Joe Henry once told me
if this were a contest
for the most commercial song
you’d win
but that’s not what it is
no, that’s not what it is
and he’s right
because you know what this is?
this is life
it’s my life
it’s your life
it’s in every word we write
it’s in every beat of the drum
it’s in the heart of every song
and it’s not silver and it’s not gold
and it’s not platinum or green like emeralds
and it’s not shiny like a diamond 0r turquoise blue
it’s rubies
pure rubies
and this is what happens
when I let the song write me
maybe Guy Clark would be proud
and maybe Bill Callahan
would eat us both for breakfast
but this ain’t no contest
it’s life
it’s my life
it’s your life
it’s in every word we write
it’s in every beat of the drum
it’s in the heart of every song
and it’s not silver and it’s not gold
and it’s not platinum or green like emeralds
and it’s not shiny like a diamond
and I’m sorry Rodney but it doesn’t rhyme
it’s rubies
pure rubies
now if Joe and Bill and Rodney all went out hunting together
who’d bring home the trophy?
who’d bring home the meat?
and who’d stay out in the woods?
forever
searching
for true meaning
who’d win?
who cares?
this is not a contest
and it’s not silver and it’s not gold
and it’s not platinum or green like emeralds
and it’s not shiny like a diamond 0r turquoise blue
it’s rubies
pure rubies
it’s rubies
pure rubies
