Call Me Ishmael Album Lyrics
Guys Like Me
Intro
Guys like me are hard to find
Won’t be hanging around this dirty little town forever.
Guys like me are hard to find.
But we can find you baby any time.
Verse 1
I was sitting at the bus stop
Watching all the rust stop
As another greyhound got away.
She was sipping on a soda pop
Wearing a low-cut halter top
Carrying a suitcase that says “Jesus saves.’
I knew we'd both be stuck there a while
So, I gave her my best gold tooth smile.
As I made my way across the room
It sounded like a sonic boom.
She said buddy just get out of my face.
Chorus
Baby don’t write me off like that so fast
I got a love that was made to last.
Baby don’t write me off like that this time
Cause guys like me are hard to find.
Verse 2
So, I decided to take a Sunday ride
Feeling great to be alive
and I watched her from the back of the bus.
She was reading a trashy paperback
Seemed unaware of my surprise attack
As I made my way down the isle of love.
Well I sat myself down next to her
Put my hand on her knee and whispered in her ear.
She turned around and I hit the ground,
I wonder what kind of woman I found
It’s not turning out to be a good year.
Verse 3
Now I’m not one to give up
On a girl with a mild hang up
So, I followed her when she left the bus.
I new she really wanted me
But girls like her ain’t so easy
So, I had to look inconspicuous.
I was behind her at the bank.
When she said hit the floor my heart just sank.
But as you point that gun right at my nose
My love for you just grows and grows
I think its time to talk real, talk real, talk real.
Outro
Guys like me are hard to find
We won’t be hanging round this dirty little town forever
Guys like me are hard to find
But we can find you baby any time
Written by Tom Ciurczak, Copyright 2020
Mine Torne Road
Verse 1
Sitting here on Dickey’s front porch
waiting for the last stragglers to come down from Hell Hole's obstacle course.
The man from Bear Mountain Bridge called and said "hold them"
"The deal will take a little more time."
Kerri don't run, Kerri don't hide.
Take it real slow, let them inside.
You were the one that set the trip wire
and lead them down that winding path.
Down to Mine Torne Road.
Chorus
Be careful where you’re going to now.
Don’t turn around and look back, just let it go.
Anyway, anyhow it will all be over soon.
Just do your part, remember “lock and load”
and I'll meet you out tonight
down on Mine Torne Road.
Let's take it from the top
You'll be the only one inside.
When they make the drop it's time to
quietly slip back outside.
I know where to go,
been down that road before
and it won't be so easy to follow us
down Mine Torne Road
Verse 2
Crash brought two briefcases for the package exchange.
And Cowboy calmed his nerves at the Fireside's Firing Range.
And I just tossed a beer waiting for the light to change.
Seems the double-cross is set as we all had arranged.
Kerri don't run, Kerri don't hide.
Take it real slow, let them inside.
Say now you were the one who set the trip wire and lead them down that winding path.
Down to Mine Torne Road
Chorus
Be careful where you’re going to now.
Don't turn around and look back, just let it go.
Anyway, anyhow it will all be over soon.
Just do your part, remember “lock and load.”
And I'll meet you out tonight
down on Mine Torn Road
Bridge
Sometimes the best of plans can go astray.
I remember those gunshots
just like it was yesterday.
I was on the path when Dickey’s burst into flames.
Crash and Cowboy disappeared,
and I never saw the frame.
Verse 3
It's been 20 long years and I never went back
But I keep reliving that night in constant sweaty flashbacks.
Now I'm down in New York City living on the other side of the tracks
where I've blended into the scene.
But I swear I saw you just the other day
Getting out of a taxi somewhere by JFK.
So, I followed you home through the smoke and crowded subway
To find if I just buried a dream.
Kerri don't run, Kerri don't hide
Take it real slow, let me inside
You were the one, you were the one, you were the one
You were the one
Down at Mine Torne Road.
Written by Tom Ciurczak, Copyright 2020
Down And Out In LA
Verse 1
I'm standing here thinking by the side of the road
times change fast, your life can implode.
My world fell apart once we were through
now I'm holding a sign saying' "I'll work for food."
I want to be down in T.J. dancing with the senoritas
Where life just goes reel slow and I can try to forget, but I can't.
We let something come between us.
You ran out on me
it's just a matter of trust.
Chorus
Say you love me, but you don’t.
Say you will, but you know you won’t.
I remember when love was in your eyes
And I thought twin heartbeats never lied.
Was it real, or just pretend?
Did you plan this bitter end?
How could you do it, throw it all away
Was it so easy just like two kids at play?
