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A t ypical tale....A combination of drug reporting from Rolling Stone and the venerable Irish theme of getting stabbed in the back by some wee fair lassie.

 

 

 

What Was It That I Came For?

© Joe Muldoon

How clearly I remember, my San Francisco days.
When love was left up to desire and hate was held at bay.
When time was just a rhythm drum behind the carousel.
How clearly I remember, when San Francisco fell.

When brother leaned on brother, hatred wore a smile
I saw degradation dancin' round in leather's latest style,
The marketplace was innocence, the guilty were concealed.
Everything was peace and love, but nothing was for real.
In any bar on any street where no one knew my name
I sought a new direction to begin
But every time I saw the light I got burned by the flame
Voices whispered to me, the wall were closing in.

Refrain:

   What was it that I came for, why did I break my stride?
I knew just what to aim for, my eyes were open wide.
In days of former circumstances, I was quite the man.
What was it that I came for, why did I change my plans?

Suddenly she oh there she was, my chance to be reborn
I met her and she promised to me shelter from the storm.
Earned by life-long gratitude, devotion and my trust
I learned sacred confidence that she was dealin’ dust.

She said she had some room for me, a chance to be employed
Since all her best lieutenants now were perfectly deployed.
My look of wonder was ignored, my protest set aside
If you’re looking for salvation, now you gotta take the ride.

And every thought and every fear that rattled through my mind
Told me just get on that bike and ride away
But if I faced myself alone I feared what I might find
I told her I’d do anything, I promised I would stay.

(Refrain)

Decisions all behind me, I learned my craft with speed
While she was out there doin’ deals, I was running lead
The northern towns and rural roads became my sole domain
I never even stopped to think that it was all insane.

The money was amazing, the parties were unreal,
The chemicals were standing by to tell me how to feel
The volume was increasing fast, the ice was growing thin
A careless word was slipped in jest, and we were taken in.

And she was so cooperative in pleading with the police
Hung me out for seven years or more
With well connected lawyers she was easily released
Living free in Washington protected by the law.