Live 14 Jun 1989 version
[Spoken intro (Neil Young):] Thank you. Thank you everybody. Well, my songs are all the same... ??? use Bob Dylan's words and, uh, you know, interchange the whole deal there. ??? use Bruce's words, I'll be ok too, huh? Just like to thank you for coming here tonight. ??? a friend of mine's right here, ??? he doesn't know I'm gonna do this to him but, you know, somebody's gotta do this to him, you know. So he's out here somewhere, Bruce! Are you in here? I'd like to do a song with you, Bruce, if you've got a minute. You'll be singing with us. Yeah it works.
Be on my side, I'll be on your side
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
Ooh yeah
She could drag me over the rainbow
And send me away
Down by the river
I shot my baby
Down by the river
Shot her dead
Ooh, shot my baby dead
You take my hand, I'll take your hand
Together we might get away
This much madness is too much sorrow
It's impossible to make it today yeah
She could drag me over the rainbow
And send me away
Down by the river
I shot my baby
Down by the river
Ooh
Shot my baby dead
Be on my side
Be on my side
Be on my side
Be on my side
Be on my side, I'll be on your side
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
Ooh ooh
She could drag me over the rainbow
And send me away
Down by the river
I shot my baby
Down by the river
Shot her dead
The above lyrics are for the live 14 Jun 1989 performance of DOWN BY THE RIVER at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, NY, during a guest appearance with Neil Young. The song was the show closer. Springsteen shared vocals with Young on the chorus (the parts above in bold) and played acoustic guitar.
List of available versions of DOWN BY THE RIVER (Neil Young) on this website:
DOWN BY THE RIVER (Neil Young) [Live 22 Mar 1985 version]