Dale Allen

56

slightly sarcastic song about a woman trying to get back together with a man she left. He says, "too late", because he's got a new lover. He was hurt at first, but not any longer, he's moved on.

Based on writers experience of a woman who left, then tried to come back and he wasn't interested.

YOU'RE THE ONE WHO SAID GOOD-BYE

(Dale Allen/Bill Flowerree)


I'm sorry you're not happy with the new life that you tried
But don't forget that when you left you took away my pride
Now you say you're lonely, you sit up nights and cry
I'm sorry, but you're the one who said good-by


It's not that complicated, it's pretty black & white
Getting over you's the hardest thing that I've survived
Now you think that you can waltz right back into my life
I'm sorry, but you're the one who said good-bye


You say you learned from your mistake
It's too bad you're too late
I've found somebody new to dry my eyes
My life's on track, don't want you back and if that makes you cry
I'm sorry, but you're the one who said good-bye


So you learned from your mistake
It's too bad you're too late
I've found somebody new to dry my eyes
Excuse me if I choose to love the one who treats me right
I'm sorry, but you're the one who said good-bye

I'm sorry, but you're the one who said good-bye


© Little Tin God Music(ASCAP)/Flinging Buddha Music(BMI)
All Rights Reserved

16

Praying for love - talking about his/her day and search for love.

WHERE IS THE LOVE

(Bill Flowerree/Dale Allen)


As I lay me down to sleep
I thank you lord so gratefully
Just one thing that bothers me
Where is the love

I walked through another day
Felt the sun and smelled the rain
I know I should not complain
But, where is the love

Where is the love that I've been prayin' for
Don't you think I've waited long enough
Where's the key that opens up this lonely door
I've searched through every drawer
I won't give up

Midnight prayer on channel three
Reminds me that I still believe
So here I am down on my knees
Where is the love

Where is the love that I've been prayin for
Don't you think I've waited long enough
Where's the key that opens up this lonely door
Can't take it anymore
Where is the love?

As I lay me down to sleep
I thank you lord so gratefully
Just one thing that bothers me
One more little thing I need
Won't you send an answer please
Where is the love

Where is the love
Where is the love

© Flinging Buddha Music(BMI)/Little Tin God Music(ASCAP)

10

Singer searches the world for love and finds it back at home with the small town girl he left behind

WHERE IN THE WORLD

(Bob McCormick/Dale Allen/Bill Flowerree)


You could be the poster girl for small town innocence
Ponytails and bedtime prayers quiet confidence
You look at life so wide-eyed from inside your back yard fence...so

Where in the world did you learn to kiss like this
Where in the world did you ever learn to love me like you do (ooh)
Where in the world do angels come from
Heaven only knows
Where in the world would I be without you girl


I've watched the sun rise in the east, I've chased it to the west
But everywhere I searched I found only loneliness
I never dreamed Id come back home and find my life so blessed


(Chorus)

Don't have to burn my feet in desert sand or feel the ocean breeze
I'm gonna stay right here beside you and enjoy this mystery

(Chorus)

I know you've never been outside of town
Everybody knows you never got around
When it comes to lovin' me, you've got it down

© Lucky Lucy Music (BMI)/Little Tin God Music (ASCAP)/Flinging Buddha Music (BMI)

69

George is a manly cowoby envied by the other cowboys and loved by the cowgirls, but he's gay and in love with the rodeo clown.

Written about a gay friend who had a macho position and had to stay in the closet.

WHAT WOULD IT TAKE (TO MAKE GEORGE STRAIGHT)

(Dale Allen)


Big George rides the broncos in the Texas rodeo
He chases that eight-second ride like some men chase for gold
He's the hero of the county and when he mounts up people say
"There goes a real man's man, he'll win again today"

He can drink and he can fight and he can scramble in the dust
George never met a bronco or a bull he couldn't bust
He drives the cowgirls crazy with his manly ways
When he turns down their advances, you can hear them say...

What would it take to make George straight
This gay caballero's got no interest in a date
The cowgirls think he'll come around
But they just wait and wait
What would it take to make George straight?

