Taking A Ride words & music by Luke Vassella 2020

I heard someone calling out on Keen Street
But I couldn’t understand a word
I was busy, I was hungry
And I drove on undeterred
That someone crossed the road and spoke to my wife
Waiting at Ying's Chinese
With his walker and his bottle bag
He asked her can you help me please

He’d come all the way from Grafton
To be at Aunty Dorrie’s funeral
He had no money, and no place to go
And a sadness not unusual
I thought, if I can help you Raymond
Then I will help you my friend
But if I get caught up in your story now,
Brother, where will it ever end?

Oh Aunty Dorrie, we’re missing you tonight
Oh Aunty Dorrie, we’re missing you...

Looks like I’ll be takin a ride with Raymond, takin a ride
Trying to find a place for Raymond in the middle of the night

I thought Ray was an old man, but he was only 44
In pain so bad he could hardly get in or out of my car door
I tried to book him into a motel room, but the man didn’t want to know
He took one look, said he should be in hospital, there must be somewhere else you can go
I can’t look after this man, look at him, he can hardly stand
Mate, I know you’re trying to do a good deed,
But neither you or I can meet this man’s need...

Oh Aunty Dorrie we’re missing you tonight

What are we gonna do Ray,
Looks like there’s nowhere here you can stay
It’ll be no use at the hospital
But if your sister’s two hours away….
I guess I’ll be takin a ride with Raymond, takin a ride
Trying to get him back to his family
In the middle of the night

So I bought us some servo sandwiches and a couple of dodgy pies
I said a prayer under a crescent moon and I filled up the VY
I'm takin a ride with Raymond, and I don’t know where we’re going
Takin a road I’ve never been down, to a destination I’ve not known

And he told me to take the long way round
Past the Tabulum bottle shop
But the pub was closed
And anyway, I wasn’t gonna stop
Raymond said he was 44 but he looked about 65
We were only halfway there when he fell asleep
I wasn’t even sure if he was still alive

I'm takin a ride with Raymond, takin a ride
Down a dark and lonely highway in the middle of the night
Will the dogs down here be friendly Ray or are they gonna bite?

Thinking maybe I could’ve just left you on Keen street
I coulda just given you a few dollars, kept my charity short and sweet
But now I’m takin a ride with Raymond
Wondering what the hell I’m doing
This journey's taking a very long time, I sure hope we get there soon

I’m takin a ride with Raymond, takin a ride
Down a cold and empty byway in the middle of the night

As the Baryulgil wind howled, the Baryulgil gums groaned
Oh we’re finally here, we’ve made it Ray, are you still with me!??
Oh thank God, thank God you were only fast asleep and stoned

Takin a ride with Raymond, takin a ride
I finally helped him onto his Uncle's porch,
Then I turned around, and disappeared into the night

I got no spare tyre, I got no roo bar
I could be fubar if I get stuck out here
What are the chances, what are the answers
My phone’s out of range,
God knows we're either gonna live by faith or fear
But I just want to get back to my safe warm bed,
I want to get back to my wife
Back to my 3 sleepy children
And my white privileged life
Roa-Dart never made it this far south there’s no love hearts on this track
He’s moved further on up the road now
And he won’t be coming back
Oh Pete we’re missing you tonight
You crazy diamond we’re missing you

I've been takin a ride with Raymond, takin a ride
I've been takin a ride with Raymond, takin a ride
And I wish every Australian could be
Takin a ride with Raymond, takin a ride

Yeah that Baryulgil road is a rough old road
But not nearly as rough as Raymond’s road