River
Written by Joni Mitchell
Performed by Robert Downey Jr.
It’s coming on Christmas
They’re cutting down trees
They’re putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
Oh, I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
But it don’t snow here
It stays pretty green
I’m going to make a lot of money
Then I’m going to quit this crazy scene
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh, I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I made my baby cry
He tried hard to help me
You know, he put me at ease
And he loved me so naughty
Made me weak in the knees
Oh, I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I’m so hard to handle
I’m selfish and I’m sad
Now I’ve gone and lost the best baby
That I ever had
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh, I wish I had a river
I made my baby say goodbye
It’s coming on Christmas
They’re cutting down trees
They’re putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
Wow– how beautiful! I was just wondering about Robert Downey, Jr. for some reason. Didn’t know he could sing. Thanks for sharing this.
@ MBMQ: This was taken from “A Very Ally Christmas” CD, inspired by the show “Ally McBeal”. Some of the songs were performed by cast members, including Robert, who joined the show near the end of its run. I was pleasantly surprised with his singing ability, too!
I love this song. I don’t know if I like his or Sarah McLachlan’s version better.
@ Alyson: I contemplated putting her version up. I also like the original by Mitchell, but I decided to go with this one because it’s so surprising that he can sing that well.