Big John's been drinking since the river took Emmy Lou
So the powers that be left me here to do all the thinking
Then I saw black and my face flashed in the sky
Raised the rifle to my eye, never stopped to wonder why
'Cause it don't look like they're here to deliver the mail
And I just turned twenty two, I was wondering what to do
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
He told me, "Red means run, son, numbers add up to nothing"
Shelter me from the powder and the finger
But when that first shot hit the dock, I saw it coming
Just think of me as one you never figured
And it's less than a mile away, I hope they didn't come to stay
Cover me in the thought that pulled the trigger
To fade away so young, with so much left undone
I think you'd better call John
Daddy's rifle in my arms felt reassuring
And the closer they get the more those feelings grew
