Lynn Adler wrote this song in the throes of grieving the loss of both of her parents during 2020; her father on Palm Sunday morning that year from congestive heart failure, and her mother six months later almost to the day, from complications of Covid-19 and dementia. Due to Covid-19 restrictions in the nursing home, Lynn was not able to be at the side of either parent in their final days. It was a bitter pill to swallow as they were very close. She had to learn how to let things be what they were, and to let the grieving process take its time. The song literally was sparked by a 'long slow drive.'
Eliza Gilkyson has a new recording entitled Songs of the River Wind, also on Howlin' Dog Records and also produced by Don Richmond. Eliza's music has long been a shining light to Lynn's own music, and she is deeply honored to have Eliza along on the ride of this song. Lynn and hubby Lindy Hearne once were proprietors of the Crossroads Coffeehouse listening room in Winnsboro, TX (their adopted hometown), and they hosted Eliza on the Crossroads stage.
The Howlin' Dog Records family is special indeed to have brought Lynn and Eliza's voices together on this song of encouragement in spite of sorrow.
lyrics
Long Slow Drive
Words & Music by Lynn Adler
1.
Sometimes you just gotta take a long slow drive
A long slow drive, a long slow drive
Sometimes you just gotta take a long slow drive
A long slow drive just to stay alive
2.
Sometimes you just gotta have a long slow cry
A long slow cry, a long slow cry
Sometimes you just gotta have a long slow cry
A long slow cry just to get by
Chorus
You can drive yourself to drink, you can drive yourself to tears
You can drive yourself crazy after all the years
But when the ones you love leave you, just don’t lose sight of grace
Let the tears flow into that empty space
3.
Sometimes you just gotta sit a long slow while
A long slow while, a long slow while
Sometimes you just gotta sit a long slow while
A long slow while just to get your smile
Chorus
You can drive yourself to drink, you can drive yourself to tears
You can drive yourself crazy after all the years
But when the ones you love leave you, just don’t lose sight of grace
Let the tears flow into that empty space
Reprise V1.
Sometimes you just gotta take a long slow drive
A long slow drive, a long slow drive
Sometimes you just gotta take a long slow drive
A long slow drive just to stay alive
credits
from The Ties That Bind Us (2022),
released August 12, 2022
Lynn Adler, acoustic rhythm guitar
Eliza Gilkyson, second lead vocal and harmony vocal
Michael Hearne, acoustic lead guitar
Producer Don Richmond, everything else!
CHECK OUT OUR LATEST RELEASE The Ties That Bind Us on Howlin' Dog Records!!! From Texas’ upper east side near the rural arts
hamlet of Winnsboro, award-winning performing songwriters Lynn Adler and Lindy Hearne (self-proclaimed “organic song farmers”) tour nationally, serving up fresh-picked songs in a spirited genre they define simply as "Texas Folk."...more
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