You stole my heart and it stung
Like a Memory
Verse 2
Cars pass by and I get that empty stare
but I bless them all and say the Lord ’s Prayer.
Nighttime comes and I change my plans
I search your trash for aluminum cans.
I want to be down in T.J. dancing with the senoritas
Where life just goes reel slow and I can try to forget, but I can't.
We let something come between us
You ran out on me
It's just a matter of trust
Pre-Bridge
And every night when I sleep in the “Mission"
I still see your eyes
looking through the way they use too.
I need to show you, I can make it,
I am still alive.
I'm alive.
Bridge
Every city there’s others like me.
It always seems like we've hit rock bottom.
But we all use to be like you are
we lost our lives and we've fallen too far.
You can find us on freeway off ramps
holding up signs saying "will work for food."
You can find us on any street corner
hustling spare change
with holes in our shoes.
Outro
All this time alone again
With no shelter overhead.
And I remember the good times
Before I was left for dead.
And the dreams of a better tomorrow fade,
fade with the days gone by.
As I count up all my nickels
And I dine on cold French fries.
And I'm searching for a reason
Why I am still alive.
Written by Tom Ciurczak, Copyright 2020
Winter Highland Falls
Verse 1
This town died so long ago.
No one noticed because it died so slow.
Board it up, burn it down
The good jobs have moved over seas.
Grab all the things you need Wendy and run away with me.
Chorus
All right
Wendy take me by the hand.
Head out in the night
Find your Neverland.
Hold tight
Wendy never let me go.
It’s a rollercoaster ride
down the back roads
to the lost world of “Rock and Roll”.
Verse 2
This town never saw it coming.
This town is full of ghosts.
No time left the clock is ticking.
Its time to hit the road.
Board it up, burn it down.
All the good jobs moved over seas.
Grab all the things you need Wendy and run away with me.
Verse 3
This town is like so many others.
Grew old and lost the race.
This town became so boring.
We got to get out of this place.
Board it up, burn it down.
The good jobs moved over seas.
Grab all the things you need Wendy and run away with me.
Written by Tom Ciurczak, Copyright 2020
Roll The Dice
Verse 1
Can’t handle not knowing where we stand
at the end of the road without a plan.
Always knew we’d wind up in this spot
with our future all tied up in knots.
It’s a tough situation
not knowing what to do.
But I know we can work it out
‘cause we ain’t got much to lose.
Chorus
Come on baby roll the dice.
Close your eyes and don’t think twice.
It ain’t hard to make this bet.
‘cause I don’t think we’re done quite yet.
Come on honey take a hit.
It’s too soon to fold and quit.
Who knows you may flip an ace.
Win it all, disappear without a trace.
Not ready to,
give up quite yet.
Just trying to find a way
to keep us together.
Verse 2
I don’t know how this all plays out
but you can’t bluff and beat the house.
Or run away to find romance
‘cause life is still a game of chance.
It’s a tough situation
not knowing what to do.
But I know we can work it out
‘cause we ain’t got much to lose.
Bridge
Double down
Deal the cards
It’s time to go for broke
I’m all in
To win it all
There’s no way we’ll ever bust and break apart ‘cause I know what your heart will say.
There’s no way we’ll bust and break apart ‘cause I still have one card left to play.
And its gonna be our lucky day.
Written by Tom Ciurczak, Copyright 2020
Strung Out
Verse 1
I feel so strung-out with the early morning blues.
I just can’t get up and face the day.
I feel so strung-out and I don’t know what to do.
Can’t imagine living this life
Strung-out without you.
Verse 2
I feel so burned out and I can’t get my mind off you.
My brains so messed up that I can’t think straight.
I feel so burned out and I don’t know what to do.
I can’t imagine living this life
Burned out without you.
Chorus
And those cravings won’t go away
I want you more and more every day.
I feel like I’m just barely holding on
I feel so strung-out since you have gone away.
Written by Tom Ciurczak, Copyright 2020
Sunny Came Back
Verse 1
Thought I forgot about you long ago
and that was ok, until you turned up
in the bar I go last evening.
So, I looked around for the back door out
in case I needed to run.
Didn’t think I’d see you around here anymore.
Chorus
Seems so long ago
that I met you at the lost and found.
Never thought you’d burn it all down on me.
And all those days gone by
right now, it doesn’t seem so very long ago.
Since you opened up your heart and set me free.
Verse 2
And you came straight toward me with that look on your face that I remember so well.
I knew right then all hell was about to break loose.
So, I looked around for a quick escape
but the door was locked.
Same old shit, seems I always lose.
Bridge
I know there must be something wrong with me.
I was just your monkey on a chain.
Girls that play with matches are probably insane.
