Old Angel

Lyrics

[Verse 1: Derri Daugherty] I found her deep in the shadows of Chi Town She asked, "What can I do for you, dear?" [Terry Scott Taylor] I said, "Will you take me out straight to the Golden State Drop me off somewhere down by the pier?" [Derri Daughtery] She sighed, "It's easy, just get on the freeway It's much faster, less trouble than I [Terry Scott Taylor] I'm old and I'm broken, I'll just slow you down You know most folks have left me to die" [Pre-Chorus: Derri Daugherty] 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" [Chorus 1: Derri Daugherty] Oh, 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 [Verse 2: Derri Daugherty] Some nights we'd land down by the river Where I slept 'neath a quilt of vast stars [Terry Scott Taylor] In my dreams she sang me her stories As she gently strummed Guthrie's guitar [Derri Daugherty] She sang about trains and truck stops Nat Cole, Wild Bill, Elvis, and Ford [Terry Scott Taylor] Old diners, motels and drive-ins Okies and soldiers and war [Pre-Chorus 2: Derri Daugherty] 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 [Chorus: Derri Daugherty] Oh, 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 [Bridge: Mike Roe] 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 buried her deep in some tomb But our love bore the strength to revive her It's the healing balm for her wound [Verse 3: Derri Daugherty] Oh, how will I speak of the wonders? The people, the places I saw? [Terry Scott Taylor] The surprises around every corner Well, I've hardly got words for it all [Derri Daugherty] When we parted down by the ocean I cried, "I'll deeply miss you, my friend!" [Terry Scott Taylor] She said, "Don't worry, dear, I'll be waiting right here Should you ever come this way again" [Pre-Chorus 3: Derri Daugherty] 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 [Chorus 3: Derri Daugherty] Oh, 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