Crossing the Rough Tide

[Soft Felt Piano Intro] The river raged today, unusual Waves struck my shins as if to hold me down [Verse 1] The water colder than any warning The current pulled my shirt like a stranger's hand I opened my mouth, breathing with the waves Not thrashing like I did as a child [Pre-Chorus] Each step touched the slippery bottom I counted beats and kept the shore in mind [Chorus] I crossed the rough tide The water drained slowly from my knees I crossed the rough tide I crossed because I promised myself [Verse 2] That fire turned out to be a porch light Someone waiting with a towel I stepped ashore and shook off the water Knowing I just did something hard [Chorus] I crossed the rough tide The water drained slowly from my knees I crossed the rough tide I crossed because I promised myself [Bridge] Every current demands a price Whoever retreats drifts far from the hoped-for shore I chose to fight each wave [Chorus] I crossed the rough tide The water drained slowly from my knees I crossed the rough tide I crossed because I promised myself [Outro] I've crossed the river now The water still flows behind me [Fade Out] [End]