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