[Verse 1]
It's knowin' that your door is always open
And your path's free to walk
That makes me tend to leave my sleepin' bag
Rolled up and stashed behind your couch

[Verse 2]
It's knowin' I'm not shackled by forgotten words or bonds
Some ink stains that have dried upon some lines
That keeps you on the backroads, by the rivers of my memories
Keeps you ever gentle on my mind

[Verse 3]
It's not clingin' to the rocks and ivy
Planted on the columns now that binds me
Or somethin' that somebody said
'Cause I thought we fit together walkin'

[Verse 4]
It's knowin' that your world will not be cursin' or forgivin'
When I walk along some railroad track and find
It's you wavin' from the backroads by the rivers of my memory
Ever smilin', ever gentle on my mind

[Verse 5]
Although the wheat fields and the clotheslines
And the junkyards and the highways come between us
Some other woman cryin' to her mother
'Cause she turned and I was gone
[Verse 6]
I still run in silence, tears of joy might stain my face
And the summer sun might burn me till I'm blind
But not to where I cannot see you walkin' on the backroads
By the rivers flowin' gentle on my mind

[Verse 7]
I'd dip my cup of soup back from them gurglin'
Cracklin' cauldron in some trainyard
An' my beard roughenin' coal pile
Dirty hat pulled low cross my face

[Verse 8]
Through cupped hands and a round tin can
I pretend to hold you to my breast and find
That you're wavin' from the backroads, by the rivers of my memory
Ever smilin', ever gentle on my mind

[Outro]
That you're wavin' from the backroads, by the rivers of my memory
Ever smilin' ever gentle on my mind
That you're wavin' from the backroads, by the rivers of my memory
For hours you're just gentle on my mind