[Verse 1 – lead] Red Ax Joe with the scarlet flannel Said he split logs like he split a channel Swung that ax with a roar so wide Trees would fall in line Like they chose to hide [Verse 1 – background] (like they chose to hide) [Chorus – all] Red Ax Joe! (Red Ax Joe!) Breaker of the wood! (of the wood!) He said “I’m Dail Milton!” (Milton!) And the hillside understood! Red Ax Joe! (Red Ax Joe!) Stronger than the trail! (than the trail!) Every swing a story Every echo like a tale! (like a tale!) [Verse 2 – lead] Boots like anvils on the forest floor Never met a winter he couldn't ignore They say he once lifted a wounded elk Carried it downhill Like he bore no self [Verse 2 – background] (like he bore no self) [Chorus – all] Red Ax Joe! (Red Ax Joe!) Breaker of the wood! (of the wood!) He said “I’m Dail Milton!” (Milton!) And the hillside understood! Red Ax Joe! (Red Ax Joe!) Stronger than the trail! (than the trail!) Every swing a story Every echo like a tale! (like a tale!) [Bridge – chant, printed four times] Raise that ax! (raise that ax!) Sing it to the pine! (to the pine!) Raise that ax! (raise that ax!) Let the chorus shine! (chorus shine!) Raise that ax! (raise that ax!) Joe, the myth we claim! (we claim!) Raise that ax! (raise that ax!) Mountain man by name! (by name!) [Final Chorus – all] Red Ax Joe! (Red Ax Joe!) Breaker of the wood! (of the wood!) He said “I’m Dail Milton!” (Milton!) And the hillside understood! Red Ax Joe! (Red Ax Joe!) Stronger than the trail! (than the trail!) We sang his legend loudly Till his echo turned to tale! (turned to tale!)
