"Herding In The Rain" by Charles Russell
 

(Even cowboys get the blues)

RAINBOWS ON THE BRAIN

It’s only an illusion,
paintin’ colors on the rain.
It’s only self-delusion
paintin’ rainbows on the brain.

So many times I rode away
and every time I swore
I wouldn’t rainbow-ride again
like I’d done before.
But then I’d get a letter
or we’d share a kiss or two..
Enough t’ keep me rainbow-ridin’
like I’d always do.
Just rainbow ridin’ like a fool
and dreamin’ that it’s true...
that this time I would find again
the Eden we once knew.

It’s only an illusion,
paintin’ colors on the rain.
It’s only self-delusion
paintin’ rainbows on the brain.

There’s such a sparkle in the rain-
hypnotic drops of dew-
that sets the mind t’ dreamin’
that the one you love is true.
But it’s only an illusion
that the bitter winds soon rend;
and I have come to realize
that even rainbows end.
What's left is just the howlin' wind
and  blindin’ drops of rain
‘that wash away the teardrops
left by rainbows on the brain
 

Bette Wolf Duncan
©2001, revised 2009