We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Down to the River

from The Story of Ike Dupree by Whelan

/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $1 USD  or more

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Second self-produced album by Sid Whelan, featuring Trombone Ace Fred Wesley {James Brown, Parliament, Count Basie Band}.

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Story of Ike Dupree via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 5 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $15 USD or more 

     

  • Full Digital Discography

    Get all 3 Whelan releases available on Bandcamp and save 35%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Waitin' for Payday, The Story of Ike Dupree, and Flood Waters Rising. , and , .

    Purchasable with gift card

      $20.79 USD or more (35% OFF)

     

about

I was messing around on my 12-string musing about the driving proto-rock stylings of Ledbelly and Willie McTell and pretty soon “Down to the River” began to take shape. The lyrics concern two individuals whom we might encounter in a blues situation: a recovering lush who’s in the process of lecturing a serial womanizer about the errors of his ways.

lyrics

Down to the River c. 2014 Sidney S. Whelan

What do you do when life ain't worth living'?
Best to hit the road, best to keep on singin'
ABC, what beats in your chest?
DEF, who left you blessed?

I went to the well one two three many times
Some of that corn liquor goes down like a crime.
Bone-dry one day, dead-soaked the next
You can tell by that and the Holy Text

That I'm goin' down to the river, gonna see if it run dry.
Either that or gettin' ready to bust out
Floodin far and wide. Either way it's nothin' but trouble.
Nothin' but trouble all my days,

Well I'd try to explain but you wouldn't understand
What a woman like that means to a man.
'Cause your cold heart and head of stone
Got you thrown out of house and home.

You went through the backdoor 1 2 3 many times.
Now she got a lawyer and you payin' the fine.
Judge lookin' down from his big oak desk
You can tell by that she’s well and truly vexed.



Now you're goin' down to the river. Gonna see if it run dry.
Either that or gettin' ready to bust its banks
Floodin far and wide.
Either way it spells nothin' but trouble.
Nothin' but trouble all your days.

Well my friend, this ain't cool.
I'm done runnin' around.
Nothin' but fellas sittin' on barstools.
And an occasional workin' gal.
Now who's actin' a fool?
Hey bartender, what's the tab?

A woman like that makes life worth living
But this hard life is unforgiving.
She may be here today then gone the next
You can't blame a fella for feelin' hexed

I ran thru Hell one two three many times.
Fell out winded on the other side.
Listen here woman, I love you the best;
You know by that I been put to the test.

Now I ain't studyin' that river I don't care if it run dry.
Ain't gonna fight it if it bust out, floodin far and wide.
I won't be in none o' that trouble.
If you're with me for all my days.
If you're with me for all my days.
If you’re with me for all my days.

credits

from The Story of Ike Dupree, track released December 21, 2014
Vocals: Sid Whelan, Capathia Jenkins, Robbi Hall Kumalo, Darryl Tookes
Winds:
Trombone: Alan Ferber
Trumpet: Eleazar Shafer
Saxophone: Phillip Whack
Rhythm:
Drums: Richard Huntley
Percussion: Mark Manczuck
Bass: Marco Panascia
Organ: Jerry Z
Guitars: Sid Whelan

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Whelan New York, New York

Sid Whelan is a veteran singer-songwriter with an unapologetically old-school vibe. He has released three solo albums on Bandcamp. He calls his Music "Dark Blue Americana" and has studied songwriting with Chely Wright and Steve Earle. He has also studied guitar with Woody Mann & Howard Morgen. ... more

contact / help

Contact Whelan

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this track or account

Whelan recommends:

If you like Whelan, you may also like: