The River
By Steve Gillette
Lyrics:
I’ve seen the paddlewheelers rolling south on a summer’s day
I’ve seen lovers at the guard rails with stars in their lemonade
And I’ve heard the hobos gather, heard the banjos grace the glade
Heard them sing about the river, called it the lazy man’s parade
Sing me that song about the river, green, going away
I always did feel like a drifter about this time of day
Last night I stood by the highway, pretended I was on my way
You know a hundred thousand headlights couldn’t match the milky way
And when the moonlight touches the water surely something touches me
And I go reaching for the river like it’s reaching for the sea.
chorus
Some things go on forever, the truth don’t ever change
The wind may brush the water, but the river holds her sway.
chorus
Compass Rose Music, Used with permission
More information about Steve’s music is available at his website
Biography:
In a musical age created by the singer-songwriter, Steve Gillette has long been considered to be one of the finest. His music has inspired glowing reviews from the critics and the deep loyalty of his fans. Since Ian and Sylvia first recorded Darcy Farrow in 1966, Steve’s songs have been sung by dozens of major artists including Garth Brooks, John Denver, Nanci Griffith, Waylon Jennings, Gordon Lightfoot, Anne Murray, Tony Rice, Kenny Rogers, Linda Ronstadt, Spanky and Our Gang, Jerry Jeff Walker, Jennifer Warnes, Don Williams, and Tammy Wynette.
Steve’s first album, STEVE GILLETTE, originally released in the Spring of 1968, has recently been reissued by Vanguard on compact disc. The album includes guest performances by Buffy Saint Marie, Bruce Langhorne and Dick Rosmini. His second album, BACK ON THE STREET AGAIN, was produced by John Ware for Outpost Records, with help from Spanky McFarland and Emmy Lou Harris’ Hot Band. Steve’s third album ALONE…DIRECT (solo voice and guitar) was recorded by the direct-to-disc process and produced by John DelGatto on Sierra Records.
Graham Nash produced Steve’s fourth album, A LITTLE WARMTH, which was released on Flying Fish Records in 1979. Appearing on this album were Johnny Barbatta and Pete Sears from The Jefferson Starship, Graham Nash, David Lindley, and Jennifer Warnes.
Since their marriage in April of 1989, Steve Gillette and Cindy Mangsen have been traveling, performing and recording together. Their album LIVE IN CONCERT, recorded at the Ark in Ann Arbor, is available from their own company, Compass Rose Music, and was on many “10 Best” lists when it was released in 1991. A second duet album called THE LIGHT OF THE DAY was named Top Folk Album of 1996 by Rich Warren (WFMT, Chicago) and Matt Watroba (WDET, Detroit).
A collection of twelve of Steve’s original songs was produced in Nashville by Jim Rooney in 1992. The album, called THE WAYS OF THE WORLD (Compass Rose), features studio performances by Stuart Duncan, Mark Howard, Roy Huskey Jr., Kenny Malone, and Mark Schatz. Steve’s latest solo recording is entitled TEXAS AND TENNESSEE (Redwing Music, 1998), with back-up from Charles Cochran, Mark Graham, Mark Schatz, Pete Sutherland, Pete Wasner, Mike Williams and others.