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'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 twenty-two
  I was wondering what to do
  And the closer they got,
  The more those feelings grew
    Daddy's rifle in my hand 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 flash 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 never figured,
  to fade away so young
  with so much left undone
  Remember me to my love
  I know I'll miss her