I tried I tried, I tried but you keep coming back.
Written by Tom Ciurczak, Copywright 2020
Top of the World
Verse 1
Stop, look around, never thought, but it happened once before.
Eyes open wide still I walked quiet blindly through your door.
Breaking down the barriers that it took so long to build.
Made me wake up all at once and shout.
Chorus
Look at me Ma I’m on top of the world.
I’m in love with a gorgeous girl.
Look at me now I’m on top of the world.
I’m in love with a beautiful girl.
Verse 2
Mind spinning ‘round, wondering why I get so damn confused.
Hearts beating faster, butterflies, just want to know the truth.
You pulled me out of the darkness, and you took me by the hand
Made me wake up all at once and shout
Chorus
Look at me Ma I’m on top of the world
I’m in love with a gorgeous girl
Look at me now I’m on top of the world
I’m in love with a beautiful girl
Bridge
Now I’m wondering what to do.
How to escape this life and save me and you.
Love enters with a shout but leaves in a soft whisper.
Don’t know if I can say goodbye.
Written by Tom Ciurczak, Copyright 2020
Last Gunfighter
Verse 1
Thought you had me surrounded down in Mexico.
'Cause I left four men dead out in the streets of El Paso .
I’ve taken some time off to head south of the Rio Grande.
‘Cause sheriff and his posse want to see me shot or hanged .
Never going to get me
With that team of losers after me
Don’t care how many
‘Cause when the smoke clears you can drag them from the street
Chorus
I want to tell you a story.
Bet you never heard bout those men that I shot before I got here
Well I ain’t bragging,
It’s just a matter of fact you’ll be dead by the count of five
‘cause there’s no faster gun alive
Verse 2
Learned my skills from robbing banks and trains .
Started riding shotgun for Frank and Jessie James.
The best train robbery is when rich folk all go broke.
And we leave each town in a cloud of fresh gun smoke.
Never going to catch me
With your team of losers after me.
Don’t care how many
‘Cause when the smoke clears you can drag them from the street .
Chorus
I want to tell you a story.
Bet you never heard bout those men that I shot before I got here
Well I ain’t bragging,
It’s just a matter of fact you’ll be dead by the count of five
‘cause there’s no faster gun alive
Written by Tom Ciurczak, Copyright 2020
Do You Know My Name
Verse 1
Desert sky is turning black
just like that big old lump of coal in my chest.
I fear a tornado’s gathering strength
God’s giving me one more test.
Its forty days since I gave it up
And left to chase the wind.
But all hells about to erupt
and pull me back again.
Do you know my name?
Do you even know my name?
Well I don’t want to be your hero no more.
Every time I try to quit, it always winds up like before.
So pass me the hooch it’s now or never.
Verse 2
Black Rain is been building up
and I can’t quench my thirst.
I feel my eyes about to pop
and my brains about to burst.
But I ain’t going to "crash and burn"
and I don’t give a damn.
Someone else can take my turn
‘cause this ain’t the holy land.
Do you know my name?
Do you even know my name?
Well I don’t want to be your hero no more
Every time I try to quit, it always winds up like before.
Chorus
So pass me the hooch it’s now or never.
Take me down from this cross.
Here I come again to save the day.
But no matter how hard I try,
can’t save the both us.
Bridge
I’m the anti-hero
Living in the twilight zone.
And I’m the all-time loser
That’s why I drink alone.
I’m going to the desert
where it feels like I’m living in Hell.
Cause I’m not the perfect hero
everyone thinks they know so well.
Verse 3
Let me out of this "Dark Cell"
and point me towards the nearest bar.
If you need me to fight some "Demons from Hell"
You’ll need to refill that empty tip jar.
The monkey was on my back
Long before we met.
So I’ll sing you a song for the courage
And then the Devil can pay my debt.
Written by Tom Ciurczak Copyright 2020
Faces In The Crowd
Verse 1
I look for faces in the crowd.
I realize it’s been a long time
that I’ve been away from here
and all the faces aren’t as clear.
And all those nickel dime affairs
while I was stuck in solitaire
you thought you’d find your millionaire
you thought I wouldn’t even care.
But it was all so long ago
And now I’m back out on parole
I bet it comes as some surprise
I never could forget those lies.
They were the ones that I believed
those poison darts aimed to deceive.
It all exploded way too loud
now I search for faces in the crowd.
Chorus
We all grow old.
We all do hard time
in our own different ways.
If I get a chance to do it over
would anything have changed?
I guess the answers still blowing in the wind.
But all those days gone by
you were always in a hurry.
All those days you had a secret plan.
All those days gone by
You were always in a hurry.
Always chasing after another man.
