Powderfinger (1979) (video)

G C G

1. Look out, Ma, there's a white boat comin' up the river.

C G

with a big red beacon and a flag and a man on the rail.

C

I think you'd better call John,

Bm C

'cause it don't look like they're here to deliver the mail,

Bm C Bm C

and it's less than a mile away, I hope they didn't come to stay,

Bm C D

it's got numbers on the side and a gun and it's makin' big waves.

+ G - C - G

G C G

2. Daddy's gone and my brother's out huntin' in the mountains,

C G

Big John's been drinkin' since the river took Emmy Lou.

C Bm - C

So the powers that be left me here to do the thinkin',

Bm C Bm C

and I just turned twenty-two, I was wonderin' what to do,

Bm C D

and the closer they got, the more those feelin's grew.

+ instrumental = verse 2 + G - C - G

G C G

3. Daddy's rifle in my hand felt reassurin’,

C G

he told me, "Red means run, son, and numbers add up to nothing."

C Bm - C

When the first shot hit the dock I saw it comin',

Bm C Bm C

raised my rifle to my eye, never stopped to wonder why,

Bm C D

then I saw black and my face splashed in the sky.

+ instrumental = verse 3 + G - C - G

G C G

4. Shelter me from the powder and the finger,

C G

cover me with the thought that pulled the trigger.

C Bm - C

Just think of me as one you never figured,

Bm C Bm C

you fade away so young, so much left undone,

Bm C D

remember me to my love, I know I'll miss her.

+ G - C - G

(Neil Young & Crazy Horse)