I've known rivers:
I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow
Of human blood in human veins

My soul has grown deep like the rivers

I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young
I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep
I looked upon the Nile and raised the Pyramids above it
I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln went down
To New Orleans and I've seen its muddy bosom turn all golden
In the sunset

I've known rivers:
Ancient, dusky rivers

My soul has grown deep like the rivers