The River
Eno / Cale Lyrics
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Sleep, dark as the night
Somehow it seems it was all another dream
Soon dissolved in the light.
Oh, we were by the waterline.
Vague, the song of the night.
Innocent to all the peasant gods with you,
So, we drink to be renewed.
On the long, deep river
Where the moorhens cry
As the first sun quivers in the open sky,
Oh, she came down the river.
Soon, all the leaves were still.
The current was strong and the river was so long.
So, we drink to be renewed.
In the long cool evening,
Where the peacocks shiver
And the boat starts down the silver river way
I remember you saying,
As her deep eyes opened,
In the first light seeing her,
Here is someone new.
The song "The River" by Brian Eno and John Cale is a mysterious and dreamy track that can be interpreted in a number of ways. The lyrics seem to describe a journey down a river, surrounded by darkness and mystery. The opening lines, "So deep in the water, sleep dark as the night" suggest a feeling of being lost or adrift, coupled with a sense of peace and tranquility. The singer seems to be reflecting on a journey they have taken, perhaps alone or with a companion. The line "Somehow it seems it was all another dream, soon dissolved in the light" hints at a feeling of unreality, as if the journey was not quite real or tangible.
As the song progresses, the singer describes other sights and sounds along the river, such as "the moorhens cry" and "the peacocks shiver." There is a sense of anticipation and discovery, as if the journey is leading the singer to something important or significant. The line "Innocent to all the peasant gods with you" is particularly intriguing, suggesting that the singer and their companion are somehow protected or blessed by the ancient spirits of the river.
Throughout the song, there is a repeated refrain of "So, we drink to be renewed." This could be interpreted in a number of ways - perhaps the singer and their companion are literally drinking from the river in order to survive, or perhaps the act of drinking represents a symbolic renewal or rebirth. Overall, "The River" is a powerful and evocative song that invites the listener to immerse themselves in its dreamlike world.
Line by Line Meaning
So deep in the water
We were submerged in water, so deep that it was impossible to see anything else.
Sleep, dark as the night
Our state of mind was restful and peaceful, similar to the darkness of the night.
Somehow it seems it was all another dream
The events that just occurred felt surreal and dreamlike as if it was all just imagined.
Soon dissolved in the light.
The darkness and confusion quickly faded away once the light appeared.
Oh, we were by the waterline.
Our presence was situated next to the line where the land meets the water.
Vague, the song of the night.
The melody of the night was ambiguous and unclear.
Innocent to all the peasant gods with you,
Together, we were oblivious to any primitive deities and their influences.
So, we drink to be renewed.
We consume beverages to replenish our bodies and start anew with a refreshed outlook.
On the long, deep river
We were journeying along a vast, profound waterway.
Where the moorhens cry
The cries of the moorhens could be heard in our surroundings as we traveled on this river.
As the first sun quivers in the open sky,
The initial sunrise of the day caused the sky to slightly tremble or shake
Oh, she came down the river.
A woman made her way along the river towards us.
Soon, all the leaves were still.
The arrival of the woman brought a calming stillness to our environment, as if everything stopped moving.
The current was strong and the river was so long.
The water was moving quickly and forcefully, and we were traveling on the river for an extended amount of time.
In the long cool evening,
The atmosphere was comfortable and refreshing due to the coolness of the evening.
Where the peacocks shiver
The peacocks are trembling or shaking, either due to fear or excitement.
And the boat starts down the silver river way
We embarked on a boat journey down a river with a gleaming, bright color.
I remember you saying,
I recall you uttering the following words.
As her deep eyes opened,
The woman's eyes opened, revealing their depth and revealing a new perspective.
In the first light seeing her,
The first light shining on her caused us to notice her for the first time.
Here is someone new.
We discovered a new person who was previously unknown to us, inducing a sense of excitement and curiosity.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRIAN ENO, DAVID BYRNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@marceloaguilar3729
EL RÍO
Tan profundo en el agua
del sueño, oscuro como la noche
De alguna manera parece que todo era otro sueño
Pronto se disuelve en la luz.
Oh, estábamos por la línea de flotación.
Vague, la canción de la noche.
Inocente a todos los dioses campesinas con usted,
tanto, que bebemos ser renovado.
En el largo río, profundo
Cuando las pollas de agua lloran
Como el primer sol tiembla en el cielo abierto ...
Oh, ella cayó al río.
Pronto, todas las hojas seguían.
La corriente era fuerte y el río estaba tanto tiempo.
Por lo tanto, bebemos ser renovado.
En la noche fría de largo,
donde los pavos reales tiemblan
Y el barco comienza por el camino del río de plata ...
Recuerdo que estás diciendo,
Como abrieron sus ojos profundos,
En la primera luz verla,
"Aquí es alguien nuevo".
Referencias:
Brian señala en su diario que escribió "The River" por el nacimiento de su hija Irial (entrada 11 de octubre).
Audición alternativa:
Robert PM Hart: En 'The River', oigo la línea como "inocente de todos los dioses campesinas que conocíamos".
@malenurse51
great song
@jcc152509
Eno is brilliant and needs to be recognized for his profound talent and visionary ways.
@robyoung9968
I only heard One Word for many years, I’m enjoying this so much..
@giuseppinalozza2158
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@EnosEverything
Two of the most talented human beings associated with music on this planet melding their brilliant minds together - it doesn't get much better.... I have owned this album for years and it's so underrated and it shouldn't be.... Majestic...
@dogbyte7875
@EnosEverything
I too have owned this album (CD). But as with my 45's and other vinyl, I let them go.
Fortunately, once heard, you cannot un-hear.
I now have the album from iTunes.
A truly underrated and fantastic album!
@yokota61
The true masterpiece of the album.
@socallymike
listening to eno since 1974- it is one of his best- looking for crime in the desert
@dropkick45
Such a sweet song. I read he wrote it the day his daughter was born.
I remember you saying, as the deep eyes opened, in the first light seeing her "here is someone new"
@cowboylikefrank994
thanks! i was just wondering what the "she" means