Dusty Roads and Fading Ink

[Chorus] Dusty roads and fading ink On a bus that makes me think Of a time I left behind A younger soul, a different mind Fields of green, a gentle rain Washing over all the pain Approaching home, a bittersweet ache For goodness sake, the memories wake. [Verse] Springtime evening, sun sinks low Past the wheat fields, watch them grow Just washed clean by summer showers Smell of earth, and dying flowers An old bus rumbles, slow and deep Secrets that the country keep A little girl, beside me here Whispering words, so crystal clear. [Pre-Chorus] She's on the phone, a grandma's voice Making plans, a happy choice And in her tone, I hear a trace Of leaving home, that lonely place. [Chorus] Dusty roads and fading ink On a bus that makes me think Of a time I left behind A younger soul, a different mind Fields of green, a gentle rain Washing over all the pain Approaching home, a bittersweet ache For goodness sake, the memories wake. [Verse] My pocket holds a folded square A note from Mom, beyond compare Church hymns scribbled, blurred and worn Since the day that I was born An old key rests beside my hand From a life I understand But can't quite grasp, it slips away Like twilight at the close of day. [Bridge] See the smoke rise, thin and blue From a chimney, old and true My heart beats faster, skips a pace Remembering this time and place The final stop is drawing near Dispelling doubt, and calming fear But a thousand feelings start to bloom Filling up this country room. [Chorus] Dusty roads and fading ink On a bus that makes me think Of a time I left behind A younger soul, a different mind Fields of green, a gentle rain Washing over all the pain Approaching home, a bittersweet ache For goodness sake, the memories wake. [Outro]