

Prompt / Lyrics
“Gravel Road Mercy” (Single low guitar. Open space.) [Verse 1] She used to ride shotgun In that old Chevrolet Sun fallin’ sideways At the end of the day Hair caught gold In the rearview frame Said, “Daddy, one day They’ll all know my name.” (long pause) [Verse 2] He came ’round summer With a borrowed grin Clean boots, smooth talk And a jaw set thin Said he’d take care of her Swore he’d treat her right I should’ve seen the dark Behind those headlights (bass enters — slow pulse) [Verse 3] They found her by the treeline Off an old farm road Dress torn at the shoulder Hands clenched in the cold Sheriff said they’re lookin’ Said it’ll take time But time don’t mean nothin’ When the girl was mine (silence — let it hang) Chorus — low, steady There’s a gravel road Past the county line Where the trees grow thick And the stars don’t shine You can say you’re sorry You can beg the sky But some men answer Eye for eye (instrument breath) [Verse 4] I knocked on his trailer Just before dawn He opened the door Like nothin’ was wrong Said it was an accident Said he lost control I watched the truth Shake through his soul (brush snare — faint) [Final Verse] They’ll say he went missin’ Maybe skipped town Truck still in the driveway Keys on the ground And I’ll sit at supper In her empty chair Hear the wind move soft Through her mama’s hair (final chorus — stripped down) That gravel road Don’t speak my name It just keeps quiet And does the same Call it justice Call it sin I won’t lose What I lost again (last line — near whisper) Not again.
Tags
Dark brooding country ballad, male baritone
4:25
No
2/26/2026