My mother came to Hazard when I was just sevenEven then the folks in town said with prejudiced eyesThat boy's not right
Three years ago when I came to know MaryFirst time that someone looked beyond the rumors and the liesAnd saw the man inside
We used to walk down by the riverShe loved to watch the sun go downWe used to walk along the riverAnd dream our way out of this town
No one understood what I felt for MaryNo one cared until the night she went a walking all aloneAnd never came home
Man with a badge came knocking next morningHere was I surrounded by a thousand fingers suddenlyPointed right at me
I swear I left her by the riverI swear I left her safe and soundI need to make it to the riverAnd leave this old Nebraska town
I think about my life gone byHow it's done me wrongThere's no escape for me this timeAll of my rescues are gone, long gone
I swear I left her by the riverI swear I left her safe and soundOh I need to make it to the riverAnd leave this old Nebraska town
Ooh-hooh-hooh