My mother came to Hazard when I was just seven
Even then the folks in town said with prejudiced eyes
That boy's not rightThree years ago when I came in on Mary
First time that someone looked beyond the rumors and the lies
Saw the man insideWe used to walk down by the river
She loved to watch the sun go down
We used to walk along the river
And dream our way out of this townNo one understood what I felt for Mary
No one cared until the night she went out walkin' all alone
And never came homeMan with a badge came knockin' next mornin'
Here was I surrounded by a thousand fingers suddenly
Pointed right at meI swear I left her by the river
I swear I left her safe and sound
I need to make it to the river
And leave this old Nebraska townI think about my life gone by
How it's done me wrong
There's no escape for me this time
All of my rescues are gone, long goneI swear I left her by the river
I swear I left her safe and sound
Ohh, I need to make it to the river
And leave this old Nebraska town
Ooh, hoo, hoo