Branch in my hand, I think I'm doin' it right.
We're all going down as time pulls us along,
And everyone's afraid they're doin' it wrong.
She lies on her back, her eyes closed tight,
Reverent to the river's might.
But she don't resist when the current is rough,
A smile on her face, feet calloused and tough.
He started his life of privilege and fame,
But the waters of life, treat him just the same.
He sinks down deep, when reckless can't last,
And he catches my branch as I go past.
We're all going down the river of life.
Branch in my hand, I think I'm doin' it right.
We're all going down as time pulls us along,
And everyone's afraid they're doin' it wrong.
She fights the pull and she fights the pain,
Of worry and waiting till she's under again,
She won't let go to the great unknown.
And we all float by on our way back home.
He's left behind, a forgotten soul,
But he stays the course, a heart brave and whole.
He welcomes the days when he's down and drenched,
With a mind of hope, he's never quite quenched.
We're all going down the river of life.
Branch in my hand, I think I'm doin' it right.
We're all going down as time pulls us along,
And everyone's afraid they're doin' it wrong.
Nobody knows when the river meets the sea,
When the pushing ends, when we're finally free.
We gotta take in each turn, each growth and each breath,
But rest in the failure and rest in the death.
When the rain comes down, the river is glad,
And nothing is good and nothing is bad.
And river don't judge, it just pushes us ahead
It carries the living, right down to the dead.
We're all going down the river of life.
Branch in my hand, I think I'm doin' it right.
We're all going down as time pulls us along,
And everyone's afraid they're doin' it wrong.
We're all going down the river of life,
Branch in my hand, I think I'm doin' it right.
We're all going down the river of dreams,
Nothing's ever the same of just as it seems.
JESS COFFMAN
This photo was taken exactly 4 years ago, when I was performing at Tuacahn Amphitheatre in St. George, Utah. Our adventurous friend Matt, organized a tubing trip for the 8 of us to enjoy a beautiful float down the river. As we floated along, I was taking in the entire experience, the fellowship among the friends, and the gorgeous nature surrounding us. I was particularly interested and amused at how each individual person thought that they had discovered the best way to safely get down the river. However try as we might, each one of us with our variety of techniques, would get our raft caught on an unseen rock, and would flip over and get drenched. Often times it was completely necessary to rely on the help of another friend floating by. And if you were the friend passing by, you were totally at risk of going under if you helped, but each of us did, out of compassion for having been there already multiple times. Some people stayed connected to one another in order to try to prevent going under again, but without fail, they would flip over and get drenched. My friend Gabrielle grabbed a branch and was certain that that was the best way to get down the river. And it was a great help to her.
When we got down to the end of our river float, some of the people who had been in the front at first, ended up being some of the last. What was clear was that some of what happened to us during our float, was within our control and some of it was absolutely not. Regardless of our individual personal strength, self will and position starting out, we were humbled by the river and subject to its unseen ever forward moving agenda. I am so grateful to Matt for organizing this adventure, for the amazing friends I was able to share this experience with, and to God for inspiring me through this encounter to write this song.
Peace, Epiphanies and Living Water,
Your Jess
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