River from Drifters by Joe Nolan

I heard the church bells ring, and the shouts and screams
Front doors crashed open, in a summers dream
And the wedding parade, and the bride and groom
The streets were flooded, there were children and balloons
I heard the tires squeal, saw the waves goodbye
The engines roared, some mothers cried
Saw my brother there, with confetti in his hair
And his baby Ruthie, everyone was looking at her
As they drove away slowly home
To grow young then old

No one felt it coming, it didn’t feel like rain
The streets were reborn, and the sky the same
I heard the phone ring twice, late that night
Said "John come quick, there's been an accident
Yeah two young kids, out on Idle bridge
Their car spilt over, and splashed over the edge
Ruthie she got out, but not him
Oh your brother, he could not swim"

As I stand in these fields, out east of town
Where we grew up, with our feet on this ground
And as I walk in the soil, as I graze the earth
Our names and our blood, buried in this dirt
When Ruthie came here, she was young and brave
I see her now, she ain't the same
I watch over her, and we'll grow old
Beside the water that runs so cold
And I'll die right here beside you my brother
Oh the river, took you too soon
Took you too soon
Took you too soon

• Alternative
• poet
• rockandroll
• singer-songwriter
• Edmonton