MP3 
Alarm before the herons
Coffee in a chipped tin cup
Rust on the bow and the rope burns
Calloused hands still tough
Subtropical skies start glowin'
Like the whole gulf caught on fire
Cast out the nets for the shrimp runs
Chasin' nickels for the choir
Got bayou mud on my boots
But my heart's on these strings
Sing for the shrimp and the saints
'Til somebody hears me
From flaming skies on the ocean
To this front porch harmony
I bring home the tide and the tune
So my people can eat
Can dream
Back home where the cypress leans
Kids run out
Grab my knees
Steam from the pot
Red shells pile
Mama hums soft in the steam
Slip that tip money on the counter
Kiss her cheek
Grab my old guitar
"Gotta chase that little extra"
Then I'm gone into the dark
Got bayou mud on my boots
But my heart's on these strings
Sing for the shrimp and the saints
'Til somebody hears me
From flaming skies on the ocean
To this backroom balcony
I bring home the tide and the tune
So my people can eat
Can dream
Smoke-stained bar off Bourbon
Three drunks and a crooked fan
I pour my whole river in a love song
Just me and that mic stand
Suit in the back stops talking
Raises his glass
Stares through
Says
"Son, I hear a long road
That could start right here with you"
Now there's bright lights on my boots
But they still smell like sea
I sing for the shrimp and the saints
And the ones who believed in me
From flaming skies on the ocean
To a gold-framed marquee
I bring home the tide and the tune
And my family can eat
Can dream
Shrimp boats docked in the distance
Stage lights warm on my face
Same old song
Bigger speakers
Same old love
Bigger place
Subtropical dust keeps burning
Over bayou
Bar
And bay
I was hauling nets for supper
Now I'm hauling songs all day
