Powderfinger Lyrics
Look out, Mama, there's a white boat coming up the river
With a big red beacon and a flag and a man on the rail
I think you'd better call John
'Cause it don't look like they're here to deliver the mail
And it's less than a mile away
I hope they didn't come to stay
It's got numbers on the side and a gun
And it's makin' big waves
[Verse 2]
Daddy's gone, my brother's out huntin' in the mountains
Big John's been drinkin' since the river took Emmy Lou
So the powers that be left me here to do the thinkin'
And I just turned twenty-two
I was wonderin' what to do
The closer they got, τhe more those feelings grew
[Guitar Solo]
[Verse 3]
Daddy's rifle in my hand felt reassurin'
He told me "Red means run, son, numbers add up to nothin'"
But when the first shot hit the dock, I saw it comin'
Raised my rifle to my eye
Never stopped to wonder why
Then I saw black and my face splashed in the sky
[Verse 4]
Shelter me from the powder and the finger
Cover me with the thought that pulled the trigger
Just think of me as one you never figured
Would fade away so young
With so much left undone
Remember me to my love, I know I'll miss her
About
Powderfinger" is a song written by Neil Young, first released on his 1979 album Rust Never Sleeps. Young recorded a solo version in 1975 to be released on Chrome Dreams.
The lyrics tell a story of a young man who attempts to protect his family from the approaching gunboat. Overcoming his initial indecision, the young man takes action and is ultimately killed.
Young later sent a tape of the song to his friend Ronnie Van Zant of Lynyrd Skynyrd who were to use the song on their next album. Van Zant’s life was cut short in a plane crash in October of 1977, and Lynyrd Skynyrd never recorded the song.
The song was officially released in an electric version on Young’s 1979 album, Rust Never Sleeps, with the band Crazy Horse.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
- 2.Thrasher
- 4.Pocahontas
- 5.Sail Away
- 6.Powderfinger
