Annabelle

That old woman from Dove Creek Colorado,
 On her way to see her mom one more time
 Looking for an answer or some kind of cure
 For the loneliness she'd had in her heart all her life
 You left the hard part up to her, trying to put it all into words
 Measuring the miles behind her eyes
 Hopin' she don't turn to you, wondering where you're running off to
 If she don't ask no questions you won't have to tell no lies
 Annabelle, all the stories you tell
 Are about bus stations and trains
 And all the folks you will never know well
 You remember by the names of the places from where they came
 I listen like a child, as you recount the trials
 Of the strangers who are closer than your own kin
 You can leave your coat on, 'cause I know it won't be long
 Till you slip out the back door again
 Spending all your time in bars, trading smiles for stories of the war
 In truckstops and motels I know you can't afford
 What would I ever do if I heard something happened to you
 Or worse, if I hear nothing at all?
 Annabelle, all the stories you tell
 Are about bus stations and trains
 And all the folks you will never know well
 You remember by the names of the places from where they came
 I listen like a child, as you recount the trials
 Of the strangers who are closer than your own kin
 You can leave your coat on, 'cause I know it won't be long
 Till you slip out the back door again
 You're one of a dying breed who only takes what they need
 And leaves the rest to the feast of the fools
 When someone else along the way asks you to stop and stay
 And tell them a story or two
 Tell them the one about this old man from Blue River, Arizona
 Who is tall and handsome in spite of his lazy eye
 Never found no gold on the trail of old nado
 Spent half of his life waiting on that quittin' time whistle to blow
 Annabelle, all the stories you tell
 Are about bus stations and trains
 And all the folks you will never know well
 You remember by the names of the places from where they came
 I listen like a child, as you recount the trials
 Of the strangers who are closer than your own kin
 You can leave your coat on, 'cause I know it won't be long
 Till you slip out the back door again