We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

A Bend In The River

from Hillbilly Pilgrim by Mark Erelli

supported by
donkridel
donkridel thumbnail
/

lyrics

(Chorus)
It's just a bend in the river
Where the water slows down
Might not look like much to you
But it's my hometown

It ain't no mystery
How this town was born
It started with a couple farms
Then the mill and the general store
Ever since the work went south
And those wheels don't run
The bars got the churches beat
By at least two to one

I've lived 'round here
Since I was a little kid
Used to dream of getting out
Just like the college boys did
Maybe I was born
Without a rambling bone
You stay in one place long enough
And it starts to feel like home

(Chorus)

I got married here
It'll be two years this spring
I can see her in her mama's white dress
Every time I hear the church bell ring
I know some folks said
She could do better than me
But she was raising a girl on her own
And she was only 19

Can't get 'em everything they want
But I try to give 'em what they need

Now and then I pull a graveyard shift
Down at the factory
When I see that little girl smile
Playing in our backyard
Lord it makes it all worthwhile
Keeps me going when the going gets hard

(Chorus)
Might not look like much to you
But it's our hometown

It's changing everyday
The signs are all around
One more field gone to seed
Another barn falling down
Main Street's all boarded up
And nobody cares I guess
'Cause there's a place on the edge of town
Selling everything for less

But sometimes in my dreams
I see the waters rise
When the river jumps its banks
This town is purified
Everything is washed away
Clear to the county line
And we can start all over again
Maybe do a little better next time

credits

from Hillbilly Pilgrim, released January 20, 2004
written by Mark Erelli (Hillbilly Pilgrim Music/ASCAP)

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Mark Erelli image

Mark Erelli Boston, Massachusetts

"You know those artists who release a great first record and then have enormous trouble following it up with anything as interesting? Yeah, that’s not Mark Erelli." -Red Line Roots

contact / help

Contact Mark Erelli

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like Mark Erelli, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Saxophonist Isaiah Collier chats about his new LP and the influence of Pharoah Sanders.
listen now