Billy Strings - Highway Prayers Album Lyrics

Where the air is clear
And the road is straight
All the choices have been made
I'll keep rollin' right along
Leaning on a travelin' song

Seeing things that just ain't' there
Five hours away from anywhere
Highway 80 way out west
Can't afford to get no rest
Bolt of lightning up on high
Rips the darkness from the sky
Behind the wheel where I belong
Leaning on a travelin' song

I can't recall the past ten miles
Standing still feels like I'm flyin'
That old moon is shining bright
Keep her steady, lord keep it right
Traverse City to Santa Fe
Sacramento on down to Tampa Bay
Cruising through the early dawn
Lеaning on a travelin' song

I'm leaning on a travelin' song
Listеning to a highway prayer
Gonna be a long time gone
If I ever make it there
Where the air is clear and the road is straight
All the choices have been made
I'll keep rollin' right along
Leaning on a travelin' song

I'll keep rollin' right along
Leaning on a travelin' song

Well here I am pulled over now
Just crying on the shoulder down
The road that I've been driving on for days
So I aim my moral compass
But it's spinning like a wheel and
You could take that many different ways

I've had days as black as nighttime
And nights that lasted years
I spent a thousand hours on my knees
Broke down and started praying
But I was pleading with the wind
Just to never feel a difference in the breeze

They say heaven knows the road is slow
Lord how the hell would heaven know?
Where am I supposed to go from here?
How much longеr now before I'm in the clеar?

Every mile I turned over
Flashes by a little slower
And I guess I better find a place to stay
'Cause the lightning in the distance
And the thunderheads roll by
As The morning seems to hurry far away

When the fog lifts off the valley
Where the half moon hides her halo
Beneath the veil of silver linen haze
Maybe then I'll journey onward
With the darkness in my eyes while I'm
Holding on to hopes of brighter days

They say heaven knows the road is slow
But how the hell would heaven know
Where am I supposed to go from here?
How much longer now before I'm in the clear?

[Instrumental]

Sitting under the cypress tree I saw a miracle flying high
I tuned into the song that she was singing
The melody was an honest friend and it felt like I was learning to fly
But I fear I'll never know the feeling

It must be nice (it must feel good)
To just be heard
And it might sound a bit absurd
I'd sing along with the birds
I'd sing along if I only knew the words
I'd sing along with the birds, if I only knew the words

Staring into the wishing well has got you feeling a particular way
You can't stand to see your own reflection
So toss a penny and close your eyes and try to think of something to say
And don't waste your wishes on perfection

It must be nicе (it must feel good)
To just be heard
And it might sound a bit absurd
I'd sing along with the birds
I'd sing along if I only knеw the words
I'd sing along with the birds, if I only knew the words

I'd master every verse until my spirit learned to burst
Into the morning sun
While my heart is on the run

All the wind in the whistlin' world could whip a whisper any given day
Just to see if there was anyone to listen
They say the April rain will fall to resurrect the flowers of May
You can't know who you love until you miss them

It must be nice (it must feel good)
To just be heard
And it might sound a bit absurd
I'd sing along with the birds
I'd sing along if I only knew the words
I'd sing along with the birds, if I only knew the words

I've got seven weeks in county, boys, but I don't blame the man
I've won and lost some poker chips, but I won't blame the hand
It's been seven years of famine, but I never blamed the land
Just give me peace and quiet, boss, I'll take it where I can
Give me peace and quiet, boss, I'll take it where I can

My only enemy is out to get me
To make me pay for what I've done
He's out to catch me and he's on the trail to find me
Sure as hell he'll whip me when he does
Yeah, sure as hell he'll whip me when he does

There's a hunger in my belly and a pounding in my head
Buzzards turn impatiently, expecting I'll be dead
Desert sun is burning high above, my shadow can't find shade
I got seven weeks in county to lay in that bed I made
Seven weeks in county to lay in that bed I made

My only enemy is out to get me
To make me pay for what I've done
He's out to catch me and he's on the trail to find me
Sure as hell he'll whip me when he does
Sure as hell he'll whip me when he does

Each day, I see his evil eyes, the man who put me here
See him when I shave my face, so guilty in the mirror
Looking back disgusted with a hollow hateful stare
For seven weeks in county and for always, everywhere
Seven weeks in county and for always, everywhere

My worst enemy's out to get me
To make me pay for what I've done
Out to catch me and he's on the trail to find me
Sure as hell he'll whip me when he does
Sure as hell he'll whip me when he does

[Stratosphere Blues]

Every time I see the sun
It's like my life has just begun
Like my life has just begun
Every time I hear your voice
It leaves me with no other choice
Leaves me with no other choice
And if you leave me for the moon
Another day is coming soon
Another day is coming soon

When the wind comes sailing through
And the sky comes down so blue
Will your will to love me still remain?

