Lyric discussion by Lwis 

Cover art for The River lyrics by Bruce Springsteen

Damn, just writing and thinking about it drove the tears into my eyes.

"Is a dream a lie if it don't come true Or is it something worse"

Incredible.

I think you'll find the line is: is a dream a lie if it don't come true or is it something worse that sends me down to the river....

because, i think, the way you wrote it, it wouldn't have much sense. it would make sense if it was "is a dream a lie if it DOES come true, or is it something worse?"

That quote just about says it all. I pity anyone who has never heard one of his first 6 studio albums, they are all great, not to say most of his later albums weren't great too.