Ol' catfish in the lake we called him Big Jim

When I was a kid my only wish ws to get my line in him

Skipped church one Sunday rowed out and throw'd in my line

Jim took that hook pole and me right over the side

Went driftin' down past old tires and rusty cans of beer

The angel of the lake whispered in my ear

"Before you choose your wish son

You better think first With every wish there comes a curse."

I fell in love with beautiful Doreen

She was the prettiest thing this old town'd ever seen

I courted her and I made her mine

But I grew jealous whenever another man'd

Come walkin' down the line

And my jealousy made me treat her hard and cruel

She sighed, "Bobby oh Bobby you're such a fool.

Don't you know before you choose your wish

You'd better think first 'Cause with every wish there comes a curse."

These days I sit around and laugh

At the many rivers I've crossed

But on the far banks there's always another forest

Where a man can get lost

Well there in the high trees love's bluebird glides

Guiding us 'cross to another river on the other side

And there someone is waitin' with a look in her eyes

And though my heart's grown weary

And more than a little bit shy

Tonight I'll drink from her waters to quench my thirst

And leave the angels to worry With every wish there comes a curse.

(Bruce Springsteen/Roy Bittan)

Well I've been a losin' gambler

Just throwin' snake eyes

Love ain't got me downhearted

I know up around the corner lies

My fool's paradise In just another roll of the dice

All my elevens and sevens been comin' up

Sixes and nines

But since I fell for you baby

Been comin' on changin' times

They're waitin' over the rise

Just another roll of the dice

I've stumbled and I know I made my mistakes

But tonight I'm gonna be playin' for all of the stakes

Well it's never too late so come on girl

The tables are waiting

You and me and lady luck well tonight

We'll be celebrating

Drinkin' champagne on ice

In just another roll of the dice

High-rollers lay down your bets and

I'll raise 'em Well I know the odds ain't in my favor

Maybe I'm just a clown throwin' down Lookin' to come up busted

I'm a thief in the house of love

And I can't be trusted

Well I'll be makin' my heist In just another roll of the dice

Just another roll of the dice

Move on up

Come on seven

Roll me baby

In this fool's heaven.

Mister Trouble come walkin' this way
Year gone by feels like one long day
But I'm alive and I'm feelin' all right
Well I run that hard road outta heartbreak city
Built a roadside carnival out of hurt and self-pity
It was all wrong well now I'm moving on

Ain't no church bells ringing
Ain't no flags unfurled
It's just me and you and the love we're bringing
Into the real world
Into the real world

I built a shrine in my heart it wasn't pretty to see
Made out of fool's gold memory and tears cried
Now I'm headin' over the rise
I'm searchin' for one clear moment of love and truth
I still got a little faith
But what I need is some proof tonight
I'm lookin' for it in your eyes

Ain't no church bells ringing
Ain't no flags unfurled
Just me and you and the faith we're bringing
Into the real world
Into the real world

Well tonight I just wanna shout
I feel my soul waist deep and sinkin'
Into this black river of doubt
I just wanna rise and walk along the riverside
And when the morning comes baby I don't wanna hide
I'll stand right at your side with my arms open wide

Well tonight I just wanna shout
I feel my soul waist deep and sinkin'
Into this black river of doubt
I just wanna rise and walk along the riverside
'Til the morning comes
I'll stand right by your side

I wanna find some answers I wanna ask for some help
I'm tired of running scared
Baby let's get our bags packed
We'll take it here to hell and heaven and back
And if love is hopeless hopeless at best
Come on put on your party dress it's ours tonight
And we're goin' with the tumblin' dice

Ain't no church bells ringing
Ain't no flags unfurled
It's just me and you and the hope we're bringing
Into the real world
Well into the real world
Oh into the real world.

(Bruce Springsteen/Roy Bittan)
 

Said you'd give me just a little kiss

And you'd rock me for a little while

Well you'd slip me just a piece of it

Listen up little child

I Want it all or nothin' at all

I Want it all or nothin' at all

Said you'd take me for a little dance

If you had a little time on your hands

Well all I do is push and shove

Just to get a little piece of your love

I want it all or nothin' at all

I want it all or nothin' at all

Well now I don't wanna be greedy

But when it comes to love there ain't no doubt

You just ain't gonna get what you want

With one foot in bed and one foot out

You got to give it all or nothin' at all

All or nothin' at all

Now I only got a little time

So if you're gonna change your mind

Then shout out what you're thinkin' of

If what you're thinkin' of is love

I want it all or nothin' at all

I want it all or nothin' at all

I want to have it all or nothin' at all

I want it all or nothin' at all

I want it all or nothin' at all

I want to give it all or nothin' at all.

Well you can go out with him

Play with all of his toys

But takin' care of you darlin'

Ain't for one of the boys

Oh there's somethin' in your soul

That he's gonna rob

And lovin' you baby lovin' you darlin'

Lovin' you woman is a man's man's job

Lovin' you's a man's job baby

Lovin' you's a man's job

Lovin' you's a man's job baby

Lovin' you's a man's job

Well now his kisses may thrill

Those other girls that he likes

But when it comes to treatin'

A real woman right

Well of all of his tricks

No they won't be enough

'Cause lovin' you baby lovin' you woman

Lovin' you darlin' is a man's man's job

Lovin' you's a man's job baby

Lovin' you's a man's job

Lovin' you's a man's job baby

Lovin' you's a man's job

You're dancin' with him he's holding you tight

I'm standing here waitin' to catch your eye

Your hand's on his neck as the music sways

All my illusions slip away

Now if you're lookin' for a hero

Someone to save the day

Well darlin' my feet

They're made of clay

But I've got something in my soul

And I wanna give it up

But gettin' up the nerve

Gettin' up the nerve

Gettin' up the nerve is a man's man's job

Lovin' you's a man's job baby

Lovin' you's a man's job

Lovin' you's a man's job woman

Lovin' you's a man's job.

Took my baby to a picture show

Found a seat in the back row

Sound came up lights went down

Rambo he was blowin' 'em down

I don't need no gun in my fist baby

All I need is your sweet kiss

To get me feelin' like a real man

Feelin' like a real man

Well you can beat on your chest

Hell any monkey can

But you got me feelin' like a real man

Oh feelin' like a real man

Me and my girl Saturday night

Late movie on channel five

The girls were droppin' they're droppin' like flies

To some smooth talkin' cool walkin' private eye

I ain't got no nerves of steel

But all I got to know is if your love is real

To get me feelin' like a real man

Oh feelin' like a real man

Well you can beat on your chest

Hell any monkey can

But you got me feelin' like a real man

Oh feelin' like a real man

I ain't no fighter that's easy to see

And as a lover I ain't goin' down in history

But when the lights go down and you pull me close

Well I look in your eyes and there's one thing I know

Baby I'll be tough enough

If I can find the guts to give you all my love

Then I'll be feelin' like a real man

Feelin' like a real man

Well you can beat on your chest

Hell any monkey can

You got me feelin' like a real man

Oh feelin' like a real man

Yeah I beem feelin' like a real man

Feelin' like a real man.

Pony boy pony boy

Won't you be my pony boy

Giddy-up giddy-up giddy-up whoa

My pony boy

Ride with me ride with me

Won't you take a ride with me

Underneath the starry sky

My pony boy

O'er the hills and through the trees

We'll go ridin' you and me

Giddy-up giddy-up giddy-away

My pony boy

Down into the valley deep

'Neath the eaves we will sleep

Sky of dreams up above

My pony boy.

(Trad./Arr. Bruce Springsteen)