[Verse 1]
It's been 31 years since she's been in your arms
But don't worry about mama, mama's got a good heart
And I'm not looking for your love, I'm only sniffing out blood
Just a little taste of where I came from

[Chorus]
And at the bottom of this river
Is where I put you down to lay so I can live with it
And in my heart, heart, heart, there are these waters
Where I put you down to lay while I learned to live with it
Until I'm free

[Verse 2]
And it's been all my life, I've been wondering on the inside
What we could have had here if you had a part in my life
And there were children involved, and they were brothers to me
Even if we never got to meet

[Chorus]
And at the bottom of this river
Is where I put you down to lay so I can live with it
And in my heart, heart, heart, there are these waters
Where I put you down to lay while I learned to live with it

[Bridge]
Until I'm free at last from this shadow that hangs
Surely you wonder sometimes, but I'm sure you won't sympathize
Just what a man's to become, but just like his daddy has done
I just want to love someone who has the same blood
Who has the same blood
[Chorus]
And at the bottom of this river
Is where I put you down to lay so I can live with it
And in my hard, hard, heart, there are these waters
Where I put you down to lay while I learned to live with it

[Outro]
Keepsake, the keepsake
'Till I'm free