[Intro — 4 bars, acoustic pickup, warm spoken-sung baritone] Pawpaw said, “Shotgun ain’t a free ride.” He said, “I figured there’d be a catch.” [Verse 1 — 12 bars, conversational, lighthearted] Little boy riding in Pawpaw’s truck, Boots on the floor with the windows down. Checking on cows, kicking red dirt up, Taking the long way back to the house. He said, “How come I get every gate?” Pawpaw grinned, “That seat comes with a job. You help folks out, leave things right, Even when nobody’s keeping watch. Swing it wide, then latch it tight, Don’t leave trouble for the next one through.” He said, “That’s work!” Pawpaw said, “That’s life— And that’s rule one I’m giving you.” [Chorus — 12 bars, openhearted, crowd responses] Three little rules on a two-rut road, More than a little boy knew. Help out! Tell the truth! Keep the faith! Let Jesus walk with you. Lend those hands when the work gets tough, Own your wrong when you mess things up. Keep that Bible off the shelf, You don’t have to find your way yourself. When the wide world pulls you every which way, And you’re wondering what to do— Hear Pawpaw laughing through the dust: “Those three’ll carry you.” [Verse 2 — 8 bars, playful then sincere] “Rule number two, tell it like it is, Even when you’re the one to blame.” He said, “Like when I broke your fishing pole And gave that poor old dog the blame?” Pawpaw laughed, “That hound can’t cast a line, But I knew you’d tell me in your time. Truth stings once, then lets you go; A lie’s a load you haul back home.” [Turnaround — 4 bars, clean electric guitar and light fiddle] [Verse 3 — 8 bars, warm and grounded] “Rule number three, that worn-out Book Ain’t just there to hold your place. Read a little when the morning comes, Take those words into your day. Ask the Lord when the road gets rough, You ain’t gotta know it all, my boy.” He said, “Does He hear me in this truck?” Pawpaw smiled, “He hears you through the noise.” [Chorus — 12 bars, fuller harmonies, handclaps] Three little rules on a two-rut road, More than a little boy knew. Help out! Tell the truth! Keep the faith! Let Jesus walk with you. Lend those hands when the work gets tough, Own your wrong when you mess things up. Keep that Bible off the shelf, You don’t have to find your way yourself. When the wide world pulls you every which way, And you’re wondering what to do— Hear Pawpaw laughing through the dust: “Those three’ll carry you.” [Bridge — 8 bars, pull back to acoustic and organ] “Give your eyes something good to find, Let your ears hear someone hurting. Before your words go flying out, Make sure they’re kind and worth it. God ain’t far beyond that blue, His love rides right along with you.” He took his hand, said, “Pawpaw, wait— I think I got it. I’ll get the gate.” [Instrumental Lift — 4 bars, fiddle answers guitar, drums build] [Final Chorus — 16 bars, biggest lift, warm group responses] Three little rules on a two-rut road, Now he’s got his own boy there too. Help out! Tell the truth! Keep the faith! Let Jesus walk with you. Lend those hands when the work gets tough, Own your wrong when you mess things up. Keep that Bible off the shelf, You don’t have to find your way yourself. When the wide world pulls you every which way, And you’re wondering what to do— Hear Pawpaw laughing through the dust: “Those three’ll carry you.” [Group responses, leave space between lines] Help out! When somebody needs you. Tell the truth! Even when it’s hard. Keep the faith! Let Jesus lead you. Take those three wherever you are. [Outro — 8 bars, instruments settle, affectionate smile] His little boy jumped down that day, Said, “Daddy, I can get that gate.” He heard Pawpaw’s laugh in the evening breeze: “Shotgun still don’t ride for free.” Help out, tell the truth, keep the faith— Three little rules, a whole lot of grace. [End — warm G major resolution, no extra chorus]
