🎵 River Don’t Rise

[Tempo: Slow swing (6/8) – deep, smokey, timeless Voice: Rich, deep, and angelic — think Mahalia meets Etta] [Verse 1] I woke up with tears on my pillow, Dreamin’ of a time I used to know. Mama’s voice hummin’ low by the window, Sayin’ “Child, keep walkin’, let the storm blow.” [Chorus – Gospel harmony behind her] 🎶 If the river don’t rise, I’ll be comin’ home Walkin’ that dusty road all alone. The world may shake, the sky might cry, But my soul gon’ sing ‘til the day I die. 🎶 [Verse 2] I’ve carried pain in my apron string, Hung my hope on the song I sing. I’ve been bent, but I ain’t broke, A holy fire in every note I spoke. [Chorus – Add tambourine, hand claps] 🎶 If the river don’t rise, I’ll be comin’ home Feet may blister, but I still roam. The winds may wail, the nights get long, But I got heaven burnin’ in my song. 🎶 [Bridge – A cappella, raw & powerful] Mmm… these chains can’t hold me, No, this dirt won’t fold me. They took my name, tried to dim my light, But the Lord gave me thunder in the night. [Final Chorus – Big, soulful, hands raised to the sky] 🎶 If the river don’t rise, I’ll be comin’ through, Singin’ with the angels in midnight blue. The world may tremble, but I won’t fall, 'Cause I was born with grace through it all. 🎶 [Outro – Soft, fading like the last crackle of fire] So if you hear that hymn on the wind tonight, Know I’m still singin’, still holdin’ tight... If the river don’t rise… I’ll be alright. 🎵