The stanza...

Let us paraphrase the River stanza by stanza!

Stanza 1

The river’s a wanderer, a nomad, a tramp.
He doesn't choose any one place to set up his camp.

The River is always on the move.Like a wanderer, a nomad and or a tramp, he cannot settle down in one place. He does not have a permanent home.

Stanza 2

The river’s a winder, through valley and hill.
He twists and he turns, he just cannot be still.

The River does not move in a straight line as it moves through valley and hills. He changes his path and winds from left to right as he moves along its course.He just cannot stay still.

Stanza 3

The river’s a hoarder and he buries down deep.
Those little treasures that he wants to keep.

The River likes to keep the things he finds along the way.He hides these things deep down in the river bed. These are the things he values and wants to keep in his treasure trove.

Stanza 4

The river’s a baby, he gurgles and hums.
And sounds like he’s happily sucking his thumbs.

The River is a baby.He makes low laughing sounds and sings softly.Like a baby who makes happy sound when it sucks its thumb, the River gurgles happily.

Stanza 5

The river’s a singer, as he dances along.
The countryside echoes the notes of his song.

The River sings and dances as he flows down through villages.The echoes of his happy songs reverberate through the valley and can be heard by the villagers.

Stanza 6

The river’s a monster, hungry and vexed.
He’s gobbled up trees and he’ll swallow you next.

The River is a wild creature especially when he is hungry and angry.It eats up trees and he might swallow you too if he overflows his banks.