Lyrics: Down By The River ('75 Version)

City life was gettin' us down
So we spent a weekend outa town
Pitched our tent on a patch of ground
Down by the river
Lit a fire and drank some wine
You put your jeans on top of mine
I said "come in, the water's fine"
Down by the river

Down by the river
Down by the river
I said "come in, the water's fine"
Down by the river

Didn't feel to good all night
So we took a walk in the morning light
And came across the strangest sight
Down by the river
Silver fish lay on its side
It was washed up by the early tide
I wonder how it died
Down by the river

Down by the river
Down by the river
Silver fish lay on its side
Down by the river

Doctor put us both to bed
He dosed us up and he shook his head
"Only foolish people go", he said
"Down by the river."
"Why do willows weep", said he
"Because they're dying gradually
From the waste from the factories
Down by the river."

Down by the river
Down by the river
"Why do willows weep", said he
"Down by the river."

And in time the riverbanks will die
The reeds will wilt, and the ducks won't fly
There'll be a tear in the otter's eye
Down by the river
The banks will soon be black and dead
And where the otter raised its head
Will be a clean, white skull instead
Down by the river

Down by the river
Down by the river
The banks will soon be black and dead
Down by the river

Down by the river
Down by the river
The banks will soon be black and dead
Down by the river