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 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 the 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 long for the waters as the fire raged 
How I long 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, they 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