 Young explained the context of the story in the liner notes of his 1977 anthology album "Decade", stating that he wrote "Down by the River," "Cinnamon Girl" and "Cowgirl in the Sand" while delirious in bed in Topanga Canyon with a fever.The lyrics tell the story of someone who killed his lover by shooting her after feeling unable to continue from the emotional highs of their relationship.Young himself has provided multiple explanations for the lyrics.