The following lyrics are from my new CD, "you only go 'round once."

To hear samples from these songs, click here.

All songs on this page copyright ©2001 - Kate Schuman.
All rights reserved.

To See You

I heard the news down at the store, you're comin' back to town
This can't be good, just when I'm finally settlin' down
I told all my friends not to be worried
I know your bag of tricks and I'm in no hurry
To see you

I hear the phone but I just let it ring, I know it's you
I've come so far, I can't give in, I must stay true
We had a love I'm trying to forget
So even though I'm over you I'm not ready yet
To see you

I feel so helpless as I reach for the phone
I was so sure that I was in control, until

You took hold of my hand as we were walkin'
You know you just started the whole town talkin'
They'll think there's somethin' between you and me
Just because I let it show that I'm happy
To see you.

Make Each Prayer Count

At two a.m., I finally gave up the fight
You've been sleepin' easy while I've lain awake all night
How do you leave your worries and drift in dreamless sleep
While in the darkness I can find no hope that I can keep

I go to the window, maybe the answer's in the sky
But what I've lost is long since gone, not like the tears I cry
Once there was a passion, now there's only pain
My world's become a mountain, so much ground to gain

I know I'm not alone in my sorrow
The greatest promise is held within tomorrow
I will remember love and all that it has given me
And I will make each prayer count
For therein lies the key


No storm, no rain, no lonesome wind, ever tore at me this way
Your love's all that I have left to get me through each day
I'd rather face the raging sea, the mighty fires of hell
If only it would set me free from my heart's prison cell

That's Me In The Middle

Here's an old picture of me and the boys
Standin' by a worn out pickup truck
We'd been out all day, put up twenty-five tons of hay
The July sun had taken its toll, we were drippin' and dog-tired

I'd torn my favorite cotton shirt on that old truck's door
The boys were teasin' me no end
Mama caught it all in this single photograph
A memory with edges, clear now through the tears

Mama's had this picture on her 'fridge since '91
And I see where I wrote on the back
Don't we look like something the cat drug in?
Love, from Sam, and Tom, and that's me in the middle.

We grew up in a muddy little lakeside town
Two bars, four churches, and a picture show
Daddy left a sinner, but Mama never told
The boys and I bore no scars, least none that showed.

Our teenage years were tough on Mom but she laid down the law
And though I was no angel, I think I understood
Both sides of the story, both sides of the fight
And I became the one in the middle

Tommy went on to college
Sam went fishin' at sea
I stayed home, Mom had grown old
She needed me

I cared for her right to the end, she went peacefully
I called the boys, they came right home
We sat out on the back porch, countin' stars and matchin' lies
And grew quiet from time to time

So now we've come full circle as we stand at Mama's grave
I hold on to my brothers, they lean oh so gently on me
It's always been this way, and I hope it always will
Forever, I'm the one in the middle.



Thank God My Mama Loves Me

I can burn water without even tryin'
Be in a tailspin without ever flyin'
Trip over my shadow on a cloudy day
Even when I'm sleepin' I'm in somebody's way
It ain't no use, I got no excuse
Thank God my mama loves me, she's the only one.

I forget the roof leaks until it starts to rain,
I show up at 9 for the 8 o'clock train
My kinda nursin' will make a man sicker
The price goes up as soon as I start to dicker
Ain't no use, I got no excuse
Thank God my mama loves me, she's the only one.

I try and I try to keep my spirits up
But I gotta admit some days it's tough
I say to myself, ìI've got to keep it together.î
When you're as good as me you can only get better.

Whenever I sing my dog begins to howl
I can play the Minute Waltz but it takes me an hour
I sent the winning ticket through the washer and dryer
I'd sell my soul but the devil won't buy ëer
Ain't no use, I got no excuse
Thank God my mama loves me, she's the only one.



Right About Now

Right about now you're walkin' into Murphy's
Slappin' your buddies on the back, callin' for a brew
You won't talk about your day and you won't talk about me
If it ain't good news, it ain't news.

You'll leave the bar with only one beer under your belt
It's just not the same now that he's gone, I miss him too
Right about now you'll turn the car radio on
Tap your fingers on the steering wheel

I miss everything about him
Every line on his face, every hair out of place
Every little detail
I know that you worry about me
And I know I'll be all right
They tell me it gets easier
But right about now I don't know

As soon as you get home you'll take the dogs for a run
A mile at least that's what it takes to settle everyone
It hasn't been easy in this house full of memories
Right about now you'll wonder if you should call me.

