[Verse 1]
I woke where the cedar roots held the hill
With a torn canvas coat and a pocketknife still
Cold creek water cut clean through the dawn
I tied up my boot and kept moving on

[Pre-Chorus]
The ridge kept rising, the clouds hung low
I took one breath and chose where to go

[Chorus]
I’ll keep my fire when the hard winds climb
I’ll read the river, I’ll follow the pine
With dirt on my hands and my feet on the ground
I can lose the trail and still turn around

[Verse 2]
By noon I had patched up the heel with a strip
And marked the north fork with a charcoal chip
A grouse beat its wings from the brush by my knee
The whole wide country was watching me

[Pre-Chorus]
The ridge kept rising, the clouds hung low
I took one breath and chose where to go

[Chorus]
I’ll keep my fire when the hard winds climb
I’ll read the river, I’ll follow the pine
With dirt on my hands and my feet on the ground
I can lose the trail and still turn around

[Bridge]
When the rain came down, I made a roof
Bent willow poles and a square of wool
I held through the night till the east went red
Then walked by the promise of bread in my head

[Final Chorus]
I’ll keep my fire when the hard winds climb
I’ll read the river, I’ll follow the pine
With dirt on my hands and my feet on the ground
I can lose the trail and still turn around
I can lose the trail and still turn around

[Outro]
The ridge fell away, the creek ran clear
I carried the miles, and I carried them here