Background Information
This is a true story - kinda in the Harry Chapin
tradition. While traveling in my car I offered a ride to someone who was walking on the side of the road. Jim was walking from New York to Kansas.I hope you made it home --- and
isn’t that what the Little Red Bus is about ---the
journey from the head to the heart, the outward journey and the inward journey, the journey
home. Thank you Harry Chapin for all those
great concerts.
Lyrics
Verse 1
I was traveling down a Pennsylvania road
and he was walking there
He had a bag strapped on each shoulder
Framing his dark black hair
I got a strong feeling coming up
From deep inside
And I pulled over at Saint Gabe’s Hall
Just to offer him a ride
I opened up a door and said come in
And where are you going to
He said I’m a little off track
And going back
And looking for 422
Hop in I said I’ll give you a ride
It’s not that far away
He said okay I need a rest
I’ve been walking all day
Chorus
He was walking New York to Kansas
A long long way from the head to the heart
For a new start he said he’s going home today
Verse 2
He lost all he had in New York City
No wallet money Id
No pictures of loved ones from the past
There was nothing there to see
He said he was going home
To Kansas where he’s from
And he was 2 weeks out of New York City
And this is as far as he’s come
He asked me for nothing
And his eyes were intent
On where he was going to
We traveled 5 minutes down a Pa. road
On our way to 422
I gave him some water I had just to help him
through
It’s the little things the little things
That mean the most to you
Chorus
Verse 3
I pulled off to the side of the road
When we got to 422
I gave him the money I had on me
He said my God thank you
I said there are a lot of good people
And they would help him on his way
We hugged and said goodbye
There was nothing left to say
That night a friend came over and we talked for
awhile
We talked about the roads we travel mile after
mile
He said the hardest road we’ll ever go
Is just 12 inches long
From the head to the heart
From the head to the heart
This is our song
Chorus
Verse 4
Jim’s still with me
As I live from day to day
He gave me more in those 5 minutes
Than I could possible repay
I’m thankful for the up and down
And everything between
I’m thankful for this moment I have
The good times and the lean
I’m thankful for the birdies
And when the bills are due
I’m thankful for when I’m lost
And I don’t know what to do
I’m thankful for those 5 minutes
With Jim on the way to 422
But most of all I’m thankful
Cause I’m here playing for you
Chorus
LITTLE RED BUS
Please click on a track below to listen and read
about each song. Lyrics included.
Verse 1