As I write this letter; I can hear the river  Runnin' by the back door, whispering a dream  You're somewhere in the night sky  high above the ocean  Flying across the dateline  I hope you get some sleep  As you move, as you fly, think of me watching  the river go by  I'm no good at saying goodbye, so hello  from the river and I  I'm not an easy father, I never have been  I'm a little like this country- my story runs deep  I used to tie your laces, carry you on my shoulders  I held you after bad dreams, and rocked you back to sleep  So as you move, as you fly, think of me watching  the river go by  I'n no good at saying goodbye  so hello fromn the river and I  You're so far away making a life of your own  I'm amazed by what you've done  You're so far away in a world I'll never know  I'm amazed by you my son  So as you move, as you fly, think of me  watching the river go by  I'm no good at saying goodbye