Steal Away / Hidden In Plain Sight

(album: American Quilt - 2021)

Steal away, steal away, steal away to Jesus
Steal away, steal away home, I ain't got long to stay here

Bring your monkey wrench, gather your coins
Grab a loaf of bread, your compass, your knife
Bundle it all up in a ragged cloth
Leave in spring when the geese fly north
Leave in spring when the geese fly north

Oh, Zilla hangs the laundry out to dry
She hangs ten quilts, one at a time
Memorized the pattern to make your way
To the other side, to Canada, to steal away
To the other side, to Canada, to steal away

Grab your hammer, gather your tools
Look for your conductors to lead you
The wagon wheels will carry you 'mongst bales of hey
Right below their noses to the Appalachians
Right below their noses to the Appalachians

Hidden in plain sight, hidden in plain sight
Memorize the pattern, take flight tonight
Hidden in plain sight, hidden in plain sight
Memorize the pattern, take flight tonight

Even the lightning brightening your way
Keeping no wicked one's hounds at bay
Don't walk a straight line, it'll give you away
Double back and walk a drunkard's path, keep safe
Double back and walk a drunkard's path, keep safe

Follow a bed trail to the borderline
Walk the path of animals to water too high
The keys will lead you north and lead you to hope
Towards the setting sun to Cleveland
Towards the setting sun to Cleveland

Hidden in plain sight, hidden in plain sight
Memorize the pattern, take flight tonight
Hidden in plain sight, hidden in plain sight
Memorize the pattern, take flight tonight

Miles over mountains led by the side
Of the north star of Bethlehem traveled by night
Resting in churches in [?]
You come to the crossroads where you change your clothes
You come to the crossroads where you change your clothes

Out of the ranks, you put on bow ties
Bonnets and ribbons are a fine disguise
Ferry off to Canada, unpack your box
Sing of the carpenter, sing low, sweet chariot
Sing of the carpenter, swing low, sweet chariot

[?] life, a husband and wife
Your great grandchildren will know your sacrifice
Remember Rosetta and the quilt she sewed
She showed us the map of the railroad
She showed us the map of the railroad

Oh, Zilla hangs the laundry out to dry
She hangs ten quilts, one at a time
Memorized the pattern to make your way
To the other side, to Canada, to steal away
To the other side, to Canada, to steal away

I dream of land, I dream of land
I dream of land, I dream of this land

Hidden in plain sight, hidden in plain sight
Memorize the pattern, take flight tonight
Hidden in plain sight, hidden in plain sight
Memorize this pattern, take flight tonight