Lyrics:

Look out, mama, there's a white boat coming up the river
With a big red beacon, and a flag, and a man on the rail
I think you 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 makin' 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 the thinking
And I just turned 22
I was wondering what to do
The closer they got, the more those feelings grew

Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Daddy's rifle in my hand felt reassuring
He told me, "Red means run, son, numbers add up to nothing"
But when the first shot hit the dock, I saw it coming
Raised my rifle to my eye
Never stopped to wonder why
Then I saw black and my face splashed in the sky
Ooh

Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Shelter me from the powder and the finger
Cover me with the thought that pulled the trigger
Just think of me as one you never figured
We'll fade away so young
With so much left undone
Remember me to my love, I know I'll miss her