Stranger Blues

Magnus Ottelid 1987

I hate to be a stranger, coming in from the rain
don’t want to be a dark-eyed unknown, seeking for other eyes in vain

I hate to stand in the doorway. Unfriendly faces turn to me
don’t want to be starred at any more, don’t you know how it feels (to be a stranger)

Strange reflection in your eyes, You don’t seem to recognize me Won’t you look at me I give you my heart
Please don’t keep me in the dark, in the dark, in the dark...

I don’t want to be a shadow, a vague appearance in the mist
I don’t want to be outside baby, always the last one on your list

Come on baby, look at me, don’t you know that I’m for real
I’m alive and I’m here, and I know how it feels (to be a …)

Stranger Yes I do, I’m a Stranger, don’t you know, I’m a Stranger, Yes I am, I’m alive and I’m here, and I know how it feels

Strange reflection in your eyes, You don’t seem to recognize me, Won’t you look at me I give you my heart
Please don’t keep me in the dark, in the dark, in the dark...

Don’t want to stand in the corner, and the light is somewhere else
I got to tell you pretty baby, I’m not feeling all that well

Stranger Yes I do, I’m a Stranger, don’t you know, I’m a Stranger, Yes I am, I’m alive and I’m here, and I know how it feels

top

Splitting again

Magnus Ottelid 2004

I was born in the south but
my folks kept moving from place to place
I’ve seen so many cities I can’t tell where I was raised

From the limestone in the south
to the great mines in the north
We were always breaking up, going back and forth
Splitting again, moving from place to place - I’ve seen so many cities I can’t tell where I was raised

Maybe papa got a better job
or my mama hated the town
I don’t know the reason for leaving
but I could feel what was going down
We were splitting again, moving from place to place
I’ve seen so many cities I can’t tell where I was raised

Well, I’m sure I learned a lot and I really can’t complain
As long as you remember that this child could feel some pain
Splitting again, moving from place to place - I’ve seen so many cities I can’t tell where I was raised

And now that I’m a grown man
got children of my own
I can assure you people, that they never heard me moan
about splitting again, moving from place to place

I was born in the south but
my folks kept moving from place to place
I’ve seen so many cities
I can’t tell where I was raised

top

Going ’round and ’round

Magnus Ottelid 19 April 2000

I woke up this morning with an aching in my head,
I knew I was alive, but I could just as well be dead.

`cause the world was going crazy, I felt it right away,
and I looked out the window, now listen to me say

There were starving people, hunger and fear
People running from their homes, and no time for tears

There were greedy politicians, trying to look sad
I’m telling you all, things were looking bad

Going ‘round and ‘round and ‘round and ‘round
You can scream, but there wont be a sound

I went to bed last night, closed my eyes and tried to sleep
But the room started spinning, I felt like falling really deep

Maybe I was going crazy, maybe I was seeing things
I looked out the window, now listen to me sing

Going ‘round and ‘round and ‘round and ‘round
You can scream, but there wont be a sound

There was acid rain falling, like tears from the sky
There were people killing people and no telling why

There were heartless moneymakers, doing just fine
I’m telling you all, it was way out line

Going ‘round and ‘round and ‘round and ‘round
You can scream, but there wont be a sound

top

Growing up fast blues

Magnus Ottelid 2004

When I was a young boy. Seventeen of age
My mama died and left me, and I had to turn another page
Turn another page in the book of life
It wasn’t easy, but I tried

Mama gave me a letter, on the very night she passed away
She said to read it later, and I didn’t know what I could say
I saw my mother to the grave, and
Had to grow up fast, become a man (And this is what she wrote)

Darling son, I must confess a lie
I’ve been hiding a big secret, and I really don’t know why
Forgive your poor old mother, for being so weak
Never wanted to harm you, only the best for you, you see

Ah, do you remember son, what I told ‘bout your dad
That he was dead and buried, and that you really should be glad, Well, I know it wasn’t true, He’s alive, but doesn’t know about you

Oh, mother, I travelled many miles
To see my new father, but I learned that he had died
The city’s dark and dreary My heart is weary too
Don’t know what hurts the most, loosing him or loosing you

When I was a young boy. Seventeen of age
My mama died and left me, and I had to turn another page
Turn another page in the book of life
It wasn’t easy, but I tried

top

(Can’t stand) The way that you treat me

Magnus Ottelid 1990

Well, I’ll be pleased, when you leave - Yes, I'm sure, I'll feel relieved
‘Cause you don’t seem to understand - how to keep a good man You put salt in my coffee - Sawdust in my boots
Oh, baby, I hate the things you do

When I wake up in the morning, -I can hear you through the door Screaming and shouting, I can’t stand it any more
You put salt in my coffee - Sawdust in my boots
Oh, baby, I hate the things you do

Oh, woman, you got to treat me nice, Yes, you need to kiss me once or twice
Honey, honey, you got to treat me nice,
And don’t you ever tell me lies

Can’t stand, baby, the way that you treat me, Can't stand the things that you do

You look so pretty at first sight - And everything could be all right
But now I know the real you - And the mean things that you can do
You put salt in my coffee - Sawdust in my boots
Oh, baby, I hate the things you do

Oh, woman, you got to treat me nice, Yes, you need to kiss me once or twice
Honey, honey, you got to treat me nice,
And don’t you ever tell me lies

Can’t stand, baby, the way that you treat me, Can't stand the things that you do

top