Thunderstorm

 

Heavy storm clouds rollin’ in

The people in the bar went quiet

The thunder was directly overhead

Sound of rain on the roof

A crowd formed watching the downpour

At the open doorway of the bar

 

It went on raining

It was still raining

When I drove back to the motel

 

People craned to see

A couple had brought their toddler along

To this easygoing bar in this easygoing town

The man lifted her onto his shoulders

To give her a grandstand view of the wonder

The rain made everyone young

  

It went on raining

It was still raining

When I drove back to the motel

 

It went on raining

It was still raining

When I drove back to the motel

 

It went on raining

It was still raining

When I drove back to the motel

 

Some shook their head slowly

From side to side

Their faces possessed by the same aimless smile

Some whistled softly through their teeth 

A woman laughed

A low cigarette-stoked laugh like the hiss of the rain itself

 

It went on raining

It was still raining

When I drove back to the motel

 

Thunderstorm over Baker

Heavy rain kept pouring down

Thunderstorm over Baker

Heavy rain kept pouring down

kept pouring down

 

Thunderstorm over Baker

People craned to see

In this easygoing bar in this easygoing town

Sound of rain on the roof

A crowd was watching the downpour

At the open doorway of the bar

 

It went on raining

It was still raining

When I drove back to the motel

 

Thunderstorm over Baker

Heavy rain kept pouring down

Thunderstorm over Baker

Heavy rain kept pouring down

 

Kept pouring down

 

Words from the book "Bad Land" by Jonathan Raban used with kind permission of the author.