Pawprints Left Behind

Rollin' down Lonesome Highway 61...

Verse 1
From Red Lake down to Thunder Bay, the pines roll by in lines,
I’m chasin’ a horizon, with a heavy heart of mine.
Thought I’d have my dog beside me, watchin’ rivers as they wind,
But I dropped her off with Mama — left her pawprints far behind.

Chorus
Oh, the empty seat beside me cuts deeper than the road,
Highway 61 keeps hummin’, but it can’t lift this load.
I dreamed of Duluth and Grand Marais, with her tail against the breeze,
Now it’s just me and my shadow, drivin’ lonesome through the trees.

Verse 2
Mama’s house felt hollow, since her old dog passed away,
Her tears fell on my shoulder when I left mine there to stay.
I know she’ll keep her safe, but my wheel feels cold tonight,
Each mile’s a little longer with no soft eyes in my sight.

Chorus
Oh, the empty seat beside me cuts deeper than the road,
Highway 61 keeps hummin’, but it can’t lift this load.
I dreamed of Duluth and Grand Marais, with her tail against the breeze,
Now it’s just me and my shadow, drivin’ lonesome through the trees.

Bridge
Waterfalls and lighthouses, they’re callin’ out my name,
But the beauty feels much smaller when joy don’t feel the same.
I’ll hold my son in Thunder Bay, and find some peace of mind,
But tonight my soul’s still lingerin’ on pawprints left behind.

Final Chorus (bigger, slower, more mournful)
Oh, the empty seat beside me cuts deeper than the road,
Ashland’s lights are waitin’, but I carry what I owe.
Superior keeps whisperin’, her waves like lullabies,
But I’ll keep drivin’ forward… with pawprints in my eyes.

Outro (soft, fiddle & steel guitar fade)
From Red Lake down to Thunder Bay, I’ll carry love defined,
A lonesome road, but faithful still — with pawprints left behind.