Who the Hell is Jeff Buckley?

Lyrics


Live At Sin-é

  • Mojo Pin
  • Eternal Life
  • Je N'en Connais Pas La Fin
  • The Way Young Lovers Do

  • Grace

  • Mojo Pin
  • Grace
  • Last Goodbye
  • Lilac Wine
  • So Real
  • Hallelujah
  • Lover, You Should've Come Over
  • Corpus Christi Carol
  • Eternal Life
  • Dream Brother

  • Jeff's extracurricular activities

  • Farewell Angelina
  • Jolly Street
  • Such a Long Time (When You've Seen My Face)

  • Some of Jeff's covers

  • Mama, You Been on My Mind
  • I Know It's Over
  • Hymne a l'Amour
  • Kangaroo
  • If You See Her, Say Hello
  • Just Like a Woman

  • Live At Sin-é


    Mojo Pin

    (J. Buckley/G. Lucas)
    I'm lying in my bed
    The blanket is warm
    This body will never be safe from harm
    Still feel your hair, black ribbons of coal
    Touch my skin to keep me whole
    
    If only you'd come back to me
    If you laid at my side
    Wouldn't need no Mojo Pin to keep me satisfied
    
    Don't wanna weep for you, I don't wanna know
    I'm blind and tortured, the white horses flow
    The memories fire, the rhythms fall slow
     Black beauty I love you so
    
    Precious, precious silver and gold and pearls 
     in oyster's flesh
    Drop down we two to serve and pray to love
    Born again from the rhythm screaming down from heaven
    Ageless, ageless and I'm there in your arms
    
    The welts of your scorn, my love, give me more
    Send whips of opinion down my back, give me more
    Well it's you I've waited my life to see
    It's you I've searched so hard for
    


    Eternal Life

    (J. Buckley)
    Eternal Life is now on my trail
    Got my red glitter coffin, man, just need one last nail
    While all these ugly gentlemen play out their foolish games
    There's a flaming red horizon that screams our names
     
    And as your fantasies are broken in two
    Did you really think this bloody road would 
    Pave the way for you?
    You better turn around
     and blow your kiss hello to life eternal, angel
     
    Racist everyman, what have you done?
    Man, you've made a killer of your unborn son...
    Crown my fear your king at the point of a gun
    All I want to do is love everyone...
     
    And as your fantasies are broken in two
    Did you really think this bloody road would 
    Pave the way for you?
    You better turn around 
     and blow your kiss hello to life eternal....
     
    There's no time for hatred, only questions
    What is love, where is happiness, what is Life,
     where is peace?
    When will I find the strength to bring me release?
     
    And tell me where is the love in what your prophet has said?
    Man, It sounds to me just like a prison for the walking dead
    And I've get a message for you and your twisted hell
    You better turn around and blow your kiss goodbye
     to life eternal angel...
    


    Je N'en Connais Pas La Fin

    (R. Asso/M. Monnot)

    (Jeff sings an English translation.)

    Used to know a little square
    So long ago, when I was small
    All summer long it had a fair
    Wonderful fair with swings and all
    I used to love my little fair
    And at the close of everyday
    I could be found, dancing around
    A merry-go that used to play:
    
    "Ah, mon amour
     A toi toujours
     Dans tes grands yeux
     Rien que nous deux"
    
    All summer long my little fair
    Made everyday like a holiday
    Night after night it used to play
    And people came there from so far away
    And everyone sang that little tune
    All around town you heard it played
    Even Pepi from Napoli
    He sang to Marie
    This serenade:
    
    (In concert, Jeff sometimes continues into Hymne a l'Amour)


    Hymne a l'Amour

    (M. Monnot/E. Piaf with English lyrics by G. Parsons)
    If the sun should tumble from the sky
    If the see should suddenly run dry
    If you love me, really love me
    Let it happen darling, I don't care
    
    Shall I catch a shooting star
    Shall I bring it where you are
    If you want me to, I will.
    You can set me any task
    I'll do anything you ask
    If you'll only love me still
    
    When at last, our life on earth is through
    I will spend eternity with you
    If you love me, really love me
    Let it happen darling, I won't care
    
