The River & the Ocean Songtext

von Mia Doi Todd

I am a river in the ocean
Particles spread far and thin
But I can still remember what I was then
Now I am something greater
Though less of what I was

The day that I discovered
I was a river in the ocean

I am a bird whistling in the dark
Stuck in this cavernous mine
When silence falls
You know it's time to start running

I am a bird that's never seen much light
Stuck in this cavernous ark
Soon they'll send me out to look for land
And I'll bring back a little bark

I am a stroller in the park
Wrapped 'round this beautiful babe
I and the dark skinned woman
Pushing me are its slaves

I am a stroller in the park
Walking my flypaper skin
Through the balmy August air
Which sucks my body's waters from within

I am a river in the ocean
Particles spread far and thin
But I can still remember what I was then
Now I am something greater
Though less of what I was

The day that I discovered
I was a river in the ocean
Just a river in the ocean
Just a river in the ocean

But I'm waiting for the rainstorm
To take me back upstream
And I'm waiting for the brainstorm
To fill me back to the brim

So bring on the lightning
This midnight orange sky
Grows frightening
Break the water for me

'Cause I'm waiting for the rainstorm
To take me back upstream
And I'm waiting for the brainstorm
To fill me back to the brim

So bring on the lightning
This midnight orange sky
Grows frightening
Break the water for me

Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily
Life is but a dream

Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily
Life is but a dream
Life is but a dream
Life is but a dream

And what's the difference
Between nothing and everything?
And what's the difference
Between no one and everyone?

And what's the difference
Between nowhere and everywhere?
Everything, everyone and everywhere
Everything, everyone and everywhere
But what's the difference?

But I'm waiting for the rainstorm
To take me back upstream
And I'm waiting for the brainstorm
To fill me back to the brim

So bring on the lightning
Bring on the enlightening
Break the water for me