Songs by Rob McLafferty – publishers, artists, music supervisors and listeners.

Tucked in the alcove

Down on Center Street

The cardboard covers

Those cold hands and feet

Empty inward eyes

Cold, white and dry

Makin’ assumptions

As snowflakes fly by

He used to be

A photographer

With a degree

In romance literature

It’s crooked young path

Lost in history

51 years old

And there’s no mystery

He is starting to forget

Who he used to be

It’s all numb now

And the pain come easy

He used to play

The piano

His wife would sing

Sing soprano

But now the show is over

And the curtains down

And there’s no spotlight comin’

To that sacred sidewalk found

The applause is mute

And the only encore

Is getting a few thrown quarters

That he didn’t ask for

Tommy J. Gallo

Used to care a lot

Then Cathy got the cancer

After they’d tied the knot

Four years of medical bills

And a economic crash

Rent through the roof

And a no work backlash

She left him

On a full moon night

In a sterile room

With fluorescent light

But now the show is over

And the curtains down

And there’s no spotlight comin’

To that sacred sidewalk found

The applause is mute

And the only encore

Is getting a few thrown quarters

That he didn’t ask for

Evicted and alone

Livin’ out of his car

Cameras got stolen

And he didn’t make it far

A weary old way

To the west coast

Down and broken

Missing Cathy the most

Remembering

The hot summer air

The fireflies

And her long black hair

And then he said

Where, where do I sleep

What do I eat

Where do I go

What, what do I keep

Who do I meet

In this shit-show

Oh I, I am cold.

I am alone

I am Tommy J Gallo

But now the show is over

And the curtains down

And there’s no spotlight comin’

To the sacred sidewalk found

The applause is mute

And the only encore

Is taking his last breath

In late December

I travel a lot

I’m a guy’s guy

I’m kinda a big shot

But don’t really like to fly

To the airport in a jiffy

Then ticketing and TSA

My boarding was little iffy

To seat 17A

Acquisitions and mergers

Is all I can see

And that damn plane’s server

It ain’t fast enough for me

Well I’m five miles up over the clouds

All alone without a friend

What the hell’s wrong with me

Watchin’ my movie end

I’m crying on a plane again

I do all my great work

And laptop creations

With economy class perks

As I fly to other nations

And I never seem to get lucky

And sit next to a babe

I got a nine-year-old from Kentucky

Watchin’ The Little Mermaid

And even though there’s no sound

I can’t help but take a sneak peak

And the tears start rolling down

When Arielle gets her feet

Well I’m five miles up over the clouds

All alone without a friend

What the hell’s wrong with me

Watchin’ her movie end

I’m crying on a plane again

I’m crying again

Well sometimes I’m white knuckled

As turbulence hits the wings

My seat belt is tight and buckled

As the bourbon in my throat stings

Across the aisle is the death trap

A movie called Toy Story 3

There’s an ankle-biter in a baseball cap

Watchin Buzz Light Year and Woody

Andy’s going off to college

He giving away all his toys

My sanity won’t acknowledge

The sadness and tears of joy

Well I’m five miles up over the clouds

All alone without a friend

What the hell’s wrong with me

Watchin’ his movie end

I’m crying on a plane again

I’m crying again

There’s no rhyme or reason

To my losing control in the air

And when it’s the holiday season

It’s especially unfair

That Elf movie is always playing

And the scene that makes me cry

Is when everyone starts singing

To make Santa’s sleigh fly

I travel a lot

I’m a guy’s guy

I’m kinda a big shot

But don’t really like to fly

‘Cause I am crying

Yes, I am crying

“Ladies and Gentleman

Welcome to Portland, Oregon

Local time is 2:17”

On a plane again

“For your safety

Please remain seated

With your seatbelts fastened

Until the Captain turns off

The fasten seatbelt sign”

Crying again

“Until we have parked at the gate

And it is safe to move about”

Crying on a plane again

Crying again

Tumbleweeds and switch grass seeds

Rolling across the plains

Wagon wheels on horses’ heels

Giddy-yap on the reigns

Buffalo herds speaking big words

That the only coyotes can hear

It’s a cowboy song of movin’ along

Through the lonesome weary years.

