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Zephyr

from Zephyr (LP) by Gold Light

/

lyrics

Joe Bill always smelled of gasoline
Used to drive long distance for the Crosstown Company
From North Carolina to the Northeast
Knew the back of his hands like he knew them streets
Used to pass through New York City
Saw Mickey Mantle play in the summer of '53
It must've been some sight to see
Though he always hated them damn Yankees

Mary Edna waited tables downtown
In a diner where Joe Bill come around
Til one day a little courage he found
And he asked her out
And he'd drive that little girl where'er she wanted to go
But when he took her home she'd make him drop her off at the end of the road
And walk the rest of the way alone
Cus she didn't want him to see how poor they were

See the thing about time it's always passing you by
Ain't no friend of yours sure ain't no friend of mine
But there's a place where time seems to stand still
Out yonder beyond the pines just over them hills
You'll come upon an old oak tree in the middle of town
Where Joe Bill carved their initials with a heart around
And sometimes you'll hear it's name coming in on the wind
If you're listening


So they got married in '55
More and more Joe Bill toe'd that company line
Always find himself out on that lonesome road
Leaving Mary Edna and a little newborn at home
She used to cry every time she'd watch him leave
But she waited for him oh so patiently
Letters arrived she'd read 'em eagerly
Write him back just as fast signed I'm Yours, Affectionately

See the thing about time it's always passing you by
Ain't no friend of yours sure ain't no friend of mine
But there's a place where time seems to stand still
Out yonder beyond the pines just over them hills
You'll come upon a little house in the middle of some land
That Joe Bill built for his love with his own two hands
And sometimes you'll hear it's name coming in on the wind
If you're listening


In the fall of '58 spirits were low
Mary Edna got ill so Joe Bill got off the road
And at the ripe young age of 23
He drove that little girl down to the infirmary
Passed the diner where they met and the old oak tree
And that's where she would stay and remain confined
Til by and by 1959
The good Lord called her home to be by His side

See the thing about time it's always passing you by
Ain't no friend of yours sure ain't no friend of mine
But there's a place where time seems to stand still
Out yonder beyond the pines just over them hills
You'll come upon a cemetery in the middle of some land
Where Edna's body was buried with Joe Bill's bare hands
And sometimes you'll hear it's name coming in on the wind
If you're listening

credits

from Zephyr (LP), released October 10, 2019

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Gold Light Asheville, North Carolina

Tracking through cinematic tales of heartache, love and loss while bouncing between genres from 50’s rock and roll to post-punk to classic country, Gold Light becomes a catchall for Chang’s prismatic take on American music.

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