Not going down that road again

Mud on my boots, blood on my grin
I learned the hard way who I let in
Every promise rattled like a chain
I ain’t dragging that weight again

I slept in shadows, called it home
Sang to ghosts when I was alone
I paid my debt, I paid it full
I don’t answer that pull

[Chorus]
I ain’t walking that road again
No sir, no how, no when
I burned my name out of that clay
Let the river take the rest away
I shook the dust from where I been
I ain’t walking that road again

[Verse 2]
Bottle talked, but it never stayed
Truth got bent, then it got delayed
Every smile hid a knife
I lost years trying to save that life

Devil smiled like an old friend
Said “just one more time,” I said “amen”
But I woke up with my soul intact
And I ain’t trading it back

[Chorus]
I ain’t walking that road again
No sir, no how, no when
I crossed myself at the county line
Left that hunger back in time
I got my spine, I got my skin
I ain’t walking that road again

[Bridge]
Ain’t mad, ain’t bitter, ain’t sad
Just smarter than I ever had
Some lessons leave a scar that stays
So you don’t forget the way

[Chorus]
I ain’t walking that road again
Hear my heel hit solid ground
If you hear that old song call my name
Tell it I ain’t around
I buried that past where it fell
I ain’t walking that road again

[Outro]
Sun low, crow cry, night roll in
I tip my hat to where I been
But my feet know where they stand
And they don’t turn back, not again

Dirty Delta blues, female growl vocal, foot-stomp rhythm, slide guitar grit, raw emotion, no polish, back-porch power.