[Verse 1]
Hey, I heard you want to leave this place
Where we grew up, this old town, just put it all behind
Remember, you and I would always find somewhere to hide when we were kids
So we could see and hear the water run
The river's gonna cry when you're gone
Where will you go, and won't you miss the ones you know?
I'll be here hangin' on, waitin' for your call
Seems like time has a way of passin' by
And leave a mark in our minds that turn to memories

[Chorus]
The river's gonna cry when you're gone-gone, gone-gone
The river's gonna cry when you're gone-gone, gone-gone
The river's gonna cry when you're gone-gone, gone-gone
The river's gonna cry when you're—
The river's gonna cry when you're—
The river's gonna cry when you're gone

[Verse 2]
Hey, I was hoping you would stay
But I've always known that you would go and find your own way
I still see when we climbed up in those trees
Twelve years old, to feel the wind and watch the river run
And the sun would always shine
When we sat there, you and I
[Chorus]
The river's gonna cry when you're gone-gone, gone-gone
The river's gonna cry when you're gone-gone, gone-gone
The river's gonna cry when you're gone-gone, gone-gone
The river's gonna cry when you're—
The river's gonna cry when you're—
The river's gonna cry when you're gone
It's gonna cry, it's gonna cry
The river's gonna cry when you're gone
It's gonna cry, it's gonna cry

[Outro]
Hey, I heard you want to leave this place
Where we grew up, this old town, just leave it all behind
The river's gonna cry when you're gone