Every time I see the sun
It's like my life has just begun
Like my life has just begun
Every time I hear your voice
You leave me with no other choice
It leaves me with no other choice

[I Believe in You]

Couldn't help but wonder why you threw yourself away
Come on out from under and just take it day by day

It's true
I believe in you

I took a walk to wander and I wondered on a thought
It's kinda hard to get through all the things we ain't been taught

It's true
But I believe in you
Ooh
I believe in you

After all the tears and dedication
Sure, I could cut you a little slack
Long as you live, I'm sorry to tell you
You'll never get that monkey off your back

I never even listened when you said you couldn't breathe
How the water glistens when you're sinking underneath

It's true
But I'm sinking too

I could be the anchor when you're drifting out to sea
And I'd take your hand if you'd just hold it out for me

It's true
I'm reachin' out for you
Ooh
And I believe in you

After all the years of medication
Feels good to get your life on track
Long as you live, I'm sorry to tell you
You'll never get that monkey off your back
You'll never get that monkey off your back

Take me back to the woods where she left me
Let me walk through them hills all alone
Where your love still wanders through the valley
And the vines have covered up our cabin home

Far away in a great Northern forest
There's a place where I once loved to dwell
And it feels like my poor heart is breaking
For the girl that I used to love so well

So take me back to the woods where she left me
Let me walk through them hills all alone
Where your love still wanders through the valley
And the vines have covered up our cabin home

Now the years fly by just like an eagle
And it's castin' a shadow down below
My memories are piercin' like a needle
And I know that I got nowhere left to go

So take me back to the woods where she left me
Let me walk through them hills all alone
Where your love still wanders through the valley
And the vines have covered up our cabin home

If I ever make it back to our cabin
Well, that's where I'd wanna be forever more
When I die, you can lay me there beside her
Where the vines have covered up the door

So take me back to the woods where she left me
Let me walk through them hills all alone
Where your love still wanders through the valley
And the vines have covered up our cabin home

Now don't be calling me at 4 in the morning
Just because you're thinking you still got my number
And don't be closing down every bar downtown
Stumbling around and searching for some loving
Oh I'm not what you need, cause if I was what you needed
Then you would have left them other boys alone

So don't be calling me at 4 in the morning
Just because you wanna know if I'm at home

There was a time when I believed that you would be the one for me
But now I know, I'm just living in a lie
It was all just make believe another foolish fantasy
I think it's plain to see that I have changed my mind
I believe I've had enough. Have you even been in love?
I've been crying every minute since you've gone

So don't be calling me at 4 in the morning
Just because you wanna know if I'm at home

Well I prayed myself to sleep, you still show up in my dreams
I don't think the lord above can even hear me
But I'm faithful nonetheless, though I never get no rest
I can't even catch a wink without you near me
Oh you never do me right, out there neath the neon light
Somehow I'm the one that's always in the wrong

So don't be calling me at 4 in the morning
Just because you wanna know if I'm at home

I said don't be callin' me at 4 in the morning
Just because you wanna know if I'm at home

[Instrumental]

Well I woke up this mornin' bout a quarter past four
Grabbed my cap and bag, and slipped out the door
Hooked up my Tracker to the U-Haul hitch
Went and picked up Vince, and we headed out to peep the sitch

Figure we'd try to get into some Smallies in the clear water
Prayin' there wasn't nothin' to get snagged up on

So we're cruisin' somewhere near Livingston
Had some herb in my bowl and I lit it again
I was jabbered in the jaw, and crimson in the eye
On the way to Dale Hollow I was floatin' like a butterfly
Then I got stung by a bee

Had to squeeze the mustard, Uncle Vinnie said "wow"
Then I saw the lights flashin', my heart sank down
And the man strolled up with a real nice lean
And I rolled down my window and he smelled my weed

He said, "I'm Officer Looper, the Tennessee State Trooper, and I'll take your license"
"And your registration"
"And your grass"
I guess it was only a matter of time

He said, "Where you headed?"
I said, "To catch some Bass"
He said, "Step on out, under my magnifying glass"
He made me watch his fingers and touch my nose
Then he made me count to thirty but then he let me go

Made my day
I reckon it was a little "Catch and Release"

