Down By The Riverside
Chris Barber Lyrics


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I feel so bad in the morning
I feel so bad in the middle of the day
I feel so bad in the evening
That's why i'm going to the river, to wash my sins away


I'm gonna lay down my heavy load, down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside, down by the riverside
I'm gonna lay down my heavy load, down by the riverside,
I'm gonna study war no more

I ain't a gonna study war no more,
I ain't a gonna study war no more

I ain't a gonna study war no more,
I ain't a gonna study war no more

I ain't a gonna study war no more, I
Ain't a gonna study war no more

Well, I'm gonna put on my long white robe,
(Where?) down by the riverside (Oh)
Down by the riverside, down by the riverside
I'm gonna put on my long white robe,
(Where?) down by the riverside
I'm gonna study war no more

I ain't a gonna study war no more,
I ain't a gonna study war no more
I ain't a gonna study war no more,
I ain't a gonna study war no more
I ain't a gonna study war no more,
I ain't a gonna study war no more

Well, I'm gonna lay down my sword and shield,
(Where?) down by the riverside
Down by the riverside, down by the riverside
I'm gonna lay down my sword and shield,
(A-ha) down by the riverside
I'm gonna study war no more

I ain't a gonna study war no more,
I ain't a gonna study war no more
I ain't a gonna study war no more,
I ain't a gonna study war no more




I ain't a gonna study war no more,
I ain't a gonna study war no more

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Chris Barber's Jazz Band's song "Down By The Riverside" speak to the singer's feelings of guilt and shame, and his desire to be cleansed of them. The singer describes feeling bad in the morning, middle of the day, and evening, and as a result, he is going to the river to wash his sins away. The refrain of the song comes from the traditional African American spiritual "Down by the Riverside," which the singer uses as a means of escaping the guilt over his involvement in war. He repeats the line "I ain't gonna study war no more" as a declaration of his intention to turn away from violence and conflict and seek redemption.


The lyrics also reveal the singer's desire to turn away from the material world and embrace a spiritual path. He speaks of putting on a "long white robe," a symbol of purity and innocence, and laying down his "sword and shield," a symbol of defense and aggression. This shift from the physical to the spiritual realm is further reinforced by the imagery of the river, which represents a path to salvation and the washing away of sins.


Overall, the lyrics to "Down By The Riverside" reflect the internal struggles of a person seeking to escape the guilt of their past actions and find redemption through spiritual transformation.


Line by Line Meaning

I feel so bad in the morning
I feel guilty in the morning


I feel so bad in the middle of the day
I feel guilty in the middle of the day


I feel so bad in the evening
I feel guilty in the evening


That's why i'm going to the river, to wash my sins away
That's why I'm going to the river to cleanse myself of my sins.


I'm gonna lay down my heavy load, down by the riverside,
I'm going to release my burdens and find peace by the side of the river.


I'm gonna study war no more
I'm going to avoid conflict and seek harmony in my life.


I ain't a gonna study war no more,
I refuse to engage in conflict anymore.


Well, I'm gonna put on my long white robe,
I am going to dress pure and righteous.


(Where?) down by the riverside (Oh)
(Where else?) down by the riverside


I'm gonna lay down my sword and shield,
I am going to renounce violence and defense mechanisms.


(A-ha) down by the riverside
(I will do it) right by the riverside.




Contributed by Kaitlyn I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@peterowlingson5568

My Dad brainwashed me with Jazz when i was young.....
I grew up hearing Chris Barber and his Jazzmen.
I have seen them live in Reading UK and in Auckland NZ. Amazing musicians. CB a lovely gentleman.
Their music rubbed off on me and still today it gets my fingers and toes tapping!
Wow!!

@barney9165

Tks. Me too.

@royfinch8644

I well remember during the 70s that he part sponsored a pro. cycling team. Chris Barber Sun Huret as i remember it and came along live to some races. The Victor Berlemont at Woldingham rings a bell. Open staired old bus. Great music during the whole race. Magical.

@alifinlayson4568

😊😊

@marianparak1895

Chris Barber ist für mich ein Genie, für mich die beste Jazz Band und seine speziellle und typische Art zu spielen haben mich fasziniert, vor allem seine wunderschönen Blues Nummern. Wir haben ihn beim Konzert in Basel am 27.Februar 1992 im Stadtcasino bewundert, ich habe dort 2 CDs gekauft mit Autogramm von ihm. Unvergessliche Zeiten. Er war und bleibt ein Juwel = Klenot.

@David-rg9dt

Take a look at Tuba Skinny, you won’t be disappointed!

@ddoeser5830

❤❤🎉😅

@user-vh6zt7ty3b

Chris Barber - the best
........................................

@jurgenmeise7041

Bestimmt 25 Jahre her aber die Spielfreude ist bis Heute geblieben. Großartig !!! Jockel

@applebirnepflaume

Diese Männer haben Musik im Blut!

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