Black Tar River

Black Tar River (Written and performed by Frank Newberry)



Gonna cast my soul, into the black tar river... Warm, sweet, current drag me down.

Aint no dam gonna hold, that ol' black tar river... Where so many sank and drowned.



One little prick, make you feel all better... Preacher man says it's a dead end road.

Every little shot makes you that much deader... Aint no climbing up out of this whole.

One little prick, make you feel all better... Preacher man says it's a dead end road.

Every little shot makes you that much deader... Aint no climbing up out of this hole.



Lost in the flow, of that black tar river... Dark water gonna wash your blues away.

But when you dead man float, down the black tar river... Well my friend, you're down to stay.



One little prick, make you feel all better... Preacher man says it's a dead end road.

Every little shot makes you that much deader... Aint no climbing up out of this whole.

One little prick, make you feel all better... Preacher man says it's a dead end road.

Every little shot makes you that much deader... Aint no climbing up out of this hole.

Aint no climbing out of this hole...

Just let that black tar river flow...

Let that black tar river flow...



Black tar river is a song I've written for my upcoming independent album release. I would like to say that this song is in no way intended to glorify, or make light of, drug abuse and/or addiction. This song is a cautionary tale, about the dangers and the misery that await all who fall into the age old trap of addiction. The lyrics to this song come from a very deep, real, personal place. I didn't write this song about something I saw on television.

I lived the life of a drug addict for many, many, years... only managing to get clean from a decades long opiate addiction a few years ago. This song is me reflecting on what that felt like. The loneliness, suffering, and all consuming hopelessness of what it feels like to be dependent on a chemical to even be able to get out of the bed. Many people like to scoff at the idea of addiction and drug dependency being a disease. In my personal experience, I believe it's very much a disease. It affects every single part of the addict's life. It attacks you from all sides... physically, emotionally, spiritually, financially, and in just about any other way you can think of.

If you know someone who is struggling with drug addiction, or somebody who is dabbling and is at risk for falling into addiction and dependency. Take the time to stop and have a talk with them. Don't preach at them. Don't threaten them. Don't give them ultimatums. Announce your concern for their well being, and show them some support. That's what they need more than anything. They need someone who will be there for them even when they're lashing out irrationally. They need a safe space, to be able to take the time to think things through, and most importantly a place they feel safe to detox and someone to be with them through it.

Withdrawal is a horrible experience. For those of you who have never experienced it, you will never be able to understand the hellish depths of it's grip. It's real easy to look at an addict and say "just stop." It's not quite that simple when you're laying in a wet bed, soaked through with your sweat, while you shiver and shake. Your teeth chatter. You can't sleep. You can't eat. You can't even think. You just vomit and shit for days.

Sadly, theres only two ways out of it. You either suffer through it for a week, two weeks, or sometimes even longer... or you use. Now, maybe you can understand why people have such a hard time laying it down. But, I doubt it. Anyway, enjoy the song. Please like, subscribe, and share.