The Trip
Dave Rawlings Machine Lyrics

Whistles blowing, people get on trains
People blindly follow the crowd without knowing or caring where it's taking them

Without knowing where they're going
People are living life without any sense of direction or purpose

Someone's daughter, someone's sister, someone's teacher going down the road
Everyone on this journey has a story and loved ones who are waiting for them

With a body, a handkerchief, and a hatchet from an unspeakable crime
Some of the travelers are carrying the remnants of their past that they are trying to escape from

But there's no one waiting for them, there's no judgement down the line
Despite their past and present, there is no one to judge them as they journey towards the unknown

Banjos ring and chickens squall, and little babies crow
The journey is filled with the sounds of life that people fail to notice in their everyday routine

The winter leaves, and the spring unwinds, and summer comes again you know
The cycle of life keeps moving forward, no matter how lost or aimless a person feels

Pink is the color of my true love's dress, and black is the color of her heart
Love can be both beautiful and dark, and sometimes difficult to understand

But I could never leave old Virgini', and so it never parts
Home has a strong hold on people, despite the desire to leave and explore the unknown

Ebony face, ebony nails, ebony coffin on the rails
African Americans were not given the same equal treatment as white people and often died without dignity

Moving south, C-O-D, going home to mother
Describes the repatriation of black soldiers to their Southern homes after World War II

Some said for valor, for glory, for treasure, for pride
War has different motives for different people, but the outcome is always tragic

Sometimes brother hates brother
War can cause deep divisions even between family members

So take a trip wherever your conscience has to roam
Follow your intuition and explore the world around you

It's much too hard to try to live a lie at home
Ignoring your inner voice and staying in an unhappy situation is not worth the pain and suffering

My boots are cracked with road dirt and asphalt, spit, and broken dreams
Life on the road can take a toll on a person both physically and mentally

Chewing gum and safety pins, all what hold me in at the seams
Sometimes, the little things in life are the only things that hold us together on this journey

My pegs are loose, my screws too tightly wound to get in tune
Some people cannot be fixed or changed, no matter how hard they try

But I still try sometimes on those golden summer afternoons
Despite the odds, people still try to find happiness and meaning in life

There's a picture of an old black man, in a beaver hat
A memory or even an image can hold great significance in a person's life

He wears a hidden smile and a pair of white spats
People may carry hidden emotions or experiences, even when presented with a cheerful exterior

Don't pretend you didn't notice his stare
One should never ignore the stories and experiences of others

You're edgy, and sweating, and loaded for bear
Being on edge or defensive can block one's ability to empathize or understand others

The skeletons dance tonight, bring your bottle and your boots
We all have something to hide, but we should embrace it and not take life too seriously

And your mandolin that Bianca Alatorre tried to shoot
Sometimes, life is full of unexpected obstacles that can prevent us from achieving our goals

Oh but what's a bullet hole or two between friends?
Life can be messy and unpredictable, but true friendships can endure even the toughest times

And who can say when the well goes dry where the story ends?
The future is uncertain, and no one knows how their life story will ultimately end

Hotel lives and hotel wives that come and go with the sheets
Temporary and superficial relationships may bring a sense of comfort but will not lead to lasting happiness

But what's a marriage if it can't be held up to kitchen heat?
Even with all the obstacles in the world, love and marriage should be able to withstand the test of time and everyday struggles

Once I knew each valley and that beautiful shore
Life can change quickly and sometimes people lose touch with the places and people they once knew

But I don't go to the summer fair much anymore
People grow and evolve, and sometimes they leave behind the things they once loved

Your harmonica is blow baby, throw it away
Sometimes, we must let go of things that no longer bring us joy or fulfillment

Your denim shirt is ragged and your dirty collar is frayed
Things may become worn and tattered, but they still hold sentimental value and importance in a person's life

I tried to play my horn for you, but I couldn't seem to find a note
People may have the desire to create or communicate, but sometimes they are unable to express themselves

So I picked up pen and paper, and this is what I wrote
Words are a powerful tool for self-expression and communication