Daddy's Pier, - ©2001, Lane Baldwin

Daddy's Pier

Me and Bobby, we used to go swimmin'
With his brothers and his cousins off his daddy's pier
We'd swing from the rope, or maybe just go fishin'
But man, it was important growin' up around here
It was a long time ago...

As we got older we'd go down to the river
With a couple ol' guitars and a bottle of wine
We'd watch them barges loaded down heavy
Floatin' down the river towards the state line
It was a long time ago but not so far from here
It was a long time ago, singin' with Bobby
Down on his daddy's pier

But somethin' changed as Bobby got older
Though I can't exactly say just how or when
Seem as time pass by he just got more bitter
And the boy couldn't never get right again
It was a long time ago...

(one day he told me)
"I was fed and clothed by river trade labor
"My daddy and my uncle met the barge at dawn
"And I was brought up by my mama's favor
"But it sure look like them times is gone"
It was a long time ago, but not so far from here
It was a long time ago, list'nin' to Bobby
Down on his daddy's pier

He said "Times done changed and so did the people
"Now'days a simple man just trash 'round here
"Mama done died and Daddy's gone feeble"
He gazed into the distance eyes brimmin' with tears
It was a long time ago...

"What happened to the world that it turned so cruel
"Squash a man down hard just for fun
"I may be stupid but I ain't no damn fool"
He screamed and shook his fist at the dyin' sun

He said "Willie I can't make no sense no more
"I don't understan' how the world runs now
"My hearts been trampled and my soul's been tore
"I'd make a new life but I don't know how
It was a long time ago, but not so far from here
It was a long time ago, that Bobby hung himself
Down by his daddy's pier

It was a long time ago, but I still can't go down there
It was a long time ago, but I can still hear Bobby singin'
Down by his daddy's pier

Bobby's spirit still haunts me
Down by his daddy's pier

And that rope just taunts me
Down by his daddy's pier

I fear the Reaper, he wants me
Down by his daddy's pier