Lyrics:

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 | Poison it or dam it C | F FA | 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 34