Look out, Ma, there's a white boat comin' up the river

With a big red beacon and a flag and a man on the rail

I think you'ld 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 hope they didn't come to stay

It's got numbers on the side and a gun and it's makin' big waves

G C G C G

Daddy's gone and my brother's out huntin' in the mountains

Big John's been drinkin' since the river took Emmy Lou

So the powers that be left me here to do the thinkin'

And I just turned twenty-two I was wonderin' what to do

And the closer they got The more those feelin's grew

Daddy's rifle in my hand felt reassurin;

He told me "Red means run, son, and numbers add up to nothin'"

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 splashed in the sky

Shelter me from the powder and the finger

Cover me with the one that pulled the trigger

Just think of me as one you never figured

Would fade away so young With so much left undone

Remember me to my love, I know I'll miss her