GRAPES ON THE VINE

(Steve Gillette and Charles John Quarto)



The are songs that birds don't sing to people

Secrets that keep right through to the end.

There are heroes that hide until forever

And I'm singin' this song for one of them.



He's the man that you passed on the road there.

The one with his life on the loose.

Goin' either somewhere or nowhere,

Goin' without me without you.



For he is this world's constant orphan

Travellin' out his long time,

Livin' on apples from orchards

And dyin' from grapes on the vine.



You can find him in big city winters

Down where the mission bell cries.

And the sorrow echoes through summers

As he tries to close all his eyes.



And dream of his railroad existence

As if it were some kind of dream.

As if the extent of the distance

Were what his heart would call him.



You can find him in Pittsburgh at Christmas,

You can find him in Buffalo in June.

And he knows all the back roads between them

Like a gypsy knows the moon.



And it's route twenty-two all over again

Put your thumb out and try to look like somebody's friend.

Look strong at the man and mild at the girl

And puzzled at the rest of the world.



For he is this world's constant orphan

Travellin' out his long time.

Livin' on apples from orchards

And dyin' from grapes on the vine.



Copyright 1983, Ensign Music / Tessa Music, BMI

Used by permission

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