The Riverbend Rap

Lyrics

[INTRO — ALL] Hey, hey! Who keeps the Bend? We keep the Bend! Root by root— Stone by stone— No one builds the Bend alone! [HOOK — ALL] Welcome to Riverbend, come on in, Every pawprint matters when the work begins. Root by root and stone by stone, No one builds the Bend alone. [VERSE 1 — OLLIE] Name’s Ollie Otto, first at the door, If there’s room for one, we make room for more. I’m the “come on over,” the “pull up a seat,” I hear lonely shuffles in a crowd of feet. I move quick, splash loud, race the day, But I know a friend can quietly drift away. Someone sees what the rest all miss— Nora, take the stone with your notebook list! [VERSE 2 — NORA] I’m Nora, I notice what nobody names, Bent little reeds and loose board frames. I don’t need thunder, I don’t need a shout, I feel when something starts wearing out. I keep eyes open and my voice clear, Not every warning has to sound like fear. When the easy answer sounds smooth on the shelf, Ellis says, “Let’s check it ourselves.” [HOOK — ALL] Welcome to Riverbend, come on in, Every pawprint matters when the work begins. Root by root and stone by stone, No one builds the Bend alone. [VERSE 3 — ELLIS] Ellis on the mic, and I’m not being rude, I just don’t let rumors walk around like food. Who said? What happened? What else could be true? Did we ask everybody—or only ask two? I’m a fox with questions and a careful spark, A lantern works best when the trail gets dark. When something’s busted and the whole Bend knows, Rowan gets building—let’s see how it goes! [VERSE 4 — ROWAN] I’m Rowan, I can fix it—well, I think I can, Got three good sticks and a five-step plan. If a bridge needs mending or a sign leans low, I’m halfway up the ladder before folks say “go.” But building is bigger than being fast, A shortcut can wobble; a quick patch won’t last. If the path gets heavy and the work gets tough, Beck’s the first to say, “I’ve got enough.” [HOOK — ALL] Welcome to Riverbend, come on in, Every pawprint matters when the work begins. Root by root and stone by stone, No one builds the Bend alone. [VERSE 5 — BECK] I’m Beck, the helper, holder, the one Who stays till the hard part’s finally done. I can carry the basket, sweep the floor, Stack up the firewood and still ask for more. But strong little shoulders can get worn thin, When a heart keeps holding everything in. So I share the load when the river runs wide— Tula, bring the thunder from the festival side! [VERSE 6 — TULA] I’m Tula, I’m motion, rhythm, and spark, I dance a dull day into firefly dark. Got a stomp in my step and a clap in my chest, When the Bend feels low, I bring out its best. But loud doesn’t mean I don’t listen deep, I know which dreams need room to leap. When the noise gets tangled and feelings run deep, Maren knows what the quiet can keep. [HOOK — ALL] Welcome to Riverbend, come on in, Every pawprint matters when the work begins. Root by root and stone by stone, No one builds the Bend alone. [VERSE 7 — MAREN] I’m Maren, I don’t always rush to speak, I hear the strong part hiding in the weak. Some need a cheer, some need space, Some need someone brave enough to stay in place. I’m not afraid of a cloudy sky, Not every sad thing needs to hurry by. Juniper’s coming with pockets of seeds— Half bright idea, half “what if this leads?” [VERSE 8 — JUNIPER] I’m Juniper, yes, and I wonder out loud, I find tiny miracles under every cloud. A beetle, a berry, a map in the moss, A trail that says “try me” when the others say “lost.” I ask, “What could happen?” I ask, “Why not?” I grow a big plan from a very small thought. Ollie holds the doorway, Nora sees the sign, Ellis asks the question, Rowan draws the line. Beck shares the burden, Tula brings the beat, Maren keeps the kindness, I plant the seed. Now every little voice has found its stone— Riverbend, rap it: we build it together, not alone! [FINAL HOOK — ALL] Welcome to Riverbend, come on in, Every pawprint matters when the work begins. Root by root and stone by stone, No one builds the Bend alone. Root by root! Stone by stone! No one builds the Bend alone! [OUTRO — ALL] Who keeps the Bend? We keep the Bend! What do we know? We’re not alone! Root by root— And stone by stone!