    (Jeff sings parts from two well-known French versions of this song, sometimes in French and sometimes in an English translation.)
    Le ciel bleu sur nous peut s'effondrer
    Et la terre peut bien s'ecrouler
    Peu m'importe, si tu m'aimes,
    Je me moque du monde entier
    
    Tant que l'amour inondra mes matins
    Que mon corps fremira sous tes mains
    Peu m'importent les grands problemes,
    Mon amour puisque tu m'aimes
    
    J'irais jusque au bout du monde,
    Je me ferais teindre en blonde
    Si tu me le demandais
    On peut bien rire de moi
    Je ferais n'importe quoi
    Si tu le me demandais
    
    Nous aurons pour nous l'eternite
    dans le bleu de toute l'immensite
    Dans le ciel plus de problemes
    Dieu reunit ceux qui s'aiment
    
    (and the other version...)
    Le ciel bleu sur nous peut s'effondrer
    Et la terre peut bien s'ecrouler
    Peu m'importe, si tu m'aimes,
    Je me fous du monde entier
    
    Tant que l'amour inondra mes matins
    Tant que mon corps fremira sous tes mains
    Peu m'importent les problemes
    Mon amour puisque tu m'aimes
    
    J'irais jusqu'au bout du monde
    Je me ferais teindre en blonde
    Si tu me le demandais
    J'irais decrocher la lune
    J'irais voler la fortune
    Si tu me le demandais
    
    On peut bien rire de moi
    Je frais n'importe quoi
    Si tu me le demandais
    Je renierais ma patrie
    Je renierais mes amis
    Si tu me le demandais
    
    Si un jour la vie t'arrache a moi
    Si tu meurs, que tu sois loin de moi
    Peu m'importe, si tu m'aime
    Car moi je mourrai aussi
    
    Nous aurons pour nous l'eternite
    Dans le bleu de toute l'immensite
    Dans le ciel, plus de problemes
    Mon amour crois-tu qu'on s'aime?
    Dieu reunit ceux qui s'aiment.
    


    The Way Young Lovers Do

    (V. Morrison)
    We strolled through fields all wet with rain
    And back along the lane again
    They were the sun shine
    In the sweet summertime
    The way that young lovers do
     
    I kissed you on the left once more
    And we said goodbye by the door in the nighttime
    Yeah, that's the right time
    To feel the way that young lovers do
     
    Then we sat on our own star and dreamed of the way that we were and the
    way that we were meant to be
    Then we sat on our own star and dreamed of the way that I was for you
    and you were for me
    And then we danced the night away
    And turned to each other, say, 'I love you, I love you'
    The way that young lovers do
     
    Do, do, do, do...
     
    Then we sat on our star and dreamed of the way that we were and the way
    that we wanted to be
    Then we sat on our own star and dreamed of the way that I was for you
    and you were for me
    I went on to dance the night away
    And turned to each other, say, 'I love you, baby, I love you'
    The way that young lovers do, lovers do, lovers do
     
    Do, do, do, do....
    

    Grace


    Mojo Pin

    (J. Buckley/G. Lucas)
    I'm lying in my bed
    The blanket is warm
    This body will never be safe from harm
    Still feel your hair, black ribbons of coal
    Touch my skin to keep me whole
    
    If only you'd come back to me
    If you laid at my side
    Wouldn't need no Mojo Pin to keep me satisfied
    
    Don't wanna weep for you, I don't wanna know
    I'm blind and tortured, the white horses flow
    The memories fire, the rhythms fall slow
     Black beauty I love you so
    
    Precious, precious silver and gold and pearls 
     in oyster's flesh
    Drop down we two to serve and pray to love
    Born again from the rhythm screaming down from heaven
    Ageless, ageless and I'm there in your arms
    
    The welts of your scorn, my love, give me more
    Send whips of opinion down my back, give me more
    Well it's you I've waited my life to see
    It's you I've searched so hard for
    


    Grace

    (J. Buckley/G. Lucas)
    There's the moon asking to stay
    Long enough for the clouds to fly me away
    Well it's my time coming, I'm not afraid to die
    
    My fading voice sings of love, but she cries to the clicking of time,
    Oh, time.  Wait in the fire...
    
