Standard (EADGBE)
City life was gettin' us down
So we spent the weekend out of town
Pitched the tent on a patch of ground
Down by the river
Little fire and drank some wine
You put your jeans on top of mine
Said: come in, the water's fine
Down by the river
Down by the river
Down by the river
Said: come in, the water's fine
Down by the river
Didn't feel too good all night
So we took a walk in the mornin' light
We came across the strangest side
Down by the river
Silver fish lay on it's side
It was washed up by the early tide
I wonder how it died
Down by the river
Down by the river
Down by the river
Silver fish lay on it's side
Down by the river
Doctor put us both to bed
He dosed us up and he shook his head
Only foolish people go, he said
Down by the river
Why do willows weep said he
Because they're dying gradually
>From the waste from the factories
Down by the river
Down by the river
Down by the river
Why do willows weep said he
Down by the river
In time the river banks will die
The region wilt and the dogs will fly
There'll be a tear in the otter's eye
Down by the river
The banks will soon be black and dead
And where the otter's raised his head
Will be a clean white stone instead
Down by the river
Down by the river
Down by the river
The banks will soon be black and dead
Down by the river
The original song is written in Bb,
and will change to C; that means: