River Run Down

Written by John Stewart and Don McArthur

‘River Run Down’ is on “The Kingston Trio #16”, Capitol, 1963, also on the Bear Family box set “The Stewart Years”, 2000.

Don McArthur was a Dave Guard friend from the very early days at college, he sang with Dave I believe in the Calypsonians or another configuration around 1956/7 when he replaced Nick for awhile. He later became the Trio's road manager.

Isn´t that a sweet old song? Lovely melody, great playing and singing. Just play along to the album, and try to stop. Not easy.

I counted – this song that we publish today is #200, Charlie and Art.

(Dm7) (G) (Dm7) (G) (Dm7) (G) (C) (C7)

Oh, the (Dm7)river run (G)down,

But the (C)stream (Em7/B)ran (Am)dry,

(Dm7)Big, strong (G)man don't (C) (Em7/B)ever (Am7)cry,

Just (Dm)stands to (G)watch his (C)love (Em7/B)go (Am)by.

Oh, the (Em)river run (Fj7)down,

But the (Dm)stream (G) ran (C)dry. (Dm) (C) (C7)

(Dm)Yes, he loved a (G)woman,

But he (C)let her get a(Am)way,

(Dm)Didn't ever (G)think he'd (C)regret (Em7/B)that (Am7)day.

A (Dm)laugh and a (G)smile,

He'd (C)still (Em7/B)play the (Am)game,

But he (Dm)knew that day would (G) never be the (C)same. (C7)

Oh, the (Dm7)river run (G)down,

But the (C)stream (Em7/B)ran (Am7)dry,

(Dm7)Big, strong (G)man don't (C) (Em7/B)ever (Am)cry,

Just (Dm)stands to (G)watch his (C)love (Em7/B)go (Am)by.

Oh, the (Em)river run (Fj7)down,

But the (Dm)stream (G) ran (C)dry. (Dm) (C) (C7)

(Dm7)There walks a (G)man,

He (C)could've had a (Am)home,

(Dm)Fine baby (G)children, a (C)woman (Em7/B)of his (Am7)own.

He (Dm)walks all a(G)lone,

He (C)doesn't (Em7/B)have a (Am)care,

But he (Dm7)keeps on thinking that he (G)sees her every(C)where. (C7)

Oh, the (Dm7)river run (G)down,

But the (C)stream (Em7/B)ran (Am)dry,

(Dm7)Big, strong (G)man don't (C) e(Em7/B)ver (Am7)cry,

Just (Dm)stands to (G)watch his (C)love (Em7/B)go (Am)by.

Oh, the (Em)river run (Fj7)down,

But the (Dm)stream (G) ran (C)dry. (Dm) (C) (C7)

Oh, the (Dm7)river run (G)down,

But the (C)stream (Em7/B)ran (Am)dry,
(Dm7)Big, strong (G)man don't (C) e(Em7/B)ver (Am7)cry,

Just (Dm)stands to (G)watch his (C)love (Em7/B)go (Am)by.

Oh, the (Em)river run (Fj7)down,

But the (Dm)stream (G) ran (C)dry. (Dm)

(Cj7)River run (Dm7)down,

But the (Cj7)stream ran (Dm7)dry,

(C)River run (Dm)down,

But the (Cj7)stream ran (Dm7)dry,

(C)River run (Dm)down,

But, the (Cj7)stream ran (Dm7)dry.

Charlie Woodward, janhauenstein@gmx.de & Art Faller

August 2005