Outskirts - James McMurtry

Light snow falling

On the muffler shops and the lumber yards

The streets are slick as glass

Ditches lined with stranded cars

The tow trucks are busy

Dealing with the evening rush

I might have picked a better day

I probably shouldn’t expect that much

(I'm just) On the outskirts

Of an old familiar town

With a misty darkness coming down

On the fringes

Outside looking in

She says, «Well now where you been?

Didn’t expect you back again

Trying to get out of the wind

Are you now.»

Standing on the doorstep

Something doesn’t feel the same

Strange car in the driveway

I guess I really can’t complain

I wonder should I even knock

Or Just head out on my way

And it’s an awkward moment

Staring at the floor

Filling up the ashtray

On the outskirts

Of an old familiar town

With a misty darkness coming down

On the fringes

Outside looking in

Cold coffee

Styrofoam cup from the Stop 'n go

Throw it in the floorboard

Catch the weather on the radio

Freezing rain

Continued on through the morning

Travelers' advisory

I’ll give a little more warning next time

(I'm just) On the outskirts

Of an old familiar town

With a misty darkness coming down

On the fringes

Outside looking in

She says, «Well now where you been?

Didn’t expect you back again

Trying to get out of the wind

Are you now.»

Songwriter: James McMurtry