Lyrics:

La-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la (hmm)
Alright
La-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la
Growin' up, it was tough
We were glad for what little we had
I saw my share of old fair, Mississippi
Dirt roads and Confederate flags
Every day, my father would tell me
Son, run, and don't never come back?
That's where I left my girl
That's where my heart is at, and oh
I held my breath when they dipped my head
Then I came up shiny and new
Found out about love in the back of my Impala
Where they laid my grandfather too (where they laid my granddad)
Down by the river (down by the river)
Where black folks gather
After Sunday service is through
How the river runs to the ocean (how the rivers run, and run, and run)
I'll be runnin' right back to you (runnin' back to you)
I got along, I'm movin' on
I bandaged the scars up well
I think of her, then I sit, and I wait
For a card or a letter in the mail
I walk the beach with the sand in my feet
Place my ear up to a shell
I wonder if you miss me too
'Cause I been longin' to get to you
I'm sick of starin' out my window sill
I'm tired of hopin' she remembers me still
I'm packin' my bags, I said I'm goin' back home
To the place where I belong
The river
And if she's there when I get there (uhn, uhn, uhn)
I'm never gonna leave her again
You see, she stole my heart
Down by the river
I held my breath when they dipped my head
Then I came up shiny and new (hallelujah, new)
Found out about love in the back of my Impala (back seat, my sixth car, baby)
Where they laid my grandfather too
Down by the river
Where black folks gather
After Sunday service is through
How the river runs to the ocean (hey, oh, yeah)
I'll be runnin' right back to you (oh)
So I'm packin' up my suitcase (oh)
Bought me a one-way fare (oh)
I'm leavin' everything behind me (oh-oh)
But in my heart I always care
And I'll still be right there (right there)
Thank you baby
'Cause nothin' can replace that part in my life
And whoa
I held my breath when they dipped my head (yeah)
Then I came up shiny and new (I came out a new man)
Found out about love in the back of my Impala
Where they laid my grandfather too (down by the river)
Down by the river
Where black folks gather
After Sunday service is through (oh Lord)
How the river runs to the ocean (oh, yeah, yeah, yeah)
I'll be runnin' right back to you (runnin' back to you)