Strongly interested and outspoken about green anarchism issues the band have built up a strong and devoted fanbase, despite being nearly universally ignored by mainstream critics. The band have been spokespeople for a number of issues including campaigning against the Criminal Justice Act (and its measures against rave parties) and various anti-capitalist and environmental issues. They continue to tour extensively around Britain and Europe but maintain a mutual dislike with the music press which stems from their early days.
The Riverflow
Levellers Lyrics
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I cracked a can and so did you, we're going to change the world
The ghetto kings of downside town-the estates and parks of our hallowed ground
Doing anything that we found, and on the river flowed
You'd take a drink from Rev. Jimmy Jones
You'd cross the street on the path the gunman roams
Thrown aside and left to waste, that was you, you knew your place
On and on the river flow, we are the undertow
On and on the river flow, we are the undertow
I don't know how you made it through all the smoke and brew you do
It sure has left its mark on you but you're still with us today
Life goes on and round we go and words can kill these things I know
Sometimes you cut deeply so, but on the river flows
You'd set the table for barber Sweeney Todd
You'd clip the wings of any rising god
But man can't live on hope alone, it can be cut all that is grown
Broke your spirit but not your bones and on the river flows
On and on the river flow, we are the undertow
On and on the river flow, we are the undertow
You're working now, forced to the race I know it left a bitter taste
But the rising tide had covered your face
Nothing you could do
But I still remember the day you said
That the river flowing through my head
Would take me far or leave me dead
And all you said was true
Levellers' "The Riverflow" is a poignant reflection on the struggles and hardships of everyday life in working-class communities. The song speaks to the hopelessness and despair many feel in these settings, painting a vivid picture of the downtrodden souls who are determined to make a difference, no matter the cost.
The opening lines of the song set the scene for the entire narrative, as the singer reminisces about meeting a fellow revolutionary in '82 over a crate of beer. The ghetto kings of downside town, as they see themselves, roam the estates and parks in a bid to make a change. The refrain of "and on the river flowed" reinforces the cyclical nature of existence in their town, while the verses speak to the difficulties and dangers that both men faced.
The second verse details that one of their compatriots, who they refer to simply as "you," falls victim to the harsh realities of life in the ghetto. He is forced to drink from the same cup as Reverend Jim Jones and dodges the path of gunmen all too often. "You" seemingly accepts his fate, wandering around aimlessly and drowning his sorrows in alcohol. Yet, the river unswervingly flows, and the undertow of life drags their stories along with it.
"The Riverflow" is a testament to those who have failed and to those who have found success, to those who have fallen and those who have risen. It reminds us that life is a continuous struggle against the ever-flowing river of time, in which we are all merely the undertow, trying our best to stay afloat.
Line by Line Meaning
I met you in eight two, over a crate of beer and not a few
I first encountered you in 1982 while sharing a crate of beer
I cracked a can and so did you, we're going to change the world
We both opened cans and believed that we would contribute to significant change in the world
The ghetto kings of downside town-the estates and parks of our hallowed ground
We saw ourselves as rulers of the rough neighborhoods we came from, our home turf so to speak
Doing anything that we found, and on the river flowed
We were up for any mischief that presented itself as life flowed on
You'd take a drink from Rev. Jimmy Jones
You'd consume alcohol from Reverend Jim Jones
You'd cross the street on the path the gunman roams
You'd walk on streets frequented by gang members
Thrown aside and left to waste, that was you, you knew your place
You got rejected and relegated to a place of insignificance due to circumstances beyond your control
Wander round, get off your face, and on the river flowed
You'd roam about inebriated and life would go on despite everything
On and on the river flow, we are the undertow
We are the undercurrent that drives the forward motion of the river
I don't know how you made it through all the smoke and brew you do
I don't know how you managed to navigate through the smoke and alcohol abuse that you indulged in
It sure has left its mark on you but you're still with us today
Your former substance abuse affects you, but you're still alive and well
Life goes on and round we go and words can kill these things I know
Life keeps moving, and rumors can destroy the things we hold dear
Sometimes you cut deeply so, but on the river flows
Sometimes you hurt me intensely, but life still goes on despite it all
You'd set the table for barber Sweeney Todd
You were involved with Sweeney Todd, the murderous barber
You'd clip the wings of any rising god
You'd cut down and sabotage people with great potential
But man can't live on hope alone, it can be cut all that is grown
Optimism is not enough to sustain us; anything that flourishes is susceptible to ruin
Broke your spirit but not your bones and on the river flows
You were defeated emotionally but survived physically and moved on with your life
You're working now, forced to the race I know it left a bitter taste
You're employed now, but it wasn't easy, and the experience has been unpleasant
But the rising tide had covered your face
You're submerged in deep water, you're overwhelmed by your current situation
Nothing you could do
You feel powerless to change things
But I still remember the day you said
I clearly remember when you uttered
That the river flowing through my head
That my thoughts and experiences, like a river, lead me to places unknown
Would take me far or leave me dead
Will either create great opportunity or end in catastrophe
And all you said was true
What you said was entirely accurate and has come to pass, for better or worse
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHARLES KENTON HEATHER, JEREMY CUNNINGHAM, JONATHAN SEVINK, MARK CHADWICK, SIMON FRIEND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Peter Yeates
Absolutely class these guys dont get enough recognition in the music world
Tom Watson
100%
Sophie
Completely agree!
Backfromthestorm
And they just as good (I'd say better) today.
Gary Owen
I was there! Pure class. Have seen the Lev’s over 60 times and they never fail to deliver
Rainbow Harlequin
Awesome band inctedible set and Not a Flagpole in sight.... the atmosphere was all we needed ❤
The Leveller
Lost count of how many times I've seen the Levellers. Always brilliant. Knees are a bit knackered now to bounce about like I used to do in 92.
Felixstowe Foam Forge
Tell me about it mate. Gettin old sucks.....
paulrockyallen
Saw them in Plymouth last year....still f*cking awesome. 👌
Gary Mcmanus
No I phones....just in the moment with this epic life changing band....bliss....thankyou levellers always in my heart and on every drunken Saturday night to this day.