Now playing

Down To The River

Chords

4.815 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Gmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

1/4

Tempo 80 BPMVol

Sound:

Position

Step 1 / 4Position: 1

1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO openSpace = play/pause

The counting in this song is beautifully folksy, but tricky for beginners.  It's a "crooked tune" in 3/4 
time, where you have to listen to the recording to get the feel for how it's supposed to go.  The chords 
themselves are pretty standard throughout the song though.  The lyrics are from my own ear.  Let me know 
    C--*--*--G
e|--x--x--x--3--|
B|--1--x--x--0--|
G|--0--x--x--0--|
D|--2--x--x--0--|
A|--3--2--0--2--|
E|--x--x--x--3--|
[Intro]
G Am  C  G
[Verse 1]
Now Gme and some buddies were Amdown by the river
there were Cdrinkers and dopers and abstCainers by cGhoice
there was Gred wine and white lines, Amblue smoke and good times
but Dwhen we all sang, we Chad us one voiGce, 
[Chorus]
Singing Dlet's all go down to the Criver at Gmidnight
we'll Dswim muddy waters n' Cpick us a Gtune
and we Dwon't give a damn if it's Amrock, folk, Emcountry or Dblues
[Verse 2]
well the Gsirens were screamin, the Amblue lights a flashin
I Cgot me a ride in a Chumorless caGr
they Gread me my rights and they Amsensed my conviction
they said, "You Dshall be released when we knCow what you aGre."
[Verse 3]
Well the Gkangaroo court Amwas now in session
Exhibit CA was a   blaring CradioG  
they said, "GSon, is it clear what is Amto be expected?"
I said, "DSir, your music ain't Cgot no sGoul"
[Chorus]
So Dlet's all go down to the Criver at Gmidnight
we'll Dswim muddy waters n' Cpick us a Gtune
and we Dwon't give a damn if it's Amrock, folk, Emcountry or Dblues
[Solo]
C G
D C G
D C G
G   Am  C  C  G
G   Am  D  C  G
[Verse 3]
Now, GWoody fed Ramblin some Amold hobo chili
and CRamblin fed Dylan 'neath a Cbanana trGee
and GGuy and Townes made a Amstew down in Texas
and Dbrought the whole hog down to CTennesseGe, hey
[Chorus]
Hey lDet's all go down to the rCiver at mGidnight
we'll Dswim muddy waters n' Cpick us a Gtune
and we Dwon't give a damn if it's Amrock, folk, Emcountry or Dblues
[Chorus]
DLet's all go down to the Criver at Gmidnight
we'll Dswim muddy waters n' Cpick us a Gtune
and we Dwon't give a damn if it's Amrock, folk, Emcountry or Dblues
[Solo]
C G
G   Am  C  C G
    G      Am     D    C    Glet's all go
Gdown    Am     C    C    Glet's all go
Gdown  Amto DthCe Griver

All chords in this song (5)

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

Down To The River

by Darrell Scott

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

The counting in this song is beautifully folksy, but tricky for beginners. It's a "crooked tune" in 3/4

time, where you have to listen to the recording to get the feel for how it's supposed to go. The chords

themselves are pretty standard throughout the song though. The lyrics are from my own ear. Let me know

C--*--*--G

e|--x--x--x--3--|

B|--1--x--x--0--|

G|--0--x--x--0--|

D|--2--x--x--0--|

A|--3--2--0--2--|

E|--x--x--x--3--|

[Intro]

G Am C G

[Verse 1]

G Am

Now me and some buddies were down by the river

C C G

there were drinkers and dopers and abstainers by choice

G Am

there was red wine and white lines, blue smoke and good times

D C G

but when we all sang, we had us one voice,

[Chorus]

D C G

Singing let's all go down to the river at midnight

D C G

we'll swim muddy waters n' pick us a tune

D Am Em D

and we won't give a damn if it's rock, folk, country or blues

[Verse 2]

G Am

well the sirens were screamin, the blue lights a flashin

C C G

I got me a ride in a humorless car

G Am

they read me my rights and they sensed my conviction

D C G

they said, "You shall be released when we know what you are."

[Verse 3]

G Am

Well the kangaroo court was now in session

C C G

Exhibit A was a blaring radio

G Am

they said, "Son, is it clear what is to be expected?"

D C G

I said, "Sir, your music ain't got no soul"

[Chorus]

D C G

So let's all go down to the river at midnight

D C G

we'll swim muddy waters n' pick us a tune

D Am Em D

and we won't give a damn if it's rock, folk, country or blues

[Solo]

C G

D C G

G Am C C G

G Am D C G

[Verse 3]

G Am

Now, Woody fed Ramblin some old hobo chili

C C G

and Ramblin fed Dylan 'neath a banana tree

G Am

and Guy and Townes made a stew down in Texas

D C G

and brought the whole hog down to Tennessee, hey

[Chorus]

D C G

Hey let's all go down to the river at midnight

D C G

we'll swim muddy waters n' pick us a tune

D Am Em D

and we won't give a damn if it's rock, folk, country or blues

[Chorus]

D C G

Let's all go down to the river at midnight

D C G

we'll swim muddy waters n' pick us a tune

D Am Em D

and we won't give a damn if it's rock, folk, country or blues

[Solo]

C G

G Am C C G

G Am D C G

let's all go

G Am C C G

down let's all go

G Am D C G

down to the river

About Down To The River Chords by Darrell Scott

Learn how to play Down To The River by Darrell Scott with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Down To The River chords”, “Down To The River guitar chords”, or “Darrell Scott Down To The River chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Down To The River chords and for experienced players who want accurate Down To The River lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, G, B, D, A, E.

FAQ — Down To The River by Darrell Scott

How do I play "Down To The River" by Darrell Scott on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Down To The River" by Darrell Scott on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "Down To The River" by Darrell Scott free?

Yes. The chords for "Down To The River" by Darrell Scott are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Down To The River" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Down To The River" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Down To The River"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Down To The River" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Down To The River" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Down To The River" by Darrell Scott with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Darrell Scott below.

What key is "Down To The River" in?

The chords for "Down To The River" show the original chord names (including C, G, B, D, A, E). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.