The River
GOOD CHARLOTTE ft SHADOWS SYNYSTER A7X Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

As I walk through the valley
Of the shadow of L.A.
The footsteps that were next to me
Have gone their separate ways

I've seen enough now to know that beautiful things
Don't always stay that way
I've done enough now to know this beautiful place
Isn't everything they say

I heard that evil comes disguised
Like the city of angels
I'm walking towards the light

Baptized in the river
I've seen a vision of my life and I wanna be delivered
In the city was a sinner
I've done a lot of things wrong but I swear I'm a believer

Like the prodigal son, I was out on my own
Now I'm trying to find my way back home
Baptized in the river
I'm delivered, I'm delivered

You're from a small town
You're gonna grow up fast underneath these lights
Down in Hollywood on the boulevard
The dead come back to life

To the praying Mother and the worried Father
Let your children go
If they come back they'll come home stronger
And if they don't you'll know

They say evil that comes disguised
Like the city of angels
I'm walking towards the light

Baptized in the river
I've seen a vision of my life and I wanna be delivered
In the city was a sinner
I've done a lot of things wrong but I swear I'm a believer

Like the prodigal son, I was out on my own
Now I'm trying to find my way back home
Baptized in the river
I'm delivered, I'm delivered

Baptized in the river
(On my own!)
Baptized in the river
(On my own!)
I wanna be delivered

(On my own!)
(On my own!)

Baptized in the river
(On my own!)
I wanna be delivered
Baptized in the river
(On my own!)
I wanna be delivered

Baptized in the river
(On my own!)
I wanna be delivered
I confess I'm a sinner




I've seen a vision of my life
And I wanna be delivered!

Overall Meaning

In the song "The River" by Good Charlotte, the lyrics symbolize the city of Los Angeles as a valley of shadow where evil comes in disguised as angels. The lines "I've seen enough now to know that beautiful things don't always stay that way" and "I've done enough now to know this beautiful place isn't everything they say" are synonymous in describing how L.A is portrayed as a beautiful place with lights, glamour and success, but it's not everything that it seems to be. The artist uses the metaphor of being baptized in the river to indicate spiritual cleansing from the sins of the City of Angels. The song also goes on to compare the journey of the singer to that of the prodigal son who left home and came back after a tumultuous journey.


The song seems to be an ode to Los Angeles, while also warning of the city's dark side. The artist's journey indicates that one can be misled by the city's seductive allure but can also find redemption through spiritual discovery. The lines "I confess I'm a sinner, I've seen a vision of my life, and I wanna be delivered" indicate that the artist is a believer in redemption, and the river symbolizes a return to spiritual purity.


Line by Line Meaning

As I walk through the valley Of the shadow of L.A. The footsteps that were next to me Have gone their separate ways
As I pass through Los Angeles, I have realized that things that used to bring me comfort are not always there when I need them the most.


I've seen enough now to know that beautiful things Don't always stay that way I've done enough now to know this beautiful place Isn't everything they say
I have had enough experiences to learn that beauty does not necessarily mean an absence of struggle, and reality often contrasts with external perceptions.


I heard that evil comes disguised Like the city of angels I'm walking towards the light
I have heard that darkness can be hidden in plain sight, especially in LA, and I am seeking the truth and light amidst this.


Baptized in the river I've seen a vision of my life and I wanna be delivered In the city was a sinner I've done a lot of things wrong but I swear I'm a believer
Through my experience of being cleansed in the river, I have gained a newfound perspective on my life and desire to be set free from my past. Although a sinner in the city, I have faith and believe in redemption.


Like the prodigal son, I was out on my own Now I'm trying to find my way back home Baptized in the river I'm delivered, I'm delivered
Similar to the biblical story of the prodigal son, I have been lost and alone, but now I am seeking to return home and feel reborn and renewed.


You're from a small town You're gonna grow up fast underneath these lights Down in Hollywood on the boulevard The dead come back to life
If you come from a small town, the fast pace of LA can be overwhelming and the seemingly exciting Hollywood scene can hide a lot of darkness.


To the praying Mother and the worried Father Let your children go If they come back they'll come home stronger And if they don't you'll know
To parents who may worry about their children going to LA, sometimes letting them venture out and experience things will make them stronger and wiser. If they do not come back, then it is a sign that it wasn't the right fit.


Baptized in the river I've seen a vision of my life and I wanna be delivered In the city was a sinner I've done a lot of things wrong but I swear I'm a believer
Through my experience of being cleansed in the river, I have gained a newfound perspective on my life and desire to be set free from my past. Although a sinner in the city, I have faith and believe in redemption.


Like the prodigal son, I was out on my own Now I'm trying to find my way back home Baptized in the river I'm delivered, I'm delivered
Similar to the biblical story of the prodigal son, I have been lost and alone, but now I am seeking to return home and feel reborn and renewed.


Baptized in the river (On my own!) Baptized in the river (On my own!) I wanna be delivered (On my own!) (On my own!)
I was alone when I was baptized and I want to be set free from my past alone. This is a personal journey.


Baptized in the river (On my own!) I wanna be delivered Baptized in the river (On my own!) I wanna be delivered
I was alone when I was baptized and I want to be set free from my past alone. This is a personal journey.


