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