Uriah Heep were part of the early 1970s rock scene, and have been referred to as pioneers of the hard rock, heavy metal and progressive rock genres. The band has sold over 40 million albums worldwide with over four million sales in the U.S, where its best-known songs include "Gypsy", "Easy Livin'", "The Wizard", "Sweet Lorraine", and "Stealin'". They also maintain a significant following and perform at arena-sized venues in the Balkans, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Russia, Finland and Scandinavia.
Uriah Heep have released twenty-four studio albums of original material, twenty live albums and forty-one compilation albums (including two greatest hits albums). Twelve of the band's studio albums have made it to the UK Albums Chart (Return to Fantasy reached No. 7 in 1975), while of the fifteen Billboard 200 Uriah Heep albums, Demons and Wizards was the most successful (No. 23, 1972). In the late 1970s the band had massive success in Germany, where the "Lady in Black" single was a big hit.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uriah_Heep_(band)
Studio albums
...Very 'eavy ...Very 'umble (1970)
Salisbury (1971)
Look at Yourself (1971)
Demons and Wizards (1972)
The Magician's Birthday (1972)
Sweet Freedom (1973)
Wonderworld (1974)
Return to Fantasy (1975)
High and Mighty (1976)
Firefly (1977)
Innocent Victim (1977)
Fallen Angel (1978)
Conquest (1980)
Abominog (1982)
Head First (1983)
Equator (1985)
Raging Silence (1989)
Different World (1991)
Sea of Light (1995)
Sonic Origami (1998)
Wake the Sleeper (2008)
Into the Wild (2011)
Outsider (2014)
Living the Dream (2018)
Chaos & Colour (2023)
The River
Uriah Heep Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Across the midnight
Wanderin' westward by daylight
Take us and lead us to tomorrow
As fast as you come and can flow
River, you're windin'
An unending rhythm
Movin' to warn him
The spirit that keeps
Us from sinking
Guide us from going astray
Point us a way
To a shoreline ahead
Through the mist and the fog
Of this valley of death
Too many years we have
Walked in a sleep
Now we're awaken and ready fo flee
River, we hitchhikers
Beggin' for mercy
Survive us from yesterday's curses
Don't damn us
Before you receive us
We're needin' your face
And your trust
The song "The River" by Uriah Heep is a beautiful and poetic expression of hope and trust in the future. The lyrics describe a journey down a river, with the river as a metaphor for the journey of life. The river is rising and hiding, but it is also winding with an unending rhythm. It is both powerful and guiding, both frightening and reassuring. The lyrics express a sense of urgency to follow the river to tomorrow, to keep moving and not get lost or sink. The river is seen as a companion to the travelers, a force to be respected and followed.
The lyrics also express a sense of awakening and readiness to face the challenges of life. The travelers have been walking in a sleep, but now they are awake and ready to flee. They are hitchhikers begging for mercy, but they are also survivors who want to escape yesterday's curses. They are seeking the river's trust and face, as they navigate the mist and fog of the valley of death. The river is seen as a source of salvation, a way to escape from the past and find a new path forward.
Line by Line Meaning
River, rising to hide
The river is swelled up to conceal something.
Across the midnight
This happens at night.
Wanderin' westward by daylight
During the daytime, the river flows westward.
Take us and lead us to tomorrow
We want the river to guide us towards the future.
As fast as you come and can flow
We wish the river to flow quickly and efficiently.
River, you're windin'
The river curves a lot.
An unending rhythm
The flow of the river is constant and unending.
The sooner keep
The river should keep moving quickly.
Movin' to warn him
The river should move quickly to warn someone.
The spirit that keeps
The river has a spiritual force that keeps people afloat.
Us from sinking
The river prevents us from drowning.
Guide us from going astray
The river should help guide us and keep us on course.
Point us a way
Show us a clear path.
To a shoreline ahead
Guide us to the shoreline up ahead.
Through the mist and the fog
Through the uncertainty and confusion of life.
Of this valley of death
In this dangerous and often deadly part of life's journey.
Too many years we have
We have been going through life for too long.
Walked in a sleep
We have been going through life without being fully aware of our surroundings.
Now we're awaken and ready fo flee
We are finally waking up and are ready to escape this dangerous situation.
River, we hitchhikers
We are like hitchhikers, hoping the river will take us where we need to go.
Beggin' for mercy
We are desperate for the river's help.
Survive us from yesterday's curses
Help protect us from yesterday's mistakes and problems.
Don't damn us
Do not let us suffer or experience negative consequences.
Before you receive us
We are asking the river to help us before it takes us.
We're needin' your face
We need the river to help us in a visible way.
And your trust
We need the river to trust us as we trust it.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MELISSA HIGGINS, CLIFTON MAGNESS, CLIF MAGNESS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind