(Verse 1) Creek water whispers, a lullaby low Sun paints the sky in a fiery glow Got my rolled-up comfort, a little green friend Gonna let this moment just beautifully bend Yeah, the day’s work is over, the struggle’s released Got this cool, dark river, and I’m damn near a beast Of peace, of quiet, of a soul finally free Just me and the shadows, and the wild in me. (Chorus) Oh, this smoke, it’s a ladder, climbin’ up so slow To a place where the worries just don’t gotta go. By this black water, under a bruised, fading light I’m a queen and a beggar in the soft, coming night. Yeah, the good Lord’s forgotten, or maybe he’s just tired But I’m still here burnin’, and I’m still inspired. (Verse 2) Fire’s startin’ to crackle, a friendly, warm hum Got my pot on the coals, and my hunger has come. Little red fox, you’re a sliver of night With eyes like dark jewels, catchin’ my firelight. Come on over, fella, don’t you be shy You seen me before, under this same damn sky. I’ll tell you a story, if you’ll listen real good 'Bout a girl who was broken, misunderstood. (Chorus) 'Cause this smoke, it’s a ladder, climbin’ up so slow To a place where the worries just don’t gotta go. By this black water, under a bruised, fading light I’m a queen and a beggar in the soft, coming night. Yeah, the good Lord’s forgotten, or maybe he’s just tired But I’m still here burnin’, and I’m still inspired. (Verse 3) See, there was this man, he had hands like a thief Took everything precious, stole my sweet relief. He swore he loved diamonds, but he just loved the shine And left me with nothin’ but sorrow and brine. So I packed up my spirit, what little was left And I came to the wild, where my heart could be theft Of its own damn pain, its own bittering sting Now this river's my witness, hear the song that I sing. (Bridge) This meat’s gonna sizzle, my tears are gonna fall But the strength in my bones, man, it’s standin’ up tall. Got a fire in my belly and a smoke in my throat And a melody risin’, a defiant, wild note. This ain't for the faint-hearted, this ain't for the meek This is for the ones who feel the darkness, and speak. (Chorus) Oh, this smoke, it’s a ladder, climbin’ up so slow To a place where the worries just don’t gotta go. By this black water, under a bruised, fading light I’m a queen and a beggar in the soft, coming night. Yeah, the good Lord’s forgotten, or maybe he’s just tired But I’m still here burnin’, and I’m still inspired. (Outro) Yeah, inspired, little fox, can you hear my plea? To be wild and to be free, just like you and like me. This river rolls on, and this fire’s aglow And I breathe out the darkness, and let the good times grow. (Screams and fades out with a ragged laugh) Oh, yeah!
