The lyrics are apparently about someone who kills his lover by shooting her, like a murder ballad, or in the tradition of the mid-60s song "Hey Joe." The reason he gives for the killing is that she takes him to emotional heights from which he cannot bear to go on. Young has provided multiple explanations for the lyrics. In an interview with Robert Greenfield in 1970 Young claimed that "there's no real murder in it. It's about blowing your thing with a chick. It's a plea, a desperate cry." Introducing the song in New Orleans on September 27, 1984 Young claimed that it depicts a man "who had a lot of trouble controlling himself" who catches his woman cheating on him, then meets her down by the river and shoots her. A few hours later the sheriff comes to his house and arrests him.
The song's accompanying music video was released on Bliss n Eso's official YouTube channel on June 16, 2010, it achieved over 300,000 and an alternate upload has around 1 million views. In the video, Bliss n Eso move quickly through a forest while they rap the song, as well as go BMX riding, fishing and riding wheelie bins.
Chart performance
The song debuted at No. 83 on the ARIA Singles Chart, in its 12th week it peaked at No. 45 and spent a total of 18 weeks on the chart. In 2013, 3 years after its release, "Down by the River" was certified gold for sales/shipments of over 35,000 copies.
Lloyd was elected as a Federalist to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of John Henry and served from December 8, 1797 until December 1, 1800, when he resigned. On June 27, 1798, Lloyd introduced the Sedition Act of 1798, a part of the Alien and Sedition Acts.
He engaged in the practice of law afterwards. James Lloyd died at Ratclift Manor, near Easton, Maryland, and is interred at Clover, the estate of his daughter, in Queen Anne's County, Maryland.
Notes
References
Blumberg, Phillip (2010). Repressive Jurisprudence in the Early American Republic. Cambridge University Press. ISBN9781139490023.
James "Jimmy" Lloyd (5 July 1939 – 22 March 2013) was a Britishboxer. Representing the United Kingdom, Lloyd was the Welterweight bronze medalist at the 1960 Rome Olympic Games, losing in the semifinals to Nino Benvenuti of Italy. Lloyd was also the ABA Light middleweight champion in 1962. He was born in Liverpool, England.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Down By the River (Official Audio)
Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Down By the River (Official Audio)
Early Daze
A HISTORIC COLLECTION OF EARLY RECORDINGS FROM 1969
This new collection of Neil Young & Crazy Horses' earliest recordings include several original versions that have not been released before, and along with the 7-inch Mono mix that was released in 1970 that includes a guitar outro not on LP version not on original LP version.
6/28/24 Release
Hear it now @ NeilYoungArchives.com
https://NeilYoung.lnk.to/EarlyDaze
published: 28 Jun 2024
Down by the River
Provided to YouTube by Reprise
Down by the River · Neil Young · Crazy Horse
Greatest Hits
℗ 1969 Reprise Records
Bass: Billy Talbot
Unknown: Crazy Horse
Electric Guitar: Danny Whitten
Vocals: Danny Whitten
Producer, Recorded By: David Briggs
Electric Guitar: Neil Young
Harmonica: Neil Young
Producer: Neil Young
Lead Vocals: Neil Young
Drums, Vocals: Ralph Molina
Writer: Neil Young
Auto-generated by YouTube.
published: 09 Jun 2017
Neil Young and Crazy Horse - Down By the River (Live at Farm Aid 1994)
Neil Young and Crazy Horse perform "Down By the River" live at the Farm Aid concert in New Orleans, Louisiana on September 18, 1994. Farm Aid was started by Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp in 1985 to keep family farmers on the land and has worked since then to make sure everyone has access to good food from family farmers. Dave Matthews joined Farm Aid's board of directors in 2001.
For more information about Farm Aid, visit: http://farmaid.org/youtube
Farm Aid's performances are donated by the artists in order to raise funds and raise awareness for family farmers. They've raised their voices to help — what can you do?
published: 14 Sep 2012
Neil Young - Down by the River - Live (Official Music Video)
Neil Young - Down by the River - Live from The Shakespeare Theatre
Live album from 1971 performance at the Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford Connecticut.
