Down by the River

Down by the river In a valley very green Live the nicest little people That were ever, ever seen. They have lots of little houses All along the valley floor With so many, many windows And such tiny, tiny doors. And if you’re very careful And you creep up soft and slow You might sometimes hear their laughter When the sun is sinking low. For these tiny, tiny people Sleep all through the sun-long day And soon as night approaches They get up to sing and play. Through the night with moon and stardust Shining in the river’s face They go dancing down the valley Breaking up the mist like lace. And if you’re very careful In the morning soft and slow You can sometimes find their jewels On the grass-blades hanging low, For the nicest little people In the river valley green Take the mist and dew and stardust And their laughter all unseen And they mix them all together Just before the night is through So that in the early sunshine We enjoy their jewels too.