I'm A Free Man Tonight
Chorus:
I’m a free man tonight
It’s right there in black and white
I’m a free man
I’m a free man
Well I killed a man, and I raped his daughter
An open and shut case of premeditated slaughter
Well, I know it ain’t justice and I know it ain’t right, but…
Chorus
They caught me red handed with blood on my clothes
Just where it came from, everybody knows
(Alternate verse)
They caught me red handed with a smoking .44
Then somebody hit me from behind and the through me to the floor
The cops they roughed me up and they grabbed me by the hair
They said, “You just get one phone call, better make it Dial A Prayer”
Well, I was just shaking, shaking in my shoes
Bad news
Didn’t know what I was gonna do
Figured I’d just call out for pizza or something
I called me a lawyer just as quick as it could be
And he got me off on a technicality
So I changed my name and I try to move around
Just protection from the vigilantes who are still trying to track me down
And it feels so good to be living in the land of the free
Copyright 1983 by Frank J. Bengier Jr.
I Need You Now
I was thinking about you last night
You were moving softly, softly through the darkness
I didn’t want to leave you, didn’t want to go
So, I fell asleep in your arms
And the way that you held me, held me ‘till the dawn
I woke up to remember you were gone
Chorus:
Oh, I need you now
Oh, I need you now
Oh, I need you now
I need you now
Oh, I need you now to take my hand and walk beside me
Let your presence surround me like the wind
Now, I walk the days alone
Though I feel you kiss me
I know your thoughts are with me
As the breeze rests gently, gently on my cheek
Copyright 1993 by Frank J. Bengier Jr.
In The Next Life
They were there before dawn
Beyond the river of time we were on
Overseers of our fate
Sent me too soon, and you too late
Chorus:
In the next life, maybe in the next life
In the next life, Maira
In the next life, baby in the next life
In the next life, oh Maira
So much light is in your eyes
Now in darkness, my heart dies
But it goes on bruised and torn
Until together, we are reborn
Chorus
There are two sides to dawn
One is light and one is darkness gone
And so we start to understand
One teaches us while one cuts the strand to…
Chorus
Copyright 1997 by Frank J. Bengier Jr.
It Isn't Enough
She opens up a mirror to check her eyes
But, you know they’re still blue
Until later tonight when she cries
All over you, ‘cause…
Chorus:
It isn’t enough
It isn’t enough for you
It isn’t enough
It isn’t enough for you
It isn’t enough
It isn’t enough for you
It isn’t enough
It isn’t enough for you
The light is hopelessly lost in her hair
It falls drunken to the floor
And she can’t find a reason to care
You take everything and more, but…
Chorus
Seven times, she counted them all
She didn’t do so well
Just twelve steps, but it hurts when she falls
Into seven days of hell, when…
Chorus
Copyright 1996 by Frank J. Bengier Jr.
I Understand You
You and I, we are like wine
Pressed from the grapes of that vast rocky hillside struggling to survive
We’ve been through some hard times
Rain not for months and then, floods that tear your heart from the earth
Some days were so dark, I photosynthesized only in my dreams
Chorus:
It was up to me (I understand you)
Likely to commit the sins you tell
I understand you well
Pausing at the flame (I understand you)
Staring at the mirror of your hell
I understand you well
Step across the line into a world where saving grace doesn’t matter
Only in your mind
I’ll be waiting there too under a needle-blanket of time
I’ll save room for you
Chorus:
Crossing a narrow line (I understand you)
Throwing away the promises you sell
I understand you well
Cut from a different vine (I understand you)
Waiting for dawn, I’m thinking of you now
I understand you well
As the sun starts to break, I can see the dew like tears on your face
Moving high above the leas, you know the day holds no guarantees
Chorus:
Lean into the wind (I understand you)
You can feel it
I understand you well
Portrait of the self (I understand you)
Framed in branches
I understand you well
Copyright 1995 by Frank J. Bengier Jr.
I Want The Way You Used To Be Back
It used to be so easy, I never had to try
And when I said I love you, I didn’t have to lie
You used to touch my shoulders
Now, I don’t know where to start
And when you wrote me letters, you touched my heart
Chorus:
I want the way you used to be back
When love was free
I want the way you used to be back with me
There wasn’t any distance when you were away
And when we were together, it was to stay
But something came between us
What we couldn’t see
And changed the whole direction of you and me
Chorus
I want you more than ever
Not thinking of today
I’m living in our past now anyway
I want the way you used to be back
I want the way you used to be back
I want the way you used to be back
I want the way you used to be back
Repeat Chorus
Copyright 2015 by Frank J. Bengier Jr.
