A Sampler of Laura Nyro Lyric Excerpts

AND WHEN I DIE

Give me my freedom for as long as I be.
All I ask of living is to have no chains on me.
All I ask of living is to have no chains on me,
And all I ask of dying is to go naturally,
Only want to go naturally.
Don't want to go by the devil,
Don't want to go by the demon,
Don't want to go by Satan,
Don't want to die uneasy,
Just let me go naturally.
And when I die and when I'm gone,
There'll be one child born,There'll be one child born.

STONEY END

I was born from love and my poor mother worked the mines.
I was raised on the good book Jesus till I read between the lines.
Now I don't believe I want to see the morning.
Going down the Stoney End,
I never wanted to go down the Stoney End.
Mama, let me start all over.
Cradle me, mama, cradle me again.

WEDDING BELL BLUES

I was the one came running when you were lonely.
I haven't lived one day not loving you only.
But kisses and love won't carry me till you marry me,
Bill, I love you so, I always will.
And though devotion rules my heart, I take no bows,
Oh but, Bill, you’re never gonna take my wedding vows.
(Wedding vows)
Come on, Bill (come on, Bill)
So come on, Bill (come on, Bill).
Come on and marry me, Bill,
I love you so, I always will.
Come on, I got the wedding blues,
Yeah, the wedding bell blues.

Portrait by Sandy Frazier