On graduating from University College Dublin, McKeown was awarded a scholarship to attend the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Manhattan. In 1990, with a bursary from the Arts Council of Ireland, she relocated to New York City. Doyle followed and they were soon to join forces with Seamus Egan and Eileen Ivers, with whom they recorded one live cassette and one track, "If I Were You", which they contributed to the album Straight Outta Ireland in 1993.
Later in 1993, McKeown formed a new version of the band with fiddler Chris Cunningham, American cellist Michelle Kinney, American jazz bassist Lindsey Horner, and American drummer Joe Trump. The band performed at clubs such as Sin-é, Fez, The Bottom Line and the Bowery Ballroom, and recorded a cassette album, "Snakes", in 1993. It was the release, in 1995 , of "Bones", an album of original songs with McKeown's take on a centuries-old keen (caoineadh) and an arrangement of Robert Burns' "Westlin' Winds" (later recorded by Fairport Convention) that garnered McKeown international attention and launched her further touring and recording career.
River
Susan McKeown and The Chanting House Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the early morning light
This star fell down
On Sunset Boulevard
Young and strong beautiful one
We embraced so close
Is gone
Let the youth of America mourn
Include him in their prayers
Let his image linger on
Repeat it everywhere
With candles, with flowers
He was one of ours
One of ours
Why don't you let him be?
He's gone
We know
Give his mother and his father peace
Your vulture's candor
Your casual slander
You murder his memory
He's gone
We know
It's nothing but a tragedy
Lay to rest your soul and body
Lay beside your name
Lay to rest your rage
Your hunger and amazing grace
With candles, with flowers
You were one of ours
One of ours
I saw cameras expose your life
I heard rumors explode with lies
I saw children in tears
Cry and crowd around the sight
Of where you had collapsed that day
Where your last breath and word
Had been sighed
Where your heart had burst
Where you had died
I saw how they were lost in grieving
All half believing you were gone
The loss and pain of it
Crime and shame of it
You were gone
It was such a nightmare raving,
"how could we save him from himself?"
The lyrics of Susan McKeown's "River" are a poignant lament for a young Hollywood star who has fallen from grace. The song captures the sense of loss and tragedy that surrounds the death of a young and talented individual who had his whole life ahead of him. The opening lines set the scene on the famous Hollywood Sunset Boulevard where this young Hollywood son died. The song talks about how the people, especially the youth of America, must come together to pay tribute to the fallen star and cherish his memories.
The song is about the price of fame and how the media can strip away the dignity and privacy of an individual in their quest for a juicy story. The lyrics suggest that the fallen star was hounded by the media and that his life was sensationalized and exploited for entertainment, leading him to his tragic death.
McKeown's song is also a fitting tribute to the star's parents, who lost a child, reviving their memories of their loss and giving them peace. The song ends with the hope that the star will finally find peace and rest and be laid to rest with his memories.
Overall the song is a powerful message against the hunger of the media and a call for compassion, empathy, and understanding from the society around us.
Line by Line Meaning
Young and strong Hollywood son
A young, powerful individual with potential, likely in the entertainment industry.
In the early morning light
At a time when most people are still asleep, before the bustle of the day begins.
This star fell down
This talented individual's rise to fame was abruptly stopped.
On Sunset Boulevard
On a famous landmark where many celebrities have had their share of limelight and success.
Young and strong beautiful one
A powerful, attractive, and vibrant personality.
We embraced so close
That celebrity was close to us and we felt a strong personal connection.
Is gone
Is no longer with us, has passed away.
Was torn away
Taken from us in a sudden or cruel manner.
Let the youth of America mourn
Allow young people to grieve and feel the impact of this loss in their own way.
Include him in their prayers
Express a desire for his well-being and peace beyond this life.
Let his image linger on
Remember and celebrate his unique and special qualities.
Repeat it everywhere
Ensure that this person's memory continues to live on in people's minds.
With candles, with flowers
Symbols of mourning, remembrance, and tribute.
He was one of ours
This person was part of our community and will be missed.
Why don't you let him be?
Don't criticize or judge a person who has already passed away.
He's gone
This person has passed away and there is no going back.
We know
We already have acknowledged the fact that he has passed away.
Give his mother and his father peace
Respect the privacy of his family and allow them to grieve in their own way.
Your vulture's candor
Your insensitive and exploitative behavior, taking advantage of this tragedy for your own gain.
Your casual slander
Your careless and defamatory remarks about this person, without considering the impact on his reputation and memory.
You murder his memory
Your actions harm and destroy the good image of this person that we try to keep alive in our hearts and minds.
Lay to rest your soul and body
Rest in peace, both spiritually and physically.
Lay beside your name
Be remembered by your name and legacy.
Lay to rest your rage
Release and let go of any anger or negative emotions that may have consumed you in life.
Your hunger and amazing grace
Your strong ambition and unique talents that made you stand out in life.
I saw cameras expose your life
The media coverage that you received when you were alive, including the negative parts of your personal life.
I heard rumors explode with lies
There were false statements and unverified stories about your life and death that circulated among the public.
I saw children in tears
Young people who were impacted and saddened by your untimely passing.
Cry and crowd around the sight
Gathered together, expressing their emotions and paying tribute to the place where you were last seen alive.
Of where you had collapsed that day
The exact location where you suffered a catastrophic event that led to your death.
Where your last breath and word
The final utterances that you made before passing away.
Had been sighed
Expressed in a sound of sadness, resignation or relief.
Where your heart had burst
The exact spot where your heart stopped beating, leading to your death.
Where you had died
The place where you passed away.
I saw how they were lost in grieving
The mourners were in a state of distress and sorrow, not knowing how to process and cope with your loss.
All half believing you were gone
Some of the people were still in shock and disbelief, unable to fully comprehend that you were no longer with us.
The loss and pain of it
The sense of emptiness and despair that this tragedy has caused for us all.
Crime and shame of it
The wrongful and preventable nature of your death, making it even more difficult for us to accept.
You were gone
The fact that you were no longer with us was a harsh and painful reality.
It was such a nightmare raving,
The pain felt by the mourners felt intense and insurmountable.
"how could we save him from himself?"
The sense of responsibility and guilt felt by those who could have intervened in the person's life to prevent this tragedy.
Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: NATALIE A MERCHANT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind