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 drive out of this 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 19th 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