For the Last Time - Live from the Astrodome

The stars at night are big and bright
Deep in the heart of Texas
The prairie sky is wide and high
Deep in the heart of Texas

The sage in bloom is like perfume
Deep in the heart of Texas
Reminds me of the one that I love
Deep in the heart of Texas

The coyotes wail along the trail
Deep in the heart of Texas
The rabbits rush around the brush
Deep in the heart of Texas

The cowboys cry, "Ki yippee yi!"
Deep in the heart of Texas
The dogies bawl and bawl and bawl
Deep in the heart of Texas

The cactus flats are tough on hats
Deep in the heart of Texas
That's why perhaps we all wear chaps
Deep in the heart of Texas

Deep in the heart of Texas
Deep in the heart of Texas
Deep in the heart of Texas
Deep in the heart of Texas

- June Hershey, Don Swander

I never saw the end in sight; fools are kind of blind.
Thought everything was going alright, but I was running out of time.
'Cause you had one foot out the door, I swear I didn't see
But if you're really going away, here's some final words from me.

Baby, write this down, take a little note to remind you in case you didn't know,
Tell yourself I love you and I don't want you to go, write this down.
Take my words, read 'em every day, keep 'em close by, don't you let 'em fade away,
So you'll remember what I forgot to say, write this down.

I'll sign it at the bottom of the page, I'll swear under oath
'Cause every single word is true, and I think you need to know,
So use it as a bookmark, stick it on your 'frigerator door,
Hang it in a picture frame up above the mantel where you'll see it for sure.

Baby, write this down, take a little note to remind you in case you didn't know,
Tell yourself I love you and I don't want you to go, write this down.
Take my words, read 'em every day, keep 'em close by, don't you let 'em fade away,
So you'll remember what I forgot to say, write this down.

You can find a chisel, I can find a stone.
Folks will be reading these words, long after we're gone.

Baby, write this down, take a little note to remind you in case you didn't know,
Tell yourself I love you and I don't want you to go, write this down.
Take my words, read 'em every day, keep 'em close by, don't you let 'em fade away,
So you'll remember what I forgot to say, write this down.

Oh I love you and I don't want you to go, baby write this down.

- Dana Hunt Oglesby, Kent Robbins

Her telephone rang 'bout a quarter to nine
She heard his voice on the other end of the line
She wondered what was wrong this time
She never knew what his calls might bring
With a cowboy like him, it could be anythin'
And she always expected the worst
In the back of her mind

He said, "It's cold out here and I'm all alone
Didn't make the short go again, and I'm comin' home
I know I've been away too long
I never got a chance to write or call
And I know this Rodeo has been hard on us all
But I'll be home soon
And Honey, is there somethin' wrong?"

She said, "Don't bother comin' home
By the time you get here I'll be long gone
There's somebody new and he sure ain't no Rodeo man"
He said, "I'm sorry it's come down to this"
There's so much about you that I'm gonna miss
But it's alright baby
If I hurry I can still make Cheyenne
Gotta go now baby
If I hurry I can still make Cheyenne"

He left that phone danglin' off the hook
Then slowly turned around and gave it one last look
Then he just walked away
He aimed his truck toward that Wyoming line
With a little luck he could still get there in time
And in that Cheyenne wind he could still hear her say

She said, "Don't bother comin' home
By the time you get here I'll be long gone
There's somebody new and he sure ain't no Rodeo man"
He said, "I'm sorry it's come down to this
There's so much about you that I'm gonna miss
But it's alright baby
If I hurry I can still make Cheyenne
Gotta go now baby
If I hurry I can still make Cheyenne"

She never knew what his calls might bring
With a cowboy like him, it could be anythin'
And she always expected the worst
In the back of her mind

- Aaron Barker, Erv Woolsey

When you hear twin fiddles and a steel guitar
You're listenin' to the sound of the American heart
And opry music on a Saturday night
Brings a smile to your face and a tear to your eye

