Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young-Down By The River (1969)

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young performing "Down By The River" in 1969. This is from The Celebration At Big Sur concert in Sept of 69. Neil Young had just joined the group and this was the first performance of the song by them. Neil had recorded this song with his band Crazy Horse earlier in the year and this was only the third gig for the new group. They debuted together in concert first in Chicago with Joni Mitchell than a few weeks later at Woodstock. The lyrics are about someone who kills his lover by shooting her. The reason he gives for the killing is that she takes him to emotional heights from which he cannot bear. Young has provided multiple explanations for the lyrics. In an interview 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." In 1984 Young said 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. "DOWN BY THE RIVER" Be on my side, I'll be on your side, baby There is no reason for you to hide It's so hard for me staying here all alone When you could be taking me for a ride. Yeah, she could drag me over the rainbow, send me away Down by the river I shot my baby Down by the river, Dead, oh, shot her dead. You take my hand, I'll take your hand Together we may get away This much madness is too much sorrow It's impossible to make it today. Yeah, she could drag me over the rainbow, send me away Down by the river I shot my baby Down by the river, Dead, oh, shot her dead. Be on my side, I'll be on your side, baby There is no reason for you to hide It's so hard for me staying here all alone When you could be taking me for a ride. Yeah, she could drag me over the rainbow, send me away Down by the river I shot my baby Down by the river, Dead, oh, shot her dead.