Music: Derek Ryan
As I went out walking on a fine summer day
Through hills and the valleys, I soon lost my way
Till I came to an old man kneeling down by a stream
Gazing into the water like he was lost in a dream
In his hand was a picture he clung to for life
His eyes filled with tears as he tried not to cry
Then he looked to the heavens and started to pray
In the quiet country silence, I could hear the man say
Life is a river; I'll go with the flow
And where it will take me, the Lord only knows
I miss you, sweetheart, your kindness and love
But I know one day we'll sail away on God's ocean above
He said, Now, young man, you're a stranger to me
Could I bother you kindly for your company
Today I am thinking of a time long ago
And I need to tell someone of a girl I loved so
It's forty-two years today since Rose took my hand
And proudly I lived life, her husband, her man
Till only last week, son, God took her away
As I kissed her softly, these words she did say
Life is a river; I'll go with the flow
And where it will take me, the Lord only knows
I miss you, sweetheart, your kindness and love
But I know one day we'll sail away on God's ocean above
And with that the old man sent me on my way
And sat by the water; I'll kneel for the day
I look at the river starting out on its life
It's where I've been close to my beautiful wife