Sing a song about the Heartland
The only place I feel at home
Sing about the way a good man
Works until the daylight's gone

Sing the rain on the roof on a summer night
Where they still know wrong from right
Sing a song about the Heartland
Sing a song about my life

Sing a song about the Heartland
The only place I feel at home
Sing about the way a good man
Works until the daylight's gone

- Steve Dorff, John Bettis

I got sent home from school one day with a shiner on my eye.
Fightin' was against the rules and it didn't matter why.
When dad got home I told that story just like I'd rehearsed.
And then stood there on those tremblin' knees and waited for the worst.

And he said, "Let me tell you a secret about a father's love,
A secret that my daddy said was just between us."
He said, "Daddies don't just love their children every now and then.
It's a love without end, amen, it's a love without end, amen."

When I became a father in the spring of '81
There was no doubt that stubborn boy was just like my father's son.
And when I thought my patience had been tested to the end,
I took my daddy's secret and I passed it on to him.

And he said, "Let me tell you a secret about a father's love,
A secret that my daddy said was just between us."
He said, "Daddies don't just love their children every now and then.
It's a love without end, amen, it's a love without end, amen."

Last night I dreamed I died and stood outside those pearly gates.
When suddenly I realized there must be some mistake.
If they know half the things I've done, they'll never let me in.
And then somewhere from the other side I heard these words again.

And he said, "Let me tell you a secret about a father's love,
A secret that my daddy said was just between us."
He said, "Daddies don't just love their children every now and then.
It's a love without end, amen, it's a love without end, amen."

- Aaron Barker

It started way back in third grade
I used to sit beside Emmylou Hayes
A pink dress, a matching bow, and her ponytail
She kissed me on the school bus but told me not to tell
Next day I chased her around the playground
Cross the monkey bars to the merry-go-round
And Emmylou got caught passing me a note
Before the teacher took it I read what she wrote

Do you love me do you want to be my friend
And if you do
Well then don't be afraid to take me by the hand
If you want to
I think this is how love goes
Check yes or no

Now we're grown up and she's my wife
Still like two kids with stars in our eyes
Not much has changed I still chase Emmylou
Up and down the hall around the bed in our room
Last night I took her out in a white limousine
Twenty years together she still gets to me
Can't believe it's been that long ago
When we got started with just a little note

Do you love me do you want to be my friend
And if you do
Well then don't be afraid to take me by the hand
If you want to
I think this is how love goes
Check yes or no

- Danny Wells, Dana Hunt

Hey, they call me the fireman, that's my name
Makin' my rounds all over town
Puttin' out old flames

Hey, well, everybody'd like to have what I've got
I can cool 'em down when they're smolderin' hot
I'm the fireman, that's my name

Last night they had a bad one
A mile or two down the road
Well, my buddy walked out
And left his woman burnin' out of control

Well, I was down there in 'bout an hour or so
With a little mouth to mouth, she was ready to go
I'm the fireman, that's my name

They call me the fireman, that's my name
Makin' my rounds all over town
Puttin' out old flames

Hey well, everybody'd like to have what I've got
I can cool 'em down when they're smolderin' hot
I'm the fireman, that's my name, burn 'em up

I've got fire-engine, red t-bird automobile
In a minute or less I can be dressed fit to kill
I work twenty-four on and twenty-four off
When they get too hot, they just give me a call
I'm the fireman, that's my name

They call me the fireman, that's my name
Makin' my rounds all over town
Puttin' out old flames

Hey well, everybody'd like to have what I've got
I can cool 'em down when they're smolderin' hot
I'm the fireman, that's my name
They call me the fireman, that's my name

- Mack Vickery, Kemp

If there's a plane or a bus leaving Dallas
I hope you're on it
If there's a train moving fast down the tracks
I hope you caught it

Cause I swear out there ain't where you ought to be
So catch a ride, catch a cab
Don't you know I miss you bad
But don't you walk to me

