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Stephen Merchant         independent songwriter & recording artist
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Lyrics to From Temperance To Eternity

From Temperance To Eternity
is how I will make my claim
cause you've never seen me
quite as ingenious as I am these days
Careful Temperance, I've got my temper in hand
as I walk like the heroes of my youth
your my angel, out on the street as we
walk along dancin to my radio

From Temperance To Eternity is the last stop on my road
give me your hand let's feel the rhythm as we
tap out the beat but don't let your mother know
(your mother should know)
but don't you think cause we're in Tennessee that
country music must be all there is
From Temperance To Eternity, no more Xs, for me

I got my mind made up
and no one's gonna change it for me now
and even though my blood is confederate
I'd trade my steel guitar for something much louder
now careful Temperance, you've got my heart in your hand
so show me how to move with you
you're still my angel, out on the street as we
pass the time, dancing to my radio
From Temperance To Eternity is the last stop on my road
give me your hand let's feel the rhythm as we
tap out the beat but don't let your mother know
(your mother should know)
but don't you think cause we're in Tennessee that
country music must be all there is
From Temperance To Eternity, no more Xs, for me

And oh I don't know if I can hold down the fort too long
and I sometimes wonder if I, I could have been wrong
if I could have been wrong!

From Temperance To Eternity is the last stop on my road
give me your hand let's feel the rhythm as we
tap out the beat but don't let your mother know
but don't you think cause we're in Tennessee that
country music is all there is
From Temperance To Eternity, no more Xs, for me
oh oh oh, no more Xs, for me
oh oh oh, no more Xs, for me

But don't you think cause we're in Tennessee
that country music, must be all there is
country music, isn't all there is...
in this town


Lyrics to In Exile

Looking back there have been times, I should have seen the light
When all the lies would blind my eyes with doubt
There were times, when the pieces did not fit together right
On the mantle place of my life 

I’ve been a loyal man, I’ve built my home with you 
But I don’t believe, we’re in this alone
And now all I feel, is this lovely parasite,
digging through the marrow of my bones 

And all I want, is you around me dear
And oh, I can see it all so clear

That I’m in Exile, I’ve seen the writing on the wall
But I’ve passed it by, so many times
Though I’m exiled, I can read it all too clear
That I’ve lived my life with all your lies,  so in exile, I hide   

You said you won’t come home till after 10,
You were working late, again and again
I lie awake and wait for you,
and wonder why, I am still true -but
The signs are there right in front of my eyes
I can see straight through your disguise
And I can’t take any more of your lies
I must break all my ties, to you, to you, and be Exiled

I’ve seen the writing on the wall
But I’ve passed it by, so many times
Though I’m exiled, I can read it all too clear
That I’ve lived my life, in all your lies, so in exile, I hide   


Lyrics to Ghosts In The Loft

I could tell my heart would fall far
when she picked up my tab at the bar
there was no trying on this earth
she gave life to my self worth
I was stoned immaculate, in the greatest of her lies..
the greatest of her lies

she was a demon, and I was madly in love with her
down in sweet Alabama, 

on Harper's Lake, where I worked
I know every holiday she calls my name
those are ghosts in the loft, there's a ghost in the loft

there's ghosts in the loft, 

and I'm grateful for what they gave to me
they served my emotions in a delicate dream

and my soul, was penned in a penitentiary
where I sat with my blues and my Robinson Tea
but from Medusa's hair I spun my web


those are ghosts in the loft, there's ghosts in the loft

The night rangers they all speak their mind
you know their love train comes through right on time
Martina she knows just what to bring
cause the streets have chords, and sometimes they'll sing
when innocent criminals blush their eyes
and try to hide a life of lies..
no I'm not disappointed in my lot in life
it's just blood on a knife
those are ghosts in the loft, there's a ghost in the loft

When sparks flew on Main Street,

they were summoning me
cause I was the son of a house that made three
the weekend knows what kind of life
that we saw when we were famous, and when we shined
and I do believe I'll be the first to fall
to hitch my wagon, to walk down the "long hall"
cause in my creators service is where I belong
if I should life so long


there's a ghost in the loft, those are ghosts in the loft

She held a Mona Lisa smile, up to the wall
where my great heros would rise and fall
I believe that is my fondest memory
but now I look up to the wall, but I still can't see
if I should be more grateful for the songs I sing
or for the love I bring..


those are ghosts in the loft, there's a ghost in the loft

Song Lyrics to the Just One More Day (2011) album

Listed here are the songs on the album Just One More Day with the lyrics.  All songs copyrighted through Joseph Hammer Publishing and BMI Music.  All songs written by Stephen Merchant except Loneliness and Trains which was written by Edward Sieger Jackson III.  The links are to the Youtube videos of the songs so you can listen to them while you read.  Enjoy...  and please comment on Youtube if you like the song! -thanks!

