first verse
every heart
got a song to sing
every object
got a whisper
'o time
found the box
what a shiny thing
on the tracks
bout a mile
from the st. louis line

she was fire-red hot
and I couldn't let go
later that night
caught a country show
strum by a fella
named
Les Paul
and it all came clear
and I understood
got me to thinking
found some wires and wood
now I'd have a girl
at my beck and call
I'd call
her

chorus
smoky
gentle like
the mother
I never had
unassuming
smoky
simply speak
your chorus
and I'll be glad
all the friends I've known
now dust and bone
and my empty little gut's
like a sack 'o stone
yet merrily I play
oh smoky
we're what's left
today

second verse
every heart
got a song to sing
if you don't
what's the goddamn reason
you rise
sing it soft
for a nick of courage
loud
kick the devil right square
in his eyes

well
I sang each day
when my arms were sore
only rhythm was my sleeping snore
waking off the weight
from another night
'fore I sang for anybody else
you see
these little ditties
they were meant for me
now I got a girl
feels so good and right
I call her

chorus

bridge
if i
breathe
and I just start
moving
smoky heals me
she keeps me fine
hear her speak
while my fingers sliver
feel them bleed
as our souls entwine
if you can't be handsome
be useful
it's what James always said
to inspire
hell I ain't one for smarts
or manners
smoky and me
we're a house afire
lord I've changed
I'll do right by living
smoky leads me
she makes me strong
wasn't much
all alone
as a lost soul
right by her side
i do belong
oh I've done my share
of fickle mischief
so long to go
to set things straight
but if ole James could hear
me and smoky
I'd like to think he'd smile
and for a while
I'd get a clean slate

third verse
every heart
got a song to sing
listen close
hear the sound
it's the kindness you weep
add some words
from the book of suffering
put them together
it's a fortune you'll keep

she was fire-red hot
and I couldn't let go
later that night
caught a country show
strum by a fella
named
Les Paul
and it all came clear
and I understood
got me to thinking
found some wires and wood
now I'd have a girl
at my beck and call
I'd call
her

chorus
smoky
gentle like
the mother
I never had
unassuming
smoky
simply speak
your chorus
and I'll be glad
all the friends I've known
now dust and bone
and my empty little gut's
like a sack 'o stone
yet merrily I play
oh smoky
we're what's left
today

every heart
got a song to sing
every object
got a whisper
'o time