Down By The River
China Drum Lyrics

The song "Down by the River" by China Drum begins with a description of a typical scene in a town or city, where girls are out shopping with their mothers and sons are spending time with their fathers, trying to catch something meaningful from within themselves, perhaps "ideas in their souls". The metaphor of fishing suggests that the sons are looking for something more than just fish, but rather inspiration or direction. As the scene shifts to the river, it becomes apparent that things are not quite as idyllic as they seem. The roads leading to the river are stained and impossible to clean, with a "shiny, shiny gleam" indicating an environmental disaster.

The chorus repeats the line "Down by the river, it's getting cold" which could be interpreted in multiple ways. On a literal level, the cold weather may be setting in, but the repeated phrase also adds a sense of foreboding and bleakness. The chorus also includes the lines "But it won't stop the bastards trying / And it won't stop the people from dying" which could refer to the ongoing environmental destruction of the river and its impact on the people who rely on it. The song seems to hold someone accountable for this, with the repeated refrain "And it's all because of you" suggesting that the person or entity responsible for the environmental disaster is being directly addressed.

Overall, "Down by the River" is a somber and haunting song that depicts a scene of everyday life and juxtaposes it with environmental devastation, suggesting the connection between humanity and its surroundings. Through its lyrics and haunting melody, the song prompts the listener to pay attention to the impact that human actions have on the world around us.