River of Souls

Dan Fogelberg · Portrait: Music Of Dan Fogelberg From 1972-1997 [1997]

I take my place along the shore

And I wait for the tide

It seems I've passed this way before

In an earlier time

I hear a voice like mystery

Blowing warm through the night

The silent moon embraces me

And I'm drawn to her light



I follow footprints in the sand

To a circle of stone

Find a fire burning bright

Though I came here alone

And in the play of shadows cast

I can dimly discern

The shapes of all who've gone before

Calling me to return



There are no names

That fit these faces

There are no lines that can define

These ancient spaces

The spirits dance across the ages

And melt into a river of souls



Lo que es de mio ~~ what is mine ~~

Lo que es de dios ~~ what is god's ~~

Lo que es del rio ~~ what is the river's ~~

Melt into a river of souls



I take my place along the shore

And I wait for the tide

It seems I've passed this way before

In an earlier time

To every man the mystery

Sings a different song

He fills his page of history

Dreams his dreams and is gone



There are no names

That fit these faces

There are no lines that can define

These ancient spaces

The spirits dance across the ages

And melt into a river of souls



Lo que es de mio ~~ what is mine ~~

Lo que es de dios ~~ what is god's ~~

Lo que es del rio ~~ what is the river's ~~

Melt into a river of souls

River of Souls

Dan Fogelberg's "River of Souls" stands as a quintessential example of his signature acoustic ballad style, blending folk and country influences with a sweeping, emotive melody. Recorded for the comprehensive compilation "Portrait: Music Of Dan Fogelberg From 1972-1997," the track exemplifies Fogelberg's ability to craft introspective narratives that resonate deeply with listeners. The song's structure relies on a gentle, driving rhythm and Fogelberg's distinctive vocal delivery, creating an atmosphere of quiet reflection often found in his work from the 1980s. It captures the essence of his discography, where personal storytelling meets universal themes of longing and memory, solidifying his place in the landscape of American adult contemporary and acoustic folk music.