    And she weeps on my arm
    Walking to the bright lights in sorrow
    Oh drink a bit of wine we both might go tomorrow
    Oh my love...
    
    And the rain is falling and I believe my time has come
    It reminds me of the pain I might leave behind... Wait in the fire
    
    And I feel them drown my name
    So easy to know and forget with this kiss
    I'm not afraid to go but it goes so slow...
    


    Last Goodbye

    (J. Buckley)
    This is our last goodbye
    I hate to feel the love between us die
    But it's over
    Just hear this and then I'll go :
     you gave me more to live for,
     more than you'll ever know.
     
    This is our last embrace,
     must I dream and always see your face
    Why can't we overcome this wall
    Baby, maybe it is just because I didn't know you at all.
     
    Kiss me, please,
    Kiss me
    But kiss me out of desire, babe, and not consolation
    You know,
     it makes me so angry 'cause I know that in time
    I'll only make you cry, this is our last goodbye.
     
    Did you say "no, this can't happen to me,"
    and did you rush to the phone to call?
    Was there a voice unkind in the back of your mind saying, 
    "maybe... you didn't know him at all."
     
    Well, the bells out in the church tower chime
    Burning clues into this heart of mine
    Thinking so hard on her soft eyes and the memory 
    Of her sighs that, "it's over... it's over..."
    


    Lilac Wine

    (J. Shelton)
    I lost myself on a cool damp night
    Gave myself in that misty light
    Was hypnotized by a strange delight
    Under a lilac tree
    I made wine from the lilac tree
    Put my heart in its recipe
    It makes me see what I want to see...
     And be what I want to be
    When I think more than I want to think
    Do things I never should do
    I drink much more that I ought to drink
    Because I brings me back you...
     
    Lilac wine is sweet and heady, like my love
    Lilac wine, I feel unsteady, like my love
    Listen to me... I cannot see clearly
    Isn't that she coming to me nearly here?
     
    Lilac wine is sweet and heady where's my love?
    Lilac wine, I feel unsteady, where's my love?
     
    Listen to me, why is everything so hazy?
    Isn't that she, or am I just going crazy, dear?
     
    Lilac Wine, I feel unready for my love...
    


    So Real

    (J. Buckley/M. Tighe)
    Love, let me sleep tonight on you couch
    And remember the smell of the fabric of your simple 
     city dress
     
    Oh... That was so real
     
    We walked around 'til the moon got full like a plate.
    The wind blew an invocation 
    And I fell asleep at the gate
    ... And I never stepped - on - the - cracks - 'cause
        - I - thought - I'd - hurt - my - mother 
    ... And I couldn't awake from the nightmare 
        That sucked me in and pulled me under
        Pulled me under
     
    Oh... That was so real
     
    I love you
    But I'm afraid to love you
    
    I love you
    But I'm afraid to love you...
    


    Hallelujah

    (L. Cohen)
    I heard there was a secret chord
    that David played and it pleased the Lord
    But you don't really care for music, do you 
    Well it goes like this :
    The fourth, the fifth, the minor fall and the major lift
    The baffled king composing Hallelujah
     
    Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah...
     
    Well your faith was strong but you needed proof
    You saw her bathing on the roof
    Her beauty and the moonlight overthrough ya
    She tied you to her kitchen chair
    She broke your throne and she cut your hair
    And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah
     
    Baby I've been here before
    I've seen this room and I've walked this floor
    I used to live alone before I knew ya
    I've seen your flag on the marble arch
    But love is not a victory march
    It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
     
    There was a time when you let me know
    What's really going on below
    But now you never show that to me do ya
    But remember when I moved in you
    And the holy dove was moving too
    And every breath we drew was Hallelujah
     
    Well, maybe there's a God above
    But all I've ever learned from love
    Was how to shoot somebody who outdrew ya
    It's not a cry that you hear at night
    It's not somebody who's seen the light
    It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
     
    Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah...
    


