I will take you down to the river, I will take you down I will take you down to the river, down to lonesome town A cold wind was blowin' Black clouds lay on the ground I was hell bent, and you were heaven bound I sold my baby, sold my baby to the night You grabbed at my hand as I held you under A watery grave for you to slumber I hushed my baby, sold my baby to the night I will take you down to the river, I will take you down I will take you down to the river, down to lonesome town I will take you down to the river, I will take you down I will take you down to the river, down to lonesome, down to lonesome, down to lonesome town The terror and the passion Shaking were my hands My evil deed Her death I did demand I cried a river in which she drown I will take you down to the river, I will take you down I will take you down to the river, down to lonesome, down to lonesome, down to lonesome town