The River Lyrics - Fogelberg Dan

I was born by a river 

Rolling past a town 

Given no direction 

Just told to keep my head down. 

As I took my position 

A man fired a gun 

I was so steeped in tradition 

That I could not run. 

I was raised by a river 

Weaned upon the sky 

And in the mirror of the waters 

I saw myself learn to cry. 

As my tears hit the surface 

I saw what had been done. 

I gave feet to my freedom 

And I did run. 

Someday later 

I saw the writing in the dust 

It told me how I should travel 

It told me who I was. 

I ran far from the river 

Far as I could see 

And as the sun hit my shoulders 

I felt it burning me. 

How I longed for the waters 

As the fire raged 

How I longed for the river 

As I aged. 

I will die by a river 

As it rolls away 

Bury me in the nighttime 

Do not waste the day. 

High above the waters 

That roll on to the sea. 

All the angels in heaven will 

laugh at me. 

They will laugh at me. 

My life was naught but a river 

Rolling through my brain 

Made of so many teardrops 

Made of so much pain.