Lyrics

My name’s Mary Gold, my story’s been told, it’s time now i tell it myself
you might think i’m crazy, by the river i stay, see the river delivered my hell

in 2005 the land here was dry, the Merrimack cracked and it bled
all summer next year, sky never cleared - the rain pelted for months on our heads

my boy’s name was Tom, he was smart he was strong
he brought meaning and laughter to life
12 years with no man, then we met Dan - he loved us and made me his wife

Refrain -
and oh, i never thought i could die, and still walk around in my shell
my kin think i’m crazed by the river to stay, ‘cause the river delivered my hell

Tom and Dan built a dock in the silt where the Merrimack brushed by our land
they worked hard 20 days, then we star-gazed
from that dock that they built with their hands

summer so hot, all the rain we got swelled the Merrimack, soaked us in sweat
but we didn’t mind, my family and i, we had peace we had love heaven sent

Refrain -
but oh, i didn’t know i could die, and still float around in my shell
friends think i’m crazy by the river i stay, see the river delivered my hell

September fourth, the god-be-damned storm made us scurry, securing the house
Tom ran to the dock, a boat to unlock as the Merrimack thrashed it about

i squinted at him, he saw me and grinned - i still see the soaked shirt on his back
then a whole tree rushed by on God’s river so high
swept my Tom into the Merrimack

Dan saw it too, to the river he flew, didn’t hesitate maybe didn’t think
Dan jumped right in, i knew both boys could swim but i felt my heart starting to sink

i ran down the shore couldn’t see them no more, my legs getting cut by the brush
i screamed for my boys until i lost my voice, and my papa found me in the woods

Refrain -
and oh… i guess right there i did die, but i still float around in this shell
kin say i’m crazed by the river to stay, ‘cause the river delivered me hell

family stayed close while the Newburyport coast searched up and down to the bay
next day they were found with their arms around one another - in a brothers’ embrace

yeah they were found, dead - with their arms ‘round each other, clinging for life
i feel their souls right here in our home, i still feel like a mom and a wife

Refrain -
oh i didn’t know i could die, and still walk around in my shell
i’ll live in this mud, holds my family’s blood
and i think i’m coping well