THE RIVER THROUGH OUR VALLEY ( a memory and a dream)

                                                  
                                                 THE RIVER THROUGH OUR VALLEY

                                                        ( a memory and a dream)

On cold days, silver-grey and lazy
 after rain, dark and fast and hazy
sparkling in the sun beneath a bright sky
with tides running low  and running high
      is the river
      is the river
     through our valley


So carefree when its sunny
Splashing children being funny
Teasing sailboats as they drift
Our water garden, our gift
   That's the river
   That's the river
   through our valley

I remember as a child
watching it by night
when the stars were full and bright
as a train rushed into sight
bobbing shoulders to the Moon
saying, "I'll be changing soon!"
  That's the river
  That's the river
  though our valley

An autumn night a meteor shower
dazzled us for over an hour
as we rode the river upstream
following the Sloop was like a sweet dream
     On that river
     On that river
     through our valley

More than a river, it's a friend
with little towns at every bend
and people out to sing their songs
to keep it clear and keep it strong
We can't replace the gifts it gives
as it will, long as it lives

     That sweet river
     That sweet river
     through our valley

• written in 1970