JOHN RICH'S LEGACY Verse 1 Born in Trowbridge when the leaves turned gold, November seventeen-ninety, a story to be told William and Betty Rich welcomed their son In a world where the Industrial Age had just begun John learned to weave with steady hands so true Making cloth from wool the way his fathers knew Verse 2 Valentine's Day in eighteen-fifteen He married sweet Rebecca, the finest ever seen In Hilperton Parish Church they said their vows To share their joys and weather life's sorrows Eleven children blessed their humble home Though some sweet souls were called too soon to roam Chorus John Rich, John Rich, weaver of Hilperton Your threads of love are never quite undone From English fields to shores across the sea Your family tree grows wild and grows free John Rich, John Rich, your legacy lives on In every heart where hope and love are strong Verse 3 The loom would sing from dawn to setting sun While children played and household work was done In Hilperton Marsh their cottage stood with pride Rebecca cooking meals with John by her side Through Georgian days and into Victoria's reign They weathered every joy and every pain Verse 4 James went to Cardiff, Ann to Illinois Samuel and William sought the New World's joys Hannah crossed the ocean with courage in her heart While Jesse stayed close, never to depart From one small village to the world so wide His children carried Rich family pride Bridge Seventy-seven years upon this earth Building something greater than silver's worth When machines replaced the weaver's song His family's story carried on From hand loom threads to railroad steel His love made broken hearts to heal Chorus John Rich, John Rich, weaver of Hilperton Your threads of love are never quite undone From English fields to shores across the sea Your family tree grows wild and grows free John Rich, John Rich, your legacy lives on In every heart where hope and love are strong Outro So raise a glass to the weaver's name John Rich of Wiltshire, forever our flame In Connecticut hills and Welsh valleys green His spirit lives in places he's never seen The loom is silent but the love plays on John Rich, dear John Rich, your song lives on (Your song lives on... your song lives on...)
