White Chalk Heart

[Chorus]
The world is only a hundred yards long
When you’re the one who paints it on.
Just a bucket of white and a steady hand,
For another man’s promised land.

[Verse 1]
The Lincoln Electric machine sputters low
Under the five o'clock Thursday glow.
Smell of cut grass, gasoline, and lime,
He’s buying someone else a little time.
His knuckles are stained from a busted hose,
A thorn from a mis-planted rose.

[Chorus]
The world is only a hundred yards long
When you’re the one who paints it on.
Just a bucket of white and a steady hand,
For another man’s promised land.

[Verse 2]
She leans on the bleachers, her hair in the breeze,
He sees her shadow fall across his knees.
The quarterback, Brady, he touches her arm,
Says, "Mi amor, I'll keep you warm."
Luis just pretends he didn't hear,
And makes the goal-line disappear.

[Bridge]
(Beat switch: the roar of a stadium crowd, chopped and sampled into a rhythmic pulse. The acoustic guitar becomes percussive and driving.)
And the roar comes up from the thirsty ground,
Yeah, the only harvest is the sound.
They’re screaming a name that isn't his,
For a kind of life that never is.

[Outro]
The floodlights click off, one by one.
Another victory is done.