Old Angel

[Verse 1: Derri Daugherty]
I found her deep in the shadows of Chi Town
She asked, "What can I do for you, dear?"

[Terry Scott Taylor]
I said, "Will you take me out straight to the Golden State
Drop me off somewhere down by the pier?"

[Derri Daughtery]
She sighed, "It's easy, just get on the freeway
It's much faster, less trouble than I

[Terry Scott Taylor]
I'm old and I'm broken, I'll just slow you down
You know most folks have left me to die"

[Pre-Chorus: Derri Daugherty]
Well, I wouldn't take no for an answer
Said, "I'm looking for more than a drive
And that cold interstate for some folks is great
I prefer the more beautiful and wise"

[Chorus 1: Derri Daugherty]
Oh, the Glory Road's an old angel
Who's no doubt seen much better days
Still she's gifted with flight, so I joined her that night
On her gilded wings we flew away

[Verse 2: Derri Daugherty]
Some nights we'd land down by the river
Where I slept 'neath a quilt of vast stars

[Terry Scott Taylor]
In my dreams she sang me her stories
As she gently strummed Guthrie's guitar

[Derri Daugherty]
She sang about trains and truck stops
Nat Cole, Wild Bill, Elvis, and Ford

[Terry Scott Taylor]
Old diners, motels and drive-ins
Okies and soldiers and war

[Pre-Chorus 2: Derri Daugherty]
Will Rogers, the Mick and Abe Lincoln
Cowboys and Indians she knew
Runner Andy Payne, outlaw Jesse James
Neon signs and a whale blushing blue

[Chorus: Derri Daugherty]
Oh, the Glory Road's an old angel
Often grounded and tied to earth's fate
It's from us she receives the strength that she needs
To soar against gravity's weight

[Bridge: Mike Roe]
In one dream, she sang by the campfire
Her face changed as the years fell away
Her robe became new as her sweet voice rang true
What a sight she had been in her day
Then the interstate hissed like a serpent
Struck her hard, and she weakened with time
An old wounded angel, ever gracious
To those who still find her divine
And the poisonous serpent who'd stung her
Thought we'd buried her deep in some tomb
But our love bore the strength to revive her
It's the healing balm for her wound

[Verse 3: Derri Daugherty]
Oh, how will I speak of the wonders?
The people, the places I saw?

[Terry Scott Taylor]
The surprises around every corner
Well, I've hardly got words for it all

[Derri Daugherty]
When we parted down by the ocean
I cried, "I'll deeply miss you, my friend!"

[Terry Scott Taylor]
She said, "Don't worry, dear, I'll be waiting right here
Should you ever come this way again"

[Pre-Chorus 3: Derri Daugherty]
Now I'm old, travelin' days are behind me
So friend if you meet her some day
Tell her I truly did intend to come back again
But the years somehow all slipped away

[Chorus 3: Derri Daugherty]
Oh, the Glory Road's an old angel
That heaven's still smiling upon
Though battered and bruised, broken and used
She'll be happy to take you along
And share with you all of her blessings
And offer her story and song
For the Glory Road's an old angel
Whose wings are gilded yet strong