Loneliness and Trains
Written by Edward Sieger Jackson III

I really thought we should fight
I really thought we could win
the battles are over

I didn’t believe the war would ever end
the truck is broken, but the engine warms
I surrender peacefully, I don’t come with any terms

All this song is missing is a train

All this song is missing is a train
What say ye brother, is there news from across the shore?
cause I’m lost here at sea, I am lost without an ore

All this song is missing is a train
All this song is missing is a train

There’s a light in the hallway

I sit in bed and pray it’s you
this goddamn loneliness, 

has got me feeling so goddamn blue

All this song is missing is a train
All this song is missing is a train
All this song is missing is you


Nothin I Can Do About That
Written by Stephen Merchant

When we met there was a moon in the sky
and that's all I remember and I'll tell you why
now you know where I'm going with this 
I'm gonna explain the situation

see I was once a simple regular guys
having all of the fun that good money can buy
and I do believe that I had the pick of 
those who would rather not have me

but all things must end
but does that really mean that I can't see you no more
the last thing I'd ever want is that now
so if you'd like to see me again
you can come by my place about a quarter till ten
cause I still love you and there's nothin I can do about that
The truth is out there is no time to waste
and I don't know if it was bad timing
or your bad taste
there ain't no gettin around this fact
looks like I'll love you forever

but I would take it all back if I could
for those things you wouldn't do
and the things that you should
but it's not like I can return you 
at my local corner store

but all things must end
but does that really mean that I can't see you no more
the last thing I'd ever want is that now
so if you'd like to see me again
you can come by my place about a quarter till ten
cause I still love you and there's nothin I can do about that


Bleeding Virginia
Written by Stephen Merchant

my pictures on a lamp post up in Wise County
says a hundred grand will be paid for the bounty
of this man, who shot his own wife dead
at least that 's what the one eye witness said

Old Man James owned most of the land
that surrounded our farm where we would walk
hand in hand, until he took her away
he stole my pistol on that fateful day

so I had to run and hide down in Powell Valley
cause James had the town all out there
looking to bring me in, for what he said I had done
even my own father said I was no longer his son

so I headed west toward the Kentucky state line
I had to leave my homeland behind
I lost their trackers down in Guest River Gorge
and I cried for I wouldn't see my Virginia no more

I'm bleeding Virginia with all my soul
I long for that far off smell of burnin coal
my Virginia holds my heart in her hand
and someday I'll return to her an innocent man
At Coeburn Pass is where James and his sons
finally caught up with the one they'd been searching for
they caught me by surprise
all them boys had that same hate in their eyes

they slung that rope right across my head
and Old Man James stepped up and said
you should have let me have her, she'd be alive today
but instead you both will be going to your grave

they put me on the nearest tree they could find
truth be known all that was on my mind
that I'd be dying and innocent man
but I'll return to her just as fast as I can

I'm bleeding Virginia with all my soul
I long for that far off smell of burnin coal
my Virginia holds my heart in her hand
and someday I'll return to her an innocent man


I'm bleeding Virginia with all my soul
I long for that far off smell of burnin coal
my Virginia holds my heart in her hand
and someday I'll return to her an innocent man

For We The Bell Tolls
Written by Stephen Merchant

a single room, a worn out man
just a bed and a ceiling fan
like so many left behind
he is coming to the end of his line

a unique boy whose mother holds the guilt
destroying a life she tried to build
don’t cast blame she didn’t realize
that everyday she’d be reminded by
the pain in his eyes

and so it is for we the bell tolls
and I believe I speak for all the lost souls
that someday it will ring for us all
and bring down upon us our own great fall
for we are all the lost souls

for the young girl who’s father left home
the pain you feel is not yours alone
he has to live with the choice he made
and those scars will follow him
till he lies in his grave

and for the woman who’s husband died
after sharing 60 years of love by her side
she held his hand in that hospital bed
and stayed right there with him until his end


and for the father who’s son was gunned down
his service is remembered in that eternal sound
although it was us he tried to defend
a father’s heart won’t ever mend

and so it is for we the bell tolls
and I believe I speak for all the lost souls
that someday it will ring for us all
and bring down upon us our own great fall
for we are all the lost souls


Caught Like A Rat
Written by Stephen Merchant

you blast a hole right through my heart
ya had no idea what you’d start
and I’d blast a hole right through my head
if I could only get outta this bed
no I don’t think I’m doin fine
you’re still on my mind
still on my mind

I’ve never been good at reading the signs
goins on up ahead not on my mind
I just realize the truth that I live
that I had too much love left to give
and you know that can’t be wrong
but sometimes it drags me along

there were pages missing from my book
so would you please give me a second look
but I fear it’s too late for that
cause I was caught like a rat
caught like a rat

no there’s nothing left to say
and it wouldn’t change your mind anyway
so I’m gonna get a ride into town
see if the lost can be found

maybe I should just find a way
just to make it through another day
but sometimes the madness is too strong
and I don’t have the strength to play along
now I wonder what you’d say about that
that I was caught like a rat
I was caught like a rat

there were pages missing from my book
so would you please give me a second look
but I fear it’s too late for that
cause I was caught like a rat
caught like a rat


