The River
The River

Bruce Springsteen - The River Lyrics

Rock
Jun 8, 2009
660
The River Music Video

The River Lyrics

I come from down in the valley
Where, mister, when you're young
They bring you up to do like your daddy done
Me and Mary we met in high school
When she was just seventeen
We drive out of this valley
Down to where the fields were green
We'd go down to the river
And into the river we'd dive
Oh, down to the river we'd ride

Then I got Mary pregnant
And man, that was all she wrote
And for my nineteenth birthday
I got a union card and a wedding coat
We went down to the courthouse
And the judge put it all to rest
No wedding day smiles, no walk down the aisle
No flowers, no wedding dress

That night we went down to the river
And into the river we'd dive
Oh, down to the river we did ride
Yeah, yeah

I got a job working construction
For the Johnstown Company
But lately there ain't been much work
On account of the economy
Now all them things that seemed so important
Well mister they vanished right into the air
Now I just act like I don't remember
Mary acts like she don't care

But I remember us riding in my brother's car
Her body tan and wet, down at the reservoir
At night on them banks I'd lie awake
And pull her close just to feel each breath she'd take
Now those memories come back to haunt me
They haunt me like a curse
Is a dream a lie if it don't come true
Or is it something worse
That sends me down to the river
Though I know the river is dry
That sends me down to the river tonight
Down to the river
My baby and I
Oh, down to the river we ride-ide

Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh

Writer(s): Bruce Springsteen
Copyright(s): Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What inspired Bruce Springsteen to write 'The River'?

    'The River' was inspired by Bruce Springsteen's sister Ginny and her husband Mickey. It reflects their early life together and explores themes of love, marriage, and economic struggles.

  2. What musical style does 'The River' belong to?

    'The River' is primarily a heartland rock and rock and roll song with folk and Americana influences. It combines introspective storytelling with elements of traditional rock sounds, including a haunting harmonica part.

  3. How did 'The River' perform on music charts?

    'The River' achieved notable success in various countries, reaching the top 10 in Sweden and Norway, and number 24 in Ireland. The song also reached number 1 in Israel and number 3 in Portugal with the live version from the No Nukes concert.

  4. When and where was 'The River' first performed live?

    Bruce Springsteen first performed 'The River' live during the Musicians United for Safe Energy (MUSE) concerts at Madison Square Garden on September 21 and 22, 1979.

  5. What are some notable influences on 'The River'?

    Bruce Springsteen cited Hank Williams' 1950 hit 'Long Gone Lonesome Blues' as an influence, particularly for the chorus. Additionally, the song reflects elements of early rock and roll and country music.

  6. What role does the song 'The River' play in Bruce Springsteen's album of the same name?

    Springsteen considers 'The River' to be 'the heart and soul' of the album. It marks a transition in his songwriting, exploring themes of love, loss, and economic struggles, and foreshadows the darker themes in his subsequent album, 'Nebraska.'

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