Рет қаралды 104
Passing Places. Lyrics and chords below.
Written and played by Dougie Taylor on baritone ukulele.
The road is rolling for miles ahead. Blinded by bends and hills. Feel as if the road is my own. Views to both sides of blue bottomless lochs and mist shrouded hills. No need to drive on the left or the right. There is no left and there is no right. Only a generous car width to position my wheels on. Life is good, it’s simple, it’s safe.
Then, out of nowhere, beyond the next bend, a driver, just like me enjoying the freedom of the road is coming towards me. There is no where to go. Nowhere to pass. One of us must reverse . But to where. Well I’m not going to be the one driving backwards. I’ve got a bad neck and an aversion to seeing the world in a backwards motion. We look at each other. The fear in their face is evident. Rolling backwards is not for them either on the narrow twisty section of tarmac.
Then, I see it in the corner of my mirror. A widened bay in the road just behind me and to my left. It has one of these delightful diamond shapes on a post. It has an inscription of ‘passing place’. Genius. Who invented them? Are they not just for camper vans to spend the night in, or for tourists stopping to admire the views, perhaps snapping some photos into the bargain?
Just a little twist of the neck and a calculated roll back a couple of metres. All is well. Both of us again have the freedom of the road. This time however, I will make sure that the wonderful passing place is in front of me, the next time I am confronted by an opposing vehicle. That way I can gently move to the side, accept their wave of gratitude and swiftly but gently again move on my way.
Who is the idiot driving behind me. Does he want to get into my car and have a conversation or is he just another arrogant, inconsiderate driver. Life is too short. Let’s get him out of my life for good. A little click of the left hand indicator followed by a gentle sweep of the wheels and draw into the passing place in front of me. He speeds past me. Any ill will dissolved into a win win situation. He flashes his hazards by way of a thankful acknowledgement. While he continues at speed to annoy the next driver, I have the road to myself again.
Oh, these beautiful passing places.
Passing Places Lyrics and tune by Dougie Taylor 2023
(G)The rising sun, the light stretched out
The (F)road before me I know not about
(C)Loch to my left an’ hills to my right
(G)Long straight stretch, no one in sight
Chorus
(Dm)Pull in and (F)take a break
(C)Let them pass for (G)goodness sake
(Dm)Waving hand that (F)smiling face
(G)Don’t you love that (C)passing place
Am G Am F Am G C G
(G)Freedom in front, and freedom behind
(F)Sheep on the road, I don’t mind
(C)Slow as I need, nowhere tae be
(G)Just be at one wi the mountains and sea
Chorus
(G)No overtaking , there’s nae room
(F)Blind are the bends, inviting doom
(C)Engage the brakes and move aside
(G)Let them continue on their ride
Chorus x 2
Am G Am F Am G C G / C