Look out, mama, 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'd better call Big John, 'cause it don't look like they're here to deliver- The mail And it's less than a mile away I hope that they didn't come to stay It's got numbers on the side, and a gun- and it's makin' big waves ♪ Daddy's gone, my brother's huntin' up 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 wondering what to do The closer they got, the more those feelings grew ♪ Daddy's rifle in my hand felt reassurin' He said, "Red means run, son. Numbers add up to nothin'" But when the first shot hit the dock, I saw it comin' I held 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 thought that pulled the trigger Just think of me as the one you've never figured That'd fade away so young With so much left undone Remember me to my love, I know I'll miss her