River
Sam Smith Lyrics

The lyrics of "River" by Sam Smith depict a longing for escape, peace, and healing during the Christmas season. The reference to Christmas, tree-cutting, reindeer, and joyful songs sets the joyful and festive backdrop. However, the singer's reality is different; they are not experiencing a winter wonderland. They express a desire to be somewhere else, most likely related to emotional turmoil and dissatisfaction with their current circumstances.

The recurring line "Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on" symbolizes the singer's longing for a fresh start or an escape from their troubles. The river represents a pathway to freedom and a release from their burdens, similar to the activity of skating on frozen water. The mention that it doesn't snow and stays green, indicates a lack of transformative and cleansing experiences in their current environment.

In the second verse, the singer reflects on a failed relationship. They reminisce about their partner's attempts to support and comfort them, bringing them temporary relief from their own flaws, but ultimately confess their own difficulties in managing the relationship due to their selfishness and sadness. The line "Made me weak in the knees" suggests that the love they received was intense and overwhelming, but despite that, they have lost the person they once considered their best.

The chorus is repeated, emphasizing the desire to have a river long enough to learn how to fly. This imagery suggests a longing to overcome personal limitations, to grow and leave their troubles behind. The repeated mention of making the baby cry and the baby saying goodbye could signify a significant mistake or action that caused the end of the relationship. It could also symbolize the loss of something innocent and precious due to the singer's own flawed nature.

In the final verse, the repetition of the Christmas scene and desire for a river reinforces the idea that the holiday season highlights the stark contrast between the festivities and the singer's inner turmoil. The longing to skate away on a river reflects the yearning for escape from their current reality once again. Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of longing, regret, and the need for a fresh start during a time that should be joyful and peaceful.