River Man Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Betty came by on her way
Said she had a word to say
'Bout things today
And fallen leaves
[Verse 2]
Said she hadn't heard the news
Hadn't had the time to choose
A way to lose
But she believes
[Chorus]
Gonna see the river man
Gonna tell him all I can
About the plan
For lilac time
If he tells me all he knows
'Bout the way his river flows
And all-night shows
In summertime
[Verse 3]
Betty said she prayed today
For the sky to blow away
Or maybe stay
She wasn't sure
Betty came by on her way
Said she had a word to say
'Bout things today
And fallen leaves
[Verse 2]
Said she hadn't heard the news
Hadn't had the time to choose
A way to lose
But she believes
[Chorus]
Gonna see the river man
Gonna tell him all I can
About the plan
For lilac time
If he tells me all he knows
'Bout the way his river flows
And all-night shows
In summertime
[Verse 3]
Betty said she prayed today
For the sky to blow away
Or maybe stay
She wasn't sure
[Verse 4]
For when she thought of summer rain
Calling for her mind again
She lost the pain
And stayed for more
[Chorus]
Gonna see the river man
Gonna tell him all I can
About the ban
On feeling free
If he tells me all he knows
'Bout the way his river flows
I don't suppose
It's meant for me
[Outro]
Oh, how they come and go
Oh, how they come and go
For when she thought of summer rain
Calling for her mind again
She lost the pain
And stayed for more
[Chorus]
Gonna see the river man
Gonna tell him all I can
About the ban
On feeling free
If he tells me all he knows
'Bout the way his river flows
I don't suppose
It's meant for me
[Outro]
Oh, how they come and go
Oh, how they come and go
About
Genius Annotation
Written in 5/4 time and using standard guitar tuning, Drake regarded “River Man” as one of his finest. It appeared on the album Five Leaves Left. Like all Drake’s songs, it was not appreciated during his life.
Robert Kirby, who arranged most of Drake’s music, did not feel up to arranging this song, so sought assistance from Harry Robertson, credited as Harry Robinson.
Harmonically, Drake extends his chords with 9ths and 4ths which add a jazzy, slightly dissonant feel to the guitar part.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
- 2.River Man
- 3.Three Hours
- 4.Way to Blue
- 5.Day Is Done
- 6.’Cello Song
- 9.Fruit Tree
- 10.Saturday Sun
Credits
Produced By
Written By
Double Bass
String Arrangement
Recorded At
Sound Techniques - London, England
Release Date
July 3, 1969
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