Don't Run Me Down

Hello good people; the best people in the world, Songwriters! Having a ball here on TSF! This song, I wrote for my dear friend, Patrick aka 'Zoner', who I hadn't seen in some time. Back in the day, we'd sit at the park at our favorite picnic table taking turns, coming up with lines for songs. Lots of fun, great memories. We had a falling out over the Covid-mess and politics in general thus, we stayed distant for awhile, till he called me up on the phone, had a decent conversation, went to help him moving into his new condo, and then....

This song is a result of the heart-wrenching feeling I got at how much he had aged in so little time. The title came from his own lips as V2 describes. I tried to re-color the hook/title each time around so it would have different meanings. Don't know if I pulled it off as well as it could be. Anyway, I appreciate your feedback, suggestions, comments. Sorry, I got long-winded on this one...it must be the weekend...yaaaaay!!!

And as suggested by some of you, recently, I went on my own on this one; guitar/vocal, stripped down. Though, I cheated a bit, grabbed a pretty chord progression from a backing track on YouTube. So, there's that..

For a listen ==> https://soundcloud.com/reneelachapelle/dont-run-me-down

DON’T RUN ME DOWN

Can’t you see I’m on my last leg?

My heart’s been through the mud

That’s the feeling I got when I saw my friend today

I could see it in his eyes he’s had enough

And it occurred to me as I was drivin’ home

A strong man is now delicate

And getting old is a sum-gun

And that freight train ain’t no stoppin’ it

[Chorus]

Don’t run me down

Don’t run me down

Oh, ‘cuz if you run me down, I may never come around

Don’t run me down

And while I’m ten years younger than him

Feel that bulldozer strike my bones

But I was glad I could help my friend today

Lord knows, he shouldn’t be on his own

And crossing Kroger’s parkin’ lot

A car was coming upon us fast

And with a chuckle, Patrick said to him:

‘Don’t run me down’; all he asked:

[Chorus]

Don’t run me down

Don’t run me down

Oh, ‘cuz if you run me down, I may never come around

Don’t run me down

And now that both my parents are gone

There’s that gnawing that I’m next

And I pray to God I’m not a nuisance to anyone

Staying independent I’ve done my best

And should I witness old-age up close

I pray I take my final breath in peace

And may my name be in the Book of Life

May I finally find relief

[Chorus]

Don’t run me down

Don’t run me down, Lord

Oh, ‘cuz if You run me down, I may never come around

Oooooh-ooooh, Oooooh-oooooh

[Chorus]

Don’t run me down

Don’t run me down, Lord

Oh, ‘cuz if You run me down, I may never come around

Don’t run me down

Don’t run me down, Lord

‘Cuz if You run me down, I may never…I may never come

A

R O U N D.

© 2025 Renee La Chapelle – All Rights Released