I wrote this in 2010, sent the lyric to Chris McMahon in Australia. He created a wonderful song out of it. Now, 2014, it's revised a bit, and I put my own tune on it. Neal Gilbertson did the backing for me!
winter
401
hitch hike
hitching
thumbing rides
Lyrics
Thumbing Rides In The Winter
© November 4, 2010 Stan Loh
Verse 1
D
It’s a cold, cold December, I’m hitching the 401,
D Em
I’m so tired my feet won’t bear another mile,
G
Guitar on my back,
D
No grub in my sack,
A7 D
No coke cans to redeem an honest dime,
Chorus
D
Thumbing rides in the winter,
D
Is the life of a no-name singer,
Em
When the cold wind blows it’s hard to justify,
G
I think of my warm bed,
D
And smell mama’s ginger bread,
A7 D
But fame and fortune coaxed another mile.
Verse 2
D
On the streets the cops will move ya,
D
So I found a beggar’s corner,
D Em
In my toque a solitary looking buck,
G
The carols from the store,
D
Repeat forever more,
A7 D
The shoppers walk past me without a smile,
Repeat Chorus
Bridge
C
I’m a no-name singer,
G
Hoping for a break,
A
I’m a no-name writer,
G A
Rhyming wrong instead … instead
Instrumental D
Verse 3
D
Not in touch with the family,
D
Not too sure if they miss me,
D Em
But I’m pretty sure there’s nothing in my sack,
G
Vancouver points me West,
D
I’m here doing my best,
A7 D
Hitching the 401 eastward instead …
Repeat Chorus