River
Herbie Hancock Feat. Corinne Bailey Rae Lyrics

It's coming on Christmas
The holiday season is approaching.

They're cutting down trees
People are cutting down trees to decorate them for Christmas.

They're putting up reindeer
People are decorating their homes with reindeer decorations for Christmas.

And singing songs of joy and peace
People are singing Christmas carols and enjoying the festive season.

Oh I wish I had a river
The artist wants a river as a metaphor for a new life or escape from their troubles.

It don't snow here
The singer is in a place where it doesn't snow, which doesn't feel very Christmas-y.

It stays pretty green
The natural surroundings are lush and green, which is in contrast to the popular image of a snowy Christmas.

I'm going to make a lot of money
The artist has plans to make money and change their circumstances.

Then I'm going to quit this crazy scene
The artist plans to leave behind their current situation.

I wish I had a river
The artist repeats the desire for a river as a metaphor for change or escape.

I wish I had a river so long
The singer wants a significant change, one that would transform their life completely.

I would teach my feet to fly
The artist would embrace the freedom and potential of the change they crave.

I made my baby cry
The singer caused emotional pain to someone they care about.

He tried hard to help me
The singer's partner tried to support and help them.

You know, he put me at ease
The partner succeeded in calming the singer during a difficult time.

And he loved me so naughty
The partner's love for the artist was mischievous and playful.

Made me weak in the knees
The partner's love affected the artist deeply.

I'm so hard to handle
The singer acknowledges that they can be difficult to deal with.

I'm selfish and I'm sad
The singer has negative qualities that contribute to their unhappiness.

Now I've gone and lost the best baby
The artist has lost their partner, whom they consider the best they've ever had.

That I ever had
The partner they've lost was very important and special to them.

I wish I had a river
The artist repeats their desire for a metaphorical escape or transformation.

I wish I had a river so long
The singer still desires a significant change to their circumstances.

I would teach my feet to fly
The artist would embrace the freedom and potential of the change they crave.

Oh I wish I had a river
The singer repeats their desire for a metaphorical escape or transformation.

I made my baby say goodbye
The singer's actions caused their partner to leave them.

It's coming on Christmas
The song returns to the holiday season and the contrast between the singer's desires and the joyful celebrations of others.

They're cutting down trees
The song repeats imagery of Christmas decorations being put up.

They're putting up reindeer
The song repeats imagery of Christmas decorations being put up.

And singing songs of joy and peace
The song repeats the idea of joyful Christmas celebrations.

I wish I had a river
The song ends with the repeated desire for something different, a metaphorical escape or transformation.