City life was getting us down
So we spent a weekend out of town
Pitched a tent on a patch of ground
Down by the river

Lit a 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 morning light
And came across the strangest sight
Down by the river

Silver fish lay on its 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 its side
Down by the river

The 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
„And why do willows weep?", said he
"Because they're dying gradually
From the waste from the factory"
Down by the river

Down by the river
Down by the river
„And why do willows weep?", said he
Down by the river

And in time the riverbanks will die
The reeds will wilt and the ducks won't 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 raised his head
Will be a clean white skull 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

Down by the river
Down by the river
The banks will soon be black and dead
Down by the river