I knew that I first loved her with a meeting of the eyes I did send my mental message under California skies And I know that she received it before she turned to go Down that long, wide open road It was only two weeks later in a San Bernardino bar She was sitting by her lonesome shining like a northern star And I asked her for direction, she paused before she spoke Why down that long, wide open road We married in the springtime in a grove of tangerines Said goodbye to friends and family, hello to all our dreams Traded warm Mojave sunshine for Rocky Mountain snow And that long, wide open road November nights were cold in our cabin on the hill We'd gather oak and mesquite to chase away the chill But a colder wind was blowing from deep down in her soul That kept her on that wide open road I gave all I could give her and I looked around for more While I was looking for forever, she was looking for the door But her sad eyes were determined on the day she let me go Down that long, wide open road That was oh, so many years now, I have other tales to tell But if you see my Southern gypsy Tell her Shakespeare bids her well Maybe take this song to give her to lighten up her load Down that long, wide open road Down that long, wide open road