Empire in the Cracks

Well, the cotton feels weak Rivers run muddy, secrets buried deep Secrets buried deep Voices rise up from the chains that once bound Echoes of midnight sound Working my fingers to the bone each day Heart heavy as lead, but I find my way Blue notes bending like a willow in the wind Singing my rewether, healings begin Oh, the blues, my old friend, you carry me through From the fire in my soul to the skies turning blue Hardship and heartache resilience in your calm 12 bars of freedom lifting me when I fall Yeah, the blues, you whisper of hope In the pain, African roots running deep like the rain A moniker wailing like a lonesome train Guitar strings crying, rain In the pouring rain Lost my darling to the fever's cruel bite Night stretch endless searching for the light But in the raw emotion I find my strength Voices call and respond, going to any length From the deep south shadows to the city's bright glow The blues keeps on teaching what the heart needs to know Oh, the blues, my old friend, you carry me through From the fire in my soul to the skies turning blue Hardship and heartache resilience in your calm 12 bars of freedom lifting me when I fall Yeah, the blues, you whisper of hope In the pain, African roots running deep like the rain Bend those notes low, let the spirit unfold From the fields of forgotten to stories retold No chains can hold what the soul sets free in the blues Embrace, that's where I'll be Electric fire, acoustic sighs The rhythm of survival reaching for the sky Generations gather round the fire's warm light Passing down the melodies through the day to night Personal trials wrapped in every line The motion for a night, homemade wine Resilient hearts beating to that 12-bar beat From the cradle of hardship to victory's seat The blues ain't just music, it's the breath of my can't turn to tears When the healing begins, oh, the blues, my old friend You carry me through From the fire in my soul to the skies turning blue Hardship and heartache resilience in your calm 12 bars of freedom lifting me when I fall Yeah, the blues Favorite blue notes bending slow