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Styx - Boat On The River




"Boat on the River" is a 1979 song by Styx, from their album Cornerstone. It was released as a single in 1980, but did not chart in the band's native United States. However, it was popular in several European countries, becoming a top-five hit on the German, Austrian, Israeli and Swiss charts (reaching number one on the latter).


The song features Tommy Shaw on lead vocals and mandolin, with Dennis DeYoung accompanying on accordion and harmony vocals. In the video for the song, Chuck Panozzo, John Panozzo, and James J.Y. Young play bowed double bass, tambourine/bass drum and acoustic guitar respectively (even though James J.Y. Young does not play on the original recording).


Allmusic reviewer Mike DeGagne praised both "Boat on the River" and fellow Cornerstone single "Lights" retrospectively for their "silky harmonies and welcoming choruses". While not as big a hit as "Babe" (which hit #1 in the US), the song was Styx's biggest European hit.





Lyrics


Take me back to my boat on the river

I need to go down, I need to come down

Take me back to my boat on the river

And I won't cry out any more

Time stands still as I gaze In her waters

She eases me down, touching me gently

With the waters that flow past my boat on the river

So I don't cry out anymore


Oh the river is wide

The river it touches my life like the waves on the sand

And all roads lead to Tranquillity Base

Where the frown on my face disappears

Take me down to my boat on the river

And I won't cry out anymore


Oh the river is deep

The river it touches my life like the waves on the sand

And all roads lead to Tranquillity Base

Where the frown on my face disappears


Take me down to my boat on the river

I need to go down

Won't you let me go down?

Take me back to my boat on the river

And I won't cry out anymore

And I won't cry out anymore

And I won't cry out anymore




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