Go west
Paradise is there
You'll have all that you can eat
Of milk and honey over there
You'll be the brightest star
The world has ever seen
Sun-baked slender heroine
Of film and magazine
Go west
Paradise is there
You'll have all that you can eat
Of milk and honey over there
You'll be the brightest light
The world has ever seen
The dizzy height of a jet-set life
You could never dream
Your pale blue eyes
Strawberry hair
Lips so sweet
Skin so fair
Your future bright
Beyond compare
It's rags to riches
Over there
San Andreas Fault
Moved it's fingers
Through the ground
Earth divided
Plates collided
Such an awful sound
San Andreas Fault
Moved its fingers
Through the ground
Terra cotta shattered
And walls came
Tumbling down
O promised land
O wicked ground
Build a dream
Tear it down
O promised land
What a wicked ground
Build a dream
Watch it fall down
Natalie Merchant - Tigerlily Album Lyrics
Natalie Merchant - Tigerlily Lyrics
Writer: NATALIE A MERCHANT
Copyright: Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Copyright: Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Wonder
Doctors have come from distant cities, just to see me
Stand over my bed, disbelieving what they're seeing
They say I must be one of the wonders
Of God's own creation
And as far as they see, they can offer
No explanation
Newspapers ask intimate questions, want confessions
They reach into my head to steal, the glory of my story
They say I must be one of the wonders
Of God's own creation
And as far as they see, they can offer
No explanation
Ooo, I believe, fate smiled
And destiny laughed as you came to my cradle
Know this child will be able
Laughed as my body she lifted
Know this child will be gifted
With love, with patience, and with faith
She'll make her way, she'll make her way
People see me I'm a challenge to your balance
I'm over your heads how I confound you
And astound you
To know I must be one of the wonders
God's own creation
And as far as they see, they can offer
Me no explanation
Ooo, I believe, fate smiled
And destiny laughed as she came to my cradle
Know this child will be able
Laughed as she came to my mother
Know this child will not suffer
Laughed as my body she lifted
Know this child will be gifted
With love, with patience and with faith
She'll make her way, she'll make her way
She'll make her way, she'll make her way
Stand over my bed, disbelieving what they're seeing
They say I must be one of the wonders
Of God's own creation
And as far as they see, they can offer
No explanation
Newspapers ask intimate questions, want confessions
They reach into my head to steal, the glory of my story
They say I must be one of the wonders
Of God's own creation
And as far as they see, they can offer
No explanation
Ooo, I believe, fate smiled
And destiny laughed as you came to my cradle
Know this child will be able
Laughed as my body she lifted
Know this child will be gifted
With love, with patience, and with faith
She'll make her way, she'll make her way
People see me I'm a challenge to your balance
I'm over your heads how I confound you
And astound you
To know I must be one of the wonders
God's own creation
And as far as they see, they can offer
Me no explanation
Ooo, I believe, fate smiled
And destiny laughed as she came to my cradle
Know this child will be able
Laughed as she came to my mother
Know this child will not suffer
Laughed as my body she lifted
Know this child will be gifted
With love, with patience and with faith
She'll make her way, she'll make her way
She'll make her way, she'll make her way
Writer: NATALIE A MERCHANT
Copyright: Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Copyright: Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Beloved Wife
You were the love
For certain of my life
You were simply my beloved wife
I don't know for certain
How I'll live my life
Now alone without my beloved wife
My beloved wife
I can't believe
I've lost the very best of me
You were the love
For certain of my life
You were simply my beloved wife
I don't know for certain
How I'll live my life
Now alone without my beloved wife
My beloved wife
I can't believe
I've lost the very best of me
You were the love
For certain of my life
For 50 years simply my beloved wife
With another love I'll never lye again
It's you I can't deny
It's you I can't defy
A depth so deep
Into my grief
Without my beloved soul
I renounce my life
As my right
Now alone without my beloved wife
My beloved wife
My beloved wife
My love is gone she suffered long
In hours of pain
My love is gone
Now my suffering begins
My love is gone
Would it be wrong if I should
Surrender all the joy in my life
Go with her tonight?
