Bear and Robert sang a song about the Florida Folk Festival, which is held is held at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs, Florida, on Memorial Day, when flags fly.

They wrote for the Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest:
https://wwals.net/pictures/songwriting2025

What do you get when you cross a Folkie with a Bluesman? You get Bear and Robert! Bear and Robert (row-bear) are Cindy Bear and Franc Robert, an award winning singer-songwriter duo from Jacksonville, FL. Together their acoustic sound has been described as a deep well of Folk, Blues, and Americana with a high energy Je Nais Se Quois! Their CD’s, “Travels With Bear and Robert,” and “Hearts in Blues,” Franc’s solo and band CD’s, and Cindy’s solo CD “Start Over Again” are available on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, and on their website at https://www.bearandrobert.com

Bear and Robert, Jacksonville, FL, with a folk song 2025-09-06, Suwannee River in White Springs, Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest

They say about their song, “This is a soulful and evocative folk hymn written to transport listeners on a poetic journey to a sacred haven on the banks of the Suwannee River, which is full of cherished memories, and reminiscent of a church.”

Here are Bear and Robert of Jacksonville, Florida, singing their song:
https://youtu.be/_XAxtI3uB1s

Lyrics for “Suwannee River in White Springs,” by Cindy Bear & Susan Grandy (performed/recorded by Bear and Robert):

VERSE 1
When flags adorn the southern hills
Of quiet green and stone
We journey where the live oak trees
Bring memories filled with song
So come with me down to the shore
Of a river wild and free
Old marble stairs
Are my comfy chair
Where my solace waits for me

CHORUS
“Come away with me”
Ancient voices sing
Can you hear them calling out to me?
Oh the joy she brings
To our gathering
By the Suwannee River in White Springs

VERSE 2
My cares drift far behind me
As I gaze upon her shores
She grounds me with her beauty
From Florida days of yore
In a Spanish moss cathedral
Native Spirits hear my plea
As the tower bells
Weave magic spells
In peaceful harmony

CHORUS
“Come away with me”
Ancient voices sing
Can you hear them calling out to me?
Oh the joy she brings
To our gathering
By the Suwannee River in White Springs

VERSE 3
I ask the river if she knows
How she heals my troubled soul
She answers with her ebb and flow
Then to the sea she rolls
The cypress kneels in peaceful prayer
The gazebo stands at ease
I’m baptized in tannin waters
My burden’s now released

CHORUS
“Come away with me”
Ancient voices sing
Can you hear them calling out to me?
Oh the joy she brings
To our gathering
By the Suwannee River in White Springs

OUTRO
Oh the joy she brings
To our gathering
By the Suwannee River in White Springs

Music and lyrics are copyright by their authors. WWALS has rights only to use them in conjunction with this event.

Lyrics, Suwannee River in White Springs, by Cindy Bear and Susan Grandy
PDF

Thanks to those who came to WWALS River Revue 2025, and who participated in the silent auction, as well as the MC, Headliner, Judges, and Finalists. And of course to all the volunteers who helped.

Flyer: WWALS River Revue 2025

Thanks to all the sponsors!

Sponsors Poster –WWALS River Revue 2025

 -jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

You can help with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable, water in the 10,000-square-mile Suwannee River Basin in Florida and Georgia by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations/

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