The Old Mill Wheel

[Intro] (Instrumental - acoustic guitar fingerpicking) [Verse 1] Sunrise paints the eastern sky a dusty gold Dew still clinging to the grass, the morning cold Down by the river where the willows weep The old mill wheel begins to turn, secrets it keeps Water rushes, splashes bright against the stone A rhythm steady, constant, like a tired groan The miller checks the sluice, his face a weathered map Another day begins, another turn, another lap [Chorus] Oh, the wheel keeps turning, round and round it goes Carrying the water, wherever the river flows Grinding corn to flour, seasons come and go The old mill wheel keeps turning, steady, strong, and slow [Verse 2] Sun climbs high, then dips towards the western trees Birds call homeward on the cooling evening breeze The miller wipes his brow, his work is nearly done Another sack is filled beneath the setting sun He watches shadows lengthen on the mossy wall Hears the water's murmur, answers nature's call The wheel keeps spinning, constant through the fading light A faithful sentinel until the cloak of night [Chorus] Oh, the wheel keeps turning, round and round it goes Carrying the water, wherever the river flows Grinding corn to flour, seasons come and go The old mill wheel keeps turning, steady, strong, and slow [Bridge] Years have passed like water under that old bridge New faces come, but still the wheel fulfills its pledge It speaks of time that passes, work that must be done Of simple lives connected to the earth and sun The miller's son now stands where once his father stood The wheel still turns, as understood it should [Chorus] Oh, the wheel keeps turning, round and round it goes Carrying the water, wherever the river flows Grinding corn to flour, seasons come and go The old mill wheel keeps turning, steady, strong, and slow [Outro] (Acoustic guitar fingerpicking fades slowly)