This inspirational song was written and performed
by Dr. Bryan Richardson at the
2017 BHFSA Grant Awards Ceremony.
Take a walk in the city, look around
There’s more that you can see
Take in all the rhythm and mobility
And listen to the cry of human need
This is what it means to live in the city:
Close to one another for our good
Close enough to walk toward the beauty
And near enough to listen to the pain in the neighborhood
You know that a river runs through it
All the good that you bring makes the current stronger
When you see a way that you can help you’re gonna do it
All the hurting people need to wait no longer
Keep the river flowing
Keep the mercy growing
Keep your brother knowing
That he is not forgotten
Now let justice roll down
Let it flood the thirsty ground
Let your sister drink, not drown
Let her find her life inside that water
Man or woman or sons or daughters
We all need to take a drink of that water
Together we all got to keep the river flowing
On this day the good is yours for the choosing
One man’s never gonna do it all
Day by day together / we build the future
So one by one we got to heed the call
You know that a river runs through it
All the good / that you bring / makes the current stronger
When you see a way that you can help you’re gonna do it
All the hurting people need to wait no longer
Keep the river flowing
Keep the mercy growing
Keep your brother knowing
That he is not forgotten
Now let justice roll down
Let it flood the thirsty ground
Let your sister drink, not drown
Let her find her life inside that water
Man or woman or sons or daughters
We all need to take a drink of that water
Together we all got to keep the river flowing
Don’t dam it up
Don’t slam it shut
Don’t clamp it up
Don’t claim it’s enough
Bring on the flood
Bring on the good
You know you should
Just like heaven would
Keep the river flowing
Keep the mercy growing
Keep your brother knowing
That he is not forgotten
Now let justice roll down
Let it flood the thirsty ground
Let your sister drink, not drown
Let her find her life inside that water
Man or woman or sons or daughters
We all need to take a drink of that water
Together we all got to keep the river flowing
Keep this river flowing on and on
To the hurting and worried we’ll sing this song
Keep this river flowing on and on
Tell the wounded ones who think they’re done they’re wrong
Keep this river flowing on and on
Keep this river flowing on and on
Keep this river flowing on and on
Words and Music by Robert Bryan Richardson
Copyright © 2017 Universe Works Music