The river come down

The river come down

River come down

I can't cross over

Why-o, why-o, why-o

I can't cross over



I wanted to go down

To the other side  of town

There was water all around

And I couldn't cross over

Why-o, why-o, why-o

I can't cross over



Well a gal she come by

And I give she the eye

So she started to sigh

And I couldn't cross over

Why-o, why-o, why-o

I can't cross over



The river come down

The river come down

River come down

And I couldn't cross over

Why-o, why-o, why-o

I can't cross over



Now bird he can fly

Foggy jump high

Fishes never die

And I couldn't cross over

Why-o, why-o, why-o

I can't cross over



A well I stole me a kiss

I couldn't resist

Just think what I'd a miss

If I could have crossed over

Why-o, why-o, why-o

I can't cross over



The river come down

The river come down

River come down

And I couldn't cross over

Why-o, why-o, why-o

I can't cross over



I had a curiosity

Now I got a family

Bouncing baby on my knee

‘Cause I couldn't cross over

Why-o, why-o, why-o

I can't cross over



So when you see your neighbor daughter

Better run for the water

You'll do things you hadn't ought to

If you can't cross over

Why-o, why-o, why-o

I can't cross over



The river come down

The river come down

River come down

And I couldn't cross over

Why-o, why-o, why-o

I can't cross over