Black River

Startled snake is sprawling
Between mountains, oh, black river,
And I am a fierce companion,
I am mirror-man forever,
I am twisted, piercing perfect,
This is complimentary treason,
There is nothing else I wish for,
I'm the man for every season.

But I am a sailor
Heading towards the curtained dark,
The horizon, peppered starlight,
Let my compass find its mark.
Black, black river, what you carry
Is a danger-driven treasure.
Sail, sail on towards other suns,
Towards other sorrows, other pleasures.

Ebony is bleeding
From tomorrow, oh, black river,
I can see you never breathing,
You will have come first forever.
There's a name for what you gave me;
While we're waiting for the ending,
Let yourself enjoy the journey,
Life's a fortune that's worth spending.

But I am a sailor
Heading towards the curtained dark,
The horizon, peppered starlight,
Let my compass find its mark.
Black, black river, what you carry
Is a danger-driven treasure.
Sail, sail on towards other suns,
Towards other sorrows, other pleasures.

Shatter again
While the sky remains unbroken,
I can remember lights I've never seen
Twirling above you,
Ballerinas screaming
About the next time it'll be the last time
And all the times in between.

Black and white and wild,
You are a torrent, oh, black river.
Give me courage to remember
I am stronger than forever;
We have changed what's not been spoken
Throwing wishes in the water,
All the tears that make a river
Still recall the sound of laughter.

All of us are sailors
Heading toward the curtained dark,
The horizon, peppered starlight,
Let the compass find its mark.
And wherever fate may drive us,
Leave our pathways carved in stone
In the hope that other sailors
Never have to sail alone.