Frank Turner

Lyrics

Our history runs down our rivers, down our rivers to the sea.
Reminds us of the things that matter, home and hearth and history
And all our sins will be forgiven, washed away to set us free
But the rivers that run through our homesteads, by myth and modal melody

I trace these rivers from the cities to the seas to remind me what I already know
I trace the shoreline through a thousand estuaries to remind me
And island is my home.

I've travelled far across this country, Northumberland to Southern Downs
I wandered up the rolling Humber, and down the Thames to London town
Countless lives were lived and lingered in the Costwolds and the Fells
And left a tapestry called "England", of life and those who lived it well.

I trace these rivers from the cities to the seas to remind me what I already know
I trace the shoreline through a thousand estuaries to remind me
And island is my home.

Round here the sky is a little closer, a little closer to the ground
It's hard for someone to get lost here, harder still to get found
And though I've seen a thousand rivers, from the Mississippi to the Rhine,
The only place I'll lay my hat down is by an English riverside.

I trace these rivers from the cities to the seas to remind me what I already know
I trace the shoreline through a thousand estuaries to remind me
And island is my home.

Place your trust into the sea, it's kept us safe for centuries
It's shaped our shores and steadily, its care has brought us calm
And when I die I hope to be buried out in English seas
So all that then remains of me will lap against these shores
Until England is no more.