Arrow in the Knee

[Verse 1]
I had a good blade
And a road in my feet
A pack full of plans
And a wind for the heat
I slept by the rails
With the dogs and the rain
Then the whole damn world
Went crooked in my vein
[Pre-Chorus]
I laughed at the kings
I laughed at the law
I had my own way
Till I lost it all
[Chorus]
I used to be an adventurer like you
Then I took an arrow in the knee
I used to be an adventurer like you
Now I limp for bread and tea
(hey, hey)
Now I limp for bread and tea
[Verse 2]
At dawn by the mill
I held out my hand
One eye on the pie
One eye on the sand
A coin in the cup
And a grin on the face
But every hard mile
Leaves its mark in place
[Pre-Chorus]
So pass me a scrap
Or a hot little flame
I’m still in the game
Just a little less tame
[Chorus]
I used to be an adventurer like you
Then I took an arrow in the knee
I used to be an adventurer like you
Now I limp for bread and tea
(hey, hey)
Now I limp for bread and tea
[Bridge]
If you see me by the fire
With my boots half-tied
I’m not done running
I’m just bruised inside
Call me old, call me slow
Call me what you need
But I still know the roads
And I still know the weeds
[Chorus]
I used to be an adventurer like you
Then I took an arrow in the knee
I used to be an adventurer like you
Now I limp for bread and tea
(hey, hey)
Now I limp for bread and tea

Hobo folk with a lopsided shuffle, handclaps on the off-beat, wheezing harmonica, and acoustic guitar kept dusty and loose; verse stays sparse with voice and stomp, pre-chorus adds gang hums and a tin cup rattle, chorus opens with rough unison. Hushed lead, doubled hooks, porch-room echo, tape hiss, saw-blade swells into the lift, warm and ragged mix.