> Norma Waterson > Songs > River Man

River Man

[Nick Drake]

Norma Waterson sang Nick Drake’s song River Man in 1999 on her second solo album The Very Thought of You. She noted:

[The songs] include the feelings of disappointment for the unfulfilled promise of Nick Drake — that most careless (with himself) and most English of writers whose influences came from far and wide but who always makes my Martin think of Ivor Novello.

Lyrics

Norma Waterson sings River Man

Betty came by on her way
Said she had a word to say
About things today
And fallen leaves.

She said she hadn’t heard the news
Hadn’t had the time to choose
A way to lose
But she believes.

Going to see the river man
Going to tell him all I can
About the plan
For lilac time.

If he tells me all he knows
About the way his river flows
And all-night shows
In summertime.

Betty said she prayed today
For the sky to blow away
Or maybe stay
She wasn’t sure.

For when she thought of summer rain
Calling for her mind again
She’s lost the pain
And stayed for more.

Going to see the river man
Going to tell him all I can
About the ban
On feeling free.

If he tells me all he knows
About the way his river flows
I don’t suppose
It’s meant for me.