Jimmy Dean Lyrics
"Old Rivers"

(Cliff Crofford)

How old was I when I first saw Old Rivers
I can't remember when he wandered around
That old fellow did a heap of work
He spent his whole life walkin' plowed ground.

He had the one roomed shack not far from us
Well, we's about as poor as him
He had one old mule he used to call Midnight
I'd tread along after then.

He used to plow them rows straight and deep
And I'd come along behind
Bustin' up plows with my own bare feet
Old Rivers he was a friend of mine.

The sun had get high and that old mule he'd work
Old Rivers he'd finally say whoa
He'd wipe his brow and he'd laid back on them reins
He'd talk about that place he's wanna go.

He'd say one of these days I'm gonna climb that mountain
I'm gonna walk up there among them plows
Where the cotton's high and the corns're growin'
And there ain't no fields to plow.

I got a letter today from the folks back home
They're all doin' fine, that crop's a little dry
Mom said down it nearly ended
You heard Old Rivers died.

Sittin' here now on this new plowed earth
Just tryin' find a little shade
Well, sun's beatin' down cross them fields
Now I can see that mule Old Rivers and me.

I hear 'em sayin' one of these days I'm gonna climb that mountain
I'm gonna walk up there among them plows
Where the cotton's high and the corns're growin'
And there ain't no fields to plow.

With the sun beaitin' down cross them fields (I see)
That mule, Old Rivers and me...