She received much critical acclaim for her 2005 release, Paradise Hotel, which contains songs that strike a chord with listeners in light of recent events. "Requiem" honors Hurricane Katrina and tsunami victims with hopeful pleas to the Virgin Mary, while "Man of God" is a bitter, unapologetic denouncement of President George W. Bush and his administration.
"The actions of this regime do not follow the teachings of Christ, what I call real Christianity," Gilkyson said in August 2005. "I just don't appreciate the religious right acting like I don't love God and my country just because I'm not in their corner. I'm mad and I want other people to be mad about this too."
In 2008, her album Beautiful World came out, again on Red House Records. The songs vary from pop to folk and points in-between, with songs ranging from intimate ballads to rallying cries against the imperialist machine. She recently collaborated on a new album entitled Red Horse with two of her Red House Records label-mates John Gorka and Lucy Kaplansky.
In 2011, she came out with Roses at the End of Time. Recorded at her home with the help of her son and co-producer Cisco Ryder, Gilkyson took a longer time in the studio and came out with a more eclectic and personal album. She continues to tour about 150 dates per year in the United States and overseas.
www.elizagilkyson.com
River of Gold
Eliza Gilkyson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you're lucky you'll find that river of gold
Well there's all kinds of fortune in the universe
But for the river of gold I've got a powerful thirst
And the night is falling
Well I don't wanna be some ornament wife
I just wanna get going before I'm too old
To drink for a while from the river of gold
And the night is falling
River of gold
River of gold
I seem to have lost my direction
somehow
I've been afraid
just to stick my head out
Travel alone 'til I get to where I'm bound
That river of gold
Well don't grab my hand don't stand in my way
I read the stars by night and the cards by day
But when the wheel goes round and the story is told
It was all for a dream of a river of gold
And the night came calling
River of gold
River of gold
The lyrics to Eliza Gilkyson's song River of Gold speak to the human desire for wealth and adventure. The song starts with the singer acknowledging that while there are many types of fortune to be found in the universe, the most coveted is the river of gold. The ability to find and drink from this metaphorical river is seen as a sign of luck and a powerful thirst for life. The night falling suggests a sense of urgency and the need to seize the opportunities available while they still exist.
The singer then goes on to reject societal expectations of marriage and love in favor of pursuing her dreams of finding the river of gold. She acknowledges a fear of being directionless and alone, but ultimately chooses to travel alone until she reaches her destination. The river of gold represents not just a desire for wealth and success, but also independence and autonomy.
The final verse communicates the determination and focus needed to succeed in one's pursuits. The singer warns those around her not to stand in her way as she follows her dreams, using night sky divination and tarot cards as tools to guide her path. In the end, even if the journey to the river of gold is only a dream and not a tangible reality, the pursuit itself is worth the effort.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I don't know but I've been told
Acknowledging uncertainty, I've heard rumors that there is an elusive treasure out there
If you're lucky you'll find that river of gold
If fortune is in your favor, you'll come across the treasure known as the river of gold
Well there's all kinds of fortune in the universe
There are many forms of wealth to be acquired in life
But for the river of gold I've got a powerful thirst
But of all the riches, I have an insatiable desire specifically for the river of gold
And the night is falling
As darkness descends upon the surroundings
Well I don't wanna be some ornament wife
I don't desire to simply be a decorative accessory for a partner
And I don't need a lover for once in my life
I don't require companionship at this point in my existence
I just wanna get going before I'm too old
I simply want to pursue my desires before I am no longer capable
To drink for a while from the river of gold
To savor the riches of the coveted treasure known as the river of gold
River of gold
The repeated phrase emphasizes the central theme of the song
I seem to have lost my direction
I am unsure of my path in life at the moment
somehow
Without a clear explanation or reason
I've been afraid
Fear has been a hindrance for me
just to stick my head out
Merely to venture beyond my comfort zone
Travel alone 'til I get to where I'm bound
To journey solo until reaching my desired destination
Well don't grab my hand don't stand in my way
Do not try to impede my progress
I read the stars by night and the cards by day
I rely on both intuition and logic to guide me
But when the wheel goes round and the story is told
However, when fate comes full circle and the outcome is apparent
It was all for a dream of a river of gold
My endeavors have been in pursuit of the dream of acquiring the coveted treasure known as the river of gold
And the night came calling
Once again the surroundings have succumbed to darkness
River of gold
The repeated phrase serves as an ending refrain and reminder of the central theme
Contributed by Camden N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.