City life was getting us down so we spent a weekend out town Pitched our 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 I 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 The doctor put us both to bed He doesed us up and he shook his head Only foolish people go He said Down by the river The mighty 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 The mighty 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 The banks will soon be black and dead, down by the river