Satan's River
Dolly Parton · We Found It (wPorter Wagoner) [RCA Victor] [1973]
(Porter Wagoner)
Satan's got river, Satan's got river deep and wide, so deep and wide
Satan's got a river and it's so deep and wide
And he's got folks a swimming, he's got folks a swimming
In the warm smooth tide.
But some day Satan's river
Yes, some day Satan's river is gonna run dry, it's gonna run dry
What was once a smooth river, hot lava will make the tide
Stay clear of Satan's river, heaven's on either side.
Big yachts are sailing Satan's river, so smooth
Never stopping or thinking about God's golden rule
When the river starts to sinking
They'll cry I've been a fool.
Satan's got river deep and wide
Satan's got river and it's so deep and wide
And he's got folks a swimming
In the warm smooth tide.
Satan's got river deep and wide
Satan's got river and it's so deep and wide
And he's got folks a swimming
In the warm smooth tide...
Satan's got river, Satan's got river deep and wide, so deep and wide
Satan's got a river and it's so deep and wide
And he's got folks a swimming, he's got folks a swimming
In the warm smooth tide.
But some day Satan's river
Yes, some day Satan's river is gonna run dry, it's gonna run dry
What was once a smooth river, hot lava will make the tide
Stay clear of Satan's river, heaven's on either side.
Big yachts are sailing Satan's river, so smooth
Never stopping or thinking about God's golden rule
When the river starts to sinking
They'll cry I've been a fool.
Satan's got river deep and wide
Satan's got river and it's so deep and wide
And he's got folks a swimming
In the warm smooth tide.
Satan's got river deep and wide
Satan's got river and it's so deep and wide
And he's got folks a swimming
In the warm smooth tide...
Satan's River
Dolly Parton's 'Satan's River,' recorded in 1973 with Porter Wagoner, stands as a haunting centerpiece on their collaborative album. The track exemplifies the Southern Gothic sensibilities that often permeate Parton's later work, blending traditional country storytelling with darker, more ominous themes. While her discography is renowned for its focus on love and heartbreak, this recording ventures into the supernatural, reflecting a unique artistic evolution within her catalog. The song's enduring presence in her essential collections highlights its status as a significant, albeit less frequently performed, piece of her musical legacy.