Track 2 of the album Sparks on the Blue Ridge · 2014
The Long Way to Memphis
“I turned my phone face down somewhere past Tulsa and never regretted it. The whole band sings the long way home.”
americana · road song · country rock · 4:31
Lyrics
Phone's been buzzing on the dashboard since Tulsa I turned it face down on the seat Same sweet voice and the same hard news I ain't ready for it, not on this street So I took the county road past the water tower Took the exit that I didn't need If I never get there, it can't be true That's a kind of math that works for me Oh, the map says straight But the heart says wait I'm taking the long way to Memphis Through every little town with one red light I'm taking the long way to Memphis Burning up the gas and the last of the night Everybody's got a road they're dodging Everybody's got a bridge they can't cross I'm taking the long way to Memphis And I'll get there when I'm not so lost Stopped for pie in a place called Dolly's Waitress called me honey, poured me more Said you look like a man who's carrying something Heavy as a piano through a door I laughed and left her a twenty on the counter Said I'm only running late She said sugar, late is just another word For a man who's learning how to wait Oh, the map says straight But the heart says wait I'm taking the long way to Memphis Through every little town with one red light I'm taking the long way to Memphis Burning up the gas and the last of the night Everybody's got a road they're dodging Everybody's got a bridge they can't cross I'm taking the long way to Memphis And I'll get there when I'm not so lost Crossed a river on a rusted old trestle Pulled over, killed the engine, got out Stood there while the catfish circled Listening to what the quiet's about Then I turned the phone back over Let it ring right through my hand Said I'm coming, I'm on my way now Tell her I'm coming, and I understand Mile by mile the dread gets lighter Mile by mile the sky turns gray You can't outrun a thing that's waiting But you can meet it halfway I'm taking the long way to Memphis Through every little town with one red light I'm taking the long way to Memphis With the windows down and the radio right Everybody's got a road they're dodging Everybody's got a bridge they can't cross I'm taking the long way to Memphis And I'm almost there, and I'm not so lost Almost there, and I'm not so lost Almost there, and I'm not so lost