Am                      F#dim   D#dim
The brackish roots of river pine
Em             Bm      C
Anchored in my curving spine
C            G       Am        Bm
Bend to the whims of wind's design
Am        D#dim         Em
And I lay down at your side


Am                          F#dim   D#dim
Above the brine of reds in clay
  Em            Bm       C
A swollen angel oaks bouquet
C                 G           Am       Bm
In the red-winged blackbird's eyes of grey
  Am         D#dim   Em
A saltwater tear resides


        Am            F#dim   Em        D
But the sand and the earthen parapet
Am      F#dim    Em      Bm
Silts into this rivulet
    G              Bm         Am       Bm
The bluffs and the banks will soon forget
  Am     D#dim     Em
A single tear was cried


    Am                         F#dim     D#dim
And in this spawning ground it blooms
    Em             Bm     C
The nectar and the petal plumes
   C      G      Am    Bm
A purple swallow now exhumed
Am            D#dm       Em
From the river that has died


    Am      F#dim  Em       D
The crimson of ranunculus
   Am     F#dm  Em      Bm
Gardenia and dianthus
    G         Bm    Am    Bm
The bloodless ivory water-lotus
Am     D#dim   Em
Sweetly opens wide


[interlude]


    Am    F#dim  Em            D 
Without a voice left to sing
      Am   F#dim     Em           Bm
With waterlogged and heavy wing
     G        Bm      Am   Bm
With peaceful eyes unsuffering
  Am     D#dim         Em
A pigeon floats in the tide