His daddy wrestled steers out underneath the Texas skies
His mama raced her ponies and she always took the prize
The rodeo was all he ever knew as a child
Being 'round those cowboys drove little Georgie wild

He did his best to learn the ropes and man, he learned them well
His education went from sweeping stalls to show and tell
When George was just a young boy, he heard a preacher say
"Love your fellow man" and that's just what he does today

(Chorus)

He says, "girls I know you're pretty and I hate to let you down
Your proposals sure are dandy, but my heart belongs to....
Randy the rodeo clown

(Chorus)

© Little Tin God Music(ASCAP)

44

Man gave up drinking when lover left, but he's fighting going back

TWELVE STEPS LFROM A SIX PACK
(Allen/Flowerree/Case)

Four steps to the kitchen door I've paced a hundred times
Walkin' back and forth, tryin' to get you off my mind
Eight steps further in, an appliance cools my friends
But I can't slip and let those long necks win, again

I'm just 12 steps from a six-pack
Three weeks after you
It would be so easy to go pop myself a brew
I guess it took you leavin'
To get me to a meetin'
Twelve steps from a six pack
Three weeks, four days, 56 minutes after you

I'm tossin' empty mem'ries, that's a step I have to take
Since I took my last shot with you, I shook off all the shakes
I finally found a group down at that church on Thompson Lane
But the Frigidaire keeps callin' out my name

I'm just 12 steps from a six-pack
Three weeks after you
It would be so easy to go pop myself a brew
I guess it took you leavin'
To get me to a meetin'
Twelve steps from a six pack
Three weeks, four days, 56 minutes, 700 Marlboros after you

If prayers and meditation don't work for me no more
There's another higher power behind that old white door

I'm just 12 steps from a six-pack
Three weeks after you
It would be so easy to go pop myself a brew
I guess it took you leavin'
To get me to a meetin'
Twelve steps from a six pack
Three weeks, four days, 56 minutes, 700 Marlboros, 18 sponsors after you
I'm takin' inventory of my Pabst Blue Ribbon Blues
Twelve steps from a six pack
Three weeks after you

18

Man has a favorite hangout to go to with his girlfriend where they can dance happily.

Went to a club with old style music and dancing.

THE BUNGALOW
(Travis Pommer/Dale Allen)


I KEEP MY BABY WARM AT NIGHT
I KEEP MY BABY SATISFIED
WE DON'T FUSS AND WE DON'T FIGHT
WE GET TOGETHER AND FEEL ALL RIGHT, 'CAUSE

THERE'S A LITTLE PLACE WHERE WE CAN GO
THEY'VE GOT THE MUSIC'S PLAYIN' COOL AND SLOW
THE LIGHTS ARE ALWAYS TURNED WAY DOWN LOW
AT THE BUNGALOW -- BUNGALOW

WHEN SHE PUTS THAT RED DRESS ON
MY HEART IS NOT MY OWN'
COMIN' 'CROSS THE ROOM TO TAKE MY HAND
THE KIND OF SIGHT THAT MAKES IT HARD TO STAND
WHEN WE'RE WALKING' DOWN THE STREET
WE CATCH GLANCES FROM THE PEOPLE WE MEET

CHORUS

HER HAIR IS RED AND HER EYES ARE GREEN
THE KINDA GAL THAT CAN MAKE A SCENE, AND
THE MOON IS UP, THE SUN IS DOWN
IT'S TIME FOR US TO HEAD INTO TOWN, WHERE

CHORUS

AT THE BUNGALOW - BUNGALOW


© LITTLE TIN GOD MUSIC (ASCAP) ALL RIGHTS
RESERVED

10

Singer is frustrated with his/her lover always being gone or late and the "long distance lovin'" is giving him/her stretch marks on his/her heart.

