I thread the film through silver gates
The desert waits past painted plates
A single beam across the sand
Turns every mile to promised land
Drive into the light I throw
Past the saguaro rows
Drive into the light I throw
Where the blacktop only goes
The diner sign is half burned out
A waitress wipes the counter down
I count the frames of someone's life
And send them spinning through the night
Drive into the light I throw
Past the saguaro rows
Drive into the light I throw
Where the blacktop only goes
The sedan hums a low tire tune
Beneath a copper-melting moon
I change the reel and check the gate
The story flickers, I'm awake
If you pull over, I'll pull over
We can trade the wheel awhile
Let the canyon hold the picture
Let the dark become a aisle
The hills are cut with dry wash lines
Like choir robes hung out on a wire
I sing the alto, you the air
The beam between us is a prayer
Drive into the light I throw
Past the saguaro rows
Drive into the light I throw
Where the blacktop only goes
The reel runs out at 4 a.m.
The sky goes pink behind the rim
I splice the leader to the dawn
And keep the projector running on
Drive into the light I throw
Past the saguaro rows
Drive into the light I throw
Where the blacktop only goes
Drive into the light I throw
Past the saguaro rows
Drive into the light I throw
Where the blacktop only goes
Reel two, the lamp is warm
The road unspools beyond the farm
