Reflections: A Song for Max
This is a song about a young man who worked log-rafting on the Wisconsin River in the late 1800’s. These were tough young men of low stature and course language. They were commonly know as River Rats.
I was born...on the old Wisconsin, wild river, the loggers route. Falls and rapids, bubbling eddies, pines and elders all about.
And I got raised...drinking whiskey, a river-rat most all my life, all I own is a 12 gauge shotgun, pair of jeans and a rusty knife.
She was young...a black haired beauty, bout 17, I do recall.
Sweetest voice, I do remember deep blue eyes like the sky in fall.
I took one look and I knew I loved her, went to speak, but my mind went blank. She turned away and left me standing, my hat in hand, and my heart just sank.
Yes I got raised...drinking whiskey, a river-rat most all my life, all I own is a 12 gauge shotgun, pair of jeans and a rusty knife.
I tried my best...to show I loved her, sent her gifts and tender cards. But in the end she did reject me, thought I’d die from a broken heart.
And when I die...put me in a pine box, close the lid and let float, for there were 10...that did came after, not one of those made me a home.
And I got raised...drinking whiskey, a river-rat most all my life, all I own is a 12 gauge shotgun, pair of jeans and a rusty knife.
Yes I got raised...drinking whiskey, worked that river most all my life...that’s where it ends in the-life-hereafter, ain’t got no kids ain’t got no wife.
Matt Weirauch reflecting on his reflection.
Authors Note: The term “river rat” has been around for over a century, with some of its earliest recorded uses dating back to the 1800s. Originally, the phrase was used to describe people of lower social status who lived and worked along rivers. For example, “river drivers” — individuals who worked in the lumber industry, transporting logs downriver to sawmills — were commonly referred to as “river rats.”
