Muddy Foundation

[Verse 1]
The sycamore stands like a crooked nail, leanin' hard on the muddy bank,
Where the creek-bed gravel's laid its claim, a promise the river always drank.
Sunlight splintered through the leaves, a shaky scaffolding of light,
On folks lined up in worn-out jeans, waiting for that cleansing sight.

[Chorus]
That muddy water, it runs deep, a foundation hard and true,
Washes off the splintered planks, makes a man feel brand new.
Found a plumb line in that current, pulled me straight and clean,
The truest kind of building, this life I'm livin' in.

[Verse 2]
Old Man Jenkins, hands like rebar, shook his head there in the cold,
Said, 'Son, this river's seen my sins, more secrets than it's ever told.'
His denim overalls, faded blue, felt heavy with the weight,
Of every crooked joint he'd built, every choice he'd made too late.

[Chorus]
That muddy water, it runs deep, a foundation hard and true,
Washes off the splintered planks, makes a man feel brand new.
Found a plumb line in that current, pulled me straight and clean,
The truest kind of building, this life I'm livin' in.

[Bridge]
The distant train whistle, a lonely sound, cut through the valley air,
Like a plumb line dropped from heaven, sayin' 'Son, you're standin' square.'
Past the sawmills, past the coal dust, where the old ways slowly fade,
We found a strength in that cold current, a hopeful blueprint newly laid.

[Outro]
Yeah, that river runs right through me now, straight as any beam,
Cleaned the grit from this old heart, a brand new, waking dream.