Fire on the Range
[Intro] [fingerpicked acoustic guitar] [Verse 1] [baritone male vocals] Sun slid down past the rim of the hill Saddle stacked, night turning still Coyote's cry where the cottonwoods bend Just a fire and a couple old friends [Verse 2] Tin cup coffee black as sin Six string worn down paper thin Every face tells where it's been In firelight and rising wind Daybreak slow on a moving herd Leather creaks, no need for words Point 'em north, let the drag fall back Keep 'em strung out, stay off the track, so [Chorus] [harmony vocals enter] Sing it soft, don't sing it proud Let the stars be the only crowd No big talk, no dollar signs Just borrowed songs and borrowed time Out here, where a man feels right By the fire on the range tonight [Verse 3] [acoustic bass enters] Boots torn and scuffed, hands cut rough Miles behind us, still not enough World moves fast, we move slow Where it's going, Lord only knows Dust hangs low like a second skin Counting breaths as we ease 'em in Hold the drag, keep the line stretched wide Slow and steady's how cattle ride [Verse 4] [clean electric guitar fills] Clouds stack up on the western line Hope they drift and give us time Thunder spooks a restless herd All it takes is one wrong word So we pray the night stays mild and still Let the grass lay quiet on the hill [Chorus] So sing it soft, let the night hear Every truth we won't say clear No promises, no chains Just smoke, stars, and fading flames Out here, where a man feels right By the fire on the range tonight [Bridge] [harmonica solo] Moon rides high, dogs hold tight Hoof drum soft in the light of night No whooping, keep the rhythm slow Drive 'em steady, let 'em flow Come on in light, we'll ride again Different trails, same old men Every fire burns down to ash But this one holds while it lasts [Chorus] [tambourine on backbeat] Sing it low, let the dark lean in Let the quiet be king No spotlight, no claim to fame Just a tune and a shared flame Hold this closing circle tight By the fire on the range tonight [Outro] [harmonica fades, acoustic guitar ends on a sustained G chord]
