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 making big waves

Daddy's gone, my brother's out huntin' in the mountains

Big John's been drinkin' since the river took Emmylou

So the powers that be left me here to do the thinkin'

And I just turned twenty-two

I was wonderin' what to do

The closer they got, the more those feelings grew

Daddy's rifle in my hand felt reassurin'

He told me, "Red means run, son, numbers add up to nothin'"

But when the first shot hit the dock, I saw it comin'

Raised 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 one you'd never figure

Would fade away so young

With so much left undone

Remember me to my love

I know I'll miss her