My love is gone she suffered long
In hours of pain
My love is gone
Would it be wrong if I should
Just turn my face away from the light
Go with her tonight?
For certain of my life
You were simply my beloved wife
I don't know for certain
How I'll live my life
Now alone without my beloved wife
My beloved wife
I can't believe
I've lost the very best of me
You were the love
For certain of my life
You were simply my beloved wife
I don't know for certain
How I'll live my life
Now alone without my beloved wife
My beloved wife
I can't believe
I've lost the very best of me
You were the love
For certain of my life
For 50 years simply my beloved wife
With another love I'll never lye again
It's you I can't deny
It's you I can't defy
A depth so deep
Into my grief
Without my beloved soul
I renounce my life
As my right
Now alone without my beloved wife
My beloved wife
My beloved wife
My love is gone she suffered long
In hours of pain
My love is gone
Now my suffering begins
My love is gone
Would it be wrong if I should
Surrender all the joy in my life
Go with her tonight?
My love is gone she suffered long
In hours of pain
My love is gone
Would it be wrong if I should
Just turn my face away from the light
Go with her tonight?
Writer: NATALIE A MERCHANT
Copyright: Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Copyright: Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
River
Young & strong Hollywood son
In the early morning light
This star fell down
On Sunset Boulevard
Young & strong beautiful one
One that we embraced so close
Is gone
Was torn away
Let the youth of America mourn
Include him in their prayers
Let his image linger on
Repeat it everywhere
With candles with flowers
He was one of ours
One of ours
Why don't you let him be?
He's gone
We know
Give his mother & father peace
Your vulture's candor
Your casual slander
Will murder his memory
He's gone
We know
And it's nothing but a tragedy
Lay to rest your soul and body
Lay beside your name
Lay to rest your rage
Your hunger and amazing grace
With candles, with flowers
You were one of ours
One of ours
I saw cameras expose your life
I heard rumors explode with lies
I saw children with tears
Cry and crowd around the sight
Of where you had collapsed that day
Where your last breath & word
Had been sighed
Where your heart had burst
Where you had died
I saw how they were lost in grieving
All half-believing you were gone
The loss and pain of it
Crime and the shame of it
You were gone
It was such a nightmare raving,
"how could we save him
From himself?"
In the early morning light
This star fell down
On Sunset Boulevard
Young & strong beautiful one
One that we embraced so close
Is gone
Was torn away
Let the youth of America mourn
Include him in their prayers
Let his image linger on
Repeat it everywhere
With candles with flowers
He was one of ours
One of ours
Why don't you let him be?
He's gone
We know
Give his mother & father peace
Your vulture's candor
Your casual slander
Will murder his memory
He's gone
We know
And it's nothing but a tragedy
Lay to rest your soul and body
Lay beside your name
Lay to rest your rage
Your hunger and amazing grace
With candles, with flowers
You were one of ours
One of ours
I saw cameras expose your life
I heard rumors explode with lies
I saw children with tears
Cry and crowd around the sight
Of where you had collapsed that day
Where your last breath & word
Had been sighed
Where your heart had burst
Where you had died
I saw how they were lost in grieving
All half-believing you were gone
The loss and pain of it
Crime and the shame of it
You were gone
It was such a nightmare raving,
"how could we save him
From himself?"
Writer: NATALIE A MERCHANT
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Carnival
I've walked these streets
A virtual stage
It seemed to me
Make up on their faces
Actors took their
Places next to me
I've walked these streets
In a carnival
Of sights to see
All the cheap thrill seekers
The vendors & the dealers
They crowded around me
Have I been blind
Have I been lost
Inside myself and
My own mind
Hypnotized
Mesmerized
By what my eyes have seen?
I've walked these streets
In a spectacle of wealth & poverty
In the diamond market
The scarlet welcome carpet
That they just rolled out for me
I've walked these streets
In the mad house asylum
They can be
Where a wild eyed misfit prophet
On a traffic island stopped
And he raved of saving me
Have I been blind
Have I been lost
Inside myself and
My own mind
Hypnotized
Mesmerized
By what my eyes have seen?
