Paul Simon - Trailways Bus

E A
a passenger traveling quietly conceals himself
B E
with a magazine and a sleepless pillow
E A
over the crest of the mountain the moon begins its climb
B E
and he wakes to find he’s in rolling farmland

Am E
the farmer sleeps against his wife
Am G C Em
he wonders what their life must be
Am G
a trailways bus is heading south
F B7 E
into washington , D . C .

E A
a mother and child , the baby maybe two months old
B E
prepare themselves for sleep and feeding .
E A
the shadow of the capitol dome slides across his face
B E
and his heart is racing with the urge to freedom .

Am E
the father motionless as stone ,
Am G C Em
a shepherd resting with his flock ,
Am G
the trailways bus is turning west
F C G D
dallas via little rock .

E A
o my darling , darling son
B E
the desert moon is my witness .
E A
i’ve no money to come east ,
B E
but i know you’ll soon be here

D G
we pull into downtown dallas by the side of the grassy knoll
A D
where the leader fell and a town was broken .
D G
away from the feel and flow of life for so many years
A D D7
he hears music playing and spanish spoken

E A
the border patrol outside of tucson boarded the bus
B E
any aliens here? you better check with us ,
E E
how about you son? you look like you got spanish blood .
B E
do you ’habla ingles , ’ and i understood .

Am E
yes , i Am an alien , from mars .
Am G C Em
i come to earth from outer space .
Am G
and if i traveled my whole life
F C G
you guys would still be on my case
F C G
you guys would still be on my case

Am G
but he can’t leave his fears behind ,
Am G C Em
he recalls each fatal thrust
Am G
the screams carried by the wind , .
F C G
phantom figures in the dust
F C G
phantom figures in the dust
F C G
phantom figures in the dust .