Muddy River

[Intro – slow slide guitar bend, distant harmonica hum] (Instrumental Solo) [Verse 1 – sparse acoustic guitar, soft foot-stomp rhythm] Boots worn thin from miles of dust Sorrow heavy as the delta dusk Got no home, got no name Just a heart that’s gone up in flame [Pre-Chorus – harmonica cry, deep bass thrum] Muddy water, black and wide Won’t you let me lay my burdens inside? [Chorus – wailing slide guitar, full harmonica wail] Wash my sorrow, river deep Carry my bones where the willows weep Take me home to the place I belong Muddy river, sing my song [Verse 2 – weathered vocals, gentle guitar strum] Sleepin’ rough in the cane brake shade Memories haunt me every day Lost my love, lost my way Got nothin’ left but these blues to play [Pre-Chorus – harmonica whine, slower bass pulse] Muddy current, cold and slow Won’t you take this weight I can’t let go? [Chorus – intensified slide guitar, layered harmonica] Wash my sorrow, river wide Carry my bones where the fireflies hide Take me home to the earth I came from Muddy river, carry me on [Bridge – stripped-back guitar, raw vocals] I ain’t askin’ for no crown Just a quiet place to lay me down Let the water cover my skin End this endless wanderin’ [Solo – weeping slide guitar, mournful harmonica call-and-response] (Instrumental Solo) [Chorus – full delta blues arrangement, gravelly vocal climax] Wash my sorrow, river deep Carry my bones where the willows weep Take me home to the place I belong Muddy river, sing my song [Outro – fading guitar, soft harmonica fade] Muddy river, carry me home Let my weary soul finally roam