I've been here longer and I'm stronger
And I've seen as much as any man
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
'Cause I've been here longer
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