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 Everyday just like the last We sit and watch the water pass Came a day they built a bridge Down to the riverside Over the way, on top of the ridge Down to the riverside Built a bridge for the people to cross But every other day, someone's 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