ELIOT EIDELMAN



HOME   MUSIC    VIDEOS   PHOTOS    BIO   PRESS   LYRICS   TEACHING   CONTACT









Blue Jays in Flight Album Lyrics





Gonna Set Me Free






Gonna set me free, I’m a-gonna set me free

Cuz I’ve had enough of this reality

Gonna change my mind, maybe even change my sheets

And walk right through them shinin open doors

I thought about a thousand times before

But now I’m goin through them that’s for sure

And I ain’t comin back this way no more




I’m gonna set me free, I’m a-gonna set me free

Cuz I’ve had enough reality TV

Gonna change my life, maybe even brush my teeth

And walk right through them shinin open doors

I thought about ten thousand times or more

But now I’m passin through them that’s for sure

And I ain’t comin back this way no more




I’m gonna set me free, yeah, I’m a-gonna set me free




Gonna set me free, yeah, I’m a-gonna set me free

Cuz I’ve had enough of your reality

Gonna change my mind, maybe even change my sheets

And walk right through them shinin open doors

I thought about a thousand times before

But now I’m goin through them that’s for sure

And I ain’t comin back this way no more




I’m gonna set me free, I’m a-gonna set me free







Blue Rider






Blue rider, blue rider

and the big sky, and the big sky

Blue rider, blue rider

and the big sky, and the big sky 

Big sky




Little boy blue 

come back to the big sky

to the big sky

Little boy blue 

come back to the big sky

to the big sky 

Big sky




In your mother’s room, in your mother’s womb

In your mother’s room, in your mother’s womb

In your mother’s room, oo oo oo




Little boy blue 

come back to the big sky

to the big sky

Little boy blue 

come back to the big sky

to your big sky 

Big sky




Blue rider, blue rider

and the big sky, and the big sky

Blue rider, blue rider

and the big sky, and the big sky 

Big sky




Little boy blue 

come back to the big sky

to the big sky

Little boy blue 

come back to your big sky

to the big sky 

Big sky




In your mother’s room, in your mother’s womb

In your mother’s room, in your mother’s womb

In your mother’s room, oo oo oo




Come back to the big sky, come back to the big sky

Come back to the big sky, come back to the big sky

Come back to the big sky, come back to the big sky

Come back to the big sky, come back to the big sky

To the big sky




Little boy blue







Evil Man






I’m not an evil man

I’m not an evil man

I might look mean

I might look bad

I’m not an evil man

I’m doin the best that I can

I’m not an evil man




I’m not an evil man

I’m not an evil man

I’ve made mistakes 

I keep makin them

I’m not an evil man

I’m doin the best that I can

I’m not an evil man




I’m watchin the river flow

I’m watchin the river flow

He knows what he knows

I’m not an evil man

I’m doin the best that I can

I’m not an evil man




I’m watchin the sun go down

I’m watchin the sun go down

Well she can go on down

and she can go on down

but I’m not an evil man

cuz I’m doin the best that I can 

and I’m not an evil man




I’m not an evil man

I’m not an evil man

I might look mean

I might look bad

but I’m not an evil man

I’m doin the best that I can

I’m doin the best that I can




And I’m not an evil man

I’m not an evil man no no no no

I’m watchin the birds fly by 

They don’t give a damn

that I’m not an evil man

I’m doin the best that I can over here

They don’t care that I’m not an evil man




I’m not an evil man

I’m not an evil man







Heaven Will Be Waiting






When I am rich enough I’ll commission Claes Oldenburg to build a magnificent five hundred foot needle

I’ll buy the world’s largest camel and ride right on through the eye 

With plenty of room to spare and everyone will cheer and cry

And heaven will be waiting for me

Heaven will be waiting for me when I die

Heaven will be waiting for me

Just wait and see

Just wait and see

Just wait and see







Banks of the Chestatee






Won’t you go down 

To the banks of the Chestatee River?

Won’t you go down with me?

The water’s cold, but you got them old fishin waders 

So won’t you go wadin with me




In the stream

We’ll shoot the breeze

Beneath the trees

We won’t freeze

Just you and me now




Won’t ya come on down 

To the banks of the Chestatee River?

Won’t you go down with me?

The water’s cold, but you got them old fishin waders 

So won’t ya come onwadin with me




In the stream

We’ll shoot the breeze

Beneath the trees

We won’t freeze

Just you and me now




Won’t you go down 

To the banks of the Chestatee River?

Won’t you go down with me?

The water’s cold, but you got them old fishin waders 

So won’t ya come down wadin with me




In the stream

We’ll shoot the breeze

Beneath the trees

We won’t freeze

Just you and me now




Won’t you go down 

To the banks of the Chestatee River?

