At 6 minutes and 58 seconds, "Ride Across the River" is the fourth longest song on the album. The song opened the second side of the original LP. It was never released as a single. The song was used in the Miami Vice episode Knock Knock, Who's There? and The Last Ship episode El Toro.
Ride Across the River
Dire Straits Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, we are the chosen, we're the partisan (alright)
Well the cause it is noble and the cause it is just
We are ready to pay with our lives if we must
Gonna ride across the river deep and wide
Ride across the river to the other side
And I'm a soldier of fortune, I'm a dog of war
And we don't give a damn who the killing is for
It's the same old story with a different name
Death or glory, it's the killing game
Gonna ride across the river deep and wide
Ride across the river to the other side
Oh, nothing gonna stop them as the day follows the night
Right becomes wrong, the left becomes the right
And they sing as they march with their flags unfurled
Today in the mountains, tomorrow the world
Gonna ride across the river deep and wide
Ride across the river to the other side
Gonna ride across the river deep and wide
Ride across the river to the other side
The lyrics of Dire Straits' "Ride Across the River" describe a soldier's perspective from the frontline of war. The song paints the picture of the soldier as a noble figure, fighting for a just and worthy cause, even if it means risking their life for it. The line "I'm a soldier of freedom in the army of man" suggests that the soldier is not just fighting for a specific country or cause, but for the idea of freedom itself.
The chorus "Gonna ride across the river deep and wide, ride across the river to the other side" is a metaphor for the soldier's journey through the hardships of war. It's about crossing the metaphorical river of death and destruction to reach the other side, where peace and freedom can be achieved. The verses following this chorus suggest that war can become messy and complicated, and the soldier's role in it can be mixed.
The second verse introduces the idea of a "soldier of fortune," a fighter who is not tied to any specific country or side but is merely in it for the money. This contrasts with the first verse, which paints the soldier as a hero fighting for a greater cause. The line "We don't give a damn who the killing is for" reinforces the idea that war can be dirty and corrupt.
The third verse takes a wider perspective, noting that in war, right and wrong can become blurred. The line "right becomes wrong, the left becomes the right" suggests a sense of chaos and confusion. Despite this, the soldiers are united by their cause, singing and waving flags as they march towards their goal.
Overall, "Ride Across the River" is a powerful and thought-provoking song that challenges our views on war and the soldiers who fight in them.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a soldier of freedom in the army of man
I am a soldier fighting for human rights and liberties amongst my fellow humans
Oh, we are the chosen, we're the partisan (alright)
We are the select few chosen to fight the righteous battle against tyranny and oppression, and we are proud of it
Well the cause it is noble and the cause it is just
The reason for our fight is morally pure and justified, and we firmly stand behind it
We are ready to pay with our lives if we must
We are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice (our lives) to see our cause succeed
Gonna ride across the river deep and wide
We are going to venture forth into dangerous, unknown territory
Ride across the river to the other side
We are going to cross over to where the enemy lies
And I'm a soldier of fortune, I'm a dog of war
I am a mercenary and experienced fighter, willing to do whatever it takes to win the war
And we don't give a damn who the killing is for
We do not care about the political or personal motivations behind the conflict or who gives the orders
It's the same old story with a different name
Wars have been fought for the same reasons throughout history, with only superficial or nominal differences
Death or glory, it's the killing game
Either we win and achieve our goals (glory), or we die trying to fight for them (death), and it is a brutal, violent reality
Oh, nothing gonna stop them as the day follows the night
Nothing can thwart our progress or halt our advance, like the inevitable passing of time
Right becomes wrong, the left becomes the right
Moral values can become reversed or distorted in times of war, and the rules change accordingly
And they sing as they march with their flags unfurled
We proudly display our colors and symbolically claim our victories
Today in the mountains, tomorrow the world
Our current conquest may be a single location, but our ambition and vision extends to global domination
Gonna ride across the river deep and wide
We are determined to keep pushing forward despite the danger and risk
Ride across the river to the other side
We must overcome the challenge of crossing the river to continue towards our objective
Gonna ride across the river deep and wide
We will not be dissuaded or deterred by obstacles or setbacks
Ride across the river to the other side
We will achieve our ultimate goal, even if it comes at a great cost
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Mark Knopfler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@larcanoincantatore6864
I'm a soldier of freedom in the army of man
We are the chosen, we're the partisan
The cause it is noble and the cause it is just
We are ready to pay with our lives if we must
Gonna ride across the river deep and wide
Ride across the river to the other side
I'm a soldier of fortune, I'm a dog of war
And we don't give a damn who the killing is for
It's the same old story with a different name
Death or glory, it's the killing game
Gonna ride across the river deep and wide
Ride across the river to the other side
Nothing gonna stop them as the day follows the night
Right becomes wrong, the left becomes the right
And they sing as they march with their flags unfurled
Today in the mountains, tomorrow the world
Gonna ride across the river deep and wide
Ride across the river to the other side
@thearchiveofmylife
1986
No.1 ALBUM:
Dire Straits - Brothers In Arms
After all the miscellaneous greatest hits albums that marked quite a few of my birthdays in the deep dark Seventies, the Eighties were now making up for that with some truly iconic releases which last even up to now.
I had ‘Brothers In Arms’ on cassette which meant it was one of those albums which was in my Walkman while cycling around on my black and gold Raieigh Burner.
This was a good move as, if I’d had the vinyl edition then half the tracks would have been hacked to pieces to make them fit on that format.
The CD age was dawning and this was one way they could bolster the sales of this new magical sorcery.
At this point, CD players would have cost this arm and that leg. I would have to wait a few more years before I got the chance to own one.
So I got the full versions without the expense, even though half of side 2 was blank so had to constantly fast forward to the end before flipping it back over.
The album itself was musically immense, and even though the big hits got a bit tiresome due to constantly being rammed through the radio speakers on the airwaves, the other tracks made up for it.
#mymusicalroadto50
@Bella-bz7fq
My uncle Terri died in Vietnam.😐He was only 23 years old.🙁🔔🇺🇸God bless u.s.!
@bit5729
Annoyingly underrated, this song is amazing
@lions679
Dire straits has so many hits this is one
@jeffrandallrozario
This is my Dad's all time favorite song ! I just love how he just vibes effortlessly when I play this song and fix him a whiskey on the rocks.
@randallfrank5682
The percussion on this song is absolutely amazing!
@flumpyhumpy
The percussion and bass dance a beautiful dance like no other track I've ever heard. Totally amazing. Intertwined. Bliss.
@ariandel8917
This song will forever held a special place in my heart...
@philipriesling3897
Masterpiece…. Say no more
@knightonart8886
This song is a very unique vibe. It makes me feel like I'm on a boat going down a river deep in the African jungle, probably because of the drums, flute, and crickets.
@jakethemistakeRulez
I like the descriptive terminology "unique vibe". Lol. I really like that M16 sound effect too.