The band's namesake and place of origin is the Cincinnati, Ohio neighborhood Over-the-Rhine. Karin attended school in Barnesville, Ohio and graduated from Barnesville High School in 1984. She then went to Malone College, located in Canton, Ohio, where she met Linford. Karin and Linford were married in the fall of 1996 in Cincinnati and several years ago relocated to a pre-civil war farm outside of town.
Over the Rhine is now primarily Bergquist (vocals, acoustic guitar, piano) and Detweiler (keyboards, electric bass, vocals) accompanied by complementary musicians on albums and tours. Over the years, they have toured and recorded in many variations. They have shared the stage with a number of fine musicians, including Bob Dylan, John Prine, Adrian Belew, Squeeze, Ani DiFranco, My Morning Jacket, Hem, and toured as "adjunct" members of Cowboy Junkies.
Over the Rhine's new album, _The Long Surrender_ was released nationally on 1/1/11. It recorded on California with Grammy winning producer, Joe Henry and contains a duet with Lucinda Williams on "Undamned" and two songs co-written with Joe Henry.
Poughkeepsie
Over the Rhine Lyrics
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Look out over the Hudson
And I'd throw my body down on the river
And I'd know no more sorrow
I'd fly like the sparrow
And I'd ride on the backs of the angels tonight
[Chorus:]
I'd take to the sky with all my might
No more drowning in my sorrow
No more drowning in my fright
I'd just ride on the backs of the angels tonight
There are those who know sorrow
And those who must borrow
And those whose lot in life is sweet
Well, I'm drunk on self-pity
Scorned all that's been given me
I would drink from a bottle labeled "Sure Defeat"
[Chorus]
Then the skies - they fell open
And my eyes were opened
To a world of hope falling at my feet
Now I've no more or less
Than anyone else has
What I have is a gift of life I can't repeat
So I go up Poughkeepsie
Look out over the Hudson
And I cast my worries to the sky
Now I still know sorrow
But I can fly like the sparrow
'Cause I ride on the backs of the angels tonight
I ride on the backs of the angels tonight
I take to the sky with all their might
No more drowning in my sorrow
No more drowning in my fright
I'll just ride on the backs of the angels each night
The lyrics of Over the Rhine's song, Poughkeepsie, tell a story of someone who has hit rock bottom and is contemplating ending their life by jumping off a bridge into the Hudson River. The lyrics are vivid, and the sense of hopelessness and despair is palpable. The singer feels like he has nothing left to live for and that his life is full of self-pity, and he's drunk from the bottle marked "Sure Defeat." He envies those whose lot in life is sweet, and he feels like he's been scorned by everything that's been given to him.
However, in the second verse, the skies open up, and the singer's eyes are opened to a world of hope falling at his feet. He realizes that what he has is a gift of life that he can't repeat. He throws his worries to the sky and looks out over the Hudson with a newfound sense of hope. He still knows sorrow, but he can fly like the sparrow because he rides on the backs of the angels.
The song is about the importance of hope and how it can be a lifeline for someone who is struggling with depression and despair. It's about finding a way to hold on to life, even when things seem bleak and hopeless.
Line by Line Meaning
I thought I'd go up Poughkeepsie
I felt like going to Poughkeepsie
Look out over the Hudson
To gaze upon Hudson River
And I'd throw my body down on the river
I would commit suicide by jumping into the river
And I'd know no more sorrow
I would be free from all grief and pain
I'd fly like the sparrow
I would soar through the air with ease
And I'd ride on the backs of the angels tonight
I would be carried by angels to heaven
I'd take to the sky with all my might
I would ascend to heaven with all my strength
No more drowning in my sorrow
No longer would I be overwhelmed by sadness
No more drowning in my fright
No longer would I be paralyzed by fear
There are those who know sorrow
Some people are well-acquainted with sadness
And those who must borrow
Others have to borrow to make ends meet
And those whose lot in life is sweet
While some are blessed with good fortunes
Well, I'm drunk on self-pity
I am intoxicated by my own misery
Scorned all that's been given me
I have rejected all the blessings in my life
I would drink from a bottle labeled "Sure Defeat"
I am inclined to pessimism and defeatism
Then the skies - they fell open
Suddenly, the skies opened up before me
And my eyes were opened
I saw things in a different light
To a world of hope falling at my feet
I was presented with a world of boundless possibilities
Now I've no more or less
I have nothing more or less than anyone else
Than anyone else has
I am on equal footing with everyone else
What I have is a gift of life I can't repeat
Life is a precious gift that can never be duplicated
So I go up Poughkeepsie
I still go to Poughkeepsie
Look out over the Hudson
To enjoy the view of the Hudson River
And I cast my worries to the sky
I release my concerns to the heavens
Now I still know sorrow
I still experience sadness
But I can fly like the sparrow
But I am able to rise above my troubles
'Cause I ride on the backs of the angels tonight
Because I am still lifted by angels
I ride on the backs of the angels each night
Every night, I am carried by angels
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KARIN MICHELE BERGQUIST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind