River Song

‘I Am the River’

a song written and performed by The Ripple Effect, a community collective for the River Frome.

by The Ripple Effect

about

Written and performed by the Frome (Somerset) community, this song is a call to action for our river. All funds raised will go towards building a riverside platform for everyone to enjoy.

Produced by Bert Jansch Studio and led by cellist and creative workshop leader Heather Truesdall, this project was sparked by Frome Families for the Future as part of the Green & Healthy Frome project.

The River Vision Project aims to reconnect people in Frome with the River Frome by using artistic approaches. Collaboratively composed with members of the Frome community, from children to the elderly.

We wrote this song over four workshops at the Rosetti House, where we drew inspiration from a silent river walk, imagining how the river would feel and what it might say if it could speak, and reflecting on our own memories of the river. We wove these ideas into lyrics and made the melodies and chords together in our circle, humming and singing our ideas. The final song incorporates ideas, melodies, and words from everyone who participated in the workshops, from the youngest member (aged 5) to the elderly residents in the care home.

lyrics

Chorus:
I am the river, listen to me, please, can I be free
I am the river, notice me, look again, and you will see
I’m sometimes fast and sometimes slow, over the weir here I go,
Relaxed and powerful, a sparkling jewel, unique as a fingerprint, I flow

Daisies and dandelions are dancing, buttercups and bluebells are blooming here,
Amongst the broken pipes, the bottle tops and beer cans
There is life

Chorus

Feeling neglected at nightfall, I see the darkness, no movement at all here
Suddenly, the clouds clear, letting in the moonlight
Revealing life

I dream of days of crystal waters where beavers play with sons and daughters here
Wish we could find a solution to this disastrous pollution
So hear our call to action and join in our conversation

The river is us, and we are the river; its health reflects our own
Drops of care ripple out, we need to listen, change and learn

The river is us, and we are the river, the river is us, and we are the river

credits & License

Released September 19, 2025

Written and performed by The Ripple Effect with Heather Truesdall
With special guests, the Songbirds Choir led by Caroline Radcliffe
Martin Koloarides, guitar
Henrik Jensen, bass
Dave Smith, drums
Recorded by Milo Ferreira-Hayes at the Bert Jansch studio 2025
Mixed by Milo Ferreira-Hayes

With huge thanks to the Bert Jansch studio for their generous community grant, which made it possible to record this song!