Lyrics

There’s a box I wished I’d never packed
with shells and book and dreams
the thought of no regrets thus far is a fantasy it seems
I left in such a youthful haste that no one stayed to see
if I’d return a grounded man or lost in naivety

But had they been on shore to catch my whimpering return
they would have found a father with his spirit badly burned
and his oldest son tied to heels, wounds needing cleaned
but despite our roots and smoky tears, river city stays a dream

River city stays a dream

I found a home so effortlessly dry begging for water and sun
so I added some trees and edible things
and thought for sure I’d won
the game I bet against myself in which I fly the coup
in search of who I might become and friends to share my soup
But as it be the soup I make requires self-esteem
and amongst the songs and beautiful things, river city stays a dream

River city stays a dream

Turning leaves and I voyage again and break the steady flow
of love and tender welcome from everyone I know
I offer my sons to the dragon of fate who feeds his glistening coat
with open wounds and bristling skin while I breathe through a knot in my throat

So I hide from the beast my precious reserve throbbing in my calf
of molten tears and secret words that appears to be only half
the armor I need to protect the land of memories unseen
from Hangman Creek to People’s Park where river city stays a dream

River city stays a dream