Baby run, cut a path across the blue skies
Straight in a straight line
You can't get here fast enough

Find a truck and fire it up
Lean on the gas and off the clutch
Leave Dallas in the dust
I need you in a rush
So baby run

If you ain't got a suit case
Get a box or an old brown paper sack
And pack it light or pack it heavy
Take a truck, take a Chevy
Baby just come back

There's a shortcut to the highway out of town
Why don't you take it
Don't let that speed limit slow you down
Go on and break it

Baby run, cut a path across the blue skies
Straight in a straight line
You can't get here fast enough

Find a truck and fire it up
Lean on the gas and off the clutch
Leave Dallas in the dust
I need you in a rush
So baby run

Baby run
Oh baby run
Baby run

- Tony Lane, Anthony Smith

Nobody saw them running
From 16th Avenue
They never found the fingerprints
Or the weapon that was used
But someone killed country music
Cut out its heart and soul
They got away with murder
Down on music row

The almight dollar
And the lust for worldwide fame
Slowly killed tradition
And for that, someone shouldhang ("Ahh, you tell 'em Alan")
They all say "Not Guilty!"
But the evidence will show
That murder was committed
Down on music row

For the steel guitars no longer cry
And the fiddles barely play
But drums and rock 'n' roll guitars
Are mixed up in your face
Ol' Hank wouldn't have a chance
On today's radio
Since they committed murder
Down on music row

They thought no one would miss it
Once it was dead and gone
They said no one would buy them ol'
Drinkin' and cheatin' songs ("Oh, but I still buy 'em")
Well there ain't no justice in it
And the hard facts are cold
Murder's been committed
Down on music row

For the steel guitars no longer cry
And you can't hear fiddles play
With drums and rock 'n' roll guitars
Mixed right up in your face
Why the Hag wouldn't have a chance
On today's radio
Since they committed murder
Down on music row

Why they even tell the Possum
To pack up and go back home
There's been an awful murder
Down on music row

- Larry Cordle, Larry Shell

Well, excuse me, but I think you've got my chair.
No, that one's not taken, I don't mind
If you sit here, I'll be glad to share.
Yeah, it's usually packed here on Friday nights.
Oh, if you don't mind, could I talk you out of a light.

Well, thank you, could I drink you a buy?
Oh, listen to me, what I mean is can I buy you a drink?
Anything you please.
Oh, you're welcome, well, I don't think I caught your name.
Are you waiting for someone to meet you here?
Well, that makes two of us glad you came.

No, I don't know the name of the band, but they're good.
Aren't they, would you like to dance?
Yeah, I like this song too, it reminds me of you and me.
Well, baby do you think there's a chance
That later on I could drive you home?
No, I don't mind at all.

Oh, I like you too, and to tell you the truth
That wasn't my chair after all.
Oh, I like you too, and to tell you the truth
That wasn't my chair after all.

- Hank Cochran, Dillon

At first she's gonna come on strong
Like She'll love you all night long
Like it's going out of style
Then she'll leave you with a smile

Well you can't help but wonder
Why you can't help but love her
But you can't help love her
And all that hurtin' was more than worth it
It's written all over your face

One day you'll pass her on the street
With that guy you used to be
She'll say hello and walk on by
Then she'll leave you with a smile

Well you can't help but wonder
Why you can't help but love her
But you can't help love her
And all that hurtin' was more than worth it
It's written all over your face

At first she's gonna come on strong
Like she'll love you all night long
Like it's going out of style
Then she'll leave you with a smile

Ah, she's gonna love you
She gonna leave you with a smile
Ah, she's gonna love you
She gonna leave you with a smile

- Odie Blackmon, Jay Knowles

Amarillo by morning, up from San Antone.
Everything that I've got is just what I've got on.
When that sun is high in that Texas sky
I'll be bucking it to county fair.
Amarillo by morning, Amarillo I'll be there.

