Well my name is Darwin Lyin
And I work on the Grand Trunk line
Movin’ lumber down at the Muir Station
Keeping all of the engines on time
I work for Mr. Blanchard
Though I never met the man
I take his honest wages
And I come home with two tired hands

And it looks like it's raining
For the third time today
And I pray it keeps coming down
Til’ the river ('til the river, 'til the river')
Takes me away

She was standing on the platform
With a postcard in her hand
Even though my shy heart was racing
I inquired, did she have a man
Oh, she looked down at the walkway
And the wind danced in her hair
She told me she was a widow
As she whispered a silent prayer

And it looks like it's raining
For the third time today
And I pray it keeps coming down
'Til the river ('til the river, 'til the river')
Takes me away

I would court her through the autumn
Till’ finally she would agree
We were married down on the Maple River
'Neath the shade of the old redbud tree

Most days I spent at the parlor
And the drink got the best part of me
’Til I stumbled alone to the home that we made
Just to find she decided to leave
Now I lay here in this gutter
While the poison rushes my veins
And I curse this god forsaken fever
That could drive any poor man insane

And it looks like it's raining
For the third time today
And I pray it keeps coming down
Till the river ('til the river, 'til the river')
Takes me away