Her studio album My Better Self finds Dar at an unequivocally brazen crossroads. Reflecting on American politics, the disillusionment and apathy of youth, and the female experience, Dar makes no apology for her outspoken beliefs.
Her 2008 album, entitled Promised Land. indieduck.com notes that "Williams turns over relationships in all their misunderstood, misconnected glory, and embraces religion, gender and other complications in her very wise songs. Promised Land draws in themes of nature, as well, and on the whole is a pretty piece of work that ends up feeling upbeat despite itself."
Her most recent album, 2012's In The Time Of The Gods, has a theme of Greek mythology running through it. The You Will Ride With Me Tonight Songfacts reports that Williams got the idea whilst driving on an isolated highway, during a trip from New York to Ontario.
The Hudson
Dar Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So often we start in the middle and work our way out
We go to some gray sky diner for eggs and toast
New York Times or the New York Post
Then we take a ride through the valley of the shadow of death
But even for us New Yorkers
There's a time in every day
And the Hudson, it holds the life
We thought we did it on our own
The river roads collect the tolls for the passage of our souls
Through silence, over woods, through flowers and snow
And past the George Washington Bridge
Down from the trails of Breakneck Ridge
The river's ancient path is sacred and slow
And as it swings through Harlem
It's every shade of blue
Into the city of the new brand new
And the Hudson yeah, it holds the life
We thought we did it on our own
I thought I had no sense of place or past
Time was too slow, but then too fast
The river takes us home at last
Where and when does the memory take hold
Mountain range in the Autumn cold
And I thought West Point was Camelot in the spring
If you're lucky you'll find something that reflects you
Helps you feel your life protects you
Cradles you and connects you to everything
This whole life I remember
As they begged them to itself
Never turn me into someone else
And the Hudson yeah, it holds the life
We thought we did it on our own
And the Hudson yeah, holds the life
We thought we did it on our own
The Hudson is a beautiful song by Dar Williams that reflects on the power of the Hudson River to unite individuals with nature and the past. The song talks about how we start in the middle of our lives and work our way out, moving through different stages of life. The idea of taking a ride through the valley of the shadow of death is a metaphor for the trials and hardships that come with life. Even as New Yorkers, there is a time in every day when the river takes their breath away. It holds the life that they once thought they owned, and the river roads collect the tolls for the passage of their souls. The river is ancient, sacred and slow, representing the permanence of nature that supports them throughout their lives.
As the river swings through Harlem, it reflects every shade of blue before reaching the city of the new brand-new. The Hudson River collects the memories of the people who live along its banks, connecting them to each other and to the past. The river flows through Breakneck Ridge and the George Washington Bridge, reminding those who are close to it of the old memories of the past. It is the place where the mountain range in the Autumn cold takes hold and where West Point was Camelot in the spring. The song concludes by saying that if you are lucky, you will find something that reflects you, something that helps you feel your life protects you, cradles you and connects you to everything. The Hudson is that something for the people of New York.
Line by Line Meaning
If we're lucky we feel our lives know when the next scene arrives
Sometimes, we are blessed enough to sense when the next chapter of our lives is about to start.
So often we start in the middle and work our way out
In life, it's common to begin without knowing how things will end and make our way through the unknown.
We go to some gray sky diner for eggs and toast
We often visit a dull, unremarkable restaurant for a simple breakfast meal.
New York Times or the New York Post
We read local newspapers to stay informed about what's happening around us.
Then we take a ride through the valley of the shadow of death
We continue with our day while being aware of the potential dangers and uncertainties ahead.
But even for us New Yorkers
Despite living in a bustling city, we still have moments of awe and amazement.
There's a time in every day
Each day has a moment when something extraordinary makes us feel alive.
The river takes our breath away
The Hudson River's beauty and magnificence sometimes make us stop and appreciate its vastness.
And the Hudson, it holds the life
The Hudson River carries within it the essence of living, representing our journey through life.
We thought we did it on our own
We often make the mistake of thinking that we are solely responsible for our story without acknowledging the help we receive.
The river roads collect the tolls for the passage of our souls
Life's journey exacts a price from us, and our experiences help us grow and learn.
Through silence, over woods, through flowers and snow
Our life journey takes us through various terrains and seasons, each with its characteristics and experiences.
And past the George Washington Bridge
As we cross the Hudson River via the George Washington Bridge, we embark on a new chapter in our lives.
Down from the trails of Breakneck Ridge
We move away from challenges and the difficulties we faced while climbing over Breakneck Ridge.
The river's ancient path is sacred and slow
The Hudson River's journey represents the sacred path of life that's ancient, and each step of the way is worth savoring.
And as it swings through Harlem
As the Hudson River goes by Harlem, it displays various shades of blue, representing life's endless possibilities.
It's every shade of blue
The Hudson River is more than just water; it represents the depth and magnitude of life experiences.
Into the city of the new brand new
The Hudson River passes through a city full of creative innovation and artistic flair.
I thought I had no sense of place or past
There were times when I believed that my life had no history, that I existed in some unknown place.
Time was too slow, but then too fast
Sometimes we feel our life is moving too slowly or too quickly, without us being able to catch up.
The river takes us home at last
The Hudson River is a constant presence that always connects and brings us back to our places of belonging.
Where and when does the memory take hold
Memories are ephemeral and unpredictable; we never know when we will remember some event or experience.
Mountain range in the Autumn cold
The beauty of autumn in a mountain range is an unforgettable memory that stays with us forever.
And I thought West Point was Camelot in the spring
When we were young, we often idealized and romanticized the places and events we experienced.
If you're lucky you'll find something that reflects you
Sometimes, we discover something that speaks to us, reflecting our essence or personality.
Helps you feel your life protects you
These discoveries and moments bring us hope and make us feel safe and protected from whatever challenges life throws our way.
Cradles you and connects you to everything
When we find something that connects us to everything and everyone, it feels like we've found our place in the world.
This whole life I remember
Our memories stay with us our whole life and shape our outlook on the world.
As they begged them to itself
We cherish and preserve our memories in our minds, guarding them for posterity.
Never turn me into someone else
We hope not to lose ourselves in life's journey, staying true to our beliefs and values.
And the Hudson yeah, it holds the life
The Hudson River contains the experiences and essence of living, representing our life journey as we navigate its path.
We thought we did it on our own
We often believe we're alone in our life journey, but in reality, we're not.
And the Hudson yeah, holds the life
The Hudson River is an integral part of our lives, holding the experiences and lessons that have shaped us into who we are today.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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