Here's a song for All Saints Day
Remembering those who've gone away
The list grows longer every year,
Friends whose memories we hold dear.
Soupy Schindler and Bill Hinkley
Hear their music so distinctly.
Dave Van Ronk, Bill Holm, Tom Keith,
In the water drop a wreath.
Brightly shine those memories
Candles flicker in the trees
May the living carry on
In the light of those who've gone
Once Chet Atkins, Jethro Burns,
Played delicious twists and turns,
Doc Watson, Paul Yandell, two great players
Mike Seeger and Helen Schneyer
John Hartford, Red Maddock, Russ
Warner, Kate Wolf gone from us.
Sean Blackburn, Chris Forth, Lynn Thigpen
Robert Altman will not be seen again.
Gone Odetta and her song
Bogan, Martin and Armstrong,
Roger Miller, Hazel Dickens
Tommy Thompson, Alice Playten
Brightly shine those memories
Candles flicker in the trees
May the living carry on
In the light of those who've gone
Handford, Dorothy
Marklund, Ray
Retzel, Ernie
Warner, Russell
Saw the leaves upon the bough.
Those who reached the river side,
And they launched upon its tide.
And their boats with noiseless oar
Safely passed to yon bright shore.
CHORUS:
Thank you, Lord, for this good life
Camped here by the riverside
Thank you for the saints who lived
Every day a precious gift
All our stuff, our souvenirs,
All our memories and our tears,
Won't you stand with me, my friend,
Sing that chorus once again.
Turn our faces to the west,
Oh how bountifully blessed
In this life and in this land,
Kindness flows on every hand.
Look in every friendly face,
Every memory of this place,
And before we must depart,
Sing one chorus from the heart.
CHORUS