Check out the album and video now at NeilYoungArchives.com!
Album Releases 3/26/21. Visit the store at https://NeilYoungArchives.com to reserve yours now.
Experience all of Neil Young's music at Neil Young Archives!
published: 12 Mar 2021
Neil Young - Down By The River Lyrics (HD)
Neil Young
Down by the river
Lyrics
music
published: 20 May 2013
Neil Young & Crosby, Stills & Nash - Down By The River Live
TV Live 1970
published: 25 Apr 2012
Neil Young - Down By The River (Live at Farm Aid 25)
From DirecTV's broadcast of Farm Aid 25: Growing Hope for America, Neil Young performs "Down by the River" at Miller Park in Milwaukee on October 2, 2010. Farm Aid was started by Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp in 1985 to keep family farmers on the land and has worked since then to make sure everyone has access to good food from family farmers.
For more information about Farm Aid, visit: http://farmaid.org/youtube
Farm Aid's performances are donated by the artists in order to raise funds and raise awareness for family farmers. They've raised their voices to help — what can you do?
published: 03 Oct 2010
Top 100 Oldies Songs Of All Time🎧Paul Anka, Engelbert Humperdinck, Matt Monro, Tom Jones, Neil Young
Top 100 Oldies Songs Of All Time🎧Paul Anka, Engelbert Humperdinck, Matt Monro, Tom Jones, Neil Young
✅ Thank you for watching!
✅ If you like: Like and share with your friends
✅ Please share your thoughts about this video in the comments!
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Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Down By the River (Official Audio)
Early Daze
A HISTORIC COLLECTION OF EARLY RECORDINGS FROM 1969
This new collection of Neil Young...
Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Down By the River (Official Audio)
Early Daze
A HISTORIC COLLECTION OF EARLY RECORDINGS FROM 1969
This new collection of Neil Young & Crazy Horses' earliest recordings include several original versions that have not been released before, and along with the 7-inch Mono mix that was released in 1970 that includes a guitar outro not on LP version not on original LP version.
6/28/24 Release
Hear it now @ NeilYoungArchives.com
https://NeilYoung.lnk.to/EarlyDaze
Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Down By the River (Official Audio)
Early Daze
A HISTORIC COLLECTION OF EARLY RECORDINGS FROM 1969
This new collection of Neil Young & Crazy Horses' earliest recordings include several original versions that have not been released before, and along with the 7-inch Mono mix that was released in 1970 that includes a guitar outro not on LP version not on original LP version.
6/28/24 Release
Hear it now @ NeilYoungArchives.com
https://NeilYoung.lnk.to/EarlyDaze
Provided to YouTube by Reprise
Down by the River · Neil Young · Crazy Horse
Greatest Hits
℗ 1969 Reprise Records
Bass: Billy Talbot
Unknown: Crazy Horse
Ele...
Provided to YouTube by Reprise
Down by the River · Neil Young · Crazy Horse
Greatest Hits
℗ 1969 Reprise Records
Bass: Billy Talbot
Unknown: Crazy Horse
Electric Guitar: Danny Whitten
Vocals: Danny Whitten
Producer, Recorded By: David Briggs
Electric Guitar: Neil Young
Harmonica: Neil Young
Producer: Neil Young
Lead Vocals: Neil Young
Drums, Vocals: Ralph Molina
Writer: Neil Young
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Reprise
Down by the River · Neil Young · Crazy Horse
Greatest Hits
℗ 1969 Reprise Records
Bass: Billy Talbot
Unknown: Crazy Horse
Electric Guitar: Danny Whitten
Vocals: Danny Whitten
Producer, Recorded By: David Briggs
Electric Guitar: Neil Young
Harmonica: Neil Young
Producer: Neil Young
Lead Vocals: Neil Young
Drums, Vocals: Ralph Molina
Writer: Neil Young
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Neil Young and Crazy Horse perform "Down By the River" live at the Farm Aid concert in New Orleans, Louisiana on September 18, 1994. Farm Aid was started by Wil...
