Town clock stopped tickin', but it ain't broken Got a problem that no one can define While that river keeps on a-flowin' Hang on children, it's a matter of time Angry child, impatience growin' Waits with her father in that unemployment line While that river goes on a-flowin' Hang on darlin', it's a matter of time Scarecrow watchin' years of growin' With floods of asphalt creepin' closer each time While that river goes on a-flowin' Hang on brother, it's a matter of time Sparrow, she's sleepin' with now way of knowin' What's goin' on inside those telephone lines Below, that river keeps on a-flowin' Hang on sister it's a matter of time Some say God created man, his likeness showin' I do believe they've got it backwards this time Somehow that river goes on a-flowin' Hang on children, it's a matter of time Tainted river flows to the ocean That coughs up on the shore its poisonous brine Why don't that river just stop a-flowin' Hang on children, it's a matter of time