Dean Brody was born in Jaffray, British Columbia, Canada.[2] As a boy, Brody worked at a sawmill, also playing guitar in his spare time. By 2004, he had moved to Nashville, Tennessee to pursue his musical career. Although he found a songwriting contract, the expiration of his US work permit forced him to move back to Canada. Eventually, he returned to Nashville through the suggestion of producer Keith Stegall, who helped him sign with Broken Bow Records in 2008.[2] Brody released his debut single, "Brothers", late that year. Shortly before its release, Brody was injured in a waterskiing accident.[3]
This Old Raft
Dean Brody Lyrics
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Gathered the pieces that love had torn apart,
So I'd never get carried away again like that.
Tired of falling in and so I built a raft.
But your love was a river I couldn't cross.
You swept me over your waterfall.
Now I'm at your mercy, there's no turning back,
'Cause your love was a river too strong for this old raft.
These planks and ropes have seen some storms.
The rudder's gone, the sail is torn.
So whereever you run, I'm bound to roam,
With this old heart of planks and ropes.
'Cause your love was a river I couldn't cross.
You swept me over your waterfall.
Now I'm at your mercy, there's no turning back,
'Cause your love was a river too strong for this old raft.
If 10,000 miles is how far you go,
Through long, dark canyons to desert floors,
I'll be your friend 'til that golden shore.
'Cause your love was a river I couldn't cross.
You swept me over your waterfall.
Now I'm at your mercy and I ain't turning back,
'Cause your love was a river too strong for this old raft.
Yeah, your love was a river too strong for this old raft.
The lyrics of Dean Brody's song "This Old Raft" tell the story of someone who has been hurt in love and decides to build a makeshift raft out of the shattered pieces of their heart to protect themselves from getting hurt again. The metaphor of a raft made of broken-hearted planks and ropes is not only visually striking but also serves as a powerful symbol of the fragility and impermanence of love. The singer acknowledges that the raft is imperfect and has seen better days, yet it still serves as a reliable passage for their journey.
However, when they encounter the love of the other person, they find themselves unable to resist being swept away. The metaphorical river runs too strongly for the old, makeshift raft to bear as it carries them headlong towards the waterfall. The singer finds themselves at the mercy of the other person's love, acknowledging that they can't turn back now that they have been swept away. The choice to represent love and emotions through nature metaphors and poetic language makes the song a powerful and emotive ballad that many listeners could relate to.
In conclusion, "This Old Raft" is a poetic and powerful ballad that tells the story of someone who builds a makeshift raft out of the pieces of their heart after being hurt in love. They find themselves swept away by another person's love and acknowledge that it is too strong for their old raft to bear. The song stands out as a poignant allegory of the fragility and difficulty of navigating love and relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
I built a raft out of a broken heart,
I created something new from the shattered pieces of my heart, so I could protect myself from getting hurt again.
Gathered the pieces that love had torn apart,
I collected the fragments that love had destroyed, and used them to construct my raft.
So I'd never get carried away again like that.
I didn't want to lose control and be swept away by love like I had been before.
Tired of falling in and so I built a raft.
I was exhausted from repeatedly falling in love and getting hurt, so I made a raft to protect myself.
But your love was a river I couldn't cross.
The love you had for me was too intense and overpowering, and I couldn't resist it.
You swept me over your waterfall.
You overwhelmed me with your love and took me to greater emotional heights.
Now I'm at your mercy, there's no turning back,
I am now completely under your spell, and there is no way for me to escape or turn back.
'Cause your love was a river too strong for this old raft.
Your love was too powerful for my protective raft to withstand.
These planks and ropes have seen some storms.
The materials that make up my raft have been through difficult times and challenges.
The rudder's gone, the sail is torn.
My protective mechanisms are damaged and ineffective.
So whereever you run, I'm bound to roam,
I am willing to follow you wherever you go or lead, despite the risks.
With this old heart of planks and ropes.
My heart may be battered and broken like my raft, but I am still willing to love you.
If 10,000 miles is how far you go,
No matter how far away you may be, I will still be devoted to you.
You'll never again have to be alone.
I will always be there for you, and you will never have to feel lonely again.
Through long, dark canyons to desert floors,
I am prepared to go through dark and challenging times for you.
I'll be your friend 'til that golden shore.
I won't give up on you, and will stay by your side until the end of time.
'Cause your love was a river I couldn't cross.
Your love was too intense and powerful for me to ignore or resist.
You swept me over your waterfall.
You took me to greater emotional heights with your love.
Now I'm at your mercy and I ain't turning back,
I am completely under your control, and there is no way for me to escape or turn away.
'Cause your love was a river too strong for this old raft.
Your love was too powerful and strong for my protective raft to withstand.
Yeah, your love was a river too strong for this old raft.
Repeated for emphasis, highlighting how the artist's protective mechanisms were unable to protect them from the intense power of the other person's love.
Contributed by Hudson O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.