Story Behind The Song

I wrote this shortly after learning that my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Russett Road is the name of the street in Maryland where I grew up. I visited there around this time and even though the scenery was similar, everything had moved o

Song Description

This song portrays a woman visiting her childhood home and wistfully reflecting on how life has become complicated since that time.

Lyrics

There's a tree out by the sidewalk where the kids would cross for school
And over on the corner, the neighbors' swimming pool
And the air still smells of fresh-cut grass mixed with the summer rain
It's been a while and times have changed, but it feels just the same
On Russett Road
On Russett Road

Cross the street and walk up to the house, like many times before
Now seems so strange that I can't just open up the door
And I think of all the simpler times and wonder if I'll find
A way to get back all the peace of mind I left behind
On Russett Road
On Russett Road

You can take your debt and deadlines
You can take your work and war
Take your broken hearts and headlines
Don't want to face them anymore

As I turn away, the sun begins to slink back through the trees
Can almost taste that honeysuckle floating on the breeze
And I wonder when I'll get the chance to pass this way again
And thank the Lord for the innocence of growing up back then
On Russett Road
On Russett Road