Anchor in the Tide

[Intro – soft fingerpicked acoustic guitar, gentle rain ambience] (Instrumental Solo) [Verse 1 – continuing fingerpicked guitar, faint shaker] Scuffed toes on the sidewalk cracks Coffee stain on the old map I’ve been walking since the clock struck three Looking for a sign I can’t see [Pre-Chorus – subtle cello hum, slow build] The wind carries distant laughter I trace the lines of what came after [Chorus 1 – full acoustic strum, soft harmonica interlude] These worn out shoes know every road Every heartbreak, every load They’ve carried me through dark and light Kept me going day and night [Interlude – harmonica solo, soft guitar backing] (Instrumental Solo) [Verse 2 – fingerpicked guitar, added upright bass] Frayed laces tied with a memory A stranger’s smile that set me free I’ve slept in fields and empty cars Chased the stars to distant bars [Pre-Chorus 2 – cello swells, louder shaker] The sun dips low behind the pines I count the steps to where I’ll find [Chorus 2 – layered vocals, fuller guitar strum] These worn out shoes know every road Every mistake, every code They’ve held me up when I fell down Turned my losses into crowns [Bridge – sparse guitar, quiet vocals] I don’t know where I’m going next But my shoes don’t need a text They just keep tapping, one two three Guiding me where I need to be [Final Chorus – full band, soaring harmonica, tambourine] These worn out shoes know every road Every secret, every ode They’ve been my only constant friend Till the very end [Outro – fading fingerpicked guitar, rain fades] Scuffed toes on the sidewalk crack I keep walking, don’t look back