Ian Hunter - River Of Tears lyrics

The River Of Tears Waiting on an elevator – in a hotel out in California Smog clouds up in the windows – but there is a plaque up on the wall That tells of the Agoras – people who were here long before us Before the covered wagons – before they lost it all They were hunters – they were fishermen und they often fought each other But one small tribe was different – their leader was a peaceful man They were weavers – they were painters – trading pelts for pretty colours Protected by the warriors for the beauty in their hands Roll back the years – roll back the years – to the river of tears The chief he had a daughter - she was young and she was beautiful He said, "Go into the forest – get some berries for the dye But make your way back quickly – for the old bear's getting hungry I don't want you out there – when the sun falls from the sky" Her basket filled with berries – she headed back toward the village When a mighty roar erupted – she ran und hid inside a hollow tree Shadows were getting longer – the forest was getting colder And the chief began to panic – where could his daughter be? Lost in the years – lost in the years – on the river of tears In the camp the fires were dying when the old chief started crying Soon all the tribe were crying – the ground grew wet beneath their feet And the tears they turned to water and the water became a river And the river flowed like an arrow – to the foot of a hollow tree And the girl looked out in wonder – as she saw the water falling She knew it was her father and she swam to his canoe And all the tribe stopped crying – and the river started subsiding Into the hill of the Agoras – and so the legend grew Roll back the years – roll back the years Roll back the years – to the river of tears I wish all the world was healing