Have I been wrong
Have I been wise
To shut my eyes
And play along
Hypnotized
Paralyzed
By what my eyes have found
By what my eyes have seen
What they have seen?
Have I been blind
Have I been lost
Have I been wrong
Have I been wise
Have I been strong
Have I been
Hypnotized
Mesmerized
By what my eyes have found
In that great street carnival
In that carnival?
A virtual stage
It seemed to me
Make up on their faces
Actors took their
Places next to me
I've walked these streets
In a carnival
Of sights to see
All the cheap thrill seekers
The vendors & the dealers
They crowded around me
Have I been blind
Have I been lost
Inside myself and
My own mind
Hypnotized
Mesmerized
By what my eyes have seen?
I've walked these streets
In a spectacle of wealth & poverty
In the diamond market
The scarlet welcome carpet
That they just rolled out for me
I've walked these streets
In the mad house asylum
They can be
Where a wild eyed misfit prophet
On a traffic island stopped
And he raved of saving me
Have I been blind
Have I been lost
Inside myself and
My own mind
Hypnotized
Mesmerized
By what my eyes have seen?
Have I been wrong
Have I been wise
To shut my eyes
And play along
Hypnotized
Paralyzed
By what my eyes have found
By what my eyes have seen
What they have seen?
Have I been blind
Have I been lost
Have I been wrong
Have I been wise
Have I been strong
Have I been
Hypnotized
Mesmerized
By what my eyes have found
In that great street carnival
In that carnival?
Writer: PETER ANDERS SVENSSON, MAGNUS SVENINGSSON, NINA PERSSON
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
I May Know The Word
I may know the word
But not say it
I may know the truth
But not face
I may hear a sound
A whisper, sacred & profound
But turn my head
Indifferent
I may know the word
But not say it
I may love the fruit
But not taste it
I may know the way
To comfort & to soothe
A worried face
But fold my hands
Indifferent
If I'm on my knees
I'm begging now
If I'm on my knees
Groping in the dark
I'd be praying for deliverance
From the night into the day
But it's all gray here
It's all gray to me
I may know the word
But not say it
This may be the time
But I might waste it
This may be the hour
Something move me
Someone prove me wrong
Before night comes
With indifference
If I'm on my knees
I'm begging now
If I'm on my knees
Groping in the dark
I'd be praying for deliverance
From the night into the day
But it's all gray here
But it's all gray to me
I recognize the walls inside
I recognize them all
I've paced between them
Chasing demons down
Until they fall
In fitful sleep
Enough to keep their strength
Enough to crawl
Into my head
With tangled threads
They riddle me to solve
Again & again & again
But not say it
I may know the truth
But not face
I may hear a sound
A whisper, sacred & profound
But turn my head
Indifferent
I may know the word
But not say it
I may love the fruit
But not taste it
I may know the way
To comfort & to soothe
A worried face
But fold my hands
Indifferent
If I'm on my knees
I'm begging now
If I'm on my knees
Groping in the dark
I'd be praying for deliverance
From the night into the day
But it's all gray here
It's all gray to me
I may know the word
But not say it
This may be the time
But I might waste it
This may be the hour
Something move me
Someone prove me wrong
Before night comes
With indifference
If I'm on my knees
I'm begging now
If I'm on my knees
Groping in the dark
I'd be praying for deliverance
From the night into the day
But it's all gray here
But it's all gray to me
I recognize the walls inside
I recognize them all
I've paced between them
Chasing demons down
Until they fall
In fitful sleep
Enough to keep their strength
Enough to crawl
Into my head
With tangled threads
They riddle me to solve
Again & again & again
Writer: DAVID ANTHONY VINER
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
The Letter
If I ever write this letter
The pages I could write
But I don't know where to send it
You have vanished
Heaven knows where you live
Heaven only knows
If I ever write this letter
Bitter words it would contain
Just an unrequited lover
Wishing she had never
Spoken your name
Had never known your name
But if I write this letter
The truth it would reveal
Knowing you brought me pleasure
How often I'll treasure
Moments that we knew
The precious and the few
The pages I could write
But I don't know where to send it
You have vanished
Heaven knows where you live
Heaven only knows
If I ever write this letter
Bitter words it would contain
Just an unrequited lover
Wishing she had never
Spoken your name
Had never known your name
But if I write this letter
The truth it would reveal
Knowing you brought me pleasure
How often I'll treasure
Moments that we knew
The precious and the few
Writer: NATALIE A MERCHANT
Copyright: Lyrics © NETTWERK MUSIC GROUP
Copyright: Lyrics © NETTWERK MUSIC GROUP
Cowboy Romance
It's a Saturday afternoon romance
Between a cowboy and a fool...
