Miller formed the Buddy Miller Band, which included singer/songwriter Shawn Colvin on vocals and guitar.
In addition to releasing several solo albums over the years, Miller has toured as lead guitarist/backing vocalist for Emmylou Harris's Spyboy band, Steve Earle on his El Corazon tour, and Linda Ronstadt. He co-produced and performed on Jimmie Dale Gilmore's 2000 album Endless Night. He has also appeared on several albums by songwriter/singer Lucinda Williams.
At the 4th Annual Americana Music Association Honors & Awards, the Ryman Auditorium September 2005, Miller received the Album of the Year Award for his Universal United House of Prayer, and the opening cut of that album, Worry Too Much (penned by Mark Heard, and originally released on Second Hand), won the Song of the Year Award.
Wide River To Cross
Buddy Miller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Blowing' down the road I've been
I can hear it cry while shadows steal the sun
But I can not look back now
I've come to far to turn around
And there's still a race ahead that I must run
To where I'll find the things that I have lost
I've come a long long road still I've got miles to go
I've got a wide wide river to cross
I have stumbled I have strayed
You can trace the tracks I made
All across the memories my heart recalls
But I'm just a refugee won't you say a prayer for me
'Cause sometimes even the strongest soldier falls
The Buddy Miller song "Wide River To Cross" tells the story of a person who has been traveling down a long road and is now faced with a wide river that needs to be crossed. The person acknowledges the sorrow surrounding them that makes it seem almost impossible to continue on, but they know they can't turn back now despite acknowledging the extent to which they lost their way. Despite covering a long distance, the singer realizes that they've still got miles to go before reaching their destination, and acknowledges the challenges they faced that led them off the right path.
The lyrics also reveal a sense of humility as the character admits to stumbling and getting lost before, essentially seeking the help of others to get back on track. Even though they might have once considered themselves the strongest soldier, they now need someone to pray for them as they cross the wide river ahead.
Overall, "Wide River to Cross" captures the eternal quest of pushing forward despite overwhelming obstacles, holding on to hope in the face of despair, and the importance of humility and the acceptance of help from others.
Fact 1. "Wide River to Cross" is a song written by Julie Miller and Buddy Miller, and was first featured on Buddy Miller's 2004 album "Universal United House of Prayer."
Fact 2. The song was also performed in the American crime drama series "Justified"
Fact 3. "Wide River to Cross" received a Grammy nomination for Best Americana Roots Song in 2011.
Fact 4. The song has been covered by several renowned artists, including Levon Helm, The Band, and Diana Krall.
Fact 5. Levon Helm's version of the song was featured on his final studio album Dirt Farmer and won the Grammy for Best Traditional Folk Album in 2008.
Fact 6. Both Buddy Miller and Julie Miller were established musicians and songwriters prior to the release of "Wide River to Cross."
Fact 7. Julie Miller wrote the lyrics to the song, while Buddy Miller composed the music.
Fact 8. The song deals with themes of perseverance in the face of adversity, mortality, faith, and redemption.
Fact 9. The song has been described as both a spiritual and a secular anthem, given its universal themes and lyrics.
Fact 10. The song's lyrics and melody have been praised for their simplicity, poignancy, and ability to evoke deep emotions.
Chords (as played by Buddy Miller):
G / G / G / G
C / C / G / G
D / C / G / G
D / C / G / G
C / C / G / G
D / C / G / G
D / C / G / G
C / C / G / G
Line by Line Meaning
There's a sorrow in the wind
I sense sadness in the air
Blowing' down the road I've been
It's coming my way
I can hear it cry while shadows steal the sun
I hear its moan as darkness shrouds the light
But I can not look back now
Can't go back to where I've been
I've come to far to turn around
I've journeyed quite a distance already
And there's still a race ahead that I must run
My journey's not over, I must keep going
I'm only halfway home I gotta journey on
I'm not there yet, I still have a long way to go
To where I'll find the things that I have lost
To regain what I have forfeited
I've come a long long road still I've got miles to go
The road ahead is still long
I've got a wide wide river to cross
And I have to traverse a vast water body to get there
I have stumbled I have strayed
I committed mistakes and deviated from my path
You can trace the tracks I made
Evidence of my faults can be spotted
All across the memories my heart recalls
My heart recollects my past experiences
But I'm just a refugee won't you say a prayer for me
I feel like a displaced person, may I have your blessings?
'Cause sometimes even the strongest soldier falls
Mighty warriors can falter too
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JULIE MILLER, STEVEN P. MILLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind