This is a song I heard Miriam Makeba do - on her second US album, I think.   I've been trying to find a YouTube of it, but no luck so far. I have the vinyl album but can't play it right now.
Anyway I thought I'd post the lyrics because it's a delightful song (especially when Miriam sings it).

Can't Cross Over (River Come Down)

The river come down,
The river come down,
River come down ,
I can't cross over.
Why-o, why-o, why-o
I can't cross over.

I wanted to go down
To the other side of town.
There was water all around
And I couldn't cross over.
Why-o, why-o, why-o
I can't cross over.

Well a gal she come by
And I give she the eye,
So she started to sigh
And I couldn't cross over.
Why-o, why-o, why-o
I can't cross over.

The river come down,
The river come down,
River come down
And I couldn't cross over.
Why-o, why-o, why-o
I can't cross over.

Now bird he can fly ,
Foggy jump high,
Fishes never die
And I couldn't cross over .
Why-o, why-o, why-o
I can't cross over.

A well I stole me a kiss,
I couldn't resist!
Just think what I'd a miss
If I could have crossed over.
Why-o, why-o, why-o
I can't cross over .

The river come down,
The river come down,
River come down
And I couldn't cross over.
Why-o, why-o, why-o
I can't cross over .

I had a curiosity ,
Now I got a family,
Bouncing baby on my knee
'Cause I couldn't cross over.
Why-o, why-o, why-o
I can't cross over.

So when you see your neighbor daughter,
Better run for the water.
You'll do things you hadn't oughta
If you can't cross over.
Why-o, why-o, why-o
I can't cross over.

The river come down,
The river come down,
River come down
And I couldn't cross over.
Why-o, why-o, why-o
I can't cross over.