A folk ballad written in the troubadour style; about Maria, the daughter of an innkeeper at the Highway Cafe.
laurastephenmacinnis folk
Story behind the song
During a songwriting course at Humber College, Toronto, we were given an assignment to find interesting song titles within a chapter of one of our favourite books. Thus, the title 'The Highway Cafe' was born.
Lyrics
The Highway Cafe
Music and Words by Laura Stephen MacInnis Copyright © March 2, 2002
Email: lmacin@yahoo.com
Once upon a time there were storytellers
Who sang of times gone by
They wove tales of woe and happiness
To all who did pass by
To all_ who dare_ say aye
They spoke of maid Maria
The pride of the Highway Café
Of how she stirred the senses
Of how she liked to play
And they
Told of how her shadow
Cast upon the café wall
Her sultry silhouette
Admired there by all
And her shawl
Draped o'er her shoulders
Around her neck in jest
Silver black hair that glistened
Caressed her soft white breast
She was blessed…
Maria was a beauty
Her beauty it came from within
The suitors came a courtin'
The innkeeper let them in
But Maria was not taken
By the one her father chose
Cause the midnight marauder
Maria's heart he knows.
They galloped away at starlight
Even though her kin forbade
To pledge their love everlasting
To fulfill their promises made
Possessed, they were possessed…
The lovers were unsuspecting
Enchanted by the moonlight
Their black stallion spooked by shadows
Cast off its' riders that night.
Maria lay still and lifeless
Upon a grassy knoll
Her eyes they closed for the last time
Tears flooded from his soul
The scent of Maria still lingers
Her voice it fades away
Beautiful maid Maria
The pride of the Highway Café
And therein lies the story
Senses 'roused beneath the moon
Tender passion and desire
That ended all too soon
That ended_ all_ too soon
Once upon a time there were storytellers
Who sang of times gone by.
They wove tales of woe and happiness
To all who did pass by
To all_ who dare_ say_ aye.