2025 Competition Entry:

Diesel Bones by Vernon Papers (Drew Shanefield)

Genre

Country

Co-writer(s)

no

Performer(s)

I alone performed the song in its entirety. This includes all vocal and guitar tracks.

Description

The song is a dedication to her and our life together. Diesel bones is our slang for “these old bones”. So in the song, diesel bones evokes images of the American countryside, but also of a love that has aged alongside a beloved.

Bio

Welcome to the world of Vernon Papers, from singer-songwriter/composer/arranger and multi-instrumentalist Drew Shanefield.

“Why Vernon Papers? I think it’s a way to create an alternative reality and personality, one that’s, for me, void of history and expectation. The Vernon Papers project is largely a collection of home studio recordings. As a result, much of the ego is gone, dismissing excuses and the need for perfection. The only need is to be genuine and search for musical truth.” So I go on, looking for truth, following a hunch, and trying not to get caught up in all of the distractions.

Drew (Vernon Papers)

Lyrics

This old house, rusted gate, leaking roof, chipping paint,
Doing our time we call it home
This old truck still running loud, leaking oil, and diesel cloud
Wouldn’t trade, we call it our own

We’ve logged a lot of time and we’ve drove many a mile
You still do it to me, when you look at me and smile

Could you love a man with diesel bones?
Could you love a man when he’s alone?
Could you love a man living in that home?
Could you love a man with diesel bones?

Now these old dogs, them sleepy pups, ain’t got the same old giddyup
They’re our boys and they’ve got some bite
And diesel bones they start to creak, a little slow and a little weak
But it’s the bones that make things right

Now this old man I’m doing fine, got our love to pass the time
You still do it to me, when you look at me and smile

Could you love a man with diesel bones?
Could you love a man when he’s alone?
Could you love a man living in that home?
Could you love a man with diesel bones?

Could you love a man with diesel bones?
Could you love a man when he’s alone?
Could you love a man living in that home?
Could you love a man with diesel bones?

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