Then and Now

Then and Now by Don Ray

I'm out here again on Highway 2;
I've been on this road my whole life through.
I could close my eyes, still I could see --
See every curve, every up and down,
Every river bridge, and all those little towns --
See the way they are, the way they used to be.

Then and now, now and then,
I'm rolling, I'm going down these roads again.
Here and there, there and here,
And all along, all along this southern tier.

I'm heading north on the High and Dry;
When the weather's clear I can really fly.
I'm doing what I can just to get to work on time.
I've come back home in the blowing snow;
There's no shoulder on this county road,
But steady and slow and I will make it home tonight.

Then and now, now and then,
I'm rolling, I'm going down these roads again.
Here and there, there and here,
And all along, all along this southern tier.

Warm air rushing by my ear at night --
Green and orange luminescent dashboard lights.
I've got a trailer full of memories in tow;
Got Mike Shannon and the Cardinals on the radio.

I've pedaled up so many hills;
I've coasted down in the morning chill.
I've sweated as the summer sun rose higher.
I've seen that lazy river flow;
I've seen some crazy storm clouds grow.
I've seen the western sky lit up like fire.

Then and now, now and then,
I'm rolling, I'm going down these roads again.
Here and there, there and here,
And all along, all along this southern tier.