Pike on the Line

[Verse 1]
Dawn lays silver on the reeds
Coffee steaming by the oar
Frost is beading on my sleeves
We slip quiet from the shore
There’s a weed line past the bend
Where the shallow water turns
I tie on green and copper flash
And wait for something fierce to burn

[Chorus]
Pike on the line, pike in the grass
A toothy green rocket making my small boat rock and pass
Hold on tight, let the drag sing bright
One wild flash beneath the surface
Then he’s gone into the light

[Verse 2]
Granddad taught me how to cast
Past the lily pads and foam
Said the biggest ones don’t chase
They make you bring the lure back home
Then the rod bowed like a willow
And the reel began to cry
A dark blade cut the water
And a gold eye met mine

[Chorus]
Pike on the line, pike in the grass
A toothy green rocket making my small boat rock and pass
Hold on tight, let the drag sing bright
One wild flash beneath the surface
Then he’s gone into the light

[Bridge]
No trophy needs a wall tonight
No photograph needs a frame
I’ll bless the jaws, release the fight
And call that pike by name

[Final Chorus]
Pike on the line, pike in the grass
A toothy green rocket making my small boat rock and pass
Hold on tight, let the drag sing bright
One wild flash beneath the surface
Then he’s gone into the light

[Outro]
The lake goes still, the sky turns gold
The tale gets bigger every time it’s told