Few Short Miles (Bobby's Song)

Long night, tame summer

I was down to play some games

In an East Texas town just off the coast

Much to my surprise

In that little sea sand bar

I meet the greatest man, that I have ever known

Bob was sitting there lone at the table

One long night after the show

When he walked up and he sat down next to me

He said my name is Bobby

And it's nice to meet you boy

Like just about every song I've heard you sing

His face was slightly round

Shoulders withered down

He looked older than his age at fifty-four

We drank and told some stories

Cranked a couple jokes

He said some things my heart just can't ignore

He said don't expect too much

You'll likely lose touch

With whatever's right in front of your eyes

But still be hoping for the best

Putting your faith to the test

In a world, where not every fool can fly

And underneath your feet

There ain't always gonna be

Walking on shining streets of gold

So take the good with the bad

And hang on to your hat 'cause it's a few short miles

Down the road

Baggin' up my clothes just before I had an ache

I B-line, drive north to Tennessee

When I came out the door

In the early morning hour

It was Bobby, with a gift he had for me

Well he handed me a beat up black

Old flat-topped guitar

That had a rugged look

But it still played

He said I found it in a dumpster

Shining like the sun through the rubble

From the recent hurricane

And I thanked him oh, so kindly

Strummed a little tune

He smiled, and right before he said goodbye

He told me I should try to write a song

On that old black guitar

And I couldn't sing it yet, but I had one memorised

Do not expect too much

You'll likely lose touch

With whatever's right in front of your eyes

Still be hoping for the best

Putting your faith to the test

In a world, where not every fool can fly

And underneath your feet

You ain't always gonna be

Walking on shining streets of gold

So take the good with the bad

And hang on to your hat 'cause it's a few short miles

Down the road

Long two summers later

I was back to play some games

In that East Texas town just off the coast

When I noticed something missing

Like a piece lost from a puzzle

This time I wondered where my good friend go

Barmaid said that Bobby

Had found a better place

Above the neon lights of this old bar

She said he'd battled cancer for some time, he kept it quiet

Last Spring it won, and it finally made him one

And I sing Dallas Sorrow

But kept an open ear

For the words I heard from him when we first met

And I sat at that same table

But no longer was I lonely

'Cause I sing a song now forever in my head

Not expect too much

You'll likely lose touch

With whatever's right in front of your eyes

Still I'm hoping for the best

Puttin' my faith to the test

In a world, where not every fool can fly

And underneath my feet

There ain't always gonna be

Walking on shining streets of gold

So take the good with the bad

And hang on to your hat 'cause it's a few short miles

A few short miles

Down the road