Can't Cross Over (West Indian Calypso) - Miriam Makeba

The river come down

The river come down

River come down

I can’t cross over

Why-o, why-o, why-o

I can’t cross over

I wanted to go down

To the other sideof town

There was water all around

And I couldn’t cross over

Why-o, why-o, why-o

I can’t cross over

Well a gal she come by And I give she the eye

So she started to sigh

And I couldn’t cross over

Why-o, why-o, why-o

I can’t cross over

The river come down

The river come down

River come down

And I couldn’t cross over

Why-o, why-o, why-o

I can’t cross over

Now bird he can fly

Foggy jump high

Fishes never die

And I couldn’t cross over

Why-o, why-o, why-o

I can’t cross over

A well I stole me a kiss

I couldn’t resist

Just think what I’d a miss

If I could have crossed over

Why-o, why-o, why-o

I can’t cross over

The river come down

The river come down

River come down

And I couldn’t cross over

Why-o, why-o, why-o

I can’t cross over

I had a curiosity

Now I got a family

Bouncing baby on my knee

‘Cause I couldn’t cross over

Why-o, why-o, why-o

I can’t cross over

So when you see your neighbor daughter

Better run for the water

You’ll do things you hadn’t ought to If you can’t cross over

Why-o, why-o, why-o

I can’t cross over

The river come down

The river come down

River come down

And I couldn’t cross over

Why-o, why-o, why-o

I can’t cross over