[Verse 1] Somethin' has to cause you pain
To teach you that you never wanna lose it again
Somethin' has to break your heart
To show you how much it played a part
Somethin' has to make you run
To make you understand what you've become
Somethin' has to make you fall
So you realize standing up is wonderful

[Pre-Chorus] Somethin' has to wake you in the middle of the night
To make you understand that it's worth the fight
If you lose that somethin', it should make you cry
You'd understand the meaning of life

[Chorus] I cry a river over you (oh-ohh)
It hurts so bad, hurts so bad
When you (oh-ohh)
Lose somebody you love in that river of tears

[Verse 2] Somethin' has to break your bones
To teach you how to jump over sticks and stones
Somethin' has to make you hurt
To cherish all the love lying in the dirt

[Pre-Chorus] Some things stay and they lift you up
A million reasons not to stop
I know it hurts, but don't give up
Couldn't take it if you did

[Chorus] I cry a river over you (oh-ohh)
It hurts so bad, hurts so bad
When you (oh-ohh)
Lose somebody you love
I cry a river over you (oh-ohh)
It hurts so bad, hurts so bad
But you're (oh-ohh)
Forever inside in my veins, in that river of blood

[Post-Chorus] Such a long river
It makes you shiver
Such a long river

[Bridge] Somethin' has to drag you down
To teach you that it's time to turn around
Somethin' has to make you pray
To show you that there is a way

[Chorus] I cry a river over you (oh-ohh)
It hurts so bad, hurts so bad
When you (oh-ohh)
Lose somebody you love
I cry a river over you (oh-ohh)
It hurts so bad, hurts so bad
When you (oh-ohh)
But you're forever inside in my veins, in that river of blood

[Outro] Such a long river
It makes you shiver
Such a long river
An endless river of love