Hook in the Harbor

[Verse 1]
He'd roll up in that rusted Ford
Sunburned face and a coffee grin
Cooler in the back, old dog on board
Said, "If I ain't on the water, I ain't livin'" (heh)
Everybody knew his boat by name
Paint chipped off but the stories stayed
He'd give his last catch away
Just to see some kid's smile made
[Chorus]
Now the dock feels wrong with your rope tied empty
And the tide rolls in like it don't know you’re gone
We still leave a chair and a cold one ready
Talk like you'll come walkin' up before too long
You were the laugh on this shoreline, the heart of this small town
Now it's quiet where your boots used to pound
Yeah, the lake's still here
But my best friend's not around
[Verse 2]
You taught me how to read that sky
"See them clouds? We got one more run"
We'd stay out chasin' one last bite
Come back late, say the day just won
Sunday mornin's don't sound the same
They called your name, whole church just cried
Even the preacher had to stop and say
"Folks like him don't really die"
[Chorus]
Now the dock feels wrong with your rope tied empty
And the tide rolls in like it don't know you’re gone
We still leave a chair and a cold one ready
Talk like you'll come walkin' up before too long
You were the laugh on this shoreline, the heart of this small town
Now it's quiet where your boots used to pound
Yeah, the lake's still here
But my best friend's not around
[Bridge]
I swear some nights when the moon runs silver
I hear your old outboard hum along
Maybe you're out there, lines down forever
Catchin' more than we ever could from this shore
[Chorus]
Still the dock feels wrong with your rope tied empty
And the tide rolls in like it don't know you’re gone
We still leave a chair and a cold one ready
Talk like you'll come walkin' up before too long (come on back)
You were the laugh on this shoreline, the heart of this small town
I'm standin' here just starin' out
Yeah, the lake's still here
But my best friend's not around

country, Warm, modern country ballad with male vocals; gentle picked acoustic and soft pedal steel, light brush kit. First verse intimate and close-mic, chorus swells with stacked harmonies and subtle organ pad. Second verse adds fiddle lines answering the vocal. Bridge strips back to just guitar and vocal, then full band re-enters for the final chorus with a lifted key change and big emotional payoff.