Top Songs By Neil Young
Similar Songs
Credits
PERFORMING ARTISTS
Neil Young
Vocals
Billy Talbot
Bass Guitar
Frank Sampedro
Background Vocals
Ralph Molina
Drums
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Neil Young
Songwriter
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Chris Bellman
Mastering Engineer
David Briggs
Producer
John Hanlon
Producer
Richard Kaplan
Engineer
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Look out, Mama, there's a white boat comin' 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
[Verse 2]
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
[Verse 3]
Daddy has gone, and 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 thinkin'
[Verse 4]
And I just turned twenty-two
I was wonderin' what to do
And the closer they got
The more those feelings grew
[Verse 5]
Daddy's rifle in my hand felt reassurin'
He said, "Red men run, and numbers add up to nothin'"
When the first shot hit the docks I saw it comin'
[Verse 6]
Raised my rifle to my eye
Never stopped to wonder why
Then I saw black and my face splashed in the sky
[Verse 7]
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 figured
[Verse 8]
Would fade away so young
With so much left undone
Remember me to my love
I know I'll miss her
Written by: Neil Young