The River Knows

Late one night the river so bright I was bathing in the pale moonlight Didn't see no one looking around Pulled that ribbon let my ringlets down We grew up down the way Walked to school together every day I was so tall 'til we were sixteen In a year he towered over me Thought he was a friend indeed But a woman can't trust a man in need Down on the muddy banks where the roses grow The river cries ooh oh 'Cause the river knows He professed a love so fine Said he wanted me to be his bride His desire I didn't return In its place he let resentment burn He left home to live in the hills Making moonshine in a silver still Mama said stay away from that shine I always did until that dark night Thought he was a friend indeed But a woman can't trust a man in need Down on the muddy banks where the roses grow The river cries ooh oh 'Cause the river knows My best dress wrinkled and torn Head was pounding in the early morn' Looked at my hands all covered in red Dug a hole down in the wild rose bed Washed the proof out of my hair Crimson streaming down my skin so fair Shimmering moon staring at me Now my secret is her's to keep Thought he was a friend indeed But a woman can't trust a man in need Down on the muddy banks where the roses grow The river cries ooh oh 'Cause the river knows Late one night the river so bright I was bathing in the pale moonlight Didn't see no one looking around Pulled that ribbon let my ringlets down