Put the Shovel Down Songtext
von Slaid Cleaves

Way back in Blanco County
I knew a troubled soul
This cowboy couldn′t get out of his own way
A chip upon his shoulder
Quick to lose control
Diggin' himself deeper every day

Losing friends and family
Stumbling along
Kicked out of every drinkin′ hole in town
Every day just singin'
That same old jukebox song
Until he learned to put the shovel down

Some guys keep right on diggin'
You could say they′re trouble bound
If you want to get out of the hole you′re in
The first thing you gotta do is put the shovel down


Well, I don't mean to be a preacher
And I know that I′m no saint
You can ask all the people I have hurt
What I've got to say, boys
You can take or leave:
Quit your diggin′ and climb up outa the dirt

Some guys keep right on diggin'
You could say they′re trouble bound
If you want to get out of the hole you're in
The first thing you gotta do is put the shovel down

I woke up this morning
Watched the climbing sun
Counted up my blessings one by one
And I will be here standing
When that sun goes down
Because I learned to put the shovel down

Some guys keep right on diggin'
You could say they′re trouble bound
Some guys just won′t stop diggin'
Till they′re six feet underground
Some guys keep right on diggin'
It′s no mystery, I've found
If you want to get out of the hole you′re in
The first thing you gotta do is put the shovel down