Where the River Meets the Sea    (Lyrics and Music - Ed McGee)

The river reflects the sun and the trees
So I lean from my raft to take a look at me,
But instead of my face I see the riverbed,
It slowly goes by in the shape of my head. 

Little stones slide from big ear to big ear
And a rusty old can some human left here.
I can’t help but laugh at this view of my mind –
Wet rocks and weeds drifting endlessly by. 

Miniature fish darting out of view
Reappear like they know I’m thinking of you.
They swim though my head’s silhouette in a row
Like they’re reading my mind, so maybe they know: 

When will the river reach the sea?
I’ve been waiting so long, how long could it be?
When will the river reach the sea?
Oh, I long for lady monkey waiting for me. 

I keep all my things in a shiny black hat
(In my rush to escape, it was nothing or that),
Only three more bananas and some peanuts remain
And your last telegram, let me read it again:

SNEAK UNDER TENT DURING ELEPHANT SHOW      STOP
TRAINERS AND CLOWNS WON’T NOTICE YOU GO      STOP
PACK WHAT YOU CAN, COME QUICK AS CAN BE      STOP
I’LL WAIT FOR YOU HERE WHERE THE RIVER MEETS THE SEA    STOP 

When will the river reach the sea?
I’ve been waiting so long, how long could it be?
When will the river reach the sea?
Oh, I long for lady monkey waiting for me. 

Nothing much left now but hope in my heart,
Even my raft is finally falling apart.
I empty the ringmaster’s hat and jump in
And float on like this, my face to the wind. 

I picture you laughing at the sight of me here –
Adrift in this top hat, a banana to steer –
Then suddenly think I smell salt in the air
And I think those are seagulls circling up there. 

Is this where the river meets the sea?
I’ve been waiting so long, it’s hard to believe.
Is this where the river meets the sea?
Oh, I see my love swingin’ in a beautiful tree.