The Highwomen - The Highwomen Album Lyrics

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Highwomen

I was a Highwoman
And a mother from my youth
For my children I did what I had to do
My family left Honduras when they killed the Sandinistas
We followed a coyote through the dust of Mexico
Every one of them except for me survived
And I am still alive

I was a healer
I was gifted as a girl
I laid hands upon the world
Someone saw me sleeping naked in the noon sun
I heard "witchcraft" in the whispers and I knew my time had come
The bastards hung me at the Salem gallows hill
But I am living still

I was a freedom rider
When we thought the South had won
Virginia in the spring of '61
I sat down on the Greyhound that was bound for Mississippi
My mother asked me if that ride was worth my life
And when the shots rang out I never heard the sound
But I am still around

And I'll take that ride again
And again
And again
And again
And again

I was a preacher
My heart broke for all the world
But teaching was unrighteous for a girl
In the summer I was baptized in the mighty Colorado
In the winter I heard the hounds and I knew I had been found
And in my Savior's name, I laid my weapons down
But I am still around

We are The Highwomen
Singing stories still untold
We carry the sons you can only hold
We are the daughters of the silent generations
You sent our hearts to die alone in foreign nations
It may return to us as tiny drops of rain
But we will still remain

And we'll come back again and again and again
And again and again
We'll come back again and again and again
And again and again

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Redesigning Women

Full time living on a half time schedule
Always tryna make everybody feel special
Learning when to brake and when to hit the pedal
Working hard to look good 'til we die

A critical reason there's a population
Raising our brows at a new generation
Rosie the Riveter with renovations
And always gets better with wine

Redesigning women
Running the world while we're cleaning up the kitchen
Making bank, shaking hands, driving 80
Tryna get home just to feed the baby
Skipping the bread for the butter
Changing our minds like we change our hair color
Yeah, ever since the beginning
We've been redesigning women

Pulling up the floors and changing out the curtains
Some of us are saints and some of us are surgeons
Made in God's image, just a better version
And breaking every jello mold

And when we love someone we take 'em to Heaven
And if the shoe fits, we're gonna buy 11
How'd we get it done? We like to keep 'em guessing
But secretly we all know

Redesigning women
Running the world while we're cleaning up the kitchen
Making bank, shaking hands, driving 80
Tryna get home just to feed the baby
Skipping the bread for the butter
Changing our minds like we change our hair color
Yeah, ever since the beginning
We've been redesigning women

How do we do it? How do we do it?
Making it up as we go along
How do we do it? How do we do it?
Half way right and half way wrong

Redesigning women
Running the world while we're cleaning up the kitchen
Making bank, shaking hands, driving 80
Tryna get home just to feed the baby
Skipping the bread for the butter
Changing our minds like we change our hair color
Yeah, ever since the beginning
We've been redesigning women

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Loose Change

I remember the night when I caught your eye
Nothing but good fortune
Nothing but good times
Seems lately even love has lost its shine
Used to make me feel like a million bucks
And now you got me feeling like

Loose change
I ain't worth a thing to you
Loose change
You don't see my value
I'm gonna be somebody's lucky penny someday
Instead of rollin' 'round in your pocket like loose change

Right now, I could be finally settin' sail
See the Seven Wonders
Wondering why the hell
I keep on setting myself up to fail
Stuck inside this game with you
Flipping heads or tails

Loose change
I ain't worth a thing to you
Loose change
You don't see my value
I'm gonna be somebody's lucky penny someday
Instead of rollin' 'round in your pocket like loose change

Well, love is not supposed to be
Played like Monopoly
Be careful where you're tossing me
'Cause I'll be rolling away

Like loose change
I ain't worth a thing to you
Loose change
You don't see my value
I'm gonna be somebody's lucky penny someday
Instead of rollin' 'round in your pocket like loose change

I'm fallin' out of your pocket like loose change

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Crowded Table

You can hold my hand
When you need to let go
I can be your mountain
When you're feeling valley-low
I can be your streetlight
Showing you the way home
You can hold my hand
When you need to let go

I want a house with a crowded table
And a place by the fire for everyone
Let us take on the world while we're young and able
And bring us back together when the day is done

If we want a garden
We're gonna have to sow the seed
Plant a little happiness
Let the roots run deep
If it's love that we give
Then it's love that we reap
If we want a garden
We're gonna have to sow the seed

Yeah I want a house with a crowded table
And a place by the fire for everyone
Let us take on the world while we're young and able
And bring us back together when the day is done

The door is always open
Your picture's on my wall
Everyone's a little broken
And everyone belongs
Yeah, everyone belongs

I want a house with a crowded table
And a place by the fire for everyone
Let us take on the world while we're young and able
And bring us back together when the day is done
And bring us back together when the day is done

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My Name Can't Be Mama

Things are gettin' better but right now it's not looking great
My ceiling still is spinning from a night that went too late
I used to sleep this off and let the shame just melt away
But not for tiny feet in hallways calling out my name

