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Last Town On The Line

from Roses Guide To Time Travel by Nancy K Dillon

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One hot summer I drove my dad up to North Central Kansas for his 50th High School Reunion...until then he'd never thought to tell me that his graddaddy was a trainman...I already knew I was to be the last Dillon in my line.

From "Roses Guide To Time Travel" CD
© Nancy K. Dillon 2010

lyrics

Last Town On The Line

Daddy's granddaddy was a trainman
Missouri-Pacific was his line
Asa started working for the union
To make a better life, make a better life
Make a better life for the time

'Cause life was hard for a trainman
Eighteen hours, a penny in your pocket
Back-breaking, hard-driving work, work, work
Moving that corn, moving that coal
Gotta find a dollar, gonna patch this hole, uh-huh

CHORUS:
Now here I am living in the last town
Last town on the line
Nobody's going any further
It's a quiet place here, Population 1
In the last town, the last town on the line

How many hours in that train car?
How many miles did he ride?
How many nights in how many towns?
Supper by himself, missing his family and
Sweet Catherine by his side

But there was something important he believed in
Something essential was at stake
What would Asa think if he could see it all now?
Look at what a mess, could have done better
Lord, what a mess we can make

CHORUS

BRIDGE:
Did he happen onto Woody in a box car?
Did they talk about life and have a smoke?
Did Woody sing a couple songs before he traveled on?
My daddy's granddaddy might've fed him for a smile and a joke

© 2010 Nancy K. Dillon

credits

from Roses Guide To Time Travel, released March 22, 2010
Nancy K Dillon ~ Vocals/Guitar
Michael Hill ~ Slide Guitar
Chris Leighton ~ Steel Drum/Dept Of Transportation Barrel
Garey Shelton ~ 5 String Bass

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Nancy K Dillon Seattle, Washington

On her albums, Nancy K. Dillon maps the road West; the dusty highways that conjure up images like Kerouac's road trips, traveling dustbowl carnivals, and free-spirited 70s hipsters. Inspired by Oklahoma & Texas troubadours Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, and Kevin Welch, Dillon's songs are short stories about characters that populate true American life. ... more

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