feeling the soul of a song

A couple of years ago, my friend Josh sent me a copy of this mix CD he'd put together titled, "The Eternal Autumn." And it's fabulous. It's this laidback compilation of songs that just flow. Well, this morning, that was my CD of choice while I was getting ready, and even though I'd heard it dozens of times before, one particular song stood out - "Oh My Sweet Carolina" by Ryan Adams. For whatever reason, the lyrics and the melody captured me this morning...stuck with me all day...and are striking a chord with my soul in a way they hadn't before. Not sure why...then again, the not knowing makes the music feel that much more powerful.

"I went down to Houston
And I stopped in San Antone
I passed up the station for the bus
I was trying to find me something
But I wasn't sure just what
Man I ended up with pockets full of dust

So I went on to Cleveland and I ended up insane
I bought a borrowed suit and learned to dance
I was spending money like the way it likes to rain
Man I ended up with pockets full of cane

Oh my sweet Carolina
What compels me to go
Oh my sweet disposition
May you one day carry me home

I ain't never been to Vegas but I gambled up my life
Building newsprint boats I race to sewer mains
Was trying to find me something but I wasn't sure just what
Funny how they say that some things never change

Oh my sweet Carolina
What compels me to go
Oh my sweet disposition
May you one day carry me home

Up here in the city feels like things are closing in
The sunsets just my light bulb burning out
I miss Kentucky and I miss my family
All the sweetest winds they blow across the south

Oh my sweet Carolina
What compels me to go
Oh my sweet disposition
May you one day carry me home"

Where I am: Lebanon, KY
What I'm reading: an autobiography of the Dalai Lama