Mad River - Dar Williams

It was the summertime of the boys in the search for the mark of men

Heading out to the tall rocks knowing this could be the end

When they cheer

When you break to the surface, will you do it all over again?

Jumping in the mad river

Ron was a friend and a brother and a golden one

Like a leader and we were the tribe of the northern sun

He dropped down

From the bottom of the covered bridge when the day was done

In the northern sun

Jumping in the mad river

Mad river

You watch them high flying in the air

Then that summer comes and you’re standing there

Above the mad river

And the whole world is ours as far as the eye could see

Ron’s somewhere looking down at the girls looking up at me

He said «Love ‘em from afar but like ‘em up close, man

That’s the way it’s gotta be

Jumping in the mad river»

He brought Liz to the bar that year we got a ton of snow

They were so in love they were out of breath

But we wondered did she know

‘Til she said «Hey guys, I hear Ron’s shored for Geronimo

Calling out ‘Geronimo!'»

Jumping in the mad river

Mad river

I know it’s just a moment in your life

But it’s a back flip into a jack knife

Into the mad river

They had a potluck wedding, they were paid in full

Ron’s job had leave and medical

So they got the place

And they had the babe

Liz gave the nod

She was due in May

I heard Ron lost his job around Memorial Day

He got it back, same job

But now with a different company name

This time

No benefits comin' and just about half the pay

I asked him ‘bout his son

And he said «Well there’s another test

Everyday another doctor makes another guess

And the credit card folks talk to you like you’re just a little less

Just a little less.»

Oh whoa

You think the world wants to see what you do

But your blind faith’s all they want from you

In the mad river, mad river

Whoa

Go out, they say, you’re a bunch of sheep

Be the big man, take a flying leap

Into the mad river