Where the Dust Comes Down

Lyrics

[Verse 1] I left my boots beside the back door Hung my jacket where the pictures lean My little girl ran across the hallway But I woke up somewhere I had been The kettle hissed, the porch was morning A neighbor waved and cut his grass I heard a truck backfire behind me And watched the kitchen turn to glass [Pre-Chorus] You say, “You made it, you’re home now” I nod like I know what that means But the room keeps losing its color And the quiet comes apart at the seams [Chorus] My body’s home in an American town But my mind’s still out where the dust comes down My soul keeps guard when the whole house sleeps Counting names I was sworn to keep I hold you close, but I’m miles away Fighting a war that won’t end at the gate If I look past you, don’t think I don’t care I’m still standing watch over there [Verse 2] I drive the same road to the factory Coffee cooling in the cup holder Every overpass becomes a ridgeline Every stranger gets a little closer At night I check the locks twice over Leave the hallway lamp burning low You ask me what happened in the desert I say, “Things you don’t need to know” [Rap Verse] I got a welcome sign, a key, a bed A thousand words I never said Back in the place where the sirens cried I learned how fear can live inside Now the television paints the walls And a helicopter in the distance calls I’m at the table, I’m cutting the bread But half of me’s counting the living and dead Don’t call me brave like that fixes the ache Don’t call me healed when I’m wide awake I’m learning your touch, I’m learning this street While the sand keeps moving underneath my feet [Chorus] My body’s home in an American town But my mind’s still out where the dust comes down My soul keeps guard when the whole house sleeps Counting names I was sworn to keep I hold you close, but I’m miles away Fighting a war that won’t end at the gate If I look past you, don’t think I don’t care I’m still standing watch over there [Blues Guitar Break] [Bridge] Maybe healing ain’t a trumpet sound Maybe it’s your hand when I’m breaking down Maybe I can tell you where I’ve been And let somebody help me come back in I don’t need pity, I don’t need praise Just stay beside me through the waking days When the old battlefield starts pulling me through Remind me there’s a life I can return to [Final Chorus] My body’s home in an American town And I’m learning how to lay my weapons down My mind still runs where the dust comes down But your voice keeps calling me back around I hold you close, and I’m here tonight Still carrying ghosts, still reaching for light If I look past you, come sit by my chair I’m not still fighting alone over there [Outro] The porch is quiet, the morning is clear I hear your footsteps, I know you are near My body came home, and with time, maybe then My mind and my soul will come home again