Won’t you go down with me?

The water’s cold, but you got them old fishin waders 

So won’t you go down wadin with me

Won’t you go wadin with me?

Won’t you go wadin with me?

Mm on the banks of the old Chestatee?







That’s What I’m Gonna Do






I’m gonna love you every mornin, all my mornin wood’s for you

I’m gonna give you all my lovin girl and love you til I’m through

You ask me why? ‘Cuz that’s what I’m gonna do




I’m gonna make you a good smoothie and a-sip it up for you

I’m gonna sip it to ya good and slow until you’re slurpin too

You ask me why? ‘Cuz that’s what I’m gonna do




I’m gonna shake away your sorrows, rattle away your blues

I’m gonna shake it to ya so damn good you won’t know what hit you

You ask me why? ‘Cuz that’s what I’m gonna do




I’m gonna love you every mornin, all my mornin wood’s for you

I’m gonna give you all my good lovin child and love you til I’m through

Ya ask me why? ‘Cuz that’s what I’m gonna do




I’m gonna make you a good smoothie

You’re gonna say, “oo, that’s a good smoothie”

I’m gonna sip it up for you

I’m gonna sip it to ya good and slow

Good and slow, so good, so slow

‘Til you’re slurpin too

You ask me why? 

Why why why why why why?

‘Cuz that’s what I’m gonna do




I’m gonna shake away your sorrows

Shake em, shake em, shake em, shake em

Rattle away your blues

I’m gonna shake it to ya so damn good

So damn good, so damn good, so damn good, so damn good

That you won’t know what hit you

You ask me why?

Why why why why why why white boy?

‘Cuz that’s what I’m gonna do




I’m gonna love you every mornin, all my mornin wood’s for you

I’m gonna give you all my lovin child and love you til I’m through

You ask me why? ‘Cuz that’s what I’m gonna do







Shakin’ Away the Blues






Three hours all alone at a barbecue joint on the North Shore

Tryin to entertain Americans 

Sounds really hard to me

But if you were there too

We’d be smilin, singin your songs 

About your darkest days and we’d be

Shakin away the blues




It’s just across the causeway, not even an hour away

And I can pay the toll

We could camp at Fontainebleau 

Probly get free barbecue 

And be smilin, singin your songs

About your darkest days, we’d be

Shakin away the blues




You say that you need a break from playin out and I respect that 

But if you change your mind

There’s still plenty of time 

I sure hope the stars align

I wanna be smilin, singin your songs 

About your darkest days

Shakin away the blues




I wanna shake em with you

And eat some free barbecue

And we could camp at Fontainebleau in a tent

And in the morning we’ll drive back to New Orleans

And in the mornin we’ll drive back to New Orleans




Three hours all alone at a barbecue joint on the North Shore

Tryin to entertain Americans 

Sounds really hard to me

But if you were there too

We’d be smilin, singin your songs 

About the darkest days

Shakin away the blues

Yeah, we’d be smilin, singin your songs 

About your darkest days

Shakin away the blues







The Hold Up






If I could fall into the sky I’d turn into a dragonfly

The air would be my medium and there’d be no more tedium

Just glidin ‘mongst the cyclists on down Burgundy Street




I’d see the colors, light, the currents risin—everything at once arrivin

in it’s place just as it should be—nothin left out of my movie 

Then I’d pause a moment and fall back to the earth




Sayin sorry for the hold up, sorry for the wait

I’m indisposed and holed-up and waitin on the rain

I’ve got my inhibitions, my worries and remorse

I’m lost in indecision and wond’rin what life’s for right here—I wonder what it’s for




So if you see me say hello and if you don’t we’ll never know

What could have been, how it could be—why is it this is happenin?

I met you on the bayou or was it in a dream?




I see a million people every day, everyone goin about their way

Trying to find happiness—can’t they see that this is it?

