Open Road

© Barbara S. Garriel
Lyrics and Music by Barbara S. Garriel

I was just a kid when my daddy said he was leaving and not coming back.
He was heading down to Kingsland, Arkansas, and same as Johnny, he was wearing black.
He said, “I got this thirst for the open road, I’ve got to quench before I die.”
He took his guitar, got on his Harley and said,
“Be your daddy’s girl and don’t you cry.”

The open road……

I was just 16 and you were lean and mean when you rode in on your Harley that day.
You said, “Get on. I’ll take you for a ride.”  I knew there’d be one hell of a high price to pay.
But I had this fever that was burning hot, so I jumped on and didn’t look back.
And like my Daddy’s girl, soon I was singing the blues and same as Johnny, I started wearing black.

On the open road……

All I thought I was doing on that summer night was going out for a little ride.
I needed the pavement underneath my wheels.  It was getting too damn hot inside.
Then, I kept on going and I couldn’t stop, like that bike had a mind of its own.
I racked up miles on the open road.  Never once did that engine groan.

Went on the open road……

When I called to tell you I was in Arkansas you asked me if I had lost my mind.
Just up and leaving without any reason, what did I think I was going to find?
I said, “The only thing I am sure of now is same as Johnny I’m only wearing black.
And I just like riding in the dead of night and same as Daddy, I won’t be coming back.”

I’m on the open road……

© Barbara S. Garriel