TA' JIANG

i) source

from these rivers of gold I grew,
panning silent silt-filled waters
the trinkets on my arms speak truths,
stories of wealth in these swift waters

chi'n sha' jiang - river of golden sand

from these distant mountains you bring,
precious gold our future with you
amongst grit and sand we sing,
hands held in prayer our hopes renewed

chi'n sha' jiang - river of golden sand

limestone cliffs rise either side,
junks attempt to fight fierce tides
sampan chase the upstream winds,
the river rages still
hammers smashing rocks for miles,
factories choke the township tiles
ferries spew their diesel oil
in glossy rainbow films
ta' jiang….ta' jiang….

from sources pure you gave to us
a future for our grandsons new
respect was all you asked of us
in return we stole your future too

chi'n sha' jiang - river of golden sand

limestone cliffs rise either side….

ii) spirit (instrumental)

iii) vision

not fifty years from now
the world will look like this
so bleak in this harsh land,
a damp and crowded bliss
cold and hunger grey-filled skies,
amidst this sulpherous thunder
if I could see the future
it's written in these tides

woman, man and child
hard work is all they know
crude tools to do their chores
and the farmers work their land
and chase their hunger on rain-filled
streets of stone their pushcarts thunder

if I could see the future - it's written in these tides
if I could see the future - it's here before my eyes

iv) rage (instrumental)

v) finale

concrete banks rise either side,
sewers spill their putrid tide
corpses take their lurid way,
the river rages still
of great importance to them all,
this mighty river thunders through
habitat laid low by man
forever lost in time

ta' jiang….ta' jiang….
(unconquered spirit, how could we chain you?)

lyrics & music - leigh
©synergy records

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