Little Tear in the Heartland

This song started out as a song about Ukraine. I felt self-conscious writing about other peoples’ suffering at that moment. I was also mixing in things from my own life. I am from Iowa, and “the heartland” means something to me as well.

I used to stick out my thumb

To passing strangers

I drove them home

While they slept

Now I gather up wood

A fence I helped to tear down

I built a fire

To add to the starry sky

My little tear in the heartland

Keeper of memories

I thought that I could do it

Believing I used to believe

Two chairs looking out the window

A table in between

Two hands on the wheel

And I ain't letting go

When you need me I’ll come round

I will drive you I will drive you home

When we fall asleep

Some things are just a dream

I was in the backseat

A childhood friend was singing

The radio was playing

My father drove the car

We drove through the country

Amber grains were waving

There was no war

No suffering

Yea, we drove through the country

Amber grains were waving

There was no war

No suffering

Little tears in the heartland

Keeper of memories

I thought that I could do it

Believing I used to believe