Canyon walls and thunder squalls

Switchbacks slow to turn

Screechin’ hawks that echo talks

‘Round whiskey’s slow burn

Prairie dogs in morning fogs

Perched upon the mounds

It’s a cowboy song of movin’ along

Through the ancient burial grounds

Oh, the sun is on the rise

Eat your beans and put on your boots

Saddle up we gonna ride

From the Flathead to the Bitterroots

We’ll cut a circle to find

That dogie layin’ long

When dusk fades dark

We’ll sing a cowboy song

Antelope tracks on the backs

Of rolling hills to find

A sunset that’s never met

A sunrise over time

Campfires that listen to liars

When tall stories finally start

It’s a cowboy song of movin’ along

Through the many broken hearts

Oh, the sun is on the rise

Eat your beans and put on your boots

Saddle up we gonna ride

From the Flathead to the Bitterroots

We’ll cut a circle to find

That dogie layin’ long

When dusk fades dark

We’ll sing a cowboy song

Lasso ropes giving hopes

For generations to hold

Across the range it ain’t so strange

To pan for a little gold

Special pliers to cut barb wires

To keep the family lines clear

It’s a cowboy song of movin’ along

Through the withered windblown tears

Oh, the sun is on the rise

Eat your beans and put on your boots

Saddle up we gonna ride

From the Flathead to the Bitterroots

We’ll cut a circle to find

That dogie layin’ long

When dusk fades dark

We’ll sing a cowboy song

Oh, the sun is on the rise

Eat your beans and put on your boots

Saddle up we gonna ride

From the Flathead to the Bitterroots

We’ll cut a circle to find

That dogie layin’ long

When dusk fades dark

We’ll sing a cowboy song

When dusk fades to dark

We’ll sing a cowboy song

Every mornin we wake

To find more mystery

In the bones we pick

Past destiny

More and more things

Cloudin’ our brain

Makin more rumors

Like coffee stain

And ugly looks good

In a sea of shame

Like a bad penny

In a numbers game

Playing the odds

Of beauty or beast

With a crystal ball

Blessed by a priest

Oh easy ain’t so easy

Oh free me from me

More and more light

Into our eyes

With the color blue

And petty lies

Maybe what’s more

Is less and less

Givin’ the truth

A new address

Maybe the right

Is staring us down

As we’re tied tight

To the merry go round

Breath in deep

As the crow flies

Exhale slow

Losing all ties

Oh easy ain’t so easy

Oh free me from me

Those fears, they’ve got you, by the throat

Those tears, release yourself, don’t choke

The walls are down

Purge the sins

Give the light

Where love begins

Climb the clouds

Make a sun rise

No more a slave

To material’s prize

Unlock the wish

With a new key

To find the peace

And simplicity

Freedom is work

To lessons learned

Face the mirror

And feel the burn

Oh easy ain’t so easy

Oh free me from me

Oh easy ain’t so easy

Oh free me from me

Eighth floor, downtown south

Sat on the couch

Told my story

Twenty-eight years gone so slow

Nowhere to go

All for family

Mistakes were made, hidden in the dark

Where do I start

From a place called lonely

Balloons for birthdays

Books at bedtime

Pigtails in the mirror

Practice at nine

Everything’s ok

Perfect and fine

I’m runnin on the wheel

I’m walkin’ a fine line

There was always that time that it wasn’t enough

Not enough stuff

From all up to down

Makin the rounds, talk was cheap

Never too deep

Hear the silent sounds

Starved for touch, so confused

How do I use

The sadness found

Candles for cakes

Swimmin’ at the pool

Sleep over tonight

Piano after school

Everything’s ok

Perfect and fine

I’m runnin on the wheel

I’m walkin’ a fine line

Further apart, it began to grow

Hitting new lows

All Around all success

Beginning to find the reasons why

Maybe I can try

To find more with less

Crossing lines with similar ways

Listening pays

When you must confess

Another class trip

A new prom dress

Learner’s permits

Bedrooms all a mess

Everything’s ok

Perfect and fine

I’m runnin’ on the wheel

I’m walkin’ a fine line

Eighth floor, downtown south

Sat on the couch

That’s my story

Twenty-eight years, now in the past

Gone so fast

Found my family

Blood lines, makin’ me whole

More to my soul

Living truthfully

Caps, gowns, and tassels

Traveling abroad

Acceptance with no hassles

Grad school on board

Everything’s ok

Perfect and fine

I’m standin’ on the wheel

No more a fine line

Well there’s only one place

Where her worries wash away

South of the border

Where tequila is made

That sun, sand and surf

She can’t get it off her mind

It’s always in Mexico

Day dreamin’ all the time

Now tucked away in Tulum

She found a little beach

Where the turtles swim around

And the palm trees reach

Out over the waves

That wash her footprints away

That’s one marguerita down

And one on the way

Mexico day dreamin’

It just takes her so far away

Mexico day dreamin’

Turns all her work right into play

There’s that memory from Cabo

That she can’t forget

The sangria was flowin’

And their eyes met

The lazy lights were draped over

That old town square

Dancin’ to mariachi

Runnin’ her hands through his hair

Mexico day dreamin’

It’s just reelin’ her all the way in

Mexico day dreamin’

Where all her feelins’ start to begin

Down in Puerto Vallarta

Where the sunsets are long

She was sippin on a pina colada

Beachcombin’ along

The starry night took over

Around the cozy camp fire

And her guitar startin’ strummin’

Singin’ songs about desire

Mexico day dreamin’

It just takes her to that special place

Mexico day dreamin’

Where all her troubles seem to erase

In San Miguel de Allende

Where the light meets the stone

There’s a little hacienda

Where she can be alone

The oil meets the canvas

While sippin’ tempranillo

And all the colors blend together

In that land called Mexico

Mexico day dreamin’

She can’t ever ever get enough

Mexico day dreamin’

It just fills her up with so much love

Mexico day dreamin’

