[Verse 1]
Don't go by the river
If you love your wife
'Cause you'll make that girl a widow
And you'll cause her pain and strife
Hell, if you go by the riverside
You'll lose your l-l-l-l-life!
People by the river
They know who's the boss
They'll get at fancy city folks
No matter what the cost
And if you go by the riverside
You'll end up l-l-l-l-lost!

[Chorus]
There's a bat they call Lestat who will sink his teeth in you
You might meet a creature from the swampy black lagoon
And if the moon is full, you might meet the Loop Garou!
Don't go by the riverside
You'll be sorry if you do!

[Verse 2]
A young man met a lady
And she made this fellow swoon
So they went on down to New Orleans
To elope under the moon
He took her by the riverside
To give her the heir-l-l-l-l-loom
Well the next day he got out of bed
And she wasn't by his side
He searched the quarter high and low
And the bayou far and wide
The locals say she ran away
But y'know they l-l-l-l-lied!
[Chorus]
There's a bat they call Lestat who will sink his teeth in you
You might meet a creature from the swampy black lagoon
And if the moon is full, you might meet the Loop Garou!
Don't go by the riverside
You'll be sorry if you do!

[Verse 3]
Who shivers when they hear my voodoo?
Don't lie to me boy, I know you do
You better tremble when you hear me call
'Cause you'll make a lovely shrunken head
You'll be my favorite voodoo doll! Hahahaha!
Sting went by the river
Now he slings on Bourbon street
And there's that song by Concrete Blonde
About where it's warm and green
And if you go by the riverside
You'll never l-l-l-l-leave!

[Chorus]
There's a bat they call Lestat who will sink his teeth in you
You might meet a creature from the swampy black lagoon
And if the moon is full, you might meet the Loop Garou!
Don't go by the riverside
(Don't go by the riverside)
I'm singin' don't go by that riverside
(He's singin' don't go by that riverside)
Don't go by the riverside
(Why's that?)
'Cause you might meet me if you do!