Prior to their eponymous 2001 album, each had made appearances on the other's solo recordings, but this disc marked their first official release as a duo. The album is described as more rock-based than their earlier solo traditional-folk recordings. The majority of the songs were penned by Julie Miller and rounded out by the duo's co-written "Dirty Water" and covers of songs by folk-rock icons Richard Thompson, Utah Phillips and Bob Dylan. The album was named "Album of the Year" at the first annual awards of the Americana Music Association.
Since then, the duo has released "Love Snuck Up" (2004) and "Written in Chalk" (2009).
The River's Gonna Run
Buddy & Julie Miller Lyrics
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I got a tear in my heart
I got a door I can't unlock it
I live on shadows in the dark
I hear the sound of a heartbeat
I hear a secret in the rain
It's like a kiss of a lover
I'm gonna rock on the water
And dance on the flood
I'm gonna lay down with the wind
Lay down and believe like a child
I feel the swell of the tempest
I can feel the passion of a soul
Like there's a storm comin' in
I can feel the storm going wild
And when the thunderheads starts beating like a drum
And the thunder cracks the sky in two
The wind is gonna blow and the rain is gonna come
And the river's gonna run
I wanna walk on a wire
I wanna walk an unbroken line
I wanna live when I die
And shake my soul loose from time
I wanna ride with the angels
On that invisible street
And leave my footprints in the sky
And feel the stars beneath my feet
And when the thunderheads starts beating like a drum
And the thunder cracks the sky in two
The wind is gonna blow and the rain is gonna come
And the river's gonna run
I'm gonna take the train that's gonna get me there
All the tracks behind me are burning in the air
The cure is gonna kill me but I don't care
I don't care, I don't care, I don't care, I don't care
It's like a kiss of a lover
It's like a secret in the rain
It's like a stranger knows your name
It's like a stranger knows, a stranger knows your name
The Buddy & Julie Miller song, The River's Gonna Run, seems to be a hymn on the promise of life and the hope that lies ahead of the singer. The song's opening lyrics are striking, "I got a hole in my pocket, I got a tear in my heart, I got a door I can't unlock it, I live on shadows in the dark." These lyrics suggest that the singer is facing challenges and difficulties in life - a feeling of uncertainty and despair. However, with the sound of the heartbeat, the secret in the rain, the lover's kiss, and the stranger's knowledge of their name, the singer finds hope and assurance that better things are ahead.
The song's second verse sees the singer talk about their hopes and dreams - to walk on a wire, live beyond death, ride with the angels on an invisible street, and leave footprints in the sky. These lyrics further underline the singer's desire to overcome their present difficulties and look towards a better tomorrow. The song's chorus, 'And when the thunderheads start beating like a drum, And the thunder cracks the sky in two, The wind is gonna blow and the rain is gonna come, And the river's gonna run' suggests not only the inevitability of storms in life but also the singer's belief that the river of hope and promise will ultimately prevail.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a hole in my pocket
I have financial troubles or feel like something important is missing from my life.
I got a tear in my heart
I am brokenhearted, hurt or grieving over something.
I got a door I can't unlock it
I feel trapped and unable to escape my current situation.
I live on shadows in the dark
I feel alone, scared and vulnerable, incapable of seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
I hear the sound of a heartbeat
I am hopeful and longing for someone or something that will fulfill me.
I hear a secret in the rain
I am tuning into my innermost self, listening to my intuition and discovering hidden truths.
It's like a kiss of a lover
The sensation I am experiencing is passionate and intense, a feeling of joy and elation.
It's like a stranger knows your name
I feel understood and recognized by someone who has never met me before.
I'm gonna rock on the water
I am ready to face whatever comes my way with courage and confidence.
And dance on the flood
I am willing to take risks and find joy in the midst of chaos and uncertainty.
I'm gonna lay down with the wind
I surrender to the power of nature and trust the universe to guide me on my journey.
Lay down and believe like a child
I let go of my worries and doubts and embrace a sense of wonder and possibility.
I feel the swell of the tempest
I am aware of the dangers and challenges ahead, but I am not afraid.
I can feel the passion of a soul
I am touched by the intensity and depth of human emotion, whether it is my own or someone else's.
Like there's a storm comin' in
I sense that there is trouble and turmoil on the horizon.
I can feel the storm going wild
I am swept up in the energy and power of the storm, feeling alive and invigorated.
And when the thunderheads starts beating like a drum
When problems start to pile up and become overwhelming, I am ready to face them head-on.
And the thunder cracks the sky in two
When the chaos and confusion of life seems almost too much to bear, I stay strong and persevere.
The wind is gonna blow and the rain is gonna come
I accept that life is unpredictable and uncontrollable, and I am willing to face whatever comes my way.
And the river's gonna run
Time marches on, and I am not afraid of what the future holds.
I wanna walk on a wire
I seek thrills and challenges, and I am not afraid of taking risks.
I wanna walk an unbroken line
I aspire to live my life with integrity and authenticity, staying true to my values and beliefs.
I wanna live when I die
I want to make the most of my life, leaving a legacy that will inspire and uplift others.
And shake my soul loose from time
I am eager to break free from the constraints of time and space and connect with something greater than myself.
I wanna ride with the angels
I desire a spiritual connection and strive to live a life that is meaningful and fulfilling.
On that invisible street
I know that there are unseen forces at work, guiding me on my journey even when I can't see them.
And leave my footprints in the sky
I want to make a lasting impact on the world, leaving behind something that will endure for generations to come.
And feel the stars beneath my feet
I am in awe of the beauty and majesty of the universe, feeling humbled and inspired by its vastness and complexity.
I'm gonna take the train that's gonna get me there
I am committed to my journey and confident that I will reach my destination no matter what obstacles I face along the way.
All the tracks behind me are burning in the air
I know that I can't change the past, but I am not held back by it either.
The cure is gonna kill me but I don't care
I know that what I am doing is difficult and may have unintended consequences, but I am willing to take the risk.
I don't care, I don't care, I don't care, I don't care
I am confident and focused on my goals, unafraid of the challenges that lie ahead.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BUDDY MILLER, JULIE MILLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind