Music

Alltheroadrunning

All The Roadrunning

Album Credits

Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris: vocals
Mark Knopfler: guitars
Richard Bennet: additional guitars
Jim Cox & Guy fletcher: keyboards
Chad Cromwell & Danny Cummings: drums
Glenn Worf: bass
Glen Duncan: fiddle & mandolin

Produced by Mark Knopfler and Chuck Ainlay
Recorded and mixed by Chuck Ainlay
Photography by Fabio Lovino

Released: Mercury/Warner Bros. (2006)

All The Roadrunning

  • 1. Beachcombing
    They say there’s wreckage washing up
    All along the coast
    No-one seems to know too much
    Or who got hit the most
    Nothing has been spoken
    There’s not a lot to see
    But something has been broken
    That’s how it feels to me

    We had a harmony I never meant to spoil
    Now it’s lying in the water
    Like a slick of oil
    The tide is running out to sea
    Under a darkening sky
    The night is falling down on me
    And I’m thinking that I should
    Head on home

    Been gone too long
    Leave my roaming
    Beachcombing

    Little wild kitten out hunting
    To see what he can get
    You’re in a big city now
    That won’t stop growing yet
    The sun is going down smoking
    A flaming testament
    Something has been broken
    And it feels permanent

    Little seabird flying
    He knows where he wants to go
    Guess I ought to pack my stuff
    And do the thing I know
    I turn around and head on back
    Along the old sea wall
    I felt something give and crack
    And now I’m sorry thats’all

    Head on home
    Been gone too long
    Leave my roaming
    Beachcombing
  • 2. I Dug Up A Diamond
    I dug up a diamond
    Rare and fine
    I dug up a diamond
    In a deep dark mine
    If only I could cling to
    My beautiful find
    I dug up a diamond
    In a deep dark mine

    My gem is special
    Beyond all worth
    As strong as any metal
    Or stone in the earth
    Sharp as any razor
    Or blade you can buy
    Bright as any laser
    Or any star in the sky

    Maybe once in a lifetime
    You’ll hold one in your hand
    Once in a lifetime
    In this land
    Where the journey ends
    In a worthless claim
    Time and again
    In the mining game

    I dug up a diamond
    Rare and fine
    I dug up a diamond
    In a deep dark mine
    Down in the darkness
    In the dirt and the grime
    I dug up a diamond
    In a deep dark mine
  • 3. This Is Us
    This is us down at the Mardi Gras
    This is us in your daddy’s Car
    You and the missing link
    Yeah, I’d had a little too much to drink, now

    Too long in the sun
    Having too much fun
    You and me and our memories
    This is us

    Rocking at the barbecue
    Yeah, when we said I do
    Hand jiving on the ballroom floor
    You in that wedding coat you wore

    And you in that amazing dress
    I was stoned on love, I guess
    You and me we were meant to be
    This is us

    This is us on our Honeymoon
    In our hotel room
    Sitting by the wishing well
    Checking out of the love motel

    Making plans for the sunshine state
    Waiting at the terminal gate
    You and me making history
    This is us

    And our baby boy
    With our pride and joy
    You at the Sunday game
    Standing next to what’s his name?

    On our anniversary
    With the family
    You and me and our memories
    This is us
  • 4. Red Staggerwing
    If I was staggerwing plane
    A staggerwing painted red
    I’d fly over to your house, baby
    Buzz you in your bed
    If I was a taperwing
    A taperwing painted blue
    I’d be barrell-rolling over you
    You’re gonna need a rider anyhow
    Let me be your rider now

    If I was a maserati
    A red 300s
    I’d ride around to your house, baby
    Give you a driving test
    If I was a mustang racer
    White with a stripe of blue
    You could ride me, baby
    Whenever you wanted to
    You’re gonna need a rider anyhow
    Let me be your rider now

    If I was a fender guitar
    A fender painted red
    You could play me, darlin’
    Until your fingers bled
    If I was one of them Gibsons
    Like a ’58 or ‘9
    You could plug me in
    And play me anytime
    You’re gonna need a rider anyhow
    Let me be your rider now

    If I was a motorcycle
    A vincent red rapide
    I’d ride around to your house, baby
    Get you up to speed
    If I was short track racer
    I’d be an Indian
    You could ride me around
    And ride me round again
    You’re gonna need a rider anyhow
    Let me be your rider now

