Two bullets, three shots

(Boom-chicka rhythm. Steady, plainspoken, low male voice.)

[Verse 1]
I woke before the rooster called,
Dust on my boots, back to the wall.
I carry what I carry, truth or not,
Two bullets, three shots.

[Verse 2]
I said I’d keep my temper tight,
Hold my tongue and walk it right.
But words get loose when daylight rots,
Two bullets, three shots.

[Chorus]
I count my sins on a steady clock,
Tick for the heart, tock for the talk.
I swear I aim, but the math won’t lock,
Two bullets, three shots.

⸻

[Verse 3]
I loved a woman straight and clean,
Crossed my fingers, crossed the line between.
I promised less than what I bought,
Two bullets, three shots.

[Verse 4]
I keep my hand where folks can see,
I mind my step, I mind my creed.
But faith’s a load a man can drop,
Two bullets, three shots.

[Chorus]
I draw a line in gravel and chalk,
Say what I mean, mean what I thought.
I try to stop when I should stop,
Two bullets, three shots.

⸻

[Bridge]
I don’t blame steel or the way it’s made,
Or the dark for how it stayed.
If there’s a miss, it’s mine to own,
I pulled the truth and grazed the bone.

⸻

[Verse 5]
I stand my ground, I face my name,
I pay my dues, I take the blame.
I pray for mercy, I pray a lot,
Two bullets, three shots.

[Final Chorus]
I walk a path that’s narrow and rough,
I say I’m ready when I’m not.
I live with less, I carry enough,
Two bullets, three shots.

⸻

[Outro]
I’ll holster doubt, I’ll mind my thoughts,
Two bullets… three shots.

baritone male lead, acoustic guitar, upright bass, minimal drums. 1960s Mono and early stereo mixing.