The River
Gourdin Noel Lyrics

Growin' up, it was tough
My childhood was difficult and challenging.

We were glad for what little we had
Even though we didn't have much, we were grateful for what we did have.

I saw my share of old fair, Mississippi
I've seen my fair share of the old South, specifically Mississippi.

Dirt roads and Confederate flags
The roads were unpaved and there were Confederate flags displayed in the area.

Everyday my father would tell me
My father would tell me every day.

"Son, run and don't never come back"
My father would tell me to leave and never come back.

That's where I left my girl
I left my girlfriend there.

That's where my heart is at, and oh...
That's where my heart is, and it's still there.

I held my breath when they dipped my head
I took a deep breath and held it when they dipped my head under water.

Then I came up shiny and new
When I came up from under the water, I felt refreshed and rejuvenated.

Found out about love in the back of my Impala
I discovered what love really is in the back seat of my Impala car.

Where they laid my grandfather too
My grandfather was also buried there.

Down by the river
Near the river.

Where black folks gather
Where black people come together.

After Sunday service is through
After church service ends on Sunday.

How the river runs to the ocean
The river flows into the ocean.

I'll be runnin' right back to you
I'll come back to you quickly.

I got along, I'm movin' on
I got over it, and I'm moving forward.

I bandaged the scars of, well
I healed my emotional wounds from the past.

I think of her, then I seem to wait
I think about my girlfriend, and then I wait for her to reach out to me.

For a card or a letter in the mail
I hope to receive a card or letter in the mail from her.

I walk the beach with the sand in my feet
I take walks on the beach and feel the sand beneath my feet.

Place my ear to a shell
I hold a seashell to my ear to listen to the ocean.

I wonder if you miss me too
I wonder if she also misses me.

Cause I been longin' to get to you
I've been wanting to see you again for a long time.

I'm sick of starin' out my window sill
I'm tired of looking out my window all the time.

I'm tired of hopin' she remembers me still
I'm tired of hoping that she still remembers me.

I'm packin' my bags, I said I'm goin' back home
I'm packing my bags and returning home.

To the place where I belong
To where I feel most at home.

And if she's there when I get there
If she's there when I arrive.

I'm never gonna leave her again
I'll never leave her again.

You see, she stole my heart
She captured my heart and has it to this day.

So I'm packin' up my suitcase
I'm preparing to leave and packing what I need.

Bought me a one-way fare
I bought a one-way ticket.

I'm leavin' everything behind me
I'm leaving everything and everyone behind.

But in my heart I always care
I still care deeply in my heart.

And I'll still be right there
I'll always be there for her.

Thank you baby
Thank you, my love.

Cause nothin' can replace that part in my life, and...
Nothing can ever replace that special part of my life.