Residual Risk Rodeo
A river-gospel closeout meeting where the actions are assigned, the chairs are stacked, and the river continues below every completed form.
Creative context: The narrator is a creative voice, not automatically the artist. This song is not presented as verified reporting or a factual allegation about any particular person or employer.
Track player
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Words & signal
[Verse 1]
The fiddle held
one long last note
and came in with us
through the door
The secretary
read the motions slow
final actions
for the floor
Coffee gone cool
in a white paper cup
wet boots lined up
by the mat
Minutes squared
and tucked in a folder
names checked off
just like that
[Pre-Chorus]
Chair legs scrape
and jackets fold
one light stays on
in the hall
We all nod once
we know the list
we know what’s left
after all
[Chorus]
Close the book and stack the chairs
Leave the last light burning there
Minutes filed and morning coming
River still running, river still running
Close the book and stack the chairs
Leave the last light burning there
Minutes filed and morning coming
River still running, river still running
[Verse 2]
Unresolved items
written plain
no tidy cover
no disguise
A cracked front step
a ride for Tom
the winter wood
by the rise
They say
check in tomorrow
same hour
same room
I watch the cups
and the folded pens
and the slow dark
gather soon
[Pre-Chorus]
Now the room
has less to hold
less to hide
and less to prove
The secretary
drops the form
and speaks the truth
we all can use
[Chorus]
Close the book and stack the chairs
Leave the last light burning there
Minutes filed and morning coming
River still running, river still running
Close the book and stack the chairs
Leave the last light burning there
Minutes filed and morning coming
River still running, river still running
[Bridge]
Mary needs rest
not another call
Eli needs help
with the fence
June needs a hand
with the heavy crate
and time
makes no pretense
We’re not done
we’re just done here
and that’s
the honest part
What still has to change
will take more hands
and a steady heart
[Final Chorus]
Close the book and stack the chairs
Leave the last light burning there
Minutes filed and morning coming
River still running, river still running
Close the book and stack the chairs
Leave the last light burning there
Minutes filed and morning coming
River still running, river still running
[Outro]
The room goes soft
the door clicks shut
river hush
before the dawn
Three banjo notes
half a warning now
rocking small
and almost gone