There's a house across the river but alas I cannot swim 
and a garden of such beauty that the flowers seem to grin 
There's a house across the river but alas I cannot swim 
I'll live my life regretting that I never jumped in.

There's a boy across the river with short black curly hair 
He wants to be my lover and I want to be his peer 
There's a boy across the river but alas I cannot swim 
and I never will get to put my arms around him.

There's a life across the river that was meant for me 
Instead I live my life in constant misery 
There's a life across the river but I do not see 
why I should please those who will never be pleased.

There is gold across the river but I don't want none 
Gold is fleeting, gold is fickle, gold is fun.

There is gold across the river but I don't want none 
I would rather be dry than held up by a golden gun 
saying work more, earn more, live more, have more fun.