Verse 2
I know you’re at the same old bars
‘cause all you veterans have war scars.
Still trying to hook up with Mr. Right
even for just one lonely night.
And all the chasing the winner’s purse
seems to have come along with a curse
it snuck up on you day by day
the lines on your face give it away.
So should stay or should I bother
I’ve only got a couple of dollars
It’s enough to get in trouble again
The "Whiskey Man” is still my friend.
But in the end you were never here
just a fading memory from cheap liquor and beer.
I just wanted some kind of final reprieve
one more lie I could believe.
Written by Tom Ciurczak, Copyright 2020
Ishmael
Verse 1
Call me Ishmael
I got a story to tell.
I’m the lone survivor
Of the Jimenez Cartel.
I was captured up the Yucatan
Drugged and stuffed in a big old mason jar.
Taken to some Narco Ranch
where their leader thought he was Pablo Escobar.
Chorus
Jesus is watching
Jesus is near
In the heart of the Jungle
I stand tall with no fear.
Verse 2
There were so many cages
I don’t know where to start.
I couldn’t tell if they were smugglers or cannibals
They were using every part.
At night they’d sit around a camp fire
Act like nothing was wrong.
Passing the tequila
And they’d all sing Mariachi songs.
Chorus
Jesus is watching
Jesus is near
In the heart of the Jungle
I stand tall with no fear.
Bridge
She creeps through the high grass, see’s everything.
Waiting for the right time when it’s her turn.
Then it all exploded like a cheap "Meth Lab"
and I escaped to the highest branch.
It looked like the last days with Ahab on the Pequod.
From up above the carnage and mayhem tore through the Narco ranch
Everyone was running around like chickens with their heads cut off.
We all need someone we can count on.
We all need someone we can count on.
Verse 3
I didn’t see anything left alive.
After that there’s not much more for me to tell.
The last thing I heard before I flew away
Is that Pablo said he’d chase that cat to the gates of hell.
Chorus
Jesus is watching
Jesus is near
In the heart of the Jungle
I stand tall with no fear.
Written by Tom Ciurczak, Copyright 2020
Singles Lyrics
Christmas Time in Hollywood
Holiday Music in the air
It looks real cold outside
Carolers sing songs
All through the night
And the TV Camera’s zoom in close
As we watch the snow fall down
But none of this is real in Tinsel Town.
Sleigh bells ring
But no one hears a sound
They’re too busy in the fast lane
And no way to slow down.
Everyone sings along
To their favorite song
And that droning just goes on and on and on.
It’s Christmas Time in Hollywood
Movie Stars like to tell us what to do
What presents to buy and how to act
But I don’t care about any of that
As long as my Christmas is with you.
My brain keeps spinning
And I can’t help thinking
About “It’s a Wonderful Life”
But no angels going to tell me what to do
I keep trying but I ain’t buying
And it keeps me up all night
Wondering what they’re sending down the chimney this year
After me and you
It’s Christmas Time in Hollywood.
They’re coming right into your living room
Everybody’s singing “Jingle Bells”
But I’m still not buying what they’re selling.
Cause all I want for Christmas is,
all I need for Christmas is,
I just want my Christmas to be with you.
Written by Tom Ciurczak, Copyright 2021
Leave it to the Universe
The Days are rushing by so fast
Yet I feel like I’m standing still
Need to slow them down, and turn it on
Got to find a brand-new thrill
I’m tired of these same old bars
Staring at that empty tip jar
Maybe we should just steal a car
This time we could get away
Let’s head on out for something new
As another town fades in the rearview
Cause we’re never turning back
No, I’m never going back
I tried my best but it just gets worse
So, I’ll leave it to the universe
And I don’t know what it’s got for me and you up next.
Racing up the Thruway
Headed for Montreal
Only made it part way
Before the engine began to stall
Stopped by the nearest liquor store
Took all the money from the cash drawer
Tied the clerk up left him on the floor
Stole his truck and drove away
We’re heading out for something new
As another town fades in the rear view
Cause we’re never turning back
No, I’m never going back
I tried my best but it just gets worse
So, I’ll leave it to the universe
And I don’t know what it’s got for me and you up next.
I heard the sound of something moving
Outside at 4 am
I looked outside my window
There’s only 6 of them
It’s nothing I ain’t seen before
State Troopers knocking at my door
I was expecting they’d send a couple more
And make it harder to get away
We’re busting out for something new
As another town fades in the rearview
Cause we’re never turning back
No, I’m never going back
I tried my best but it just gets worse
So, I’ll leave it to the universe
And I don’t know what it’s got for me and you up next.
Written by Tom Ciurczak, Copyright 2021