THE RIVER

I come from down in the valley, where mister when you're young
They bring you up to do like your daddy done
Me and Mary we met in high school, when she was just seventeen
We'd ride out of that valley down to where the fields were green

We'd go down to the river
And into the river we'd dive
Oh down to the river we'd ride

Then I got Mary pregnant, and man that was all she wrote
And for my nineteenth birthday I got a union card and a wedding coat
We went down to the courthouse
And the judge put it all to rest
No wedding day smiles no walk down the aisle
No flowers no wedding dress

That night we went down to the river
And into the river we'd dive
Oh down to the river we did ride

I got a job working construction for the Johnstown Company
But lately there ain't been much work on account of the economy
Now all them things that seemed so important
Well mister they vanished right into the air
Now I just act like I don't remember, Mary acts like she don't care

But I remember us riding in my brother's car
Her body tan and wet down at the reservoir
At night on them banks I'd lie awake
And pull her close just to feel each breath she'd take
Now those memories come back to haunt me, they haunt me like a curse
Is a dream a lie if it don't come true, or is it something worse
That sends me down to the river, though I know the river is dry
That sends me down to the river tonight
Down to the river, my baby and I
Oh down to the river we ride

Probably the story of Bruce's sister and brother-in-law. Released on The River album. OH ANGELYNE is an early version of this song.

The song first appeared during the MUSE Benefit shows that were held on 21 and 22 Sep 1979 at Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY. The video of the performance from the second show was later included on The Complete Video Anthology / 1978-2000 DVD.

Played during The River and all the following tours, and on many off-tour occasions, including the Double Take Magazine benefit shows in Feb 2003. Also released on Greatest Hits, The Essential Bruce Springsteen, Live 1975-85, and Live In New York City, both CD and DVD.

One of the 3 The River tracks that became hit singles. Appeared on many singles in 1981, 1985, and 1987 with INDEPENDENCE DAY, BORN TO RUN, ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT), RAMROD, I'M A ROCKER, POINT BLANK, HUNGRY HEART, SHERRY DARLING, THE TIES THAT BIND, STAND ON IT, GLORY DAYS, and others...

Liner notes by Bruce Springsteen in the Greatest Hits booklet:

A breakthrough song for me. I t was in the detail. One of the first story songs that eventually led to Nebraska.