Wake up, mama
there's a white boat
comin' down the river
with a big red beacon
and a flag
and a man
on the rail
I think you better call John
cause it don't look like
they're here
to deliver
the mail
And it's less than a mile away
I hope they didn't come to stay
It's got number on the side
And a gun
and its making big waves
Daddy's gone, my brother's out hunting
in the mountains
Big John's been drinking
since the river took Emma Lou
So the powers that be
left me here, to do all the thinking
And I just turned 22
I was wondering what to do
The closer they came
The more those feelings grew
Daddy's rifle in my arms
felt so reassuring
He told me red means run, son
numbers add up to nothing
But when that first shot hit the dock
I saw it coming
Raised a rifle to my eye
Never stopped to wonder why
Then I saw black
and my face
Flashed in the sky...
Shelter me in the powder and the finger
Comfort me
In the thought
That pulled the trigger
Just think of me as one
You never figured
To fade away so young
With so much left undone
Remember me to my love
I know I'll miss her