    Lover, You Should've Come Over

    (J. Buckley)
    Looking out the door 
     I see the rain fall upon the funeral mourners
    Parading in a wake of sad relations 
      as their shoes fill up with water
    And maybe I'm too young
    To keep good love from going wrong
    But tonight you're on my mind so
     (you'll never know)
     
    I'm broken down and hungry for your love 
    With no way to feed it
    Where are you tonight? 
     Child, you know how much I need it.
    Too young to hold on 
    And too old to just break free and run
     
    Sometimes a man gets carried away,
    When he feels like he should be having his fun
    And much too blind to see the damage he's done
    Sometimes a man must awake to find that, really,
    He has no-one...
     
    So I'll wait for you... And I'll burn oh
    Will I ever see your sweet return,
     oh/or, will I ever learn?
    Lover, you should've come over
    'Cause it's not too late.
     
    Lonely is the room the bed is made
    The open window lets the rain in
    Burning in the corner is the only one 
     who dreams he had you with him 
    My body turns and yearns for a sleep
     that will never come
    It's never over,
     my kingdom for a kiss upon her shoulder
    It's never over, all my riches for her smiles 
     when I slept so soft against her...
    It's never over,
     all my blood for the sweetness of her laughter
    It's never over, she is the tear
     that hangs inside my soul forever
    Maybe I'm just too young to keep good love
     from going wrong 
    Oh... lover you should've come over...
     'cause it's not too late...
    
    I feel too young to hold on              
     I'm much too old to break free and run
     Too deaf, dumb, and blind
      to see the damage I've done
     Sweet lover, you should've come over
     Oh, love I'm waiting [I waited] for you
     Lover, you should've come over
     Cause it's not too late
    


    Corpus Christi Carol

    (B. Britten)
    He bear her off, he bear her down
    He bear her into an orchard ground
    Lu Li Lu Lay
    Lu Li Lu Lay
    The falcon hath bourne my mate away
    
    And in this orchard there was a hold
    That was hanged with purple and gold
    And in that hold there was a bed
    And it was hanged with gold so red
     
    Lu Li Lu Lay
    Lu Li Lu Lay
    
    On this bed there lyeth a knight
    His wound is bleeding day and night
    By his bedside kneeleth a maid
    And she weepeth both night and day
     
    Lu Li Lu Lay
    Lu Li Lu Lay
    
    By his bedside standeth a stone
    Corpus Christi written thereon
    


    Eternal Life

    (J. Buckley)
    Eternal Life is now on my trail
    Got my red glitter coffin, man, just need one last nail
    While all these ugly gentlemen play out their foolish games
    There's a flaming red horizon that screams our names
     
    And as your fantasies are broken in two
    Did you really think this bloody road would 
    Pave the way for you?
    You better turn around
     and blow your kiss hello to life eternal, angel
     
    Racist everyman, what have you done?
    Man, you've made a killer of your unborn son...
    Crown my fear your king at the point of a gun
    All I want to do is love everyone...
     
    And as your fantasies are broken in two
    Did you really think this bloody road would 
    Pave the way for you?
    You better turn around 
     and blow your kiss hello to life eternal....
     
    There's no time for hatred, only questions
    What is love, where is happiness, what is Life,
     where is peace?
    When will I find the strength to bring me release?
     
    And tell me where is the love in what your prophet has said?
    Man, It sounds to me just like a prison for the walking dead
    And I've get a message for you and your twisted hell
    You better turn around and blow your kiss goodbye
     to life eternal angel...
    


    Dream Brother

    (J. Buckley/M. Grondahl/M. Johnson)
    There is a child sleeping near his twin
    The pictures go wild in a rush of wind
    That dark angel he is shuffling in
    Watching over them with his black feather wings unfurled
     
    The love you lost with her skin so fair
    Is free with the wind in her butterscotch hair
    Her green eyes bloom goodbyes
    With her head in her hands 
     and your kiss on the lips another
    Dream Brother with your tears scattered round the world.
     
    Don't be like the one who made me so old
    Don't be like the one who left behind his name
    'Cause they're waiting for you like I waited for mine
    And nobody ever came...
     
    I feel afraid and I call your name
    I love your voice and your dance insane
    I hear your words and I know your pain
    Your head in your hands and her kiss on the lips of another
    Your eyes to the ground
      and the world spinning round forever
    Asleep in the sand with the ocean washing over...
    


