Lyrics of
River

Joni Mitchells River is widely regarded as a heartfelt expression of regret and longing for escape. Mitchell penned the song drawing from her own life experiences, addressing themes of breakup and solitude during the Christmas season. The recurring motif of Jingle Bells on piano underscores the juxtaposition between the anticipated festive joy and the artists personal sorrow.


It's coming on Christmas
They're cutting down trees
They're putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on

But it don't snow here
It stays pretty green
I'm going to make a lot of money
Then I'm going to quit this crazy scene
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on

I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly---- wooh . .
I wish I had a river I could skate away on
I made my baby cry


He tried hard to help me
You know, he put me at ease
And he loved me so naughty
Made me weak in the knees
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on

I'm so hard to handle
I'm selfish and I'm sad
Now I've gone and lost the best baby
That I ever had
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on

I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly---- whoa
I wish I had a river I could skate away on
I made my baby say goodbye


It's coming on Christmas
They're cutting down trees
They're putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on

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