Rivers Never Run
Venice Lyrics


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Long forgotten train
Lighthouse standing alone
Sidewalk smells of rain
Autumn whispers of home

Once again I feel the fading sun
Of loves I never lost
Wars I never won
Memories of things I have not done
Houses never lived
And rivers never run

In a candle's glow
Hear a churchbell slowly cry a tune
Stables in the snow
Willow cradles the moon

()

Though I'm not one to believe it all… anymore




So I let it come and I let it fall…
Fall away

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Venice's song "Rivers Never Run" describe a sense of nostalgia and regret. The singer observes various sights and sounds, from a "long forgotten train" to "sidewalk smells of rain" and a "lighthouse standing alone," all of which evoke a longing for a place called "home." Despite this yearning for familiarity, the singer also reflects on missed opportunities and unrealized dreams. They think of "loves I never lost," "wars I never won," and "houses never lived," as if haunted by the possibilities that never came to be. The title phrase "rivers never run" adds to this sense of unfulfilled potential, suggesting that some things remain stagnant and unchanged, despite the passing of time. The final lines of the chorus, where the singer admits, "Though I'm not one to believe it all... anymore / So I let it come and I let it fall... / Fall away," suggest a sense of resignation or acceptance. The singer may feel helpless to change the past, but they can at least let go and move forward.


Overall, "Rivers Never Run" seems to be a meditation on the bittersweet nature of memory and the passage of time. It touches on themes of lost love, missed opportunities, and the feeling of being disconnected from one's roots. The evocative imagery and wistful tone make it a poignant and relatable song.


Line by Line Meaning

Long forgotten train
A train that has faded into obscurity and is no longer remembered


Lighthouse standing alone
A solitary lighthouse that is isolated and without companionship or support


Sidewalk smells of rain
The scent of rain falling on pavement as it evaporates into the atmosphere


Autumn whispers of home
The gentle murmur of the autumn season that suggests returning home for warmth and comfort


Once again I feel the fading sun
The same melancholy feeling returns as the sun sets and the day ends


Of loves I never lost
Regret over the things never experienced or left unresolved


Wars I never won
The battles that were never won or conflicts yet to be resolved


Memories of things I have not done
Recollections of events or experiences that were never lived or experienced


Houses never lived
A longing for the home that was never inhabited and the memories that were never created


And rivers never run
A sense of longing for the flowing of the river that has never occurred, hoping for the movement of life


In a candle's glow
A small light that reflects warmth and comfort


Hear a churchbell slowly cry a tune
The bell of church that echoes to remind us of the passing of time and mortality


Stables in the snow
The image of stables in snow, portraying the basic and simple farm life


Willow cradles the moon
The peaceful and natural image of a willow tree casting a shadow on the moonlit earth


Though I'm not one to believe it all… anymore
The singer has stopped believing everything they hear from other people, due to previous disappointments in life


So I let it come and I let it fall…
The singer has realised that letting things either come or go is the best way to move forward in life


Fall away
This reiterates the point that the singer is willing to let anything that is not important to them fade into the background




Contributed by Sebastian A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Daryl Stark

Does somebody have the tabs for this? I love this song and want to be able to play it just like this.

Alma Suarez

A precious song! , thank you!!

Bud Judkins

What a GEM!!

David DeLaney

David Bowie died today. And I came here from watching Space Oddity, and now am in tears... Thank you for playing him off for me, guys.

--Dave

Jason Jayden

❤❤❤

Lanu Wallinger

Family tree was the first song I heard. You all are my precious jewels. Come to Nagaland, India. We'd love you to be here.

James Wright

❤️

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