    Jeff's extracurricular activities


    Farewell Angelina

    (B. Dylan)
    From WFMU's 1993 compilation They Came, They Played, They Blocked the Driveway.
    Farewell Angelina
    The bells of the crown
    Are being stolen by bandits
    I must follow the sound
    The triangle tingles
    And the trumpets play slow
    Farewell Angelina
    The sky is on fire
    And I must go.
    
    There's no need for anger
    There's no need for blame
    There's nothing to prove
    Ev'rything's still the same
    Just a table standing empty
    By the edge of the sea
    Farewell Angelina
    The sky is trembling
    And I must leave.
    
    The jacks and the queens
    Have forsaked the courtyard
    Fifty-two gypsies
    Now file past the gaurds
    In the space where the deuce
    And the ace once ran wild
    Farewell Angelina
    The sky is folding
    I'll see you in a while.
    
    See the cross-eyed pirates sitting
    Perched in the sun
    Shooting tin cans
    With a sawed-off shotgun
    And the neighbors they clap
    And they cheer with each blast
    Farewell Angelina
    The sky's changing color
    And I must leave fast.
    
    King Kong, little elves
    On the rooftops they dance
    Valentino-type tangos
    While the make-up man's hands
    Shut the eyes of the dead
    Not to embarrass anyone
    Farewell Angelina
    The sky is embarassed
    And I must be gone.
    
    The machine guns are roaring
    The puppets heave rocks
    The fiends nail time bombs
    To the hands of the clocks
    Call me any name you like
    I will never deny it
    Farewell Angelina
    I must go where it's quiet.
    


    Jolly Street

    (Music by Curtis Fowlkes, Lyrics by Ray Dobbins and Roy Nathanson)
    From the 1994 Jazz Passengers album In Love.
    Slow birds
    No breeze
    Iron hearts
    Rust in streams
    
    Long march
    Small crimes
    Soft words
    W h i s p e r
    It's time to come home - your eyes
    To bring back - your charms
    To sit real still
    In my arms
    
    Clocks tick
    Trees pound
    Lions roar
    On empty streets
    
    Long lists
    In black and white
    (S h h) red words
    That read like the Fourth of July
    You're home
    Uhuh
    You're home
    In my arms
    


    Such a Long Time (When You've Seen My Face)

    (Jeff collaborated on this song, which is mainly written by his friend Chris Dowd - formerly of Fishbone. Jeff performs it in concert, but is not planning to record it.)
    What will you say when you've seen my face?
    It's been such a long time
    And I was just a child then
    What will you say when you've seen my face?
    Time feels like it's flowed away
    The days just passed and faded away
    What will you say when you've seen my face?
    It's funny now
    But I just don't feel like a man
    What will you say when you've seen my face?
    Mother dear, the world's gone cold
    No one cares about love anymore
    What will you say when you seen my face?
    Father do you hear me?
    Do you know it hurts?
    Do you even care?
    What will you say when you've seen my face?
    My heart can't take this anymore
    What will you say when you've seen my face?
    Mother.....
    Father.....
    


    Some of Jeff's covers


    Mama, You Been on My Mind

    (B. Dylan)
    Perhaps it's the color of the sun cut flat
    An' cov'rin' the crossroads I'm standing at,
    Or maybe it's the weather or something like that,
    But mama, you been on my mind.
    
    I don't mean trouble, please don't put me down or get upset,
    I am not pleadin' or sayin', "I can't forget."
    I do not walk the floor bowed down an'bent, but yet,
    Mama, you been on my mind.
    
    Even though my mind is hazy an'my thoughts they might be narrow,
    Where you been don't bother me nor bring me down in sorrow.
    It don't even matter to me where you're wakin' up tomorrow,
    But mama, you're just on my mind.
    
    I am not askin' you to say words like "yes" or "no,"
    Please understand me, I got no place for you t'go.
    I'm just breathin' to myself, pretendin' not that I don't know,
    Mama, you been on my mind.
    
    When you wake up in the mornin', baby, look inside your mirror.
    You know I won't be next to you, you know I won't be near.
    I'd just be curious to know if you can see yourself as clear
    As someone who has had you on his mind.
    


