Prologue
Andrew Keenan-Bolger Lyrics

Jack: them streets down there they sucked the life outa my old man well they ain't doin that to me!
Jack refuses to become a victim of the streets that destroyed his father.

Crutchie: but everyone wants to come to New York
Crutchie reminds Jack that despite its challenges, New York remains a desirable location for many people.

Jack: You keep your small life in a big city, give me a big life in a small town.
Jack prefers the slower pace and simpler pleasures of small-town living over the hustle and bustle of a big city.

(Sang) They say folks is dying to get here me I'm dying to get away. To a little town out west that spanking new.
While many people dream of coming to New York, Jack dreams of leaving and starting a new life in a small town out west.

And while I ain't never been there I can see it clear as day. If you want, I betchu you can see it too.
Even though he has never been there, Jack can envision his ideal small town and encourages others to do the same.

Close your eyes come with me, where it's clean and green and pretty and they went and made a city outta clay haha.
Jack invites his listeners to imagine a picturesque, idyllic small town that seems almost too perfect to be real.

Why the minute that you get there folks will walk right up and say welcome home son welcome home to Santa Fe (hold for 3 beats).
In his imagined small town, Jack envisions a welcoming community that immediately makes newcomers feel at home.

Land of crops splitting rails swapping tails around the fire, except for Sunday when you lie around all day (hold for 3 beats) soon your friends are more like family and theys beggin you to stay (hold for 2 beats) ain't that neat! Livin sweet in Santa Fe (hold for 4 beats).
Jack envisions a close-knit community in which neighbors become like family and life is relaxed and enjoyable.

(Spoken) Hey no one worries about no gimp leg in Santa Fe you just hop a palamino you ride in style!
In this small town, people are not judged or limited by physical disabilities; instead, everyone gets around with ease and style.

Crutchie: (laughs) picture me ridin in style!
Crutchie finds the idea of himself riding in style amusing.

Jack: hey I bet a few months of clean air you can toss that crutch for good!
Jack encourages Crutchie to believe that his physical disability may not limit him forever in their idyllic small town.

Both: Santa Fe (hold for 3 beats) you can bet we won't let them bastards best us, we won't beg no one to treat us fair and square (hold for 3 beats) there's a life that's worth the livin and im gonna do my share (hold for 2 beats) work the land, chase the sun swim the whole we won't grant us for fun!!
Jack and Crutchie vow to take control of their own lives and make something of themselves in their small town, even if it means hard work and overcoming obstacles.

Crutchie: watch me stand! Watch me run!
Crutchie becomes empowered by the idea of a life without limitations in their small town.

Jack: hey.. Heyy (sang) don't you know that we's a family would I let you down? No way, just hold on kid 'til that train meets Santa Fe (hold for 5 beats get deeper but softer)
Jack reassures Crutchie that they are like family and he will not let him down; they just need to hold on until they reach their small town utopia.