River
Juxtaposition Lyrics


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Been travelin′ these wide roads so long
My hearts been far from you
Ten thousand miles gone

Oh I wanna come near and give you every part of me
But there's blood on my hands
And my lips aren′t clean
In my darkness, I remember momma's words reoccurred to me
Surrender to the good lord and to wipe your slate clean
Take me to your river
I wanna go
Oh go
Take me to your river
I wanna know

Dip me in your smooth waters
I go in as a man with many crimes
Come up for air as my sins flow down the Jordan

Oh I wanna come near and give every part of me
But there is blood on my hands
And my lips aren't clean

Take me to your river
I wanna go
Oh take me to your river
I wanna know
I wanna go wanna go wanna go
I wanna know wanna know wanna know
I wanna go wanna go wanna go
I wanna know wanna know wanna know
I wanna go wanna go wanna go
I wanna know wanna know wanna know
Woah take me to your river
I wanna go
Oh please let me know




Take me to your river
I wanna go

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Juxtaposition's song "River" delve into themes of sin, redemption, and the search for spiritual cleansing. The opening lines, "Been travelin' these wide roads so long / My heart's been far from you / Ten thousand miles gone," suggest a prolonged and perhaps aimless journey that has taken the singer far from their loved ones and their sense of self. The repeated refrain of "Take me to your river / I wanna go / Oh take me to your river / I wanna know" can be read as a plea for guidance and direction, a desire to wash away the emotional and spiritual impurities that have accumulated over time.


The imagery of blood-stained hands and unclean lips amplifies the sense of guilt and shame that permeates the song's lyrics. The lines "Dip me in your smooth waters / I go in as a man with many crimes / Come up for air as my sins flow down the Jordan" suggest a baptismal ritual, a symbolic washing away of sins in the cleansing waters of a river. The reference to the Jordan River, which holds great significance in Judeo-Christian tradition, adds layers of meaning to "River," highlighting the connections between the singer's personal journey and larger themes of faith, salvation, and renewal.


Overall, "River" is a powerful and evocative song that explores fundamental questions of identity, morality, and spirituality. Through its poignant lyrics and expressive instrumentation, it invites listeners to reflect on their own struggles and search for meaning in a complex world.


Line by Line Meaning

Been travelin' these wide roads so long
I have been traveling on these long highways for such a long time.


My heart's been far from you
My heart has been separated from you for a long time.


Ten thousand miles gone
I have traveled for ten thousand miles and I am far from you.


Oh I wanna come near and give you every part of me
I want to come close to you and give you everything I am.


But there's blood on my hands
However, I have done things that have caused harm to others.


And my lips aren't clean
I have spoken words that have caused hurt to others.


In my darkness, I remember momma's words reoccurred to me
In my despair, I recall the advice my mother gave me.


Surrender to the good lord and to wipe your slate clean
She told me to surrender to a higher power and clean my life from any sin I have committed.


Take me to your river
Please take me to a place where I can start anew.


I wanna go
I am willing to change and start over.


Dip me in your smooth waters
I wish to be immersed in clean and pure environment.


I go in as a man with many crimes
However, I understand that I have made mistakes and have many things to atone for.


Come up for air as my sins flow down the Jordan
I hope to rid myself of all my past wrongdoings while I resurface from the water.


Oh please let me know
I would be grateful if you could allow me to experience this change.




Contributed by Matthew A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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