Desperation Road (Murphey Michael Martin)

Driving West out on I-40 On my way to taste some California wine A broke down family flagged me down Near the Arizona line Their whole world was in a pickup I guess it couldn't pull the load It was just our vacation But to them it was desperation road The lines on their faces Told the story of the places that they'd been Now their home is a highway That never seems to end Empty dreams and empty pockets Sure can make a heavy load To some of us it's just a highway But to others it's desperation road Their eyes had a sadness From another place in time A silent reminder that the grapes of wrath Still make bitter wine And it sure makes you wonder 'Bout all the seeds our country sows Which of us will be the next To travel down desperation road I helped them start their pickup And watched them as they faded out of sight Guess the last thing I remember Is the faces of the children in my lights That night in a motel room I have a dream that made my blood run cold I saw my own wife and family Standing out on desperation road And their eyes had a sadness From another place in time A silent reminder that the grapes of wrath Still make bitter wine And it sure makes you wonder 'Bout all the seeds our country sows Which of us will be the next To travel down desperation road Could be your own wife and family Standing out on desperation road