Two Generations of Neil Young
Today Alan left for Mexico. I thought he'd be ecstatic, but instead he was really quiet all last night and again today. Driving to the bus station we hardly said a word to one another, but instead sat with our own thoughts while Neil Young kept us company via the CD player. Then Alan turned to me and said in a voice that pulled at my heart, "I love Neil Young". It just so happened that 'Sugar Mountain' had been playing, and it hit me....Alan's petrified. He doesn't feel ready to leave Sugar Mountain yet. This baby who had to be dragged out of my womb with forceps because he didn't want to come into this world; this boy who at 10 years old came to me and told me he never wanted to grow up; this beautiful young man isn't sure he can take the next step. But he has. He got on that bus. And he is in for the most amazing ride of his life I'm sure.
But it gave me the strangest feeling to know that a song that touched me profoundly many years ago has had a strong impact on him too. Now that's a sign of a great piece of music!
Oh, to live on Sugar Mountain
With the barkers and the colored balloons,
You can't be twenty on Sugar Mountain
Though you're thinking that
you're leaving there too soon,
You're leaving there too soon.
It's so noisy at the fair
But all your friends are there
And the candy floss you had
And your mother and your dad.
Oh, to live on Sugar Mountain
With the barkers and the colored balloons,
You can't be twenty on Sugar Mountain
Though you're thinking that
you're leaving there too soon,
You're leaving there too soon.
There's a girl just down the aisle,
Oh, to turn and see her smile.
You can hear the words she wrote
As you read the hidden note.
Oh, to live on Sugar Mountain
With the barkers and the colored balloons,
You can't be twenty on Sugar Mountain
Though you're thinking that
you're leaving there too soon,
You're leaving there too soon.
Now you're underneath the stairs
And you're givin' back some glares
To the people who you met
And it's your first cigarette.
Oh, to live on Sugar Mountain
With the barkers and the colored balloons,
You can't be twenty on Sugar Mountain
Though you're thinking that
you're leaving there too soon,
You're leaving there too soon.
Now you say you're leavin' home
'Cause you want to be alone.
Ain't it funny how you feel
When you're findin' out it's real?
Oh, to live on Sugar Mountain
With the barkers and the colored balloons,
You can't be twenty on Sugar Mountain
Though you're thinking that
you're leaving there too soon,
You're leaving there too soon.
6:35:42 PM 
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