1. |
||||
2. |
||||
|
There’s a red light river in my way
The basin’s wrapped in an amber haze
And the only break I get is to break a sweat
God, deliver me from I-10.
Bring my navigator back again
And I’ll take that trip no travel agent gets
Follow me off the highway
there are secrets here beneath the western sky
In the desert tonight.
In the desert tonight.
My 351, she’s rumbling loud
This motor should make Cleveland proud
But some memories just quit running from a long hard haul.
As Polaris broke through overhead
I set my heading for my long-lost friends
those who etched the heavens in these canyon walls.
Follow me off the highway
there are secrets here beneath the western sky
Follow me off the highway
in the desert tonight.
There's a cluster of lights outside of Shiprock
a voice in my head said,
“I think you should stop.”
That Navajo woman said I don't need reservations.
In another land from another time
she saw my soul through those ancient eyes
and she sensed my quest was just self-preservation.
Out here in the desert at night
the soul awakens and it feels all right
and nothing, no nothing but the sun could ever beat me down
I've come this far and I won't stop
the Four Winds erase the sands I walk
I'm gonna vanish from this world, yeah...I'm getting out
Follow me off the highway
there are secrets here beneath the western sky
Follow me off the highway
in the desert tonight.
In the desert tonight.
|
||||
3. |
||||
|
It’s been well over a hundred degrees for goin’ on twenty straight days
We can’t run the central air ‘cause the electric ain’t been paid.
I spent the greater part of August underneath this old elm tree
With this rusted Chevy Nova my father-in-law bequeathed to me.
You see, they laid me off my last job ‘cause the illegals they’ll work for less
I was gonna write my Congressman but he left no forwarding address.
There ain’t a job in Hudspeth County that pays a decent wage
Unless you bring it up from Mexico and sell it here in the States.
It’s the law of the land…supply and demand
It’s strictly business, man…supply and demand.
|
||||
4. |
||||
|
Limpin’ down the shoulder just north of the border
With the radiator ready to blow
The old man said, “You’re gonna lose your head
Along the Jornada Del Muerto.”
Damn these turkey vultures
I curse ‘em as they circle overhead, (I ain’t dead yet)
Guess I’ll pull off the road, soak up some sun
Pick off some buzzards with my scatter gun
I’m runnin’ down this Haywire Highway
Held together by faith and baling wire
Runnin’ down this Haywire Highway
Just trying to enjoy the ride
I was born road ready like a small block Chevy
Made right here in the USA
Got a heart like a muscle car sitting in a salvage yard
Yeah, it’s seen better days
But my girl, she’ll turn some wrenches
She’ll tear it down and build it back good as new
And paint it red, white and blue
Squinting through the glare of the setting sun
We’re looking for love in America
Runnin’ down this Haywire Highway
Held together by faith and baling wire
We’re runnin’ down this Haywire Highway
Just tryin’, just tryin’,
Just tryin’ to enjoy the ride
Please, Lord forgive me of my transgressions
desperate times make a desperate man.
Lord, do you think I might get you to listen if I voted Republican?
I’ve got a big bail of weed stashed in the trunk,
I’ve got four hundred horses under the hood
Five grand says I make it to Detroit,
make this one run then get out for good.
Sometimes I think I might go crazy,
but at least I’m going somewhere.
Runnin’ up and down this Haywire Highway,
my Baby’s keepin’ me in good repair.
She’s keepin’ me in good repair,
she’s keepin’ me in good repair
I’m kissing her guardrails.
Runnin’ down this Haywire Highway…
|
||||
5. |
Spaceland (home demo)
06:46
|
|||
|
Hey, Kid Canaveral...you're coming in low
Pull back on the throttle and turn off the radio.
Your altimeter's busted, can you maintain your high?
Fire your thrusters for the sweet by-and-by.
You're looking for something to believe in
when you ain't busy looking for work.
Chasing the angel who taught you to fly
to the edge of your own universe.
Way out, way out in Spaceland
You can stay out late and get wasted
Where the vanquished angels fly.
Hey, Kid Canaveral...how's the view from up there?
If you start to unravel you ain't got a prayer down here.
We're losing your signal, you're in orbital decay
There’s another rogue missile over Spaceland today.
Only a few become the big stars
The rest of us just fall back to earth
Cursing the angel who taught us to fly
to the end of our own universe.
Way out, way out in Spaceland
We can stay out late and get wasted
Way out, way out in Spaceland
Where the vanquished angels fly.
Until they run out of sky.
|
||||
6. |
Landfill (home demo)
04:40
|
|||
|
Went to the landfill with my brother today
We finally started that renovation
I'm cheap labor when I've got nothing to do.
These days small talk is about the best we can manage
Claw hammers doing most of the damage we do now
The demolition felt good, bent nails and splintered wood
got me thinking about you.
I keep thinking 'bout the love we make
The walls we build and the bonds we break
The things we use and then just throw away
I want to hold on to what we got
Make your heart my home and not this landfill
Where everything wastes away.
Watch the bulldozers rumble by
Sitting on the tailgate drinking lite beer
as the recycled sun sinks into the haze.
He asked about you and I told him we're good
like galvanized screws set in pressure treated wood
We're stuck together, probably last forever
probably grow old and gray.
I keep thinkin' 'bout the love we make
The walls we build and the bonds we break
The things we use and then just throw away
I want to hold on to everything we got
Make your heart my home and not this landfill
Where everything wastes away
Some of this could be saved
|
||||
Kevin Higgins Fairport, New York
On the outside I'm a melody tinker, a wistful poet, a framer of moments, a quixotic nomad, a sucker for love, a plunderer
for justice, a friend to those who’ll listen-an impudent ghost to those that won’t.
On the inside I’m a recovering cynic, a light house keeper under siege, a champion of lost causes, and by birthright-my own worst critic. Still, always happiest occupying creative space.
... more
If you like Kevin Higgins, you may also like:
A vibrant vision of "Central Americana" from the Costa Rica-based artist, blending heartland devotionals with playful Tropicália grooves.
go to album
A fresh, constantly-evolving vision on Americana from the New York trio, weaving together bluegrass, roots music, and pop rock.
go to album
Postcards From the Country
by Trae Sheehan
West Virginia country-folk singer-songwriter Trae Sheehan aims to find a balance between the traditional and the modern on his new LP.
go to album
Meet Me at the River
by Dawn Landes
On “Meet Me By the River,” Dawn Landes’s self-described “Nashville record,” buoyant country melodies settle deep into lush instrumentation.
go to album
Dakota Blue Moon
by Jackson Harden
Gorgeous acoustic Americana from North Carolina, stripped-back and sublime.
go to album
Collaborating remotely with 12 songwriters from all over the world, Kim Edgar emerged with a work of striking art pop.
go to album
Caught Up On A Feeling
by Veronica Stanton
Stunningly beautiful orchestral folk songs with just a hint of country, delivered with heart-on-sleeve immediacy.
go to album
