Now, we’ll all have our time on the rapid
And we may end together, alone,
going ‘round and about in an eddy
bruised and broken and soaked to the bone.
But the eddy keeps silent the wild current’s call
alongside those now grateful captains and all
we are given reprieve from a death at the fall
as we move to and fro’ in the spin.
We stand safe, as the spin takes us in.

Now, we’ll all have our time on the rapid And we may end together, alone, going ‘round and about in an eddy bruised and broken and soaked to the bone. But the eddy keeps silent the wild current’s call alongside those now grateful captains and all we are given reprieve from a death at the fall as we move to and fro’ in the spin. We stand safe, as the spin takes us in.

Style Used
American landscape tradition featuring dramatic wilderness, sublime nature, and detailed realism celebrating untamed American scenery.

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Now, we’ll all have our time on the rapid
And we may end together, alone,
going ‘round and about in an eddy
bruised and broken and soaked to the bone.
But the eddy keeps silent the wild current’s call
alongside those now grateful captains and all
we are given reprieve from a death at the fall
as we move to and fro’ in the spin.
We stand safe, as the spin takes us in.
Now, we’ll all have our time on the rapid
And we may end together, alone,
going ‘round and about in an eddy
bruised and broken and soaked to the bone.
But the eddy keeps silent the wild current’s call
alongside those now grateful captains and all
we are given reprieve from a death at the fall
as we move to and fro’ in the spin.
We stand safe, as the spin takes us in.
Now, those captains must learn what the river will do
when it makes that great turn out of sight.
How it dashes them up on the rocks of the shore
How it spins to the left and the right.
It beats them and breaks them and crushes their pride
Leaves them dizzy and sick and all jumbled inside
‘til they’ve all but forgotten that glorious ride
lying flat on their deck in the sun.
There they lie, drying out in the sun.

As you round the point where the river was bent
and survey the great wideness ahead,
you can see all those captains alone on their decks,
beat and broken and very near dead.
Then the current takes hold and there’s naught you can do
as it drags you down into its maw.
Headed straight for those rocks, you make ready to crash
but at last, you rise up, roll and yaw.

Going back and away, then forward again,
fearing each time, the rocks will prevail!
You’re trapped in a cycling, circling tide,
in an eddy withstanding a gale.
But each time you circle that great whirling tide
and you’ve not hit the rocks or been thrown to the side
and you’re kept from the falls, cascading and wide,
for the eddy’s small mercy give praise.
Give the merciful currents your praise!
Now, those captains must learn what the river will do
when it makes that great turn out of sight.
How it dashes them up on the rocks of the shore
How it spins to the left and the right.
It beats them and breaks them and crushes their pride
Leaves them dizzy and sick and all jumbled inside
‘til they’ve all but forgotten that glorious ride
lying flat on their deck in the sun.
There they lie, drying out in the sun.

As you round the point where the river was bent
and survey the great wideness ahead,
you can see all those captains alone on their decks,
beat and broken and very near dead.
Then the current takes hold and there’s naught you can do
as it drags you down into its maw.
Headed straight for those rocks, you make ready to crash
but at last, you rise up, roll and yaw.

Going back and away, then forward again,
fearing each time, the rocks will prevail!
You’re trapped in a cycling, circling tide,
in an eddy withstanding a gale.
But each time you circle that great whirling tide
and you’ve not hit the rocks or been thrown to the side
and you’re kept from the falls, cascading and wide,
for the eddy’s small mercy give praise.
Give the merciful currents your praise!
portrait of two people together
Out where the river runs wild and free
and only the brave dare row;
where the rapids are deep, and the challenge is fresh
and it takes them where it means to go.
With breakneck speed, grinning into the wind,
standing straight on the bow of their craft,
just a glimpse now and then of those captains you’ll catch
flying by, near capsizing your raft.

They’ve no time for advice to those standing on shore
or to aid the ones just wading out,
for their task is to pilot this current, they think,
and it’s all they can do to stay out of the drink,
and their lives could be gone in the space of a wink
should they lose but a moment to doubt.
Standing tall, they never must doubt!
portrait of two people together