The Other Side
Morphine Lyrics


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Going down to the river
There's a man I want to see
Yea he's the ferryman
He'll recognize me
I'm going down now to the riverside
There's a place I want to be
I'm going to talk to the ferryman
He'll be expecting me
I'm crossing over now to the other side
Life is better there on the other side
The grass is greener there on the other side
And I I get even there on the other side
And everything will turn out all right
On the other side
I'm crossing over now to the other side
The other side
I walked by the church house late last night
Yea I walked by the church house but I didn't go inside
'Cause I I once slept with the preacher's wife
She handed me a ticket to the other side




I'm crossing over now to the other side
To the other side

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Morphine's song "The Other Side" describe a journey to a better place, symbolized by the other side of a river. The singer is going down to the riverside to meet the "ferryman", who is associated with death and the crossing over from life to the afterlife. However, the singer is not afraid of this final journey, because they believe that the other side is a better place, where life is easier, the grass is greener, and they can get even with all their enemies. The last verse reveals a personal reason for the singer's desire to cross over - they once slept with the preacher's wife, which could be interpreted as a sin or a transgressive act that excludes them from the community of the church. However, the preacher's wife also gave them a ticket to the other side, which could be interpreted as a symbol of forgiveness, or an invitation to embrace a different kind of spirituality.


The song's lyrics can be interpreted in different ways, depending on the listener's perspective. Some may see it as a celebration of death and a rejection of conventional morality, while others may see it as a poetic expression of hope and resilience in the face of adversity. The lyrics evoke a sense of mystery, longing, and defiance, which is typical of Morphine's style. The band's unique sound, which blended alternative rock, jazz, and blues influences, was also reflected in the song's instrumentation, featuring baritone saxophone, bass guitar, and drums. Mark Sandman's deep, rumbling voice added a hypnotic quality to the lyrics, making them even more compelling.


Line by Line Meaning

Going down to the river
Starting a journey towards the river


There's a man I want to see
The singer has someone specific to meet


Yea he's the ferryman
The man the singer wants to see is the ferryman


He'll recognize me
The ferryman knows the artist and will identify them


I'm going down now to the riverside
The artist is approaching the riverbank


There's a place I want to be
The singer has a specific destination in mind


I'm going to talk to the ferryman
The singer plans to have a conversation with the ferryman


He'll be expecting me
The ferryman is anticipating the artist's arrival


I'm crossing over now to the other side
The artist is moving from one side of the river to another


Life is better there on the other side
The artist believes life is superior on the other side of the river


The grass is greener there on the other side
Things are better, or appear better, on the other side of the river


And I I get even there on the other side
The other side may offer opportunities for revenge


And everything will turn out all right
The singer believes everything will be okay once they reach the other side of the river


On the other side
A repetition of the belief that the other side is better


I'm crossing over now to the other side
The singer is once again crossing the river


The other side
A reference to the other side of the river


I walked by the church house late last night
The artist passed by a church late at night


Yea I walked by the church house but I didn't go inside
Despite being near the church, the singer chose not to enter


'Cause I I once slept with the preacher's wife
The singer avoided the church due to having previously had an affair with the preacher's wife


She handed me a ticket to the other side
The preacher's wife provided a means for the artist to cross to the other side


I'm crossing over now to the other side
The artist is again crossing the river, this time with the ticket provided


To the other side
A repetition of the desire to reach the other side of the river




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DANIEL MICHAEL THOMAS WILLIAMS, DAVE TROKE, JAMES JOHN SINGER, MARK EDWARD PUSEY, PAUL MICHAEL CANNING

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@ShiceSquad

Even after aaaaaaaaaaaall these years, I still listen to this song at least once a week. Keeps me grounded.

@Gammarklar

The whole vibe of this is spooky and great but especially the third verse sends chills up my spine when you realize what he’s referring to by ‘the other side’. RIP to the coolest and most thought provoking bass cat ever, Mark Sandman

@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017

Listen to The Night album. He knew he was not long for this Earth.

@breibreii

"Cause I I once slept with the preacher's wife
She handed me a ticket to the other side"

Always gives me goosebumps .... ALYAWS
SO POWERFUL!!!

@claireaartsen1724

This is one of the best pieces of music ever and I would like to have it played at my funeral, please.

@Khaymen223

Me first

@claireaartsen1724

@@Khaymen223 we’ll see

@MartaMallory

You have crossed over sweet Mark.......and we all love and miss you. <3

@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017

He was touched by magic.

@spiderdoogydoz0224

Toujours aussi beautiful.
En franglais aussi.
mile merci

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