National Lyrics, and Songs for Music/The Rio Verde Song

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For other versions of this work, see The Rio Verde Song.



III.

THE RIO VERDE SONG.




The Rio Verde, a small river of Spain, is celebrated in the old ballad romances of their country for the frequent combats on its banks, between Moor and Christian. The ballad referring to this stream, in Percy's Reliques,

"Gentle river, gentle river,
Lo! thy streams are stained with gore,"

will be remembered by many readers.



III.

THE RIO VERDE SONG.




Flow, Rio Verde!
    In melody flow;
Win her that weepeth
    To slumber from woe;
Bid thy wave's music
    Roll thro' her dreams,
Grief ever loveth
    The kind voice of streams.

Bear her lone spirit
    Afar on the sound,
Back to her childhood,
    Her life's fairy ground;

Pass like the whisper
    Of love that is gone—
—Flow, Rio Verde!
    Softly flow on!

Dark glassy water
    So crimson'd of yore!
Love, death, and sorrow
    Know thy green shore.
Thou shouldst have echoes
    For grief's deepest tone—
—Flow, Rio Verde,
    Softly flow on!