Down By The River (Albert Hammond - 1972)
View chords used in this chart
C F
City life was gettin' us down
G C
So we spent the weekend out of town
Am Dm
Pitched the tent on a patch of ground
G C
Down by the river
C F
Little fire and drank some wine
G C
You put your jeans on top of mine
Am Dm
Said: come in, the water's fine
G C
Down by the river
C F
Down by the river
G C
Down by the river
Am Dm
Said: come in, the water's fine
G C
Down by the river
C F
Didn't feel too good all night
G C
So we took a walk in the mornin' light
Am Dm
We came across the strangest side
G C
Down by the river
C F
Silver fish lay on it's side
G C
It was washed up by the early tide
Am Dm
I wonder how it died
G C
Down by the river
C F
Down by the river
G C
Down by the river
Am Dm
Silver fish lay on it's side
G C
Down by the river
C F
Doctor put us both to bed
G C
He dosed us up and he shook his head
Am Dm
Only foolish people go, he said
G C
Down by the river
C F
Why do willows weep said he
G C
Because they're dying gradually
Am Dm
>From the waste from the factories
G C
Down by the river
C F
Down by the river
G C
Down by the river
Am Dm
Why do willows weep said he
G C
Down by the river
D G
In time the river banks will die
A D
The region wilt and the dogs will fly
Hm Em
There'll be a tear in the otter's eye
A D
Down by the river
D G
The banks will soon be black and dead
A D
And where the otter's raised his head
Hm Em
Will be a clean white stone instead
A D
Down by the river
D G
Down by the river
A D
Down by the river
Hm Em
The banks will soon be black and dead
A D
Down by the river
The original song is written in Bb,
and will change to C; that means:
C = Bb
F = Eb
G = F
Am = Gm
Dm = Cm
The text is taken from CD by ear "Albert Hammond, The very best of Albert Hammond"
How to play Down By The River (Albert Hammond - 1972)
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is C. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.