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The River That Forgot Its Name

A river that carries everything but its name, gently washing away what was never meant to stay.

A river that never learned its name, carrying the hush of everything it could not hold.

A river that never stops, carrying half-memories and names that refuse to stay.


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The River That Forgot Its Name - Systems Cowboy
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Lyrics

It flowed across the border
but the border had been moved
carved its way through memory
then asked to be excused

Fish swam in questions
mud spelled out a plea
One bank whispered “mercy”
the other muttered “flee”

It washed away its signage
let the map men guess in vain
They tried to name it justice
but it answered only rain

It once ran clear with childhood
now it runs with shade
Carries bits of lullabies
and debts nobody paid

The ferryman grew restless
The bridges all withdrew
Boats turned in tight spirals
with nothing left to do

Someone called it “Yesterday”
but that name didn’t fit
A stranger dipped their hand in—
forgot where they had been

The turtles know its riddles
The reeds keep time in sighs
The river knows your story
but won’t repeat the lies

It might be called Forgiveness
or maybe What You Meant
But it just keeps on flowing
with no concern for intent

And if you stand too near it
you’ll lose what you’ve become
Not drowned—just gently altered
by the sound of coming undone


About this song

A river that carries everything except its name, washing away what you thought you were.


Return to: The Almanac of Impossible Folk