The River Hymn

F Bb F C D E The ladies would put the baskets on the table F Bb C D G F/A And the men would sit beneath a shady tree Bb F C D D C The children would listen to a fable Bb A G7 While something else came through to me F Bb F/C Bb/D F Bb F/C Bb/D The river got no end, just roll around the bend F Bb F/C Bb F Bb Then pretty soon the women would all join in F F On the river hymn... C/G E C F/A F/F The whole congregation was standing on the banks of the river C/G E C F/A C F We are gathered here to give a little thanks thanks Bb F/C D E The voice of the rapids will echo F Bb/C D G F/A And ricochet like an old water well Bb F/C D D/C Who d ever want to let go Bb A G7 Once you sit beneath its spell F Bb F/C Bb/D F Bb F/C Bb/D It's dark and wide and deep, towards the sea it creeps F Bb F/C Bb F Bb I'm so glad I brought along my mandolin F F D To play the river hymn... G G C You can ride on it or drink it F G G/B Poison it or dam it C F F/A Fish in it and wash in it Bb C Swim in it and you can die in it F C F Run, you river, run Bb F C D D E Son, you ain't never seen yourself F Bb C D G F A No crystal mirror can show it clear, come over here instead Bb F C D D C Son, you ain't never eased yourself Bb A G7 Til you laid it down in a river bed F Bb F/C Bb/D F Bb F/C Bb D If you hear a lonesome drone, it's as common as a stone F Bb F/C Bb F Bb And gets louder as the day grows dim F F That's the river hymn... C/G E C F/A F/F The whole congregation was standing on the banks of the river C G E C F A C F F We are gathered here to give a little thanks thanks