A former housemate of mine from Rivendell Co-Op in Lansing, Michigan wrote this lovely song, modeled after the Rivers of Texas; Sheila and her family now lives on Easy St. in Ann Arbor, the envy of all their friends.

THE RIVERS OF LIFE
(Words by Sheila Ritter © 1977; parody of "Rivers of Texas")

In every life there's the good and the bitter;
In every heart next to hope there runs sadness,
But all on this earth can learn how to stand,
And drink from the river that waters the land.

Chorus:

Li-de-li-lee-de-lee, give me your hand,
Li-de-li-lee-de-lee, give me your hand,
Li-de-li-lee-de-lee, give me your hand,
There's many a river that waters the land.

In the hands of my true friends I find understanding;
In the faces I love there's the salve for my hurting;
We touch one another, give strength for new days;
The streams flow together and a river is made. (CHO)

To live is to feel and to feel is to hunger,
To thirst for the love that brinbgs pain when it's over,
But there's never an ending while memories stay
And the river flows on toward a new brighter day. (CHO)

To each creature's life there is an end waiting,
An end that we dread and that sometimes we long for;
When friends pass on for those left there is pain,
But the river of life flows on just the same. (CHO)