Recording and Mixing Dates: Recorded January 31, 2010. Mixed February 16, 2016.
Genesis: Theresa and I celebrated our 41st wedding anniversary two days ago. Theresa asked that I post this song in honor of this event.
I wrote this song in January 2010. I came up with the music just after New Year’s Day. I made up words to capture the melody and three words stuck in my mind: River, Rainbow, Tree. I titled the demo with these words. Over the course of the month I wrote the lyrics. All three words made it into the final version.
The song reflects the fact that time is moving quickly for us these days. We have to confront the inevitable changes that will come as we grow older. Theresa has been my muse since we started hanging out in 1974. She has also been my champion, believing that my music should be nurtured and heard. My rainbow does indeed begin and end with her.
I recorded the song on my iPhone, using an adapter that allowed me to plug in a high-quality microphone. I love the interplay between the guitar and the high-string guitar. I came up with an arrangement that featured piano and cello, but in the end I realized this recording captured the essence of the song.
Production: Acoustic Guitar, Nashville High-String Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin.
Lyrics
There’s a River
There’s a river
Through these trees
We’ll take it down to New Orleans
We can run away
But I know we’ll stay
Shine some diamonds
In the sun
Blind ourselves from what’s to come
If our memories fade
We must not be afraid
With dreams and a compass
And a shifting point of view
Somehow I found my rainbow
That begins and ends with you
We come running
Down through time
To separate unknown finish lines
I will see you through
That’s what I want to do
With dreams and a compass
And a shifting point of view
Somehow I found my rainbow
That begins and ends with you
I’ll keep turning
Every key
There’re some good songs locked in me
That I’ll sing to you
You can sing them too
There’s a river
Through these trees
We’ll take it down to New Orleans
We can run away
But I know we’ll stay
Copyright 2016 Fred Grittner All Rights Reserved
52 tracks blog 
I like this one a lot. That´s the same version as the one I first heard in 2010, I think?
Lovely song. lovely melody, good lyrics. Nice and subdued, doesn´t need more instruments.
Maybe sing ‘There´s a river’ (once or twice) again during the outro?
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Thanks, Jan.
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This is a lovely piece of work. I found myself not wanting to hear the repeat of the 1st verse however, leaving it “wrapped up” with the “you can sing it too” line. Nice job.
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Thanks, Tom.
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Wow, 41 years, congratulations Fred and Theresa, that’s beautiful. Sandrine and I have been together since 24 years and we just celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary in July. Also very touching song and lyrics, thanks!
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