Sorry I Kept You Waiting

Backgrounder: “I’d like to say that this song was 100 per cent from my imagination, but I’d be lying. I used to like to stay late at parties, be the last one to go, not think too much about my wife’s feelings. I’m almost cured of all my bad habits, thanks to lessons learned along the way. (Though I still have a few big bad habits to work on still.” gaharrison

Sorry I Kept You Waiting

1. You said, “Let’s be home by eleven.”
You had work the next day.
I had several too many,
usually that is the way.
We got to the car after midnight
and after I shut your door,
I said, “Gonna go get my jacket.”
I meant, gonna have couple more.
I said, “Gonna go get my jacket.”
I meant, gonna have couple more.


Chorus:

Sorry I kept you waiting,
sitting alone in the car.
Sorry I kept you waiting,
I stayed for last round at the bar.
Oh, I’ll try to be more reliable,
I’ll try to be more aware.
Sorry I kept you waiting,
I came out and you weren’t there.
Sorry I kept you waiting,
sorry I kept you waiting,
sorry I kept you waiting.
I came out and you weren’t there.

2. You waited for over an hour,
hopin’ I’d show up real soon.
You listened to music ‘bout lovers,
while watchin’ the silvery moon.
You thought of workin’ next morning,
called a cab on your cell.
You thought about having a future,
rather than livin’ in hell.
You thought about having a future,
rather than livin’ in hell.

3. I finally staggered outside, Dear,
I knew I’d be facin’ some heat.
Found your door was wide open,
my jacket was thrown in the street.
You listened to radio music,
so my battery’s dead for the day.
But more than my car needs a rescue,
and a boost from ol’ Triple A.
More than my car needs a rescue,
and a boost from ol’ Triple A.

gaharrison

.

I Won’t Be Drinking Whisky Anymore

Backgrounder: “Boozers ran in my family. Most are now dry or passed away, but I am filled with sadness when I recall my mother’s story about the day she lost her father due to his years of hard drinking. I lost a few school and work days as a young man due to terrible hangovers - and that was enough for me. ‘Everything in moderation,’ as my mother used to say.” gaharrison

I Won’t Be Drinking Whisky Anymore

Verse 1. I won’t be drinking whisky anymore.
I won’t be drinking whisky anymore.
I’ll put my glass down and head into town and try to find a job.
I won’t be drinking hard whisky anymore.


2. I won’t be singing songs all through the night (repeat).
I’ll put my glass down and head into town and try to find a job.
I won’t be singing my sad songs all through the night.

3. I won’t be yelling words that cuss your name (repeat).
I’ll put my glass down and head into town and try to find a job.
I won’t be yelling loud words that cuss your name.

4. I’ll try to bring you home a steady pay (repeat).
I’ll put my glass down and head into town and try to find a job.
I’ll try to bring you home some steady pay.

5. I’ll save up hard, buy you a summer dress (repeat).
I’ll put my glass down and head into town and try to find a job.
I’ll save up hard, buy you a new summer dress.

6. I won’t be drinking whisky anymore (repeat).
I’ll put my glass down and head into town and try to find a job.
I won’t be drinking hard whisky anymore.

gah

.

Yet Another Hit Single: Fetch the Wild Turkey

Backgrounder: “My oldest son and his wife are expecting twins at any minute. Thinking about the changes that they’ll face reminded me of a song I wrote years ago for times when guitars and camping whisky were present at a campfire.” g.a.harrison

Fetch the Wild Turkey

1. I lived in the city, I owned my own house,
The only thing missing was a wonderful spouse.
You lived in the country, we met at a dance,
After the hoe-down, we both took a chance.
I'll fetch the Wild Turkey, I'll pour you a drink,
It's out in the kitchen, it's under the sink.
Since I first met you my plans are all new,
No one in the country is prettier than you.

2. I sold my possessions, and moved to your farm,
Bought cows for your field, a horse for your barn.
We'd pick the wild lilies and drink from the creek,
We'd talk about babies, stay in bed for a week.
Let's fetch the Wild Turkey, let's pour us a drink,
It's out in the kitchen, it's under the sink.
Since I first met you, been changes in me,
But you're certainly pretty in your red negligee.


