Ash In The Rearview

[Verse 1]
Black sky at noon
Sun’s just a rumor
Mask on my face
Taste the burning in the air
Radio praying
For a change in the weather
But the wind just laughs
And throws sparks everywhere
[Chorus]
I’m out here fighting wildfires
With a shovel and a prayer
Sweat and smoke in my eyes
Can’t tell the heat from despair
If this is how the world ends
I’ll still stand right here
Chasing that red line
With ash in the rearview and fear in the mirror
[Verse 2]
We mark our names
On the backs of our jackets
Blue ink and dirt
On a break-room photograph
Say dumb little jokes
Till the siren starts wailing
Then it’s game face on
And the jokes turn black
[Chorus]
I’m out here fighting wildfires
With a shovel and a prayer
Sweat and smoke in my eyes
Can’t tell the heat from despair
If this is how the world ends
I’ll still stand right here
Chasing that red line
With ash in the rearview and fear in the mirror
[Bridge]
There’s a house on the ridge
With a swing and a tire
There’s a kid in the yard
Drawing shapes in the dust
I see her face
When the flames climb higher
If I lose this ground
Tell me who can she trust (who can she trust)
[Chorus]
I’m out here fighting wildfires
With a shovel and a prayer
Sweat and smoke in my eyes
Can’t tell the heat from despair
If this is how the world ends
I’ll still stand right here
Chasing that red line
Till the sirens fall silent and the hills reappear

country, Slow, brooding outlaw-country ballad with male vocals; low-tuned acoustic guitar and mournful pedal steel set a smoky, tense mood. Verses stay sparse with brushed snare and distant baritone guitar; chorus swells with organ pads, stacked harmonies, and heavier drums. Subtle sub-bass rumble underlines the danger, bridge strips back to near a cappella before final chorus returns raw and loud., emotional