Lyrics
Back in the days when the fish were still piled
Folks carved their dreams from the bone of the wild
Wood splintered sharp under calloused hands
First hooks they made for the hunger of man
No steel in sight just a twist and a notch
A backward fang to keep the fish caught
From the caves to the streams they knew the old truth
A hook without bite is just a bent tooth
Oh, barbs on the hook they're the devil's own grace
They whisper"stay put" in the water's embrace
You can crimp 'em down smooth for the sake of the game
But don't holler foul when she shakes loose again
Barbs are the fire in the heart of the fight
Essential as breath in the dead of the night
In the game of the hook, it's sink or you swim
With a barb or a bruise reel the big ones in
Now the lines hum tight 'neath the moon's silver glow
You cast out your heart where the warm currents flow
She darts like a shadow all silver and sly
One tug and she's yours or she slips to the sky
Crimp that barb gentle for the catch-and-release
Watch her tail-flash freedom your peace turned to tease
No fault in the fight when the river runs deep
But a smooth hook's a promise you never could keep
Ain't no fair weather in the pull of the tide
Love's like the current it twists and it glides
Wood or bone circle or single it's all the same song
Without that sharp secret the thrill don't last long
So here's to the barbs that we bury and blame
The thorns in the tale of the hook and the flame
Oh, barbs on the hook they're the devil's own grace
They whisper"stay put" in the water's embrace
You can crimp 'em down smooth for the sake of the game
But don't holler foul when she shakes loose again
Barbs are the fire in the heart of the fight
Essential as breath in the dead of the night
In the game of the hook it's sink or you swim
With a barb or a bruise reel the big ones in
Yeah hook them all and win
Barbs on the hook my old friend