Enjoy the Show; on the road with CliffSongs

All pieces that have an were written by request. If you would like Mr Lake to write to YOUR specifications you may email him at the address found at the bottom of the screen.

Winfielding in The Rain
As suggested by Vicki O'Flattery

It was a Tuesday and we came in with the rain
It was Wednesday and it was raining again
It got to be Thursday; the day to open the show -
And we had a problem, one that existed below
You see, rain is made of water and mixed with dirt it turns to sludge,
Of that we had plenty, about the color and consistency of fudge.
"Water, water everywhere and we're about to sink!"
Danny's hair was fairly smoking as we watched him think.
He called a meeting and told us we'd be in it again:
"Although you've worked hard already, tomorrow you'll be cup dipping at ten."
At first was heard a collective groan and then a sigh
As we all thought about how hot it would be, and how we'd die
But we were there promptly the next day - well most of us
And Vicki I think it was that pointed out that we dipped happily and with a minimum of fuss

A day went by, (some time to dry)
We started to heal from our labor's pain
But then, that night, we got a fright, sumbitch, we got more rain
So at 10 o'clock there was a knock on door and door and door
And Danny said to each aching head "get up, with cup and dip some more."
Grumbles, gripes, bitches and moans
Perhaps a gripe or two,
Were heard from stem to stern
As once again learned that there's always more to do
Now Winfield's done and once more we run,
Hopefully before the waters break the dike
But I have to ask, before our next setup task:
What's Salina going to be like?

Cliff Lake
8/6&7/95

Rubbermaids and Bungee Cords

As inspired and encouraged by Chilli

Into town, then outta town,
My feet will barely tread this ground.
Unpacking just to pack again,
But there is a system, so please attend:
Go to Walmart, the containers' aisles -
For seven bucks you can pack for miles.
Roughneck it ;they goes and goes _
Yeah 18 full gallons of clothes.

Rubbermaids and bungee cords,
They'll get you down the road,
Bungee cords and Rubbermaids,
They can handle any load.

Truck door wouldn't stay shut,
Drove me nuts I'll tell you what.
So I strapped that baby with a rubber string -
Those damned cords can do anything:
Keep doors shut, hang clothes up and heck,
With the right application you can build a pec.
You can hold things down, or up, or in,
Or take them off for somewhere else again.
Yes these two items will ease any haul -
So pack that Rubbermaid - and bungee it to the wall.

Rubbermaids and bungee cords,
They'll get you down the road,
Bungee cords and Rubbermaids,
They can handle even your load.

Cliff Lake
6/7&8/'96

Psycho Carnie Man

For Sandra K as requested

I've got a thousand voices
I use 'most any time.
My face is made of rubber,
But you'll never hear me mime.

Coffee keeps me fueled up,
So I'm always on the go.
I'm one man, but I'm three hundred,
I'm a fucking one-man-show.

Psycho-Carnie-Man,
I come out when it's night.
Psycho-Carnie-Man,
Turn on the black-light.
Psycho-Carnie-Man,
Just give me my stage cue...
'Cuz one of my personalities is coming after you.

I pace behind my counter
With half a demon's grin,
That only gets much broader,
The more that you come in.

The music gets much louder
As does my voice to match.
So hand up another dollar
For my greedy hand to snatch.

I'll be moving on soon-an unwelcome/welcome guest.
I'm Psycho-Carnie-Man, I'll be in your town next.

Psycho-Carnie-Man,
I come out when it's night.
Psycho-Carnie-Man,
Turn on the black-light.
Psycho-Carnie-Man,
Just give me my stage cue...
'Cuz one of my personalities is coming after you.

Cliff Lake
8/18/'94

Eats

In Coffeyville, Kansas (on 169),
Is a dirty little place that invites you to dine
On burnt toast and eggs that are runny,
And pieces of meat that may once have been bunny.

There is only one waitress - she's got a drippy nose.
That she's constantly wiping on the front of her clothes.
The attitude she'll have may just lead you to murder,
If she happens to remember to take your order.

The food is always cold, but the coffee's always colder,
And whenever you get out you'll be quite a little older.
The prices are real high, but so is the cook,
Who makes anything they serve look like some toxic gook.

So if you're ever in Coffeyville (on 169),
Here's a little tip that may save you a dime :
Get in there and eat, and then get out fast,
You shouldn't have much trouble _
You'll have plenty of gas....

Cliff Lake
8/17/'94

You In Every Town
(The Carnie Lament)

I've only just got here - I go with the show,
And I've only just touched you and I've got to go.
We put it all up and we take it all down,
Maybe you'll come and see me when we hit the next town.
And you'll look so fine under the lights,
While the children and the gamers ride their rides through the night.
Then we'll be together until well past the dawn,
And then too soon again I'll be moving on.

And it's a long hard road that circles with no end,
And the nights are too cold, so stay this one, my friend.

Now the festival's over, and I move with the show.
And I can't be staying, and you cannot go.
Between the both of us we did that we could do,
Somewhere I may meet another ,but they would still be you.

And it's a long hard road that circles with no end,
And the nights are too cold, please stay this one, my friend.

Cliff Lake
7/16/'94

Check out my OTHER pages...This was just a small sampling of styles.Just CLICK on one of these links!

[Sampler] [Web of Romance]
[Romantic Love] [Dark Words]
[Carnival Times] [Storybook]

[Blues] [Comedy]
[About the Author]

The Allman Brothers Band

Friends & Others, poems written by request

Had a BAD relationship? This page is for you!

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