He was picking at a snarl of fishing line
Kept taking to himself
I asked, are you alright?
He said, You mean my physical or mental health?
He held up his hand and said
It doesn't matter, I'm just thankful that you care
A lot of people pass me by
Most of them completely unaware
You can't see my future
Know my past or feel the gravel in my shoes
I don't compare my suffering
We're all just different shades of black and blue
I've thought myself unworthy
Been a shadow, felt my sanity was lost
But I somehow found the courage and the strength
To keep me working on these Knots
He looked down at the filament
Then held it up and asked what I could see
There's memories that hurt so much in there
My brain has hidden them from me
I thought of cutting bait
But in my mind it was a coward's way to go
I gave up cigarettes and pills and booze
To keep from killing myself slow
You can't see my future
Know my past or feel the gravel in my shoes
I don't compare my suffering
We're all just different shades of black and blue
I've thought myself unworthy
Been a shadow, felt my sanity was lost (oh, oh, oh, oh)
But I found the strength and courage, and the grace
To keep me working on these Knots
Sometimes one unravels and reveals me to myself
And sometimes I can manage running headlong into hell
Other times, not so much
He didn't want my money or my pity
He was happy just to talk
So we talked a little more of peace and war
Before I went on with my walk
My handshake couldn't thank him for his service
But I think he knew my mind
We saw ourselves a little clearer
In a mirror made of hope and fishing line
You can't see my future
Know my past or feel the gravel in my shoes (ooh, ooh, ooh)
I don't compare my suffering
We're all just different shades of black and blue
I've thought myself unworthy
Been a shadow, felt my sanity was lost
But I found the strength and courage and the grace
To keep me working on these Knots
I'm working on these Knots