The River Hymn Lyrics

The song The River Hymn is performed by The Band in the album named Cahoots in the year 2000 .



(The | means a new measure and the means the ba*s note on the current chord.)

[piano intro slow gospel thang]

starts 34

improvno time
F |Bb |FC |D- |D- D E |
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 |-aca




The Band - Cahoots

Aug 2000

  1. When I Paint My Masterpiece
  2. Last Of The Blacksmiths
  3. Where Do We Go From Here?
  4. 4% Pantomime
  5. Shoot Out In Chinatown
  6. The Moon Struck One
  7. Thinkin' Out Loud
  8. Smoke Signal
  9. Volcano
  10. The River Hymn
  11. Bessie Smith (Outtake)


The River Hymn