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Open Road

from Learning Faith by Jess Klein

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I have been on the road on and off for 20 years; it can be a dangerous lifestyle for anyone who hasn’t faced their own demons. So much time alone, away from friends and family and in constant motion is what leads people to rely on drinking/drugs, etc. to get them through. The road has almost taken me down a few times. This is the story of a good friend whose demons got the better of her.

lyrics

You and I had seen the open road
had the nerve to give it one more go
with a car from your old job and my book of songs
a Mexican blanket to cover the guitars
and the faith of those whose race is not run
hey it might get rough out there
I know
but we can do this
take my hand lets go

Said you loved to drive through the night
drove us up to Michigan alright
then the old friend you never thought you’d see again
came out in Cleveland, started buying you rounds
you toasted freedom
but your eyes were looking down
I tried to ask “are you alright?”
you didn’t answer
just drove through the night

out on the open road
where long shadows show
and riders pray for the light we know
not to be dyin’

the same old friend showed up in three more towns
seemed to turn your old nerve around
somewhere near Buffalo that old car slowed
too much weight
too many miles
I guess you knew something had to go
like a dream your old friend took the wheel
left me by the snowbanks
with the pain you wouldn’t feel

Now sometimes I see you around
I can never seem to make a sound
I heard you’re working an office job now
I’m still out here
I don’t always know why
I think about you
and it darkens my eyes
but I guess this life still gives me hope
some kind of freedom
some kind of rope

out on the open road
where long shadows show
and riders pray for the light we know
not to be dyin’

And all us souls wanna turn around
And crawl back underground
but me I’ll head for the light I’ve found
or grow old tryin’
you and I had seen the open road

credits

from Learning Faith , released July 24, 2014
Jess - acoustic guitar, porchboard
Professor Feathers - arp synthesizer, baritone guitar
Billy Masters - electric guitar scrape

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Jess Klein Hillsborough, North Carolina

Rochester, NY native Jess Klein is known for staking out brave lyrical and musical territory with such albums as Wishes Well Disguised (1998), Draw Them Near (2000), Strawberry Lover (2005), City Garden (2006), Bound to Love (2009), Behind A Veil (2012) and Learning Faith (2014) which Folk Radio UK calls “unquestionably the finest album of [her] impressive career.” ... more

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