[Intro]
the river keeps no crown and asks no praise
yet all the fields remember where it goes

[Verse 1]
It passes mills and ruined towers
it carries moonlight, leaves, and hours
it does not hurry, it does not kneel
it teaches stone how time can heal

[Pre-Chorus]
I gave my pride to the running ground
and heard a deeper singing sound

[Chorus]
River, river, carry me plainly
carry me low where the wild reeds lean
I have been proud, I have been lonely
make my heart wide, make my sorrow clean

[Instrumental Interlude]

[Verse 2]
No crown of gold, no trumpet bright
only the patient work of light
I watched my old ambitions fade
like broken clouds in a willow shade

[Bridge]
Let me be water, let me be true
let me pass gently through

[Final Chorus]
River, river, carry me plainly
carry me low where the wild reeds lean
I have been proud, I have been lonely
make my heart wide, make my sorrow clean

[Outro]
the river keeps no crown and asks no praise