Level Ground

[Verse 1]
The Coahoma County line sign still has our toothmarks on the wood.
We swore whoever made it out would sand 'em down for good.
Well, the grain is smooth under my thumb tonight, feels like a sin.
This prayer's for you, man, wherever you went, or wherever I've been.

[Chorus]
So here's your level ground, here's the house on the hill.
The foundation's square, the wiring's right, but the rooms are standing still.
Yeah, this is level ground, the deed is in my name.
But the silence is the only thing that knows how to win this game.

[Verse 2]
Remember that July on Route 61, the tar was soft and breathing?
You said, "These hands will either build a bridge or tear down the whole damn ceiling."
My knuckles are clean now, no grease from the shop, no rust under the nail.
I fixed it all, just like I said I would, right down to the last detail.

[Chorus]
So here's your level ground, here's the house on the hill.
The foundation's square, the wiring's right, but the rooms are standing still.
Yeah, this is level ground, the deed is in my name.
But the silence is the only thing that knows how to win this game.

[Bridge]
I won the bid, I bought the land, I laid the final joist.
And every hammer blow just echoed the absence of your voice.

[Outro]
Just… level ground.
Empty ground.