    You’re gonna need a rider anyhow
    Let me be your rider now
  • 5. Rollin’ On
    Been kickin’ sawdust
    In these clothes
    For a blue moon
    And a red nose
    The boys will put ’em up
    And tear ’em down
    We’ll wash away
    The dirt
    Just a glass a day
    Ain’t gonna hurt
    Pretty soon we’ll move on
    Out of town
    We pass them by

    Across the plains
    We don’t even try
    To catch the names
    It’s supper-time and their kids
    Are home from school
    They draw the shades
    On their shops
    While we go a’checking
    Through the props
    And putting on the paint
    To play the fool

    Then we’re rollin’ on
    Rollin’ on
    Feeling, better
    Than we did last night
    Rollin’ on rollin’ on
    It’s hard some times
    Pretty much it’s alright

    I’ll go soft shoe
    When it rains
    I’ll go shuffle through
    The aches and pains
    Mr. young at heart
    That’s what I try to be
    They all laugh
    And cry
    They get to feeling better
    And that is why
    If it was good for you
    Truly it was good for me

    Then we’re rollin’ on
    Rollin’ on
    Feeling better
    Than we did last night
    Rollin’ on rollin’ on
    It’s hard sometimes
    Pretty much it’s alright
  • 6. Love And Happiness
    Here’s a wishing well
    Here’s a penny for
    Any thought it is
    That makes you smile
    Every diamond dream
    Everything that brings
    Love and happiness
    To your life

    Here’s a rabbit’s foot
    Take it when you go
    So you’ll always know
    You’re safe from harm
    Wear your ruby shoes
    When you’re far away
    So you’ll always stay
    Home in your heart

    You will always have a lucky star
    That shines because of what you are
    Even in the deepest dark
    Because your aim is true
    And if I could only have one wish
    Darling, then it would be this
    Love and happiness for you

    Here’s a spinning wheel
    Use it once you’ve learned
    There’s a way to turn
    The straw to gold
    Here’s a rosary
    Count on every bead
    With a prayer to keep
    The hope you hold

    You will always have a lucky star
    That shines because of what you are
    Even in the deepest dark
    Because your aim is true
    And if I could only have one wish
    Darling, then it would be this
    Love and happiness for you

    And if I could only have one wish
    Darling, then it would be this
    Love and happiness for you
  • 7. Right Now
    Miles between us here we are
    side by side in a stranded car
    Right now, baby right now
    And it’s too dark to see
    Anyhow so where are we
    Right now, baby, right now
    You could say we’ve both come down
    To a place called lonesome town
    When did you lose a hold on me
    Anyhow and where are we
    Right now, oh baby right now

    We stood up and said ‘I do’
    Vowed to see each other through
    Right now, baby right now
    I’m looking down this road tonight
    And I don’t see a light
    Right now, baby right now
    If we’re so clever tell me how
    Were waiting for the wrecker now
    Let’s forget what used to be
    Anyhow and where are we
    Right now, oh baby right now

    Miles between us here we are
    side by side in a stranded car
    Right now, baby right now
    And it’s too dark to see
    Anyhow so where are we
    Right now, baby, right now
  • 8. Donkey Town
    I’ve been around in Donkey Town
    Too long, baby, too long
    Checking out of Donkey Town
    So long, so long, so long

    Her pretty eyes are pretty still
    But Jim’s got a kind of a squint, yeah
    I dug up my last check from out of the mine
    Now I feel like I’ve done my stint

    Jim got an army pension
    When he walked from the military court
    Nobody ever mentioned
    The medical report

    She does little things for me
    She likes to get the both of us high, yeah
    She says I’m a tender-hearted man
    Prince charming, yeah, sure, I’m the guy

    He likes the wrecker’s dogs on chains
    And the smoke from the company fires
    Diesel oil in the trucks and cranes
    And the smell of burning tires

    But I’ve been around in Donkey Town
    Too long, baby, too long
    Checking out of Donkey Town
    So long, so long, so long

    There’s a purple heart in a silver tin
    And a grey .45 in a drawer
    Most of the time you can drink with him
    But some of the time he’s just sore

    On days when she says she can’t think straight
    Or she feels like she’s getting the jumps
    She’ll go shoot off her .38
    At cans on a Donkey Town dump

    It was Friday late and she crossed those legs
    She told me flat out she would, yeah
    If I could pull up my trailer pegs
    We could get away together for good

    I sure wish her the best of luck
    She’s going to need it, thinking of Jim
    I don’t like to leave her stuck
    But she’s near as bad as him

    But I’ve been around in Donkey Town
    Too long, baby, too long
    Checking out of Donkey Town
    So long, so long, so long

