CharlieX.org

LYRICS

When I Get My Cancer
©2007 Charlie X. Recorded 2007. Here this song in its entirty on the New Song link!

When I get my cancer
Things are bound to change

Gettin to that time of life when
Its all about the pain.
Aint no one there to help us
Does anybody even care
Does anybody understand
We havent got a prayer

Yes I know it seems a little extreme
And I hope that Im not right
But Im terrified of being left to die
Cause we're on our own tonight and there
Aint no help in sight

Insurance we all count on
Barely exists at all
Its all being privatized now Youre up against the wall

Ive always saves some money
So I could pay when times got tough
But if I lived 100 lifetimes, I couldnt save enough
So I cling to my Religion to which Ive been devout
But God aint giving me a chance at working something out

I gotta count my blessings, I gotta dry my tears
You see, I have not lost it all.
I still have my fear.

Chorus

The policy is simple. You just better not get sick.
Politicians say theyll work it out,
We keep fallin for that trick.
And how can I rely on this confusing Medicare maze?
Is this what we're looking forward to in our final days?

Some say dont worry
Well, just wait till you are ill.
Everything youve worked for vanished
Just to pay the bill.

It's turned against the people
People like you and me
Because, not enough are paying attention
Or are smart enough to see

Now so many doctors, I just cant keep track
And they're lining up to tell me
My tumor's back

My time is near and I feel the fear
Still I hope Ill be alright
But Im being beaten down
And kicked around

And there aint no change in sight

My Only Friend
©1977 Charlie X. Recorded 1981-ish.

This song was written for a good friend of mine named Don. In 2003, his doctor goofed and a minor and easily treatable illness led to Don’s sudden death. I’m so glad that I gave Don a copy of this recording in the early 80s.

I won’t forget on the night we met
A chance encounter on a busy street.

I shook your hand, years later here we stand
Best of friends, you and me.

At times we saw a different light, it kept our friendship burning bright
Our differences would always mend.
In a lonely world of lies, I have come to realize
You are my only friend.

I’m far away remembering the day, when we put on our show for free.
What a time, Mai Tais, beer and wine. We got so drunk we couldn’t see.
Now the years have come and gone, we drank our fun we laughed our song
I wish those times could come again.

It took me kind of long, but all I’m saying in this song is
You are my only friend.

It may be right It may be wrong, but I hope that it’s soon I get where I belong

I can’t be near and it’s a drag that you’re not here
Hard and hungry is the way it’s been.
But together we were cool, and together no one’s fool
And together we may never be again.

To my friend may life be dear, not a worry or a tear.
And take this love that I send
I hope and pray you think of me along your way because
You are my only friend.

I’m as lonely as I’ll ever be.
You have no idea what being your friend means to me

I don’t know her
She don’t like me, but I love her
She has things that come and bite me, but I love her

She’s the only love I own. Fall

She is too old, getting older, but I love her
She’s got pimples on her shoulders, but I love her.

She’s the only love I own. Fall

She’s got mental complications, but I love her
Her mind takes some long vacations , but I love her

She’s the only love I own. Fall

TEACHER

This song is about my guitar teacher, who I met at 17. He told me that as long as I stayed with it, I would someday play like him, neither of which happened. Unlike the song for my friend Don, I never had the chance to give this to Pete. He had a heart attack while reportedly working on a garbage truck, and died there. Most anyone who went to clubs in NE PA in the 70's remembers Pete DeMarzo as their favorite guitarist in the world.

Life will never be the same again
Now I’ve lost a dear and knowing friend
Who shared the secrets of a thousand years

It’s the only way I’d ever learn
You would shine your light on me and a page would turn
Through your vision, I have come to see myself

Years gone by you showed what to be
But you’re no longer here to answer me
If I could only have an hour with now.

You were there when I learned to walk
I saw you smile as I began to run
With what you gave me I could never fall
Why can’t you be here to share it now.

Now the time has come for me to shine
The knowledge and the gifts are finally mine
And you’ll never see what became of me.

I don’t know you, and I don’t really care
But I’ll control you, so meet me if you dare.
It’s very complicated and you can’t understand
What it feels like for me.

I won’t give you much and what you get, you’ll take
Aloof and out of touch, endure it till you break.
It’s very complicated and you can’t understand
What it feels like for me.

I’m an Alien

And you don’t know what its like

I don’t try to teach but I'm the only one who knows
Detached and out of reach, the feeling comes and goes
It’s all too serious and I don’t want your fun.
Cause I don’t know what it's like.nt}