Summer Song #3... Night Ride Home

One in a while

In a big blue moon
There comes a night like this
Like some surrealist
Invented this 4th of July
Night ride home

Hula girls
& caterpillar tractors in the sand
The ukulele man
The fireworks
This 4th of July
Night ride home

I love the man beside me
We love the open road
No phones till Friday
Far from the overkill
Far from the overload

Back at the bar
The band tears down
But out here in the headlight beams
The silver power lines
Gleam
On this 4th of July
Night ride home

We round the curve
& a big dark horse
Red taillights on his hide
Is keeping right alongside
Rev for stride
4th of July
Night ride home

I love the man beside me
We love the open road
No phones till Friday
Far from the undertow
Far from the overload

Once in awhile
In a big blue moon
There comes a night like this
Like some surrealist
Invented this 4th of July
Night ride home

Joni Mitchell
1988

Thinking Of Joni Mitchell On Her Birthday... She Is A Musical Hero To Me

Just before our love got lost you said

"I am as constant as a northern star"

& said, "Constant in the dark

Where's that at?

If you want me I'll be in the bar"

On the back of a cartoon coaster

In a blue TV screen light

I drew a map of Canada

Oh Canada

& your face sketched on it twice

Oh you are in my blood like holy wine

You taste so bitter and you taste so sweet

Oh I could drink a case of you darling

Still I'd be on my feet

I'd still be on my feet

Oh I am a lonely painter

I live in a box of paints

I'm frightened by the devil

& drawn to those who ain't afraid

I remember when you told me

"Love is touching souls"

Surely you touched mine

Part of you pours out of me

In these lines from time to time

You are in my blood like holy wine

You taste so bitter & you taste so sweet

Oh I could drink a case of you

I could drink a case of you darling

Still I'd be on my feet

I'd still be on my feet

I met a someone

They had a mouth like yours

They knew your devils & your deeds

They said:

"Go to him, stay with him if you can

But be prepared to bleed"

You are in my blood like holy wine

You taste so bitter & you taste so sweet

Oh I could drink a case of you darling

Still I'd be on my feet

I'd still be on my feet

Joni Mitchell

1971