The Riverbank Songtext / Lyric

Frightened by the tone of a phone

In the dead of night

Then staring into darkness

And praying till the morning light

The price already paid

A son gone to the grave

Now the sorrowful parade

To the riverbank



Must be half the county come down

To the riverbank

High school is closed

Same for the local police

Shall we tearfully embrace

Shall we sing "Amazing Grace"

Will the shallow river waters bring us peace






Army dude

Only son

Nowhere to run

No one to turn to

He turns to the gun

It's a cross

It's a stone

It's a fragment of bone

It's a long walk home



A long walk home

Gonna be a long walk home

From the riverbank



Is there any reason why the black pine

Should not weep

Is there a woman or a man who wouldn't understand

Why he could not sleep

And the nightmares when they came

Like poison to the brain

Reminded him again

Life is cheap



Army dude

Only son

Nowhere to run

No one to turn to

He turns to the gun

It's a cross

It's a stone

It's a fragment of bone

It's a long walk home



A long walk home

Gonna be a long walk home

From the riverbank



Army dude's mama

At the edge of the river

Limp as a rag

American flag in her arms

Then a triangle of light

Kissed the red and blue and white

Along the riverbank

Past the dealerships and farms