Down by the Riverside
Burning Spear Lyrics


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Don't break this heart
Don't break this heart

Down by the riverside
Down by the riverside
Oh I love a girl
All I know I love a girl
I love her so,
I really, really

She could be from Africa
She could be from America
She could be from Jamaica

All I know I love a girl
Oh I love a girl
I love her so,
I really, I really care

Don't break this heart that love you
Don't break this heart that love you
And neither tear it apart
I love you, oh yes, it's true
I will hold you tight tonight

Have something real nice to say,
Have something real nice to say,
We will hold hands in hands
We will sing, I tell you, happy songs.
We will be, I tel you, side by side




Down by the riverside
Down the beautiful riverside

Overall Meaning

In the lyrics of the song "Down by the Riverside" by Burning Spear, the singer expresses his love for a girl he has fallen for. As he sings down by the riverside, he talks about not wanting his heart broken and expresses how much he loves her. In the next verse, he states that the girl he loves could come from anywhere in the world - be it Africa, America, or Jamaica. The chorus once again reiterates the singer's plea to not break his heart and tear it apart.


The song is a classic reggae love song with a simple structure and repetitive lyrics. The use of riverside gives the song a peaceful and serene background as the singer professes his love for his beloved. The song also has a universal appeal as it talks about love that knows no boundaries of race or ethnicity.


Line by Line Meaning

Don't break this heart
I'm begging you to be kind to my heart and not cause it any pain.


Down by the riverside
I want to be with this special person in a natural and idyllic setting near a river.


Oh I love a girl
I have strong romantic feelings for a woman and cherish her deeply.


All I know I love a girl
Regardless of where this woman comes from or who she is, I am in love with her.


I love her so,
My feelings for her are incredibly strong and intense.


She could be from Africa
While I do not know this woman's origin, I do acknowledge the possibility she could be African.


She could be from America
This woman I'm in love with may hail from America.


She could be from Jamaica
It is plausible this loved one of mine may come from Jamaica.


Don't break this heart that love you
I earnestly implore you to treat my affectionate heart kindly and with care.


And neither tear it apart
Please don't rip it into pieces or shatter it into bits.


I love you, oh yes, it's true
You must know that I truly and sincerely love you.


I will hold you tight tonight
I'm looking forward to embracing you closely and tenderly tonight.


Have something real nice to say,
I hope that you have something pleasant and kind to share with me in return.


We will hold hands in hands
We will grasp each other's hands in a sign of unity and closeness.


We will sing, I tell you, happy songs.
Together we will sing and fill the air with lovely and joyful melodies.


We will be, I tel you, side by side
We will stand next to each other, sharing a connection that is unbreakable.


Down by the riverside
Our love will flourish naturally in this peaceful and beautiful riverside setting.


Down the beautiful riverside
We will enjoy a bountiful life together, full of wonder and beauty, near the river's edge.




Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: CLEMENT DODD, WINSTON RODNEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@Anykindahandle

This is one of the best albums I've ever heard. I love burning spear!!!

@kevinob2967

One of the best reggae songs ever.

@desmondmallette5982

My cousin Tony dropped this choon many years ago and it has always remained a favourite love it

@Karis478

This is romance on a whole different level

@kerrybee8327

Different level ... 🎡πŸ”₯ πŸ’–

@deebo505

A friend of my dad died of a tumor in his brain that had cancer in it at his thing his last song was this and hè always cried when hè listened to this because his Wife would Be along by thé rivier with her Son. Hè got cremated a day ago

R.I.P Yvus.
Like for the sake of my dads best friend. He was always a Jordan fan and was one of the creators of my and my dads basketball club.

@jules3789

One of the greatest songs of all time

@RankingRobert

one of my all time favs from mr. winston keep the spear burning rodney! *****

@ttrestle

One of the greatest albums ever, especially after you have Journey and Creation along with this song.

@faddamoses

masterpiece! Thank you for this music πŸ™

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