Passing Through

Lyrics: Ron McKernan
Music: Ron McKernan

One of the songs recorded by Pigpen for an unreleased solo album. Not to be confused with John Perry Barlow's Just Passing Through or Pete Seeger's Passing Through. The Deadhead's Taping Compendium says:

"Following the tape flip, the subsequent two tracks are disturbingly haunting. All the preceding selections are based around traditional blues and folk approaches, but these songs are derived from a deeper spiritual influence, remotely similar to that of Charlie Patton or Son House. Vocally, these are emotionally harrowing, and the musical approach is dark, almost occultish. "Passing Through," while admittedly not a very dynamic selection and further hampered by feedback blasts, is a chilling tale of weary travel, with loneliness and despondency prevailing."
Lyrics:
Been to Minneapolis
Been to San Berdoo
But I been so doggone lonely
I'm glad I'm just passing through

Been to Salt Lake City
Seen the seagulls flying round
But I been so doggone lonely
I'm glad I'm just passing through

Been to old Manhattan
Seen the Indians sell their beads
But I been so doggone lonely
I'm sick of prayers and good deeds

Been to Taos, New Mexico
Seen the communes and the farms
Seen the warriors return from yellow lands
Without their legs and their arms

Been so doggone lonely
Been so doggone lonely
I been so doggone lonely
I'm glad I'm just passing through

Cross those wide prairie
Seen the eagle soar all alone
But there's nowhere in this cycle
That I can be like I'm home


 


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