Old Rivers
Old Rivers: A Timeless Tale of Labor, Dreams, and Legacy
Lyrics
How old was I when I first seen old Rivers?
Reflecting on the age when the speaker first encountered Old Rivers.
I can't remember when he weren't around
Expressing uncertainty about a time when Old Rivers wasn't present.
Well, that old fellow did a heap of work
Highlighting Old Rivers' significant work and dedication throughout his life.
Spent his whole life walking plowed ground
Describing Old Rivers' lifelong commitment to farming and working the land.
He had a one-room shack not far from us
Depicting the modest dwelling of Old Rivers, emphasizing shared poverty.
And well, we was about as poor as him
Emphasizing the speaker's family's similar economic struggles to Old Rivers.
He had one old mule he called Midnight
Introducing Old Rivers' companion, a mule named Midnight.
And I'd trailed along after them
Recounting the speaker's childhood experiences following Old Rivers and Midnight.
He used to plow them rows straight and deep
Describing Old Rivers' skill in plowing straight and deep furrows.
And I'd come along near behind
Recalling the speaker's participation by walking behind Old Rivers.
A-bustin' up clods with my own bare feet
Depicting the speaker breaking up clods with bare feet during plowing.
Old Rivers was a friend of mine
Affirming the friendship between the speaker and Old Rivers.
That sun'd get high and that mule would work
Describing the hard work under the sun, with Old Rivers and Midnight.
'Til old Rivers'd finally say, "Whoa"
Detailing Old Rivers' command for the mule to stop working.
He'd wipe his brow, and lean back on the reins
Illustrating Old Rivers resting and contemplating his dreams.
And talk about a place he's gonna go
Sharing Old Rivers' aspirations of a better place.
He'd say, one of these days, I'm gonna climb that mountain
Expressing Old Rivers' desire to climb a mountain someday.
Walk up there among them clouds
Envisioning a serene place above the clouds with abundant crops.
Where the cotton's high and the corn's a-growin'
Portraying an idealized setting where there's no need to plow fields.
And there ain't no fields to plow
Imagining a place where cotton and corn thrive effortlessly.
I got a letter today from the folks back home and
Notifying the speaker of a letter from family, reporting well-being and dry crops.
They're all fine, crops is dry
Revealing the news of Old Rivers' passing through the letter.
Down at the end, mom said, Son
Quoting the mother's words about Old Rivers' demise.
You know old Rivers died
Announcing Old Rivers' death as shared by the speaker's mother.
Just sittin' here now on this new-plowed earth
Presenting the speaker sitting on freshly plowed earth, processing the news.
Trying to find me a little shade
Seeking shade while reflecting on Old Rivers' life and death.
With the sun beatin' down 'cross the fields I see
Observing the sun beating down on the fields, recalling memories of Old Rivers and Midnight.
That mule, old Rivers and me
Summarizing the scene with the speaker, the mule, and the memory of Old Rivers.
Now, one of these days, I'm gonna climb that mountain
Reiterating Old Rivers' dream of climbing a mountain someday.
Walk up there among them clouds
Describing the envisioned place above the clouds with thriving crops.
Where the cotton's high and the corn's a-growin'
Portraying an idealized setting where there's no need to plow fields.
And there ain't no fields to plow
Imagining a place where cotton and corn thrive effortlessly.
With the sun beatin' down across the fields I see
Recalling the sun beating down on the fields, reminiscent of Old Rivers and Midnight.
That mule, old Rivers and me
Concluding the lyrics with the enduring image of the speaker, the mule, and memories of Old Rivers.
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