River winding through this mill town
My hometown is dark by four
Winter coming, the mills have long shut down
No one's working anymore

I drove by McDonalds and a long line was followed
From a posting today of a jo
River winding through the darkness
Always to rise and fall

River winding, you wouldn't believe
How many souls were glued right here
Winter coming, everyone's got shoes
But no one knows how to get through the year

I drove by my high school
And the students are so few now
So many families have left
River winding through the darkness
Sometimes cursed and sometimes blessed

River winding, sparkling in the moonlight
Cleaner than it's been
But the main street store fronts are mostly empty now
Hand written signs, space for rent

I drove by the factories and the windows were broken
Where the lights used to be always on
River winding through the darkness
Always to move along, along