Heard a woman complaining about her stretch marks while I was standing in line waiting to see a movie. Heard someone else talking about long distance relationships and wrote most of the song while waiting for the movie to start

STRETCH MARKS ON MY HEART

(Dale Allen)

You're always on the go
You never let me know
When or if you're ever comin' back
I sit here waitin'
With my heart held in my hands
A lady shouldn't treat a man like that
(A gentleman would never act like that)

You make your excuse so well
When you're lyin' I can't tell
You've made the cheatin' life into an art
I reach out so far to touch your love
But you're away so much
I'm gettin' stretch marks on my heart

I've got stretch marks on my heart
Where you're tearin' it apart
You don't care enough to make a second start
You're always far away
And you ignore cupid's dart
This long distance lovin'
Has left stretch marks on my heart

One day a month
Of your lovin' ain't enough
After all this time you'd think that I'd get smart
But I've accepted my fate
You'll always be late
While I get stretch marks on my heart

(chorus)

You're home, then gone again
And it's just from 8:00 to 10:00
I don't want my lovin' a la carte
You've always gotta go somewhere
And it really isn't fair
To leave me here with stretch marks on my heart

(chorus)
© LITTLE TIN GOD MUSIC (ASCAP) All Rights Reserved

16

Man putting son to bed, son singing about being a cowboy. Dad realizes he's going to dream about being a cowboy too.

I was writing with Kris Russell, and trying to come up with an idea when my son said, "Someday I'll Be A Cowboy". We wrote down some of the things he said and did and the song began.

SOMEDAY I'LL BE A COWBOY

(Dale Allen/Travis Pommer/Kris Russell)


SUNDAY NIGHT SUPPER OVER AND DONE
ALMOST TIME FOR BED
AS WE PUT THE TOYS AWAY
HERE'S WHAT MY LITTLE BOY SAID,
"DADDY PLAY THAT HORSEY GAME
RIDE ME ON YOUR KNEE
I'LL WAVE MY HAT AND KICK MY SPURS
AND DREAM OF WHAT I'LL BE"

SOMEDAY I'LL BE A COWBOY
AND RIDE 'NEATH GOD'S BLUE SKY
ACROSS THE PLAINS ON MY OLD PAINT
WATCHIN' THE EAGLES FLY
CLIP CLOP ALONG, SING A WESTERN SONG
AS CLOUDS GO DRIFTIN' BY
SOMEDAY I'LL BE A COWBOY
BENEATH GOD'S BIG BLUE SKY

ONCE AROUND THE LIVING ROOM
MARKS THE END OF THE OLD CHISHOLM TRAIL
THE TEDDY BEAR'S ROPED, THE BED ROLLS ARE DOWN
THE BAD GUYS ARE ALL LOCKED IN JAIL
HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU ROUGH RIDERS
WHATEVER YOUR DREAMS MAY BE
AS THE CAMPFIRE FADES AND THE STARS COME OUT
HE FALLS ASLEEP SAYIN' TO ME

(REPEAT CHORUS)

AS I CHECK ALL THE LOCKS AND TURN OUT THE LIGHT
AND ROUND UP THE LAST STRAY TOY
I KNOW THAT I'LL DREAM THE SAME THING TONIGHT
I DREAMED OF WHEN I WAS A BOY

(REPEAT CHORUS)

? LITTLE TIN GOD MUSIC (ASCAP)/K RUSSELL LIMITED(ASCAP)

12

Rain is keeping a couple in bed. Even though it's coming in the window, it feels right.

Ryan plays sax and wanted to write something jazzier than the country we'd been writing. Dale had a chord progression to try out. Elmer talked about rain

RAIN NEVER FELT SO RIGHT
(ALLEN/LATHAM/KNABLE)

KEY: F TEMPO: 84 GENDER: M/F

WOKE UP THIS MORNING TO A RUMBLIN' SOUND
AND PITTER PATTER OF THE RAIN ON THE GROUND
THE WINDOW'S LETTIN' IN MORE THAN LIGHT  
BUT RAIN NEVER FELT SO RIGHT

MY BABY'S SNUGGLED UP CLOSE IN MY ARMS
IT'S SUNDAY MORNIN' SO THERE'S NO ALARM
THUNDER KEPT US AWAKE ALL NIGHT
BUT RAIN NEVER FELT SO RIGHT

HOT BLACK COFFEE ON THE FRONT PORCH SWING
WATCH THE RAINBOW AS THE ROBINS SING
A PERFECT WAY TO START MY DAY
WET AND WARM IN A WONDERFUL WAY

FORECAST SAYS IT AIN'T ENDIN' SOON
WE CAN JUMP BACK IN BED ALL AFTERNOON
THIS WEATHER'S WORKIN' UP MY APPETITE
RAIN NEVER FELT SO RIGHT