Never Again (The Ballad of Tommy and Mary)
Written by Stephen Merchant

A faded tail light is the reflection of the setting sun
Mary knew that hers was in the heart of her one
That man will take her far from where her demons lie
So she won’t have to burn in down to the sky

Tommy opened the door for Mary on his old rusty Ford
He had worked for two years straight

but it was all he could afford
It was there only ticket to get over Dotson Ridge
And by nightfall they could make it to Jackson Bridge

Mary pulled her hair back

kicked her shoes off on the floor
And turned to look into Tommy’s eyes

like so many times before
The radio was broken so she just fiddled with her ring
Tommy ran his fingers through his hair and began to sing

They don’t make cars like this since 1962
They don’t make starts like this

since the first time I saw you
They don’t make girls like you since I can’t say when
And they don’t make times like this

and they’ll never again
Mary I love you when my bones are brittle old
Let’s fill our lives with stories yet untold
To spend it with you is all I ask
Tommy was breathless when Mary laid her head down
There on Tommy’s shoulder and ever made a sound
That had been her answer all along
All their friends just called it foolish and crazy love
Only they knew the truth

about what they were dreaming of
To leave this town and never look back
and get a little something for themselves

a faded taillight is the reflection of the setting sun
as Tommy turned the wheel 

he hummed the tune to Born to Run
an open highway, Mary by his side
they won’t stop until they make it to the other side


They don’t make cars like this since 1962
They don’t make starts like this

since the first time I saw you
They don’t make girls like you since I can’t say when
And they don’t make times like this

and they’ll never again

The Best Times of Our Lives (Tribute to the Bar Owner)
Written by Stephen Merchant

Raise up your glasses and let’s have a toast for the man
He welcomes us into his home every chance that he can
He might even play you a song if you ask him nicely
So pull up a chair right up front so you can see

Raise up your glasses and toast to that man right there
He gives us a place to call home 

and you know that’s so rare
Friendship is one thing that brings us all here tonight
When I think of La Casa I think of the best times of my life

When I think of the best times of my life
They’re here with my friends, they’re here with my wife
Put your glasses in the air 

and toast to the best times of our lives

Let’s have another round 

and spend some more time together today
Tell me another story about Hammer 

and those crazy things he used to say
Keep me here just a little bit longer 

cause everything now is ok
Until Dave says, “alright now, ya’ll get out of my sight”
“It’s a good thing though, that I’ll see you all, tomorrow night”

Raise up your glasses and let’s have a toast for the man
He welcomes us into his home every chance that he can
He might even play you a song if you ask him nicely
So pull up a chair right up front so you can see

When I think of the best times of my life
they’re here with my friends, they’re here with my wife
put your glasses in the air

and toast to the best times of our lives
put your glasses in the air 

and toast to the best times of our lives
put your glasses in the air and toast to the best times,
to the best times of our lives


Calliope Park
Written by Stephen Merchant

Gabriel and his angels, oh they blew their horns
all my windows shattered, though I was warned
these streets of life will take you

anywhere you want to go
but when you are given a choice

you just don’t know

someday you’ll try, and if you do succeed
you’ll know every woman cries
and you’ll know every man can bleed
me I’ll just keep walking to that place we loved to go
me I just keep walking, 

to Calliope Park


some they are red, and some of my days are blue
but when they spin around in circles
they remind me of you
those old leather saddles, soft as a baseball glove
but they only seem to remind me I once had your love


so put your hand in mine
I’ll place you on your favorite one
you know that horse with the braided hair
and the face that’s faded in the sun
me I’ll just daydream, and see you through my memories
yea me I’ll just keep walking 

to Calliope Park

In The Pail Moon Light
Written by Stephen Merchant

Last night I lost her 
in the pail moon light
Last night I lost her 
in the pail moon light

Last night I left her
Last night I left her
Last night I left her

in the pail moon light

Just One More Day
Written by Stephen Merchant

now I can’t forget the day I lost you
sometimes I believe it couldn’t be true
and you can see what It’s done to me
as I pray the pain will stop down on my knees
but I’m a long way from you
and it’s a long road through
and oh I miss you
and I know what I must do

and in the end you feel yourself breaking
time after time it’s been there for the taking
the light is binds your very soul
and in the end it will take its toll
you start to flash through the times of your life
your first child born, the hands of your wife
then you’ll see what it was for
as you crawl up the stairs to heavens front door
and as you turn there’ll be tears in their eyes
of all those who loved you through all of those times
and as you reach toward that great divide
you’ll feel the glow of love deep inside
and only then will your mission be through
and you’ll know you did what you had to do
and even though most won’t understand
they wouldn’t have walked in the shoes of this man
you’ll close your eyes and take one last breath
that’s when my friend, it’s time for your death
and all you want is just one more day
just one more day
just one more day
just one more day