One song I’ve always loved–and I hope to incorporate it into my Americana show–is a song performed by Lylle Lovett entitled, “Step Inside This House.” The song was written by one of my favorite songwriters, Guy Clark, and is on Lovett’s CD with the same title, published in 1998. According to this site, Guy Clark says this is the first song he ever wrote.

I hope to do a review of the songs and songwriters of Step Inside This House in a future post. For now, I just wanted to publish the lyrics of this great song, which holds such intense personal meaning.

Step Inside This House

That picture hangin’ on the wall
Was painted by a friend
He gave it to me all down and out
When he owed me ten
Now it doesn’t look like much I guess
But it’s all that’s left of him
And it sure is nice from right over here
When the light’s a little dim

CHORUS: (After every verse)

Step inside this house Girl
I’ll sing for you a song
I’ll tell you ’bout where I’ve been
It shouldn’t take too long
I’ll show you all the things that I own
My treasures you might say
Couldn’t be more than ten dollars worth
But they brighten up my day

This book of poems was given me
By a girl I used to know
I guess I read it front to back
Fifty times or so
It’s all about the good life
And stayin’ at ease with the world
It’s funny how I love that book
And I never loved that girl

Hold this piece of glass up to the light
That’s shinin’ through the door
It’s a prism glass I found it on the road
Can you see that little rainbow
Well it’s not really a prism I guess
It just kinda broke in a funny way
I was on my way to Houston
And I was headed for L.A.

This guitar was given me
By an old man Thomas Gray
It’s not too much to look at
But I play it every day
It’s been across this country
Four or five times I guess
Between me and old man Tom
It never got much rest

Well, that’s about all that I own
And all I care to I guess
Except this pair of boots maybe
And that funny yellow vest
And that leather jacket and that leather bag
And that hat hangin’ on the wall
Just so it’s not too much to carry, Babe,
Could I see you again next Fall?