River In My Name

Granddad’s hat on the dashboard

Dust on my boots, red clay

He said, “Boy, your blood runs deeper

Than this broken highway”

Feathers on the rearview swinging

Old song humming in my head

Every mile I feel it stronger

Like the road itself is being led

I got a river in my name

Running wild through my veins

From the hills to the plains

I can hear it when it rains

I’m a little bit blues

Little skyline, little flame

Every step that I take

That river sings my name

Mama hums low in the kitchen

Cornbread warm on the pan

Tells me of her father’s father

How he never left the land

Boot-stomp beat on the front porch

Hands on skin, that old-time sound [hand drum pattern]

Stars lean down just to listen

While our stories circle round

Bare feet in the cool creek water

Moonlight dancing on my hands

I whisper “I remember”

Even what I never understand

[low vocal register] Old words carried on the night wind

[high harmony] New dreams hanging in the air

Two worlds braided like a lariat

Same heart beating there