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 sweet river, flow,
All the time my heart was singing, Sweet Thames, flow softly.
Limehouse Reach I gave her there, flow sweet river, flow,
As a ribbon for her hair, Sweet Thames, flow softly.

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 sweet river, flow,
After that there was no stopping, Sweet Thames, flow softly.
Richmond Park, it was her ring, flow sweet river, flow,
I’d have given her anything, Sweet Thames, flow softly.

From Rotherhithe to Putney Bridge my love I was declaring;
And she, from Kew to Isleworth, her love for me was swearing.
Love had set my heart a-burning, flow sweet river, flow,
Never saw the tide was turning, Sweet Thames, flow softly.
Gave her Hampton Court to twist, flow sweet river, flow,
Into a bracelet for her wrist, Sweet Thames, flow softly.

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 sweet river, flow,
Sun and moon and stars gone with her, Sweet Thames, flow softly.
Swift the Thames runs to the sea, flow sweet river, flow,
Bearing ships and part of me, Sweet Thames, flow softly.

Ewan MacColl (1915-1989)