There is a river called the river of no return;
Sometimes it's peaceful, and sometimes wild and free!
Love is a trav'ler on the river of no return,
Swept on forever to be lost in a stor - my sea.
Wail-a-ree I can hear the river call (no return, no return)
Where the roarin' waters fall,
Wail-a-ree I can hear my lover call, "Come to me"
I lost my love on the river, and forever my heart will yearn;
Gone, gone forever down the river of no re - turn.
Wail-a-ree wail-a-ree
You'll never re - turn to me! (no return, no return, no return)