I met my girl at Woolwich pier.
Beneath a big crane standin'.
And all the love I felt for her.
It passed all understandin'.

Took her sailin' on the river.
Flow, sweet river, flow.
Londontown was mine to give her.
Sweet Thames, flow softly.

Made the Thames into a crown.
Flow, sweet river, flow.
Made a brooch of that silver town.
Sweet Thames, flow softly.

At London Yard I held her hand.
At Blackwall Point I faced her.
At the Isle of Dogs I kissed her mouth.
And tenderly embraced her.

Heard the bells of Greenwich ringin'.
Flow, sweet river, flow.
All that time my heart was singin'.
Sweet Thames, flow softly.

Limehouse Reach I gave her there.
Flow, sweet river, flow.
As a ribbon for her hair.
Sweet Thames, flow softly

From Shadwell Dock to Nine Elms Reach.
We cheek to cheek were dancin'.
Her necklace made of London Bridge.
Her beauty was enhancin'.

Kissed her once again at Wapping.
After that there was no stoppin'.
Sweet Thames, flow softly.

Richmond Park it was her ring.
Flow, sweet river, flow.
I'd have given her anything.
Sweet Thames, flow softly.

From Rotherhithe to Putney Bridge.
My love I was declarin'.
And she from Queue to Islewood.
Her love for me was swearin'.

Love had set my heart a-burnin'.
Flow, sweet river, flow.
Never saw the tide was turnin'.
Sweet Thames, flow softly.

Gave her Hampton Court to twist.
Flow, sweet river, flow.
Into a bracelet for her wrist.
Sweet Thames, flow softly.

And now, alas, the tide has changed.
My love she has gone from me.
And the winter's frost has touched my heart.
And left its blight upon me.

Creepin' fog is on the river.
Flow, sweet river, flow.
Sun and moon and stars gone with her.
Sweet Thames, flow softly.

Swift the Thames flows to the sea.
Flow, sweet river, flow.
Bearin' ships and part of me.
Sweet Thames, flow softly.