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