Baptized in the river (On my own!) I wanna be delivered I confess I'm a sinner I've seen a vision of my life And I wanna be delivered!
Through my own personal journey of baptism, I have come to terms with the fact that I have sinned in the past but have envisioned a new life for myself, and I want to be free from my past and delivered to this new life.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DON GILMORE, BENJI MADDEN, JOEL MADDEN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@djrueda

lyrics
The River
Good Charlotte
As I walk through the valley of the shadow of LA
The footsteps that were next to me have gone their separate ways
I've seen enough now
To know that beautiful things don't always stay that way
I've done enough now
To know this beautiful place isn't everything they say
I heard that evil comes disguised
Like the city of angels
I'm walking towards the light
Baptized in the river
I've seen a vision of my life and I wanna be delivered
In the city was a sinner
I've done a lot of things wrong, but I swear I'm a believer
Like the prodigal son, I was out on my own
Now I'm trying to find my way back home
Baptized in the river
I'm delivered
I'm delivered
You're from a small town, you're gonna grow up fast
Underneath these lights
Down in Hollywood on the boulevard
The dead come back to life
To the praying mother, and the worried father
Let your children go
If they'll come back, they'll come home stronger
And if they don't, you'll know
They say evil comes disguised
Like the city of angels
I'm walking towards the light
Baptized in the river
I've seen a vision of my life and I wanna be delivered
In the city was a sinner
I've done a lot of things wrong, but I swear I'm a believer
Like the prodigal son, I was out on my own
Now I'm trying to find my way back home
Baptized in the river
I'm delivered
I'm delivered
Baptized in the river (on my own)
Baptized in the river (on my own)
I wanna be delivered
On my own
On my own
Baptized in the river (on my own)
I wanna be delivered
Baptized in the river (on my own)
I wanna be delivered
Baptized in the river (on my own)
I wanna be delivered
I confess I'm a sinner
I've seen a vision of my life and I wanna be delivered



@luxvaudeville4015

As I walk through the valley
Of the shadow of LA
The footsteps that were next to me
Have gone their seperate ways
I've seen enough now to know
That beautiful things
Don't always stay that way
I've done enough now to know
This beautiful place isn't everything they say
I heard that evil comes disguised
Like a city of angels
I'm walking towards the light

Baptized in the river
I've seen a vision of my life
And I want to be delivered
In the city was a sinner
I've done a lot of things wrong
But I swear I'm a believer
Like the prodigal son
I was out on my own
Now I'm trying to find my way back home
Baptized in the river
I'm delivered
I'm delivered

You're from a small town.
You're gonna grow up fast underneath these lights.
Down in Hollywood on the boulevard the dead come back to life.
To the praying mother and the worried father, let your children go.
If they come back they'll come home stronger.
And if they don't you'll know.

They say that evil come disguised
Like a city of angels,
I'm walking towards the light

Baptized in the river
I've seen a vision of my life
And I want to be delivered
In the city was a sinner
I've done a lot of things wrong
But I swear I'm a believer
Like the prodigal son
I was out on my own
Now I'm trying to find my way back home
Baptized in the river
I'm delivered
I'm delivered

Baptized in the river.
On my own.
Baptized in the river.
On my own.
I wanna be delivered.
On my own.
On my own.

Baptized in the river.
On my own.
I wanna be delivered.

I confess I'm a sinner.
I've seen a vision of my life and I wanna be delivered.



@emrelazman

This song is just a masterpiece. Great lyrics, amazing metaphors and both Shadows & Gates add just that extra touch.

2016 promises to be an amazing year:
GC making a comeback
A7X has a new drummer
Sum41 made a new album and Brownsound rejoined :D
Blink182 is making a comeback with Matt Skiba

Can't wait!!



@ashleymccready978

Lyrics:
As I walk through the valley of the shadow of LA
The footsteps that were next to me have gone their separate ways
I've seen enough now
To know that beautiful things don't always stay that way
I've done enough now
To know this beautiful place isn't everything they say
I heard that evil comes disguised
Like the city of angels
I'm walking towards the light
Baptized in the river
I've seen a vision of my life and I wanna be delivered
In the city was a sinner
I've done a lot of things wrong, but I swear I'm a believer
Like the prodigal son, I was out on my own
Now I'm trying to find my way back home
Baptized in the river
I'm delivered
I'm delivered
You're from a small town, you're gonna grow up fast
Underneath these lights
Down in Hollywood on the boulevard
The dead come back to life
To the praying mother, and the worried father
Let your children go
If they'll come back, they'll come home stronger
And if they don't, you'll know
They say evil comes disguised
Like the city of angels
I'm walking towards the light
Baptized in the river
I've seen a vision of my life and I wanna be delivered
In the city was a sinner
I've done a lot of things wrong, but I swear I'm a believer
Like the prodigal son, I was out on my own
Now I'm trying to find my way back home
Baptized in the river
I'm delivered
I'm delivered
Baptized in the river (on my own)
Baptized in the river (on my own)
I wanna be delivered
On my own
On my own
Baptized in the river (on my own)
I wanna be delivered
Baptized in the river (on my own)
I wanna be delivered
Baptized in the river (on my own)
I wanna be delivered
I confess I'm a sinner
I've seen a vision of my life and I wanna be delivered



All comments from YouTube:

@flonkas

12 years later. I’m 30 and I still get goosebumps when m shadows starts his verse

@slightlyaboveaverage2235

Upload to YouTube is 12 years, this song is way older than that.

@flonkas

@Slightly Above Average it was common to hear songs for the first time when they came out on YouTube back then .

@2dsie

@Jim jones +1

@ahahahanna8725

+1

@alexgarital2059

holly sh!t equal to me

87 More Replies...

@samx0

Still in 2021, this song is immeasurably underrated. Pure brilliance.

@Uruguay182

Indeed. Just came to listen it today after 10 years because I needed it

@tomasskorik8437

Yea, epic song 🤟

@rachelsingleton8810

Brilliant song mate

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