[Verse 1] I packed a rod in the back of the truck A cooler of bait and a prayer for luck Pulled up by the water, said, "How hard can it be?" Then a gull stole my sandwich and laughed at me I cast out west by the rusty old dock Hooked my own boot and I watched it rock Old man beside me just grinned in his coat Said, "Son, that's a fine catch if it learns to float" [Pre-Chorus] Oh, the wind said, "Try" The dock said, "Bruh" My line went tight Then it went ka-chunk [Chorus] Great Lakes, great lakes Big cold fish mistakes I came for a trout Left with a boot and aches Great Lakes, great lakes My bobber sure bakes In the finest tradition Of a man who overestimates [Verse 2] Lake Superior looked like a sheet of steel I told my cousin, "This has got to be ideal" Caught one nice perch, then dropped my hat Watched three more people clap for that At Erie, I fished by a bait shop sign It said, "Fresh worms," so I waited in line The clerk said, "Buddy, your accent's neat" I said, "Thanks, I'm just cold from the knees to feet" [Pre-Chorus] Oh, the loon went by The clouds rolled in My thermos froze And my luck wore thin [Chorus] Great Lakes, great lakes Big cold fish mistakes I came for a trout Left with a boot and aches Great Lakes, great lakes My bobber sure bakes In the finest tradition Of a man who overestimates [Bridge] Now I got stories and a scar on my thumb From the day the pike made my dignity hum I don't need a prize, just a fish and a grin And a fry-up tonight if I ever get one in [Final Chorus] Great Lakes, great lakes Big cold fish mistakes I came for a trout Left with a boot and aches Great Lakes, great lakes My bobber sure bakes In the finest tradition Of a man who overestimates Great Lakes, great lakes Bring your best remakes If the fish don't bite At least the joke still breaks
