Verse 1
 
C 
There's a path that leads back through my memories 
                                   G7 
And how often I've walked it these days 
        C          F               C 
Where I find sweet peace among the flowers 
                    G7               C 
On the grassy banks beyond the river bend 
 
Chorus 1
C 
But it's on-ly a memory 
            F    C         G7 
Yes it's on-ly a memory my friend 
C           F    C  F   C 
Yes it's on-ly a me-mor-y 
               G7        C 
I can never go back home again 
 
Chorus 2
C 
Down by the river 
            F         C 
Down by the old river bend 
     F      C F C 
Down by the river 
                        G7     C 
The sweet fragrance of flowers wend 
 
Verse 2
C 
Oh it seems life troubles and trials 
                         G7 
Get harder and harder to mend 
C                        F      C 
Oh how sweet it would be to sit down 
                    G7               C 
On the grassy banks beyond the river bend 
 
Chorus 1
C 
But it's on-ly a memory 
            F    C         G7 
Yes it's on-ly a memory my friend 
C           F    C  F   C 
Yes it's on-ly a me-mor-y 
               G7        C 
I can never go back home again 
 
Chorus 2
C 
Down by the river 
            F         C 
Down by the old river bend 
     F      C F C 
Down by the river 
                       G7      C 
The sweet fragrance of flowers wend