Thrasher Lyrics

by Neil Young

They were hiding behind hay bales
They were planting in the full moon
They had given all they had
For something new

But the light of day was on them
They could see the thrashers coming
And the water shone
Like diamonds in the dew

And I was just gettin' up
Hit the road before it's light
Tryin' to catch an hour on the sun

When I saw those thrashers rollin' by
Lookin' more than two lanes wide
I was feelin' like my day had just begun

Where the eagle glides descending
There's an ancient river bending
Through the timeless gorge of changes
Where a sleeplessness awaits

I searched out my companions
who were lost in crystal canyons
When the aimless blade of science
Slashed the pearly gates

It was then I knew I'd had enough
Burned my credit card for fuel
Headed out to where
The pavement turns to sand

With a one way ticket to the land of truth
And my suitcase in my hand
How I lost my friends
I still don't understand

They had the best selection
They were poisoned with protection
There was nothing that they needed
Nothing left to find

They were lost in rock formations
Or became park bench mutations
On the sidewalks and in the stations
They were waiting, waiting

So I got bored and left them there
They were just dead weight to me
Better down the road without that load

Brings back the time
When I was eight or nine
I was watchin' my mamas TV
It was that great 'Grand Canyon' rescue episode

Where the vulture glides descending
On an asphalt highway bending
Through libraries and museums
Galaxies and stars

Down the windy halls of friendship
To the rose clipped by the bull whip
The motel of lost companions
Waits with heated pool and bar

But me I'm not stopping there
Got my own row left to hoe
Just another line in the field of time

When the thrasher comes
I'll be stuck in the sun
Like the dinosaurs in shrines
But I'll know the time has come to give what's mine