The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
I met my girl at Woolwich pier.
Beneath a big crane standin'.
And all the love I felt for her.
It passed all understandin'.
Took her sailin' on the river.
Flow, sweet river, flow.
Londontown was mine to give her.
Sweet Thames, flow softly.
Made the Thames into a crown.
Flow, sweet river, flow.
Made a brooch of that silver town.
Sweet Thames, flow softly.
At London Yard I held her hand.
At Blackwall Point I faced her.
At the Isle of Dogs I kissed her mouth.
And tenderly embraced her.
Heard the bells of Greenwich ringin'.
Flow, sweet river, flow.
All that time my heart was singin'.
Sweet Thames, flow softly.
Limehouse Reach I gave her there.
Flow, sweet river, flow.
As a ribbon for her hair.
Sweet Thames, flow softly
From Shadwell Dock to Nine Elms Reach.
We cheek to cheek were dancin'.
Her necklace made of London Bridge.
Her beauty was enhancin'.
Kissed her once again at Wapping.
Flow, sweet river, flow.
After that there was no stoppin'.
Sweet Thames, flow softly.
Richmond Park it was her ring.
Flow, sweet river, flow.
I'd have given her anything.
Sweet Thames, flow softly.
From Rotherhithe to Putney Bridge.
My love I was declarin'.
And she from Queue to Islewood.
Her love for me was swearin'.
Love had set my heart a-burnin'.
Flow, sweet river, flow.
Never saw the tide was turnin'.
Sweet Thames, flow softly.
Gave her Hampton Court to twist.
Flow, sweet river, flow.
Into a bracelet for her wrist.
Sweet Thames, flow softly.
And now, alas, the tide has changed.
My love she has gone from me.
And the winter's frost has touched my heart.
And left its blight upon me.
Creepin' fog is on the river.
Flow, sweet river, flow.
Sun and moon and stars gone with her.
Sweet Thames, flow softly.
Swift the Thames flows to the sea.
Flow, sweet river, flow.
Bearin' ships and part of me.
Sweet Thames, flow softly.
Beneath a big crane standin'.
And all the love I felt for her.
It passed all understandin'.
Took her sailin' on the river.
Flow, sweet river, flow.
Londontown was mine to give her.
Sweet Thames, flow softly.
Made the Thames into a crown.
Flow, sweet river, flow.
Made a brooch of that silver town.
Sweet Thames, flow softly.
At London Yard I held her hand.
At Blackwall Point I faced her.
At the Isle of Dogs I kissed her mouth.
And tenderly embraced her.
Heard the bells of Greenwich ringin'.
Flow, sweet river, flow.
All that time my heart was singin'.
Sweet Thames, flow softly.
Limehouse Reach I gave her there.
Flow, sweet river, flow.
As a ribbon for her hair.
Sweet Thames, flow softly
From Shadwell Dock to Nine Elms Reach.
We cheek to cheek were dancin'.
Her necklace made of London Bridge.
Her beauty was enhancin'.
Kissed her once again at Wapping.
Flow, sweet river, flow.
After that there was no stoppin'.
Sweet Thames, flow softly.
Richmond Park it was her ring.
Flow, sweet river, flow.
I'd have given her anything.
Sweet Thames, flow softly.
From Rotherhithe to Putney Bridge.
My love I was declarin'.
And she from Queue to Islewood.
Her love for me was swearin'.
Love had set my heart a-burnin'.
Flow, sweet river, flow.
Never saw the tide was turnin'.
Sweet Thames, flow softly.
Gave her Hampton Court to twist.
Flow, sweet river, flow.
Into a bracelet for her wrist.
Sweet Thames, flow softly.
And now, alas, the tide has changed.
My love she has gone from me.
And the winter's frost has touched my heart.
And left its blight upon me.
Creepin' fog is on the river.
Flow, sweet river, flow.
Sun and moon and stars gone with her.
Sweet Thames, flow softly.
Swift the Thames flows to the sea.
Flow, sweet river, flow.
Bearin' ships and part of me.
Sweet Thames, flow softly.
Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher
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