This is a music video that is part of the concert that was given at Big Sur in Northern California at the end of 1969.  The song “DOWN BY THE RIVER” is actually a Neil Young song (one of his own pieces) but here he is playing with his buddies David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash who at the time made up the band CSN - with Neil they were CSNY.  Some of my students are currently working on this song because of its easy transition between two different chords for the rhythm part.  Its one of of the best songs (in my opinion) to introduce the basics of free form improvising and jamming.  There is a short segment at the end of the video with a hippy outside the show without a ticket - enjoy his interview also.

“DOWN BY THE RIVER” by Neil Young

Be on my side,
I’ll be on your side,
baby
There is no reason
for you to hide
It’s so hard for me
staying here all alone
When you could be
taking me for a ride.

Yeah, she could drag me
over the rainbow,
send me away
Down by the river
I shot my baby
Down by the river,
Dead, oh, shot her dead.

You take my hand,
I’ll take your hand
Together we may get away
This much madness
is too much sorrow
It’s impossible
to make it today.

Yeah, she could drag me
over the rainbow,
send me away
Down by the river
I shot my baby
Down by the river,
Dead, oh, shot her dead.

Be on my side,
I’ll be on your side,
baby
There is no reason
for you to hide
It’s so hard for me
staying here all alone
When you could be
taking me for a ride.

Yeah, she could drag me
over the rainbow,
send me away
Down by the river
I shot my baby
Down by the river,
Dead, oh, shot her dead.