From the recording Songs of Rabble and Roots

This song was written to my 24 year-old son, Brendan, with whom I have taken annual photo jaunts into the scenic mountains of Idaho during family visits. These trips have been precious to me, and the song reflects the joy of watching him grow into a man across our many shared adventures in the Wood River Valley and among the Sawtooth Mountains. ~ Mark

In the Wood River Valley, on Idaho time
The morning broke sunny and cold
And we packed up our cameras and drove to the North
Where the pioneers came to find gold

There’s a picture at home, you are just a small boy
With your cowboy hat and guitar
And you’re singing out loud all you feel in your heart
Not afraid to show who you are

Now you’re taller than me, you’ve become your own man
And you teach me, as I have taught you
So side by side, and together we go
To the land we’ve come to love so

Through the pass at Galena, the Sawtooth appeared
And the river ran shallow and wide
Past worn wooden fences and empty corrals
Where the mule and the pack-horse were tied

Now your Legos and crayons are camera and lens
As the joy of creating lives on
And for father and son, the adventure’s begun
You are older and I’ve become young

Now you’re taller than me, you’ve become your own man
And you teach me, as I have taught you
So side by side, and together we go
To the land we’ve come to love so

In the Wood River Valley, on Idaho time
The morning broke sunny and cold
And we packed up our cameras and drove to the North
Two travelers bound to find gold

Now you’re taller than me, you’ve become your own man
And you teach me, as I have taught you
So side by side, and together we go
To the land we’ve come to love so
To the land we’ve come to love so