w&m Anne Hills
© 2014 Raven Heart Music (ASCAP)

From Anne’s album Tracks

I am the cross ties, I am the rails, I am the engine, damp with steam
I’m the whistle through the lonely night, I am a gambler’s dream

I’m bittersweet in history, born of sweat and sacrifice
not my fault, men were cold as they can be
as they made me run from sea to shining sea

I am the cross ties, I am the rails, I am the engine, damp with steam
I’m the whistle through the lonely night, I am a gambler’s dream

Stories sing me through the centuries, built by dreamers, rogues and fools
always risk, always just a foot ahead
climbing mountains into valleys of regret

You use me as a metaphor in song
I’m romantic but I’m known for moving on
bringing music, clowns and circuses to town
and my cars roll by like verses in a ballad ten miles long

I am the cross ties, I am the rails, I am the engine, damp with steam
I’m the whistle through the lonely night, I’m a gambler’s dream

A shadow on the landscape, in every state across the land
narrow gauges on a bluff or on a dare
hug the mountaintop or hover in mid-air

I am the cross ties, I am the rails, I am the engine, damp with steam
I’m the whistle through the lonely night, a gambler’s dream
I’m a whistle through the lonely night