Folk, soul and blues music is filtered through a thick, viscous layer of psychedelic punk rock and noisy rock and roll. His music’s been compared to that of both Neil Young and Black Flag; Tom Waits, Robert Johnson, Ryan Adams: a punk rock songwriter, with the smell of Saturday night on his wrists and an amp capable of shaking the rafters on the roof. Or, an acoustic guitar in his hands that’s only loud because the room is holding its breath.
In the world of Eamon McGrath, lost love bashes about with loud amplifiers and broken strings. Old friends disappear and reappear with the rage of a hardcore punk band. The blood on your fingers is a sign that you played your heart out for the beautiful girl with all her kings in the back row.
Big River
Eamon McGrath Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She was running off with you.
But, I haven't seen her, since last winter.
So I don't what to do.
But, I hate the big river.
I hate the big river.
she was carrying a bag of stones.
the day I shot, and I threw.
down by where the river goes.
I hate the big river.
yeah I hate the big river.
Well, I've got her letter, in my hand.
and I leaving Texas now.
so I buried, my old woman.
and the devil's got my name down.
I hate the big river.
Yeah! I hate the big river.
I hate the big river.
I hate the big river.
The lyrics of Eamon McGrath's "Big River" are filled with complex emotions and dark undertones. The song starts off with a man reminiscing about meeting his lover down by the river, only to find out that she ran off with someone else. He hasn't seen her since last winter and is unsure of what to do. The repetition of “I hate the big river” shows the singer’s contempt for this place that brings back painful memories.
However, the mood shifts dramatically in the second verse, as we realize that the woman's body was found in the river the day the singer shot and threw down a bag of stones. The darkness in the lyrics is almost palpable, making it clear that something violent and tragic has taken place.
The final verse sees the singer burying his "old woman" in Texas and leaving, with the devil having his name down. It's a bleak and hopeless ending to a story that highlights the dangers of rivers and the fragility of human life.
Overall, "Big River" is a haunting and contemplative song that explores themes of love, loss, violence, and regret.
Line by Line Meaning
I met my lover, down by the river.
I first laid eyes on my sweetheart along the banks of this river.
She was running off with you.
At some point, she left me to be with you.
But, I haven't seen her, since last winter.
Since last winter, I have been unable to locate or connect with her.
So I don't what to do.
I am at a loss for how to proceed or what action to take.
But, I hate the big river.
Despite my emotions and my former memories of it, I now harbor a deep and strong negative sentiment towards this river.
But they found her body, right there in the river.
Unfortunately, they recently discovered her deceased body in this same river.
she was carrying a bag of stones.
It was discovered that when she passed on, she had placed stones in a container and carried them with her.
the day I shot, and I threw.
This refers to a past event, where I shot a gun and also threw something, presumably into the river.
down by where the river goes.
This event took place near where the river flows towards its destination.
Well, I've got her letter, in my hand.
I currently have in my possession a letter or written message from her.
and I leaving Texas now.
I am currently departing the state of Texas.
so I buried, my old woman.
I had to bury the remains of my former lover.
and the devil's got my name down.
It feels as if I am caught in eternal limbo or hell, trapped and unable to escape my current state or feelings.
Yeah! I hate the big river.
This strong distaste and condemnation for the river are echoed and reinforced.
I hate the big river.
The sentiment is repeated and emphasized once more.
Contributed by Eli L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ewtmorq
favorite song by by eamon