So that there's my story and I want you to know
If you're gonna go fishin' you better take 'er slow
Better look both ways and keep her in line
Let this be a lesson to you and your partners in crime

Always watch your six and nine
Don't roll through the stop sign
You don't always need to make the verses rhyme
Don't be mixing liquor with your wine
If you feel so inclined keep me in mind
And by the way, only break one law at a time

When I got to New York City, I was looking for another side of life
And my feet were so damn callused, I could probably walk the edges of a knife
My mistakes had often led me to believe I'll never find an open door
Now I'm busted, flat, and broken, and I don't know what the hell I'm waiting for

Some could see that I was stumbling and a couple even stopped to lend a hand
Most would pass me by and ridicule and fail to recognize a fellow man
Now the wind is growing bitter and the leaves begin to die and start to fall
And I wonder if next summer, if I'll even be around this place at all

If I could go back to the days when I was young
I'd travel the whole world over and then some
And I'd come back to you with an everlasting lily in my hand
And I'd show the world just what it means to me for me to get be your man

On the edges of a fading afternoon, I heard a voice within my head
And the echoes of forgotten words from all the dusty books I haven't read
And I wondered if by chance I should have listened back to what they said in school
It occurred to me I might've been the class clown then, but now I'm just a fool

If I could go back to the days when I was young
I'd travel the whole world over and then some
And I'd come back to you with an everlasting lily in my hand
And I'd show the world just what it means to me for me to get be your man
Yes, I'd show the world just what it means to me for me to get be your man

Headin' South to Georgia, four shows in a row
Didn't get no sleep last night, the way these drivers roll
Heaven seems so far away, I believe it in my soul
I'll be gone a long time

Heard my baby laughing, like a Jackal in the night
Looked in through the window, and I saw an awful sight
He took off his overcoat and she turned out the light
I'll be gone a long time

Jaybird seen a little worm, wiggling on the ground
Guess there ain't no hiding place, no matter where I'm found
Just came from Traverse City, now I'm Withlacoochee bound
I'll be gone a long timе

Jesus took the water and turnеd it into wine
Me I take them pretty girls, and try to make 'em mine
I tell 'em not to worry, that I'll see 'em down the line
I'll be gone a long time

Well, I just keep a rolling to the rhythm of the band
If you think I'm lucky boys, you just don't understand
That I'll pick this old guitar till my fingers turn to sand
I'll be gone a long time
I'll be gone a long time

Before the train, before the road
A dream of wheels someday to roll
Songs unsung and tales untold
Before the train, before the road

Before the steamboat paddle wheel
How did the mighty river feel?
A steady flow and an even keel
Before the steamboat paddle wheel

Before, along before, it ain't before no more
Before, along before, it ain't beforе no more
It ain't before

Bеfore the wagons headed west
Before the gold and all the rest
The sun upon the mountain's crest
Before the wagons headed west

Before the mighty buffalo
The wind and water, the rain and snow
A silence none of us could know
Before the mighty buffalo

Before, along before, it ain't before no more
Before, along before, it ain't before no more
It ain't before

Before I meet my journey's end
I'll try to be an honest friend
I'll see you all up around the bend
Before I meet my journey's end

Before, along before, it ain't before no more
Before, along before, it ain't before no more
It ain't before

Early in the fall back deep in the woods
The first hint of frost is upon you
About a mile from the field stone wall
It's not hard to get lost if you want to

Too far from the city to see the white lights
I move in the shadows under cover of night
Too far from the highway to have a flat tire
So I stare at the ashes and fire

Well John Saint Paul is a well-known man
Of wealth in a skyscraper palace
He likes his old Cadillac prepped for long drives
I don't like how he looks at my Alice

I work his garage with a wrench and my glove
Bring the stench of his gasoline home to my lovе
She swears once again shе has all she desires
As I stare in the ashes and fire

One day late last week when I got to work
The boss needs his Caddy all steady
I remembered his eyes all over my wife
As I carefully got my tools ready

What a terrible shame, should he ever break down
With me on his trail, and so far from town
If his brakes were to fail, if he blew out a tire
And I stared in the ashes and fire

Well John Saint Paul is a well-known man
Of wealth in a skyscraper palace
He likes his old Cadillac prepped for long drives
I don't like how he looks at my Alice
I don't like how he looks at my Alice

[Instrumental]

Well a friend with weed is a damn good friend of mine
I said a friend with weed is a damn good friend of mine
'Cause I love my weed and smoke it all the time