3. Got three kids in diapers, twins on the way,
We’ve had one each year, it’s tradition you say.
To have lots of children to inherit the farm,
Extra hands at the harvest to fill up the barn.
You fetch the Wild Turkey, you pour me a drink,
It's out in the kitchen, it's under the sink.
Since I first met you my money's gone down,
But you still look real pretty in your purple nightgown.

4. Now we got four dogs and a house full of cats,
My allergies have come back, the corn's full of rats.
The house needs a new roof, porch leans to the ri-eee-ght,
The crickets are so loud I can't sleep at night.
Go fetch the Wild Turkey, I'll have us a shot,
Having too many is better than not.
Since I first met you my fortunes are down, down, down,
But you look kind of 'purdy' in that ratty nightgown.

5. The kids are all dirty in hand-me-down clothes,
We only get water 'fit rains or it snows.
The well it run dried, the crops blowed away,
The cows are all scrawny, the dogs ran away.
Fetch the Wild Turkey, I need me a shot,
Having too many is better than not.
Since I first met you my bankin’s a wreck,
But in that old night gown you're prettier 'an heck.

6. My spellin' is bad, my grammar am rotten,
Please don't complain, from you it's been gotten.
My troubles are all big, my money is small,
Please stop complainin' 'cause you spent it all.
*Fetch the Wild Turkey, I need one more shot,
Having too many is better than not.
Since I first met you my life has gone black,
Now the front of your nightgown looks the same as the back.

GAH

***

Life don’t git that bad, do it?

.

A Dark, Cheap Motel

Backgrounder: “A lot of people seem to write songs about drinking too much whisky or beer. Why is that? I can’t speak for the others, but over the years I’ve learned that heavy drinkers spread a lot of pain around.” gaharrison

A Dark, Cheap Motel

1, I spent the night in a dark, cheap motel
'Cause I lost the keys to my house.
Once I stayed three days at a strange trailer park,
I forgot the name of my spouse.

Chorus:

Well, I don't drink lots but I sure pick my spots,
That's why I ended up here.
I must confess I should drink a lot less,
Or switch to low alcohol beer.


2. I spent the night in a dark, cheap motel,
For awhile I slept out in the hall.
I'd ordered a round, had the cash in my hand,
That's the last I seem to recall.

3. I spent the night in a dark, cheap motel,
I think on the downside of town.
A new friend from the bar took care of my car,
Which someday still may be found.

4. I spent the night in a dark, cheap motel,
I paid with my new Mastercard.
When I finally get home no more will I roam,
I sure make this life so hard.

gah

.

Are You a Rich Man?

Backgrounder: “This song was written about seven years ago but is definitely linked to experiences from the sixties. I read and wrote poetry then, listened to Bob Dylan, enjoyed single malt whisky (beer just wasn’t hip enough for me) and fell in love about every three days. After 39 years of marriage (Aug. 8 anniversary) the answer to the question is yes.” gaharrison

Are You a Rich Man?

1. We met at some party of an old friend of mine,
I was off in a corner just putting in time.
When the smell of perfume, the warm brush of skin,
Awakened my senses, I was glad she walked in.

Chorus:

She thought I was special, more than I was,
The first time we met she was feelin’ the buzz,
From a single malt whisky that I had supplied.
“Are you a rich man?” she asked.
“Yes I am,” I replied.


["Peace and love from the sixties": photo GAH]

2. We went to the kitchen, she was looking for ice.
She asked, “Would you like some?” I said, “You smell nice.”
She laughed at my answer, so I chuckled right back,
If she’d wanted refinement
I would have tried some of that.

3. We were soon tangled up on a warm pile of coats.
She asked, “Are you serious?” I was thinking wild oats.
But we made an excuse, took a cab to my place,
Though I felt my apartment
would be a disgrace.


["I like Dylan, do you?": photo GAH]

4. After seeing my bookcase she said, “You like poetry too.”
“Have you any good music? I like Dylan, do you?”
We spent the night on the couch with the stereo on.
Got married that summer
and the riches live on.

GAH

.

Prose: You Thought it was Hallowe’en

Backgrounder: “While looking for an old wedding photo I found this piece of prose from my university days. It was published in The Gazette (University of Western Ontario) on Feb. 14, 1969, and bears some truth, though it isn’t a very fitting sentiment for Valentines Day. It contains my first reference to whisky, but not my last.” gaharrison


["My university days": March, 1969]

you thought it was Hallowe’en

you thought it was Hallowe’en
all last month.
ever since I first met you,
I thought you were all
dressed up for nothing.

the unmasking took place last
night, and you looked quite
pretty without your mask.

but you were not what
the game had called for.


