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At the time that I wrote and recorded this, I was living in Pacifica and was driving highway 280 quite a bit and would often pass the highway 92 exit. All the imagery is stuff that I saw often on my commute- the constant airplane traffic, deer, memorial crosses on the side of the road…
I basically was recording this song 4 bars at a time, writing the lyrics as I went. Whenever I listen to it, I can see and hear all the stitches… it’s a sketch, but I like it. It is what it is…
I feel like this song was a big step forward for me in learning how to write songs. I’m still learning…
Lyrics
Highway FlowersI’m by the airport I can hear the roar
it’s the sound of departure or coming back home
747 on a winter day
finding true north while the birds fly the opposite way
a flock of birds like a buckshot fly
in perfect formation in the inkblot sky
I’m by the freeway and I’ve come to ignore
this endless procession like a fleet leaving shore
Highway Flowers left by loved ones
for someone to mourn with a cross
and a heart shaped note
and photo
“please will you come home?”
Highway flower hitch hiking from home
like an endangered species with noplace to go
like a deer from the mountain on the shoulder
confused
looking for something…
Road side flowers
wave to traffic
on the 92 and I think of you
and wave “hello”
I’ll see you at home
These thoughts keep returning so relentless and slow
like a metronome trying
to show me the tempo
and either way that the pendulum swings
from coming to going
you’re one of the things
I’m taking with me in the vault of my soul
you’re in my garden where you
secretly grow
Highway Flowers
wave to traffic
on the 92 dedicated to you
my love
I’ll see you back home
baby, baby can you hear the roar?
it’s the sound of departure
and arrival of souls
