SAINT JOHN RIVER

When I decided to start this blog I knew that I wouldn’t be able to spend much time maintaining it and contributing to it. In fact I disabled the ability for readers to leave comments because that would be something I’d feel the need to check daily, and let’s face it, that’s simply not going to happen. Years ago I was a regular contributor to an internet message board connected with a television show and I communicated with some of the nicest, funniest, and smartest people one could ever wish to “meet” but eventually decided that while cyberspace has its advantages it really isn’t for me. And so, by the time social media caught on in a big way among my relatives and friends I was already beginning to drop out. Nowadays I use the computer at my office but do not have one at home. My cell phone is just a phone. I don’t ‘tweet’ or chat online; don’t belong to any ‘virtual’ world, and cannot be bothered to use ‘the google’ to find out what in the heck they mean by a ‘hashtag.’ I’m not opposed to technology and I know that all those zeros and ones have their place; it’s just that I’ve been moving in another direction.

From time to time I intend to write about matters of importance to me (Soteria, Part 2 is on the way), or else I might just reminisce about my hometown.  Mostly though, this blog is a way to share the songs I’ve written over the years. My intention is to record these songs so that readers can hear them (See? I’m not a total Luddite.), by clicking a link to 'the facetube'  . . . or whatever.   

In 1994/95 I composed an album of songs in honor of New Brunswick. It was called Land of the Lupin. A number of those lyrics have been posted here. I have decided to compile a new collection of original songs. I’m going to call it ‘Life by Rivers.’ The last two songs posted here (August 16 and 18) are going to be a part of it. Here’s another one.

SAINT JOHN RIVER

Old river keep on rolling

I’ve lived beside you each and every day

An ever changing permanent reminder

That the current carries everything away

I’ve always lived beside this ancient river

It’s where my father built our family home

It’s where I grew the memories of my childhood

With the river near I never feel alone

 Roll on, old river, keep on rolling

Roll on, Saint John River every day

An ever changing permanent reminder

That the current carries everything away

Our school house once sat next to the river

It’s gone now and replaced by something new

But I recall those days back in the Third Grade

That was the very first time I met you

Roll on, old river, keep on rolling

Roll on, Saint John River every day

An ever changing permanent reminder

That the current carries everything away

I love to watch the sunlight on the river

I love the way the rain looks on your skin

I love the way your eyes shine when you’re laughing

And how the water feels when we jump in

Roll on, old river, keep on rolling

Roll on, Saint John River every day

An ever changing permanent reminder

That the current carries everything away

 

© 2013 Dale Petley (Oklahoma City)