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 job 
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