Lonesome And Lookin'

I can tell by the way you're lookin' at me
You must've misread my mind
You think I'm thinkin' that you and I
Could be havin' a good ol' time
But you didn't walk in here alone, and even if you had
I'm a woman who can recognize
A good ol' cheatin' man

Don't go givin' up her heart
To make room for mine
'Cause I have no intention
Of fallin' for your line

I've been around this block before
And I know what the street signs read
"Lonesome and Lookin'" so don't bother cookin' up
No lover's lies for me

Someone with a shorter history of love
Might think that you were being sincere
But love is nothing but sport for you
And that's why you're in here
A dance or two, a drink or four
That's what you do best
As long as you play your part just right,
She'll never even guess.



What Am I Gonna Do With You?

It's late at night, but I'm not sleepy
Talkin' for hours, baby I'm weary
You're holdin' my hand, pullin' me near
Oh, what am I gonna do with you?

You whisper to me, "Where've you been all these years?"
And all my resolve magically disappears
You lean over slowly, kiss my ear
Oh, what am I gonna do with you?

I've never known anyone like you
The things that I'm feeling are something brand new
I'd like to take a little more time
Not let my emotions run so wild.

Oh, you're not listenin' to what I'm sayin'
I hate to think of the price I'll be payin'
Your tender touch eases my mind,
Oh, what am I gonna do with you?


My Sweet Tennessee

Poured the last of the coffee down the drain
Wiped the counter and emptied the few ashtrays
Closed and locked the door for one last time
Been workin' here three years, haven't saved a dime
I left home back when I knew it all
Hadn't missed a thing until he called

Down in my sweet Tennessee
There's a lonely boy waiting for me
He wants to take my broken spirit
Mend its wings with his love

I was taken by the sound of his tender voice
We laughed as we recalled forgotten joys
I wonder if we've both been waiting for
Someone we thought we might love even more
I could stay here in this northern town
Never mind that the world keeps turnin' round

Tag: I want to live long, laugh hard,
Love the man who holds my heart


Still On The Chain

Lately you've been hangin' your head down low
You look like you're in some kind of trouble
That woman of yours has been naggin' at you
Always tryin' to pop your bubble
When you gonna get it through your head
She thinks love is some kind of game
You may be out of the dog house
But you're still on the chain

Used to be you two were so happy
Laughin' and lovin' all the time
But now that she's got her hook into you
She's reelin' in the extra line
Every time something goes wrong in her life
She aims her finger of blame
You may be out of the dog house
But you're still on the chain

Looks like she's been at it again
So tell me, what'd you do this time
Was it nothin' again, like it's always been
She's mean with no reason or rhyme.

Well am I gettin' to you, have I made any sense
Or do I have to say it all again?
Even when you're out of the dog house,
That woman's still got you on a chain.


Lonely Starts Right Here


Rumors thrive in a small town
Tales of bitterness and betrayal
Friends caught up in the sorrow and pain
Choose sides or just back away

She was seen around
With a guy in a nearby town
For so long she's been livin' it up
Now she has to live it down

And lonely starts right here
With a whole parade of tears
An orchestra of sighs
And a carnival of lies
Yes, lonely starts right here

As long as no one knew
She thought it would be all right
But she feels the whispers and stares
And it's givin' her sleepless nights

She feels a world of pain
As she watches him fall apart
He gave his all to her and in return
She broke his heart


You're Slippin'

Once upon a time you whistled whenever I wore this fairy tale dress
The look in your eyes told the whole story, boy, you thought I was the best
You used to touch me, squeeze me, and love me
Every chance that you got
But these days no matter what I do you barely give it a thought

I don't know if you're slippin', gettin' lazy after all these years
If you've got a moment, well, I'm sure you could ease my fears
Darlin' don't you know that you're makin' me frantic
Just tell me what you want me to be
No I can't tell if you're just slippin' or
Fallin' out of love with me.

Last week I tried a new hairstyle hopin' that I might catch your eye
I swished my hips, I pouted my lips, but you just walked right by
You're actin' so different, you're not the same man
That hounded me night and day
Baby I can't even pick a fight, it's as if you've got nothin' to say.



Just Between You And Me, Forever

You were nowhere near
And still I felt your lips brush my cheek
I had to close my eyes
And let the moment steep

Passing sighs, longing eyes
Love's light wings of understanding
Without a word, my heart you heard
Whispering within me.

Tu y yo, simpatico

Just between you and me

Forever, I'll see your smile
Feel your hand in mine
In your arms
I found sweet harbor
So let the world rage.

All songs on this page ©2001 - Kate Schuman. All rights reserved.