The River
Hank Williams Jr Lyrics
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Now many's crossed me but none have bossed me and I don't believe they ever can
Hello son I see you're wearin' a gun and you say you're on your way into town
You say your Ma told you not to but you feel you got to
Get that man that gunned your daddy down
From the sheriff's office to the gallows boy that's a mighty mighty short walk
So why you worry your horse son let you and I take it easy and have a little talk
Well I can see that you're angry and I guess you've got plenty right to be
But the law can handle your daddy's killer much better than you or me
And remember your promise you made your mother
That you never would fought on a gun
So go on home to her boy cause she needs you she wouldn't stand to lose her only son
Well I see you thought it over and I'm glad to see you going home boy
And you wanna know what they call me
Well I'm just the river they call me the Mississippi
I've been here longer...
In this verse of "The River" by Hank Williams Jr, the singer is an experienced and wise old man who has seen and endured a lot throughout his lifetime. He is encountered by a young man who is on his way to town to seek revenge for the murder of his father. The young man is wearing a gun, but the old man advises him to go back home to his mother because the law can handle the situation better than he can. The old man himself has seen many people cross him, but he has never let anyone boss him around. The old man identifies himself as the Mississippi River, the longest river in North America which flows through 10 US states, and tells the young man that he has been around longer than anyone else and has witnessed it all.
The old man's advice to the young man reflects his own resilience and understanding of life's unpredictability. He understands that violence and revenge are not the answer, and that the law should handle the situation in a civilised and just manner. The difference in the age, experiences, and perspectives of the two characters highlights the cyclical nature of life and how the lessons that one generation learns from their experiences can be passed down to the next.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been here longer and I'm stronger and I've seen as much as any man
I have been around for a long time and have experienced a lot, making me a wise and knowledgeable source.
Now many's crossed me but none have bossed me and I don't believe they ever can
Many people have come across me and tried to control me, but I am too strong and independent to be controlled by anyone.
Hello son I see you're wearin' a gun and you say you're on your way into town
I notice that you are carrying a weapon and heading into town.
You say your Ma told you not to but you feel you got to Get that man that gunned your daddy down
You know that your mother told you not to seek revenge, but you feel like you have to go after the man who killed your father.
From the sheriff's office to the gallows boy that's a mighty mighty short walk
If you take matters into your own hands, you will likely end up being arrested and potentially executed for your actions.
So why you worry your horse son let you and I take it easy and have a little talk
There's no need to rush into anything - let's relax and have a conversation.
Well I can see that you're angry and I guess you've got plenty right to be
I understand that you feel angry and that you have a right to feel that way.
But the law can handle your daddy's killer much better than you or me
The legal system is better equipped to deal with the person who killed your father than you or I are.
And remember your promise you made your mother That you never would fought on a gun
You made a promise to your mother that you would never use a gun to fight, and you should honor that promise.
So go on home to her boy cause she needs you she wouldn't stand to lose her only son
Your mother needs you, and if something were to happen to you, she would be devastated.
Well I see you thought it over and I'm glad to see you going home boy
I can tell that you have thought about what I said and I am happy to see that you are choosing to go home.
And you wanna know what they call me Well I'm just the river they call me the Mississippi
In case you're curious, my name is the Mississippi River.
I've been here longer...
I have been around for a very long time and have seen a lot.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tommy Wood
I've never heard this great song before by Hank Jr. Thanks for posting it
Dorothy Angeledes
my favorite hank williams jr. performance
Dorothy Angeledes
i wonder what it would sound like without the echo. I think Mr Williams voice is nice
Daniel Hill
Bad ass song!
Paul Sherlock
I can’t find this song anywhere but here.