ROCKSVILLE 

This is one of the few song stories that I’ve written about a specific topic. As I’ve mentioned I usually write a line or two and build out a story from there that is unrelated to me or my life. 

In the case of Rocksville I wanted to tell the story of a friend that went through, and still manages, a very serious health issue. A story of strength. 

We had a song titled “7A” (a song cataloging style of Brian’s) and it was a perfect fit. The music had a train-ride feel to it which inspired the lyrics. 

This song is about the train ride that is life. 

A train can take you someplace wonderful, it can leave you someplace unexpected and it can bring you back home safely. 

The verses in this song will play out in order of events. He is delivered the devastating news and is told the outcome won’t be good. 

He chooses to ride-on because he’s not ready to get off this train. Not when there’s so much life to live. 

The ride doesn’t go smoothly and it’s touch and go for a while, but there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. 

He’s a fighter and waiting for God to come get him is not part of the itinerary on this trip. There are a lot of people counting on him and he’s not going to let them down. 

The chorus symbolizes the waiting and the loneliness, the landscape that continually passes by in the window during the trip. 

The last verse is a combination of previous verses that remind us of the journey and connects to the out chorus which is the arrival to his destination. Life, where he gets to ride another day 
RIDE-ON my friend!!!

Song Art and Lyrics Below:

Rocksville 

I was on the 7 A to Rocksville 
That's where I go when I feel alive 
I got my sixstring on my back still 
There's no way I'm gonna run hide 

They told me I might not make it 
I don't know who they think I am 
There's no way I'm checking out yet 
Not when there's music left inside 

I'm gonna play all night 
I'm gonna to write all day 
I'm on the train to Rocksville 
I'm on the 7 A 

The whole world huddeled around me 
You pulled me up from dark divide 
So many bright lights I can't see 
I don't know what fuckin train I'm on 

Got tired of waiting for you 
Show me your face but you never came 
A husband, a friend a Father 
I'm gonna fight if it's just the same 

(chorus) 
(chorus) 
(solo) 

The whole world huddeled around me 
You pulled me up from dark divide 
There's no way I'm checking out yet 
Not when there's music left inside 

The 7 A to Rocksville 
That’s where I feel alive 
I caught the train to Rocksville 
Ride on ride 

I caught the train to Rocksville 
(4X)

Written by: Eric Helmstetter (c) 2022 - All Rights Reserved