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about

Jordan and Marty took a final long driving vacation around the Western U.S.

lyrics

RUBY IN THE STREAM by Jordan Rand
Rest area five miles
A flock of moths in twilight
Hits the windshield.

Pull over, I’ll drive
We’ll find a motel somewhere
Down the road.

In morning time will come
Rejuvenation.
We’ll pick up and we’ll carry on
Like children.
The landscape opens up just like
An oyster.

There’s sand in your eyes,
Time to close them.

At the Prairie-Dog Motel,
The air conditioner’s is louder than
A freight train.

The smell of desert rain
Is pungent as you open up
The door.

There’s local news and weather
On the TV.
An ice machine and soft drinks
Down the breezeway.
Hot Ramen on the camp stove
For our dinner.

There’s sand in your eyes,
Time to close them.
THERE’S A RUBY IN THE STREAM
BUT YOU HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE
THERE’S A NIGHTWALKER ON THE I-BEAM
BUT YOU CANNOT CARE.
THERE’S GOLD IN THE VOLCANO
BUT YOU DO NOT DARE
THERE’S A RUBY IN THE STREAM
BUT YOU HAVE TO LEAVE IT

Rest area two miles
No lights on the horizon
In the distance.

It’s too late to drive.
We’ll sleep like fork and spoon here
In the cab.

At least it’s automatic,
Not a stick-shift.
And if I snore, then you
Can turn me over.
Before you pass out,
Better crack the window.

There’s sand in your eyes,
Time to close them.

Black asphalt, blue sky
A bag of doughnuts on the seat
Between us.

Guitar-boys ahead
Are on the shoulder hitching
For a ride

We stash them and their gear
Back in the flat-bed.
They hop out later on
To switch directions.
You tell me I’m no good
At conversation.

There’s sand in your eyes,
Time to close them.
THERE’S A RUBY IN THE STREAM
BUT YOU HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE
THERE’S A NIGHTWALKER ON THE I-BEAM
BUT YOU CANNOT CARE.
THERE’S GOLD IN THE VOLCANO
BUT YOU DO NOT DARE
THERE’S A RUBY IN THE STREAM
BUT YOU HAVE TO LEAVE IT
Rest area next right.
Let’s call it a night.
There’s sand in your eyes,
Time to close them.

credits

from Jordan's Treasures: Live mixes of Jordan Rand Songs, released November 4, 2015
© 2015 Joanne Rand, Homefire Productions, BMI
Music and Lyrics by Jordan Rand
Recorded in front of a live audience at Studio E (Petaluma, CA), in 1993,
Mix by Stephen Hart
Executive Producer Ken Eberhardt

Guitar, Vocal: Joanne Rand
Electric guitar: Steve Kimock
Bass: Jeff Martin
Drums: Jack Springett
Congas & Percussion: Scott Deal

Digital remix by Piet Dalmolen (Universal Balance Studios, Arcata, CA)

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Joanne Rand Arcata

“A fixture of the Northern California folk scene, Rand’s life, activism & art are woven seamlessly together. A celebrated musician, composer & teacher. From stripped-down folk songs to lush, textured rock arrangements, she makes consistently engaging, perceptive, universal music.”-SFStation.com 2012. Touring nationally for 30 years, Rand is currently releasing 15th CD of original songs. ... more

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