(Verse 1)
Down where the black water winds through the grass
And the egret stands silent when afternoon pass
There’s a whisper that rises from cordgrass and mud
Thicker than honey and older than blood
The pluff mud will hold you, the spartina will sway
And the heart of the lowcountry won’t let you stray
(Chorus)
Oh, Carolina marshland, keeper of the tide
Where the river meets the ocean and the spirits reside
You’re a cradle of creation, a sanctuary blessed
Rise up and protect her, give your soul no rest
For the marsh is a temple where the wild things pray
Don’t you let her fade away
(Verse 2)
The oyster beds cluster like jewels in the creek
And the heron’s sharp eye makes the mullet run meek
A dolphin rolls silver where the channel runs deep
Secrets the salt marsh is honored to keep
Every breath that you’re breathing, every storm that you weather
The marsh and her people are woven together
(Chorus)
Oh, Carolina marshland, keeper of the tide
Where the river meets the ocean and the spirits reside
You’re a cradle of creation, a sanctuary blessed
Rise up and protect her, give your soul no rest
For the marsh is a temple where the wild things pray
Don’t you let her fade away
(Bridge – spoken, with building intensity)
This ain’t just water and grass, y’all. This is the nursery of the sea, the filter of the earth. This is where the ancient cycles spin, where life begins in the warm, dark water. When you feel that salt breeze on your face, that’s the marsh calling you home. She’s asking you to stand with her. She’s asking you to fight for her.
(Verse 3 – louder, more urgent)
From the ACE Basin down to the Sound
There ain’t no holier, wilder ground
The rice fields remember, the tides still rise
There’s a promise reflected in those big marsh skies
So take up the mantle, let your voice be heard
Be the steward, the sentry, the living word
(Final Chorus – full voice, passionate)
Oh, Carolina marshland, keeper of the tide
Where the river meets the ocean and the spirits reside
You’re a cradle of creation, a sanctuary blessed
Rise up and protect her, give your soul no rest
For the marsh is a temple where the wild things pray
Don’t you let her fade away
No, don’t you let her fade away
(Outro – gentle, fading)
Spartina swaying… tide rolling in…
This is where we begin.
This is where we begin.