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Ballad of Shoulda Coulda Woulda

from Sentimental Vanity by Terry Eason

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lyrics

BALLAD OF THE SHOULDA COULDA WOULDA

My dad was a car salesman
Provided like a father can
Day and night he’d wheel and deal
From down at Eli’s bar
Or the back trunk in a parking lot
Pick up a hi-fi that was hot
1201 Harmon place
Top hatter plaque on wall
Sometimes he’d come home late
Worry mom sick, once he broke an ashtray
Cold dinner waiting, she had a full plate
Should’ve called home and said he’d be after eight

Mom she was a housekeeper
Vacuumer and floor sweeper
Made a mean can of soup
Sent kids off to school
Sometimes she would use the belt
Couldn’t control the way she felt
Still it was home sweet home
At Portland Avenue
Yeah well we’re all finding our way
Keepin’ pretty busy not much time to play
Sit around and worry ‘bout all this doomsday
So please keep us in your hearts everyday when you pray
Should’ve done this and should’ve done that
Should’ve said I love you more than I did
Could’ve been a better parent to my kids
But now it’s just apparent I failed God forbid

Don’t be so hard on yourself
I’ll take the card that I’m dealt
If the sky were to fall I won’t blame you at all
I’ll remember to call and I’ll tell you it’s alright
And those were the best days I had

Brother snuck out after dark
Tripping down to Augsburg Park
Flowers on the window sill
Fluffing up the pillows
Went into the navy and

At the airport shaking hands
With dad for the very last time
He didn’t know it then though
On a little island out in the sea
Sold a little Thai stick a little big D
Got a little discharge prematurely
At least you could say it was honorably
Should’ve done this and should’ve done that
Should’ve been a better less difficult kid
Always getting into things that are hid
Could’ve said I loved you more than I did

Don’t be so hard on yourself
Just quote from that book off the shelf
If the sky were to fal, well we gave it our all
I’ll remember to call and I’ll tell you it’s alright
And those were the best days I had

Really ain’t got no complaint
Though not a pretty picture paint
Chipped and peeling middle class
Suburban house was quaint
Had the first push button phone on the block
That was pretty neat Formica countertop
Bumper pool table, pair of red chandeliers
Rabbit ear color TV picture was clear
Could’ve been better could’ve been worse
Could’ve been a blessing, could be a curse
I could’ve said I love you more than I did
Could have meant it more and been a better kid

Just want to say that I’m grateful
I know that you had your plate full
If the sky were to fall, drop the bomb on us all
I’ll remember to call and I’ll tell you it’s alright
And those were the best days I had

credits

from Sentimental Vanity, released September 14, 2007

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Terry Eason Saint Paul, Minnesota

Guitar shredder, songwriter, recording artist, improviser. First thought, best thought, but I don’t know I might want to think about it.

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