This is a lovely song and deserves a wider hearing. I know it has been recorded by Ann Hills because I heard it on UK radio some years ago introduced by Tom Paxton. The chords seem to fit, capo up a couple of frets for your preferred pitch.


(G)Rusty (G/F+)old red (Em)river, (C)Lord you (Cm)move so (G)slo..(C)..(G)..w,
Burdened by the (Em)seasons as you (A)go..(C)
(C)You've seen a lot of (Bm)sorrow, (C)so the old folks(Cm)say.
(G)River, (G/F+)(Em)can you (A)wash the (C)hurt away(G)

Rusty old red river, time is on your side
Looks like you're still running free and wide(wild?)
But maybe all your friends are gone,
And your lonely, who can say?
River can you wash the hurt away
(G).....(B7)
(middle 8)
The (Em)rivers of the (Bm)mountains
Running(C)sweet as (D)April(G) rain
And rivers like the (A)Jordan
Take (C)away a sinner's (D)pain.
(C)Other rivers seem so (Cm)happy
Just to (G)make(G/F+) our valleys (Em)green.
How (A)come you're the saddest thing I've (D)seen.

(G)Rusty old (Em) red river, (C) now at (Cm)last I (G-C-G)see,
Like your miles have (Em)muddied you
All my (A)years have muddied (D) me
You said (C)life was a (Cm) laughing game (G)
I never learnt to (Em)play
(G)Rive..(Em)..r, can you (A)wash the(C) hurt (G)away
(Em)River, can you (A)wash the (C)hurt (G)away.