[Artwork - Tom Rossiter: photo GAH]

(Hallowe’en was over and
the two went tripping home
with an empty bottle of scotch
under their arm,
and when all the ghosts
and night creatures began to play,
she melted into their midst.)

I have not heard from you,
or seen you, since.

GAH

.

The Easy Life Ain’t Mine

Backgrounder: “More hard times. Really, I don’t go to bars or sit up late staring into the bottom of a glass. But I know a bit about workin’ for the man and yearning for a simpler life.” gaharrison

1. I don’t like that you left me
because of the friends I choose.
I don’t like staying up passed midnight
with more heartache I can’t lose.
Oh, when I step out on my front porch
with a bottle in my hand.
I see I’m flying pretty high
but I can’t see where I’ll land.


Chorus:

Girl, the simple life ain’t easy,
I don’t even own my car.
I spend my nights reflecting
in a glass inside the bar.
Oh, oh, oh, snoozers, losers, are friends of mine,
and we cannot tell the time.
The simple life ain’t easy
and the easy life ain’t mine.

2. I don’t like all them hours
spent working for the man.
I don’t like paying rent each month
on someone else’s land.
Oh, I’d like a small bit for you and me,
really nothing more than that.
But after years of working hard
I’ll tell you where I’m at.

3. I don’t like that I’m growing old
and living on my own.
I don’t like drinkin’ whisky
just staring at the phone.
Oh, if you ever give me one more shot
at turning my life around.
I’ll try to be like when we met,
keep both feet on the ground.

GAH

.

I’ll Get Ready When the Party is Done

Backgrounder: “True story: A few years ago my wife and I went to a party that seemed to last forever because of stories, songs, guitars and Scotch whisky. I admit, I stayed too long.” gaharrison

1. After talking with friends
I think I’ll get up and go home.
After talking with friends
I think I’ll get up and go home.
I’ll get ready when
the talking is done.

I see that you’re waiting,
your coat is hung over your arm.
I see that you’re waiting,
your coat is hung over your arm.
I’ll get ready when
the talking is done.


Chorus:

It’s this time of night
that you’ve learned to hate,
You want to go home now
but I don’t think that it’s late.
I think I’ll get ready when
the talking (2. singing, 3. drinking) is done.

2. After singing some songs
I think I’ll get up, get my coat. [repeat]
I’ll get ready when
the singing is done.

I see that you’re fretting,
you’re already half out the door. [repeat]
I’ll get ready when
the singing is done.

3. After drinking this whisky
I think I’ll get up find my shoes. [repeat]
I’ll get ready when
the drinking is done.

I see that you’ve left me,
you’ve gone and headed for home. [repeat]
I’ll get ready when
the drinking is done.

GAH

Running Out of Rope

Backgrounder: "My wife of 38 years wondered what inspired this song. I've observed that late-night bars can be sad and lonely places for some people." gaharrison

1. If you come to the bar
and you drive your own car
I’m the guy sitting there on the right.
If you’ve got several itches
and one or two hit you
I might be your friend for the night.

* ’Cause I don’t want you sitting alone.
I won’t say stuff you hear at home.
I don’t have much money,
but I’ll try to be funny
And I’m not a man without hope. (*repeat)
One day I’ll just run out of rope.


[Photo link]

2. If our talk starts to ramble
I may start to gamble
To keep you there at my side.
I’ll tell a few stories
about my past glories
I’ll try not to tell many lies.

* ’Cause I don’t want you leavin’ too soon.
You’re the prettiest girl (now) in the room.
I don’t have much charm,
but you won’t come to harm
And I’m not a man without hope. (* repeat)
One day I’ll just run out of rope.

3. When you say that you’re done
and you’ve got to run,
I’ll find my last ten dollar bill.
I’ll say, “We’ve had the rest
now let’s try the best,
The night is pretty young still.”

* ’Cause I don’t want to sit all alone,
When I leave there’s no one at home.
I don’t have much going,
the (damn) whiskey’s been flowing
But I’m not a man without hope. (*repeat)

I’m half down that slippery slope,
One day I’ll just run out of rope.

.