I hate to see night shadows fall
I hate to see a moon above
For it brings me dreams of days gone by

When my darling Lola Lee
Strolled along the shore with me
And we watched the golden river glide on by

CHORUS:
Golden river, golden river
You took my love from me
On your waves of golden hue
You carried her with you
And broke my heart a million million ways

Break (guitar)

Now I sit and wonder why
I feel so blue and want to cry
While the moon climbs slowly in the sky

It was on a night like this
When she gave me her last kiss
Climbed in her birch canoe and sailed away

CHORUS:
Golden river, golden river
You took my love from me
On your waves of golden hue
You carried her with you
And broke my heart a million million ways