The river

Hey-ho and down to the river

Down to the banks of the wide Arno 

There I set my love a-floating 

There I left him long ago

At 16 we bound our troth

Swore on gold and danced the aisle

Seven days we swam the river

But you were harbouring all the while

Hey-ho and down to the river

Down to the banks of the wide Arno 

There I set my love a-floating 

There I left him long ago

On the sabbath day you told me

Told me of your call to war

And though I wept and beat my breast

You took your shield and took your sword

Hey-ho and down to the river

Down to the banks of the wide Arno 

There I set my love a-floating 

There I left him long ago

Seven long years I waited

Seven winters, seven springs

Forgot your gentle touch upon me

Though I clutched your wedding ring

Hey-ho and down to the river

Down to the banks of the wide Arno 

There I set my love a-floating 

There I left him long ago

When at last the men returned

Telling tales of distant lands

I was left a black-edged letter

Crumpled in my shivering hands

Hey-ho and down to the river

Down to the banks of the wide Arno 

There I set my love a-floating 

There I left him long ago

To the river I took the letter

Folded round your wedding ring

There I lay myself beside you

There for the final time I sing 

Hey-ho and down to the river

Down to the banks of the wide Arno 

There I set my love a-floating 

And floating to the see we go