Keep an Eye on the Water

# KEEP AN EYE ON THE WATER *The Beaverfolk* [Intro: Quiet flowing river, distant Canadian geese honking] [Instrumental: Sparse clean 1960s electric guitar riff, warm bass, gentle acoustic strumming] [Spoken: Gruff, kindly older male voice] You hear that, Martha? [Spoken: Slightly nasal older female voice] The geese? [Spoken: Male voice, suspicious] They're honking again. [Spoken: Female voice, matter-of-fact] Well, that's what geese do, dear. [Verse 1: Warm, slightly gruff male storytelling vocal] There's a ripple on the river, There's a shadow by the tree, And old Charlie's in the watchtower Watching what he shouldn't see. Got the garden growing nicely, Got the winter stores away, Got a little extra timber Just in case we need it someday. [Pre-Chorus: Gentle electric guitar, close vocal harmonies] We don't go looking for trouble, We don't care for making noise, But the gates are built for a reason, And the geese are watching, boys! [Chorus: Catchy, relaxed 1960s folk-rock, warm Beaverfolk group harmonies] Keep an eye upon the water, Keep an ear upon the shore, If the geese begin a-honking, Better check who's at the door! We can share a meal together, We can lend a helping hand, But you'd best come asking nicely When you're walking on our land! [Instrumental: Twangy clean electric guitar riff, one sharp beaver tail slap] [Verse 2: Playful conversational storytelling] There's a trader coming upriver, With a wagon full of wares, Says he's from the Dam Good Company, And he's brought some folding chairs. Got some tools and fancy gadgets, Got a price for every load, Well, we'll gladly do some business, Once we've checked the river road! [Spoken: Female voice, dry and practical] Did you check his papers? [Spoken: Male voice] Twice. [Spoken: Female voice] Good. [Chorus: Friendly communal harmonies] Keep an eye upon the water, Keep an ear upon the shore, If the geese begin a-honking, Better check who's at the door! We can share a meal together, We can lend a helping hand, But you'd best come asking nicely When you're walking on our land! [Instrumental: Guitar riff becomes slightly darker, bass moves into a minor-key passage] [Verse 3: Restrained, quietly suspicious lead vocal] Then a preacher came from Beaverlodge, With a sermon and a grin, Said the world was ours for taking, If we'd only let him in. Well, we listened very politely, Then we showed him to the gate, Said, "We've got a home worth keeping, And your glorious plans can wait." [Instrumental: One sharp tail slap, tense guitar chord] [Bridge: Gentle acoustic guitar, sincere warm vocals] There's a place beside the fire, There's a chair beneath the light, For the wanderer who's weary, For the neighbour in the night. We may question where you're coming from, We may ask you why you're here, But if you come with honest friendship, There's no reason you should fear. [Instrumental: Warm electric guitar melody, gentle rising vocal harmonies] [Final Chorus: Full Beaverfolk ensemble, joyful singalong, slightly stronger drums] Keep an eye upon the water, Keep an ear upon the shore, If the geese begin a-honking, Better check who's at the door! We can share a meal together, We can lend a helping hand, And once you've earned our friendship, You'll find a home upon our land! [Outro: Relaxed clean guitar riff, flowing water, evening woodland ambience] [Spoken: Older male voice, contented] There now. Nice quiet evening. [Canadian geese suddenly honk loudly] [Spoken: Older female voice, irritated] Oh, for heaven's sake! [Spoken: Male voice, alarmed] ALL of them?! [Sharp beaver tail slap] [Instrumental: One final playful 1960s electric guitar chord] [End]