I've known rivers: br I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the br flow of human blood in human veins br br My soul has grown deep like the rivers. br br I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young br I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep. br I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it. br I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln br went down to New Orleans, and I've seen its muddy br bosom turn all golden in the sunset br br I've known rivers: br Ancient, dusky rivers. br br My soul has grown deep like the rivers.