5. Home By Dark (4:12) Words & Music by Steve Gillette

This song is a remembrance of my own childhood and my first bicycle. Expanding on that theme allowed me to reflect on how I wishes that everyone had a place to be, "where they know you, and love you for who you are."

Places mentioned in the song describe my home neighborhood, my bicycle adventures, steep hills on my paper route, and hurrying home to "take the corner like a stolen base."

Growing up a few decades ago, so many things were different from what we see today. Even as young kids we were encouraged to go out and play, and we extended our range of exploration to reach quite far afield. Parents didn't have the same anxiety that parents have today, and certainly no one would have criticized my mother for allowing me to venture forth unsupervised.

When Cindy and I perform the song we introduce it with the idea that we did have that kind of freedom. It seemed that the only rule was that we be "home by dark." When the street lights came on we were expected to be in the house or at least on our way. There's another theme that is hinted at in the song. Didn't it seem like we got into some situations that we're just so glad that nobody ever had to find out about?

(BMI)

Read more on my About the Song website here