The river come down
The river come down
River come down
I can't cross over
Why-o, why-o, why-o
I can't cross over

I wanted to go down
To the other side of town
There was water all around
And I couldn't cross over
Why-o, why-o, why-o
I can't cross over

Well a gal she come by
And I give she the eye
So she started to sigh
And I couldn't cross over
Why-o, why-o, why-o
I can't cross over

The river come down
The river come down
River come down
And I couldn't cross over
Why-o, why-o, why-o
I can't cross over

Now bird he can fly
Foggy jump high
Fishes never die
And I couldn't cross over
Why-o, why-o, why-o
I can't cross over

A well I stole me a kiss
I couldn't resist
Just think what I'd a miss
If I could have crossed over
Why-o, why-o, why-o
I can't cross over

The river come down
The river come down
River come down
And I couldn't cross over
Why-o, why-o, why-o
I can't cross over

I had a curiosity
Now I got a family
Bouncing baby on my knee
'Cause I couldn't cross over
Why-o, why-o, why-o
I can't cross over

So when you see your neighbor daughter
Better run for the water
You'll do things you hadn't ought to
If you can't cross over
Why-o, why-o, why-o
I can't cross over

The river come down
The river come down
River come down
And I couldn't cross over
Why-o, why-o, why-o
I can't cross over