From the recordings Songs From the Valley and Forty Five Miles from Berryville
This was a melody that I had from 40 years ago. The theme developed as I was driving back and forth between Woodstock and Mac Walter's recording studio in Catonsville, Maryland. Berryville became the imagery for the link between the road and music. Features Dave Van Allen on pedal steel and Amanda Wilkins on vocals.
Lyrics
45 MILES FROM BERRYVILLE D BILL VAUGHAN
Intro (Piano): D D D
Vs. 1 (piano and voice):D D/F# G G/A G/B G/C# D
WHEN I STARTED OUT THIS MORNING, THE SUN WAS IN MY EYES
F#m Bm Bm/A E7/G# Gm
BUT BY EVENING-TIDE, THE SUICIDAL CLOUDS CAME ROLLING BY
Em G
WELL, I MIGHT JUST LAST, IF I CAN MAKE IT ON PAST
Bm Bm/A E7/G# E7
THE DIVE AT THE WEST VIRGINIA LINE
D D/F# G A Bm G D
BUT I’M 45 MILES FROM BERRYVILLE, AND I’M DRIVING NEARLY BLIND
Vs. 2: (Full Band)
THERE’S AN ANCIENT HOLLOW BLESSING, IT GOES SOMETHING LIKE THIS
WHEN YOU LEAVE ‘EM, LEAVE ‘EM GUESSING AND GRACE THEM WITH A KISS
‘CAUSE THE KISS THEY’LL RECALL, WHEN THE CURTAINS FALL
AND THE LAST NOTE’S ECHO IS DONE
I’LL BE 45 MILES FROM BERRYVILLE, BEFORE THEY EVEN KNOW I’M GONE
Ch. 1: D F#m Bm D/A G D D F#m Bm D/A E7/G# Gm
AH-OOH, I’M ALMOST GONE, AH-OOH, I’M ALMOST GONE
Em7 G
WELL, THE KISS THEY RECALL, WHEN THE CURTAINS FALL
Bm Bm/A E7/G# E7
AND THE LAST NOTE’S ECHO IS DONE
D D/F# G A Bm G D
I’LL BE 45 MILES FROM BERRYVILLE, OH LORD, I’M ALMOST GONE
Vs. 2
NOW WAIT A MINUTE, WOULD YOU PASS ME BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD
IF YOUR HEART’S NOT IN IT, I MIGHT NOT EVER HAVE KNOW’D
IF YOU LOSE YOUR NERVE AT EVERY OLD CURVE
AND THE SHADOWS MAKE YOU WANT TO RUN
YOU’LL BE SHUFFLING ON OUT OF BERRYVILLE THE HOUR YOUR RUNNING IS DONE
Ch. 2
AH-OOH, I THINK MY RUNNING IS DONE, AH-OOH, I’M ALMOST GONE
I THINK I LOST MY NERVE AT THAT LAST DEEP CURVE
‘CAUSE THE SHADOWS MAKE ME WANT TO RUN
AND I’M 45 MILES FROM BERRYVILLE, OH LORD, WON’T YOU CARRY ME ON HOME
Ch. 3
AH-OOH, WON’T YOU CARRY ME ON HOME, AH-OOH, I’M ALMOST DONE
WELL, THE KISS THEY RECALL, WHEN THE CURTAIN’S FALL
AND THE LAST NOTE’S ECHO IS DONE
D D/F# G A Bm Bm/F# Bm
I’LL BE 45 MILES FROM BER - RY- VILLE,
G D
OH LORD, I’M ALMOST GONE
Out: D D D D/F# G A Bm