Here’s another song with its genesis in The Game, where the title prompt was something to do with a “small town.” It debuted with a singalong chorus of “oohs” on a drizzly night at the short-lived but glorious Brick 15 venue. I like songs that have very concrete images as well as more abstract ideas. I especially like the first line of this one. This was the first place “only just a man” showed up in my lyrics; it appears a couple other places on this album. Fun fact: the lyrics reference two other of my songs, ‘Six Feet High and Rising’ and ‘Trestle Bridge.’

It’s a little bit late for talking about that levee
The time for that was months and months ago
Mama’s gone down to check in at the mission
I just hope she comes back with a boat

They say there’s no relief on the horizon
There’s mudslides up and down the ridge 
Three feet of water in the streets of Springfield
Six feet and rising at the trestle bridge

The river is rising 
The rain’s still coming down
Just Business as Usual
In this little town

There’s an angel sitting on my shoulder
There’s a devil just pulling on my leg
There’s a whole lot of trouble if we try and leave here
It’s another sort of trouble altogether if we stay

The river is rising 
The rain’s still coming down
Just Business as Usual
In this little town

The strong ones shall protect the weak ones
the weak ones just do the best they can
I’ve been doing everything in my power
So help me I’m only just a man

The river is rising 
The rain’s still coming down
Just Business as Usual
In this little town

The rain’s still coming down
In this little town