Route 66, Carry Me On

Lyrics

[Verse 1] I left Chicago with a coffee-stained map And a duffel bag tied with a red shoestring strap The morning wore gold on the old factory town I turned that wheel west and kept rolling it down [Pre-Chorus] Through Missouri rain and Oklahoma wheat Every mile had a story underneath my feet [Chorus] Route 66, carry me on Past the barber poles and the desert dawn From a two-lane dream to the Santa Monica pier I found a little more freedom every mile out here Route 66, winding and wide Got a song in the engine and the whole world outside [Verse 2] At the Blue Swallow, a vacancy sign A porch swing creaked in the afternoon shine The diner girl laughed, said, “You’re headed too fast” So I stayed for a slice and let the hour pass [Pre-Chorus] Past Tucumcari fences and Gallup red stone A thousand small towns made the highway my home [Chorus] Route 66, carry me on Past the barber poles and the desert dawn From a two-lane dream to the Santa Monica pier I found a little more freedom every mile out here Route 66, winding and wide Got a song in the engine and the whole world outside [Bridge] The Wigwam stars were bright above the hood Kingman dust settled like I knew it would When the road gets lonely, I pull over and sing To a moonlit shoulder and a cheap six-string [Final Chorus] Route 66, carry me on Past the painted signs and the desert dawn From a two-lane dream to the Pacific blue Every road I remember leads me back to you Route 66, winding and wide Got a song in the engine and the whole world outside [Outro] At Santa Monica, I parked by the sea But the highway kept humming its tune inside me Route 66, wherever I roam That long road west still feels like home