INSTRUMENTAL
HOT BLACK COFFEE ON THE FRONT PORCH SWING
WATCH THE RAINBOW AS THE ROBINS SING
A PERFECT WAY TO START MY DAY
WET AND WARM IN A WONDERFUL WAY

FORECAST SAYS IT AIN'T ENDIN' SOON
WE CAN JUMP BACK IN BED ALL AFTERNOON
THIS WEATHER'S WORKIN' UP MY APPETITE
RAIN NEVER FELT SO RIGHT
RAIN NEVER FELT SO RIGHT

© DALE ALLEN POMMER/ (ASCAP)/ RYAN LATHAM (BMI)/
ELMER KNABLE (SESAC)

61

Tongue in cheek appeal for help to start a broken heart beating. If singer's heart is plugged into the jukebox, it'll start and he'll be OK.

PLUG MY HEART INTO THE JUKEBOX

(Bob McCormick/Dale Allen)


She stood me up, that's got me down
I need a way to turn this heart around
It's a good thing there's a cure for this achin' in my soul
It's time to let her memory go, so let the sad times roll

Plug my heart into the jukebox
It's stopped beating on its own
I need the sad, soft, shuffle feel
Of Haggard, Cline and Jones
It might take all night
To get the beat back up to speed
So plug my heart into the jukebox
Won't you please?

Fill my glass and take my keys
I'll need a ride back home come time to leave
Gonna break down and break in this brand new broken heart
Underneath this neon moon is where I plan to start

(Chorus)

© Little Tin God Music(ASCAP)/Lucky Lucy Music(BMI)

12

23

Father and son are talking on phone after a lifetime of fighting. Grandson gets on and tells grandpa they love him.

One of the writers had a tempestuous relationship with his father. Writers have seven children among them.

NOW HE'S TALKIN'

(Bob McCormick/Dale Allen/Bill Flowerree)

Daddy called and said, "We're thinkin' 'bout a move
Your mama's gonna need a first floor room"
He talked about his health; how his golf game's gone to Hell
What candy used to cost; and the brother he lost

Now he's talkin' and I hang on every word
Tellin' stories so much I haven't heard
About his lifetime, his blessings and his sins
Better listen while I've still got time with him
Now he's talkin'

I thought back to when we barely spoke
The only time the silence ever broke
Was to go another round, put each other down
Didn't matter what he'd say; never listened anyway

Now he's talkin' and I hang on every word
Tellin' stories so much I wanna learn
About his lifetime, his blessings and his sins
Better listen while I've still got time with him
Now he's talkin'

Dad said, "How's the baby been this week?"
I put him on the phone, wiped a tear from my cheek
He said, "Grandpa I love you, and Daddy does too"

Now he's talkin' and I hang on every word
Tellin' stories so much I'm gonna learn
About his lifetime, his blessings and his sins
Better listen... get it right this time
Now he's talkin'

© Lucky Lucy Music(BMI)/Little Tin God Music(ASCAP)/Flinging Buddha
Music(BMI) All rights reserved

16

Ode to good parents with a little "how I used your love to get thru bad times

Written for my parents' 55th wedding anniversary.

MOM AND DAD

(DALE ALLEN)


I am the proud possessor of the greatest gifts in life
A family I can turn to and a sweet home lovin' wife
I'd like to pay a tribute to the good life that I've had
These words are for the world to hear.... I love you mom and dad


I've tried to do the things you did, I've tried hard to be good
Even though I haven't always done the things you said I should
I'll never be the same as you and sometimes that makes me sad
But it's my life and I'm usually pretty happy mom and dad


There's some things I've never told you
Some places that I've been
Some things that you don't wanna know
Some troubles I've been in
My life ain't been the straight and narrow
Path that you'd have had
I don't worry 'cause what you don't know
Won't hurt you mom and dad


You've set a good example I can never hope to match
But I can try in my own way to shim and trim and patch
And maybe someday what I've done won't turn out all that bad
And I can turn and thank you 'cause I love you mom and dad


© Little Tin God Music/Dale Allen Pommer

9

Man goes to old hangout to "enjoy" different memories every day. The "Mem'ry du Jour" Memory of the day.

