Wait For Me Down By The River
Marianne Faithfull · No Regrets [2008]
He only wanted to play.
He told me he'd take me to New Orleans town,
By morning we'd be on our way.
He gave me champagne and danced me round,
His fancy words messed up my mind.
He kissed me and called me 'his Lady'
And he left his young girl behind.
He told me, "Wait for me down by the river
If I'm not back by sunrise, then pray.
I'll be on my way to Heaven or hell
And I hear it is such a long way."
I was struck round by the devil,
He took me away to the stars.
I cried out all night for my darling,
But the windows were all locked and barred.
He took this young rose from the garden,
He tore it right out off the ground.
I traded my soul for a rainbow of gold
And the rainbow's come tumbling down.
He told me, "Wait for me down by the river,
If I'm not back by sunrise, then pray.
I'll be on my way to Heaven or hell
And I hear it is such a long way."
He told me, "Wait for me down by the river,
If I'm not back by sunrise, then pray.
I'll be on my way to Heaven or hell
And I hear it is such a long way."
He told me, "Wait for me down by the river,
If I'm not back by sunrise, then pray.
I'll be on my way to Heaven or hell
And I hear it's such a long way."
He told me, "Wait for me down by the river
If I'm not back by sunrise, then pray.
I'll be on my way to Heaven or hell
And I hear it's such a long way."
He told me, "Wait for me down by the river
If I'm not back by sunrise, then pray.
I'll be on my way to Heaven or hell
And I hear it is such a long way."
He told me, "Wait for me down by the river
If I'm not back by sunrise, then pray.
I'll be on my way ..."
Wait For Me Down By The River
Released on Marianne Faithfull's 2008 album No Regrets, this track exemplifies her enduring ability to blend folk sensibilities with intimate storytelling. The recording captures a quiet, reflective mood characteristic of her later work, focusing on themes of longing and personal history without relying on dramatic production. Faithfull's delivery remains a defining feature, showcasing her signature vocal texture that has made her a staple in the English songwriting canon since the 1960s. While the song does not appear on her most commercially prominent releases, it stands as a testament to her consistent output and artistic integrity across decades. The piece invites listeners to consider the nuances of waiting and memory, delivered with a sincerity that aligns with her broader body of work.