• From: Chillicothe, Ohio
  • Registered: 2010-08-16
  • Posts: 1,013

Topic: Gold in the River

Reading TF's excellent poem "Did It and Done It" got me thinking about a song I wrote many years ago.  Here it is as a poem:

GOLD IN THE RIVER

He was born in Appalachia, he didn't know that he was poor
Hunting and fishing with his daddy, who could ask for more
He grew up, he went to school, they taught him all the facts
He went to town, got a job and joined the race of rats

They said he was successful, they said he could go far
A swimming pool, a fancy house and brand-new foreign car
But he remembered mountain mornings in those West Virginia hills
No traffic jams, no deadlines, and best of all no bills

He remembered gold in the rivers and diamonds in the sky
Green jade in the valleys and silver on the mountains high
Precious gems in children and friends of finest pearl
And the love of a girl

So he quit his job and moved back down to the place that he called home
Wooded slopes, mountain streams and valleys he could roam
Some people said he's crazy, some said he lost his mind
But now he has riches, though of another kind

Now he's got gold in the rivers and diamonds in the sky
Green jade in the valleys and silver on the mountains high
Precious gems in children and friends of finest pearl
And the love of a girl

Wealth is just like beauty, its in the beholder's eye
Green pictures of George Washington or a clear October sky
There are riches found in nature, though of another kind
And wealth in friends and family and a peaceful state of mind

Yes there's gold in the rivers and diamonds in the sky
Green jade in the valleys and silver on the mountains high
Precious gems in children and friends of finest pearl
And the love of a girl

I want to read my own water, choose my own path, write my own songs
  • Grah1
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  • From: Cold and rainy Settle UK
  • Registered: 2011-05-12
  • Posts: 1,626

Re: Gold in the River

great words ed

Grah1's Website

  • From: Nova Scotia, Canada
  • Registered: 2013-01-20
  • Posts: 4,083

Re: Gold in the River

Great stuff, DE ...

That's pretty much where my friend has got to, and it didn't take him long. He told me, "I'm not going to permit them to ruin one more minute of my life."

Atta boy!

4 Reply by TIGLJK (edited by TIGLJK 2015-03-22 11:23:02)

  • TIGLJK
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  • Registered: 2010-05-11
  • Posts: 3,221

Re: Gold in the River

That is awesome, man !   

Those are terrific lyrics.  Great message. 

As a teacher of  and coach of 40 years, I have seen schools do the same thing to long time educators that have devoted their lives to so many students. All of a sudden they get the hits end of the schedules and worse scenarios to handle - in an effort to encourage  them to retire so it will save the district $$$$$$.

Your message is somewhat different because it's by choice to leave - and for all the right reasons. 

It doesn't get any better than to be able to live in  peace at " home" , with someone you love, surrounded by the beauty of nature.  If you have those, and your health,  you have it all, no billions can buy it. For me it's being with my wife and my daughters during  Springtime in the great hills and valleys of central NY and the beaches of Topsail Island of NC - it totally rejuvinates my soul.

Thanks to both Tenement Funster and D Ed for sharing such valuable words - it made my morning.

ps Ed - are you going to post with chords on songwriting ? I would love to hear how this goes.

Your vision is not limited by what your eye can see, but what your mind can imagine.
Make your life count, and the world will be a better place because you tried.

"Use the talents you possess, for the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except only the the best." - Henry Van Dyke
  • From: West Georgia
  • Registered: 2006-10-14
  • Posts: 2,557

Re: Gold in the River

Beautiful! I love "story songs" and this is one of the best I've seen. ALL you guys just keep pleasantly surprising me with your talent!

Thanks for sharing that, ya ol' Dirty Thang!  smile

Bil

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