Bradley County’s After Dan Again

[Verse 1]
Found his truck behind the feed store
Mud up to the mirrors, keys still in
Sheriff’s got his Sunday shirt on
Swears he ain’t seen Dan since ten
Coffee coolin’ in the kitchen
Dog still waitin’ by the screen
His Bible open on the counter
But his name’s stuck in between
[Chorus]
Bradley County’s after Dan again
Whispers runnin’ faster than the wind
Every front porch light burns like a question
Every prayer sounds more like sin
Tracks go missin’ where the gravel ends
Folks say trouble’s just a old best friend
Round here mercy’s measured in a grain of sand
And Bradley County’s after Dan again
[Verse 2]
Last time they hauled him down the courthouse
They said a man got lost out near the mine
Jury heard a whole lotta stories
Judge just stared straight through his alibi
Mama’s hands shook on that Bible
Swore her boy was home in bed
But there’s blood beneath this red clay
That remembers every step he’s ever shed
[Chorus]
Bradley County’s after Dan again
Whispers runnin’ faster than the wind
Every front porch light burns like a question
Every prayer sounds more like sin
Tracks go missin’ where the gravel ends
Folks say trouble’s just a old best friend
Round here mercy’s measured in a grain of sand
And Bradley County’s after Dan again
[Bridge]
Some say he’s hid up in the holler (oh Dan)
Some say he crossed the county line
Me, I see his shadow in the window
When that train moans low at night
[Chorus]
Bradley County’s after Dan again
Whispers runnin’ faster than the wind
Every front porch light burns like a question
Every prayer sounds more like sin
Tracks go missin’ where the gravel ends
Folks say trouble’s just a old best friend
Round here mercy’s measured in a grain of sand
And Bradley County’s after Dan again

country, Dark country ballad with male vocals; tremolo baritone guitar and moaning slide weaving around a close-mic’d whispery lead. Upright bass pulses like a slow, uneasy heartbeat; brushed snare creeps in by the first chorus. Subtle organ pad in the background on the second pass lifts the emotional arc, final chorus strips back to just voice, bass, and ghostly guitar tails., slow, ballad, moody