Deaver's Crossing

He walked the road with his back all bent Ever since the accident Leaning on his walking cane He kept walking just the same Deaver's gone from the crossing No one now keeps the ford From the banks of Jeremiah's run Off into the setting sun He was there through the darkest nights The gypsy moth and the chestnut blight The market crash and the teapot dome He was there when the boys came home Deaver's gone from the crossing No one now keeps the ford From the banks of Jeremiah's run Off into the setting sun He was there when Uncle Sam Took away the neighbors' land To make that Shenandoah Park The Woods got thick and the woods got dark [Bridge] Start walking back towards town Retrace your steps as you go Keep walking, watch the ground It's there somewhere I know Deaver's gone, Mrs. Deaver too Finer folk you never knew With smiles for all you passers by And in the churchyard now they lie So, when you fish that March brown hatch Won't you share your morning's catch With those whose ground you walked across May their memory be not lost Deaver's gone from the crossing No one now keeps the ford From the banks of Jeremiah's run Off into the setting sun