A part of the sea

That's taking you, darling
Away from me
But they can't take my dreams
They can't take the love in my heart

And, although I know we're drifting apart
If heaven has meant you for me, for me
I know I will sail at your side
Someday on the outgoing tide

And, although I know we're drifting apart
If heaven has meant you for me, for me
I know I will sail at your side 
Someday on the outgoing tide

Oh Death (aka "Death And A Lady: Echoes Of A Mortal Conversation" or "Conversations With Death")
(Traditional)
Performer(s): Dock Boggs
and various other artists



What is this that I can see
With icy hands taking hold on me
I am death and none can excel
I'll open the doors to heaven or hell
Oh, death, oh, death, can't you spare me over till another year?
Oh, death, oh, death, please spare me over till another year
Oh, death, someone would pray
Couldn’t you call some other day
God's children prayed
The preacher's preached
The time of mercy is out of your reach
I'll fix your feet so you can't walk
I'll lock your jaws so you can't talk
Close your eyes so you can 't see
This very hour come go with me
Death, I come to take the soul
Leave the body and leave it cold
To drop the flesh oft of the frame
The earth and worms both have a claim
Oh, death, oh, death, can't you spare me over till another year?
Oh, death, oh, death, please spare me over till another year
My mother come to my bed
Place a cold towel upon my head
My head is warm, my feet is cold
Death is moving upon my soul
Oh, death, how you treating me
Close my eyes so I can't see
You hurt my body
You make me cold
You're ruling my life right out of my soul
Oh, death, oh, death, can't you spare me over till another year?
Oh, death, oh, death, please spare me over till another year
Oh, death, please consider my age
Please don't take me at this stage
My wealth is all at your command
If you will move your icy hand
The old, the young, the rich or poor
Are all alike with me, you know
No wealth, no land, no silver, no gold
Nothing satisfies me but your soul
Oh, death, oh, death, can't you spare me over till another year?
Oh, death, oh, death, please spare me over till another year

Mean Mama Blues
Composer(s): Ernest Tubb
Performer(s): Ernest Tubb; Doc Watson



There’s lots of mean women on almost any street
Lord There’s lots of mean women on almost any street
But I’ve got the meanest Mama that ever walked on two feet

That gal is so low down I often wonder why
Lord she’s so low down I often wonder why
That she keeps on livin’ I guess she’s to mean to die

Now you triflin’ women always say you love your man
Lord you triflin’ women always say you love your man
And when he goes out the front door the back door lets a new man in
(Ah maybe two of them)

(Ah pick it out there Smitty)

Now there’s two things in this world I don’t understand
Lord there’s two things in this world that I don’t understand
One of thems a woman the other ones a man

I’m gonna buy me a pistol I’ll think I’ll get a 44
Gonna buy me a pistol I’ll think I’ll get a 44
And when I get through shootin’ that girl wont step no more

On The Other Side Of Midnight
Performer(s): Johnny Logan



How long have you had this feeling
Never see a brighter side
Always standing in the shadows
Rapped up tightly in your pride

How long have you need a healing
Some lost Island where you can hide
Too many questions and no answers
So many rivers that you’ve cried

On the other side of midnight
Where only broken dreams come true
On the other side there’s daylight
And you know that I’ll be there waiting for you

How long must you keep believing
Love’s lost promises come true
Lay awake and count the reasons
Nothing never leads to you

Dark clouds rising on the heartland
Dreams keep slipping so far away
A helpless heart can never understand
Tomorrow is just another day

On the other side of midnight
Where only broken dreams come true
On the other side there’s daylight
And you know that I’ll be there waiting for you

Now beneath the smile that’s fading
You tell your self you say goodbye (you say goodbye)
Still the fire inside keeps burning on
Through the tears of one more lie

On the other side of midnight
Where only broken dreams come true
On the other side there’s daylight
And you know that I’ll be there waiting for you

On the other side of midnight
Where only broken dreams come true
On the other side there’s daylight
And you know that I’ll be there waiting for you

Yeah you know that I’ll be there waiting for you

Mean Green Mother From Outer Space
Composer(s): Alan Menken; Howard Ashman



Better wait a minute
Ya better hold the phone
Ya better mind your manners
Better change your tone

Don't you threaten me son
You got a lot of gall
We gonna do things my way
Or we won't do things at all

Ya don't know what you're messin' with
You got no idea
Ya don't know what you're lookin' at
When you're lookin' here

Ya don't know what you're up against
No, no way, no how
You don't know what you're messin' with
But I'm gonna tell you now! 

Get this straight! 
I'm just a mean green mother from outer space and I'm bad
I'm just a mean green mother from outer space 
and it looks like you been had
I'm just a mean green mother from outer space
So get off my back, 'n get out my face
'Cause I'm mean and green 
And I am bad

Wanna save your skin boy? 
You wanna save your hide? 
You wanna see tomorrow? (Ha-Ha!) 
You better step aside
Better take a tip boy 
Want some good advice? 
Ya better take it easy
'Cause you're walkin' on thin ice

Ya don't know what you're dealin' with
No, you never did
Ya don't know what you're lookin' at
But that's tough titty, kid! 

