The river come down The river come down River come down I can't cross over Why-o, why-o, why-o I can't cross over I wanted to go down To the other side of town There was water all around And I couldn't cross over Why-o, why-o, why-o I can't cross over Well a gal she come by And I give she the eye So she started to sigh And I couldn't cross over Why-o, why-o, why-o I can't cross over The river come down The river come down River come down And I couldn't cross over Why-o, why-o, why-o I can't cross over Now bird he can fly Foggy jump high Fishes never die And I couldn't cross over Why-o, why-o, why-o I can't cross over A well I stole me a kiss I couldn't resist Just think what I'd a miss If I could have crossed over Why-o, why-o, why-o I can't cross over The river come down The river come down River come down And I couldn't cross over Why-o, why-o, why-o I can't cross over I had a curiosity Now I got a family Bouncing baby on my knee 'Cause I couldn't cross over Why-o, why-o, why-o I can't cross over So when you see your neighbor daughter Better run for the water You'll do things you hadn't ought to If you can't cross over Why-o, why-o, why-o I can't cross over The river come down The river come down River come down And I couldn't cross over Why-o, why-o, why-o I can't cross over