Walk Down The River
Common Rider Lyrics


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This is what she said to me
Whispered in my ear
A man by the river is a man without fear
One step forward, two steps back
Keep stepping
Put your foot forward 'cause
You're on the right track
Walk down the river
Don't stop now
Keep on walking
Walk down the river
Till you make it to the bright blue sea

Walked two days and the ground got hot
By the first turn I could hear gunshots
Staggered in the weeds like a fool in the bush
Choked in the dirt and a voice said "push"
Lost my way five times in the rain
Went three miles for the inches that I gained
Kids threw rocks and the cars slowed down
People yelled from the window "fool turn around!"

Buildings leaning over trying to break my back
Sky wants to simmer and the Earth wants to crack




Let me tell you something, I can hear the sea calling
So I just move it out like a baby crawling

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Common Rider's song "11 Walk Down the River" depict a journey of perseverance through adversity. The singer receives guidance from someone who tells them that a man by the river is without fear. They encourage the singer to take one step forward, two steps back, and to keep walking down the river. The river is a metaphor for life, and the message is to keep moving forward and not give up. The chorus repeats the command to keep walking until you reach the bright blue sea.


The verses illustrate the challenges the singer faces on their journey. They walk for two days, and the ground gets hot. They hear gunshots and stagger in the weeds. They get lost in the rain and face rocks thrown by kids and insults from passing cars. Buildings lean over, and the sky and earth seem to conspire against them. But the singer hears the sea calling and keeps crawling forward.


The song's message is one of determination, perseverance, and hope. It encourages listeners to keep going, even when the going gets tough, and to remember that they are on the right track. The repetition of the chorus highlights the importance of staying focused on the destination and not giving up.


Line by Line Meaning

This is what she said to me
She whispered something to me, something that impacted me enough to be singing about it now.


Whispered in my ear
She spoke softly into my ear, sharing something just between the two of us.


A man by the river is a man without fear
Being by the river means you can draw strength, power, and confidence from it, making you a man without fear.


One step forward, two steps back
The journey isn't always easy, sometimes you will have setbacks, but it's important to keep moving forward.


Keep stepping
Keep moving forward, don't give up.


Put your foot forward 'cause
Take action, move forward and don't be afraid to take risks.


You're on the right track
Your progress is positive and you should have faith in yourself and what you're doing.


Walk down the river
Keep going through the journey, stay beside the river and draw strength from it.


Don't stop now
Keep going, don't let adversity or setbacks stop you on your journey.


Till you make it to the bright blue sea
Stay on this path all the way to the bright blue sea that represents your destination or end goal.


Walked two days and the ground got hot
The journey became more difficult over the two days and things got harder.


By the first turn I could hear gunshots
At this point on the journey, there was danger and aggression present.


Staggered in the weeds like a fool in the bush
Feeling lost, unsure, and out of control in the situation.


Choked in the dirt and a voice said "push"
Overwhelmed by the difficulties and obstacles present on the path, but being encouraged to push through.


Lost my way five times in the rain
Feeling lost and unsure of the direction in tough conditions, specifically rain.


Went three miles for the inches that I gained
Making progress, but it's slow-going and takes time and effort to gain small amounts.


Kids threw rocks and the cars slowed down
Experiencing jeering and negativity from others along the journey, either because it's perceived as odd, different, or disliked.


People yelled from the window "fool turn around!"
People are trying to discourage you from your path, and not to keep going.


Buildings leaning over trying to break my back
The environment or circumstances are weighing heavily and attempting to crush spirits or make the journey even harder.


Sky wants to simmer and the Earth wants to crack
Environment or situation is harsh and unforgiving, making it difficult to persevere.


Let me tell you something, I can hear the sea calling
Despite everything, the end goal is in sight, and it's clear the journey should continue.


So I just move it out like a baby crawling
Continuing forward despite all setbacks or else crawling when necessary to cross the finish line.




Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

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