Turn Around Town
Escape the Turnaround: Josh Gallagher's Reflection on Hometown Struggles
Lyrics
Mile back off the interstate
A mile away from the main highway.
Minute past the stop and go
Just a short time beyond the usual traffic lights and congestion.
There’s a place just off the map
There exists a location not commonly found on maps.
Across the tracks that nobody knows
It's situated in an area unnoticed by most people.
Except the locals and lost
Known by locals and those who are lost.
And the crooked county cops
Patrolled by corrupt law enforcement in the county.
Most don’t make it past gettin gas
Many visitors only stop for gas before leaving.
And gettin back on the road
They quickly resume their journey.
I love and hate this place
Feelings of both affection and resentment towards this place.
Some things never change
Certain aspects remain unchanged.
The dinner bell, the bible and the belt
Symbolic references to traditional elements like mealtime, religion, and punishment.
And the sweet sound
The pleasant noise of engine pistons revving.
Of the engine pistons gunnin’
The distant but audible sound of the highway.
The distant highway hummin’
Similar to when there was hope to leave this place.
Like it did, when we said we’d make it out
Hopes of escaping this repetitive town.
Of this ole turn around town
The desire to depart this familiar but stagnant town.
Used race the two lane
Previously raced along the two-lane road.
From the exit to the end of the line
From the highway exit to its very end.
Slowing by the coffee shop where the cops hang out at night
Passing by the café where law enforcement gathers at night.
Oh i remember 18, seemed like every other night
Recollection of being young, where nights seemed repetitive.
I made it to the edge of town, turned around too many times
Reached the outskirts of town too frequently, turning back often.
I love and hate this place
Similar mixed feelings towards this location.
Some things never change
Reiteration that some things remain unaltered.
The dinner bell, the bible and the belt
Repeated references to traditional elements.
And the sweet sound
The enjoyable noise of engine pistons running.
Of the engine pistons gunnin’
The distant but distinct sound of the highway.
The distant highway hummin’
Reflecting on a time when departure seemed possible.
Like it did, when we said we’d make it out
The aspiration to break free from this circular town.
Of this ole turn around town
The wish to leave this repeated cycle in the town.
I love and hate this place
Conflicting emotions about the place.
Some things never change
Reiteration of unchanging elements.
The dinner bell, the bible and the belt
Repetition of traditional references.
And the sweet sound
The pleasurable noise of engine pistons running.
Of the engine pistons gunnin’
The distant but discernible sound of the highway.
The distant highway hummin’
A reminiscent thought of previous hopes to depart.
Like it did, when we said we’d make it out
The yearning to escape the repetitive nature of this town.
Of this ole turn around town
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