Michael Clem

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Roll Rivanna

Roll Rivanna
by Michael R. Clem

I live several hundred feet above
the river that runs through town
It’d take a biblical proportion flood
for me to hear its sound

It’d have to rain a thousand days and nights
and not let up at all
not drops, but constant sheets
like an endless waterfall

Roll river, roll Rivanna
Love to say your name
Roll Rivanna, roll oooooh
Roll down to the James
Roll down to the James


I walked a dog who once was mine
down by the river banks
A chance to stretch his four old legs
& me to offer up some thanks

A sore worker tending to the land
said that dog needs a lead
I told him “Sorry ’bout my aging hound”
He said, “Aw, there’s no need”

Roll river, roll Rivanna
Love to say your name
Roll Rivanna, roll oooooh
Roll down to the James
Roll down to the James


I had a dream that the river rose
and touched my house’s back
That’s bad news for my valley friends
They wouldn’t stand a chance

So late at night I walked on down
to make sure she was calm
I skipped stones and reached right down
held some river water in my palm

Roll river, roll Rivanna
Love to say your name
Roll Rivanna, roll oooooh
Roll down to the James
Roll down to the James


copyright 2021 J Fish Music

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