[INSTRUMENTAL — fast bongos and twang riff, brass punching in] [VERSE 1 — quick clipped melody, bass darting underneath] Two police cars One casino van Too many friends For one small man Mara said left I said no She grabbed the wheel I took the road [CHORUS — punchy open hook, brass answering each phrase] Through, not around Through, not around No room to turn So we go through [VERSE 2 — vocal skipping over fast bongos] The fence came down The mirror went The service gate Was chained and bent I didn't stop She didn't pray The brown bag slid The black bag stayed [CHORUS — punchy open hook, brass answering each phrase] Through, not around Through, not around No room to turn So we go through [INSTRUMENTAL — 16-bar fuzz guitar break, bongos and strings accelerating] [VERSE 3 — brighter, guitar riff chasing the vocal] We hit the dirt We lost the van We found the river Where the old road ran She laughed like hell She held my arm For one whole minute Out of harm [CHORUS — punchy open hook, brass answering each phrase] Through, not around Through, not around No room to turn So we go through [BRIDGE — urgent melody, brass pulsing beneath] The radio said Two thieves were armed Two stolen bags One woman harmed She switched it off I switched it on She said, "It's Voss" I said, "I know" [CHORUS — fullest hook, full brass and swirling guitar] Through, not around Through, not around No room to turn So we go through [OUTRO — twang riff circling, vocal echoing over bongos] Through, not around Through, not around Mile forty-two We didn't stop
