The Right Direction
© 2004 by Jim Stringer

The man that I asked for directions looked as old as the bottom of the sea.
I’d been doin' my share of introspection and diggin' up the family tree
I though I might learn where the crops would grow by knowing where the seeds were sown
He nodded when I asked if he could help me find the site of the old family home... he said

He said, "Head down the road t’where that stump used to be, I remember daddy planting that old apple tree
The branches hung heavy when the apples come around, must have stood fifty feet 'fore we cut it to the ground.
It was down in the fall, branches hung in the way -- old Cal came racin' that Model A
Pulled out front of a fast movin’ truck, old Cal was never one as had any luck
They took him to the doctor that lived into town. Hung on about a week 'fore the fever took him down."

"I can get you where you're goin if you'll listen to me
Just make where you're standin' not where you used to be.
Your attitude and bearing might need some correction,
But you'll be heading in the right direction."

So oddly put was his answer , It took me back and I blinked with surprise
Was it just my imagination? Was there a trace of a twinkle in his eye?
The man went on without hesitation and motioned with a sweep of his arm
To a spot just beyond the horizon, the site of the old family farm.

He said, "Head up yonder to the top of the hill, old Tony, lives there -- I guess he always will.
His mama, poor soul, birthed twins one night... One died, the other, Tony, well, ain't never been right.
Then his mama passed away when she took the swine flu, his daddy died drinking, he hardly even knew'em
Now he lives alone – just him and that hound that always starts to bayin’ when somebody comes around.
He'll run along behind and give you a fright but when he quits to barkin', then you take a hard right."

"I can get you where you're goin if you'll listen to me
Just make where you're standin' not where you used to be.
Your attitude and bearing might need some correction,
But you'll be heading in the right direction."

The night wind is warm here in Texas, the clouds movin’ fast in the sky.
I'm relaxed and sippin’ on a Lonestar, feelin’ like one lucky guy.
Surrounded by the people I love, connected by the things we share, 
I don’t know how I came to be here but now days, I guess I really don’t care.