Old Paul’s Road

[Verse 1]
The dry wind scraped the tin roof line
Ash on the fence and a buckled sign
Folks kept their heads down, lived on scraps
Dreams got small in them broken maps

The wells ran low, the nights ran long
Still Old Paul kept walking on
He heard a word through the market square
A better road was waiting there

[Pre-Chorus]
They said the Commonwealth had a man
With law in his hand and a healing plan
Settlements rising from the dust
Old Paul said, "Son, that sounds like us"

[Chorus]
Old Paul, lead me home
Where the hard days leave us alone
Old Paul, don’t look back
We got a future off that track
Commonwealth sun, call our name
We’ll build it up from the rust and rain
Old Paul, lead me home
Old Paul, lead me home

[Verse 2]
He packed one coat and a coffee tin
A bent-up knife and a map worn thin
Neighbors stood by the wagon wheel
One by one with a quiet deal

Maggie said, "I’m done with fear"
Tom said, "I’ll go if the coast is clear"
Kids climbed up with a patched-up grin
For the first time, hope looked thin but real

[Pre-Chorus]
They heard the news from a courier line
Fields in rows and a state that shines
No more hiding behind the wall
Just hard work for one and all

[Chorus]
Old Paul, lead me home
Where the hard days leave us alone
Old Paul, don’t look back
We got a future off that track
Commonwealth sun, call our name
We’ll build it up from the rust and rain
Old Paul, lead me home
Old Paul, lead me home

[Bridge]
On the rise past the burned-out mill
He let the silence settle still
Then he smiled at the open sky
Said, "Ain’t no road too worn to try"

The wagon rolled, the dust took wing
And every heart learned to sing

[Final Chorus]
Old Paul, lead me home
Where the hard days leave us alone
Old Paul, don’t look back
We got a future off that track
Commonwealth sun, call our name
We’ll build it up from the rust and rain
Old Paul, lead me home
Old Paul, lead me home