[Intro – erhu wails mournfully over a gentle 12-bar blues bassline] [Verse 1] Drove down I-35 just tryna feel alive Giant sign says "Fireworks" every mile I drive Every store, every gas station glow Sellin' sparks to everybody but me, y'know I got the blues, boys, deep down in my chest [Voice suddenly loud and raw, almost yelled — angry, not small] EVERY MAN IN TOWN GOT SOMEBODY, I'M SECOND-BEST [Guzheng answers in a plucked call-and-response run] [Verse 2] Fourth of July, whole sky lit up bright Cruised along the River Walk, watchin' the light Every couple's holdin' hands, down in Bexar County glow Me, I'm rollin' solo, nowhere left to go I got the blues, deep as the Gulf is wide Every year the same old ache down in my side [Chorus] Every Fourth of July, I got no fireworks of my own No sparkler, no rocket, just me and this old phone Everybody's poppin', everybody's bright I'm the only dark house on the block tonight [Verse 3 – the turn] Stopped at a stand off Highway 281 Smell of brisket smoke driftin', evenin' just begun Then I saw her by the firework stand that night Sparkler in her hand, and Lord, she caught the light Sizemore, I swear my heart just skipped its beat That woman lit a fuse in me from my head down to my feet [Bridge – vocals still forward, instrumentation stays steady and warm] Boys came up and slapped me on the back "Look who joined the club, ain't that a fact!" High-fivin', hollerin', "Bout damn time!" I finally got my fireworks, and girl, she's mine [Verse 4 – victory lap, slower and reflective] Walked her past the Pearl, string lights overhead Missions standin' quiet where the old stones led Southtown murals watchin' as we passed on by Two old souls in San Antonio, under a Texas sky [Final Chorus – vocals still leading, instrumentation warm and steady, no sudden drop] Every Fourth of July, now I got fireworks of my own Sparklers, rockets, and I ain't alone Everybody's poppin', I'm poppin' too Welcome to the club, boys — I found somethin' true Every road that I drove — I-35, I-10 too Every mile just brought me closer to you [Outro – erhu fades slow and warm, vocals trailing off gently] ...she's my fireworks now... ...my fireworks now... [fade]
