I met you in eight two, over a crate of beer and not a few 
I cracked a can and so did you, we're going to change the world 
The ghetto kings of downside town-the estates and parks of our hallowed ground
Doing anything that we found, and on the river flowed 

You'd take a drink from Rev. Jimmy Jones 
You'd cross the street on the path the gunman roams 
Thrown aside and left to waste, that was you, you knew your place 
Wander round, get off your face, and on the river flowed

On and on the river flow, we are the undertow 
On and on the river flow, we are the undertow 

I don't know how you made it through all the smoke and brew you do
It sure has left its mark on you but you're still with us today
Life goes on and round we go and words can kill these things I know 
Sometimes you cut deeply so, but on the river flows 

You'd set the table for barber Sweeney Todd 
You'd clip the wings of any rising god 
But man can't live on hope alone, it can be cut all that is grown 
Broke your spirit but not your bones and on the river flows

On and on the river flow, we are the undertow 
On and on the river flow, we are the undertow 

You're working now, forced to the race I know it left a bitter taste
But the rising tide had covered your face 
Nothing you could do 
But I still remember the day you said 
That the river flowing through my head 
Would take me far or leave me dead 
And all you said was true