To the east the factories stand Like fire-breathing dragons against the sky And from their throats a scarlet river Burns itself into smoky lullabies Over neon and fluorescent skies Valerie, Can you hear those engines drone I wanted to go to Mexico But I'm stranded here alone And once I knew a true love It's been three years since he's gone And if I could get that feeling back I'd give up everything I own 16 days since I left Corona And I traveled to this carnival town near Alberndee And I rode the coaster there on the fairground Twisted backbone of a beast that never heals And I left some skin on fortune's wheel Valerie, can you hear those engines drone I wanted to go to Mexico But I'm stranded here alone And once I knew a true love It's been three years since he's gone And if I could get that feeling back I'd give up everything I own Everything's in slow motion now In this little border town I've come so close from so far Just to hide behind these windows here From the world outside I watch those cars and trucks raise trails of dust Down the road as they pass by Valerie, can you hear those engines drone I wanted to go to Mexico But I'm stranded here alone And once I knew a true love It's been three years since he's gone And if I could get that feeling back I'd give up everything I own Everything I own Everything I own