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Ellis Paul

3,000 Miles

from: Live
My name is Robert Wilson,
I'm from Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
I've been living out of a
suitcase now for fourteen days...
I walked the boulevard in Hollywood,
I caught a Vegas show that was no good --
Met a dancer there that starred in a broadway play.
But it's a lonely world from this Greyhound,
Believe me, I've been here fourteen days.
Three thousand miles,
I've been here fourteen days,
Three thousand miles...

Now twenty-one is as good a guess as any age that I'd confess to,
Let's just say I'm old enough to get away.
Back in school, I found the only written truth
On bathroom stalls and telephone booths.
I studied awhile, but college got in my way.
I've learned much more from the back of this Greyhound,
Believe me, I've been here fourteen days.

Three thousand miles,
I've come a long, long way,
Three thousand miles...

Have you seen?
The world outside is turning --
And it's yours --
we were put here for the learning.
People talk to themselves on Greyhounds,
Even the driver strains to hear
They tell the same forgotten story --
Will it fall on forgetful ears?

Down in Houston on comes this woman
With two kids and a bottle of booze,
And she cracked them both like match heads
Whenever they ventured too close to her fuse.
And I sat with a girl from Boston,
Playing cards for cigarettes.
I lost her name with the poker game,
But her name I will never forget --

You never forget the view from these windows,
Believe me, I've been here fourteen days...

Three thousand miles,
I've come a long, long way,
Three thousand miles...

Ellis Paul Publishing (ASCAP) 1994