Six Strings and a Shovel

[Verse 1] Smoke curled off the county line She left her ring near the warning sign Neon buzzed like a cross gone dim She said she’d stay—God knew better than him [Pre-Chorus] Dust on my hands, sins not mine Truth don’t hold when it runs outta time [Chorus] I got six strings and a shovel And a grave I had to dig Laid her down in the canyon With a song she couldn't rig I don’t kneel, I don’t cry I just hum and sweat and try I got six strings and a shovel And a fire that won’t die [Verse 2] Hung a cross from guitar string She kissed my lips and burned the thing Said, “Sing it straight,” but my voice was raw Ain’t no clean when love’s the law [Pre-Chorus] No rest past that crooked mile Just her ghost and a bitter smile [Chorus] I got six strings and a shovel And the past rides close behind Left her voice in the canyon But it echoes in my mind I don’t kneel, I don’t cry I just sing where angels lie I got six strings and a shovel And I ain’t afraid to die [Bridge – spoken like an old testimony] Built my chapel outta twine and pine Preached in bars, not church-line No hymn books, no white robe Just steel and wood and a heavy load [Final Chorus – stripped and low at first, then rising] I got six strings and a shovel And a wound I can’t ignore Thought I left it in the canyon But it’s knockin’ on my door I don’t kneel, I don’t cry Just strum and bleed ‘til the day I die I got six strings and a shovel And I reckon I always will