Look out mama, theres a white boat comin up the river
With a big red beacon and a flag and a man on the rail
I think you better call John
Cause it dont look like theyre here to deliver the mail
And its less than a mile away, I hope they didnt come to stay
Its got numbers on the side and a gun and its making me brave
Daddys gone, my brothers out huntin in the mountains
Big Johns been drinkin since the river took Annie-Lou
So the powers that he left me here to do the thinkin
And I just turned twenty-two
I was wonderin what to do
The closer it got the more those feelings grew
Daddys rifle in my hand felt re-assurin
He told me,Red means run son, numbers add up to nothing
But when the first shot hit the dock I saw it comin
Raised my rifle to my eye
Never stopped to wonder why
Then I saw black and my face flash in the sky
Shelter me from the Powder and the Finger
Cover me with the thought that pulled the trigger
Just think of me as one you never feared
You fade away so young
Theres so much left undone
Remember me for my love, I know I miss her