Our son had to catch a train a few weeks ago, and until then, Craig and I had never been in downtown Redding at 2 AM. It was rather dark and desolate and the whole ordeal made for a ridiculously long night. But the outing DID inspire a new tune - a song about a woman quietly leaving this town behind.
I've been writing songs about this area for many years, and this is the first time I've written "Redding" in a lyric - it's a pretty word to sing, actually. The song will be on our upcoming CD: Whiskeytown Roadhouse.
2:20
words and music © Erin Friedman
Waitin' at the downtown depot
With
the winter-weary people
I’ll
take the blame under heavy darkness
While
the rest of Redding sleeps
North
of town, the whistle cries
Signals
flash, travelers rise
The
southbound Coast Starlight and I
Have
promises to keep
(chorus)
2:20
is a lonely time for leaving
Plenty
of regrets onboard this train
I
know to every time there is a season
2:20
is the time to ride away
From
burning
Bridges
on toward the morning
With
pride and my side of the story
Face
the west, and fall asleep
To
the rhythm of the wheels
Dream
a dream of graceful endings
Of
forgiving then forgetting
Start
over far from Redding
With
a courage strong as steel