They took my saddle in Houston, broke my leg in Santa Fe.
Lost my wife and a girlfriend somewhere along the way.
Well I'll be looking for eight when they pull that gate,
And I'm hoping that judge ain't blind.
Amarillo by morning, Amarillo's on my mind.

Amarillo by morning, up from San Antone.
Everything that I've got is just what I've got on.
I ain't got a dime, but what I got is mine.
I ain't rich, but Lord I'm free.
Amarillo by morning, Amarillo's where I'll be.
Amarillo by morning, Amarillo's where I'll be.

- Terry Stafford, Paul Frase

Had a nice little life
A little boat a little beach
A little routine I liked
A blue ocean view
Free to go with the flow
Anywhere that I wanted to
But the moment you set foot on my shore
That's when I knew

There's a difference in living and living well
You can't have it all all by yourself
Something's always missing
'Til you share it with someone else
There's a difference in living and living well

'Til you smiled with me
Thought that I had it good
As good as it could be
From the back of my deck
Caught a fish caught a breeze
And a thousand red sunsets
But sitting here with you girl I just saw
The best one yet

There's a difference in living and living well
You can't have it all all by yourself
Something's always missing
'Til you share it with someone else
There's a difference in living and living well

My days are brighter
My sky a deeper blue
My nights are sweeter
When I'm with you

There's a difference in living and living well
You can't have it all all by yourself
Something's always missing
'Til you share it with someone else
There's a difference in living and living well

- Tony Martin, Mark Nesler, Tom Shapiro

Take me back to Tulsa, I'm too young to marry
Take me back to Tulsa, I'm too young to marry

You see that girl with the red dress on,
Some folks call her Dinah
Stole my heart away from me
Way down in Louisiana

Take me back to Tulsa, I'm too young to marry
Take me back to Tulsa, I'm too young to marry

The big bee sucks the blossom
And the little bee makes the honey
Poor man throws the cotton
And the rich man makes the money

Take me back to Tulsa, I'm too young to marry
Take me back to Tulsa, I'm too young to marry

We travel all over this country wide
Playing music by the hour
Always wear this great big smile
We never do look sour

Take me back to Tulsa, I'm too young to marry
Take me back to Tulsa, I'm too young to marry

Would I go...
You...
Let me off...
And I'll walk down to Greenwood

Take me back to Tulsa, I'm too young to marry
Take me back to Tulsa, I'm too young to marry

- Tommy Duncan, Bob Wills

You swear you've had enough, you're ready to give up
On that little lie they call love, then out of the blue clear sky
Fallin' right into your hands, like rain on the desert sand
It's the last thing you had planned out of the blue clear sky.

Here she comes a walkin' talkin' true love
Sayin' I been lookin' for you love
Surprise your new love has arrived
Out of the blue clear sky.

Ain't love a funny thing, one day you're givin' up the dream
And the next you're pickin' out a ring out of the blue clear sky.

Here she comes a walkin' talkin' true love
Sayin' I been lookin' for you love
Surprise your new love has arrived
Out of the blue clear sky.

- Bob DiPiero, John Jarrard, Mark D. Sanders

I knew the stakes were high right from the start.
When she dealt the cards, I bet my heart.
Now I just found a game that I can't play,
And this is where the cowboy rides away.

And my heart is sinking like the setting sun,
Setting on the things I wish I'd done.
It's time to say goodbye to yesterday.
This is where the cowboy rides away.

We've been in and out of love and in-between.
And now we play the final showdown scene.
As the credits roll a sad song starts to play,
And this is where the cowboy rides away.

And my heart is sinking like a setting sun,
Setting on the things I wish I'd done.
Oh the last goodbye's the hardest one to say,
And this is where the cowboy rides away.

Oh the last goodbye's the hardest one to say.
This is where the cowboy rides away.

- Sonny Throckmorton