Down By The Riverside
Sammy Price Trio Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 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
The lyrics of Sammy Price Trio's song "Down by the Riverside" convey the singer's desire to escape the burden of guilt and negativity. The repeated phrase "I feel so bad" indicates a heavy sense of remorse haunting the singer throughout the day. The solution to this burden lies near the river, where the singer plans to "wash [their] sins away." The imagery of the river as a place of cleansing and rejuvenation is not only biblical but also a common trope in African American spirituals. By laying down their "heavy load," the singer hopes to find solace and redemption.
The second half of the song reiterates the singer's pledge to "study war no more," symbolically reflecting their aspiration to abandon violence and conflict. By shedding their "sword and shield," the singer seeks a peaceful resolution to the struggles in their life. The structure of the song is simple, and the phrases are repeated, emphasizing the message of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
i feel so bad in the morning
I wake up feeling miserable and unhappy
i feel so bad in the middle of the day
I feel terrible and low during the day
I feel so bad in the evening
Evening doesn't bring me any joy, instead, I feel awful
that's why i'm going to the river, to wash my sins away
To escape these negative feelings, I am going to the river to cleanse myself of all sin and wrongdoing
I'm gonna lay down my heavy load, down by the riverside,
I will leave behind all my burdens and troubles at the riverbank
I ain't a gonna study war no more,
I will no longer spend my energy and time focused on war, conflict and violence
Well, I'm gonna put on my long white robe,
I will dress in a long, white robe as a symbol of purity
(Where?) down by the riverside (Oh)
At the riverbank
I'm gonna lay down my sword and shield,
I will give up my weapons and defenses
Lyrics © HAL LEONARD CORPORATION
Written by: ZANE VAN HUKES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind