Old Paul Runs

[Verse 1]
The ash blew in like rain
On a town gone thin and gray
Raiders took the water line
And the dogs all learned to stay
Old Paul had boots with holes
And a map burned at the bend
He heard a voice on broken air
Say the world could live again

[Pre-Chorus]
President of the Commonwealth
Spoke through the static haze
Said bring your hands, bring your faith
We can clear these broken days
Law and order on the wind
Settlements can rise
Old Paul looked down that hard old road
And something sparked inside

[Chorus]
Run, Old Paul, run
To the President's sun
Run, Old Paul, run
Where the red dust comes undone
No more raider guns
No more empty wells
Run, Old Paul, run
To the Commonwealth

[Verse 2]
He crossed a bridge of twisted steel
Past a bus with shattered glass
Saw a child plant bean seeds
In a can from long ago
Every mile the rumor spread
Like fire in the dry
The President was laying rails
For the ones who'd still try

[Pre-Chorus]
President of the Commonwealth
Said hold that line of right
Build your fence, mend your roof
Keep the lanterns bright
From the farms to the old train yard
From the vault door to the shore
Old Paul felt the future move
Like footsteps on the floor

[Chorus]
Run, Old Paul, run
To the President's sun
Run, Old Paul, run
Where the red dust comes undone
No more raider guns
No more empty wells
Run, Old Paul, run
To the Commonwealth

[Bridge]
He left behind the fear
And the smoke-black ravens
He found a town with open hands
And names on fresh-made gravestones
A deputy pinned him to the crew
A cook gave him a plate
And Old Paul stood a little straighter
At the gate

[Final Chorus]
Run, Old Paul, run
To the President's sun
Run, Old Paul, run
Where the red dust comes undone
No more raider guns
No more empty wells
Run, Old Paul, run
To the Commonwealth
Run, Old Paul, run
Yeah, the broken can be saved
Run, Old Paul, run
To the day that they made