Born in Cairo of Armenian parents, he spent his early years in Egypt before emigrating with his family to Toronto in 1958. Today, Raffi resides on Mayne Island near Victoria, British Columbia. In recent years he has devoted himself to Child Honouring, which seeks to create a humane and sustainable world by addressing the universal needs of the very young. He founded the Troubadour Foundation to support this cause, and is working on a book, "Turn This World Around," which argues that Child Honouring can be a potent remedy for the world's most pressing issues. In 1983, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada. He was awarded the Order of British Columbia in 2001. His sister is Dr. Ann Cavoukian, Ontario's Information and Privacy Commissioner.
2) Raffi Boghossian was the first winner of X Factor Bulgaria.
Row Row Row
Raffi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gently down the stream
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily (row, row, row your boat)
Life is but a dream (gently down the stream)
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily
Life is but a dream
Row, row, row your boat
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily (gently down the stream)
Life is but a dream (merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily)
Life is but a dream
Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily
Life is but a dream
The lyrics to Raffi's song "Row Row Row" are deceptively simple on the surface but carry a deeper meaning when examined closely. On the surface, the song is a playful and cheerful nursery rhyme, encouraging children to engage in the activity of rowing a boat. However, the lyrics can also be interpreted metaphorically, offering a philosophical perspective on life.
The repetition of "row, row, row your boat" creates a sense of rhythm and guidance, emphasizing the importance of moving forward in life. The line "gently down the stream" suggests the need to navigate life's challenges with grace and ease. This can be seen as an encouragement to take a calm and patient approach to life, allowing it to flow naturally.
The repetition of "merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily" further reinforces the idea of embracing joy and happiness in life's journey. By reminding us to row our boat happily, the song encourages a positive attitude and a lighthearted perspective as we navigate through the ups and downs of life.
The final line, "Life is but a dream," introduces a philosophical concept that invites deeper reflection. It suggests that life, with all its experiences and hardships, is like a dream - transient and ever-changing. This can be interpreted as a reminder to appreciate the present moment, to make the most of our experiences, and to not take life too seriously.
In summary, Raffi's song "Row Row Row" is a playful nursery rhyme that, when examined closely, offers a philosophical perspective on life. It encourages us to navigate life's challenges with grace, embrace joy and happiness, and appreciate the transient nature of our existence.
Line by Line Meaning
Row, row, row your boat
Take charge, make an effort, and navigate your own life
Gently down the stream
Embrace the flow and ease of life's journey
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily (row, row, row your boat)
Find joy, happiness, and positivity in your actions and choices
Life is but a dream (gently down the stream)
Life is transient and ephemeral, like a dream, so cherish and appreciate it
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily
Continually seek and embrace happiness and contentment
Life is but a dream
Once again emphasizing the transient and dream-like nature of life
Row, row, row your boat
Reiterating the importance of taking action and responsibility in shaping your life
Gently down the stream (row, row, row your boat)
Reiterating the need to go with the flow and embrace the ease of life's journey
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily (gently down the stream)
Continuing the emphasis on finding joy and positivity in your actions and choices
Life is but a dream (merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily)
Reaffirming the transient nature of life and the importance of cherishing and appreciating it
Life is but a dream
A final reminder of the ephemeral and dream-like quality of life
Writer(s): Raffi Cavoukian, Kenneth David Whiteley
Contributed by Abigail V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.