Had the phrase "mem'ry du jour" from another song and thought it was strong enough to base a song on. Wanted to write a swing tuen

MEMORY DU JOUR

(Dale Allen/Bill Flowerree/Bob McCormick)


I come back to this same old place
Take a wooden table by the lake
The laminated menu hasn't changed in years
I know exactly what I'll get
To go along with this sunset
I'll season it with the salt from my tears

I'll have the memory du jour
A heart full of ache
A side order of envy
For the man who took my place
I'll get the blues plate special
And then I'll pour
Something to wash down the
Memory du jour


I sit alone out on the deck
Wishing I could resurrect
The nights we danced out on the pier 'til three a.m.
I love her still that's all I know
So I'll wait here in case she shows
But 'til I taste her sweet kiss again

(Chorus)

Monday it's the way she laughed
Tuesday it's her photograph
Wednesday I can hear her say, "I love you"
Thursday it's her velvet dress
She wore the Friday that she left
By Sunday there's so many I can't choose


© Little Tin God Music(ASCAP)/ Flinging Buddha Music(BMI)/Lucky Lucy Music(BMI)
All Rights Reserved

22

couple moves to country to farm and encounter a drought; Woman has to leave cuz she can't take listening to the auctioneer.

My grandfather lost his South Dakota farm in the 30s for taxes because of the drought. Both writers come from farming communities and one day the line just worked.

LOVE CAN'T MAKE CORN GROW
                        (Elmer Knable/Dale Allen)
                         TEMPO: 79 KEY: B

First time I brought Grace out here everything was so green
We held hands and ran thru these fields rollin' in our dream
But time can test the human soul; it can let you down hard
Neither of us thought this land could break two hearts
   Side by side we we put down roots; hoed every row
   Found out love can't make corn grow

Now Grace sits in a Southwest jet at 30 thousand feet
Staring at our 500 acres of dyin' corn and wheat  
I'm sweating on the tractor covered in brown dust
Every round plowin' under a little more of us
    Side by side we we put down roots; hoed every row
    Turns out love can't make corn grow.

    When money got tight and soil got loose
    We went to the preacher to find the truth
    It ain't no secret that's we were told        
    You can give your all but If rain don't fall, Oh Lord
Even love can't make corn grow
    Even love can't make corn grow

The banker's leanin' against the fence, he's got papers to sign
Been after me for weeks to put my name on the line
I'm already missin' Grace; wishing she was here
She just couldn't find the strength to listen to the Auctioneer
    Side by side we we put down roots; hoed every row
Turns out love can't make corn grow.

just when we think we've got life where it needs to be
That's when it drops us to our knees    

You can give your all, but if rain don't fall, Oh Lord
Even love can't make corn grow
    Love can't make corn grow

© ELMER KNABLE/DALE ALLEN POMMER
I AM RISER(SESAC)/LITTLE TIN GOD MUSIC (ASCAP)

17

15

Man is explaining to woman that he doesn't know why he's leaving, he just knows he needs something new.

i was ready to move on to new relationships even though I still really liked the woman I was with.

I'M GOIN'

(Dale Allen)


I don't know when I'll be seein' you again
I don't know why, but I'm gonna make you cry
I don't know what makes me wanna leave you
But there's one thing that I know and
I've gotta put some time between you and me
And I'm goin'

I don't know where I'll find someone who'll care
I don't know how I'll get along without you now
I don't know who will love me like you do
But there's one thing that I know and
I've gotta put some time between you and me
And I'm goin'

I feel a new way callin'
Feel my resistance fallin'
I don't know where, but I've got to follow
I don't know how, but I'll find out tomorrow

Don't know the place where I'll forget your face
Don't know the time I'll get you off my mind
Don't know the way I'll face each lonely day
But there's one thing that I know and
I've gotta put some time between you and me
And I'm goin'

© LITTLE TIN GOD MUSIC(ASCAP)
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

24

Singer loses his wife, car, and son to another man. Bothers him so much he loses his job. Decides to go get his son back with a gun, but then has a change of heart and doesn't want to hurt anyone, but can't take any more.

read story of a man who lost his son to divorce and re-marriage.

