Harper earned his B.A. and M.A. from California State University, Los Angeles, and an M.F.A. from the University of Iowa.
As of 2011, Harper lived in Barrington, Rhode Island. Until his retirement in December 2013, Harper was the longest serving professor of English and Literary Arts at Brown University, where he taught literature courses and poetry workshops to undergraduates.
In 1993, Nathan A. Scott in the "Afro-American Poetry" article of the Princeton Encyclopedia of Poetry and Poetics wrote, "Harper has created a body of work which, though it has won much respect and admiration, deserves to be far more widely known than it is."
River
Michael S. Harper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't take my heart away from you
You are in my soul
Can't tame this love I feel for you
Can't escape what is meant to be
It's endless as the heavens
It's timeless and it's strong
It's faithful as an angel
There's no end to this emotion
It goes on and on
[Chorus]
This river runs, this river runs so true
This river runs, this river runs to you
This river's deep as the ocean
Runs on blind emotion
This river runs, oh yeah
You're every beat within my heart
You are in my blood
Nothing could keep me from your arms
Where you are is where I'll always be
As long as there are mountains
And stars still fill the sky
As long as there's forever
I'm right here by your side
There's no end to this emotion
Till the end of time
[Chorus]
This river runs, oh so deep within my soul
And it flows forever
And for the rest of all time
Always be there
[Chorus]
The song "River" by Michael S. Harper is a beautiful love song that speaks about the depth of emotions that the singer feels for his beloved. The river is used as a metaphor for this enduring and unbreakable love that the singer has for his partner. The song conveys the message that nothing can ever separate them, and their love is everlasting like the river that flows on and on.
The lyrics reveal that the singer is deeply in love with his partner, and this love is an integral part of his soul. He cannot escape from it, even if he tries to. The emotions are endless, timeless and strong like the heavens. He compares his love to an angel that is always faithful and never gives up. The singer also acknowledges that nothing can come in between their love, and it will always endure, no matter what. The chorus, "This river runs, this river runs so true. This river runs, this river runs to you. This river's deep as the ocean, runs on blind emotion, this river runs, oh yeah" conveys the message that his love is pure, deep, and unending and it always runs towards his partner.
The song is a beautiful love song that touches the heart and soul of the listener. Michael S. Harper has beautifully crafted the lyrics that show the depth of emotions that one feels when they are deeply in love. The song is also a testament to the power of love that is unbeatable and can conquer all obstacles.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh this river, oh this river runs
The singer is using the metaphor of a river to describe their love, which flows constantly and deeply.
Can't take my heart away from you
The singer is completely devoted to their lover and cannot imagine being separated from them.
You are in my soul
The singer's love is so strong that their lover has become a fundamental part of them.
Can't tame this love I feel for you
The artist's love is wild and uncontrollable, reflecting their intense passion.
Can't escape what is meant to be
The artist believes that their love for their partner is predestined and cannot be avoided.
It's endless as the heavens
The singer's love is infinite and everlasting, just like the sky.
It's timeless and it's strong
The singer's love is eternal and unbreakable, withstanding the test of time and adversity.
It's faithful as an angel
The artist's love is unwavering, loyal, and pure, akin to an angel's steadfastness.
It's right there right or wrong
The artist's love is steadfast and constant, regardless of any mistakes or hardships that may arise.
There's no end to this emotion
The artist's love is boundless and unceasing, with no limit or conclusion.
It goes on and on
The singer's love is perpetual, continuing indefinitely and without interruption.
This river runs, this river runs so true
The river-like love the artist is describing is genuine, sincere, and authentic in every way.
This river runs, this river runs to you
The singer's love flows directly toward their partner, indicating the singularity of their affection.
This river's deep as the ocean
The singer's love is profound, vast, and all-encompassing, much like the depths of the ocean.
Runs on blind emotion
The singer's emotions are powerful and overwhelming, guiding their love as it flows like a river.
You're every beat within my heart
The artist's love is the fundamental rhythm of their existence, represented by the beating of their heart.
You are in my blood
The artist's love for their partner is ingrained within them, as if it were a part of their biological makeup.
Nothing could keep me from your arms
The singer's love is so intense that nothing could prevent them from being close to their partner.
Where you are is where I'll always be
The singer's love is unchanging and unwavering, remaining steadfastly directed toward their partner.
As long as there are mountains
The artist's love is so enduring that it will last for as long as there are geological structures on Earth.
And stars still fill the sky
The artist's love is so enduring that it will last for as long as there are astronomical bodies in the universe.
As long as there's forever
The artist's love will last for all eternity, as long as the concept of forever remains.
I'm right here by your side
The singer's love keeps them close to their partner, always standing by their side.
This river runs, oh so deep within my soul
The artist's love runs so deeply within them that it has become an integral part of their being.
And it flows forever
The singer's love will continue to flow for all eternity, without pause or end.
And for the rest of all time
The singer's love is everlasting and will last for the entirety of existence.
Always be there
The singer's love is a constant presence, remaining steadfast in every moment of their life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Realsongs
Written by: DIANE EVE WARREN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
PK
This gent is pretty far from a new Langston Hughes! Enjoy, in any case!