Neil Young and Crazy Horse perform "Down By the River" live at the Farm Aid concert in New Orleans, Louisiana on September 18, 1994. Farm Aid was started by Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp in 1985 to keep family farmers on the land and has worked since then to make sure everyone has access to good food from family farmers. Dave Matthews joined Farm Aid's board of directors in 2001.
For more information about Farm Aid, visit: http://farmaid.org/youtube
Farm Aid's performances are donated by the artists in order to raise funds and raise awareness for family farmers. They've raised their voices to help — what can you do?
Neil Young and Crazy Horse perform "Down By the River" live at the Farm Aid concert in New Orleans, Louisiana on September 18, 1994. Farm Aid was started by Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp in 1985 to keep family farmers on the land and has worked since then to make sure everyone has access to good food from family farmers. Dave Matthews joined Farm Aid's board of directors in 2001.
For more information about Farm Aid, visit: http://farmaid.org/youtube
Farm Aid's performances are donated by the artists in order to raise funds and raise awareness for family farmers. They've raised their voices to help — what can you do?
Neil Young - Down by the River - Live from The Shakespeare Theatre
Live album from 1971 performance at the Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford Connecticut.
Check ...
Neil Young - Down by the River - Live from The Shakespeare Theatre
Live album from 1971 performance at the Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford Connecticut.
Check out the album and video now at NeilYoungArchives.com!
Album Releases 3/26/21. Visit the store at https://NeilYoungArchives.com to reserve yours now.
Experience all of Neil Young's music at Neil Young Archives!
Neil Young - Down by the River - Live from The Shakespeare Theatre
Live album from 1971 performance at the Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford Connecticut.
Check out the album and video now at NeilYoungArchives.com!
Album Releases 3/26/21. Visit the store at https://NeilYoungArchives.com to reserve yours now.
Experience all of Neil Young's music at Neil Young Archives!
From DirecTV's broadcast of Farm Aid 25: Growing Hope for America, Neil Young performs "Down by the River" at Miller Park in Milwaukee on October 2, 2010. Farm ...
From DirecTV's broadcast of Farm Aid 25: Growing Hope for America, Neil Young performs "Down by the River" at Miller Park in Milwaukee on October 2, 2010. Farm Aid was started by Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp in 1985 to keep family farmers on the land and has worked since then to make sure everyone has access to good food from family farmers.
For more information about Farm Aid, visit: http://farmaid.org/youtube
Farm Aid's performances are donated by the artists in order to raise funds and raise awareness for family farmers. They've raised their voices to help — what can you do?
From DirecTV's broadcast of Farm Aid 25: Growing Hope for America, Neil Young performs "Down by the River" at Miller Park in Milwaukee on October 2, 2010. Farm Aid was started by Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp in 1985 to keep family farmers on the land and has worked since then to make sure everyone has access to good food from family farmers.
For more information about Farm Aid, visit: http://farmaid.org/youtube
Farm Aid's performances are donated by the artists in order to raise funds and raise awareness for family farmers. They've raised their voices to help — what can you do?
Top 100 Oldies Songs Of All Time🎧Paul Anka, Engelbert Humperdinck, Matt Monro, Tom Jones, Neil Young
✅ Thank you for watching!
✅ If you like: Like and share w...
Top 100 Oldies Songs Of All Time🎧Paul Anka, Engelbert Humperdinck, Matt Monro, Tom Jones, Neil Young
✅ Thank you for watching!
✅ If you like: Like and share with your friends
✅ Please share your thoughts about this video in the comments!
✅ Subscribe to watch the latest videos
Top 100 Oldies Songs Of All Time🎧Paul Anka, Engelbert Humperdinck, Matt Monro, Tom Jones, Neil Young
✅ Thank you for watching!
✅ If you like: Like and share with your friends
✅ Please share your thoughts about this video in the comments!
