“On The Red River” Lyrics by Turnpike Troubadours is a latest English song in the voice of Turnpike Troubadours. Its music too is composed by singer while brand new “On The Red River” song lyrics are also written by Turnpike Troubadours. This is a popular song among the people of United States of America. “On The Red River” by Turnpike Troubadours is a heartfelt reflection on friendship, growing up, and loss. It tells the story of two close friends who shared a rugged, rural life filled with hard work, loyalty, and deep memories. As time passes and one friend is lost, the singer looks back with both fondness and sorrow, realizing how deeply that bond shaped him and how grief doesn’t take away the best memories.
On The Red River Lyrics
[Verse 1]
There’s a mid-July whitetail in velvet
Red as your old Chevrolet
And I was sixteen when you wrecked it and we
Were lucky we both walked away
And you could day work and scrape out a living
The work for which you had been born
You were quick with a laugh and forgiven
And tied hard and fast to the horn
We had Kelpies and good Quarter Horses
We had wheat pasture yearlings tied down
We learned pain was the price of admission
And you’re never done paying it down
[Chorus]
Back on the red river, not hard to remember
When your daddy wouldn’t ever get old
When I saw the world from up on your shoulders
I remember the view, when you live like we do
Death doesn’t leave with the best part of you
[Verse 2]
On days off, we’d help out our neighbors
And we smiled and we sweated for free
You’d earned every drink with your labor
And I’d sleep on your front seat ’til 3
And you’d call it a cure for a snake bite
And reach for a fifth of Old Crow
Some medicine should get your head right
When your symptoms were starting to show
[Chorus]
Back on the red river, not hard to remember
When your daddy wouldn’t ever get old
When I saw the world from up on your shoulders
I remember the view, when you live like we do
Death doesn’t leave with the best part of you
[Verse 3]
And there are pickups lined up down the driveway
Have I really been gone for two years?
I’d be on my third on a good day
I find my last bottle of beer
I guess Saturday started without you
I knew before I got the call
The red July bucks are in velvet
I’ll tell you about ’em this fall
[Chorus]
Back on the red river, not hard to remember
When your daddy wouldn’t ever get old
I got a look at the world from up on your shoulders
I remember the view, when you live like we do
Death doesn’t leave with the best part of you
[Outro]
Got a look at the world from up on your shoulders
I remember the view, when you live like we do
Death doesn’t leave with the best part of you
Turnpike Troubadours Songs
- Nothing You Can Do
- Leaving Town (Woody Guthrie Festival)
- What Was Advertised
- Ruby Ann
- A Lie Agreed Upon
On The Red River Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
This part takes us back to a vivid summer memory, where the singer recalls seeing a deer and a red car—likely tied to a major moment from his youth. He remembers being sixteen when the car was wrecked, and how lucky they were to walk away unharmed. He talks about his friend’s hardworking nature—born for day labor, always with a smile, and never one to hold a grudge. They lived the cowboy lifestyle with herding dogs, strong horses, and tough work like roping cattle. It was a rough life that taught them that hardship was just part of the deal—and no matter how much you endure, the struggle never really ends.
[Chorus]
Here, he’s thinking about the old days by the Red River, a place full of childhood memories. Life seemed easier back then, and people like his friend’s dad felt timeless and strong. Riding on his friend’s shoulders gave him a hopeful view of life. Even though his friend is gone, the love and memories stay—death doesn’t take away everything that mattered.
[Verse 2]
This section paints a picture of small-town neighborly life. On their days off, they helped folks around them just out of kindness. His friend worked hard and earned every drink he had, while the singer would often crash in his truck. His friend turned to whiskey—Old Crow—as a kind of remedy, joking it was a cure for snake bites. But that “medicine” was also a way to deal with something deeper, maybe emotional struggles or signs that something was off.
[Chorus]
Again, he’s thinking back to that Red River time, where everything felt strong and steady. Sitting on his friend’s shoulders gave him perspective and comfort. The bond they shared was so deep that even after loss, the best pieces of that connection are still with him.
[Verse 3]
Now he’s back in town and seeing all the trucks lined up makes him realize how long he’s been away—two years gone. He admits he hasn’t been doing too well, counting how many drinks he can handle on a “good day.” He finds one last beer and feels the weight of loss. Even before the phone call, he knew something had happened. Still, he sees the deer again—just like before—and tells himself he’ll talk to his friend about it in spirit this fall.
[Chorus]
He keeps going back to those old Red River days where time felt like it stood still. Life on his friend’s shoulders made him feel safe and full of wonder. And even though death has taken his friend, the bond and the memories refuse to fade away.
[Outro]
He repeats how much it meant to see life from his friend’s shoulders—how different and meaningful that view was. No matter how painful the loss, the deepest parts of what they shared still live on with him.
FAQs
Q. Who has sung On The Red River song?
A. On The Red River song is sung by Turnpike Troubadours.
Q. Who wrote On The Red River lyrics?
A. On The Red River lyrics are penned by Turnpike Troubadours.
Q. Who has given the music of On The Red River song?
A. On The Red River music is composed and produced by Turnpike Troubadours.
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