Powderfinger

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