the Lonely Hiker (JCH -- 1990)
Walking down the lonely highway of dreams
A car pulled up beside me and the driver said, “Boy, seems
you could use a lift” and I just smile and say
I’m down and out and get in and ride off into the day.
The driver was an old woman named Brenda Lee
And in the backseat sat her daughters Dori and Desiree.
I smile and say hey and they ask me where to
But don’t have any particular place to go or thing to do.
         You looked so pretty as the pink sunlight rose from the east
         And the tear trickled down your cheek with sheer elegance
         You know I never meant to make you cry
         In fact, I’d just about die for one last chance
Met a man just outside Aynor who said I looked lost.
Man was old and toothless; I said I’m looking for love at any cost.
He just smiled and shook his head as again I hit the road
thinking of the meaning of life and love and how I could find the code.
Stuck out my thumb and got picked up by a VW van.
Some wacked-out hippies smoking weed from a can.
They said I could fit right in, but I ran at the next red light
not looking back, as daytime turned slowly to night.
         You know you looked so pretty in emperors clothes
         and I thought you were the only one I’d ever need
         But people change and things get out of hand
         And please shed no more tears for my dirty deed
I’m still searching, living the life of the Lonely Hiker.
I could settle down or become a Harley-Davidson biker.
The world is out there waiting for me.
And someone is out there too, waiting to see
If it’s me she’s looking for to love and adore.
And if I find you again, girl, I’ll even the score.
I will make you see I never meant to make you cry
But understand that I’m the Lonely Hiker until I die.

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