Far Off Country Dream

She works hard as a substitute teacher.

At the elementary school.

She puts half and half in her coffee.

And she stirs it in with a spoon.

She dreams of a house in the country.

Complete with a wraparound porch.

Where you can look out at the stars at night.

And spend lots of time outdoors.

But she's stuck here in Illinois.

In a city that brings her no joy.

Dreaming of the mountains again.

And the ocean tides rolling in.

Let's go to Virginia or Estes Park.

Go look at the stars, before it gets dark.

Travel this country with you by my side.

We'll leave here at morning light.

And I want to give this dream to her.

I'll work hard to make it come true.

No matter how far off it seems to her.

We'll get there someday, me and you.

And though we don't have that much money.

We have each other, I know.

I'll give you my warm cozy flannel.

When the winds of change make you cold.

And I want to see you chasing your dreams.

On a bright summer morning filled with sunbeams.

The sunrise over the mountains will say.

Welcome to a brand new day.

How The West Was Won

Down Main Street of a little southern town.
The whiskey flowed, the rooster crowed.
There's trouble going down.
'Till the morning comes around (comes around).

But I am just a traveler passing by.
I've been this way, it was yesterday.
The smoke risin' in the sky.
And the whiskey bottles piled high (piling high).

I don't want to leave you lonely.
But I know exactly what I have to do.
Get out of this town and get far away from you.

Down Main Street of a little southern town.
The outlaws ride, one of them died.
There's trouble going down.
'Till the morning comes around (comes around).

But I am just a traveler passing through.
I've been this way, it was yesterday.
That the trouble did ensue.
There was nothing I could do (nothing to do).

I don't want to leave you, darling.
But you know, baby, that I must be traveling on.
I'll miss you, will you miss me when I'm gone.

The twister touches down in Arkansas.
Through farms and fields, the twister wields.
It's deadly killing claw.
Like none you've ever saw (none that you saw).

But I am just a traveler on the run.
I tried to ride, both far and wide.
But there in the Texas sun
I saw the lawman's gun (saw the gun).

Somewhere east of Oklahoma

My journey ended in the land of the rising sun.

That's the whole story, that's how the west was won.

Psalm 23

A fortress strong is
Surrounding me.
In deep darkness
I can see.

For you are with me.
Your hand to guide.
Mountain and valley.
You're by my side.

The Lord is my shepherd.
I don't want for anything.
He leads me in green pastures.
Lifts me up on eagle's wings.

In the valley of the shadow.
I don't fear the evil there.
Your rod and staff will comfort me
When I'm tempted to despair.

You prepare a table.
And a banquet feast.
All are invited.
The greatest and least.

You anoint me with oil.
My cup overflows.
I eat at the table.
In the presence of my foes.

The Lord is my shepherd.
I don't want for anything.
He leads me in green pastures.
Lifts me up on eagle's wings.

In the valley of the shadow.
I don't fear the evil there.
Your rod and staff will comfort me
When I'm tempted to despair.

Goodness and mercy.
Shall follow me.
My time on earth here.
Till eternity.

And with my shepherd.
My eternal king.
I'll spend my days.
With all creation sing.

The Lord is our shepherd.
We don't want for anything.
He leads us in green pastures.
Lifts us up on eagle's wings.

In the valley of the shadow.
We don't fear the evil there.
Your rod and staff will comfort us
When we're tempted to despair.

Third Street (Song for Rachel)

Another working week is done.

It wasn’t any fun for anyone.

Finally it’s Friday night.

We look out upon the city lights.

Sitting by the riverside.

We watch the water go rolling by.

It is true, I must confess.

You spilled the ice cream on your pretty dress.

Now let’s go get us a bite to eat.

Walking hand and hand down Third Street.

And though at first you seemed so shy.

You’ll tell me secrets when I start to pry.

Third Street, when the winter comes, we’ll keep on walking.

With our frostbitten fingers still interlocking.

I’ll explore every corner of this city with you.

Then drive out to Virginia to the ocean blue.

And so you help me sing my song.

You steer me right when I am going wrong.

I look into your hazel eyes.

And it is then I start to realize.

That it was then at summer’s end.

Something happened I can’t comprehend.

But I won’t forget where this all began.

That bench where we found the sleeping homeless man.

Where I put my arm round your shoulders.

As the winds got chilly, a little bit colder.