The River
Dick and the Emotions (DatE) Lyrics
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Those dark eyes pierced right thru me, on that warm summer's night
A breeze made me shiver, beneath a thin pale moon
It's like you always knew me, I could feel the exit wound
Hypnotized by your eyes, felt like my life was done
Lost my will to survive, to turn around and run
It was like you had control, I couldn't break my fall
Careful who follow, something I believe
Beauty on the outside, sometimes can deceive
What looks warm and sunny can be frozen at the core
Causing you to fall apart and look for love no more
Looking back on my life, I'd do things differently
Never vow to take a wife, if your longing to be free
Check your pride at the door, if your trying to be bold
You've got to let it go
Careful who follow, is something I believe
Beauty on the outside, sometimes can deceive
What looks warm and sunny can be frozen to the core
Causing you to fall apart and look for love no more
The song "Swanee River" by Dick and the Emotions (DatE) is a nostalgic ballad about yearning for home and the comfort of the old folks. The first verse sets up the location of the song by naming the iconic Swanee River, which is far away from the singer's current location. The singer’s heart aches for the place where the old folks reside, suggesting that this is where they find solace and belonging. The second verse explains how the singer roams “up and down the whole creation” but is still longing for the old plantation where the old folks live. The chorus repeats the idea that the Swanee River is where DatE's heart yearns to be. The third verse describes how everywhere the singer goes, the world is "sad and dreary," but it is far from the old folks and the home where they reside.
The theme of this song is homesickness and a yearning for the past. The lyrics express a deep longing for a place where the singer can feel safe, secure, and loved amongst their loved ones. The river represents the line of separation between the singer and their home, emphasizing the distance between the old place and the current location. The song is a poignant reminder of the importance of family and home, and how they are essential to our emotional well-being. The song tells a story of how sometimes, we can feel lost and disconnected in the world, but the memories of the old place bring comfort and a sense of belonging.
Line by Line Meaning
Way down upon the Swanee River, Far, far away
My heart is far away from where I grew up, on the serene Swanee river.
That's where my heart is yearning ever, Home where the old folks stay
My heart always yearns for the comfort of my childhood home where the old folks reside.
All up and down the whole creation, Sadly I roam
I wander the entire world with a heavy heart, filled with sadness.
I'm still a-longin' for the old plantation, And for the old folks at home
I still long for my childhood home and the people I grew up with on the plantation.
All the world is sad and dreary, Ev'rywhere I roam
As I travel, I see only sadness and gloom in the world around me.
Oh, darkies, how my heart grows weary, Far from the old folks at home
The separation from my childhood home and the people I love has made my heart heavy and tired.
Far from the old folks at home Far from the old folks at home Far from the old folks at home
I feel so distant from my family and friends back home, it's unbearable.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: James Ellis, Richard Dicks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind