Noodled the Catfish Oracle

[INTRO] Got somethin’ big... Real big... Lord, I think it’s got a jaw. Pulled it up slow, hands buried in mud That catfish looked at me like blood Rolled his eyes and sighed like fate Like I showed up ten minutes late He said, “Boy, you shoulda been here sooner.” I said, “Sooner than what?” He looked at the moon. “Exactly.” [VERSE 1] He stared at me like he knew my soul Like I done pulled a god from a swallow hole Whiskers shimmered in the river light He said, “You been runnin’ from yourself all night” I said, “What you mean?” He said, “You know.” Said the river been leadin’ me off my mark Said prophecy don't wait around in the dark Said I keep lookin’ where the answers ain't While draggin’ every question like a ball and chain Moon leaned low and the water went still That fish looked at me like he knew my will I stood there frozen in muddy awe Holdin’ truth with a trembling paw He said, “You keep askin’ where you oughta be.” I said, “Well... where?” He said, “Not here.” [RAP VERSE 1] I was just fishin’, didn’t mean no harm Barefoot blessin’ the cypress calm Had my little line and my tackle box Tryna catch supper ’fore the moon got lost But he told me straight I been driftin’ wrong Said I make excuses way too long Said I treat time like cheap moonshine Spillin’ good moments like they ain't mine Said truth gets heavy when you pretend Said the river remembers what you defend Said every road I refused to take Still leaves footprints underneath the wake I said, “Fish, you sure you wanna talk like that?” He said, “I’m an oracle.” I said, “You’re a catfish.” He said, “That doesn't make me less right.” [PRE-CHORUS] He told me visions don't wait around slow Said I showed up late to what I already know Said most folks miss their moment twice Fate slides quiet like river ice Then he looked toward the trees And whispered low, “Something’s comin’.” I said, “What?” He said, “You.” [CHORUS] I just reached for supper in a muddy line Found judgement swimmin’ through my time That catfish said my clock been wrong And the whole swamp moaned like a funeral song Said the jar ain't holy, just loud and strong Said my truth been waitin’ all along I came down here lookin’ for something to eat That fish looked back and found me instead [RAP VERSE 2] He said I ain't cursed, just scared to change Said comfort builds cages outta familiar things Said I dulled my light with liquid lies Then wondered why I couldn't see sunrise Said I been dodgin’ who I really be Said snakes shed skin and so should me Said every creature knows when it’s time to move Even swamp things gotta find a different groove I said, “So what am I supposed to do?” He said, “Wake up.” I said, “That's it?” He said, “That's most of it.” Then he swallowed a crawdad whole Like he hadn't just rearranged my soul I said, “Was that necessary?” He said, “Lunch.” [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK] [4 BARS — DOBRO GHOST SLIDE] [4 BARS — FIDDLE PROPHECY SPIRAL] [4 BARS — BANJO DRUNK ORACLE WALTZ] [2 BARS — JAW HARP PULSE] [2 BARS — FULL ENSEMBLE SWELL] [VERSE 2] Hands still wet from that sacred scale Every word hit hard like a rusted nail That stare burned straight through my chest Like the river knew what I never confessed He said, “You keep waitin’ for a perfect sign.” I said, “Ain't you supposed to give me one?” He blinked. “No.” I said, “Then what are you for?” He said, “Remindin’ you.” [BRIDGE] Said most folks don't get this chance Said silence follows ignorance Said patience gets thin on sacred ground Then he slowly turned himself around I said, “Wait... what happens next?” He said, “You already know.” Then slipped beneath the water Without makin’ a sound I waited. Nothing. Then one bubble came up. I took that as a yes. [FINAL CHORUS] I just noodled fate below the line Pulled up truth instead of shine That catfish spoke like time itself Left me questionin’ all I felt He said, “Wake up, boy, your window’s thin Don't miss the moment twice again” I asked him what the prophecy meant He said, “You’ll know.” I said, “When?” He said, “Too late.” [OUTRO] I let him slide back to the blackened deep But them words still haunt my sleep And some nights when the fog runs thin That river still whispers where I’ve been I went down there lookin’ for dinner... Came home with a prophecy. And half a catfish. I think he kept the other half on purpose.