I Want To Know You
I want to know you
Like the sunlight knows the day
Like the children know their play
Like the leader knows the way
I want to know you
I want to know you
I want to know you
Like the river knows the sea
Like the lock knows the key
Like the flower knows the bee
I want to know you
I want to know you
Chorus:
I want to know you for the rest of our lives
I want to know you until the end of time
I want to know you
Like the postman knows the mail
Like the hiker knows the trail
Like the wind knows the sail
I want to know you
I want to know you
I want to know you
Like the loser knows the gain
Like the rider knows the mane
Like the singer the refrain
I want to know you
I want to know you
Chorus
I want to know you
Like the water knows the well
Like the oyster knows the shell
Like the ringing knows the bell
I want to know you
I want to know you
I want to know you
Like the lightning knows the rain
Like the brakeman knows the train
Like the pleasure knows the pain
I want to know you
I want to know you
Like the laughter knows the cry
Like the mountains know the high
Like the greeting the goodbye
I want to know you
I want to know you
Copyright 1987 by Frank J. Bengier Jr.
Long Drive
Have you ever been on that long one-way drive
I don’t know how it happened, you were with me yesterday
I turned my back and then I felt your presence slip away
Now the guilt is coming down like the hammer of a gun
All the things I should have said, all the things we should have done
Chorus:
It’s 2 a.m. and I feel you close to me
I hear your voice and it’s telling me
I must be strong
Have you ever been on that long one-way drive
You used to fill my heart with love, you used to fill my heart with bliss
Now, you’re gone and in your place is just emptiness
I can’t spend my whole life dreaming of what just might have been
But there will be a place inside me for when we meet again
Chorus:
It’s 2 a.m. and I feel you next to me
I hear your voice and it’s telling me
I must go on
Have you ever been on that long one-way drive
To bury your dead when in your heart they’re still alive
I can’t go on, I can’t go on, I can’t go on, I can’t go on
Chorus:
It’s 2 a.m. and I feel you close to me
I hear your voice and it’s telling me
I must be strong
Have you ever been on that long one-way drive
To bury your dreams
When in your heart, they’re still alive
When in your heart, they’re still alive
When in your heart, they’re still alive
I must go on, I will survive
Copyright 1993 by Frank J. Bengier Jr.
Lord's Prayer (In Polish)
Ojcze nasz ktorys’ jest w
Niebei swiecie immie twoje
Przyc krolestwo twoje
Przyc krolestwo twoje
Ojcze nasz Badc wola twojo
Niebie swiecie Jako w niebie
Przyc krolestwo twoje
Tak i na ziemi
Ojcze nasz chleba naszego
Niebie swiecie powszedniego
Daj nam dzisiaj
Daj nam dzisiaj
Ojcze nasz A odpusc nam
Niebie swiecie nasze winy
Przyc krolestwo twoje
Przyc krolestwo twoje
Ojcze nasz Our Father in heaven
Sends his blessings for these two
Ojcze nasz Our Father in heaven
Sends his blessings for these two
Give us this day
Give us this day
Give us this day
Ojcze nasz Jako i my
Nievie swiecie odpusczamy
Naszym vinowajcom
Naszym vinowajcom
Ojcze nasz Nie wodz nas
Niebie swiecie Na Pokuszenie
Ale nas zvaw od zwego
Ale nas Amen
Ale nas zvaw od zwego
Ale nas Amen
Give us this day
Give us this day
Give us this day
Copyright 1992 by Frank J. Bengier Jr.
Lord’s Prayer (Phonetic Arrangement for Weddings)
Oychay nosh tury shiev
Niebya shvienkshay imya toya
Sheeshkra left fa foya
Sheeshkra left fa foya
(Tenors) (Alto, Soprano)
Oychay nosh bonch balla toya
niebya shvienshe yakov niebyea
(All)
Sheeshkra left fa foya
Ta kee najeemee
Oychay nosh lebenna shaygo
Niebya shvienkshe povf shad niago
Die nom geeshay
Die nom geeshay
(Tenors) (Alto, Soprano)
Oychay nosh Ah, ot pooshnom
niebya shvienkshe nosha veenee
(All)
Sheeshkra left fa foya
Sheeshkra left fa foya
(Tenors) (Alto, Sopranos)
Oychay nosh Our Father in heaven sends his blessings for these two
Oychay nosh Our Father in heaven sends his blessings for these two
(All)
Give us this day
Give us this day
Give us this day
Oychay nosh yako eenee
Niebya shvienkshe ot pooshchamee
Noshem veeno viedsom
Noshem veeno viedsom
(Tenors) (Alto, Sopranos)
Oychay nosh Inyeboejnouse
Niebya shvienkshe Napaco sheenye
(All)
Alanas sbav asuago
Alanas Amen
Alanas sbav asuago
Alanas Amen
Give us this day
Give us this day
Give us this day
Copyright 1992 by Frank J. Bengier Jr.
