The River - Bruce Springsteen | Song Tabs

The River Bruce Springsteen

The original recording of “The River” features a gentle, storytelling style with acoustic guitar as its backbone. Its moderate tempo and folk-rock feel make it approachable for beginners, especially when played solo or in a small group.

Chords and Progression

The song uses basic open chords:
Em, G, D, C, Am

These are all standard beginner chords. Practice switching smoothly between them, especially sequences like Em-G-D-C and Em-G-C-G, as these recur throughout the song.

Strumming Pattern

A simple down-down-up-up-down-up (D D U U D U) pattern works well.
Try playing along with the recording to match the relaxed, steady rhythm. For verses, a softer strum helps convey the reflective mood.

Chord Transitions and Techniques

Watch for quick changes, especially:

Em to G and G to D
G to C and back
Am to G

To make transitions smoother, keep your fingers close to the fretboard and try to anticipate the next chord. For Am to G, slide your index finger for efficiency.

Tips for Beginners

Practice the intro progression ([Em] [G] [D] [C] [G] [D] [Em] [Am] [C]) until it feels natural.
Use a capo if needed to match your vocal range.
Focus on maintaining a steady rhythm rather than speed; the emotion is in the delivery.

Playing along with the original helps internalize the song’s feel and timing.

Intro

Em G D C

G D Em Am C

Verse 1

IEm come from down in theG valley, whereD mister when you'reC young

TheyEm bring you up toG do,C like your daddyG done

Me andC Mary we met in high school, whenG she was just sevenEm teen

We'dAm ride out of this valley, down toG where the fields wereC green

Chorus

We'd goEm down to theC river, andD into the river we'dG dive

Ohh-ohEm down to theC river we'dD ride

Verse 2

ThenEm I got MaryG pregnant, andD man that was all sheC wrote

AndEm for my nineteenthG birthday I got a unionC card and a weddingG coat

WeC went down to the courthouse, and theG judge put it all toEm rest

NoAm wedding day smiles no walk down the aisle, noG flowers no weddingC dress

Chorus

That night we wentEm down to theC river, andD into the river we'dG dive

Ohh-ohEm down to theC river we didD ride,Em ride

Instrumental

Em G D C

Em G C G

C G Em

Am G C

Verse 3

IEm got a job working conG struction, for theD Johnstown CompanC y

ButEm lately there ain't beenG much work, on aC ccount of the econoG my

NowC all them things that seemed so important, well misterG they vanished right into theEm air

Now I justAm act like I don't remember, and MaryG acts like she don'tC care

Bridge

But I reEm member us ridin' in myG brother's car, her bodyD tan and wet down at theC reservoir

AtEm night on them banks I'dG lie awake and pull herC close just to feel eachG breath she'd take

Now thoseC memories come back to haunt me, theyG haunt me like aEm curse

Is aAm dream a lie if it don't come true, orG is it somethingC worse

Final Chorus

That sends meEm down to theC river, though ID know the river isG dry

That sends meEm down to theC river toD night

Down to theC river myD baby andG I

Ohh-ohEm down to theC river weD ride

Outro

C D G

Em C D G

Em C D G Em

Song Tabs

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