It's not that I don't love you, I wouldn't touch the hands of time
It's not that I don't long to feel your tiny hand in mine
I'm not a perfect woman, Lord, I don't wish it all away
My name can't be Mama today

Today I didn't listen to the voice inside my head
I peeled out of the driveway left my family in bed
Know it wouldn't be easier to just quit the road and stay home
I'd lose myself inside the halls, unsatisfied and alone

Sometimes all I want is to run back to you at night
To rock you to sleep, to keep the blues out of your eyes
I'm not the kind of woman that would throw it all away
But my name can't be Mama today

I drive my mother crazy out here traveling the world
Free-wheeling in the city, I'm a solitary girl
I'm living in the moment, knowing there might come a day
But my name can't be Mama today, uh-uh

It's not that I don't want to, I just don't want to today
I'm not a fan of mornings and I love my chardonnay
No, I'm not saying never, I won't wish it all away
But my name can't be Mama today, oh no
My name can't be Mama today

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If She Ever Leaves Me

I see you watch her from across the room
Dancing her home in your mind
Well, it takes more than whiskey to make that flower bloom
By the third drink you'll find out she's mine

I've loved her in secret
I've loved her out loud
The sky hasn't always been blue
It might last forever
Or it might not work out
If she ever leaves me, it won't be for you

She loves Wild Horses and Tumbling Dice
She don't have a single tattoo
She'll drink all the liquor and leave you the ice
That's too much cologne, she likes perfume

I've loved her in secret
I've loved her out loud
The sky hasn't always been blue
And it might last forever
Or it might not work out
If she ever leaves me, it won't be for you

If she ever leaves, it's gonna be for a woman with more time
Who's not afraid to let her dreams come true
If she ever gives her careful heart to somebody new
Well, it won't be for a cowboy like you

Hey, I've loved her in secret
I've loved her out loud
The sky hasn't always been blue
It might last forever
Or it might not work out
If she ever leaves me, it won't be for you
If she ever leaves me, it won't be for you

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Old Soul

Weight of the world on these small shoulders
Beyond my years is where I like to stand
My crazy chapter was already over
Before it began

I listen to vinyl for the scratches
I find myself in other people's shoes
I fix my mama's problems like a habit
And Daddy's too

Oh to be a wild child for a day
All the promises I've ever kept
I'd line 'em up to break
Oh to be a dancer on the edge
I'd rip the filter from my mouth
And all my cigarettes
But I know I won't
I guess I was born an old soul
Old soul, ooh

I'll be the first to toast and throw confetti
And break the champagne bottle with a sword
And when the party's over, I'll be ready
To sweep the floor

I don't fall in love every other minute
I don't mind it taking its sweet time
I just know I'll know it when I see a
Soul like mine

Oh to be a wild child for a day
All the promises I've ever kept
I'd line 'em up to break
Oh to be a dancer on the edge
I'd rip the filter from my mouth
And all my cigarettes
But I know I won't
I guess I was born an old soul
Old soul
Old soul, old soul

It's fine to dream
But I don't need

Oh to be a wild child for a day
The promises I've ever kept
I'd line 'em up to break
Oh to be a dancer on the edge
I'd rip the filter from my mouth
And all my cigarettes
But I know I won't
But thank God I was born an old soul
Old soul

Old soul, old soul
Old soul, ooh
Hey, old soul
Old soul
Hey
Hey, hey, yeah
Ah, old soul, old soul, hey
Mmm
Ooh

Hey

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Don't Call Me

You get yourself in another one of your binds
Run for help, yell for someone, pray for a sign
Dial 9-1-1, light a roadside flare, up and run
I don't care, just don't, don't call me

If your truck breaks down, if it all falls apart
Leave it on the shoulder, just get out, take a walk
If your shoes hurt your feet, take 'em off, probably do you some good
Hell maybe a lot, just don't, don't call me

Oh, don't, don't call me
With another of your emergencies
Didn't you say you outgrew me?
When you chose to up and leave, but don't call me

You wake up, angel, in the linen she used to fold
Even if my line is the only number you know
You gotta figure it out on your own
Used up your favors a long time ago, so don't, don't call me

Oh, don't, don't call me
With another of your emergencies
Didn't you say you outgrew me?
When you chose to up and leave, don't call me
(Oh no you don't)

Oh, don't, don't call me
With another of your emergencies
Didn't you say you outgrew me?
When you chose to up and leave, don't call me

(Whoa, you don't call me)
Try sortin' it out yourself
(Don't call me)
Pick up a book and get self help
(Don't call me)
1-800 go to hell, there's always been someone else (don't call me)
You can lean on your other ex, I know ya'll still text (no, no, no, don't call me)
Call your mom, she'll fix your mess (don't call me, don't call me)
Call you doctor, your lawyer, if you can afford one (don't call me, you don't call me, don't call me)
Lose my number, don't call Brandy (don't call me)
And don't call me

