The River
Reddening West Lyrics
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You and I in bed the record's on we're so
Cavalier, 'understood at last,' you said, so we were
Calling out what we think our futures hold
But you are the river, and i'm the stone
Canyon wall you were just, just passing through
The garden lay undiscovered, the trees shared their colors
Can't we stay like this for all of time? never
Never change your course, never change your mind?
But you are the river and i'm the stone
Canyon wall and you're just, just passing through
Like the wind through the valley and the sea that scrapes the shore,
All those days did shape us
Because you are the river and I'm the stone
And you're swift, and you're strong, and I erode
You are the river and I'm the stone
Canyon wall and you're just, just passing through
The song "The River" by Reddening West explores the concept of change and the impact it has on relationships. The opening lines suggest a moment of wishful thinking where the characters in the song are dreaming of a future where they are together in bed as the record plays in the background. Their cavalier attitude towards the future is highlighted as they call out what they think their futures hold. This suggests a sense of confidence and optimism about the relationship, as if their dreams are already coming true.
The metaphor of the river and the stone is introduced in the chorus, where it becomes clear that the relationship is not as solid as it appears. The river is described as swift and strong, while the stone is eroding. This suggests that the river is constantly evolving, moving forward and adapting to changes in the environment, while the stone remains the same, slowly breaking down over time. The river is passing through the canyon, but the canyon wall remains constant. The use of this metaphor highlights the importance of change in relationships and how it can impact the individuals involved.
As the song progresses, the characters begin to realise that change is inevitable. The morning light reappears and the garden lies undiscovered. This suggests that while they were caught up in the moment, time has moved on and things have changed. The trees share their colours, highlighting the beauty of nature and the organic way that things evolve. The characters ask if they can stay like this for all of time- a seemingly impossible request if they are to avoid change.
Ultimately, the song is a melancholic reflection on the transience of life and relationships. The river will always continue to flow, while the stone will slowly erode away. Similarly, people and relationships will always change and evolve over time, and there is nothing we can do to stop this process.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't we all throw a coin and wish for this?
A rhetorical question that implies how people dream of finding love that's perfect and magical.
You and I in bed the record's on we're so Cavalier, 'understood at last,' you said, so we were Calling out what we think our futures hold
Describes how the lovers were confident when they were together, and they shared their future aspirations with one another.
But you are the river, and i'm the stone Canyon wall you were just, just passing through
Compares the temporal nature of their romance to that of a river and stone. The river (lover) is always flowing, while the stone (narrator) is static and immovable.
Morning light reappeared, we'd stayed up all night The garden lay undiscovered, the trees shared their colors Can't we stay like this for all of time? never Never change your course, never change your mind?
Reflects a romantic moment where the couple spent the night together exploring the beauty of nature. The artist yearns for this moment to last forever and for their love to never fade.
But you are the river and i'm the stone Canyon wall and you're just, just passing through
Reiterates the idea that their love is transitory, and the lover is destined to move on like a river while the artist stays behind like a stone wall.
Like the wind through the valley and the sea that scrapes the shore, All those days did shape us
Compares their love to natural forces that have been shaping the world for eons. It implies their love was transformative and had an impact on both of them.
Because you are the river and I'm the stone And you're swift, and you're strong, and I erode
Another comparison between the fluidity of the river and the rigidity of the stone. The singer acknowledges that their lover is more dynamic and influential than they are, causing the singer to slowly lose their identity.
You are the river and I'm the stone Canyon wall and you're just, just passing through
Final repetition and reiteration of the overarching theme: their love was only temporary, and the lover was always meant to move on.
Contributed by Alex S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.