The River chords Bruce Springsteen Em G D C Em G C Em G I come from down in the valley, D C where mister when you're young Em G C G They bring you up to do, like your daddy done C Me and Mary we met in high school, G D Em when she was just seventeen Am G C We'd drive out of this valley, down to where the fields were green
Em C We'd go down to the river, D G and into the river we'd dive Em C D C Oh, down to the river we'd ride Em G Then I got Mary pregnant, D C and man that was all she wrote Em G C G And for my nineteenth birthday, I got a union card, and a wedding coat C We went down to the courthouse, G D Em and the judge put it all to rest Am No wedding day smiles, no walk down the aisle, G C no flowers, no wedding dress Em C That night we went down to the river D G and into the river we'd dive Em C D C Oh, down to the river we'd ride Em G D C Em G C G C G D Em Am G C Em G D C I got a job working construction, for the Johnstown Company Em G C G But lately there ain't been much work, on account of the economy C Now, all them things that seemed so important, G D Em well, mister they vanished right into the air Am Now I just act like I don't remember; G C Mary acts like she don't care Em G But I remember us riding in my brother's car, D C her body tan and wet down at the reservoir Em G At night on them banks I'd lie awake, C G and pull her close just to feel each breath she'd take C Em Now those memories come back to haunt me, G D Em they haunt me like a curse Am Is a dream a lie if it don't come true, G C or is it something worse? Em C That sends me down to the river, D G though I know the river is dry Em C D C That sends me down to the river tonight Em C D G Down to the river, my baby and I, Em C D C oh, down to the river we ride Em C D G Em C D C ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh 2x
The River is one of Bruce Springsteen’s most known songs, released in 1979 and still often heard on the radio. The song marked a new direction musically with ballads full of hopelessness instead of happiness and joy. Learn to play The River in the style of Bruce Springsteen with these guitar chords.
The song starts with a moody harmonica part which is also played by Bruce before the guitar intro follows. Recorded in 1979 but not released on album before 1981. It was never released as a single in the US, while it became a hit in some parts of Europe. The river in the song is a symbol for the dreams of the future, dreams that are passing by. Bruce Springsteen and his E-Street band has done many different versions of the song live, some short while others very long. Use these Bruce Springsteen “The River” guitar chords to make your own version.
Alternative guitar chords and tabs for The River by Bruce Springsteen