Emmylou Harris
"Valerie"

(Patti Scialfa)

To the east the factories stand
Like fire-breathing dragons against the sky and from their throats
A scarlet river burns itself into smoky lullabies.
Over neon and fluorescent skie

Valerie can you hear those engines drone
I wanted to go to Mexico but
I'm stranded here alone

And once I knew a true love
It's been three years since he's gone
And if I could get that feeling back
I'd give up everything I own

Sixteen days since I left Corona
And I traveled to this carnival town near Alberndee
And I rode the coaster there on the fairground
Twisted backbone of a beast that never heals
And I left some skin on fortune's wheel

Valerie can you hear those engines drone
I wanted to go to Mexico but
I'm stranded here alone

Everything's in slow motion now in this little border town
I've come so close from so far
Just to hide behind these windows
Here from the world outside

I watch those cars and trucks raise trails of dust
Down the road as they pass by
Valerie can you hear those engines drone
I wanted to go to Mexico but
I'm stranded here alone

Everything I own, everything I own...