Cassie's Run

[Verse 1] Sunset paints the hollers red on Big Sandy Creek Cassie's sittin' silent, too afraid to speak That old screen door slams, a familiar, dreadin' sound Another bruise tomorrow where the last one's barely down Heavy coal dust on the wind, ain't nothin' feels clean Just the weight of broken promises and shattered self-esteem Mama watches from up on her hill, 20 miles away but near Sees the shadow fallin' on the daughter she holds dear [Chorus] Oh, Cassie girl, pack your bags light, leave the past behind Mama's got the headlights burnin', peace you're gonna find We're leavin' West Virginia, tearin' down this two-lane track Ain't no lookin' backwards, honey, ain't no turnin' back This ol' Chevy's runnin' steady, carryin' us away From the hurt and the fury of another yesterday Cassie's run, yeah, Cassie's runnin' free [Verse 2] Phone rang in the d**d of night, a whisper, choked and thin "Mama, he's been drinkin'... thinks I did something wrong..." That was all she needed, keys already in her hand Fired up that engine, headin' for that troubled land Found her on the back steps, shiverin' in the cold Just a faded flannel shirt, a story left untold Saw the fear reflected in her wide and hollow eyes Said, "Baby, grab your jacket, we're headin' for the skies" [Chorus] Oh, Cassie girl, pack your bags light, leave the past behind Mama's got the headlights burnin', peace you're gonna find We're leavin' West Virginia, tearin' down this two-lane track Ain't no lookin' backwards, honey, ain't no turnin' back This ol' Chevy's runnin' steady, carryin' us away From the hurt and the fury of another yesterday Cassie's run, yeah, Cassie's runnin' free [Bridge] He might come lookin', might be ragin' down the road But Mama knows these mountains, knows where secrets can be stowed Got a cousin down in Bristol, got a friend in Tennessee Places where the pines grow tall, places they can just be Free from angry voices, free from shatterin' glass Buildin' somethin' stronger, lettin' the old pain pass [Guitar Solo] (Driving guitar solo, bluesy licks over a solid rock b**t) [Chorus] Oh, Cassie girl, pack your bags light, leave the past behind Mama's got the headlights burnin', peace you're gonna find We're leavin' West Virginia, tearin' down this two-lane track Ain't no lookin' backwards, honey, ain't no turnin' back This ol' Chevy's runnin' steady, carryin' us away From the hurt and the fury of another yesterday Cassie's run, yeah, Cassie's runnin' free [Outro] (Music swells, then fades slightly, focusing on guitar and steady drums) Headlights cut the darkness on a road headin' southbound Leavin' broken promises and that cursed mountain town Mama's hand rests steady on the worn-out steerin' wheel Cassie sleeps beside her, startin' finally to heal Just the hum of tires singin' on the asphalt, warm and low West Virginia fadin' in the rearview's crimson glow... Yeah, fadin' in the glow...