Old Angel Lyrics

I found her deep in the shadows of Chi Town
She asked, “What can I do for you, dear?”
I said, “Will you take me out straight to the golden
state
Drop me off somewhere down by the pier?”
She sighed, “It’s easy, just get on the freeway
It’s much faster, less trouble than I
I’m old and I’m broken, I’ll just slow you down
You know most folks have left me to die”
Well, I wouldn’t take no for an answer
Said, “I’m looking for more than a drive
And that cold interstate for some folks is great
I prefer the more beautiful and wise”

O the Glory Road’s an old angel
Who’s no doubt seen much better days
Still she’s gifted with flight
So I joined her that night
On her gilded wings we flew away

Some nights we’d land down by the river
Where I slept ‘neath a quilt of vast stars
In my dreams she sang me her stories
As she gently strummed Guthrie’s guitar
She sang about trains and truck stops
Nat Cole, Wild Bill, Elvis and Ford
Old diners, motels and drive-ins
Okies and soldiers and war
Will Rogers, the Mick and Abe Lincoln
Cowboys and Indians she knew
Runner Andy Payne, outlaw Jesse James
Neon signs and a whale blushing blue

O the Glory Road’s an old angel
Often grounded and tied to earth’s fate
It’s from us she receives
The strength that she needs
To soar against gravity’s weight
In one dream she sang by the campfire Her face changed as the years fell away
Her robe became new as her sweet voice rang true
What a sight she had been in her day!
Then the interstate hissed like a serpent
Struck her hard and she weakened with time
An old wounded angel ever gracious
To those who still find her divine
And the poisonous serpent who’d stung her
Thought we’d bury her deep in some tomb
But our love bore the strength to revive her
It’s the healing balm for her wound

O how will I speak of the wonders
The people, the places I saw
The surprises around every corner
Well, I’ve hardly got words for it all
When we parted down by the ocean
I cried, “I’ll deeply miss you, my friend!”
She said, “Don’t worry dear
I’ll be waiting right here
Should you ever come this way again”
Now I’m old, travelin’ days are behind me
So friend if you meet her some day
Tell her I truly did intend
To come back again
But the years somehow all slipped away

O the Glory Road’s an old angel
That heaven’s still smiling upon
Though battered and bruised
Broken and used
She’ll be happy to take you along
And share with you all of her blessings
And offer her story and song
For the Glory Road’s an old angel
Whose wings are gilded yet strong

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