The Riverboat Song
Ocean Colour Scene Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where the riverboat swayed beneath the sun
Is where the river runs red
Like a King who stalks the wings and shoots a dove
And frees an eagle instead
It's more or less the same as the things that you said
I see trouble up the road
And like to cheat on your soul
Like the best and worst of thoughts that lose control
Before you lie on your bed
It's more or less the same as the things that you said
Anyway for all the things you know tell me why does the river not flow
Anyway for all the things you said tell me why does the river run red
Anyway for all the things you've seen tell me when will the river run green
And anyway for all the things you know tell me why does the river not flow
It's more or less the things you fail to say in your way that's your trouble
Like a King who stalks the wings and shoots the moon and the stars
And his double
It's more or less the same as the things that you said
Anyway for all the things you know tell me why does the river not flow
Anyway for all the things you said tell me why does the river run red
Anyway for all the things you've seen tell me when will the river run green
And anyway for all the things you know tell me why does the river not flow
I see trouble up ahead
Where the river boat swayed beneath the sun
Is where the river runs red
I see double, that's my trouble
The Riverboat Song by Ocean Colour Scene is a song that has been interpreted in a variety of ways over the years, but one common theme that runs throughout is the idea of trouble and confusion that comes with love and relationships. The opening line βI see double up aheadβ suggests a sense of confusion or disorientation, perhaps as the result of too much alcohol or simply emotional turmoil. The next few lines go on to describe a river that runs red, like the blood of a slain animal. This is perhaps a metaphor for the pain and suffering that can come with love, and the idea that relationships are not always easy or straightforward.
The second verse follows a similar theme, with the singer describing the βtrouble up the roadβ that comes with love and relationships. He speaks of cheating on oneβs soul, and the way that thoughts can get out of control. There is a sense that the singer is grappling with some of the same issues that many people face in their own relationships, and that he is trying to make sense of it all. The chorus repeats the same lines, asking why the river does not flow, why it runs red, and when it will run green. The singer seems to be struggling to find answers to these questions, much as many of us struggle to make sense of our own lives and the world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
I see double up ahead
The singer is experiencing double vision.
Where the riverboat swayed beneath the sun
The place where the riverboat is floating in the sun.
Is where the river runs red
The river that flows there is red in color.
Like a King who stalks the wings and shoots a dove
A king-like figure who shoots birds.
And frees an eagle instead
And decides to free an eagle instead of the dove.
It's more or less the same as the things that you said
It resembles what you have said.
I see trouble up the road
The singer sees trouble in his path.
Like the things you found in love are by the way
The things you discover in love are disregarded.
And like to cheat on your soul
You enjoy betraying yourself.
Like the best and worst thoughts that lose control
Your thoughts fluctuate between good and bad.
Before you lie on your bed
Before you go to sleep.
Anyway for all the things you know tell me why does the river not flow
Despite your knowledge, can you explain why the river doesn't flow?
Anyway for all the things you said tell me why does the river run red
Can you explain why the river is red, despite what you said?
Anyway for all the things you've seen tell me when will the river run green
When will the river turn green, based on what you've seen?
And anyway for all the things you know tell me why does the river not flow
Once again, can you explain why the river doesn't flow?
It's more or less the things you fail to say in your way that's your trouble
Your problem is the things you don't say in your own words.
Like a King who stalks the wings and shoots the moon and the stars
Like a king who is powerful enough to shoot the moon and the stars.
And his double
And his doppelganger.
I see double, that's my trouble
Again, the singer has double vision.
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAMON MINCHELLA, OSCAR LLOYD HARRISON, SIMON FOWLER, STEPHEN CRADOCK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ima Stoner
It took me 20 years to find this album again. 1997 Dahab Egypt, a diving
student of mine lent us a blank tape with (O.C.S) written in black felt
to play at the dive center rental counter. When she left she gave me
the tape as a tip, as new music was impossible to find in that tiny
diving town it was Dahab Gold. This album became a praised possession
the dive center for several months and a prized of mine for several
years. In the early 2000's it was lost during a midnight move. To this
day i am not sure how or where but the loss has never sat well with me.
