Badlands
words and music by Cate Doefer and Tim Foley


(Em) Driving hard , almost at 45,
trying to remember why it's good to be alive
(Am) Pulling off at the last chance to get gas
(B7) light a crumpled smoke I swear will be my (Em) last

(Em) Stopping at the counter to get a cup of joe
it's pretty late and there's a long way to go
(Am) old coot behind the counter waits on you
(B7) with a face that cries out 'look what I've been (Em) through'

He says,
(Am) You're heading for the badlands
(Em) no man's land
(Am) toward the wastelands
(B7) you can get back in your car and drive
but nobody ever makes it to the other side (Em)

i topped off the tank...
dumped out the coffee because it stank...
but the taste it lingered on...
and on...

that face, it haunts me, as I drive
I see it in the desert and mountains on both sides
his voice it echoes in the chilling breeze
white knuckles on the wheel as my blood begins to freeze

No one knows what may lurk in the black hills ahead,
but we all know the icy touch of approaching dread
Farewell and adieu to blissful youth
someday we all will know the final truth

You're in the badlands
no man's land
you're in the wastelands
if only you could get in your car and drive
but nobody ever leaves this place alive

Lyrics September 2004. Music November 2004.

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