Rooted to the River

Verse 1

Down by the cattails where the river bends slow

An old white ibis watches the world come and go

I come here most evenings just to sit by the shore

Skippin' flat stones that I gathered before

Verse 2

My granddaddy told me when I turned thirteen

That the loneliest creature that man's ever seen

Is the one that stands quiet while the water runs past

Carrying nothing and letting it last

Chorus

I'm a little like the ibis

Standing in the shallows alone

High up in the cedars there's a bird I used to know

Now I wade through the flood on my own

I'm a little like the ibis

Rooted to the river I know

Verse 3

Mama said move on now the city is new

Promises to keep and a life to pursue

But the mud on my boots and the wind in these reeds

They call me back home when my heart's got its needs

Pre-Chorus

Some hearts stay home, some hearts fly away

I keep on returning where the low waters sway

Chorus

I'm a little like the ibis

Standing in the shallows alone

High up in the cedars there's a bird I used to know

Now I wade through the flood on my own

I'm a little like the ibis

Rooted to the river I know

Bridge

Last night I saw moonlight land silver on the stream

And I swore that old heron was smiling at me

Maybe I'm not lonely maybe I'm just free

The way that the tall grass bends over the levee

Chorus

I'm a little like the ibis

Standing in the shallows alone

High up in the cedars there's a bird I used to know

Now I wade through the flood on my own

I'm a little like the ibis

Rooted to the river I know

Outro

Rooted to the river I know

Mm

Mm-hmm