I met my girl at Woolwich Pier
Beneath the big cranes standing
And all 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 Silver town
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 . . .
All the time my heart was singing,
Sweet Thames . . .
Limehouse Reach I gave her there,
Flow . . .
As a ribbon for her hair,
Sweet Thames . . .
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 . . .
After that there was no stopping,
Sweet Thames . . .
Richmond Park it was a ring
Flow…
I’d given her anything
Sweet Thames…
From Rotherhithe to Putney Bridge
My love I was declaring
And she from Kew to Isleworth
Her love for me was swearing
Love it set my heart a-burning
Flow…
Never saw the tide was turning
Sweet Thames…
Gave her Hampton Court to twist,
Flow . . .
Into a bracelet for her wrist,
Sweet Thames . . .
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 . . .
Sun and moon and stars gone with her,
Sweet Thames . . .
Swift the Thames runs to the sea,
Flow . . .
Bearing ships and part of me,
Sweet Thames . . .
