Make your bed the river, young girl
Make your bed the river, young girl
La-la-la-la la la la-la-la la
Make your bed the river, young girl

Did you come here to meet him, my dear?
You surprised to find only me?
Well, I put him to rest at the bend in the river
And the same, I require of thee

I'm thick with disease in my madness
Only one thought pacifies me
That the murky black water grounds your bones into sand
When the catfish have stripped off your hide

Make your bed the river, young girl
Make your bed the river, young girl
Know you can't swim, but I'll tuck you in
Make your bed the river, young girl

So down as his trembling bride
For to quail all this fury inside me
And if there's a chance that the Lord recognize you
Pray he has more mercy than I

Make your bed the river, young girl
Make your bed the river, young girl
Know you can't swim, but I'll tuck you in
Make your bed the river, young girl