A hometown tribute by singer-songwriter Dan May. A story in pictures of a town with a storied past waking up from a long winter to face a new day and the promise of the future.
Music by Dan May. Words by Ken Kirschenman and Dan May. Photos by Cherie James and Roger Fair. Historical photos by Deb Neese Voltz.
SLEEPY TOWN © 2015 Dan May
Oh Sleepy Town, your broken limbs
From long, harsh winters you’ve resided in
Morning wakens from the evening’s song
The ground is frozen and the day is long
Oh come alive, this place I knew
Fly high with joy, where despair once flew
We’ll sing together with that old refrain
Hearts will soar, we’re coming home again
Sleepy Town hear my voice
Have a heart, I have no choice
You belong to me and I to you
Oh town of mine, you know me well
Stories that your streets could tell
Kicking up this hallowed ground
Sleepy Town
So long ago, you warmed my bones
Your soft light breeze issued melodic tones
Like children’s laughter, soft and welcoming
I wondered then just what this life would bring
But I was young, I was just a boy
And you were shining like a Christmas toy
But learning lessons can be hard sometime
I learned mine well and then I said goodbye
Sleepy Town hear my voice
Have a heart, I have no choice
You belong to me and I to you
Oh town of mine, you know me well
Stories that your streets could tell
Kicking up this hallowed ground
Sleepy Town
The factories they rise like castles in my eyes
The cracks and rusted chains of skeletal remains
And those who lived and died, the echoes of their pride
Their heart still beats inside of my…
Sleepy town, come stretch your limbs
Be gone harsh winter that resides within
Morning wakens to the robin’s song
Ice is melted and the day is long
Sleepy town come spread your wings
This fairy tale that I’m remembering
We’ll sing together with a new refrain
Hearts will soar, we’re coming home again
Sleepy Town hear my voice
Have a heart, I have no choice
You belong to me and I to you
Town of mine, you know me well
Stories that your streets could tell
Kicking up this hallowed ground
Sleepy Town
