C F C
Look out, Ma, there's a white boat coming up the river
F C
With a big red beacon and a flag and a man on the rail
F
I think you'd better call John
Em F
'Cause it don't look like they're here to deliver the mail
Em F
And it's less than a mile away
Em F
And I hope they didn't come to stay
Em F
It's got numbers on the side and a gun
G C F C
And it's making big waves___
[Verse]
F C
Daddy's gone and my brother's out hunting in the mountains
F C
Big John's been drinking since the river took Emmy Lou
F Em F
So the powers that be left me here to do the thinking
Em F
And I just turned twenty-two
Em F
I was wondering what to do
Em
And the closer they got
F G C F C
The more those feeling's grew___
[Verse]
F C
Daddy's rifle in my hand felt reassuring
F C
He said, "Red means run, son, and numbers add up to nothing"
F Em F
When the first shot hit the dock I saw it coming
Em F
Raised my rifle to my eye
Em F
Never stopped to wonder why
Em F G C F C
Then I saw black and my face splashed in the sky___
[Verse]
F C
Shelter me from the powder and the finger
F C
Cover me with the thought that pulled the trigger
F Em F
Just think of me as one you never figured
Em F
We fade away so young
Em F
So much left undone
Em F G C F C
Remember me to my love, I know I'll miss her___
