Phoebe Snow

Phoebe Snow Starlight On the Rails November 15, 2008 Banjo tuned E Capo 1, Key D D G D I saw her name, on the side of a train A7 Somewhere a long time ago D I don't know who she was G D A7 D But I gave my name to someone called Phoebe Snow G D Like a bird on the wing, I hear voice sing, A7 As over the prairies I roll G But I'd give my life to spend one more night D A7 D In the arms of my own Phoebe Snow G D I climbed on board through a wide open door A7 Just as she started to roll, D G D And I rode so light through the long summer night A7 D In the arms of my own Phoebe Snow. (chorus) (spoken) Many a night I've sat by the fire In a circle of stone silent men, And heard the sagebrush whistle and pop And the coffee boil in the can. D G D The bottoms were filled with a cool river wind A7 And the treetops chasing the moon D G D And I knew without saying to take my guitar A7 D And play up some slow gentle tune. G D I played up a face I knew long ago A7 And the song was the sound of a name, D G D I knew without looking that every man there A7 D Was each of them doing the same. G D Then I played up some hands so pale and small A7 With a touch as light as the rain, D G D And I knew without looking that every man there A7 D Was each of 'em feeling the same. Then I played up the booze and the holes in the shoes Of a man whose life is a cage, And all the things done to make a man run, The hard luck and failures of age - Then I stopped with a crash - we looked into the ash, Helpless with longing and rage. Now a traveling life might seem all right, A life without worry or care; Always up and always out and always going somewhere, But I'll tell you, friend-it's not where you are But your reason for being there. (sung)D G D And then I awoke as the day broke, A7 And gazed out over the plain, D G D Thinking as how I'm better off now A7 D Being in love with a train. (chorus)