Arizona (It Ain’t Heaven)
Woke up feeling buoyant this morning. February 2 and apparently the saguaro saw its’ shadow, so we get six more weeks of blue skies and mild temperatures. The sunshine (or lack thereof) first thing in the morning often sets the tone for the rest of my day. When we lived back east, winters were beginning to be a challenge as there were long periods of cold, gloomy weather – ice, snow, rain… sometimes all of the above in one day. Here in AZ, it’s a rare day that doesn’t at least contain some blue sky and sun, and I’m thankful to be here. As I was expressing this gratitude to my wife (who is also from the northeast and feels the same way) a germ of an idea for this song started playing in my head. I love when that happens… 🙂
Lyrics:
I come from a place of fence lines and fields
Where the cows outnumber the cars
Long, cold winters that won’t let go
And summers that bite you hard
Hot August nights with air so thick
The sweat is your second skin
And every year some Albany clown
Tryin’ to tell you how to live again
Then I found a sky that minds its business
And a sun that shows up on time
Ain’t nobody asking for my papers
I know, “Son, you’re gonna be fine.”
No, Arizona ain’t Heaven
But you can see it from here
From red rock cathedrals in Sedona
To the Huachucas standing sincere
Cactus preaching without talking
Blue stretching farther than fear
Turned south off I-10 and found a little peace
Every morning I wake up here
Out here nobody’s in a hurry
To fix what ain’t broke in your soul
Live and let live’s not policy
It’s just how the neighbors roll
They’ll wave when you pass on the highway
Help you when it counts the most
Then leave you alone with your freedom
And that’s what I need the most
The Huachucas catch the daylight
Like they’ve been expecting me
Sierra Vista – she ain’t flashy
She’s calm like the desert breeze
I don’t need a louder promise
Or someone else to run my life
Just a window, a mountain, a blue-sky morning
And a little peace and quiet with my wife
No, Arizona – it ain’t Heaven
But this side of Heaven it’s close enough
No winters trying to freeze my soul
No summer flies tryin’ to eat me alive
I didn’t come here chasing something
I just stopped running from fear
No, Arizona ain’t Heaven
But man… I’m thankful I’m here.