Dust on My Boots

[Verse 1]
Sun beatin’ down on this leanin’ mailbox
Red dirt road and a broke-down Ford
Late on the rent but I’m early on the day shift
Coffee in a jar, prayers on the dashboard
Mama said “baby, it’ll all make sense”
But the cents in my pocket say they’re gettin’ tired
Hands all cracked from holdin’ this shovel
Diggin’ for a little bit higher
[Chorus]
It’s a rough life, but it’s my life
Dust on my boots, little rust on my pride
Got scars on my knuckles and hope in my eyes
Laughin’ at the hurt ‘cause I’m still alive
I ain’t got much, but I hold on tight
To this rough life, yeah, this rough life
[Verse 2]
Paycheck’s gone ‘fore it hits my back pocket
Kids in the yard wearin’ hand-me-down smiles
We pass plates ‘round like a Sunday offering
Stretchin’ every dollar ‘bout a country mile
Truck won’t start ‘til I talk real gentle
Radio hums when the weather turns bad
I don’t miss what I ain’t never tasted
Just thank the Lord for the little I have
[Chorus]
It’s a rough life, but it’s my life
Dust on my boots, little rust on my pride
Got scars on my knuckles and hope in my eyes
Laughin’ at the hurt ‘cause I’m still alive
I ain’t got much, but I hold on tight
To this rough life, yeah, this rough life
[Bridge]
Some folks dream of silver and gold
Me, I dream the heater won’t blow cold
But I’ve got a porch, a sky, her hand in mine
That’s the kind of rich money can’t buy (oh no)
[Chorus]
It’s a rough life, but it’s my life
Dust on my boots, little rust on my pride
Got scars on my knuckles and hope in my eyes
Laughin’ at the hurt ‘cause I’m still alive
I ain’t got much, but I hold on tight
To this rough life
Yeah, this rough life
(Still ridin’ through this rough life)

country, Laid-back modern country groove with brushed kit, warm upright bass, fingerpicked acoustic and twangy slide guitar; male vocals with a weary, smoky tone. Verses stay intimate and close-mic’d, chorus opens up with stacked harmonies and a simple singalong hook. Fiddle lines answer the vocal in turnarounds, soft organ pad fills the gaps, mix leans earthy and unpolished.