[Verse 1]
Well, it's knowing that your door is always open
And your path is free to walk
Makes me tend to leave my sleeping bag
Rolled up and stashed behind your couch

[Verse 2]
And it's knowing I'm not shackled by forgotten bonds and tied
And the ink stains that are dried upon some line
Keeps you in the backroads by the rivers of my memory
Keeps you ever gentle on my mind

[Verse 3]
It's not clinging to the rocks and ivy
Planted on their columns now that bind me
Or something that somebody said
Because they thought we fit together walking

[Verse 4]
It's just knowing that the world will not be cursing or forgiving
When I walk along some railroad track and find
That you're moving on the backroads by the rivers of my memory
And for hours you're just gentle on my mind

[Verse 5]
I dip my cup of soup back from a gurglin'
Cracklin' caldron in some train yard
My beard a-rustlin', coal pile
And a dirty hat pulled low across my face
[Verse 6]
I still might run in silence, tears of joy might stain my face
And the summer sun may burn me 'til I'm blind
But you're walkin' on the backroads
By the rivers of my memory and you're smiling ever gentle on my mind