Goin to the River
Fats Domino Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh, I'm goin' to the river, gonna
Go overboard and drown
I'm goin' to the river, gonna
Jump overboard and drown
Because the girl I love
She just have left this town

When she left me
I bowed my head and cried
When she left me
I bowed my head and cried
I never thought I would be
I would be the one to cry

Well, if you see my mama, tell
Her good-bye for me
If you see my mama, tell
Her good-bye for me




I'm tired of livin'
Livin' in misery

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Fats Domino's "Goin' to the River" is a song about a man who is heartbroken over losing the love of his life. The song begins with the singer deciding to go to the river and jump overboard to drown himself. He is so distraught over the fact that the woman he loves has left this town. He is seeking a way out of the grief and sadness that he feels. He knows that he cannot continue living without her, and the only way out is through death.


The second verse of the song shows the depth of sadness that the singer feels. He bows his head and cries because he never thought he would be the one to cry. He is ashamed that he has been reduced to tears over the loss of love. The third verse shows that he has reached a point where he is ready to say goodbye to everything he knows, including his mother. He is tired of living in misery, and he needs to escape the pain.


Overall, the song is a testament to the power of love and the pain of losing it. The singer has reached a point where he cannot imagine living without his love, and he is willing to take drastic measures to escape the pain. The lyrics are emotional and powerful, and they capture the essence of heartbreak and desperation.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh, I'm goin' to the river, gonna
I am going to the river and planning to go overboard and drown


Go overboard and drown
I will plunge into the water and submerge until I breathe my last breath


I'm goin' to the river, gonna
I am headed to the river and intend to jump overboard and drown myself


Jump overboard and drown
I will leap into the water and cease to be alive forever


Because the girl I love
I am doing this because the girl I am in love with has left me


She just have left this town
My lover has recently departed this place


When she left me
At the moment my lover said goodbye to me


I bowed my head and cried
I lowered my head in shame and burst into tears


When she left me
After the woman I loved walked away from me


I never thought I would be
I did not expect myself to be


I would be the one to cry
But it happened that I was the one who shed tears


Well, if you see my mama, tell
If by chance you happen to come across my mother, please let her know


Her good-bye for me
That I bid her farewell in case we never meet again


If you see my mama, tell
If you happen to catch sight of my mother while on your way


I'm tired of livin'
I am weary of existence and the struggles of life


Livin' in misery
My life is full of wretchedness and hardship that I have been unable to endure




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Bubs D

I'm goin' to the river,
Gonna jump overboard and drown
Because the girl I love
She just done let me down
Now when she left me
I bowed my head and cried
When she left me,
I bowed my head and cried
I never though I would be,
I would be the one to cry
If you see my mama,
Tell her good-bye for me
I you see my mama,
Tell her good-bye for me
I'm tired of livin'
Livin' in misery
If you see my mama,
Tell her good-bye for me
If you see my mama,
Tell her good-bye for me
Ya know I'm tired of livin'
Livin' in misery



All comments from YouTube:

cricketbat08

Brilliant. Fats is a true legend.

Richard Wasiura

R.I.P Fats. I heard this song 60 years ago and still love it.

Lieutenant NITEWOLF

Greatest man I miss him

Virginia Williams

The great man at his bluesy best, still moves me to tears.

PIERO

I have always admired Fats living legend of rock and roll.

Tempey cooper

Mr Fats sang from his soul!! One of the greatest!! RIP <3

patrick urban

THE REAL KING OF ROCK AND ROLL

Vee Cee

RIP to a true legend. Love you Fat Man

Matthew Hine

Such a legend can't help but listen to his music so amazing

Ronnie Paddock

This song just popped in my head Glad I found it here

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