Rotten Sentinel

Lyrics

Verse 1
Down by the split pine gate
He came with a hide like a warning
Skunk-dark stains on his coat
And the dogs fled before the morning

He never washed in the river
No soap ever touched that skin
But when the bandits rode near
The whole village let him in

Pre-Chorus
The mothers pulled their children close
The elders said his name
He stood there under smoke and moon
Like a curse we could tame

Chorus
Rotten sentinel
Rotten sentinel
You guard our doors

Rotten sentinel
Rotten sentinel
They turn and run
When you roar

Verse 2
Bandits came with iron teeth
Counting spoils in the dust
He stepped out through the ash and hide
And the horses bucked from disgust

He laughed like a cracked old drum
Put fear in their hungry eyes
One breath from his ragged chest
And their courage went dry

Pre-Chorus
He wore the swamp on his back
Like armor made of spite
The whole campfire leaned his way
As the raiders broke and tripped

Chorus
Rotten sentinel
Rotten sentinel
You guard our doors

Rotten sentinel
Rotten sentinel
They turn and run
When you roar

Bridge
Thunder in the cedar shade
He raised that filthy chin
If evil wants our winter stores
It has to come through him

And the night bent low to listen
To the throat-song in his bones
Deep as elk in canyon stone
He made that fear their home

Final Chorus
Rotten sentinel
Rotten sentinel
You guard our doors

Rotten sentinel
Rotten sentinel
We live because
You stank more

Rotten sentinel
Rotten sentinel
They turn and run
When you roar