Storytellers

As we washed the dishes after dinner,
my Grandmother would entertain us with her stories.
Some evenings, at our urging, she would recite
The Spell of the Yukon by Robert Service,
the sad improbable tales of Sam McGee and Dan McGrew.
There were lessons in the lyrics.

Was I imprinted by those melancholy ballads?
Now most nights I listen to country music,
songs that keep me from
misery and gin,
that help me walk the line.
Songs reminding me
if I can just get off this LA Freeway without getting killed or caught,
the road goes on forever and the party never ends.

When it's snowing on Raton, there's someone
to walk through my life like a coat from the cold,
and if we make through December, we'll be fine.
There are lessons in the lyrics.

Listening I learn
to stand by my man.
to know when to hold 'em, know, when to fold'em,
that life Is just a leap of faith,
so spread your arms and hold your breath.
Always trust your cape.

If there's just no one to talk to
when the lines go down,
I could go walkin' after midnight
or let that pickup man on in.
There are lessons in the lyrics.

There are times when the music is enough
to help me make it through the night

Somedays you write the song,
Somedays the song writes you.

There are always lessons in the lyrics.

Listen to the lyrics on Spotify: Storytellers (voodou1-us)