Elk River Blues

I am an old man, my life is nearly gone Yet I remember as sure as I sing this song The old Elk River and my home along its side Where by its banks each morning I would ride Each summer evening the river called to me Song of the bluebird in the shade of the willow tree Watched that green water turn gold at close of day Sometimes the elk and otter came to play That old Elk River, it keeps on winding along That old Elk River flows round the bend and gone I would go with her if I only had the time That old Elk River, you long lost friend of mine Was in the spring, 19 and 34 A man came by talking about the Army Corps We signed that contract to move to higher ground They dammed Elk River and all our homes were drowned My great-grandfather first came into this land With a bow and a fiddle he built the life by hand Now this old fiddle is all I've got to lose And a lonesome tune I call Elk River Blues That old Elk River, it keeps on winding along That old Elk River flows round the bend and gone I would go with her if I only had the time That old Elk River, you long lost friend of mine That old Elk River, you long lost friend of mine