    I Know It's Over

    (Words by Morrissey, Music by Johnny Marr, and originally performed by The Smiths)
    Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
    And as I climb into an empty bed - oh well, enough said
    I know it's over still I cling, I don't know where else I can go
    Over and over.....
    Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
    See the sea wants to take me, the knife wants to slit (cut) me
    Do you think you can help me
    Sad veiled bride please be happy - handsome groom give her room
    Loud loutish lover treat her kindly though she needs you
    More than she loves you - and I know it's over - still I cling
    I don't know where else I can go - over and over.....
    I know it's over and it never really began but in my heart it was so real
    And she even spoke to me and said
    "If you're so funny, then why are you on your own tonight?"
    "And if you're so clever then why are you on your own tonight?"
    "And if you're so very entertaining then why are you on your own tonight?"
    "And if you're so very good looking, then why do you sleep alone tonight?"
    I know - 'cos tonight is just like any other night - that's why you're on 
    your own tonight
    With your triumphs and your charms - while they're in each other's arms
    It's so easy to laugh it's so easy to hate it takes strength to be gentle 
    and kind - over and over....
    It's so easy to laugh it's so easy to hate it takes guts to be gentle and 
    kind - over and over....
    Love is natural and real - but not for you my love not tonight my love
    Love is natural and real - but not for such as you and I my love
    Oh mother... etc.
    


    Kangaroo

    (A. Chilton, but originally performed by Alex Chilton & Big Star)
    I first saw you
    You had on blue jeans
    Your eyes couldn't hide
    Anything
    I saw you leaving, oh
    
    I saw you staring out in space
    
    I next saw you
    You was at the party
    Thought you was a dream
    Oh so flirty
    I came against
    
    Didn't say excuse
    Knew what I was doing
    We looked very fine
    'Cause we were leaving
    
    The same jerk       ?????
    Doing a cool jerk
    Oh, I want you
    Nothing can go wrong
    

    If You See Her, Say Hello

    (B. Dylan)
    If you see her, say hello, she might be in Tangier
    She left here last early spring, is livin' there, I hear
    Say for me that I'm all right though things get kind of slow
    She might think that I've forgotten her, don't tell her it isn't so.
    
    We had a falling-out, like lovers often will
    And to think of how she left that night, it still brings me a chill
    And though our separation, it pierced me to the heart
    She still lives inside of me, we've never been apart.
    
    If you get close to her, kiss her once for me
    I always have respected her for busting out and gettin' free
    Oh, whatever makes her happy, I won't stand in the way
    Though the bitter taste still lingers on from the night I tried to make 
    her stay.
    
    I see a lot of people as I make the rounds
    And I hear her name here and there as I go from town to town
    And I've never gotten used to it, I've just learned to turn it off
    Either I'm too sensitive or else I'm gettin' soft.
    
    Sundown, yellow moon, I replay the past
    I know every scene by heart, they all went by so fast
    If she's passin' back this way, I'm not that hard to find
    Tell her she can look me up if she's got the time.
    

    Just Like a Woman

    (B. Dylan)
    Nobody feels any pain
    Tonight as I stand inside the rain
    Ev'rybody knows
    That Baby's got new clothes
    But lately I see her ribbons and her bows
    Have fallen from her curls.
    She takes just like a woman, yes, she does
    She makes love just like a woman, yes, she does
    And she aches just like a woman
    Buy she breaks just like a little girl.
    
    Queen Mary, she's my friend
    Yes, I believe I'll go see her again
    Nobody has to guess
    That Baby can't be blessed
    Till she sees finally that she's like all the rest
    With her fog, her amphetamine and her pearls.
    She takes just like a woman, yes, she does
    She makes love just like a woman, yes, she does
    And she aches just like a woman
    But she breaks just like a little girl.
    
    It was raining from the first
    And I was dying there of thirst
    So I came in here
    And your long-time curse hurts
    But what's worse
    Is this pain in here
    I can't stay in here
    Ain't it clear that --
    
    I just can't fit
    Yes, I believe it's time for us to quit
    When we meet again
    Introduced as friends
    Please don't let on that you knew me when
    I was hungry and it was your world.
    Ah, you fake just like a woman, yes, you do
    You make love just like a woman, yes, you do
    Then you ache just like a woman
    But you break just like a little girl.