ADD: River and the Road (Archie Fisher)

Subject: Lyr Req: River and the Road--Archie Fisher
From: GUEST,Celtaddict
Date: 05 Aug 14 - 04:16 AM

Hello, I am looking for the lyrics to Archie Fisher's 'The River and the Road' as I want to sing it but am on the opposite coast from my "Windward Away" CD. Does anyone have them? My aged netbook is painfully slow to try to download video or music.   Thank you greatly!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: River and the Road--Archie Fisher
From: maeve
Date: 05 Aug 14 - 07:04 AM

Celtaddict- I need to verify my transcription with Archie before posting the lyrics here, but I'll gladly send them to you in a PM. Will that suffice for now?

Maeve

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: River and the Road--Archie Fisher
From: GUEST,ChanteyLass
Date: 05 Aug 14 - 10:12 PM

Hi, Celtaddict. I forwarded an email to you about the lyrics. I sent it to the aol address you use for house concerts. Please look for it there. ChanteyLass

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: River and the Road--Archie Fisher
From: maeve
Date: 05 Aug 14 - 10:52 PM

Thanks, ChanteyLass. I also sent her the lyrics via email. I hope we've covered the need!

Maeve

Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: River and the Road (Archie Fisher)
From: maeve
Date: 08 Aug 14 - 11:09 AM

River and the Road * Lyrics and music by Archie Fisher
(verified with Archie Fisher Aug. 8, 2014 by Maeve)

Often when I think of you I see a Border river,
Changing with the melting snows, both there and gone forever.
You're the river, I'm the road that runs along your ridges
Giving you the right of way, and always building bridges.
River, ramble as you will. This road's a cruel, hard master
And I can't slow the water's flow, or travel any faster.

I know there's a crossroads on this route I'm bound to travel
Straight ahead's a long, smooth way, the other's dirt and gravel.
And the hardest thing you'll ever learn to bear as you grow older
Is to watch a dear friend walk away without a turn of shoulder.
I can be as hurt as you although I seldom show it
I'm so easy-going, that I'm gone before you know it.

One day you will reach the sea and I'll be on a mountain
Running out of old dirt track beside a flowing fountain.
Wondering, "Is this the place where everything got started-
The wellspring at the road end for the lost and broken-hearted?"
And I'll become the river and the road I know will lead me
Back to where you made the turn that showed you didn't need me.

For everywhere the heron flies the winding river follows
And in turn she claims the skies, then stalks along the shallows
And often when I think of you I see a Border river,
Changing with the melting snows, both there and gone forever.

*From Archie Fisher's cd "Windward Away".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: River and the Road (Archie Fisher)
From: michaelr
Date: 08 Aug 14 - 03:36 PM

What a lovely lyric! The song does not appear to be on YouTube -- does anyone know where it can be heard (other than the CD)?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: River and the Road (Archie Fisher)
From: maeve
Date: 08 Aug 14 - 03:48 PM

It is indeed, michaelr. I believe one can buy "River and the Road" as an mp3 download on Amazon...possibly other places. I recommend buying the cd "Windward Away"...loads of lovely lyrics and melodies and finger-picking and singing... but that's up to you!

Maeve

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: River and the Road (Archie Fisher)
From: maeve
Date: 08 Aug 14 - 03:52 PM

Those who have a Spotify account can also apparently listen to the album.
I found this: "River and the Road- Spotify members can listen here.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: River and the Road (Archie Fisher)
From: maeve
Date: 08 Aug 14 - 03:54 PM

Sorry for multiple short posts, mudelves.

I just remembered you can hear a part of the song on Red House Records: https://www.redhouserecords.com/124.html

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: River and the Road (Archie Fisher)
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 08 Aug 14 - 11:48 PM

Maeve, thanks for printing the words. I always thought the last line of the second to the last verse ended in "leave me," not "need me." But I could stand to be corrected. It's a great recording.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: River and the Road (Archie Fisher)
From: maeve
Date: 09 Aug 14 - 07:21 AM

Hello, Phil. You're welcome. Thanks for posting. The line is "Back to where you made the turn that showed you didn't need me." The speaker and the person to whom he is speaking have parted ways.

I asked Archie, and these words are from him directly. I'm always glad to transcribe lyrics on Mudcat, but I very much prefer to check my transcriptions with the author or other accurate source when possible. Fortunately, I was able to verify this one fairly promptly.

I agree that it's a great recording- and I do mean "great". So many really achingly lovely songs- some from Archie's pen, others from equally skilled songmakers!

Maeve

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: River and the Road (Archie Fisher)
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 09 Aug 14 - 07:39 AM

Thanks for clearing up my mis-hearing a lyric. It's downright embarrassing if you wind up singing the wrong words with conviction, and then find out you committed a mondegreen. I thought "leave" gave the line a metaphysical twist. But "need" does as well. As an English Major in college I used to think some professors over analysed some phrases. Now, here I am over thinking as well.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: River and the Road (Archie Fisher)
From: maeve
Date: 09 Aug 14 - 07:54 AM

Ah well... who hasn't misheard a lyric and rationalized something different? My initial transcription for "River and the Road" had three or four errors, so I was happy to be corrected on those! Archie uses excellent diction, but stylistic issues in the singing occasionally trick my ears.

I'd love to hear your rendition. Any chance?

Maeve

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: River and the Road (Archie Fisher)
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 09 Aug 14 - 08:00 AM

We haven't worked it out as yet, though it may crop up in one of the musical unitarian services that we do. If that happens I'll send you a message and let you know. UU circuit riding has certainly helped our bottom line when travelling. There's actually another song on that aforementioned Archie Fished CD that might make a service as well. It's the one about the four types of woman a man meets in life. Talk about a great metaphoric song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: River and the Road (Archie Fisher)
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 15 Aug 14 - 06:15 PM

It's great having the lyrics posted here. Thank you, Maeve.

I wonder if Celtaddict saw them in time.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: River and the Road (Archie Fisher)
From: GUEST,Celtaddict cookieless
Date: 16 Aug 14 - 12:01 AM

Thank you so much! Both of you! It is a wonderful song and "Windward Away" is one of me Desert Island Discs.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: River and the Road (Archie Fisher)
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Feb 24 - 09:06 AM

Thank you for the lyrics. I have also been searching for them. I first heard this on itunes. I didn't know it. Was just one that Apple thought I might like. So love finding new songs like that. I hope to learn it for my Sunday Zoom folk club. Kathy

Subject: RE: ADD: River and the Road (Archie Fisher)
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 09 Dec 24 - 10:28 AM

Yes, thank you for these haunting lyrics. Rachel Davis and Darren McMullen just came out with a version of this song by Archie who was with us this fall at Celtic Colours.