If you're looking for the big adventure
and gold is all that's on your mind
If all you want's someone to take your picture
then I won't waste your time.
See, maybe I'm too quiet for you
you probably never noticed me
but if you're too big to follow rivers
how you ever gonna find the sea?

Chorus:
so follow me i'll be your river, river
I'll do the running for you
follow me i'll be your river, river
i'll move the mountains for you
follow me, i'll be your river, river
i'm here to keep you floating
follow me
i'll be your river river. River, river, yeah
If all you want are answers to your questions
And you can't seem to find no love for free
If you're looking for the right direction
Then darling, look for me
See, I can make the load much lighter
I just need you to confide in me
but if you're too proud to follow rivers
how you ever gonna find the sea?

Chorus:
so follow me, i'll be your river, river
I'll do the running for you
follow me, i'll be your river, river
i'll move the mountains for you
follow me. i'll be your river, river
I'm here to keep you floating
follow me i'll be your river, river. River, river, yeah

Wherever you're standing, I will be by your side
through the good, through the bad, i'll never be hard to find
so wherever you're standing I will be by your side
through the good, through the bad, i'll never be hard to find

Chorus:
so follow me, i'll be your river, river
I'll do the running for you
follow me, i'll be your river, river
i'll move the mountains for you
follow me. I'll be your river, river
I'm here to keep you floating
follow me, I'll be your river, river. River, river, yeah

Wherever you're standing, I will be by your side
Through the good, through the bad, I'll never be hard to find

Out across cities I see buildings turn into piles
and watch the world in wonder, as mountains turn into tiles
and trees loosing their leaves and their faces becoming tired
i wish i could discover something that doesn't expire
come stumble me

take me river, carry me far
lead me river, like a mother
take me over to some other unknown
put me in the undertow

such other things that make a kingdom rumble and shatter
the same dynamic that another day would never matter
it really just depends on who's giving and who's receiving
and things that don't make sense are always a little deceiving
come and humble me

take me river, carry me far
lead me river, like a mother
take me over to some other unknown
put me in the undertow

i wanna go where you're going
a follower, following
changing, but never changed
claiming, but never claimed

take me river, carry me far
lead me river, like a mother
take me over to some other unknown
put me in the undertow

take me river, carry me far
lead me river, like a mother
take me over to some other unknown
put me in the undertow

Young & strong Hollywood son
In the early morning light
This star fell down
On Sunset Boulevard

Young & strong beautiful one
One that we embraced so close
Is gone
Was torn away

Let the youth of America mourn
Include him in their prayers
Let his image linger on
Repeat it everywhere

With candles with flowers
He was one of ours
One of ours

Why don't you let him be?
He's gone
We know
Give his mother & father peace
Your vulture's candor
Your casual slander
Will murder his memory
He's gone
We know
And it's nothing but a tragedy

Lay to rest your soul and body
Lay beside your name
Lay to rest your rage
Your hunger and amazing grace

With candles, with flowers
You were one of ours
One of ours

I saw cameras expose your life
I heard rumors explode with lies
I saw children with tears
Cry and crowd around the sight
Of where you had collapsed that day
Where your last breath & word
Had been sighed
Where your heart had burst
Where you had died

I saw how they were lost in grieving
All half-believing you were gone
The loss and pain of it
Crime and the shame of it
You were gone
It was such a nightmare raving,
"how could we save him
From himself?"

it's coming on christmas
they're cutting down trees
putting up reindeer
and singing songs of joy and peace
i wish i had a river
i could skate away on

but it don't snow here
it stays pretty green
gonna make a lot of money
then i'm gonna quit this crazy scene
and i wish i had a river
i could skate away on

i wish i had a river so wide
i would teach my feet to fly
i wish i had a river
i could skate away on
'cause i made my baby cry

you tried hard to help me
and you put me at ease
then loved me so naughty
made me weak in my knees
and wish i had a river
that i could skate away on

i'm so hard to handle
i'm selfish and i'm sad
now i lost the best baby
that i ever had
and i wish i had a river
that i could skate away on

i wish i had a river so wide
i could teach my feet to fly
i wish i had a river
that i could skate away on
cause i made my baby say goodbye

it's coming on christmas
they're cutting down trees
putting up reindeer
and singing songs of joy and peace
but i wish i had a river
i could skate away on

god i wish i had a river so wide
i'd teach my feet to fly
i wish i had a river
i could skate away on
i made my baby say goodbye

It's coming on Christmas
They're cutting down trees
They're putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
Oh, I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
But it don't snow here
It stays pretty green
I'm going to make a lot of money
Then I'm going to quit this crazy scene
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh, I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I made my baby cry

