Running Iron

Lyrics

[Verse 1] Sun cracks open on the cab roof Dust rolls in through the window seam Turn the key and the old rig answers Like it knows what the daylight means Survey stakes and a spool of blue line Lunch gone warm in a metal pail We chase that trench till the ground gives under With a diesel cough and a dusty trail [Pre-Chorus] My shirt’s stuck fast to my shoulders There’s red clay drying on my hands When that foreman finally waves us home I’ll be the first one off this land [Chorus] I’ve been running iron all day long Laying pipe where the hard ground’s strong Sweat in my eyes, sun on my neck Waiting on that quitting-time check When the engine cools and the gate swings wide I’ll pull into the tavern on the county side Set a cold beer down, let the whole world wait For a man who’s been earning his escape [Verse 2] Backhoe teeth in the stubborn gravel Laser line on a folding stand Every joint has to meet just right Every foot gets checked by hand Radio crackles, “Hold that loader” Somebody’s truck is blocking the grade We laugh at a joke we can’t remember And keep on digging what we’re paid [Pre-Chorus] The clock moves slow in a sweaty cab But the west turns gold at last One more load and one more tie-in Then this long day’s in the past [Chorus] I’ve been running iron all day long Laying pipe where the hard ground’s strong Sweat in my eyes, sun on my neck Waiting on that quitting-time check When the engine cools and the gate swings wide I’ll pull into the tavern on the county side Set a cold beer down, let the whole world wait For a man who’s been earning his escape [Bridge] Tomorrow’s got another ditch for me Another stretch of stubborn stone But tonight that bottle’s gonna taste like victory And I won’t answer that phone [Instrumental] [Final Chorus] I’ve been running iron all day long Laying pipe where the hard ground’s strong Sweat in my eyes, sun on my neck Waiting on that quitting-time check When the engine cools and the gate swings wide I’ll pull into the tavern on the county side Set a cold beer down, let the whole world wait For a man who’s been earning his escape Yeah, let the whole world wait I’m finally off the clock tonight