Valerie

(album: Western Wall: The Tucson Sessions - 1999)

To the east the factories stand
Like fire-breathing dragons against the sky
And from their throats a scarlet river
Burns itself into smoky lullabies
Over neon and fluorescent skies

Valerie, can you hear those engines drone
I wanted to go to Mexico
But I'm stranded here alone
And once I knew a true love
It's been three years since he's gone
And if I could get that feeling back
I'd give up everything I own

16 days since I left Corona
And I traveled to this carnival town near Alberndee
And I rode the coaster there on the fairground
Twisted backbone of a beast that never heals
And I left some skin on fortune's wheel

Valerie, can you hear those engines drone
I wanted to go to Mexico
But I'm stranded here alone
And once I knew a true love
It's been three years since he's gone
And if I could get that feeling back
I'd give up everything I own

Everything's in slow motion now
In this little border town
I've come so close from so far
Just to hide behind these windows here
From the world outside
I watch those cars and trucks raise trails of dust
Down the road as they pass by

Valerie, can you hear those engines drone
I wanted to go to Mexico
But I'm stranded here alone
And once I knew a true love
It's been three years since he's gone
And if I could get that feeling back
I'd give up everything I own
Everything I own
Everything I own