All we have’s this moment and the rest is for the birds




So sorry for the hold up, sorry for the wait

I’ve been indisposed and holed up and a-waitin on the rain

I’ve had my inhibitions, my worries and remorse

Been lost in indecision but I ain’t anymore

No I ain’t anymore




If I could fall into the sky I’d turn into a dragonfly

and I’d fly away







Blue Jays in Flight






You might have the entire sky

But I’ve got blue jays in flight

You might have everything you like

But I’ve got blue jays in flight

You might know what’s wrong from what’s right

You suck up the day and swallow the night

You might have everything in sight

But I’ve got blue jays in flight

That’s right, I’ve got blue jays in flight




You might have lots of money in your drawers

But I’ve got a blue jay that soars

You might have imported Moroccan tile floors

But I’ve got a blue jay that soars

You might be loved and famous and rich

With servants fulfilling your every last wish

You might forget what it’s like to be poor

But I’ve got a blue jay that soars

And what’s more, I’ve got blue jays in flight

That’s right




You might have the entire sky

But I’ve got blue jays in flight

You might have everything you like

But I’ve got blue jays in flight

You might know your wrong from your right 

You can suck up the day and swallow the night

You might have everything in sight

But I’ve got blue jays in flight

Yeah that’s right, I’ve got the blue jays in flight

One more time—I’ve got blue jays in flight







The Car Makeout Song






Makin out with you 

At every intersection headin down the double crescent through the

Traffic’s how I really wanna

Spend my afternoon

Spend my afternoon

Spend my afternoon with you 




Makin out with you 

At every intersection headin down the double crescent through the

Crosstown traffic’s how I

Spend my afternoon

Every afternoon

Spend my afternoon with you 




We’ve been stopped at this red, red light

For ages it seems

Why don’t you take that seatbelt off, girl 

And come on over to me




You say your place is too messy

Well baby I don’t mind 

No matter whether your a dirty or a clean girl 

I’d have you anytime




Ah, makin out with you 

At every intersection headin down the double crescent through the—

Town traffic’s how I

Spend my afternoon

Spend my afternoon

Spend my afternoon with you 




Makin out with you on

Saint Charles Avenue

Every afternoon

All I wanna do

Spend my afternoon

Every afternoon

Spend my afternoon with you




Spend my afternoon

Every afternoon

Spend my afternoon with you







Makin’ Love Makin’ Music






I was on the trumpet, you were on the violin

We were makin eyes and improvisin, our lines intertwinin

And when you let that high E rip, I knew that this was really it




I was born in Mississippi, you were born in Pakistan

Now we’re on a prestigious stage in Los Angeles and F John Cage

Cuz when you let that high E soar, I knew what art was really for




I’m gettin up in years and you are a rising star

I’m at the peak of my career and I can tell you’re goin far

Cuz when you let that high E fly, I lowered my horn with tears in my eyes

And started to cry




We’re makin love makin music 

We’re makin live up here and everyone can use it

When my brass and your bow got together

That was a real bellwether

For cha- cha- change

Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-changes




I am a married man and you’re practically engaged

You’re only 34 and I’m over twice your age

But when you let that high E sing

None of that other shit meant anything




We’re makin love makin music

We’re makin love up here and everyone can use it

With my horn and your strings combined

We’re gonna have a real good time




We’re makin love makin music

We’re makin love up here and all y’all can use it

I triple-tongued for you and you glissed for me

The rest was history




We’re makin love making music 

And it feels so good 




We’re makin love making music







And It All Comes Back to Me






I’m a soldier, I’m a sailor, I’m a masked crusader 

And it all comes back to me

I’m a yogi, I’m a monk, I’m a gutter punk

And it all comes back to me

And it all comes back to me

And it all comes back to me




I’m a preacher, an impeacher, I’m a high school teacher

And it all comes back to me

I’m a son, what have I done? Now I’m on the run 

And it all comes back to me

And it all comes back to me

And it all comes back to me




I’m a toad in the road, I’ve got a heavy load

And it all comes back to me

Draft dodger, tax dodger, I’m a Brooklyn dodger

And it all comes back to me

And it all comes back to me

And it all comes back to me

And it all comes back to me

And it all comes back to me




I’m a hippie, I’m a saint, I’m puttin on my war paint

And it all comes back to me

I’m a cash advancer, tiny dancer 

And it all comes back to me

And it all comes back to me

And it all comes back to me




I’m a joker, I’m a smoker, I’m a midnight toker

And it all comes back to me

I’m a human without a home, I think I’m all alone here

And then it all comes back to me

Oh, and it all comes back to me

And it all comes back to me

And it all comes back to me

And it all comes back to me







River Song






Went down to the river

Head hangin low

Nowhere left to go 




Went down to the river 

Head in my hands

Hopin on some promised lands




If I could free my own mind

I wouldn’t need money or time

And if I could just lose myself

I wouldn’t need anyone else, river




Went down to the river

Head in a bag

Wavin my American flag




Went down to the river 

Head to the ground

Looky here y’all what I’ve found 




That if I could just free my mind

I wouldn’t be bound by the confines of space and time

And if I could just lose myself 

Wouldn’t need to worry about anyone else, river

No, river

Flow river, flow

River