Rivertown

River Town, by Joe Garland

E-      I was born in a river town
A-      Before they shut the factories down
D-      That’s when they say the town died
E- A- But there was life by that river’s side.

E-      The freights pass through on most nights
A-      You hear their horns before you see their lights
D-      I sometimes watch as they come through
E- A- Wondering which could take me to you.

Chorus
G- F#-         It needn’t be a battle between where and who
E- A- Between being home and being with you
G F   It’s something I realized I don’t know when
C D   That when I got home, I can’t leave again.

E-      I came back after being out west
A-      I got bored with the people, and the rest
D-      I’m back where I belong
E- A- Down the road from where I was born.

E-      The work got scarce, Main Street empty at noon
A-      The high school kids couldn’t leave town too soon
D-      But it was the only place that allowed me to be
E- A- My own person, tethered yet free.

E-      The housing stock, it is old and it’s strong
A-      The views on the river, they’re calming and long
D-      More people felt the need to move back
E- A- So many, I began to lose track.

Bridge
C                 I have a job that pays me enough
A-                Though making ends meet can sometimes be tough
C                 I am happy after all I’ve been through
D                 I’m almost home, all that’s missing is you.

E-      Please come join me, please say that you will
A-      I’ll be waiting, I won’t stop until
D-      I see your face at my door
E- A- Then I’ll know I need to wander no more.

E-      A tiny brick house with a car in the drive
A-      A view to the river makes you glad to be alive
D-      You’ll find a job, and happiness too
E- A- We’ll have a home, for me and for you.

G- F#-         It needn’t be a battle between where and who
E- A- Between being home and being with you
G F   It’s something I realized I don’t know when
C D   That when I got home, I can’t leave again.

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