The Lion don't sleep tonight
And if you pull his tail, he roars
Ya say, "That ain't fair?" 
Ya say, "That ain't nice?" 
Ya know what I say? "Up yours!" 

Watch me now! 
I'm just a mean green mother from outer space 
And I'm bad
I'm just a mean green mother, a real disgrace
And you've got me violent and mad
I'm just a mean green mother from outer space
Gonna trash your ass! Gonna rock this place! 
I'm mean and green
And I am bad

Don't talk to me about old King-Kong
You think he's the worst? 
Well, you're thinkin' wrong
Don't talk to me about Frankenstein
He got a temper? -Ha!- He ain't got mine

You know I don't come from no black lagoon
I'm from past the stars and beyond the moon
You can keep the thing
Keep the it
Keep the creature, they don't mean shit! 

I got garden style, major moves
I got the stuff, and I think that proves
You better move it out! 
Nature calls! 
You got the point? 
I'm gonna bust your balls! 

Here it comes! 
I'm just a mean green mother from outer space 
And I'm bad
I'm just a mean green mother from outer space 
A real hard case 
You can't beat this trouble, man
I'm just a mean green mother from outer space 
So just give it up 
It's all over, ace
I'm mean and green
(Mean green mother from outer space) 
I'm mean and green
(Mean green mother from outer space) 
I'm mean and green
(Mean green mother from outer space) 
And I...am...bad!

On The Isle Of May
Composer(s): Mack David; André Kostelanetz
Performer(s): Connee Boswell;
and various other artists



We strolled along through the heather
And it was June, June on the Isle of May
Your lips were sweet as the heather
Love was in bloom 
There, on the Isle of May

Close in your arms heaven opened its doors
Then like a fool I sailed away
But our love will bring us together
When it is June, June on the Isle of May 

Close in your arms heaven opened its doors
Then like a fool I sailed away
But our love will bring us together
When it is June, June on the Isle of May

Meagan's Gypsy Eyes
Composer(s): Steve Katz
Performer(s): Blood, Sweat & Tears



Meagan's Gyspy eyes
The lyres surround me
purple drops of rain
the sun shone around me

Death that clouds her life
will be forever
Thee Is loved
yet cannot love, not never

Mystic thoughts of love
And her's completely
taught her how to run
though not discreetly

Meagan's not as old
As she'd like to think she's young
sophisitcated dreams
are as plastic as the songs
she has sung
likes to think she's hung up on herself
and aren't you lucky?

Meagan's Gypsy eyes
The lyres surround me
purple drops of rain
The sun shone 'round me

On The Good Ship Lollipop
Composer(s): Richard A. Whiting; Sidney Clare
Performer(s): Shirley Temple;
and various other artists



I've thrown away my toys
Even my drum and train
I wanna make some noise
With real live aeroplanes
Some day I'm going to fly
I'll be a pilot too
And when I do, how would you
Like to be my crew....

On the good ship lollipop
Its a sweet trip to a candy shop
Where bon-bons play
On the sunny beach of Peppermint Bay

Lemonade stands everywhere
Crackerjack bands fill the air
And there you are
Happy landing on a chocolate bar

See the sugar bowl do the tootsie roll
With the big bad devils food cake
If you eat too much, ooh-ooh
You'll awake with a tummy ache

On the good ship lollipop
Its a night trip into bed you hop
And dream away
On the good ship lollipop

Meadowlark
Composer(s): Stephen Schwartz
Performer(s): Patti LuPone
and various other artists



When I was a girl I had a favorite story
Of the meadowlark who lived where the rivers wind
Her voice could match the angels in its glory
But she was blind 
The lark was blind

The King of the Rivers took her to his palace
Where the walls were burnished bronze and golden braid
And he fed her fruit and nuts from an ivory chalice
And he prayed:  
'Sing for me, my meadowlark
Sing for me of the silver morning
Set me free, my meadowlark
And I'll buy you a priceless jewel
And cloth of brocade and crewel
And I'll love you for life if you will sing for me'

Then one day as the lark sang by the water
The God of the Sun heard her in his flight
And her singing moved him so he came and brought her the gift of sight
He gave her sight
And she opened her eyes to the shimmer and the splendor
Of this beautiful young god so proud and strong
And he called to the lark in a voice both rough and tender
'Come along!
Fly with me my meadowlark
Fly with me on the silver morning
Past the sea where the dolphins bark
We will dance on the coral beaches
Make a feast of the plums and peaches
Just as far as your vision reaches, fly with me'

But the meadowlark said 'No'
For the old king loved her so
She couldn't bear to wound his pride
So the Sun God flew away
And when the king came down that day 
He found his meadowlark had died
Every time I heard that part, I cried

And now I stand here starry-eyed and stormy
Oh, just when I thought my heart was finally numb
A beautiful young man appears before me
Singing 'Come...oh, won't you come?'
And what can I do if finally for the first time
The one I'm burning for returns the glow
If love has come at last it's picked the worst time
Still I know I've got to go

Fly away, Meadowlark
Fly away on the silver morning
If I stay, I'll grow to curse the dark
So it's off where the days won't bind me
I know I leave wounds behind me
But I won't let tomorrow find me back this way
Before my past once again can blind me
Fly away

And we won't wait to say goodbye
My beautiful young man and I