She tried hard to help me
You know, she put me at ease
And she loved me so naughty
Made me weak at the knees
Oh, I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I'm so hard to handle
I'm selfish and I'm sad
Now I've gone and lost the best baby
That I ever had
Oh, I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh, I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I made my baby say goodbye

It's coming on Christmas
They're cutting down trees
They're putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
Oh, I wish I had a river
I could skate away on

It's coming on Christmas
They're cutting down trees
They're putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
But it don't snow here
It stays pretty green
I'm going to make a lot of money
Then I'm going to quit this crazy scene
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I made my baby cry

He tried hard to help me
You know, he put me at ease
And he loved me so naughty
Made me weak in the knees
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I'm so hard to handle
I'm selfish and I'm sad
Now I've gone and lost the best baby
That I ever had
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I made my baby say goodbye

It's coming on Christmas
They're cutting down trees
They're putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on

I know you're willing and able
There by the wooden table
Won't you come on over to my side?
And you know I'll treat you right

There at the water
There is the water you drink
Won't you come on over to my side?
And you can drink from my...

Down through the dirt you lead us
Across the sand you'll disappear
Will you come back?
I feel you won't need us
I feel you won't miss us
Will you come back?

Back in the summer
I fell into your space
With an understanding
When I just looked in your face

There at the water
You wash your skin
Sleep on the violets
Until you're covered in dust again

I know you're hungry and tired
All alone by the fire
Won't you come, come on over to my side?
And you know...

Down through the dirt you lead us
One kiss before you leave
Will you come back?
And sleep tonight beside me?
The morning comes I feel alive
Will you come back?

And two yellow eyes remember
Souls of ancient lies
And she sees them dance and hears them moan and cry
And two yellow eyes reveal
Warmth and love inside
And she wears her mask
Pulls on her gloves

And two yellow eyes remember
Souls of ancient lies
And she sees them dance and hears them moan and cry
And two yellow eyes reveal her
Warmth and love inside
And she wears her mask
Pulls on her glove

It's coming on Christmas
They're cutting down trees
They're putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
Oh I wish I had a river I could skate away on

But it don't snow here
It stays pretty green
I'm going to make a lot of money
Then I'm going to quit this crazy scene
Oh I wish I had a river I could skate away on

I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh I wish I had a river I could skate away on
I made my baby cry

He tried hard to help me
You know, he put me at ease
And he loved me so naughty
Made me weak in the knees
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on

I'm so hard to handle
I'm selfish and I'm sad
Now I've gone and lost the best baby
That I ever had
Oh I wish I had a river I could skate away on

Oh, I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I made my baby say goodbye

It's coming on Christmas
They're cutting down trees
They're putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
I wish I had a river I could skate away on

It's comin’ on Christmas,
They're cuttin’ down trees.
They're puttin’ up reindeer,
Singin’ songs of joy and peace.
Oh, I wish I had a river,
I could skate away on.

But it don't snow here,
It stays pretty green.
I'm gonna make a lot of money,
And then I'm gonna quit this crazy scene.
Oh, I wish I had a river,
I could skate away on.

I wish I had a river so long,
I’d teach my feet to fly.
Oh, I wish I had a river,
I could skate away on.
I made my baby cry.

He tried hard to help me,
You know, he put me at ease.
And he loved me so naughty,
Made me weak in the knees.
Oh, I wish I had a river,
I could skate away on.

Well I'm so hard to handle,
I'm selfish and I'm sad,
Now I've gone and lost the best baby,
That I ever had.
Oh, I wish I had a river,
I could skate away on.

Oh, I wish I had a river so long,
I would, teach my feet to fly high
Oh, I wish I had a river,
That I could skate away on.
I made my baby say goodbye.

It's comin’ on Christmas,
They're cuttin’ down trees,
They're puttin’ up reindeer,
And singin’ songs of joy and peace.
Oh, I wish I had a river,
I could skate away on.

Vita, vita nostra
Tellus nostra
Vita nostra
Sic clamant.

Vita, vita nostra
Tellus nostra
Vita nostra
Sic clamant.

Poena, poena nostra
Vires nostra
Poena nostra
Sic clamant

Poena, poena nostra
Vires nostra
Poena nostra
Sic clamant

Ira, ira nostra
Fides nostra
Ira nostra
Sic clamant

Vita, vita nostra
Tellus nostra
Vita nostra
Sic clamant

Vita, vita nostra
Tellus nostra
Vita nostra
Sic clamant

Poena, poena nostra
Vires nostra
Poena nostra
Poena nostra
ah

one day
the queen and I went walking down
by the river too
she would show me everything that night
by the river too...
(in the river)
my heart (in the river)
in your hands (in the river)
I've known all my life...
I would play my song for her that night
by the river too
she would smile and start to cry that night
by the river too...
(in the river)
my heart (in the river)
in your hands (in the river)
I've known all my life...

