A story of a cross-country journey and the souls met along the way.
Lyrics
One Small Step
(c) 2025 Barry Seymour
V1 I went down to the corner, stuck my thumb out once again
It took me half an hour or so, before I found a friend
A trucker up from Jackson, returning with his load
We got to talking as we hit the road
Hes married with two children, but him and her split up
She learned about the other girl, a note left on his truck
So now hes driving double shifts, to pay for child support
Apartment and a car in Davenport
CH One small step in the wrong direction, one mistake is all it takes
All thats left is an abandoned intersection, a flashing light reminding you about that last mistake
V2 He dropped me off in Naperville, cause I dont like downtown
Chicago is anxiety, the South Side brings me down
I got on the Zephyr at the Loomis Metra Station
Undecided on my destination
A pretty girl sat next to me just as the sun went down
We talked a bit and then she dozed, the train went town to town
At one point she felt safe enough to sleep against my arm
I held my breath, and kept her safe from harm
CH One small step along the pathway, one small offering of trust
She left the train when we made Lincoln, we pretended nothing ever happened between us
M8 The rattle of the railroad tracks, the passing of the miles
Accumulated tales I told, distractions and denials
The stories fade away from me the further that I go
We climb the mountains up into the snow
V3 I stayed aboard the train until it rumbled into Denver
(I) went to see an old flame, lived close to city center
She said shes glad to see me, but something wasnt right
I slipped out in the middle of the night
Next, I caught a Greyhound bus, through deserts dry and gritty
Ended up in Oakland, took BART into The City
The beauty of the Golden Gate wont ease my darkling soul
Bridges, trains and running takes a toll
CH One small step down to the corner, one long journey to the sea
I never told her I was leaving, all I knews I had to get me free