Backroads & Bloodlines

Sun comes up ‘fore I open my eyes,

Another long haul ‘neath them burnt-out skies.

Sweat on my brow, calloused hands to the plow,

Ain’t no handouts waitin’ for me now.

That ol’ truck’s runnin’ on a prayer and spit,

Got holes in my boots, but I ain’t gonna quit.

They tax every penny like I struck it rich,

While them suits get fatter in that government pit.

But I got backroads and bloodlines,

Faith holdin’ tight through the hard times.

Though the wolves wear ties and lie with a grin,

My hope ain’t in the law of men.

It’s in a carpenter’s hands and a rugged old tree,

Where mercy flows and the broken go free.

Let ‘em take what they can, but they can’t take Jesus from me.

Poured concrete in July heat,

Stacked that wood, sowed those seeds.

Ain’t never owned much but I earned every dime,

Just tryin’ to raise kids and stay in the lines.

But they raise the rent and bleed us dry,

Promise salvation while they sell us lies.

Still I bow my head in the evening hush,

‘Cause grace don’t care ‘bout a dollar’s crush.

Yeah, I got backroads and bloodlines,

Heaven in mind while I fight mine.

Though they steal and cheat with a Bible on the desk,

I know where the real Judge gives us rest.

In a nail-scarred hand and a thorn-worn crown,

Where the high and mighty get leveled down.

Let ‘em rule this world, but they can’t take Jesus from me.

Let ‘em laugh in their towers, let ‘em mock the poor,

But the last’ll be first when He opens that door.

So I’ll keep workin’, keep believin’,

In a land that’s comin’ where the righteous ain’t leavin’.

‘Cause I got backroads and bloodlines,

A worn-out Bible and peace of mind.

They can’t tax love, can’t audit grace,

Can’t outlaw a man who walks by faith.

When my boots wear out and I’m laid in the clay,

You’ll find me singin’ on judgment day—

Let ‘em take the world, but they can’t take Jesus from me.

No, they can’t take Jesus from me…

Out here in the sticks, that’s all I need.