The James River

The James River I sailed the James before there were bridges Hunted her game along her tall ridges I sat with the Powhatan chief for a smoke With no common words, neither one spoke But he understood we were there to stay And nothing he’d do could drive us away We planted our crops - sent some home on our ships And the colony grew with more inbound trips Plantations soon grew and additional ports People elected - new laws and courts Tobacco and produce soon filled up the boats As down the James River Virginia now floats But then came the rails in a steam driven charge Replacing the sails or the drift along barge So the thinking was changed on the James River flow To a place to relax and to take things more slow Kayak, canoeing, fishing and hiking And shooting the rapids were more to their liking Parks were established that still draw a crowd And of the James River, it’s people are proud