River of Lead
Aaron Sprinkle Lyrics


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y'all ready for this?
Sleep tight memories
We've all gotta turn in sometimes
Fall back, take a seat
Cause I never made it past the headlines
And who could ever understand the obligation that was forcing my hand?
Another chance for grace to win
As I give in

Down this river of lead I roll
Feel it pull me underneath
If the fire don't kill me the water will
Feel it pull me underneath
Lay me down to sleep
I pray there's something left to keep

I hold my breath and wait for the mountain to move
But I forget there's nothing that I can do
I guess I never seem to choose a side
The conversation's taking place in my mind
Another chance for grace to win if I give in

Down this river of lead I roll
Feel it pull me underneath
If the fire don't kill me the water will
Feel it pull me underneath
Lay me down to sleep
I pray there's something left

Oh if you could, but you can't get by
You ain't gonna be anything if you don't try

Down this river of lead I roll
Feel it pull me underneath
If the fire don't kill me the water will
Feel it pull me underneath
Down this river of lead I roll
Feel it pull me underneath
If the fire don't kill me the water will
Feel it pull me underneath




Lay me down to sleep
I pray there's something left to keep

Overall Meaning

The song "River of Lead" by Aaron Sprinkle is a reflective piece on the struggles and pressures of life that we all face. The opening lines "Sleep tight memories, We've all gotta turn in sometimes, Fall back, take a seat, Cause I never made it past the headlines” set a tone of weariness and introspection. As the song progresses, the lyrics speak of feeling bound and controlled by obligations that we don't fully understand. The narrative seems to suggest that the singer is struggling with some kind of inner turmoil and personal conflict.


The metaphor of a river acts as a powerful representation of the singer's internal battle. The river of lead can be interpreted as a symbol of the weighty nature of our mental and emotional struggles. The singer is sucked under the water despite the apparent lack of strength in the current. The line "If the fire don't kill me, the water will" is particularly poignant, indicating that the internal battle might ultimately end in the singer's defeat. However, the hope for a better future is still present as the singer prays that "there's something left to keep" in the face of constant struggles.


In summary, "River of Lead" speaks to the feelings of powerlessness and helplessness that many of us often feel in the face of life's challenges. It recognizes that our internal struggles can be just as debilitating as external conflicts, but ultimately, there is always a glimmer of hope, and grace can prevail if we are willing to surrender and give in.


Line by Line Meaning

y'all ready for this?
This line is a playful and energetic way of introducing the song and getting the listener ready for what's to come.


Sleep tight memories
This line suggests the idea of putting old memories to rest and moving on to something new or different.


We've all gotta turn in sometimes
This line acknowledges that everyone needs rest or a break from things at times.


Fall back, take a seat
This line encourages the listener to relax and take a break from whatever they may be doing.


Cause I never made it past the headlines
This line could refer to someone who never quite meets their full potential or goals in life.


And who could ever understand the obligation that was forcing my hand?
This line could refer to someone feeling the pressure to do something or follow a certain path, and wondering if anyone else can relate or understand.


Another chance for grace to win
This line suggests the idea of redemption or forgiveness, even if someone has fallen short in some way.


As I give in
This line could refer to someone surrendering themselves to the idea of grace or forgiveness mentioned in the previous line.


Down this river of lead I roll
This line is a metaphor for feeling stuck or weighed down by life's challenges, as if being pulled down by a heavy weight.


Feel it pull me underneath
This line suggests the sense of being overwhelmed or helpless in the face of difficult circumstances.


If the fire don't kill me the water will
This line could refer to someone feeling like they're caught between two extremes or threats, with no way out.


Lay me down to sleep
This line is a reference to a common bedtime prayer and could suggest a desire for peace or rest.


I pray there's something left to keep
This line could refer to the hope that, despite everything, there's still something worth holding onto or preserving.


I hold my breath and wait for the mountain to move
This line is a metaphor for waiting for something impossible to happen or change, and could suggest a sense of frustration or resignation.


But I forget there's nothing that I can do
This line acknowledges that, despite one's best efforts, there are some situations or circumstances that are beyond their control.


I guess I never seem to choose a side
This line could suggest a lack of direction or purpose in life, or a reluctance to commit to one particular path or course of action.


The conversation's taking place in my mind
This line could refer to someone struggling with inner conflicts or doubts, and feeling like they're having a conversation with themselves.


Oh if you could, but you can't get by
This line could suggest a sense of frustration or defeat, and the idea that something is just out of reach or impossible to achieve.


You ain't gonna be anything if you don't try
This line could be interpreted as a motivational statement, suggesting that one won't achieve anything if they don't make an effort or take action.




Contributed by Mia T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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