A drunken meet up
In a crude saloon
A poor rocky mountain town
He's a scoundrel and
She's no pearl
Together they are two lovers cruel
Got her balanced on his knee
He knows exactly what to say
"you ain't been born
'til you get out of town
And honey, you might come with me
If you do . . .
I'll spare the innocent ones
And take you with me
Together we will be drifters free"
Got her tangled in his arms
She's a lusting, trusting fool
"there's no man born that can rule me
And that I've sworn
But stranger if you do
I'll belong to you
If you do . . . would you spare the innocent ones
And take me with you?
Can't you love the land
And love me too?"
As he grows sober
Sees his love anew
In the morning light so true
He gets on the move...
On the move
Between a cowboy and a fool...
A drunken meet up
In a crude saloon
A poor rocky mountain town
He's a scoundrel and
She's no pearl
Together they are two lovers cruel
Got her balanced on his knee
He knows exactly what to say
"you ain't been born
'til you get out of town
And honey, you might come with me
If you do . . .
I'll spare the innocent ones
And take you with me
Together we will be drifters free"
Got her tangled in his arms
She's a lusting, trusting fool
"there's no man born that can rule me
And that I've sworn
But stranger if you do
I'll belong to you
If you do . . . would you spare the innocent ones
And take me with you?
Can't you love the land
And love me too?"
As he grows sober
Sees his love anew
In the morning light so true
He gets on the move...
On the move
Writer: Natalie Merchant
Copyright: Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Copyright: Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Jealousy
Doctors have come from distant cities, just to see me
Stand over my bed, disbelieving what they're seeing
They say I must be one of the wonders
Of God's own creation
And as far as they see, they can offer
No explanation
Newspapers ask intimate questions, want confessions
They reach into my head to steal, the glory of my story
They say I must be one of the wonders
Of God's own creation
And as far as they see, they can offer
No explanation
Ooo, I believe, fate, fate smiled
And destiny laughed as she came to my cradle
Know this child will be able
Laughed as my body she lifted
Know this child will be gifted
With love, with patience, and with faith
She'll make her way, she'll make her way
People see me I'm a challenge to your balance
I'm over your heads how I confound you
And astound you
To know I must be one of the wonders
They say I must be one of the wonders
Of God's own creation
And as far as they see, they can offer
No explanation
Ooo, I believe, fate, fate smiled
And destiny laughed as she came to my cradle
Know this child will be able
Laughed as she came to my mother
Know this child will not suffer
Laughed as my body she lifted
Know this child will be gifted
With love, with patience and with faith
She'll make her way, she'll make her way
Stand over my bed, disbelieving what they're seeing
They say I must be one of the wonders
Of God's own creation
And as far as they see, they can offer
No explanation
Newspapers ask intimate questions, want confessions
They reach into my head to steal, the glory of my story
They say I must be one of the wonders
Of God's own creation
And as far as they see, they can offer
No explanation
Ooo, I believe, fate, fate smiled
And destiny laughed as she came to my cradle
Know this child will be able
Laughed as my body she lifted
Know this child will be gifted
With love, with patience, and with faith
She'll make her way, she'll make her way
People see me I'm a challenge to your balance
I'm over your heads how I confound you
And astound you
To know I must be one of the wonders
They say I must be one of the wonders
Of God's own creation
And as far as they see, they can offer
No explanation
Ooo, I believe, fate, fate smiled
And destiny laughed as she came to my cradle
Know this child will be able
Laughed as she came to my mother
Know this child will not suffer
Laughed as my body she lifted
Know this child will be gifted
With love, with patience and with faith
She'll make her way, she'll make her way
Writer: NATALIE A MERCHANT
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Where I Go
Climbing under
A barbed wire fence
By the railroad ties
Climbing over
The old stone wall
I'm bound for the riverside