Call your spiritual guider, Buddha maybe (don't call me)
Your tattoo artist
Somebody else can get this party started

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My Only Child

I know you wish
You had a brother who had blue eyes just like you
I know you wish
You had a sister you could tell your secrets to
Maybe we'll miss
Having four sets of china on the table
But I guarantee you this
You mean more to me than branches to a maple

Pink painted walls
Your face in my locket
Your daddy and me
Your tiny back pocket
Mama's first love
Last of my kind
You'll always be my only child

Well I can't let go
Of watercolor memories that you made me
And I'm holding on
To the innocence of tea parties and daydreams

Pink painted walls
Your face in my locket
Your daddy and me
Your tiny back pocket
Mama's first love
Last of my kind
You'll always be my only child

Someday your wish
Will come true when your first baby's born
And you'll cherish every kiss
And wonder how you could love something more

Pink painted walls
Your face in my locket
Your daddy and me
Your tiny back pocket
Mama's first love
The last of my kind
You'll always be my only child (child)
My only child (my only child)
My only child (child)
My only child (my only child)

I know you wish
You had a brother who had blue eyes just like you

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Heaven Is A Honky Tonk

Ooh ooh, ooh ooh, ooh oh oh

All my heroes are going to heaven
All the junkies and the liars and the fools
All good-timin' men will leave their voices on the wind
It's a kindness we cannot repay to them

There's a choir singing in a southern accent, a fiddle in the band
There's a "Hallelujah!" on the lips of every dying man
Mama, don't you cry when they're dead and gone
Jesus, he loves his sinners and heaven is a honky tonk
Ooh ooh, ooh ooh, ooh oh oh

I won't say their names
They've been said enough in vain
Just the memory and the thousand years of smiles
The lines around your eyes
Tell me you're not far behind
But I can see the livin' free was worth the while

There's a choir singin' in a southern accent, a fiddle in the band
There's a "Hallelujah!" on the lips of every dying man
Mama, don't you cry when they're dead and gone
Jesus, he loves his sinners and heaven is a honky tonk
Ooh ooh, ooh ooh, ooh oh oh

Happiness, they say is a jukebox that always plays
And a lonesome heart ain't lonely anymore
Every soul that dare passed on is now covered in neon
They dance with silver wings on wooden floors

There's a choir singin' in a southern accent, a fiddle in the band
There's a "Hallelujah!" on the lips of every dying man
Mama, don't you cry when they're dead and gone
Jesus, he loves his sinners and heaven is a honky tonk
Ooh ooh, ooh ooh, ooh oh oh

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Cocktail And A Song

Daddy passed me his bottle of tequila
Said, "Time's running out
We're gonna have to pretend it's a margarita
It's the order of things, it's the way it goes
Don't you look at me, girl, like I'm already gone"

The day is close, it won't be long
Couple of cocktails and a song
And don't you let me see you cry
Don't you go grieving
Not before I'm gone

He had his lighter on a leash
And menthols in his shirt pocket
Said, "I'm going up with the smoke
There's no doin' anything to stop it
So take a deep breath
Quit with the countdown
You've always been your daddy's girl
Nothing's gonna change that now"

The day is close, it won't be long
Couple of cocktails and a song
And don't you let me see you cry
Don't you go grieving
Not before I'm gone

And then he stared down at his shoes
Through the pink begonia's blue
Said, "Daddy, all I want is your silver belt buckle
And maybe your black Stetson hat"
And both of us laughed about that

The day is close, no it won't be long
Couple of cocktails and a song
Don't you let me see you cry
Don't you go grieving
Not before I die

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Wheels of Laredo

(originally by Tanya Tucker)

On a winter night in Webb County, Texas
On the north bank of the mighty Rio Grande
I was watching the jungle fires a-burnin'
Across the border of a not-so-distant land

And the echoes of the church bells that were swingin'
Could be heard from Guadalupe Market Square
There was a girl down there in the south side of the river
She had feathers tied into her long black hair

And if I was I was White-Crowned Sparrow
Well I would float upon the southern skies of blue
But I'm stuck inside the wheels of Laredo
Wishing I was rolling back to you

I put on my favorite jacket for Jamboozie
I painted up my eyes and wore my beads
There was a band playing "To God Be the Glory"
There were people dancing all around the street

There were barrels on the sidewalk that were burning
And a fortune-teller readin' people's hands
And I swear, I heard those church bells ringing
'Cross the border of a not-so-distant land

Singing, if I was White-Crowned Sparrow
Well I would float upon the southern skies of blue
But I'm stuck inside the wheels of Laredo
Wishing I was rolling back to you

If I was White-Crowned Sparrow
Well I would float upon the southern skies of blue
But I'm stuck inside the wheels of Laredo
Wishing I was rolling back to you

I'm stuck inside the wheels of Laredo
Wishing I was rolling back to you
Wish I was rolling back, back to you
Wish I was rolling back to you
Wish I was rolling back to you