Grapes on the Vine Lyrics

Words and music by Steve Gillette and Charles John Quarto

There are songs that birds don't sing to people Secrets that keep right through to the end. There are heroes that hide until forever And I'm singin' this song for one of them. He's the man that you passed on the road there. The one with his life on the loose. Goin' either somewhere or nowhere, Goin' without me without you. For he is this world's constant orphan Travellin' out his long time, Livin' on apples from orchards And dyin' from grapes on the vine. You can find him in big city winters Down where the mission bell cries. And the sorrow echoes through summers As he tries to close all his eyes. And dream of his railroad existence As if it were some kind of dream. As if the extent of the distance Were what his heart would call him. You can find him in Pittsburgh at Christmas, You can find him in Buffalo in June. And he knows all the back roads between them Like a gypsy knows the moon. And it's route twenty-two all over again Put your thumb out and try to look like somebody's friend. Look strong at the man and mild at the girl And puzzled at the rest of the world. For he is this world's constant orphan Travellin' out his long time. Livin' on apples from orchards And dyin' from grapes on the vine. © 1983, Ensign Music / Tessa Music, BMI