(The | means a new measure and the / means the bass note on the current chord.). [piano intro slow gospel thang]. starts 3/4. improv/no time. F |Bb |F/C |D- |D- /D /E |. The ladies would put the baskets on the table. F |Bb/C |D- |G- / F/A. And the men would sit beneath a shady tree. |Bb |F/C |D- |D-/C |. The children would listen to a fable. Bb |A- |4/4 G7 |/ | meter. While something else came through to me. |F Bb |F/C Bb/D |F Bb |F/C Bb/D. The river got no end just roll around the bend. |F Bb |F/C Bb |F |Bb. Then pretty soon the women would all join in. |F |F. On the river hymn.... |C/G /E |/C / |F/A / |F/F / |. The whole congregation was standing on the banks of the river. C/G /E |/C / |F/A |C |F. We are gathered here to give a little thanks thanks. |3/4 Bb |F/C |D- |D- /D /E |. The voice of the rapids will echo. F |Bb/C |D- |G- / F/A |. And ricochet like an old water well. Bb |F/C |D- |D-/C |. Who d ever want to let go. Bb |A- |4/4 G7 |/ | meter. Once you sit beneath its spell. |F Bb |F/C Bb/D |F Bb |F/C Bb/D. It's dark and wide and deep towards the sea it creeps. |F Bb |F/C 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 G/B |. Poison it or dam it. C |/ / F F/A |. 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. 3/4 Bb |F/C |D- |D- /D /E |. Son you ain't never seen yourself. F |Bb/C |D- |G- / F/A |. No crystal mirror can show it clear come over here instead. Bb |F/C |D- |D-/C |. Son you ain't never eased yourself. Bb |A- |4/4 G7 |/ | meter. Til you laid it down in a river bed. |F Bb |F/C Bb/D |F Bb |F/C Bb/D. If you hear a lonesome drone it's as common as a stone. |F Bb |F/C Bb |F |Bb. And gets louder as the day grows dim. |F |F. That's the river hymn.... |C/G /E |/C / |F/A / |F/F / |. The whole congregation was standing on the banks of the river. C/G /E |/C / |F/A |C ||F |F ||. We are gathered here to give a little thanks thanks.