The Ghost Of The River
The Anniversary Lyrics
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Sing clearly, the path of the arrow is near
The river will dry up every year
The sun should drink every last tear
It flows above the casket's lear
So lay down, next to your brother
And go blind
How lovely, the ghost of the river draws near
Keep moving, let faith pour out in blood from ear to ear
Burn your money, remember it does you no good 'round here
The river will dry up every year
The sun should drink every last tear
It flows above the casket's lear
So lay down, next to your brother
And go blind
Who stole my soul, I may never know
Who stole my soul, I may never know
Oh, Who stole my soul?
Who stole my soul, I may never know
Who stole my soul, I may never know
Oh, I may never know
The Anniversary's song "The Ghost Of The River" is a melancholic tune that, upon careful listening, conveys a message of inevitability and resignation. The song's opening lyrics, "Walk slowly, the rest of your life, my dear/Sing clearly, the path of the arrow is near," is a warning to the listener to take their time in life and be mindful of the direction they're taking. The "path of the arrow," metaphorically speaking, is likely one of fate, pointing the listener towards an unknown but predetermined destination. The line "The river will dry up every year/The sun should drink every last tear/It flows above the casket's lear" is a morbid image of nature's cycle and how everything eventually comes to an end: the river dries up every year, and the sun (a symbol of life) drinks every last tear (a symbol of emotion). The image of the river flowing above the casket's "lear" (archaic for "grave," or "tomb") suggests that the river of life will continue to flow, even when everyone is gone.
The repeated refrain "Who stole my soul, I may never know" suggests a struggle with identity and self-discovery, as though the singer can't quite figure out what has happened to them or who they really are. The line "Burn your money, remember it does you no good 'round here" is a blistering critique of the materialistic world we live in, where money is given more importance than humanity or compassion. The message here is clear: one should not waste their life pursuing material belongings.
Line by Line Meaning
Walk slowly, the rest of your life, my dear
Take your time and enjoy life, my dear
Sing clearly, the path of the arrow is near
Be clear in your intentions, success is within reach
The river will dry up every year
Change is constant, don't take anything for granted
The sun should drink every last tear
Let go of the past, move towards a brighter future
It flows above the casket's lear
Life keeps moving on, even after death
So lay down, next to your brother
We are all the same, and we will all find peace in death
And go blind
Let go of your fears and trust in the unknown
How lovely, the ghost of the river draws near
Death is peaceful and beautiful
Keep moving, let faith pour out in blood from ear to ear
Have faith in the journey of life, even when it's painful
Burn your money, remember it does you no good 'round here
Material possessions mean nothing in the end
Who stole my soul, I may never know
Life's mysteries can never truly be solved
Oh, Who stole my soul?
The search for answers is futile
Oh, I may never know
Acceptance of life's unknowns is necessary for inner peace
Contributed by Daniel Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.