The River
Noel Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Out in the cold with the lights off
You were seen changing your world
In with the soft cotton binding
I have seen it
I watch the planet twirl
I have seen you
I’m just that kind of girl
I have waited patiently
But the spaces never fill
I discarded evidence
That the river never will
I would bring you back to mayflies
I would guide you back to god
I would read you the very beginning
I would pray for another flood
But the end is moving fast
And in the middle
You can’t get back what you had
I have seen evil incarnate
He wears a smile and his hand
Outstretched between us in offering
Made heavy
By frankincense and myrrh
Don’t you take it
You’re not that kind of girl
I have waited patiently
But the spaces never fill
I discarded evidence
That the river never will
I would find each puzzle piece and
I would baptize them in blood
I would yank out every last tooth and
I would wash us both in the flood
But the end is moving fast
And in the middle
You can’t get back what you had
I threw the books in the fireplace
You were strung up like a cow
Skinless and red-raw and struggling
We all saw it
We all watched the fingers curl
He has seen you
Guess you’re just that kind of girl
I have waited patiently
But the spaces never fill
I discarded evidence
That the river never will
I would swim you to the shoreline
I would bring you back to us
I would show them what they’ve been missing
I would stand strong before the flood
But the end is moving fast




And in the middle
You can’t get back what you had

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Noel’s song “The River” tell a story of an individual who has been caught in the thrall of evil, and the singer’s futile attempts to rescue them. The opening lines describe the person in question as being “out in the cold with the lights off,” a metaphor for their feeling of isolation and alienation from the world. They are seen “changing their world,” indicating that they are attempting to exert some control over their environment but are only able to do so in a limited way, through the “soft cotton binding” which they wear. The singer has “seen it” and acknowledges that they are “just that kind of girl” who is observant and aware.


The next few lines describe the singer’s attempts to save this individual, and their growing realization that their efforts are futile. They have “waited patiently,” watching the spaces between them grow larger and realizing that the “river never will” be crossed. The singer’s efforts to guide the person back to a place of safety are described in terms of baptism and prayer but are ultimately inadequate. The end is coming “fast,” and the person caught in the grip of evil can never return to the place they once were.


The final verses are the most disturbing, as they describe the singer’s violent and desperate final attempts to rescue the person they are trying to save. The image of throwing books into the fireplace is one of destruction- the singer is destroying the very tools that they have relied on for their faith. The person in question is described as being “strung up like a cow, skinless and red-raw and struggling,” a vivid and horrific image that speaks to the physical and emotional torture they are undergoing. Despite the singer’s determination and vigor, however, it becomes clear that they cannot succeed in saving this person from their fate.


Line by Line Meaning

Out in the cold with the lights off
You were alone in the darkness


You were seen changing your world
You were transforming your life


In with the soft cotton binding
You sought comfort


I have seen it
I have observed your actions


I watch the planet twirl
I see the world spinning


I have seen you
I have witnessed your being


I’m just that kind of girl
I am someone who sees deeply


I have waited patiently
I have been patient for you to change


But the spaces never fill
But the emptiness remains


I discarded evidence
I ignored the proof


That the river never will
That the past cannot be changed


I would bring you back to mayflies
I would take you back to simpler times


I would guide you back to god
I would bring you closer to spirituality


I would read you the very beginning
I would start at the origin


I would pray for another flood
I would hope for a fresh start


But the end is moving fast
But the apocalypse is drawing near


And in the middle
And during this time of transition


You can’t get back what you had
You cannot return to the past


I have seen evil incarnate
I have witnessed true wickedness


He wears a smile and his hand
He appears friendly and helpful


Outstretched between us in offering
Holding something out to us


Made heavy
Weighted by hidden motives


By frankincense and myrrh
Masked by expensive oils


Don’t you take it
Do not accept his offer


You’re not that kind of girl
You are not one to be deceived


I would find each puzzle piece and
I would piece together your life


I would baptize them in blood
I would cleanse them with violence


I would yank out every last tooth and
I would extract every bit of pain


I would wash us both in the flood
I would cleanse us both with the deluge


I threw the books in the fireplace
I set fire to knowledge


You were strung up like a cow
You were hung up like cattle


Skinless and red-raw and struggling
Naked and bleeding and in conflict


We all saw it
Everyone witnessed your pain


We all watched the fingers curl
We all saw the agony


He has seen you
He has watched you suffer


Guess you’re just that kind of girl
Perhaps you are meant to struggle


I would swim you to the shoreline
I would rescue you from the depths


I would bring you back to us
I would reunite you with the group


I would show them what they’ve been missing
I would reveal what they have overlooked


I would stand strong before the flood
I would face the calamity with resilience




Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Noel Giesbrecht

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Miki Harold

This guy here is truly underrated!! His voice gives me chills.Blues or Gospel he can do it all.

Gunter Butler

Steve Harvey put me on this bout 10 years ago. I just want to know who the Lady is? Good song overall 🎉

Byron Jones

This Is One Of The Most Underated, Timeless, Songs Ever Recorded. VERY WELL PUT TOGETHER , ANYHOW..........

Alfred Cowans

Song Tough!!!💪🏾💯💯

E. Mitch

Facts

Nickever Narcisse

I agree!

Demetrio Perkins

To this day in 2020 of Aug., I still listen to every day since it came out... It is one of my favorites of all time... It's so soothing, calming, and have reminiscing and daydreaming of happy, peaceful, and loving times... Ya'mean...

Christopher Johnson

You have to look at what is going on... Very negative 🤔🧐😷🙏

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Marcus Reeves

IT'S 2020 AND THIS SONG STILL GOT ME IN TEARS.WHEN A MAN CRIES,YOU KNOW HE IS TRULY FEELING EVERY WORD IN HIS HEART AND SOUL.

Gil Cruz

You already know my brother this is big Gil from Brooklyn New York I lived in North Carolina back in 2008 and this is where I first heard this song on Steve Harvey Morning Show and it always touches my heart

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