By Jimmy Rankin
John D. was a quiet man
He held out an empty hand
For a glass of water
A one lane road led to a ridge
See him staring from the bridge
In to the frozen river
Old John D. he knew it well
That crazy house upon the hill
Sometimes you could hear it screaming
One night he braved a restless mile
Passed the graves in a crooked style
Just to watch it burning
Don’t go walking on thin ice
I told you once I told you twice
I’ve seen the way that river flows I know just where this story goes
Don’t go walking on thin ice
I told you once I told you twice
Long ago the world was young
Through the wood the whole day long
He’d go wandering
He recalled his mother’s eyes
Her tearful threats and her fearful cries
John D. please heed my warning
Don’t go walking on thin ice
I told you once I told you twice
I’ve seen the way that river flows I know just where this story goes
Don’t go walking on thin ice
I told you once I told you twice
I remember that winter’s stubborn thaw
Springtime broke its icey claw
John D. disappeared somehow
He came home on the morning tide
Hat and cane close by his side
I guess he’s in God’s hands now
Don’t go walking on thin ice
I told you once I told you twice
I’ve seen the way that river flows I know just where this story goes
Don’t go walking on thin ice
I told you once I told you twice
