Wake up mama, there's a white boat coming down the river
With a big red beacon and a flag and a man on the rail
I think you'd 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 numbers on the side and a gun
And it's making big waves

Daddy's gone, my brother's out hunting in the mountains
Big John's been drinking since the river took Emmy 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 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 the rifle to my eye
Never stopped to wonder why
Then I saw black and my face flashed in the sky

Shelter me from the powder and the finger
Cover 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 too, my love
I know I'll miss her