SWEET THAMES, FLOW SOFTLY
(Ewan MacColl)


The Critic's Group feat. John Faulkner - 1966
The Johnstons - 1968
Planxty - 1973
Schooner Fare - 1981
Ewan MacColl & Peggy Seeger - 1983
John Faulkner - 1986
Steve Fiott - 1989
Paddy Reilly - 1990
The Dubliners - 1992
Alison Brown - 1992
Weddings Parties Anything - 1997
Mary Courtney - 2003
SullivanBarton - 2004
Cherish The Ladies - 2005

Also recorded by:
Ian Robb; Johnny McEvoy; The Clancy Brothers; Jon Wilcox; 
James Kellaghan; Mick Groves; Jean Redpath; Red Oktober; 
The Yetties; Christy Moore; Maddy Prior.





I met my girl at Woolwich Pier 
Beneath a big crane standing
And oh, the love I felt for her 
It passed all understanding

Took her sailing on the river 
Flow, sweet river, flow
London town was mine to give her
Sweet Thames, flow softly

Made the Thames into a crown 
Flow, sweet river, flow
Made a brooch of Silvertown 
Sweet Thames, flow softly

At London Yard I held her hand 
At Blackwall Point I faced her
At the Isle of Dogs I kissed her mouth 
And tenderly embraced her

Heard the bells of Greenwich ringing 
Flow, sweet river, flow
All the time my heart was singing 
Sweet Thames, flow softly

Limehouse Reach I gave her there
Flow, sweet river, flow
As a ribbon for her hair
Sweet Thames, flow softly

>From Shadwell dock to Nine Elms Reach 
We cheek to cheek were dancing
Her necklace made of London Bridge 
Her beauty was enhancing

Kissed her once again at Wapping
Flow, sweet river, flow
After that there was no stopping 
Sweet Thames, flow softly

Richmond Park, it was her ring
Flow, sweet river, flow
I'd have given her anything
Sweet Thames, flow softly

>From Rotherhithe to Putney Bridge 
My love I was declaring
And she, from Kew to Isleworth 
Her love for me was swearing

Love had set my heart a-burning 
Flow, sweet river, flow
Never saw the tide was turning
Sweet Thames, flow softly

Gave her Hampton Court to twist
Flow, sweet river, flow
Into a bracelet for her wrist 
Sweet Thames, flow softly

But now alas the tide has changed 
My love she has gone from me
And winter's frost has touched my heart 
And put a blight upon me

Creeping fog is on the river 
Flow, sweet river, flow
Sun and moon and stars gone with her
Sweet Thames, flow softly

Swift the Thames runs to the sea
Flow, sweet river, flow
Bearing ships and part of me 
Sweet Thames, flow softly






(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - May 2015)