Shandaken

Come on up on 91 Played it straight in a wedding band Club dates and gatherings Silver string in hand "Just to pay the bills" he said "And I'll do it for a few Then I'll go down to Nashville town Make these strings ring true" Must've been in '86, New Year's party Met that girl with the black hair spilling down Said "I never saw anyone like you", She smiled and they were taken He took her home that night Back to Shandaken They got married in '89 Just before the glass ball fell Before too long a daughter come along And he sank into a shell Found work laying blacktop On the roadside at night Putting food on the table Clothes on his girls And am emptiness he couldn't fight Times got tight and he got old Her smile faded like a dream Seems all they'd been working for Was keeping something that once had been Split up not too long ago Alone and forsaken He's sending half his paycheck Back to Shandaken Sometimes he picks up that old silver string But his fingers forget how to cry Stares off into the night Hears the cars whistling by Feels the rush of wind Sees the highway sign "Our lives are what we make' 'em" Wish I never met that little girl Out of Shandaken I wish I never met that little girl Out of Shandaken Out of Shandaken