I came from the sunny valleys, and sought for the open sea For I thought in its gray expanses, my peace would come to me I came at last to the ocean, and found it wild and black And I cried to the windless valleys: Be kind and take me back! But the thirsty tide ran inland, and the salt waves drank of me And I who was fresh as the rainfall, am bitter as the sea Betty came by on her way, said she has a word to say Bout things today, and fallen leaves Said she hadn't heard the news, hadn't had the time to choose A way to lose, but she believes Going to see the river man, going to tell him all I can About the plan, for lilac time If he tells me all he knows, bout the way his river flows And all night shows, in summertime Betty said she prayed today, for the sky to blow away Or maybe stay, she wasn't sure When she thought of summer rain, callin' for her mind again She lost the pain, and stayed for more Going to see the river man, going to tell him all I can About the ban, on feeling free If he tells me all he knows, about the way his river flows I don't suppose, it's meant for me Oh, how they come and go Oh, how they come and go