Meet Me At The Door
I watch the way you move when you're out on the floor
I like the way you move me, and I'd like it some more if you’d...
Chorus:
Meet me at the door
And don't say you've heard that line before
What's your sign? Your place or mine?
I can't tell, but you sure look familiar to me
Let's go walk and small talk
And I'll know you more than you know me
More than you know me
I noticed you when you first lighted up this room
Like a hundred stars under a full moon
And I can't tell you how long I've waited for this night
My horoscope said it would be alright if you’d...
Chorus
When the night is over, we'll live ever after
Just like the Gypsy lady said,
"I see treasures for you and a long lifeline”
Lots of miracles ahead if you...
Chorus
...and I'll love you more than you love me
More than you love me
Copyright © 2003 by Frank Bengier
Never Say Goodbye
I don’t want to leave you
But I know that I can’t stay
It seems like all my dreams have left me
They could be living in L.A.
Somehow I know that if I try
I’ll catch up with them someday
I don’t want to leave here
But there’s so much more to see
And I don’t want to leave here
As long as you are here with me
I always break the ties that bind
But I’m never really free
I don’t want to leave you
But, you know I’ve got to run
Don’t know where I’d be without you
Don’t know what I would’ve done
I’d probably be out there on the road
Just following the sun
The morning star is just a jet plane
And it’s burning across the sky
The night before was just a daydream
Just a daydream or a lie
I can’t believe that it’s all gone
or that we’ll never say goodbye
Copyright 1985 by Frank J. Bengier Jr.
One Step Closer To Losing You
How long can I stay on one chord
How long ‘till I have to be free
How long can I stay with one girl
How long can she stay with me
I get the feeling I’m…
Chorus:
One step closer to losing you
Closer to moving on
Just one step closer to losing you
When all of this is gone, this is gone
I’m going to the fires of Ixtlan
I’m going to run with the bulls
And this time, I won’t need a Gatling
To liberate this house of fools
‘Cause I’m…
Chorus
Now, I find myself in an alley
I’m laying face up and it’s starting to rain
I don’t know just how I got here
But I must have had one hell of a time
‘Cause I’m…
Chorus
Repeat Chorus
Copyright 2000 by Frank J. Bengier Jr.
Over
She walked into her room and closed the blinds
Had to keep the light away
She could still hear the cars roll by
She could feel the sunny day
She pulled her pillow over her head
But, she could still hear every word he said
She reached out and turned off the phone
There was nothing more to say
A siren tore through the distance
Taking someone far away
She pulled her covers over her eyes
And she cried because everything good dies
I’m sorry and
You take my hand
I understand
I guess it’s over again
As all the normal faces sleep
And darkness fills the air
She moves by a streetlamp
Safe from the lonely silence there
And the hum of electric lights dim
She searches for a space somewhere within
Don’t understand
Don’t take my hand
No goodbye kiss
It don’t get anymore over than this
Copyright 1995 by Frank J. Bengier Jr.
Russian Vodka
I drink my Russian vodka
And then I try to see
Why are we so different?
Are they the same as you and me
The rock ‘n roll station gets interference
When I drive by the Soviet Embassy
Electronic surveillance
They’re gonna find out about me
I drink my Russian vodka
And watch them on T.V.
Yeah, they’re all just prisoners
But is anyone really free
Now, intelligence is sweating
Trying to break the code
And me, I just drank too much vodka
I’m lying in the road
Someday, I’m going to get up
And move away from here
Someplace where you don’t have to live
In a constant state of fear
Now I drink my Russian vodka
And then I try to see
I drink my Russian vodka
And then I try to see
Copyright 1985 by Frank J. Bengier Jr.
