The River
Emily Reid Lyrics


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Oh we are all the same
Doesn't matter where you born
Doesn't matter where you raised
Some may have, some less are more
But there's no last minute worths fighting for

We all feel the hails of tide
When we wipe in the river
We all feel the fragile bones
When the cold makes us shiver
We can understand our place
When we look at the stars and we realize
Just how small we are

So call their names to ease your pride
Though those who come before you
Have had to pay a price
Where's your heart
On things that fade
But when ashes turn to dust
There is truth we can't escape

We all feel the hails of tides
When we wipe in the river
We all feel the fragile bones
When the cold makes us shiver
We can understand our place
When we look at the stars and realize
Just how small we are

Are you waiting for the one
Are you scared for your life
Are you running from the ashes
But you know no one makes it out alive
But you know no one makes it out alive
But you know no one makes it out alive

Oh they've come to take me home
I'll leave behind my body
But forever let my soul
And all is good
None else remains
Life comes and goes forever
But our freedom doesn't change

We all feel the hails of tide
When we wipe in the river
We all feel the fragile bones
When the cold makes us shiver
We can understand our place
When we look at the stars and we realize
Just how small we are

We can feel the hails of tides
When we wipe in the river
We can feel the fragile bones
When the cold makes us shiver
We can understand our place




When we look at the stars and we realize
Just how small we are

Overall Meaning

"The River" by Emily Reid is a reflection on the collective human experience and our innate mortality. The song begins by suggesting that we are all fundamentally the same, regardless of our background or life circumstances. It argues that there are no last-minute worth fighting for, emphasizing the futility of material pursuits in the face of our eventual demise. This message is further enforced in the chorus, which speaks to the universal experience of feeling vulnerable and small when confronted with the natural world, epitomized by shivering in the cold or feeling the force of the tides. The chorus suggests that by looking at the stars, we can find a sense of perspective and come to a deeper understanding of our place in the world.


The second verse shifts the focus to those who have come before us, implying that their sacrifices and experiences have paved the way for our own. The lyrics suggest that we should call their names to ease our pride, reflecting a desire to connect with our past and find meaning in the struggles of those who came before us. Ultimately, however, the song drives home the point that in the end, none of us can escape our mortality. The final lines describe the singer's acceptance of their own mortality and a transcendence of the physical world, as they leave behind their body but retain their soul.


Overall, "The River" is a beautiful and poignant meditation on the human experience. It reminds us of our shared vulnerability while also encouraging us to find a sense of purpose and meaning in our lives.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh we are all the same
Everyone is equal, regardless of their birthplace or upbringing.


Doesn't matter where you born
Someone's birthplace doesn't determine their worth or status in life.


Doesn't matter where you raised
Someone's upbringing doesn't determine their worth or status in life.


Some may have, some less are more
People may have different levels of wealth or material possessions, but these differences are ultimately unimportant.


But there's no last minute worths fighting for
There's no point in fighting for something trivial or insignificant.


We all feel the hails of tide
We all face challenges and struggles in life.


When we wipe in the river
Metaphorically, when we try to swim against the current.


We all feel the fragile bones
We're all vulnerable and human.


When the cold makes us shiver
Metaphorically, when we face difficult or uncomfortable situations.


We can understand our place
Reflecting on our experiences can give us perspective on our place in the world.


When we look at the stars and we realize
Gazing up at the night sky can be a humbling and perspective-shifting experience.


Just how small we are
Compared to the vastness of the universe, we are insignificant.


So call their names to ease your pride
We may seek validation or comfort from our ancestors or predecessors.


Though those who come before you
Referring to ancestors or predecessors.


Have had to pay a price
Our ancestors may have faced difficult circumstances or struggles.


Where's your heart
What are your priorities or passions?


On things that fade
Focusing on temporary or fleeting things is ultimately unsatisfying.


But when ashes turn to dust
When we die, all physical things eventually disintegrate and become meaningless.


There is truth we can't escape
Death is an inevitable and inescapable truth.


Are you waiting for the one
Are you waiting for someone or something to change your life?


Are you scared for your life
Are you afraid of what the future holds?


Are you running from the ashes
Are you trying to escape the inevitability of death?


But you know no one makes it out alive
No one can escape death.


Oh they've come to take me home
Referring to death or the afterlife.


I'll leave behind my body
We will all eventually die and leave our physical bodies behind.


But forever let my soul
Our soul or spirit will continue to exist after our physical body dies.


And all is good
Everything is okay or will be okay.


None else remains
Once we die, nothing else will remain of us except memories and legacy.


Life comes and goes forever
Life is fleeting and temporary.


But our freedom doesn't change
We have the freedom to make choices and live our lives how we want, even with the knowledge of death.


We can feel the hails of tides
Repeating the idea that we all face challenges and struggles in life.


When we wipe in the river
Repetition of the metaphor of swimming against the current.


We can feel the fragile bones
Repeating the idea that we're all human and vulnerable.


We can understand our place
Repeating the idea that reflecting on our experiences can give us perspective on our place in the world.


When we look at the stars and we realize
Repeating the idea of being humbled and gaining perspective by gazing at the stars.


Just how small we are
Repeating the idea that we are insignificant in the grand scheme of things.




Writer(s): TERRY REID

Contributed by Asher M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Ks H

finally found the lyrics of this beautiful song!

Oh we are all the same
Doesn't matter where you born
Doesn't matter where you raised
Some may have, some less are more
But there's no last minute worths fighting for

We all feel the hails of tide
When we wipe in the river
We all feel the fragile bones
When the cold makes us shiver
We can understand our place
When we look at the stars and we realize
Just how small we are

So call their names to ease your pride
Though those who come before you
Have had to pay a price
Where's your heart
On things that fade
But when ashes turn to dust
There is truth we can't escape

We all feel the hails of tides
When we wipe in the river
We all feel the fragile bones
When the cold makes us shiver
We can understand our place
When we look at the stars and realize
Just how small we are

Are you waiting for the one
Are you scared for your life
Are you running from the ashes
But you know no one makes it out alive
But you know no one makes it out alive
But you know no one makes it out alive

Oh they've come to take me home
I'll leave behind my body
But forever let my soul
And all is good
None else remains
Life comes and goes forever
But our freedom doesn't change

We all feel the hails of tide
When we wipe in the river
We all feel the fragile bones
When the cold makes us shiver
We can understand our place
When we look at the stars and we realize
Just how small we are

We can feel the hails of tides
When we wipe in the river
We can feel the fragile bones
When the cold makes us shiver
We can understand our place
When we look at the stars and we realize
Just how small we are



All comments from YouTube:

Caleb Bomske

I heard this song on Spotify when I was back in college. It ended up being one of my top 100 most listened to songs in 2017. It's real sad that it isn't on Spotify anymore.

Marisa Beck

Right!!! What happened to all her old music?

Blair Grotbeck

How is there even one dislike? This rocks. Makes me wanna dance and drink beer with my friends.

Hannah the Harpist , Hannah Neal Cotten

Awesome job Molly! Your friend has a great voice too! love the video!

Victoria Reid

I love this song, you are such a good singer! LOVE:Victoria Reid

Randall Edge

Congratulations Emily. It is a inspiration the work you are doing. You will inspire others. Well done!

robyn blaikie collins

that is a gorgeous video and song... and your voice continually enchants... i love this.

Carson Sedun

AMAZING VID EM!!!!! Keep up the awesome work! you're a gem!!! - Carse

Bevin Gregory

Amazing! Fantastic song and great video!

Ian Bridger

LOVE this Em!!! Your best ever! Godd luck with the launch of your album!

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