Seen her get up, seen her go down
Down to the riverside
Seen her jump into the river and drown
Down to the riverside
People do just what they will
Don't matter to the river, it's running still

Sun come up, sun go down
Down to the riverside
Sun jump into the river and drown
Down to the riverside
Every day just like the last
We sit and watch the water pass

Came a day the built a bridge
Down to the riverside
Over the way, on top of the ridge
Down to the riverside
Built a bridge for people to cross
But every other day, someone jumping off

You might think some boys they got it made
Down to the riverside
They got the money and the women and a place in the shade
Down to the riverside
That ain't no way to ease the pain
Can't listen to the river when it calls your name