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Dust Tracks in the Road

from RISE by Elaine Mahon

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about

In the early 1900’s, my husband’s maternal grandparents homesteaded in South Dakota. Two photographs inspired this song: one was of Alma hanging laundry in a stiff wind by their small tar-paper shack, and the other of the newly married couple heading out onto the Plains in their horse-drawn carriage.

lyrics

Dust Tracks in the Road
© 2012 Mary Elaine Mahon/Six Pelicans Publishing (BMI)

In South Dakota how those prairie winds did blow
Set out from Yankton, wagon sagging ‘neath her load
To Harding County we set out to stake our claim
Me and sweet Alma, my lovely flower of the Plains

I staked a good claim, built a small tar-paper shack
Tilled up a garden, strung up a clothesline in the back
Grain elevators sprung up like steeples on those Plains
Beneath their promise we sowed our fields of grain

(Chorus) Oh those clouds rolled ‘cross the Plains,
Vessels empty of the rain and
The ground beneath us baked and broke in veins
Not a living thing could grow,
So we packed our goods to go
And the only thing we left behind
Were dust tracks … dust tracks in the road

Ryegate, Montana … foreman in the lumber yard
Lived in the guesthouse, pay was fair but times were hard
We had a daughter, she could do no wrong in my eyes
Could not make ends meet, the good Lord knows how hard we tried

(Chorus) Oh those prairie winds would blow
But how was I to know
It was the seeds of my misfortune they would sow?
And with our wagon sagging low,
We moved to Buffalo and
The only thing we left behind
Were dust tracks … dust tracks in the road

I worked the sawmill. Alma birthed a baby boy
My wife and family, they were my pride and joy
Then influenza, with the soldiers on the train
Took my sweet Alma, left me no reason to remain

(Chorus) Oh those prairie winds did blow,
They whispered in my ear
You might find some greener pastures
Not far down the road from here
We packed all that we could stow,
To California we would go and
The only thing we left behind
Were dust tracks … dust tracks in the road

Oh – how those prairie winds would blow

credits

from RISE, track released January 29, 2013
Lead Vocals and Acoustic Guitar: Elaine Mahon
Harmony Vocals: Penny Nichols & Elaine Mahon
Acoustic Guitar and Mandolin: Gabe Valla
Bass: Lon Williamson
Banjo: Elisabeth Williamson

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Elaine Mahon Gainesville, Florida

With her 2017 release, REACH FOR THE STARS, Elaine Mahon has written a collection of songs that evoke a sense of wonder while inspiring hope and offering empowerment. Mahon's songs reflect her perspective as an astronomer, while remaining deeply rooted in the natural world we all live in. Mahon performs solo at festivals, venues and house concerts in Florida and throughout the Southeastern US. ... more

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