Nick Drake - Riverman

I love this song, the hypnotic strings, voice and guitar, and its dreamlike atmosphere. Drake was largely unknown during his short lifetime, was too shy to perform in public, and his music really didn't lend itself to live performances with his intricate and custom guitar tunings. In the 35 years since his death from an overdose of antidepressants at the age of 26, his music has steadily grown in popularity and been featured in several films and a Volkswagen commercial.



Riverman, words and music by Nick Drake

Betty came by on her way
Said she had a word to say
About things today
And fallen leaves.

Said she hadn't heard the news
Hadn't had the time to choose
A way to lose
But she believes.

Going to see the river man
Going to tell him all I can
About the plan
For lilac time.

If he tells me all he knows
About the way his river flows
And all night shows
In summertime.

Betty said she prayed today
For the sky to blow away
Or maybe stay
She wasn't sure.

For when she thought of summer rain
Calling for her mind again
She lost the pain
And stayed for more.

Going to see the river man
Going to tell him all I can
About the ban
On feeling free.

If he tells me all he knows
About the way his river flows
I don't suppose
It's meant for me.

Oh, how they come and go
Oh, how they come and go.