All those years ago on the beach Cloe told me the name of the band so i
knew that i knew it, but could never to quite grasp it....until I
happened across the intro to a film i had seen before, Snatch. A quick
wiki search and i found something i had resigned as lost forever. Its
funny how a simple song or album can bring back thoughts, ideas, and
memories you presumed to be lost if even ever considered. Thanks for the
great music and an anchor to a time in my life i hope never to
forget....again
Patrick Stocks
I see double up ahead
Where the riverboat swayed beneath the sun
Is where the river runs red
Like a king who stalks the wings and shoots a dove
And frees an eagle instead
It's more or less the same as the things that you said
I see trouble up the road
Like the things you found in love are by the way
And like to cheat on your soul
Like the best and worst of thoughts that lose control
Before you lie on your bed
It's more or less the same as the things that you said
Anyway for all the things you know tell me why does the river not flow
Anyway for all the things you said tell me why does the river run red
Anyway for all the things you've seen tell me when will the river run green
And anyway for all the things you know tell me why does the river not flow
It's more or less the things you fail to say in your way that's your trouble
Like a king who stalks the wings and shoots the moon and the stars
And his double
It's more or less the same as the things that you said
Anyway for all the things you know tell me why does the river not flow
Anyway for all the things you said tell me why does the river run red
Anyway for all the things you've seen tell me when will the river run green
And anyway for all the things you know tell me why does the river not flow
Maia Woodbine
I see double up ahead
Where the riverboat swayed beneath the sun
Is where the river runs red
Like a king who stalks the wings and shoots a dove
And frees an eagle instead
It's more or less the same
As the things that you said
I see trouble up the road
Like the things you found
In love are by the way
And like to cheat on your soul
Like the best and worst
Of thoughts that lose control
Before you lie on your bed
It's more or less the same
As the things that you said
Anyway for all the things you know
Tell me why does the river not flow
Anyway for all the things you said
Tell me why does the river run red
Anyway for all the things you've seen
Tell me when will the river run green
And anyway for all the things you know
Tell me why does the river not flow
It's more or less the things
You fail to say in your way that's your trouble
Like a king who stalks the wings
And shoots the moon and the stars
And his double
It's more or less the same
As the things that you said
Anyway for all the things you know
Tell me why does the river not flow
Anyway for all the things you said
Tell me why does the river run red
Anyway for all the things you've seen
Tell me when will the river run green
And anyway for all the things you know
Tell me why does the river not flow
[Guitar Solo]
I see double up ahead
Where the riverboat swayed beneath the sun
Is where the river runs red
I see double, that's my trouble
Ima Stoner
It took me 20 years to find this album again. 1997 Dahab Egypt, a diving
student of mine lent us a blank tape with (O.C.S) written in black felt
to play at the dive center rental counter. When she left she gave me
the tape as a tip, as new music was impossible to find in that tiny
diving town it was Dahab Gold. This album became a praised possession
the dive center for several months and a prized of mine for several
years. In the early 2000's it was lost during a midnight move. To this
day i am not sure how or where but the loss has never sat well with me.
All those years ago on the beach Cloe told me the name of the band so i
knew that i knew it, but could never to quite grasp it....until I
happened across the intro to a film i had seen before, Snatch. A quick
wiki search and i found something i had resigned as lost forever. Its
funny how a simple song or album can bring back thoughts, ideas, and
memories you presumed to be lost if even ever considered. Thanks for the
great music and an anchor to a time in my life i hope never to
forget....again
tropicwave1
The Riverboat Song
Ocean Colour Scene
Album: Anthology (Disc One)
I see double up ahead
Where the riverboat swayed beneath the sun
Is where the river runs red
Like a King who stalks the wings and shoots a dove
And frees an eagle instead
It's more or less the same as the things that you said
I see trouble up the road
Like the things you found in love are by the way
And like to cheat on your soul
Like the best and worst of thoughts that lose control
Before you lie on your bed
It's more or less the same as the things that you said
Anyway for all the things you know tell me why does the river not flow
Anyway for all the things you said tell me why does the river run red
Anyway for all the things you've seen tell me when will the river run green
And anyway for all the things you know tell me why does the river not flow
It's more or less the things you may have seen in your way that's your trouble
Like a King who stalks the wings and shoots the moon and the stars
And his double
It's more or less the same as the things that you said
Anyway for all the things you know tell me why does the river not flow
Anyway for all the things you said tell me why does the river run red
Anyway for all the things you've seen tell me when will the river run green
And anyway for all the things you know tell me why does the river not flow
I see double up ahead
Where the river boat swayed beneath the sun
Is where the river runs red
I see double, that's my trouble
Written by: Damon Minchella, Oscar Lloyd Harrison, Simon Fowler, Stephen Cradock
Copyright Β© Universal Music Publishing Group
β 2003 Island Records β
brumav
Underrated band, one of Birmingham's finest
Paul W
OCS and The Specials are 2 of my favourite bands. Pure talent.Along with Black Sabbath, the West Midlands hold a huge space in my heart regarding musical innovation. Proper bands. Love from the East Mids π€π»
Dylan Higgins
One of uk finest
GoGoErrek
The great ghost of Uncle Terry said that this was gonna be a great band! <3
Anna Pickering
Love it xxxx
zu1875lu
@The FM Club through this through?? Lol wazzock.... I'm bringing it back into fashion ππ
Josh HorvΓ‘th
Still as fresh now as it ever was, absolute tune π€
Man_Bear_ Pig
One of the most underrated bands. Seen them in 2002 support oasis, they were the far superior band and easily outplayed Oasis. Ocs are easily one of the best bands I seen live.
Frank Murphy Burr
Too good for a Oasis audience
dave Nicholson
True...!