On the River Salkehatchie

On the river Salkehatchie
Were both his parents born
From their paths to a life of excess
Were they violently torn
Inconsiderate security
And unknowable pain
Broke their backs out in the country
Running empty in the rain

On the river Salkehatchie
Was he so long ago born
To a land of endless freedom
That manifests itself forlorn
He's to blame for broken futures
Or that's what he's told
Not to ask about his placement
In a hierarchy so old

Salkehatchie got its hold on him
Salkehatchie won't let go of him
Salkehatchie don't let go of nobody born there

Feed the cycle that consumes you
Never feel the wind of change
Die with nothing left to offer
No one left to know your name
Pipe the children into prison
Serving life but done no crime
Though you beg for something different
You can't shake the hand of time

Where's the mercy for the man that lies beaten on the ground?
No one lends a helping hand yet there's so many all around
On the river Salkehatchie
On the river