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One Way to Rockaway

from What a Life by Scott Reagan

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Written 2018-2019 in Dover/Rockaway, NJ and Plainfield Township, PA

lyrics

Did you hear the Dover train last night?
I was riding the caboose
I leaned on the back rail and watched the city lights
Nearly lost my hat, it was on too loose

I’m gonna leave behind this life of vice and corruption
I’m in over my head – I need an interruption in my life
With my old leather suitcase
I strode up to the ticket clerk and said

“One way to Rockaway,
One way to Rockaway”

Train conductor opened the door right behind me
Nearly scared me half to death
He said, “now, son, why don’t you come inside?”
I had to play it cool and slow my breath

I took a seat in the back next to Old Man Rudy
Who looked like some wise man straight out of a movie
And he asked me, “where ya headed, son?
And what’s with the gun?”

I said, “I’m goin’
One way to Rockaway,
One way to Rockaway”

----

I told him my whole life story
About my upcoming secret marriage
In a safehouse in the hills of Morris
About my fears when I step off this carriage
Of men with guns and a penchant for violence
Who stop at nothing and have no remorse
He held out tickets to the Buffalo Express
He said he didn’t need them, and it might be my only recourse
To get far, far away from here
Or I’ll live my life in fear

I said, “thank you, sir” and tried to refuse
I didn’t want to bring harm his way
But I sure could use the help
If I want to live another day

That train pulled up to Rockaway station
I picked up my suitcase –- my heart just set a-racin’
As I stepped down
And walked along the platform
And far, far away
One way to Rockaway...

credits

from What a Life, released May 1, 2020

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Scott Reagan Nazareth, Pennsylvania

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