Well, I go over to the river
To soothe my mind
To ponder over
The crazy days of my life
Just sit and watch the river flow
Find a place
On the riverbank
Where the green rushes grow
See the wind
In the willow tree
In the branches hanging low
Well, I go to the river
To soothe my mind
To ponder over
The crazy days of my life
Watch the river flow
Ease my mind and soul
Where I go
Well I will go to the river
From time to time
Wander over
These crazy days in my mind
Watch the river flow
Where the willow branches grow
By the cool rolling waters
Moving gracefully and slow
O, child it's lovely
Let the river take it all away
The mad pace and the hurry
The troubles and the worries
Just let the river take them all away
Flow away
A barbed wire fence
By the railroad ties
Climbing over
The old stone wall
I'm bound for the riverside
Well, I go over to the river
To soothe my mind
To ponder over
The crazy days of my life
Just sit and watch the river flow
Find a place
On the riverbank
Where the green rushes grow
See the wind
In the willow tree
In the branches hanging low
Well, I go to the river
To soothe my mind
To ponder over
The crazy days of my life
Watch the river flow
Ease my mind and soul
Where I go
Well I will go to the river
From time to time
Wander over
These crazy days in my mind
Watch the river flow
Where the willow branches grow
By the cool rolling waters
Moving gracefully and slow
O, child it's lovely
Let the river take it all away
The mad pace and the hurry
The troubles and the worries
Just let the river take them all away
Flow away
Writer: TRADITIONAL
Copyright: Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Copyright: Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Seven Years
How did I love you?
There was no measuring
Far above this dirty world
Far above everything
In your tower over it
You were clean
So warm and insightful
Were you in my eyes
I was sure the rightful
Guardian of my life
Damn you betrayer
How you lied
But for seven years
You were loved
I laid golden orchid crowns
Around you feet
For seven years
I bowed down
To touch the ground
So wholly your devotee
You were
All that I could see
I've got my sight now
I see everything you hid
So don't you try to right now
All the wrong you did
I might forget you
But not forgive
But for seven years
You were loved
I laid golden orchid crowns
Around your feet
For seven years
I bowed down
To touch the ground
So wholly your devotee
For seven years
You were so revered
I made offerings of
Anything and everything I had
You were
All that I could see
There was no measuring
Far above this dirty world
Far above everything
In your tower over it
You were clean
So warm and insightful
Were you in my eyes
I was sure the rightful
Guardian of my life
Damn you betrayer
How you lied
But for seven years
You were loved
I laid golden orchid crowns
Around you feet
For seven years
I bowed down
To touch the ground
So wholly your devotee
You were
All that I could see
I've got my sight now
I see everything you hid
So don't you try to right now
All the wrong you did
I might forget you
But not forgive
But for seven years
You were loved
I laid golden orchid crowns
Around your feet
For seven years
I bowed down
To touch the ground
So wholly your devotee
For seven years
You were so revered
I made offerings of
Anything and everything I had
You were
All that I could see
Writer: DAVID ANTHONY VINER
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Tigerlily is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Natalie Merchant, released on June 20, 1995, following her departure from the alternative rock band 10,000 Maniacs.
Tigerlily peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard 200 album chart and was certified five-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America in 2001. It contained three singles that charted on the Billboard Hot 100: "Carnival" (No. 10), "Wonder" (No. 20), and "Jealousy" (No. 23).
Performed By:
Natalie MerchantTigerlily peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard 200 album chart and was certified five-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America in 2001. It contained three singles that charted on the Billboard Hot 100: "Carnival" (No. 10), "Wonder" (No. 20), and "Jealousy" (No. 23).
Genre(s): Alternative rock
Producer(s): Natalie Merchant
Released: June 20th, 1995
Year: 1995