Old Rivers
Old Rivers: A Timeless Tale of Hard Work, Dreams, and a Friend's Legacy
Lyrics
How old was I when I first seen Old Rivers
Reflecting on the age when the narrator first encountered Old Rivers.
I can't remember when he weren't around
Unable to recall a time when Old Rivers was not present in their life.
That old fellow he did a heap of work he spent his whole life walkin' plowed ground
Describing Old Rivers as a hardworking man who dedicated his life to farming.
He had the one roomed shack not far from us well we's about as poor as him
Depicting Old Rivers' modest dwelling close to the narrator's equally humble home.
He had one old mule he used to call Midnight I'd tread along after then
Introducing Midnight, Old Rivers' mule, and the narrator following along.
He used to plow them rows just straight and deep and I'd come along behind
Describing Old Rivers' meticulous plowing and the narrator's involvement.
Bustin' up plows with my own bare feet Old Rivers he was a friend of mine
Expressing a strong friendship between the narrator and Old Rivers.
The sun had get high and that old mule he'd work Old Rivers he'd finally say whoa
Depicting the midday break when Old Rivers and the mule pause from their work.
He'd wipe his brow and he'd laid back on them reins
Old Rivers resting and sharing his dreams of a distant place.
He'd talk about that place he's wanna go
Old Rivers expressing a desire to visit a special location someday.
He used to say one of these days I'm gonna climb that mountain
Old Rivers mentioning his aspiration to climb a mountain.
I'm gonna walk up there among them Clouds
Imagining a place among clouds with abundant crops and no need for plowing.
Where the cotton's high and the corns're growin' and there ain't no fields to plow
A letter arrives, sharing news of the well-being of folks back home.
I got a letter today it's from the folks back home
The narrator contemplates Old Rivers' death while sitting on freshly plowed earth.
They're all doin' fine the crop's a little dry
The environment is hot, and the narrator seeks shade in reflection.
Mom said down near the end, you heard Old Rivers died
Mention of Old Rivers in a nostalgic moment, reminiscing about the fields.
Sittin' here now on this new plowed earth just tryin' find a little shade
Recalling a letter detailing Old Rivers' demise and the impact it has.
Well sun's beatin' down cross them fields now I can see that mule Old Rivers and me
The narrator envisions Old Rivers and the mule in the fields under the scorching sun.
I hear 'em sayin' one of these days...
Anticipating a time when the narrator will join Old Rivers in the afterlife.
With the sun beaitin' down cross them fields (I see) that mule Old Rivers and me
A repetition of the imagery of Old Rivers and the mule under the sun.
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