The River Song
Old Bear Mountain Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Keeping my ‘ol head down
Loaded gun
Breathing down my back, once again
I don't need
Any of your pity
Just one more drink
And I might hit the floor
Cuz I'm coming down the mountain
Just another 30 miles
Got me running round the mountain
I haven't seen you in a while
Oh Rolling river
Come carry me
Shotgun Fires
See them hounds a running
Search the woods
And maybe they just might, look on
To find that man
You know he's got it coming
Just one more drink
And we might have been friends
Cuz I'm coming down the mountain
Just another 30 miles
Got me running round the mountain
I haven't seen you in a while
Oh rolling river
Come carry me
On the run
Keeping my ‘ol head down
Loaded gun
Breathing down my back, once again
And I would love to see your face again dear
But I don't think, that I ever will
Cuz I'm coming down the mountain
Just another 30 miles
Got me running round the mountain
I haven't seen you in a while
Oh rolling river
Come carry me
The River Song by Old Bear Mountain is a song that speaks of a man on the run from the law. The lyrics suggest that the singer is a fugitive who's had a tough time running in the wilderness, but his thirst for liquor has not disappeared. The guilt-ridden protagonist is seeking comfort in alcohol and is also reminiscing a past lover, whom he thinks he won't ever see again. The imagery of a rolling river is used to suggest a sense of freedom, the singer yearns for in his otherwise, lawless condition.
The line, "on the run, keeping my ol' head down, loaded gun, breathing down my back, once again" is a statement of the singer's current situation, suggesting that he's wanted by the law, with a bounty on his head. And the line "and I would love to see your face again, dear, but I don't think that I ever will" indicates that the main character is nostalgically thinking about a former partner he may never get to reunite with, as he's running on the run trying to escape the law.
Overall, The River Song by Old Bear Mountain is a soul-stirring composition that showcases the outlaw life and the guilt that comes with it. It's a song of man's yearning for the good things, like love and freedom, with the bittersweet reality of a life on the run.
Line by Line Meaning
On the run
I am fleeing from someone or something and I am not in a safe situation.
Keeping my ‘ol head down
I am trying to avoid attention and stay out of sight.
Loaded gun
I am carrying a weapon for protection.
Breathing down my back, once again
Someone is chasing me and I am constantly being pursued.
I don't need
I do not want and will not accept.
Any of your pity
I do not want your sympathy or compassion.
Just one more drink
I am drinking to cope with my current situation.
And I might hit the floor
I am drinking so much that I may lose consciousness.
Cuz I'm coming down the mountain
I am making progress towards my destination which is at the bottom of a mountain.
Just another 30 miles
I still have a way to go before I reach my destination.
Got me running round the mountain
I am going in circles and not making progress because the mountain is in my way.
I haven't seen you in a while
I have not seen you for an extended period of time.
Oh rolling river
I am asking the river to help me escape and carry me to safety.
Come carry me
Please take me away from my current situation and bring me to a safe place.
Shotgun Fires
Someone is shooting at me with a shotgun.
See them hounds a running
Dogs are chasing me and trying to capture me.
Search the woods
People are looking for me in the surrounding forest.
And maybe they just might, look on
It is possible they will find me.
To find that man
They are looking for me specifically.
You know he's got it coming
I am being hunted because I have done something wrong and deserve to be caught.
And we might have been friends
If circumstances were different, we could have been close companions.
But I don't think, that I ever will
I do not believe that we will ever be able to reconcile and become friends.
On the run
I am still trying to evade my pursuers.
Keeping my ‘ol head down
I am still trying to remain unnoticed.
Loaded gun
I am still carrying a gun for protection.
Breathing down my back, once again
I am still being pursued by my enemies.
Contributed by Madelyn C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
K L
This song accidentally came on for me on Spotify and holy shit am I happy about that. I love this song.
Emily Priddy
Very well shot video, as well as fantastic song. I'm very surprised it doesn't have more views.
Jason McCune-Sanders
Love this song - and what a fantastic video! Perks of sharing it with friends
Amelia Fogs
love this!
Joseph Joseph
This is a good song I had singed this song in a competiation and i got 1st price
Zom Zom
How tf does this only have 16k views?
nacoran
I don't know why, but this reminds me of the alternative band 'For Squirrels'. I can't figure out why though. Got here from a suggestion on Music Map when looking at Satan & Adam. (Kind of reminds me of the Civil Wars Barton Hollow too, but that makes a little more sense.)
inofen
American roots radio
Michael Vito Vesia
Garb