"Where've You Been?"

I don't remember the exact day or what I was doing when I first heard "Where've You Been?", but I do recall that before it was through I was in love with the beautiful voice of Kathy Mattea. While some listeners would stick her in the category of "country" music, her talent crosses many genres.

I had a hard time deciding between this and another of her songs, "Ashes in the Wind". So, what the hell, I'll do a double offering for tearjerking song Number #6 on my list.

And if you don't like Mattea, then you're just buckin' in the rodeo without a pickup man...

"Where've You Been?"
*Jon Vezner and Don Henry

Claire had all but given up,
When she and Edwin fell in love.
She touched his face and shook her head,
In disbelief, she sighed and said:
"In many dreams I've held you near,
"Now, at last, you're really here.

"Where've you been?
"I've looked for you forever and a day.
"Where've you been?
"I'm just not myself when you're away."

He asked her for her hand for life,
And she became a salesman's wife.
He was home each night by eight,
But one stormy evening, he was late.
Her frightened tears fell to the floor,
Until his key turned in the door.

"Where've you been?
"I've looked for you forever and a day.
"Where've you been?
"I'm just not myself when you're away."

They'd never spent a night apart,
For sixty years, she heard him snore.
Now they're in a hospital,
In separate beds on different floors.

Claire soon lost her memory,
Forgot the names of family.
She never spoke a word again,
Then one day, they wheeled him in.
He held her hand and stroked her hair,
In a fragile voice she said:

"Where've you been?
"I've looked for you forever and a day.
"Where've you been?
"I'm just not myself when you're away."
"No, I'm just not myself when you're away."

"Ashes in the Wind"
*Written by - Jon Vezner

The first time I met Davey it was 1985
We were three sheets to the wind and a couple of tokes over the line
But I've replayed that moment like a movie in my mind
The first time I met Davey it was 1985

The next time I saw Davey it was at a high school dance
He was with my best friend Mary
I was singin' with the band
My life passed before me in that passing glance
And I knew I'd never be the same again

And I sing
Davey runs through the roses
And Davey runs through my mind
Thinkin' that the road I chose
Was the best one at the time
Those mem'ries they're just moments
You wish would never end
But they never stay
They just float away
Like ashes in the wind

Davey married Mary and went on with his life
So I went and found a husband and tried to be a wife
But I knew from 'I Do'
Deep down it wasn't right
And that's why I'm lookin' back alone tonight

And I sing
Davey runs through the roses
And Davey runs through my head
Wishin' that the road I chose
Was another one instead
Those mem'ries they're just moments
You pray will never end
But they never stay
They just float away
Like ashes in the wind

The minutes turn to days
And the days they turn to years
And a lifetime you can waste
When you're runnin' from your fears

The last time I saw Davey it was 1999
We had gathered all together
We had come to say goodbye
To the heart of an old soul
Who was far too young to die
And in the still you could hear the angels cry

And I sing
Davey runs through the roses
And Davey danced through my life
I can see him up there with Moses
Right next to Jesus Christ
While I'm standin' at the crossroads
Wonderin' what's around the bend
He's miles from here
Beyond the atmosphere
Just ashes in the wind
I can see him rise into the sky
Just ashes in the wind