[Intro] Morning water, moving slow We meet beside the bank [Verse 1] The flood took half the footbridge And left the posts in mud Wet timber by the roadside Rope coiled beside the stones We came with borrowed hammers Our coats still damp from rain Some had not spoken lately Still, every pair of hands came [Chorus] The river keeps the time Through every rise and fall Hold it steady (Steady now) Lift together (All together) Rope, boards, and willing hands We set the next plank down [Verse 2] The river heard our arguing And watched some people leave It saw familiar faces Come back by early spring Now hands pass nails and timber From one bank to the next A child brings cups of water An old friend checks each knot [Chorus] The river keeps the time Through every rise and fall Hold it steady (Steady now) Lift together (All together) Rope, boards, and willing hands We set the next plank down [Bridge] No banner by the roadway No speeches when we’re done Just boots set in the wet ground And shoulders taking weight We mend the path we all use Because the work is shared [Final Chorus] The river keeps the time Through every rise and fall Hold it steady (Steady now) Lift together (All together) Rope, boards, and willing hands We set the next plank down [Outro] Morning water under wood We cross, then carry on
