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River Man Lyrics

Artist: Nick Drake
Album: Way To Blue

Betty came by on her way
Said she had a word to say
About things today
And fallen leaves.

Said she hadn't heard the news
Hadn't had the time to choose
A way to lose
But she believes.

Going to see the river man
Going to tell him all I can
About the plan
For lilac time.

If he tells me all he knows
About the way his river flows
And all night shows
In summertime.

Betty said she prayed today
For the sky to blow away
Or maybe stay
She wasn't sure.

For when she thought of summer rain
Calling for her mind again
She lost the pain
And stayed for more.

Going to see the river man
Going to tell him all I can
About the ban
On feeling free.

If he tells me all he knows
About the way his river flows
I don't suppose
It's meant for me.

Oh, how they come and go
Oh, how they come and go.

Comments/Interpretations

by a bloke from pittsuburgh on 2/14/2009 2:07am
Damn, such a beautiful song. How amazing are the strings? It tears me apart every time I hear it.

by Anthony on 6/5/2009 9:01pm
Absolutely agree. Gorgeous strings. And good call, Val. Definitely goes well with wine.

by Jami on 1/16/2010 12:29am
It is one of my all time favorite songs EVER....

by Lauren on 2/13/2010 7:49pm
Between Nick Drake and Jeff Buckley, I don't know who Haunts my soul more... Red Vino paired with these tunes is a definite good indulgence.

by Jon on 8/1/2010 9:46pm
All I will say is that he is a pinnacle of the turning points in british singer/songwriter influences that set the stage for the likes of the Beatles' mid career influence, or even Pink Floyd and the like. Five Leaves Left was a truly amazing album. x

by Willow on 7/12/2011 12:59am
yes, this song is amazing, try listening to katie noonan's version with her band elixer, 'tis truly angelic :)

by Highland Traveller on 11/22/2011 8:21am
Yeah play this loads in car....went to visit his grave...about a year ago,,,left a plectrum.. Strings are ok.....but not sure....its a great poetic song.....and I want to perform it.......

by Isabela on 2/9/2012 8:36am
I feel like Nick Drake read my soul every time I hear this song...

by Andi on 12/12/2012 12:29pm
I heard it for the first time 4 years ago and never knew what it was. His name popped into my head this morning like a whisper from an angel and there it was-this beautiful song revealed on Spotify. It was like getting a gift. Funny, I found myself thinking about him over the past few days for no particular reason...he died in late November. Kinda spooky.

by Roy on 7/11/2013 1:06pm
Just discovered him. Incredible!!!

by Christi on 8/23/2013 1:42pm
I can hardly ever make it through the entire song... much to powerful emotion... so tragic, he must've had a troubled & beautiful soul

by Simon on 12/8/2013 4:30am
For an alternative version to listen to, try the Swingle Singers. My favourite version so far.