Lee Beatty - The River and the Rail Lyrics

Listen to this Tale of a brand new baby
Born among the elms and sycamores
The first sound that he heard was the lonely whistle of a train
That crossed the mighty river near his home.

He played along the banks of the river
Time was measured by the passing trains
He counted coal cars clankin', thru the town square late at night
He dreamed the happy dreams of a well-loved boy

His home is on the River and the Rail
Where his life awaits the promise of a green and sunny Trail
And the family that surrounds him will catch him if he fails
His parents are the River and the Rail

But the innocence of childhood always falters
Happy dreams become ambition's call
The simple joys of life are replaced by cold hard pride
The world is big, his town looks old and small

So he sets out for the glitter of the city
But the glitter falls like bitter stinging rain
He tries to make it last, but his mind turns to the past
To the home that kept him safe against the pain

He is searching for the River and the Rail
The bright lights and the dark streets were not the Holy Grail
And the cost of being lonely is more than he could sell
He comes back to live the River and the Rail

The simple life remains on the River
He grows old among the elms and sycamores
He raises high his laughing new grandbaby, and he sings
Of the joy that circles 'round him Evermore.

His home is on the River and the Rail
For his life has walked the promise of the green and sunny trail
And the family that surrounds him grow flowers in the Vale
At his gravestone near the River and the Rail

The Circle is Unbroken, at the River and the Rail