We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

By the Refinery Lights

by Laura Zucker

/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $10 USD  or more

     

1.
These songs I write are sometimes sentimental They’re often about someone that you know Some are made of steel, some more gentle Some may make you laugh or lay you low But these notes and words they find me with their stories to be told These notes and words remind me I am naught but heart and soul And deep inside the darkness of another endless night These notes and words they carry me, deliver me to light.
2.
She was just a schoolgirl, only seventeen On the afternoon that they met At the radio station She was at the microphone singing a Mozart duet He was all of 22, fresh from the army He was charming and handsome and worldly In the engineer’s seat behind the glass wall Dreaming of what his life could be And he was struck by her beauty And she was shy in his sight And neither imagined that soon they would kiss By the refinery lights, by the refinery lights. He wrote her a letter, she replied He came to pick her up in his beat up old car The radio was broken so he improvised And she laughed until she cried And they parked and talked for hours Long into the night And neither imagined that they’d fall in love By the refinery lights, by the refinery lights. The huge Hess Oil refinery lit up the sky for a mile or more They thought it looked like a magical ship washed up on their shore; never noticed before They parked in the shadow of tanks and of towers And pipes where the oil was carried And there in the glow of the beacons and flames He asked if she’d like to get married And she was his for the asking And they held each other tight Neither imagined that life would begin by the refinery lights, by the refinery lights
3.
Little Ray 02:48
Well I was so far down, up was just a memory I was a solitary stone sinking in the sea I was spinning so fast that I had lost my way That’s when I saw a little ray It was a little ray of sunshine, little ray so bright Little ray out of darkness, little ray into the light I’m so glad you found me and showed me the way So I’m gonna follow my little ray. “Heaven help me” I heard myself say “is this the tunnel of light that takes my breath away? isn’t this what happens on the judgement day?” but it was just my little ray It was a little ray of sunshine, little ray so bright Little ray out of darkness, little ray into the light I’m so glad you found me and showed me the way So I’m gonna follow my little ray. They say that into every life a little rain must fall If it wasn’t for this rain I’d have no weather at all And just when I thought I would surely drown Little ray brought the blue skies back into town It was a little ray of sunshine, little ray so bright Little ray out of darkness, little ray into the light I’m so glad you found me and showed me the way So I’m gonna follow my little ray
4.
The full moon it lights up my driveway It spills its glow over my yard As I stand in the grass in my barefeet Wondering where you are I’m towing (toeing) the line on the platform As I wait for the 8:15 train Is your face among those who walk towards me Is it your voice calling my name I’m a drifter, a rambler, a rolling stone All alone on this road I’m a twirling tornado, a tumbleweed Waiting for roots to grow Waiting for roots to take hold If I slow down for someone to catch me Am I bound down never to part Can’t an anchor be something you carry And your home be the love in your heart I’m a drifter, a rambler, a rolling stone All alone on this road I’m a twirling tornado, a tumbleweed Waiting for roots to grow Waiting for roots to take hold You could come with me, we’d chart the unknown Or you could leave our porch light on ‘till I get home I’m a drifter, a rambler, a rolling stone All alone on this road I’m a twirling tornado, a tumbleweed Waiting for roots to grow waiting for roots to take hold I’m waiting for roots to take hold.
5.
I spend the morning in the kitchen Drinking coffee, waiting for sunrise An icy rain is falling, but in my kitchen I am warm and dry And I know this glow I feel inside me Could just as easily be dread And I know my good fortune could be misery instead, so Thank you for all I’ve received Help me to be all I need to be And for all the times I haven’t been there Forgive me. Forgive me. This is my thanksgiving prayer I’ve been living for tomorrow and wasted far too many years slow to learn the lesson that nothing is better than right now, right here, so Thank you for all I’ve received Help me to be all I need to be And for all the times I haven’t been there Forgive me. Forgive me. This is my thanksgiving prayer Life flies by- it’s the blink of an eye I try to get in its way I’d like to slow it down for just one day, to say Thank you for all I’ve received Help me to be all I need to be And for all the times I haven’t been there Forgive me. Forgive me. This is my thanksgiving prayer
6.
Daylight world behind me, I trade my business suit For a Stetson and a pair of cowboy boots I can’t wait until tonight when I step in off the street Into my darkened sanctuary where you and I might meet And where you will Lead me Lead me to the dance floor Slowly. Come up close behind me I don’t know your name, but I don’t care Tonight we’ll make the perfect pair Burn up the floor, leave wanting more of our Three minute love affair Another night is over And as I turn to leave I feel a gently tug upon my sleeve I look up to find you appeared out of nowhere And you take my hands in your hands My cowboy Fred Astaire, and you Lead me Lead me to the dance floor Slowly. Come up close behind me I don’t know your name, but I don’t care Tonight we’ll make the perfect pair Burn up the floor, leave wanting more of our Three minute love affair I’ve been so lonely If only love could last for longer than a song Lead me Lead me to the dance floor Slowly. Come up close behind me I don’t know your name, but I don’t care Tonight we’ll make the perfect pair Burn up the floor, leave wanting more of our Three minute love affair