    Checking out of Donkey Town
    So long, so long, so long
  • 9. Belle Starr
    My mamma and my daddy
    Told me that love is a two-way street
    But lately baby, you’ve been finding
    New ways of dragging your feet
    So come on, make your best shot
    You don’t have to take the blame
    I’ll be your Belle Starr
    You can be my Jesse James

    There’s lonely people everywhere
    From Abilene to Arkansas
    The way they run for cover
    You’d think love was against the law
    Well I don’t need a pistol, baby
    You won’t have to rob a train
    You can be my Belle Starr
    And I can be your Jesse James

    I know you’ve done some hard time
    Baby, and you’ve got your doubts
    When you feel surrounded
    And it’s looking there’s no way out
    I’ll come riding to rescue
    All you gotta do is call my name
    I’ll be your Belle Starr
    You can be my Jesse James

    It don’t take a genius, baby
    There aint no big mystery
    You can’t play it safe
    And still go down in history
    So saddle up the horses
    ‘Cos we’re headed for the hall of fame
    I’ll be your Belle Starr
    You can be my Jesse James
    I’ll be your Belle Starr
    You can be my Jesse James
  • 10. Beyond My Wildest Dreams
    I didn’t ask for much
    As maybe I ought’ve
    But I’m staying in touch
    With the one I love
    And I can see in the dials
    And in these headlights beams
    Beyond my wildest
    Beyond my wildest dreams
    Beyond my wildest dreams
    Beyond my wildest dreams
    I’ve been with you
    I’ve been with you

    These are the big payloads
    Hammer down on the floor
    These are the restless roads
    Every one a war
    But in the flashing lines
    I see a love supreme
    Beyond my wildest
    Beyond my wildest dreams
    Beyond my wildest dreams
    Beyond my wildest dreams
    I’ve been with you
    I’ve been with you

    They promised me some good home time
    And some layover pay
    The agent he’s a friend of mine
    Says it’s due my way
    I’d drive a thousand miles
    Haul a trailer of tears
    Just to see you smile
    And as the dawn appears
    At the edge of the night
    There’s still a light that gleams
    Beyond my wildest
    Beyond my wildest dreams
    Beyond my wildest dreams
    Beyond my wildest dreams
    I’ve been with you
    I’ve been with you
  • 11. All The Roadrunning
    A million miles our vagabond wheels
    Clocked up beneath the clouds
    They’re counting down to show time
    When we do it for real with the crowds
    Air miles are owing but they don’t come for free
    And they don’t give you any for pain
    But if it’s all for nothing
    All the roadrunning has been in vain

    The rim shots come down like cannon fire
    And thunder off the wall
    There’s a man in every corner
    And each one is giving his all
    But this is my piper and this is my drum
    So you never will hear me complain
    And if it’s all for nothing
    All the roadrunning has been in vain

    All the roadrunning
    All the roadrunning

    Well if you’re inclined to go up on the wall
    It can only be fast and high
    And those who don’t like the danger soon
    Find something different to try
    And when there is only a ring in your ears
    And en echo down memory lane
    Then if it’s all for nothing
    All the roadrunning has been in vain

    All the roadrunning
    All the roadrunning

    The show’s packing up, I sit and watch
    The carnival leaving town
    And there’s no pretending that I’m not a fool
    For riding around and around
    Like the pictures you keep of your old wall of death
    You showed me one time on a plane
    But if it’s all for nothing
    All the roadrunning has been in vain

    I’ve a million miles of vagabond sky
    Clocked up above the clouds
    I’m still your man for the roaming
    For as long as there’s roaming allowed
    There’ll be a rider and there’ll be a wall
    As long as the dreamer remains
    And if it’s all for nothing
    All the roadrunning has been in vain

    All the roadrunning
    All the roadrunning
  • 12. If This Is Goodbye
    My famous last words
    Are laying around in tatters
    Sounding absurd
    Whatever I try
    But I love you
    And that’s all that really matters
    If this is goodbye
    If this is goodbye

    Your bright shining sun
    Would light up the way before me
    You were the one
    Made me feel I could fly
    And I love you
    Whatever is waiting for me
    If this is goodbye
    If this is goodbye

    Who knows how long we’ve got
    Or what were made out of
    Who knows if there’s a plan or not
    There is our love
    I know there is our love

    My famous last words
    Could never tell the story
    Spinning unheard In the dark of the sky
    But I love you
    And this is our glory
    If this is goodbye
    If this is goodbye