by Alex Wilson
Album
Coal Dust Serenade
Year
2025
Genre
Americana/Country/Folk/Blues
Duration
4:18
Description
A raw and emotional country standard about finding solace and redemption through music in the face of poverty, abuse, and hardship. Alex Wilson's soulful vocals, accompanied by acoustic guitar, fiddle, and a driving rhythm section, tell a story of resilience and the transformative power of artistic expression.
Lyrics
Verse 1 I was born in a holler where the coal dust sings, Raised on the ache of broke-down things. A trailer’s shadow, a father’s fist, Found my salvation in a six-string’s kiss. Hid that guitar where the floorboards creak, Played ‘til my fingers bled, too scared to speak. Chorus When the world talks too loud for a man to pray, I find my gospel in the strings I play. Sound: fall like rain on a dust-dry field— The music finds the parts I forgot to heal. It’s my shield, my soul, my unbroken truth, The music carries me when I’m black and blue. Verse 2 Found a fiddle in a dumpster, strings half-dead, Taught it to cry for the dreams in my head. Piano keys I traced on a tabletop worn, Built me a hymn where my heart was torn. Every scar’s a chord, every bruise a rhyme, Music’s the only thing that’s mine all the time. Chorus When the world talks too loud for a man to pray, I find my gospel in the strings I play. Sound: fall like rain on a dust-dry field— The music finds the parts I forgot to heal. It’s my shield, my soul, my unbroken truth, The music carries me when I’m black and blue. Bridge When the bottle’s empty and the night’s too long, When love turns to lies and the road feels wrong, I don’t need a preacher, don’t need a sign— Just a battered Martin and a melody line. It pulls me through the dark, it speaks my name, Turns my silence to a holy flame. Verse 3 Now I’m runnin’ on roads where the maps don’t go, Chasin’ a sound only my heart knows. Strangers hear my voice, they feel my pain, Say it’s like thunder callin’ down the rain. But it ain’t for them, it’s for the boy I was— Who found his freedom in a guitar’s buzz. Final Chorus When the world talks too loud for a man to pray, I find my gospel in the strings I play. Sound: fall like rain on a dust-dry field— The music finds the parts I forgot to heal. It’s my shield, my soul, my unbroken truth, The music carries me when I’m black and blue. Outro So let the world keep screamin’, let the shadows fall, The music’s my answer, my only call. From a trailer’s ruin to a stage unknown, The music’s the fire that brings me home.
Notes
Instrumentation: Acoustic guitar (Martin, slightly out of tune), fiddle (played with raw emotion, occasional double stops), upright bass (walking bassline, provides a steady pulse), and a simple drum kit (brush strokes on the snare, light kick drum). The song builds dynamically throughout, starting with just acoustic guitar and vocals, then adding fiddle in the second verse, and the full band entering during the first chorus. The bridge features a brief, emotional guitar solo that mirrors the vocal melody. Outro fades out with the acoustic guitar repeating a simple chord progression. Backing vocals (harmonies on the chorus) could add depth. The rawness in the singer's voice, with slight imperfections, is important to the authenticity of the song. The fiddle should have a slightly nasal tone to emphasize the Appalachian feel. Consider adding a pedal steel guitar for some fills. The key should be suitable for male vocal range and comfortable on guitar. Tempo: Moderate, building to slightly faster on later choruses to enhance the sense of urgency.