The Four Lads were a Canadian singing group. They grew up together in Toron… Read Full Bio ↴The Four Lads were a Canadian singing group. They grew up together in Toronto, Ontario, and were members of St. Michael's Choir School, where they learned to sing. The founding members were Corrado "Connie" Codarini, bass; John Bernard "Bernie" Toorish (born 2 March 1931), lead; James F. "Jimmy" Arnold, (4 January 1932-15 June 2004) first tenor; and Frank Busseri, baritone and group manager. Codarini and Toorish had formed a group with two other St. Michael's students, Rudi Maugeri and John Perkins, who were later to become founding members of another group, The Crew-Cuts.

Down By The River Side
The Four Lads Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I met my little bright-eyed doll (way down) down by the riverside
(Way down) Down by the riverside, (way down) down by the riverside
I met my little bright-eyed doll (way down) down by the riverside
Down by the riverside. (I worked my courage up and)
Asked her for a little kiss (way down) down by the riverside
(Way down) Down by the riverside, (way down) down by the riverside
I asked for a little kiss (way down) down by the riverside
Down by the riverside

She said have patience little man I'm sure you'll understand
I hardly know your name
I said if I could have my way maybe some sweet day
My name and yours will be the same (she smiled at me and I could see)
I met my little bright-eyed doll (way down) down by the riverside
(Way down) Down by the riverside, (way down) down by the riverside
I met my little bright-eyed doll (way down) down by the riverside
Down by the riverside
She said have patience little man I'm sure you'll understand
I hardly know your name
I said if I could have my way maybe some sweet day
My name and yours will be the same (she smiled at me and I could see)
I met my little bright-eyed doll (way down) down by the riverside
(Way down) Down by the riverside, (way down) down by the riverside

I met my little bright-eyed doll (way down) down by the riverside
Down by the riverside

Overall Meaning

The Four Lads's song "Down By the River Side" tells the story of a man who meets a woman by the riverside and asks her for a kiss. She hesitates and tells him to be patient, as she hardly knows his name. The man persists, telling her that he hopes that one day their names will be the same. The woman smiles at him, and they continue to meet down by the riverside. The lyrics suggest a theme of love, patience, and persistence.

The repetition of the phrase "way down" in the song creates a feeling of being far away from the rest of the world and alone with the object of one's affection. The phrase "down by the riverside" also has a romantic connotation, as it is often associated with peaceful and idyllic settings. The man's willingness to wait for the woman's affection demonstrates a kind of endurance that is rare in modern society. He is willing to put in the time and effort required to build a meaningful relationship with this woman.

Line by Line Meaning

I met my little bright-eyed doll (way down) down by the riverside
I encountered my love interest while near the river, and she appears lively and bright-eyed.

(Way down) Down by the riverside, (way down) down by the riverside
The location of the meeting was far away from the city center, close nearby to the river.

I asked for a little kiss (way down) down by the riverside
I mustered the courage and requested a small romantic gesture while in the river's vicinity.

She said have patience little man I'm sure you'll understand I hardly know your name
My love interest advised me to be patient, as she barely knows me and doesn't want to rush into affection prematurely.

I said if I could have my way maybe some sweet day My name and yours will be the same (she smiled at me and I could see)
I expressed my hopes for the future, envisioning the potential of us sharing a last name, and my love interest smiled in response.

Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, BMG Rights Management
Written by: KRIS IFE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS