River, Stay ‘Way From My Door

A popular song from 1931
Words by Mort Dixon
Music by Harry Woods


The sheet music:


Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:


Lyrics

  1. You’re just a lonely little river
    But I have heard somebody say
    That someday you may sweep my home away
    So roll along you lonely river
    And find your way to the sea
    I don’t bother you
    Don’t you bother me

Chorus
You keep goin’ your way
I’ll keep goin’ my way
River, stay ‘way from my door
I just got a cabin
You don’t need my cabin
River, stay ‘way from my door
Don’t come up any higher
I’m so all alone
Leave my bed and my fire
That’s all I own
I ain’t breakin’ your heart
Don’t start breakin’ my heart
River, stay ‘way from my door

  1. There ain’t no use in you pretendin’
    That you don’t hear me ’cause you do
    And you know it’s you that I’m talkin’ to
    If you don’t stop ’twill be the endin’
    I’m beggin’ you on bended knees
    Just leave me alone
    Won’t you listen, please

Patter

Oh! Lord! ain’t I been faithful
And ain’t I worked
Ain’t I toiled in the sweatin’ sun?
Oh! Lord! ain’t I come to you
And thanked you for all you’ve done
Oh! Lord you made the river
But wont you try to remember
That you made me
Oh! Lord! hear me pray to you
Make the river hear my plea
I ain’t breakin’ your heart
Don’t start breakin’ my heart
River, stay ‘way from my door


Sung here by Laurence Rubenstein: