River

Roy Orbison · Other Songs - Roy Orbison

Roly-oly on now, river

Roly-oly on your way

Roly-oly on now river

Wash my cares away



River so wide and so deep

Wake the sandman from his sleep

River remind him

He has a promise to keep



Roll on, mighty river

Running wild and free

Get along now, river

Bring a dream to me



Hey now, river

Go down, River

Don't slow down, river

Bring a dream for me



Roly-oly on now, river

Roly-oly on your way

Roly-oly on now river

Take my troubles away



Robin Hood river, roll on

Go steal a dream from the dawn

River, you'll find me

Where all the dreamers have gone



Roll on, mighty river

Running wild and free

Get along now, river

And bring a dream to me



Hey now, river

Go down, River

Don't slow down, river

Bring that dream for me

River

River stands as a poignant example of Roy Orbison's mastery of the pop ballad, showcasing his signature operatic vocal delivery and dramatic phrasing. Released during a period where Orbison was solidifying his reputation for emotional depth, the track captures the melancholic essence that defined much of his early career. The song's arrangement builds slowly, allowing Orbison's voice to soar over the instrumentation with characteristic restraint before swelling into a powerful climax. As part of his extensive discography, River reflects the artist's ability to convey profound sorrow and longing without relying on complex lyrical imagery. It remains a testament to his enduring influence on rock and roll, demonstrating how a simple title could anchor a recording of significant emotional weight within his broader body of work.