Save Yourself
Surround yourself with prisoners
And you will be set free
Lay down before a pirate’s door
And you may find the key
Right through an iron door crawl down the road to fortune
It shows a side of you
A side that like the light of a full moon
You may not want to know
Chorus:
All there is
And it never can get you by
All there is
Is just too much for you
Save yourself
And you’re given another problem
Take a stand
It means nothing to you
Someone has to tell you how the work is done
Another one gives it to me
I can tell your mind is wondering
It’s plain for all to see
Through the revolving door crawl down the road to fortune
It shows a side of you
The side that like the light on the water
May not make it through
Chorus:
Forget all your understanding of this world
You can leave your captive dreams at the door
Around you now, the walls are crumbling
But you want it even more
Through an open door, walk down the road to freedom
It shows a side of you
Decide that by the time you find a reason
You may not want to know
Chorus
Copyright 2003 by Frank J. Bengier Jr.
.
Shelter
Another grain upon the beach
Another star that’s out of reach
Another heart that never heals
Another touch that never feels
And with the darkness coming on
Closed the door and I was gone
And I can’t go home so
Chorus:
Please send me shelter
Please send me shelter
Reaching for the setting sun
I don’t know what I’ve become
Feel a shadow ‘cross my hand
There’s a coldness where I stand
I hear the knock upon the door
I see your body on the floor
And I can’t take it anymore so
Chorus
Another day that isn’t light
Another war that isn’t worth the fight
And I don’t know how I go on
When it seems like everything is gone
And there’s a cloud that’s over me
There’s something out there, there’s got to be
Oh, set me free and
Chorus
Copyright 1988 by Frank J. Bengier and Hans Rider
Sleepy Train
In the morning after I rise
I go back to bed and close my eyes
My mama told me every day
Son, you’re gonna sleep your life away
I knew deep down that she was right
So, one day I slipped out in the night
Some folks they carry a heavy load
Me, I skip on down a country road
Chorus:
Now, the only job I’ll ever hold
Is to ride a freight train ‘till I’m old
Now, you’d think this noise would bother me
But, I go on sleeping like a tree
The rails my pillow rumble under me
I’m sawing logs as loud as I am free
Chorus
I woke up as the sun was going down
Got off to see a one horse town
Well I saw it, saw it painted red
Found an old tree stump to lay my head
Well you know it’s hard to sleep in
When you’re outside over again
And they say that it might be a sin
Instead of sheep to count glasses of gin
Chorus
Copyright 1998 by Frank J. Bengier Jr.
Slipping Away
I’ve got memories that I don’t want to face
Maybe someday, I won’t have to
Some leave scars, others not a trace
Some may even be about you
Chorus:
Slowly they are slipping away
Slipping away
Slowly they are slipping away
Slipping away
And I’ve got friends that I see all the time
I’ve got others that are gone now
Sometimes I think as I’m driving down this road
Maybe it’s time that I move on now
Chorus
And I reach for one I thought would always be there
Our time together fades with the day
But, I know somewhere on the air
Somewhere past the horizon
As she sinks deep into the earth
Somewhere else, she is rising
Chorus
Copyright 2000 by Frank J. Bengier Jr.
Sneak Out In The Night
You came to me
Called yourself a friend
Said that you would be around
Until the bitter end
But, when the darkness
Fell on my world
Where were you?
You must have snuck out in the night tim
e
Someday girl, maybe you will find
You’re gonna need someone
To help you out of a bind
When you wonder
Just where everybody’s gone
Don’t look at me now baby
I’m gonna sneak out in the night time
Just like you, sneak out in the night
Just like you did to me
Copyright 1985 by Frank J. Bengier Jr.
Stay Awake With Me
Until I get myself away
Why don’t you find a place in your heart
In your heart to make
I was trying to get by
But now I’ve given up every hope
Of making those feelings die
I’m going to give to you
They want to take
They’re all on the make
They want to sleep with you
That’s their mistake
‘Cause I want to keep you awake
Chorus:
Stay awake, awake with me
And I’ll always do you right
Stay awake, awake with me
And we’ll go all through the night
When the lightning streaks the sky
You see how fast it’s gone, this moment on
Don’t let it pass you by
For all the secrets that we kept
Just think how many times in that bed
We might have never slept
I’m going to give to you
They want to take
They’re all on the make
They want to sleep with you
That’s their mistake
‘Cause I want to keep you awake
Chorus
For all the secrets that we kept
Just think how many times in that bed
We might have never slept
And while they try to sleep with you
I want to stay awake every night
In the daytime, too
Chorus
Copyright 2007 by Frank J. Bengier Jr.