Golden City |
LyricsGOLDEN CITYMark Patterson © 2024 Part of me perished on the Saint-Mihiel line Along with seven thousand other friends of mine Retreated to Chi-town to leave it behind And let the bathtub gin wash France off of my mind My partner chased the dragon and was too low to leave He couldn't be saved because he didn't believe Went searching for truth and it laid him down In a shooting gallery Southside in Chinatown Oh Golden City I'll be back Riding the rails on a Santa Fe track Steel wheels spinning balling the jack Golden City I'm coming back Headed Southwest seeking my reward Box car's leaving so I climbed aboard Had her by the hand why did she let go I heard she found peace but if not I don't care to know Hitch a ride gas diesel or steam When feedin' your family's all that's left of the dream Prospects have got to be better out West Ain't leaving nothing back home back home nothing's left Oh Golden City I'll be back Riding the rails on a Santa Fe track Steel wheels spinning balling the jack Golden City I'm coming back Lady Luck runs off and clothes wear thin So it's back to griftin' and thievin' again Oh there's plenty got rich on FDR's deal A thousand times more well they just slipped under the wheels I will answer for the blood I spilled Just let me live to see that bridge they built Look at all we destroy and create From the crimson trenches to the promise of a golden gate Oh Golden City I'll be back Riding the rails on a Santa Fe track Steel wheels spinning balling the jack Golden City I'm coming back Golden City I'm coming back Golden City I'm coming back |
| Short Song Description: Golden City tells the story of an American soldier who has survived WWI, only to arrive back home and face the Depression, when all he wants is to get back to San Francisco. |
| Long Song Description: Golden City is an Americana song about life in the US post WWI. It's told from the viewpoint of one GI who has survived the war and is working his way home to San Francisco. The track features brilliant performances on guitar and pedal steel, along with exceptional vocals, both lead and background. |
| Story Behind the Song: The protagonist in Golden City has returned home to the US after fighting in the trenches in France during WWI. He originally lands in Chicago, then works his way Southwest, just trying to get back to San Francisco to see the Golden Gate Bridge before he dies. Along the way, he does whatever he needs to do to survive. |
| Lyric Credits: Mark Patterson |
| Music Credits: Mark Patterson |
| Producer Credits: Mark Patterson |
| Publisher Credits: Distinguishing Marks Music BMI |
| Performance Credits: |
| Label Credits: Distinguishing Marks Records LLC |
| Song Length: 4:17 |
| Primary Genre: Folk-Americana |
| Secondary Genre: Country-Americana |
| Tempo / Feel: Medium (111 - 130) |
| Lead Vocal: Male Vocal |
| Subject Matter 1: Life |
| Subject Matter 2: War |
| Mood 1: Peaceful |
| Mood 2: Serene |
| Similar Artist 1: Paul Simon |
| Similar Artist 2: Emmylou Harris |
| Language: English |
| Era: 1930 - 1939 |