We went down to the river,
her and I, heart by heart
Parked the car and got naked

on the last day of that summer

Such a good thing never lasts
Such a good thing always breaks

Such a good thing never lasts
Such a good thing always breaks

We went skating last winter,

her hair had grown and she was blond
Said she found some kind of happiness,
said she found a decent man

Such a good thing never lasts
Such a good thing always breaks
Such a good thing never lasts

Such a good thing always breaks

Such a good thing never lasts
Such a good thing always breaks

It's coming on Christmas
They're cutting down trees
They're putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
Oh I wish I had a river I could skate away on

But it don't snow here
It stays pretty green
I'm going to make a lot of money
Then I'm going to quit this crazy scene
Oh I wish I had a river I could skate away on

I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
I wish I had a river I could skate away on
I made my baby cry

He tried hard to help me
You know, he put me at ease
And he loved me so naughty
Made me weak in the knees
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on

I'm so hard to handle
I'm selfish and I'm sad
Now I've gone and lost the best baby
That I ever had
I wish I had a river I could skate away on

Oh, I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I made my baby say goodbye

It's coming on Christmas
They're cutting down trees
They're putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
I wish I had a river I could skate away on

Copyright © 1970; Joni Mitchell

Touching the last of what is past
Moving silent water fell the first that comes.
Slow and winding, flowing free
Peaceful music in its sound of distant drums.
Trust the shallow virgin stream
Danger wild, beware the deeper it becomes.

Moving highway, twisting byway
Can't turn back.
Singing in the summer rain
Rain that's caught in its flow.

Spreading, shining, silver lining
Gold on black.
Echoes moods of the moon and sun
Sun that shines from below.

Makes a soft and easy way
Left to choose its path will always be a friend.
Touch the last of what has past.
Never idle river drifting to the end.

It's coming on Christmas
They're cutting down trees
They're putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
But it don't snow here
It stays pretty green
I'm going to make a lot of money
Then I'm going to quit this crazy scene
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I made my baby cry

He tried hard to help me
You know, he put me at ease
And he loved me so naughty
Made me weak in the knees
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I'm so hard to handle
I'm selfish and I'm sad
Now I've gone and lost the best baby
That I ever had
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh I wish I had a river
I made my baby say goodbye

It's coming on Christmas
They're cutting down trees
They're putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on

Young & strong Hollywood son
In the early morning light
This star fell down
On Sunset Boulevard

Young & strong beautiful one
One that we embraced so close
Is gone
Was torn away

Let the youth of America mourn
Include him in their prayers
Let his image linger on
Repeat it everywhere

With candles with flowers
He was one of ours
One of ours

Why don't you let him be?
He's gone
We know
Give his mother & father peace
Your vulture's candor
Your casual slander
Will murder his memory
He's gone
We know
And it's nothing but a tragedy

Lay to rest your soul and body
Lay beside your name
Lay to rest your rage
Your hunger and amazing grace

With candles, with flowers
You were one of ours
One of ours

I saw cameras expose your life
I heard rumors explode with lies
I saw children with tears
Cry and crowd around the sight
Of where you had collapsed that day
Where your last breath & word
Had been sighed
Where your heart had burst
Where you had died

I saw how they were lost in grieving
All half-believing you were gone
The loss and pain of it
Crime and the shame of it
You were gone
It was such a nightmare raving,
"how could we save him
From himself?"

It's coming on Christmas
They're cutting down trees
They're putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
I wish I had a river I could skate away on

Now it don't snow here
It stays pretty green
I'm gonna make a lotta money
And I'm gonna quit this crazy scene
I wish I had a river I could skate away on

I wish I had a river so long I would teach my feet to fly
Oh I wish I had a river I could skate away on

I made my baby cry

She tried hard to help me
She put me at ease
And she loved me so naughty
She made me weak in the knees
I wish I had a river I could skate away on

I'm so hard to handle
I'm selfish, I'm sad
And I've gone and lost the best baby that I ever had
I wish I had a river I could skate away on

I wish I had a river so long I would teach my feet to fly
Oh I wish I had a river I could skate away on

I made my baby say goodbye

It's coming on Christmas
They're cutting down trees
They're putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
I wish I had a river I could skate away on