It's coming on Christmas
They're cutting down trees
They're putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
Oh, I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
But it don't snow here
It stays pretty green
I'm going to make a lot of money
Then I'm going to quit this crazy scene
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh, I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I made my baby cry

He tried hard to help me
You know, he put me at ease
And he loved me so naughty
Made me weak in the knees
Oh, I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I'm so hard to handle
I'm selfish and I'm sad
Now I've gone and lost the best baby
That I ever had
Oh, I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh, I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I made my baby say goodbye

It's coming on Christmas
They're cutting down trees
They're putting up reindeer
Singing songs of joy and peace
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on


Lyrics submitted by Novartza, edited by raymondjii

River Lyrics as written by Joni Mitchell

Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc.

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River song meanings
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  • +5
    My Interpretation

    Such a beautiful song! Christmas time is such a bittersweet time - it is a time for joy, celebration, family and loved ones...but it is also a time when you think of those you're not sharing this special time with - people who have passed away; people who are far away; or someone you loved, hurt and have lost.

    I love how clever Joni was with her music, the piano beginning that has a hint of "Jingle Bells" in it, just to set the mood - I love it!

    MissElleon September 17, 2011   Link

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