If you don't like smokin' that's quite all right with me
If you don't like smokin' that's quite all right with me
'Cause if you ain't smokin' then there's just more bud for me

Sailing through the haze
This life is but a phase
Riding through the smoke
This life is just a joke

If I spend my morning with a jibber I'm doing fine
If I can spend my morning with a jibber then I'm doing fine
If I start with two then my whole world's realigned

Well a friend with weed is a damn good friend of mine
Said a friend with weed is a damn good friend of mine
'Cause I love my weed and smoke it all the time
Mmmhmm
More bud for me

Well Leadfoot Leadfoot racing from the Sun
Got a 502 in an old Chevelle, he's letting them ponies run

Now, Leadfoot Leadfoot carryin' a heavy load
Now don't you step out in the way when he's racing down the road

Well, I heard old Leadfoot comin' from a mile and a half away
I stepped out on the street there and here's what I had to say
I said, "Hey now, hey now! Slow that old thing down
This city ain't your highway and you're tearing up my town"

Well Leadfoot Leadfoot racing from the Sun
Got a 502 in an old Chevelle, he's letting them ponies run

Well late last night I heard the crash from up by Yeoman's Hill
It was the feeling I had all along I knew he'd finally killed himself
In that old car and I ran down to see the risin' flame
Just then I realized I never even knew his name

Just called him Leadfoot Leadfoot racing from the Sun
Had a 502 in an old Chevelle, he was letting them ponies run

Well down the road a mile or three
A graveyard by the hickory tree
Laid 'em down with all their sorrow
Down in Happy Hollow

Well listen close you'll hear the call
It' all for one and one for y'all
There ain't no time to weep and wallow
Down on Happy Hollow

As the years keep flying by
Still a rocky road to roam
Like a Sparrow to the sky
I'll always find my way back home

Well solemn judge he comes around
All the way from Nashville town
Looking for a swig to swallow
Down on Happy Hollow

Well the sign out on the front door reads
Leave a list of what you need
If I ain't here come back tomorrow
Down on Happy Hollow

As the years keep flying by
Still a rocky road to roam
Like a Sparrow to the sky
I'll always find my way back homе

A rusted tin roof in the rain
Cabin down a grandma lane
If you lеad, I'll surely follow
Back to Happy Hollow

This is the beginning of the end
It's been a real nice time and I can't wait
To see you all again
This is the beginning of the end
If there's anyone around you
Throw your arm around a friend

Cause' the end of today
Could be the end of the way we've been living
If you wind end up on the wrong side of the road
You'll always have a hand to hold
It's like a dream that I just never want to end
Wish I could stay right here with all my best friends

It's the end of the line
It's thе end of the show
It's the еnd of the record
Even though I hate to go
I could stay here for awhile
If I had nowhere to be
But this old highway keeps on calling
For the end of you and me

So this is the beginning of the end
It's been a real nice time and I can't wait
To see you folks again
This is the beginning of the end
If there's anyone around
You throw your arm around a friend

At the end of the day
It's the end of the way we been living
And if you wind end up on the wrong side of the road
You'll always have a hand to hold
It's like a dream that I just never want to end
Wish I could stay right here with all my best friends

It's the end of the line
It's the end of the show
It's the end of the record
Even though I hate to go
I could stay here for a while
If I had nowhere to be
But this old highway keeps on calling
For the end of you and me

So this is the beginning of the end
It's been a real nice time and I can't wait
To see you folks again
This is the beginning of the end
If there's anyone around
You throw your arm around a friend

If there's anyone around you
Hold them close cause' it's the end

One of these days I'll wake up tired
Of the life I'm living and feel inspired
To get off my ass, and be on my way
One of these days I'll wake up steady
And ready to go like Richard Petty
I'm gonna wake up and change my ways
One of these days

One of these days I'm gonna find me a better way to live my life
And carry on without the strife
I know it won't come easy but believe me when I say
I'm gonna wake up and change my ways
One of these days

One of these days I'm coming up to it
Gonna put my foot right down and do it
It's about damn time I've made a change
One of these days I'm bound for glory
And that's the moral of this ol story
I'm gonna wake up and change my ways
One of these days

One of these days I'm gonna find me a better way to live my life
And carry on without the strife
I know it won't come easy but believe me when I say
I'm gonna wake up and change my ways
One of these days

One of these days I'm gonna find me a better way to live my life
And carry on without the strife
I know it won't come easy but believe me when I say
I'm gonna wake up and change my ways
One of these days

I know it won't come easy but believe me when I say
I'm gonna wake up and change my ways
One of these days