34.Gentle on My Mind

Lyricist:John Hartford

'Cause it's knowing that your door is always open
And your path is free to walk
That makes me tend to leave my sleeping bag
Rolled up and stashed behind your couch

And it's knowing I'm not shackled by forgotten words and bonds
And ink stains that have dried upon some line
That keeps you on the back roads by the rivers of my memory
That keeps you ever gentle on my mind

And it's not clinging' to the rocks and ivy
Planted on their columns now that bind me
Or something that somebody said
Because they thought we fit together walkin'

It's just knowing that the world will not be cursing or
forgiving
When I walk along some railroad track and find
That you're moving on the back roads by the rivers of my memory
And for hours you're just gentle on my mind

Or I may dip my cup of soup back from a gurglin'
Cracklin' caldron in some train yard
With my beard a rustlin', cold towel
And a dirty hat pulled low across my face

Through cupped hands 'round the tin can
I pretend to hold you to my breast and find
That you're waiting on the back roads by the rivers of my
memories
Ever smiling', ever gentle on my mind, you're gentle on my mind


Unreleased Songs05