Innocent Victim

Ride, keep on ridin'
Ride, keep on ridin'

By tomorrow morning at the early dawn,
I gotta hit the road
So long lady til another day, right now
I gotta be movin' on
Another town and the singer needs a song
I know you're on your own
I'll be back before too long
Do what I gotta do
And you know how my heart loves to run,
I gotta ride.

There's a city waiting and a railroad station
Where my face is known
And an old hotel I know so well,
It's a little bit like home
It's a situation not of my own choosing,
And though a gamblin' man would say
That I was losing
I started out to win
And I'll do it all again, I'm never givin' in
'cause if it comes down to my heart, or my pride
I'm gonna ride.

And I know you say I'm driftin' on a dream
Watch your step boy, it may not be what it seems
I just can't shake this feelin' here inside
This heart of mine just keeps tellin' me to ride, ride.

Well I'm flyin' high
And I know the reason why
'Cause the wind of change has blown my way
And you love me as much today
As I love you

I used to think that love was strange
It was something that I used to ease the pain
Though at times it seems it hurts to touch
It's never gonna hurt as much as
No love at all

Flyin' high it's a crazy feelin'
Flyin' high 'cause I've learnt the meaning of love
Flyin' high it's a crazy feelin'
Flyin' high 'cause I believe in love

Ooh where - is she woman she's only here for the sun
It's now - you'll discover she's only here for the fun
And who - will move over, sweet talker choosin' her side
And it's then - it's all over, she's just along for the ride

She's a Roller she's just a Roller, bet she'll roll her life away
One town is just like another, one man will just never do
Don't turn around, when she calls out your name
She'll only break you in two
She's a Roller, She's just a Roller, rolling time come today

Ain't it strange that when you're lonely
And your friends they're not around
So you make your big decision
Get your feet back on the ground

When you're down and no one wants you
And you wonder who you are
But your friends they don't desert you
When you make it you're a star

(But I'm gonna stay)
Free and Easy
'Cos I know just what I am
Gonna be Free and Easy

I've been through all the heartaches
And I've been through all the pain
But when you're up and riding high
Everybody stakes their claim

(But I'm gonna be)
Free and Easy
Gonna stay just what I am
Gonna be Free and Easy

In a forest known as heartbreak
In a clearing in the wood
'Cross a pathway called confusion
Toward the garden of delight

You'll reach the river of desire
And meekly try to cross it
While the valley of love keeps avoiding you
Because it's only an illusion

Upon the hill of high ideals
You begin to wonder if it's real
You are reaching sleep's oasis
You begin to wonder how you feel

But it happens so quickly it doesn't fit
Into your scenes
Tossin' and turnin' the star of so many scenes
It's only an illusion

Why should I worry that you might not love me
You're not the only love I ever had
Your sweet memory will always comfort me
So why should I be feeling sad

Far as I can tell
You knew so well
I was always at the end of the line
I loved you as much as any man can
But not enough to make you mine

So long easy rider I know I'll miss you for awhile
But sooner or later I know that I'll forget you
Free me somebody free me won't you
Free me, free me from your spell

We let a good love die
We let it pass us by
Though you try to keep me hangin' on
But with all this doubt
It'll never work out
So tomorrow I'll be travellin' on

Well, it seems that I've been cheated
And it would appear that I've been lied to
All the promises that you repeated
Were never destined to come true.
When I stop to think how I once trusted you,
It's harder still to bear this doubt.
I'm an innocent victim of heartbreaking circumstances,
And I still can't get it figured out.

All you did was cheat and lie
Now you've gone and made me cry
My heart is heavy and I just can't get it straight,
Just the way you made me feel,
A wound that only time can heal.
Won't you take a little time to show me my mistake.

See the picture in the hall
Framed in magic on the wall
Ain't it funny how it glows
What's on the inside no one knows
What makes this picture so inviting
To those who stand outside it
Maybe it's the dancers
Or maybe it's the dance
the dancer dances

Thousands will fill the gallery
Pay their price to see a dream
They can make believe for free
Two hours' worth of fantasy
Maybe they pretend the picture's them
Or maybe they just love to sit and blend
Maybe it's the dancer
Or maybe it's the dance
the dancer dances

Tonight the picture has no frame
Colours unleash and float away
To each and every one of you
Tonight the spirit brings the news
You become a part of it all
Thousands turn to one in the hall
You become the dancer
And we become the dance
the dancer dances

I was walking alone thru a side show
With passion and pain on each side.
Something inside me was calling
For a chance to stay alive.

At the time I didn't know what was calling
As my head was buried in grief.
Today I heard what was crying.
My FREEDOM calling me

And we all make our choices
Like a blind man feels his way,
And the choice I've made is simple:
Passion over pain.

When I got to the end of the side show
And looked back to where I had been,
My eyes filled with teardrops of loneliness
For the ones who will never be free

And we all make our choices
Like a blind man feels his way,
And the choice I've made is simple:
Passion over pain.

I thought of the children in the side show
As they wandered around so confused.
Some day they'll make their decision
But which one will they choose?

And we all make our choices
Like a blind man feels his way,
And the choice I've made is simple:
Passion over pain.

A masquerade of dancing shadows
Appear before me through my mystic window
And soon to be seen I saw presented
Became a vision that I saw resented
I stood and watched its image changing
The unseen hand was rearranging
And all the time I wondered
How did it wind

Slowly, surely it unfolded
Its simple lines just as
A pole wind told it ??
A temporary revolution
My problems rose and fell
With a lapse of illusion
A man was telling me, don’t fight it
It’s just a ??? in the night
Don’t do those who’ve lost their way
It’s a masquerade

Masquerade, it’s a masquerade

River, rising to hide ??
Across the midnight
Wanderin’ westward by daylight
Take us and lead us to tomorrow
As fast as you come and can flow

River, you’re windin’
An unending rhythm
The sooner keep movin’ to warn him ??
The spirit that keeps us from sinking
Guide us from going astray

Point us a way to a shoreline ahead
Through the mist and the fog
Of this valley of death
Too many years we have
Walked in a sleep
Now we’re awaken
And ready fo flee

River, we hitchhikers beggin’ for mercy
Survive us from yesterday’s curses
Don’t damn us before you receive us
We’re needin’ your face and your trust