From the recording Ballad Hunter
"Gravel" is a song that tells a simple story, set to a simple accompaniment—a nod to the style of the Carter Family. It’s a modern tale of pushing against the limits we place on our dreams, echoing Thoreau’s idea of living lives of quiet desperation. The song’s 3/4 time gives it a slight waltz feel, adding to the melancholy vibe.
I wrote "Gravel" about a time when I was working as a prep cook in a diner, and it’s all about the grind of those long days and nights. The verses paint a picture of a life stuck in a loop—wiping down counters, counting change, and clocking out at 2 AM.
In the chorus of "Gravel," I wanted to inject a little bit of hope, so even in the middle of all that repetitive hopelessness, there’s a flicker of defiance and the possibility of escape. It’s that tiny spark of rebellion against the weight of the years and the monotony, a reminder that maybe, just maybe, there’s a way out.
Lyrics
Wipe off the counter and count the change
As the wheels of the truckers roll by
And dead on my feet, another day over
I’m too tired to even say good night
So, I Clock out at 2 and hang up my apron
on the same hook as ten years or more
And driving away, I slip my truck into gear
Let the wheels kiss the gravel goodbye
CHORUS And for one brief moment
Another me takes over
And raises a finger to defy
Oh, The weight of the years
Rolling down on me
and the dreams I left buried there
Dishes on the counter, Beer cans on the floor
Lit by my old TV
Dead on my feet, another day over
Man, I’m too tired to even kick off my shoes
Well someday I’ll pack a suitcase and leave only a note
With the rent for next month
But tomorrow there’s work, and bills I gotta pay
In a circle that just never ends
CHORUS
If only I had, my life to live over
This restaurant I’d be just passing through
Leave a tip for the waitress, a smile and some kindness
For a poor soul dead who’s dead on her feet
But I clock out at 2, and hang up my apron
on the same hook as ten years gone
And driving away slip my truck into gear
Let the wheels kiss the gravel goodbye
CHORUS