It just takes her so far away

Well there's a pretty little face

In a far away place

Where I wanna be

There's a certain type of girl

In some other world

That I gotta make see

Well I'm a crazy kinda guy

I don't really know why

But I'll see it through

To the other end

And back again

There's no gettin over you

It's about she and me

Even though we ain't free

We can be lost

Lost in destiny

Lost in destiny

Well she's sittin' over there

Pretendin' I don't care

But the eyes know differently

I walk on by
With a winkin' eye

And we meet secretly

It's about she and me

Even though we ain't free

We can be lost

Lost in destiny

Lost in destiny

I don't want the sun, the moon or the stars

Just you, your smile where ever you are

Lets run to a place we call home

Eyes that meet, never alone

Well your busy days

And my past ways

Can't keep us apart

And the sugar that you give

And the way that you live

Makes such a sweet start

It's about she and me

Even though we ain't free

We can be lost

Oh lost

It's about she and me

Even though we ain't free

We can be lost

Lost, oh lost in destiny

Lost in destiny

Lost in destiny

I don't want the sun, the moon or the stars

Lost in destiny

Just you, your smile where ever you are

Lost in destiny

Lets run to a place we call home

Lost in destiny

Eyes that meet, never alone

There’s a place

Where we were

Not long ago

There’s a place

It was hard

But it didn’t show

Back and forth

Tug and pull

Trying to make it right

Giving so much

But along every night

Then we met

It was odd

It took by surprise

For we could see

Something sad

Behind our smiling eyes

There was no control

In the midst

Of our complicated lives

There was no regret

As time reversed

Love dying on the vine

Together at last

Loneliness lost

Freedom from the past

Worth the cost

No more running fast

Our lines are forever crossed

The road was long

Time was slow

But we made the climb

To finding truth

And putting lies

Behind us in time

And no one knew

How really deep

The true love grew

It didn’t matter

It only changed

Our lines crossing to

Together at last

Loneliness lost

Freedom from the past

Worth the cost

No more running fast

Our lines are forever crossed

Lost in time

Where is the finish line?

Can we find

Those crossing lines?

Those crossing lines?

We had to step

Off the cliff

Of a broken past

Create a place

A new home

For the love to last

And every day

Every second

We share our eyes

Gives us hope

That we will never

Start asking each other why

Together at last

Loneliness lost

Freedom from the past

Worth the cost

No more running fast

Our lines are forever crossed

When Spring did come, it was only for some
Locked behind bars, speaking of kingdom come
Take out your paper and pen, write to everyone
Fill in the margins ‘till thy work is done

Oh the masked man made his plea, a call for unity
But the sinner who walks to see, listen here he
It's an inescapable network of mutuality
Tide to a single garment called destiny

Oh open the letter of love
Dance in the jubilee
Rising from Birmingham
The cries of destiny

The search for one cause to oppose a civil pause
Unjust unheard, right and wrong laws
Tom you made your case of showing their flaws
And the quiet in his cell made his hands raw

Oh open the letter of love
Dance in the jubilee
Rising form Birmingham
The cries of destiny

Oh silence inside
Words fly by you
Oh voices outside
Words buy into the truth

Why we can't wait to feed the flicker of fate
Charging up and down, selling more hate
A shallow understanding of people of good will
Is a force to be reckoned with even still

Oh open the letter of love
Dance in the jubilee
Rising form Birmingham
The cries of destiny

Oh open the letter of love
Dance in the jubilee
Rising form Birmingham
The cries of destiny

Met her on a business trip

In one of those Carolinas

She had on the pretty lipstick

That made my jets fly higher

Seemed to be so much chemistry

In that luxury hotel

And the gaps in reality

Led to some show and tell

There was a fancy dinner that night

And the crickets were chirpin’ just right

She said “Hold me, I’m cold.”

Then she told me

She’s got a 3-year-old

She’s got baggage

She’s got baggage

Well just like most guys go

I weren’t thinkin’ with my head

All those curves and that special hairdo

Led us straight to bed

There was so much electricity

In that big ‘ole marble bath

And the gas fireplace intensity

Well, you can do the math

And the gin and tonics don’t help

Because I should have felt

A stop with a big ‘ole skid

When she told me

She had three more kids

She’s got baggage

She’s got baggage

The tryst came to a close

And we said our goodbye’s

But texting is easy ya know

And she wasn’t very shy

I didn’t always answer

But she was a good sport

And I finally flew into meet her

In her hometown airport

Well, we swerved off the street

As I wrastled that kid’s car seat

Off came the clothes

Then I felt

A cold dog’s nose

She’s got baggage

She’s got baggage

Well I know what ya’ll are thinkin’

Your silence is speakin’

Run away, run fast

It ain’t gonna really last

She’s got baggage

She’s got baggage

Well there’s somethin’ about it all

That I couldn’t put my finger on

And that cold water in the shower stall

Made it linger on

Her eyes began to work

In very mysterious ways

The trance from that flirt

Turned my reptile brain to haze

I should’ve knew it from the damn start

That love ain’t very smart

My heart began to fall

For Julie

Baggage and all

She’s got baggage

She’s got baggage

I’ve got baggage

I got baggage

We’ve got baggage