Wanderer
Dave Oakes
It all started in a little town
A place called Lockport, New York
By the time he was done with his travels
He crossed many a river and chose many forks.
Never could stay too long in one place
Usually asked to leave real soon
Many’s the night he camped by the road
Under the light of the moon.
Had a real fierce temper and no respect for the law
Determined to get by however he could
Lying, and cheating, and stealing a lot
Sometimes wondering if he should.
He was put on his own at ten years old
Told he was too wild for them anymore
Headed first over the border to Canada
Hitched around and slept by the shore.
Winters got real cold up there in the North
And a box in an alley provides little to warm
Rummaging trash for blanket or coats
And to the street exhausts many would swarm.
Went south to Louisville, Nashville, and San Antonio
Spent time in Louisiana and the Carolinas too
Lived at where West Virginia, Ohio, and Penn met
And wandered out to the California zoo.
Made his way up and down the east coast and back
And then headed for the faraway shores of the west
Passed through every state at least one time
Never long enough to call home he was only a guest.
Stayed out west for twenty years
Until paradise started turning into hell
Packed his bags and left for the east
And found that Indiana suits him very well.