✅ Subscribe to watch the latest videos
Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Down By the River (Official Audio)
Early Daze
A HISTORIC COLLECTION OF EARLY RECORDINGS FROM 1969
This new collection of Neil Young & Crazy Horses' earliest recordings include several original versions that have not been released before, and along with the 7-inch Mono mix that was released in 1970 that includes a guitar outro not on LP version not on original LP version.
6/28/24 Release
Hear it now @ NeilYoungArchives.com
https://NeilYoung.lnk.to/EarlyDaze
Provided to YouTube by Reprise
Down by the River · Neil Young · Crazy Horse
Greatest Hits
℗ 1969 Reprise Records
Bass: Billy Talbot
Unknown: Crazy Horse
Electric Guitar: Danny Whitten
Vocals: Danny Whitten
Producer, Recorded By: David Briggs
Electric Guitar: Neil Young
Harmonica: Neil Young
Producer: Neil Young
Lead Vocals: Neil Young
Drums, Vocals: Ralph Molina
Writer: Neil Young
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Neil Young and Crazy Horse perform "Down By the River" live at the Farm Aid concert in New Orleans, Louisiana on September 18, 1994. Farm Aid was started by Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp in 1985 to keep family farmers on the land and has worked since then to make sure everyone has access to good food from family farmers. Dave Matthews joined Farm Aid's board of directors in 2001.
For more information about Farm Aid, visit: http://farmaid.org/youtube
Farm Aid's performances are donated by the artists in order to raise funds and raise awareness for family farmers. They've raised their voices to help — what can you do?
Neil Young - Down by the River - Live from The Shakespeare Theatre
Live album from 1971 performance at the Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford Connecticut.
Check out the album and video now at NeilYoungArchives.com!
Album Releases 3/26/21. Visit the store at https://NeilYoungArchives.com to reserve yours now.
Experience all of Neil Young's music at Neil Young Archives!
From DirecTV's broadcast of Farm Aid 25: Growing Hope for America, Neil Young performs "Down by the River" at Miller Park in Milwaukee on October 2, 2010. Farm Aid was started by Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp in 1985 to keep family farmers on the land and has worked since then to make sure everyone has access to good food from family farmers.
For more information about Farm Aid, visit: http://farmaid.org/youtube
Farm Aid's performances are donated by the artists in order to raise funds and raise awareness for family farmers. They've raised their voices to help — what can you do?
Top 100 Oldies Songs Of All Time🎧Paul Anka, Engelbert Humperdinck, Matt Monro, Tom Jones, Neil Young
✅ Thank you for watching!
✅ If you like: Like and share with your friends
✅ Please share your thoughts about this video in the comments!
✅ Subscribe to watch the latest videos
Down by the river, down by the sea Down by the water will you come with me? The fish are watching, I don't really care Down by the river if you dare Down by the river, down by the stream Down by the ripples, promise I won't scream, oh The flowers are whispering, what do they say? Down by the river where we play I can see the magic in your eyes Down by the river, down by the shore Down by the ocean where we wanted more, oh The trees are listening, they turn away Down by the river where we lay I can see the magic in your eyes, baby I can feel the sunlight in your smile Maybe I could deceive myself But why should I deny that you belong to me, I belong to you oh I can feel the magic in your eyes, baby I can see the sunlight from your smile Maybe I could deceive myself But why should I deny that you belong to me, I belong to you, you, Yea yea yea, yea yea yea, yea yea yea Down by the river, down by the lake Down by the water, promise I won't fake, hey hey Sun is shining in its heat we bathe Down by the river we were saved I can see the magic in your eyes, baby I can feel the sunlight in your smile I could deceive myself But why should I deny that you belong to me, I belong to you oh You belong to me, I belong to you, you, yea yea Yea yea yea Down by the river, yea yea Down by the river, yea yea yea yea yea Down by the river, yea Down by the river, yea yea yea yea yea Down by the river, yea yea yea yea Down by the river, yea yea yea yea Down by the river, yea yea Down by the river, ooo yea Down by the river, deep down, deep down