River

(album: Ballads Of The Hills And Plains - 1965)

I've been here longer and I'm stronger and I've seen as much as any man
Now many's crossed me but none have bossed me and I don't believe they ever can

Hello son I see you're wearing a gun and you say you're on your way into town
You say your Ma told you not to but you feel you got to
Get that man that gunned your daddy down
From the sheriff's office to the gallows boy that's a mighty mighty short walk
So why you worry your horse son let you and I take it easy and have a little talk
Cause I've been here longer...

Well I can see that you're angry and I guess you've got plenty right to be
But the law can handle your daddy's killer much better than you or me
And remember your promise you made your mother
That you never would fought on a gun
So go on home to her boy cause she needs you she wouldn't stand to lose her only son
Well I see you thought it over and I'm glad to see you going home boy
And you wanna know what they call me
Well I'm just the river they call me the Mississippi
I've been here longer...