Desert Varnish

by Howard A. Landman

If you hear music, that the MIDI background for the song (not including melody).

I went hiking in the desert last month 'n
The big rocks there were glazed brown and black
They call it Desert Varnish - it's very thin
Scrape it off, takes ten thousand years to grow back

It's a sign that the rock has been through
Freezing nights and searing days
And I feel lately, when I'm with you
Our love is like that in some ways

We've seen ages of pain and anguish
Weathered eons of fear and doubt
Our love has glow like Desert Varnish
That's what you get for sticking things out

I've been in caves of quartz and limestone
Stalactite ceiling, stalagmite floor
They touch and merge and form strong columns
You can't tell 'em apart any more
Five thousand years they've been together
Lasted through earthquake, fire and storm
Like them we never wonder whether
Our love will always keep us warm

Reaching out in the deepest darkness
Hanging on when all hope is lost
Our love has a glow like Desert Varnish
That's what you get when you pay the cost

Through a hundred million years of layers
The Grand Canyon was cut by the knife
Of the Colorado; we said our prayers
And they carved us out a life
Now we can look back on the trail
We hiked to bring us to this place
Not afraid to tear back the veil
Of the future we have yet to face

Holding hands in the joy and carnage
Open wide as the sky above
Our love has a glow like Desert Varnish
That's what you get when you give to love

I went hiking in the desert last month 'n
The big rocks there were glazed brown and black
They call it Desert Varnish - it's very thin
Scrape it off, takes ten thousand years to grow back

San Jose, May 17th-22nd, 1995

This song was largely inspired by a trip Gelly and Carol and I took to the Anza-Borrego desert in April 1995.

Last updated 2001 July 13