The Narrow Porch

[Intro]
[Verse]
Knuckles scarred and cold
Stories best untold
I used to break the bone
Standing all alone
The city kept my soul on ice
I never paid the heavy price
My shadow was a jagged blade
Living in the mess I made
[Pre-Chorus]
Then the phone rang late at night
Shaking up my hollow light
I saw her face inside the glass
Watching all the shadows pass
[Chorus]
I’m washing off the blood and dirt
Healing every ancient hurt
A little sugar in the tea
Setting both of us free
It’s a long road back to light
But I’m staying through the night
[Post-Chorus]
Fixing what I broke
Turning fire into smoke
Yeah, I'm staying
I'm staying right here
[Verse]
Her breathing’s getting thin
Paper-colored skin
Stirring up the cup
Try to keep her up
The Wurlitzer plays a weary tune
Beneath a heavy, low-hung moon
I used to run the concrete maze
Now I count her quiet days
[Pre-Chorus]
I traded iron for a wooden plane
To fix the wood against the rain
Mercy ain't a sudden flood
It’s washing out the taste of mud
[Chorus]
I’m washing off the blood and dirt
Healing every ancient hurt
A little sugar in the tea
Setting both of us free
It’s a long road back to light
But I’m staying through the night
[Bridge]
Oh, let the baritone blow
Where the bitter waters flow
I’m a man of heavy hands
Walking through the desert sands
Forgive the ghost I used to be
Let the mother finally see
[Break]
[Verse]
Hammering the loose board down
Far away from that old town
She doesn’t remember my name
But I’m the one who feels the shame
I’ll fix the step so she won’t fall
I’m answering a higher call
One more nail to hold the frame
One more prayer to lose the blame
[Chorus]
I’m washing off the blood and dirt
Healing every ancient hurt
A little sugar in the tea
Setting both of us free
It’s a long road back to light
But I’m staying through the night
[Post-Chorus]
Fixing what I broke
Turning fire into smoke
Yeah, I'm staying
I'm staying right here
[Outro]