Backwoods Prognosis

[Verse 1] Possum says “I’ve seen worse things Under this leaning floor Rust on rakes Nails in boards You limped past me before You drag those feet like muddy roots But roots still hold their ground Might just be age in your ankle bones Not a curse come down” [Chorus] Are my tingles just the winter Settling into my veins? Are these heavy hands a harvest Of a thousand little strains? Or is there some darker weather Rolling silent through my spine? Backwoods prognosis Tell me yours I’ll tell you mine [Verse 2] Burning rat crawls out of sleep Smoke in his yellow teeth “I’ve run your nerves in fever loops I’ve gnawed the cords beneath Pins and needles Pins and needles That’s my favorite kind of snow Little sparks in your walking wires I’ve been lighting them slow” [Chorus] Are my tingles just the winter Settling into my veins? Are these heavy hands a harvest Of a thousand little strains? Or is there some darker weather Rolling silent through my spine? Backwoods prognosis Tell me yours I’ll tell you mine [Bridge] Priest in black with mud-caked boots Sits down on your old stump (hey) Draws a map of crooked lines On your knee with his thumb “Some roads twist and never break Some break and never warn Body’s just a borrowed coat Coming loose at every torn” [Verse 3] Possum shrugs “You still bring scraps You still bend down just fine I’ve watched you haul that water pail I’d say you’re holding the line” Rat just laughs “I hope I’m right I love a slow decline” Priest says “Listen to your fear Then call a doctor this time” [Chorus] Are my tingles just the winter Settling into my veins? Are these heavy hands a harvest Of a thousand little strains? Or is there some darker weather Rolling silent through my spine? Backwoods prognosis Yours is yours But mine— [Outro] Possum nods “Don’t die out here” Rat hisses “Not today” Priest says “Go get those answers And I’ll kneel down I’ll pray” You stand up slow Shed door whining Night bugs start their choir Every step a quiet question Every step through wire