It was our third time in New York
It was your fourth time in New York
We were fifth and sixth on the bill
We talk a little about our bands
Talk a little of our future plans
It's not like we were best friends

That number scheme comes back to me
In times beyond our heartbeat

We hung around 'til the final band called
"Escape Is At Hand For The Travellin' Man"
You yelled in my ear, this music speaks to me
They launched into, "Lonely From Rock 'n Roll"
Followed by, "They Checked Out An Hour Ago"
Closing with, "All Desires Turn Concrete"

Those melodies come back to me
Time beyond our heartbeat

I guess I'm too slow, yes, I'm too, yes, I'm too slow
But you said anytime of the day was fine
You said anytime of the night was also fine

I walked through your revolving door
Got no answer on the seventh floor
Elevator gave a low moan
The pigeons sagged the wire with their weight
Listening to the singing chambermaid
She sang, "They Checked Out An Hour Ago," and chuckled

Those melodies come back to me
Time beyond our heartbeat

I guess I'm too slow, yes, I'm too, yes, I'm too slow
But you said anytime of the day was fine
You said anytime of the night was also fine

Our heartbeat, our heartbeat, our heartbeat

Long conversation or idle chit chat
Maybe dive in or maybe hang back
Idle conversation or idle chit chat
Maybe dive in or maybe hang back


Lyrics submitted by black_cow_of_death

Escape Is At Hand For The Travellin' Man Lyrics as written by Johnny Fay Gordon Downie

Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing

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Escape Is At Hand For The Travellin' Man song meanings
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    General Comment

    The song has amazing insight to the feeling you get when one of your rare acquaintances you'd like to know better dies.

    Gord sums up perfectly what he's trying to say, while leaving loose ends to allow listeners to make their own personal opinions to it. He's probably one of the best writers of all time. I think it's time he starts getting acknowledged more in the world. Not just Canada.

    samovaon October 27, 2007   Link

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