American Hearts from Choice Cannonballs by Daniel Levi Goans

American hearts are always moving to the west,
Breaking borders, pushing lines, claiming without rest
The setting sun it leads the way at the end of every day
Tracing paths through humid air to sleep in Pacific seaspray.
I’ve heard tell of prison cells built inside the brain
I’ve seen the spark leap from your lips and set the ground aflame

Set me free,
Set me free

Sons are leaving home by night, shaking off the chains
Daughters laugh under moonlight, escaping by trains and planes
Highway friends reach out their hands to feel the slanted rain
Madame George is ringing out over Black Diamond Bay
The stars are painted on your face, a sign for all to see
You wonder why the people stare, when you dance wild and free

Twisting roads and concrete stones and a spray paint overpass
Building speed and overheated pistons firing fast
Shining dreams and sunset beams revive the cold, hard heart
And chiming bells and songs dispel the fear of coming apart
Freedom Riders bravely board buses in the East
Fire flies from upturned eyes, we did our best at least
Voices sounding in my brain, building walls of glass
There’s no more far away my friend, I’ll be a stranger til I pass

• Folk
• indie folk
• singer songwriter
• North Carolina