For other versions of this work, see River Song.
229872Poems of Nature (Thoreau) — River SongHenry David Thoreau

RIVER SONG

Ply the oars! away! away!
In each dew-drop of the morning
Lies the promise of a day.


Rivers from the sunrise flow,
Springing with the dewy morn;
Voyageurs 'gainst time do row,
Idle noon nor sunset know,
Ever even with the dawn.

· · · · · ·

Since that first 'Away! away!'
Many a lengthy reach we 've rowed,
Still the sparrow on the spray
Hastes to usher in the day
With her simple-stanza'd ode.