[Intro – mellow acoustic riff ] [Verse 1] danced in the valley of bones, Tangled with trouble on lover's stone. She was cherry and sassafras, how was I to know she has a pack full past. The Wolf, he howled from the cedar ridge, Claws of the law, teeth like a jigsaw kissed her hard and I hit the trail, the stars my map, the wind my veil. [Chorus] I’m runnin’ from the Wolf with the fire on my trail, Got a ring in my pocket and a soul for sale. Gotta feed my hound, gotta stake my claim, ‘Fore the Wolf lays teeth to my name. [Jam Break – 1:12 to 2:05] (Psychedelic instrumental break — Telecaster solo over modal jam in D mixolydian, spacey organ rising and falling, drums loosen into jazz-inflected backbeat) [Verse 2] Smoke on the ridge where the pine trees bend, The Wolf sniffs justice and the trail I send. My boots beat stories in the canyon's dust, Love ain't a crime, but it runs like rust. My hound waits hungry by the old wood gate, Eyes like stars and a growl at fate. She’s a wildflower bride in a dress of dawn, But if I don’t make it home, she’s gone. [Chorus – repeat with added harmonica flourish] I’m runnin’ from the Wolf with the fire on my trail, Got a ring in my pocket and a soul for sale. Gotta feed the hound, gotta stake my claim, ‘Fore the Wolf lays teeth to my name. [Bridge – breakdown section, acoustic + harmony vocals only] (Guitar drops to finger-picked chords, whispery harmonies) Time don’t wait and the law don’t sleep, But I made a vow that my love I’ll keep. The trail grows dark , my will burns bright, She’s got my heart but knows how to bite.. [Final Chorus – with full band swell, rising energy] I’m runnin’ from the Wolf with the fire on my trail, Got a ring in my pocket and a soul for sale. Gotta feed my hound, gotta stake my claim, ‘Fore the Wolf lays teeth to my name. [Outro – fade out with guitar solo & organ swirl] (Guitar bends echo into distance, tambourine slowly fades, last notes drift like smoke) "Still I ride, with the dawn in my hand... and the Wolf behind me, Hoping she's still stands..."
