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Ghost Bikes

from Ghost Bikes by Jim Page

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about

A ghost bike is a white bicycle fastened to the place where a cyclist was killed in a traffic accident. People decorate them with flowers and trinkets. They are sad and beautiful things and can be found in many different countries. The one in this song was in front of a restaurant in Eugene, Oregon.

lyrics

ghost bikes, ghost bikes

bicycles all over town
dangerous streets, they’ll run you down
memorialized among the stars
with wild flowers on your handle bars

ghost bikes, ghost bikes

bicycles as free as a breeze
what could be more humane than these
like pedal birds, that’s what they are
don’t stand a chance against a car

ghost bikes, ghost bikes

this country was built on petroleum wheels
factory whistles and business deals
you could be a traitor to the bottom line
they don’t even see you till it’s too late sometimes

ghost bikes, ghost bikes
ghost bikes, ghost bikes

somebody got killed
on a Saturday night
they took a bicycle and
they painted it white
now it’s a ghost bike

poetry and an epitaph
keepsakes and a photograph
coulda been somebody you almost knew
it coulda been you

ghost bikes, ghost bikes

long time ago somebody invented a wheel
and somebody else said this is gonna be a big deal
humanity is gonna have to decide
whether to asphyxiate itself or go out for a ride

ghost bikes, ghost bikes
ghost bikes, ghost bikes

you want to change the world
do it one step at a time
get out of that dinosaur
and leave it behind

ghost bikes, ghost bikes

so write a poem, sing a song
life goes on so get back on
and ride for everybody who’s ever ridden before
and then ride some more

ghost bikes, ghost bikes

credits

from Ghost Bikes, released May 7, 2010
Words and music by Jim Page

Jim Page: vocals and guitar
Grant Dermody: harmonica
Michael Gray: fiddle
Joel Litwin: percussion

recorded and mixed by Tom Stiles

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Jim Page Seattle, Washington

Named by Seattle Metropolitan Magazine as “One Of The 50 Most Influential Musicians In Seattle History.” Originally from California Page has called Seattle and the Pacific Northwest “home” since 1971. Songs covered by The Doobie Brothers, Christy Moore, Dick Gaughan, Michael Hedges, and Roy Bailey. Utah Phillips: “If you’re ever going to get the message, this is the messenger to get it from.” ... more

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