HOW MUCH CAN ONE MAN TAKE

(Dale Allen and Charley Stefl)

He took my wife...they took my car
He took my son...that's when he went too far
Now I'm just a shell
I'm not doin' too well
How much can one man take

He took my mind off the job I had
Now I take a drink to steady my hand
I've lost everything what can I do
I used to have good sense, but he took that too

Now I'm takin' a bus...down to Baton Rouge
Where they'll take my picture...for the six o'clock news
I'll put that man on the run
I'm gonna see my son
How much can one man take

He'll take my freedom after he's gone
When I'm in a cell made of cold grey stone
Somebody stop me before I get off
On the whiskey I'm drinkin' and the bus that I'm on

Well, now the driver's mad
And he's walkin' to the back of the bus
I got to drinkin' and talkin' 'bout what I was gonna do
And the other passengers, aw, they're raisin' a fuss
Lord, I hope he takes this gun
'Cause I really don't want to hurt no one
But I've gotta ask...
How much can one man take

© Little Tin God Music(ASCAP)/Charley Stefl Music(SESAC)

33

Man has broken up with woman and sees here everywhere. Need "hard liquor and easy women" to help forget her.

Writer kept bumping into ex-wife in bars. And meeting other women.

HARD LIQUOR AND EASY WOMEN

(Dale Allen/Clifford Jones)


Sittin' home tonight alone again
Don't know when I'm ever gonna win
Got a losin' streak a mile long
A cigarette and a TV set
Are the only friends I could get
Been so lonesome girl, since you've been gone

I need some hard liquor and easy women
Just to try and get you off my mind
I need some hard liquor and easy women
A little something to help me pass the time

Poppin' little pills every now and then
I got from my doctor when I told him
I thought I was about to lose my mind
But it seems no matter what I do
I always end up feelin' blue
No matter where I go...babe, you're not far behind

(Chorus)

Down at Dan's tavern at 4th and main
Drinkin' all night...feelin' no pain
Quarter in the jukebox, couple of beers on the bar
Been dancin' with everything in sight
You might say I'm doin' all right
I turn around and honey, there you are

(Chorus)

© Little Tin God Music (ASCAP)

11

Man finds it easy to fall in love because he's believed in it since he was a boy.

I watched my wife at breakfast one morning and was overwhelmed with how much I love her and have since I met her.

BORN TO BELIEVE IN LOVE

(Dale Allen)

When I was just a boy startin' out in school
I had a lot of trouble keeping up with rules
I kissed all the girls and made them cry
I knew what to do if I didn't know why

I was born to believe in love
Born to believe in love
I knew it from the start
I didn't need a shove
I was born to believe in love

I've seen love affairs go wrong
I've felt the pain when love is gone
I always bounce back to even the score
Where there's a little love, there's bound to be more...and

(Repeat chorus)

I've known good love
And I've known bad
There've been times when just a little love
Was a lot more than I had

As time has passed, I've learned a lot
I've learned to appreciate what I've got
I gave a lotta love to you
And you gave me a lotta love too...and

(Repeat chorus)

41

Lonely man who searches for love, but ends up drinking his "love" from a whiskey bottle.

Written when I had a hangover and had smoked way too many cigarets the night before. It was REALLY hot and I had no A/C and my sheets smelled like whiskey.

BOTTLED LOVE
(Dale Allen)

Nights will come and nights will go
Like the sunshine and the snow
And the lovers that I know
In the morning I'll forget
Half the people that I've met
And the sheets will all be wet
With the whiskey sweet sweat
From a night of bottled love...bottled love

I will gamble love with you
Until the game is through
Though the winners are so few
In the morning I'll regret
That I misplaced every bet
And the sheets will all be wet
With the whiskey sweet sweat
From a night of bottled love...bottled love

I see a stranger in my mirror in the morning
Last night's lover empty on the chair
I've had my share

Take the nights away from me
I've been as kind as I can be
To this lover holdin' me
In the morning I'll regret
Every single cigarette
And the sheets will all be wet
With the whiskey sweet sweat
From a night of bottled love...bottled love

© Little Tin God Music (ASCAP)
All rights reserved