[Verse 1]
Luke and papaw, dawn on the lake
Cool mist low, first cast we’d make
Rowboat creaked, bait tin shook
You taught me patience with a crooked hook
[Pre-Chorus]
Remember how the oars would drift
And every worry got light as sift
Even when the shore ran thin
We’d laugh and start all over again
[Chorus]
Luke and papaw, Luke and papaw
(keep me there)
Luke and papaw, Luke and papaw
(hold me there)
Out on the water, we were never alone
Happy as a song with a fishing pole
[Verse 2]
We’d hit Tennessee by a gravel road
Hot sun burning through the load
Even if it was just you and me
We’d sing back home like family
[Pre-Chorus]
Under the bridge, the worms were bait
And every line felt just right in place
Ninno in the bucket, hands in the clay
You made a big old world out of one small day
[Chorus]
Luke and papaw, Luke and papaw
(keep me there)
Luke and papaw, Luke and papaw
(hold me there)
Out on the water, we were never alone
Happy as a song with a fishing pole
[Bridge]
If I smell mud and river pine
I’m right back there in your line
No matter where this old road goes
That boat still rocks in my bones
[Final Chorus]
Luke and papaw, Luke and papaw
(keep me there)
Luke and papaw, Luke and papaw
(hold me there)
Tennessee nights, bridge-shadow glow
Worms and Ninno, and love that showed