Wishing Chair is the folk-roots partnership of Miriam Davidson and Kiya Hea… Read Full Bio ↴Wishing Chair is the folk-roots partnership of Miriam Davidson and Kiya Heartwood.

"...a songwriting, accordion playing, harmony singing, storytelling,
hand drumming, banjo strumming, soul stirring,
two woman tour-de-force."

With award-winning songwriting and musicianship, Wishing Chair, "never fails to create that exhilarating sense one gets when great melodies, strong harmonies, and superb execution come together," says The Performing Songwriter Magazine. The 6th CD and latest offering from this roots/folk duo is no exception. Produced by Grammy nominated producer Mark Hallman, Underdog is "folk to the core," (Lexington Herald-Leader) delivering a rich collection of stories and clear-eyed diatribes, outlaw weddings, love songs, and an anti-Bush circus for good measure.

Since 1995, the folk and soul partnership of multi-instrumentalist Miriam Davidson and songwriter Kiya Heartwood has become well regarded for their engaging performances, passionate activism, stirring harmonies and award winning songs. With any subject being fair game, they have earned high honors from Kerrville (Political Songwriting Finalist 2003), Falcon Ridge (Emerging Artist Finalist 2002), Outmusic (double Winner 2003, Finalist 2004) to The South Florida Folk Festival (double Winner 2003).

Throughout the U.S and Canada, they have won over audiences and presenters alike performing in venues ranging from The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville to The Ark in Ann Arbor, Uncle Calvin's in Dallas and Club Passim in Cambridge, and at festivals including the National Women's Music Festival, the Kerrville Folk Festival, the Clearwater Folk Festival, the South Florida Folk Festival and the Philadelphia Folk Festival.

Highway Lullaby
Wishing Chair Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Highway Lullaby
Kiya Heartwood
© 2004

Aunt Jesse had a cheap motel, in the basement she ran the local well

Old Chuck Berry on the phonograph, that’s where my daddy taught me how to dance, how to dance

When your left don’t know what your right hand does

And you feel a little dangerous

Its alright its alright

Let those back seat angels rock you to sleep tonight

Hush now darlin don’t you cry

I’m gonna sing you a highway lullaby

Winfield Kansas a quilt of stars

Can’t see the road for the snow or another car

In that empty quiet all alone

As high and lonesome as George Jones

But Its alright Its alright

I’ll let those back seat angels rock me to sleep tonight

Hush now darlin don’t you cry

Its just one more highway lullaby

Miles and miles of asphalt and the rain is coming down

Shifting gears , spinning wheels is the sweetest sound

Hush now darlin don’t you cry……

Who knows where this road will lead

Now it all depends which wolves we feed

Keep swimming in this river of doubt

Too damn stubborn to put the fire out it wont go out

Now my left don’t know what my right hand does

And I feel a little dangerous

But its alright its alright, I swear its alright

Overall Meaning

The song Highway Lullaby by Wishing Chair tells the story of a traveler on the road. The first verse describes the traveler staying in a cheap motel run by her Aunt Jesse, where her father taught her how to dance to Chuck Berry's music. The second verse takes the listener to Winfield Kansas; the traveler is on the road, and the snow-covered scenery is all around, and she feels high and lonesome like George Jones, but it's alright, and she lets the back seat angels rock her to sleep. The bridge reveals more about the traveler's journey and the uncertainty that comes with it. She is on a road, and she's not sure where it will lead. She speaks about the wolves we feed, which could be mistrust or false love, and the ambiguity of staying in the moment itself. In the final verse, the traveler speaks about feeling dangerous, but she reassures herself that it's alright.

The song Highway Lullaby is about traveling and the uncertainty that comes with it. The lyrics talk about feeling alone and seeking comfort in the back seat angels. The song also reflects upon the fact that life is unpredictable and that we don't know what lies ahead, which is why the journey should be enjoyed. Additionally, the lyrics paint a vivid picture with words: a cheap motel, Chuck Berry on the phonograph, the snow during the drive, and the feeling of being high and lonesome like George Jones. The song leaves us with the realization that even though the road ahead may be uncertain, it's alright to accept the unknown.

Line by Line Meaning

Aunt Jesse had a cheap motel, in the basement she ran the local well
Aunt Jesse owned an affordable motel, where she offered access to a well in the basement for the local community

Old Chuck Berry on the phonograph, that’s where my daddy taught me how to dance, how to dance
My dad introduced me to Chuck Berry's music and displayed his dance moves, helping me learn how to dance

When your left don’t know what your right hand does, And you feel a little dangerous, Its alright its alright, Let those back seat angels rock you to sleep tonight
When you feel uncertain or out of control, it's okay to let go and allow your inner self to take charge, bringing you peace

Hush now darlin don’t you cry, I’m gonna sing you a highway lullaby
Don't worry, I'll sing you a soothing song to calm you down

Winfield Kansas a quilt of stars, Can’t see the road for the snow or another car, In that empty quiet all alone, As high and lonesome as George Jones
In Winfield Kansas, the night sky was full of stars, but the road was covered with snow, making it hard to see. In the silence, feelings of loneliness arose, similar to that of George Jones

Miles and miles of asphalt and the rain is coming down, Shifting gears , spinning wheels is the sweetest sound, Hush now darlin don’t you cry
Driving on a long stretch of road with rain falling, shifting gears and spinning wheels becomes the most comforting sound

Who knows where this road will lead, Now it all depends which wolves we feed, Keep swimming in this river of doubt, Too damn stubborn to put the fire out it wont go out
The path ahead is uncertain and depends on our choices. We should continue to persevere despite our doubts and the challenges we face

Now my left don’t know what my right hand does, And I feel a little dangerous, But its alright its alright, I swear its alright
Even when feeling lost or dangerous, everything will be okay in the end

Contributed by Dylan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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