Lyrics:

(The | means a new measure and the means the bass note on the current chord.)

[piano intro slow gospel thang]

starts 34

improvno time
F |Bb |FC |D- |D- D E |
The ladies would put the baskets on the table
F |BbC |D- |G- FA
And the men would sit beneath a shady tree
|Bb |FC |D- |D-C |
The children would listen to a fable
Bb |A- |44 G7 | | meter
While something else came through to me
|F Bb |FC BbD |F Bb |FC BbD
The river got no end, just roll around the bend
|F Bb |FC Bb |F |Bb
Then pretty soon the women would all join in
|F |F
On the river hymn...

|CG E |C |FA |FF |
The whole congregation was standing on the banks of the river
CG E |C |FA |C |F
We are gathered here to give a little thanks thanks

|34 Bb |FC |D- |D- D E |
The voice of the rapids will echo
F |BbC |D- |G- FA |
And ricochet like an old water well
Bb |FC |D- |D-C |
Who d ever want to let go
Bb |A- |44 G7 | | meter
Once you sit beneath its spell
|F Bb |FC BbD |F Bb |FC BbD
It's dark and wide and deep, towards the sea it creeps
|F Bb |FC 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 GB |-aca