7.
Idle With Me 04:35
I saw you driving- saw you driving down my street I saw you driving- saw you driving down my street I saw you driving; your muffler music sounds so sweet I saw you driving; my heart was thumping out the beat. Tail lights disappearing- disappearing in the dark Tail lignts disappearing- disappearing in the dark Tail lights disappearing, but not before they’ve made their mark Tail lights disappearing- my heart was throwing off a spark Tell me why you do like you do Why do you just drive on through You know this ain’t no Indy time trial Why don’t you stop for a little while And idle with me C’mon and idle with me Idle with me while you’re trying to get my engine to start This block you’re on I’ve beena few times around And it’s true what they say This won’t be nothing but a devil’s playground When idle hand come into play I’ll be right here waiting – and I’ve got just what you need I’ll be right here waiting – and I’ve got just what you need I’ll be right here waiting, and you know I’ve got the key I’ll be right here waiting- I’ll be your night ride company Tell me why you do like you do Why do you just drive on through You know this ain’t no Indy time trial Why don’t you stop for a little while And idle with me., C’mon and idle with me Idle with me while you’re trying to get my engine to start
8.
9.
I used to be brave I used to be bold I used to look life in the eye and take anything it gave me I used to stand tall I used to be strong I shouldered each burden and never asked anyone to save me I wish that you had been there You should have seen me then. I locked the front door I stepped through the gate I stood with my brother as we waited for the bus going to school While I was there I watched and I listened And I learned all society’s dances and all of its rules I wish that you had been there You should have seen me then. And when I finally found my own feet They were drawn to the rhythm of the street And I never found my way back home Underneath this mantle of wild I am still somebody’s child Living a life I never expected to know Out here on this street I’m hungry and cold And everyday I’m asking strangers for change or a meal or a bed Long gone is the kid Bubbling with the kind of exuberance born of the promise of what lies ahead I wish that you had been there You should have seen me then.
10.
I’ve got the day I’ve got the whole day to Explore the countryside Wander up the coast highway Open the windows wide, and RIDE RIDE Purple sage, yellow mustard Dot the green hillside Orange poppies cling to the cliffs That tumble into the tide RIDE RIDE I see the metal chains that drape the side Of the mountains to hold back the slides When the rocks come spilling down I feel the metal chains that drape my heart Start to unwind and part And I’m unbound, on my RIDE RIDE Salty sea then deep green pine Fill the air outside, and I know It’s the journey. It’s the climb It’s taking a road that I haven’t tried; It’s the RIDE RIDE
11.
12.
San Antonio 03:36
I’m a restless person, and I don’t like to wait I’m pawing the ground at the starting gate There’s only so much I can do at home So I’m going to San Antone San Antone- where my dreams are realized San Antone- where I am recognized This is a trip I must take alone I’m going to San Antone Well, I love my family, and I love my place But my passion has wings and I must give chase So don’t try to call me on my telephone I’m gone to San Antone San Antone- where my dreams are realized San Antone- where I am recognized This is a trip I must take alone I’m going to San Antone No matter what you name it No matter where you go Everyone’s trying to claim it Everyone’s looking for home When I breathe my last I don’t want to say I let my brightest dream slip away ‘Cause fear had me bound down to all I have known And I dared not roam Down to San Antone San Antone- where my dreams are realized San Antone- where I am recognized This is a trip I must take alone I’m going to San Antone
13.
I Am the One 03:15
I could say it’s not my fault I could say I wasn’t there I could walk away and say I just don’t care Or I could roll up my sleeves I could say that I believe My world grows stronger if I do my share I am the one – I have the power I am the one – I have the choice I can accept how things are now or I can stand up and raise my voice I am the one It’s not easy being me These are complicated days All the world’s temptations can lead me astray But if I focus on my goal, see the donut not the hole Maybe I can turn the world my way I am the one – I have the power I am the one – I have the choice I can accept how things are now or I can stand up and raise my voice I am the one Where will your path lead you It’s easier to follow the crowd Your world needs you To step up and live out loud (and say) I am the one – I have the power I am the one – I have the choice I can accept how things are now or I can stand up and raise my voice I am the one

about

Laura's no frills style delivers the truth straight up right to your heart and soul. The lyrics are compelling, while the music can take you spiritual and emotionally to the right place all by itself. The songs on By The Refinery Lights tell the stories of various "others", inhabiting those "others" in a way that lets the listener do the same. The musical style is direct: the strong, clear vocals, meticulous fingerpicking are set in arrangements that strike the perfect balance, inviting you into the story, into the song. to sharpen the senses. to sooth the weary heart. to nourish the parched spirit.

credits

released November 11, 2011

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Laura Zucker San Francisco, California

Singer-songwriter Laura Zucker wins audiences over with a hard-won perspective and a positive spin. The powerful imagery of her songs and stories ring so true you might think she’s read your diary - and you’ll find yourself humming her infectious melodies for days to come. ... more

contact / help

Contact Laura Zucker

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Laura Zucker, you may also like: