Allison Moorer
Alabama Song
You know the joke: 
when you play a country song backwards you get your wife back,
you quit drinking etc. -- That's because country songs are all so very depressing.
Though the joke is funny, I never thought the country lyrics were so sad, that is, until I
heard Allison
Moorer's new album. Don't get me wrong; the lyrics (all by Allison Moorer and a
co-writer) aren't bad. I like them actually -- they're just very very sad. If
you follow one of these links to Amazon, and read
the reviews of this work, you'll see this album is well-liked, and that it goes back to
the roots of country music -- in other words, to the butt of the "backwards"
joke.
How sad are these songs? Among eleven tracks there are at least three break-ups,
a give up, two dead guys, and a whole lot of false promises. For example: In I Found A Letter you were never
sincere. In Set You Free I'm
breaking up with you before you have a chance to do it to me. In Pardon Me, you're leaving because you
lost your love for me. (But you won't find it if you leave!) In Long Black Train, I've given up
convincing the "suits and ties" in Babylon that I have any musical talent.
(But I might be back.) Tell
Me Baby asks how long I should be sad over false promises.
Alabama Song is all about what a
good idea it is to leave here and go to Alabama. (But if you go to California, I'll
follow you there instead!) Two of the songs are about dead loved ones: Call My Name and Is Heaven Good Enough For You.
The latter questions biblical teaching about Heaven. It really does bring a
tear to my eye.
A Soft Place To Fall tries
to bring back a "small taste of a love that ended long ago".
Easier To Forget doesn't
dwell on the past, not because the future is bright, but because it couldn't possibly be
worse than the past!
None of these songs, sad as they are, speaks from the point of view of the
"victim". In The
One That Got Away, the most "upbeat" -- figuratively and literally -- she
takes accountability, saying "I lost my heart so easily I feel like a fool.
Against my better judgment I broke my own rule."
In explaining mistakes of the past and seeking answers to questions, the lyrics of
these songs express a hope for the future that takes the edge off the sadness. Her
voice ain't bad, neither.
Allison Moorer
Alabama Song
Words to the songs in Allison Moorer's Alabama Song Album
Pardon Me
You say the time has come for you to go.
Why you’ve decided this I’ll never know.
You say you’ve lost the love you felt for me.
Well baby you won’t find it if you leave.
Chorus
Pardon me if I don’t understand
How a love like ours can turn out bad.
You tell me I’ll be fine alone
Without the love I’m leaning on.
Well pardon me if I don’t understand.
I can’t see how you’ll be happy far away.
But what’s best for you is not for me to say.
So I’ll try to keep my feelings to myself.
But forgive me if I don’t do too well.
(Repeat Chorus)
You tell me I’ll be fine alone
Without the love I’m leaning on.
Well pardon me if I don’t understand.
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Long Black Train
I’ve been walking these mean streets,
Hard concrete beneath my feet.
Ain’t found a friendly face among the crowd.
The city’s like a Christmas tree:
A light for ever dreamer’s dream.
But it seems mine has finally burned out.
Chorus
Long black train take me home.
I’ve worn out my welcome here, it’s time to go.
I have to face the music this just ain’t where I belong.
Long black train take me home.
I should’ve known I was mistaken
When I thought that I’d be making
A name for myself in Babylon.
Though I’ve tried to do my best,
The suit and ties are not impressed,
So with what’s left of my pride I’ll carry on.
(Repeat Chorus)
I’m gonna trade my guitar for a ticket,
Then climb aboard and ride you down the track.
I know I’m licked but it’s hard to admit it.
Maybe someday you can bring me back.
(Repeat Chorus)
Long black train take me home.
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Alabama Song
Are you going to Alabama,
Where the trees grow tall and green?
I’d like to see the Gulf of Mexico.
If you’re going won’t you take me?
Are you going to Alabama,
Where the skies shine bright and blue?
I’d like to see the old Tombigbee.
If you’re going I’m going with you.
Are you going to Alabama,
Where the folks say how do you do?
I’d like to see those big ol’ cotton fields.
If you’re going I’m going too.
I’m ready to run, baby,
Through the sweet southern pines.
Lie down in a bed of Camellia
And watch the sun shine.
If you’re going to Alabama
I could use a change of view.
But if you’re going to California
That’s alright, any place will do.
Well I guess I just wanna go with you.
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Call My Name
When the quiet in this old house shows no mercy
And the lonesome just won’t go away,
That’s when your restless spirit haunts me
And I swear I hear you call my name.
Chorus
I always loved the sound of your sweet voice.
But now that sound makes my poor heart break.
You’re long gone baby that’s for certain,
Cause I’m a hurtin’ when I hear you call my name.
I pray when I pass on over
That we will meet in the place where lost souls stay.
Maybe then when I look over my shoulder
You’ll be there when I hear you call my name.
(Repeat Chorus)
I’m certain I hear you call my name.
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The One That Got Away
(Got Away With My Heart)
Chorus
Oh the one that got away got away with my heart.
Broke into my world and tore it apart.
I should pick up the pieces but I don’t know where to start.
Oh the one that got away got away with my heart.
I lost my heart so easily I feel like a fool.
Against my better judgment I broke my own rule.
I didn’t think I’d fall in love but what can I do?
Oh I’m hurting and missing him so.
(Repeat Chorus)
Well if I felt any better I think I would die.
Cause all I do is sit at home, think of him and cry.
But he ain’t worth a single tear that falls from my eye.
So why do I still love him anyway?
(Repeat Chorus)
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I Found A Letter
I found a letter that you wrote me.
It said I was your one and only
And you would never ever leave my loving arms.
But the truth is all that matters.
Your pretty words no longer flatter
Cause I know they didn’t come from your heart.
I found your guitar in the closet.
I remember when you brought it
And how you serenaded me under the stars.
Now there’s no one here to play it.
You changed your tune I hate to say it,
But the songs didn’t come from your heart.
In your heart I believed I’d found
The love of my dreams.
I hoped my search was through.
But now all I’m finding
Are memories that remind me
What a fool I was to think it was true.
I found your ring still on my finger.
It’s been there since we saw the preacher
And swore to him in front of God death do us part.
It’s just a fourteen karat trinket
But like my promise I will keep it
Even though it didn’t come from your heart.
I found a letter that you wrote me.
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Easier To Forget
I’ve heard it said life leaves you memories that are precious.
If that’s true it hasn’t left me any yet.
There are none that I’ve thought of I can cherish.
For me it’s easier to forget.
Chorus
Looking back is not the way to mend my heartache.
Remembering only brings me regret.
When I dig up the past I find a love that didn’t last
So for me it’s easier to forget.
I’d hate to think these memories I’ve been given
Are the only ones I’m ever gonna get.
Cause it hurts if I try to relive ‘em.
For me it’s easier to forget.
(Repeat Chorus)
For me it’s easier to forget.
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Set You Free
I found your bag this morning.
Did you pack it by yourself?
If you would’ve asked me
I’d have given you some help.
I hate to disappoint you
But I had a hunch
You would soon be leaving
So I beat you to the punch.
Chorus
I’ll tell you a secret baby I let go first.
If I was still holding on then maybe I’d feel worse.
But I seen this day coming so it don’t bother me
I’ve already set you free.
I’m glad you’re finally going,
But boy you took your time!
I’d begun to wonder
If you had changed your mind.
So you don’t have to sneak out.
You’re not going to let me down.
That’s already happened.
I’m over it by now.
(Repeat Chorus)
I’ve already set you free.
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A Soft Place to Fall
Daylight has found me here again.
You can ask me anything but where I’ve been.
Things that used to matter seem so small
When you’re looking for a soft place to fall.
Don’t misunderstand me baby please.
I didn’t mean to bring back memories.
You should know the reason why I called:
I was looking for a soft place to fall.
Looking for a soft place,
Nothing more than a small taste
Of a love that ended long ago.
Looking for a place to hide,
A warm bed on a cold night.
I didn’t mean to hurt you, no no no.
Looking out your window at the dawn.
Baby when you wake up I’ll be gone.
You’re the one who taught me, after all,
How to find a soft place to fall.
You’re the one who taught me, after all,
How to find a soft place to fall.
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Tell Me Baby
Tell me baby how long I’m going to cry,
How long I’m going to sigh for you.
Tell me baby do you remember the promises you made me
Rolling down the road with the sky so blue?
Chorus
I’m grieving for you
Oh I miss you so.
Believe me darling
Oh you just don’t know
I need you and I want you so.
Tell me baby What are you gonna do?
Someday you’ll want me too I know.
When you want me you better hope that
I don’t leave you lonely
Rolling down the road with no place to go
(Repeat Chorus)
Tell me baby how long I’m going to cry,
How long I’m going to sigh for you.
Tell me baby do you remember the promises you made me
Rolling down the road with the sky so blue?
Rolling down the road with the sky so blue.
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Is Heaven Good Enough For You
Heard the preacher at the service
Declare you’d gone home that day
To meet the Maker and His servants
And take a rest amidst His grace.
He said now that you’re in Heaven
Your trials on earth are through,
But I didn’t hear him mention
If Heaven’s good enough for you.
He claimed you feel no more sorrow
Since you’re free from all life’s fears,
But can the blessed on God’s mountain
Love you more than I down here?
I was raised not to question
Promises the Bible makes,
But how could the Almighty
Make such a terrible mistake?
Did the Lord’s illumination
Shine upon you from His throne
When He witnessed my sweet angel
Suffer on the long road home?
If there’s really no more teardrops
And the streets are paved with gold,
Send me down some reassurance.
I don’t believe what I’ve been told.
If there really is a Kingdom
Where you start your life anew
Won’t you please somehow convince me
That Heaven’s good enough for you.
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