Down by the River by Neil Young is a dark tale of love and murder. It was written by Young while he was laid up with a high fever. The song is notable for its extended improvised guitar solo and for its lyrical ambiguity, which has led to various interpretations. Young has mentioned that the song is about a broken relationship, but the exact nature of the narrative is left open to interpretation.
Key: E
Em
Em7
*
A
Em
Em7
*
A
Em
Em7
*
A
Em
Em7
*
A
Be on my side, I'll be on your side, baby, there is no reason for you to hide
Em
Em7
*
A
Em
Em7
*
A
C7M
Bm
It's so hard for me stay'in here all alone, when you could be takin' me for a ride
C7M
Bm
C
Bm
D
She could drag me over the rainbow, and send me away
G
D
A
G
D
A
Down by the river, I shot my baby
G
D
A
Em
Em7
*
A
Em
Em7
*
A
Down by the river, dead, ooh, shot her dead
Em
Em7
A
Em
Em7
A
You take my hand, I'll take your hand, together we may get away
Em
Em7
A
Em
Em7
A
C7M
Bm
This much madness is too much sorrow, it's impossible to make it today
C7M
Bm
C
Bm
D
She could drag me over the rainbow, and send me away
G
D
A
G
D
A
Down by the river, I shot my baby
G
D
A
Em
Em7
A
Em
Em7
A
Down by the river, dead, ooh, shot her dead
Em
Em7
A
Em
Em7
A
Be on my side, I'll be on your side, baby, there is no reason for you to hide
Em
Em7
A
Em
Em7
A
C7M
Bm
It's so hard for me stay'in here all alone, when you could be takin' me for a ride
C7M
Bm
C
Bm
D
She could drag me over the rainbow, and send me away
G
D
A
G
D
A
Down by the river, I shot my baby
G
D
A
Down by the river
G
D
A
G
D
A
Down by the river, I shot my baby
G
D
A
Down by the river
G
D
A
G
D
A
Down by the river, I shot my baby
G
D
A
Down by the river
G
D
A
G
D
A
Down by the river, I shot my baby . . . . * Em7 = A string, 2nd fret, D string, 2nd fret, B string, 3rd fret