Gerald Merrick

Let the rivers rock you like a cradle

Climb to the treetops, little child, if you're able

Always let your hands tie a knot across the table
Come and touch the things you cannot feel

Fold your fingertips, girl, and find where I can't hold you
Let the sun ray fall and let the dewey ground unfold you
I know someday you'll sing to me the words I've just told you
If all the things you feel ain't what they seem to beDon't you mind me girl, 'cause I ain't really nothin' but a dream

I hold some grapes up to the sun
Flavor breaks and bursts and rolls upon my tongue
Eager tongues, we'll always taste our strife
Fill up our lungs with seeds of life
You come and taste and smell the waters of our times

Close your lips, child, so softly I might kiss you
Let your flower perfume out and let the winds come and caress you
As I walk this garden I am hoping I don't miss you
The things you taste and smell ain't what they seem
Don't you mind me girl, I guess I'm nothin' but a walking dream

The sun and moon both are right
We'll see them soon thru all our days and night
But the colors I see in your eyes are fiery bright
I swear they blind the heavens with all their light
Come and see what your eyes cannot see

Close your eyes, child and look while I show you
Let your mind go reeling out and let the breezes just blow you
Someday we'll meet again and suddenly I'll know you
All the things that you see ain't what they seem to be
Now don't mind me I ain't nothin' but a dream

A mockingbird sings each different song
Each song has wings and won't stay long
Those who hear him think he's doing wrong
While the church bell and school bell toll their one note song
Come hear where your ears cannot hear

Close your ears child and listen while I tell you
Follow the darkest night, the sounds they may impel you
Even the song I'm singing may disturb or serve to quell you
All the sounds you hear aren't what they seem to be
Don't you mind me girl, oh, I ain't nothing but a dream

If you can follow, girl, follow, girl
If you can follow, girl, follow