Progress of the Living

Verse 1] The sun is still hiding behind the Ridley pines While I’m tracing out the gravel in the early morning lines Coffee’s black as midnight, steam rising off the dash Counting down the hours ‘til I turn this sweat to cash Lacing up the leather, pulling tight against the heel Today’s another battle between the spirit and the steel.

[Chorus] And it’s honest dirt beneath these fingernails A story written in the skin, where the lotion always fails My back’s a little crooked and my knees are getting loud But I’m standing five-foot-ten and I’m standing pretty proud ‘Cause at the end of the tunnel, when the light begins to fade I can look back at the progress of the living that I’ve made.

[Verse 2] The clock on the wall is a slow-moving thief While the midday heat is giving me no grief (no relief) I’ve got a hammer in my hand and a mission in my head Working for the roof and the butter on the bread They say the world is changing, moving fast and moving cold But you can't download the muscle that it takes to dig a hole.

[Bridge] There’s a special kind of quiet when the engine finally stops When you’re wiped down to the marrow and you’ve given all you got It ain't about the mansion or the shiny silver plate It’s about the peace of mind when you’re pulling through the gate.

[Chorus] With that honest dirt beneath these fingernails A story written in the skin, where the lotion always fails My back’s a little crooked and my knees are getting loud But I’m standing five-foot-ten and I’m standing pretty proud ‘Cause at the end of the tunnel, when the light begins to fade I can look back at the progress of the living that I’ve made.

[Outro] Yeah, let the moon take the night shift I’ve done my part today. Just a hard-working man... Finding his own way. (Slow harmonica fade)