[Intro – weary, quiet] Dust sticks thick to my calloused hands Sun beats down on the dry land [Verse 1 – heavy, resigned] The corn rows crack like old dried bone Last rain fell three moons ago Well pump sputters, gives up the fight Only dust fills the empty night [Pre-Chorus – tight, anxious] Tin cup clinks on the kitchen shelf Kids cry soft for something else Prayer book’s dog-eared, pages thin Lord, I don’t know where to begin [Chorus 1 – raw, desperate] Dust bowl lullaby, sing me to sleep Crops all gone, and the river’s deep Mortgage note burns a hole in my coat God above, won’t you cut me some rope? [Post-Chorus – wordless hum, weary] mm-mm-mm-mm mm-mm-mm-mm [Verse 2 – worn, defeated] Mule’s ribs show, his eyes gone dim Can’t feed him, can’t let him swim Wife’s hands shake when she sets the bread Only crumbs left for the kids in bed [Pre-Chorus 2 – frayed, hopeful flicker] Old radio spits a gospel tune I cling tight to the silver moon Maybe tomorrow the clouds will break Wash this dust from my mistake [Chorus 2 – ragged, pleading] Dust bowl lullaby, hum me through night Cows all gone, and the well’s run dry Paid man knocks at the back door wood Lord, I don’t think I can do this good [Post-Chorus – wordless hum, fading] mm-mm-mm-mm mm-mm-mm-mm [Bridge – quiet, resolute] I’ll dig a trench when the dawn comes up Scrape the earth till my fingers cut Kids need a roof, wife needs a smile I’ll walk this mile, walk it a while [Final Chorus – gritty, determined] Dust bowl lullaby, carry me on Crops will grow when the rain comes drawn Mortgage note’s heavy, but my back’s still strong God above, I’ll hold on long [Outro – soft, fading] Dust settles light on the porch step stone Waitin’ for the rain to come home