Mysterious Tunnel lyrics

I just never could say, "good bye" or "adieu"
Ooh, but the years, they have been so kind to you
There's some skills that I have learned to do
And I would certainly like to share them with you
You're outside hanging wet linen
And I am giving a Van Dyke listening
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/v/vic_chesnutt/mysterious_tunnel.html ]
If you need a little help stretching the canvas
If you need a shaky ride to Lawrence, Kansas
If you need a little help hauling that big, fat sack
I'll be sitting right here beside my stone age fax machine
You're up there amongst the mountains
And I am drinking from a nasty water fountain

I just never could lay a bead on you
I took a sad envelope of seed from you
I just never could get something to take root
One just never can tell about the growth shoot
I am crouched with a weak shovel
And you are tending the mysterious tunnel