I really enjoy Mitchell’s stories. I thought this particular song of Mitchell’s could use some more chords and chord changes. I had fun turning this into a bluegrass tune. I did mostly arrangement but since I added all new melody I thought it was a pretty severe re-write. Didn’t touch the lyrics (much). Just a few “and’s” or “if’s” here and there. I had real audio visions of grandeur to have banjo and fiddle….that didn’t work out so well so I left it out. Just me struggling on guitar on this one. Hope you like it!
lyrics
River Gets To Risin’
If that river get to risin' and the water starts to flow
Nobody needs to tell you ‘cause you surely gonna know
You gonna hear it comin' feel it tearin' up the ground
If that river get to risin' It's gonna swallow up this town
If that river get to risin' then the water’s gonna flow
It'll make a new horizon but I ain't gonna let you go
You gonna feel it overtake you the smell’ll saturate your bones
And if the river gets to risin' you'll be sunk here with them stones
I ain't been mistreated and I ain't been abused
You know I don't feel cheated; You know I don't feel used
I am known as a good man before the Lord and the law
But if that river gets to risin' It'll be the end of you all
Solo
I've been planning many seasons I've been watchin' for the rain
And you don't need to know my reasons and you don't want me to explain
I am known as a pure man, sincere and polite
But if the river gets to risin' you won't make it through the night
If that river gets to risin' and the water’s gonna flow
And they'll all be baptizin' where I've locked you down below
You gonna taste the muddy drenchin' You gonna kick and flail and pray
And if the river get to risin' You'll never see another day
Ima rush you to the cellar that I dug beneath the floor
I'll get your sister too and tell her ‘hurry in and bolt the door’
I am known as a kind man I always smile and wave
But if the river gets to risin' then this cellar be your grave
If the river gets to risin' the water’s gonna flow
Nobody needs to tell you 'cause you surely gonna know
You gonna hear it comin' feel it tearin' up the ground
If that river gets to risin' then you surely gonna drown
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