Tom Pacheco
HIPPY ON THE HIGHWAY



I saw a hippy on the highway walkin' alone 
With a red bandanna and a saxaphone 
I stopped and asked if he needed a lift 
He said, "Peace brother" and he climbed on in

He couldn't be younger than forty five 
He'd been on the road nearly all his life 
San Francisco back in sixty seven 
Was as close as the world ever got to heaven

He's a rambler, he's a true free soul
And there's none to replace him when he goes

He said "These yuppies everywhere I see 
In designer clothes driving Mercedes 
They all seem to care about just one thing 
Making lots of money and the status it brings"

"But I'm glad some appreciate this planets worth
With their green bumper stickers saying 'Save the Earth'
One handed me a button and began to preach
I said Son, I'm from the sixties, you can save your speech"

I asked his name, he said "Call me Fred, 
I was a roadie once for the Grateful Dead" 
He rolled a joint and I took a toke 
We shared some stories and he told some jokes

He was on his way to play saxaphone 
At a "Save the Whales" benefit in Buffalo 
We said farewell at a highway bend 
I felt a little sad, like I'd lost a friend