Daniel Lanois

Rocky World

Daniel Lanois


My hands are wrapped in your raven hair 
in the faded picture on the back stair 
We were narrow, we were steady, trembling and ready 
to give it hell in this rocky world 

You said do I look like I could be a strong mother 
and raise the good side of a young daughter 
In the hotel Shangri La, let me tell you 
I've been thinking of her in this rocky world 

Chicago is heavy but I can't turn around 
I'm smuggling that whiskey over flesh and pound 
Michigan I worry and Suzy I'm sorry 
that I lost you out there in the rocky world 

Would you build me a building, a chapel out there 
at the top of the hill in the still blue air 
Near the weather vane, by the track and train 
I'll be looking for you in the rocky world 

She's turning twenty, and out on the make 
Pounding the blacktop with a habit to shake 
She's looking for a manger in the eyes of a stranger 
down in the streets of a rocky world 

Jenny has religion, she sinks in a chair 
She's made a decision to color her hair 
The black man cut the sugar cane and she watches the rain 
in a building away from the rocky world 

Yeah, I'll tell you something I'll never forget 
the sight of you in the sillhouette 
Outside Sault. Ste. Marie, ah you really threw me 
when you pulled me down to your rocky bed 

In a crowded room, I stood there empty 
looking for salvation and glory be 
When a shot turned my head and I saw you instead 
walking into my rocky world...