Wild Rivers is an indie folk band based in Toronto, Ontario. The group, for… Read Full Bio ↴Wild Rivers is an indie folk band based in Toronto, Ontario. The group, formed in 2015, was born out of Devan and Khalid, the duo that has experienced much success since they first met in Kingston in 2012. Devan Glover and Khalid Yassein have perfected their special musical chemistry, and continue making folk music together. The lead single, No Ribbons, from their debut EP This Town, enjoyed national radio airplay and led to the two being voted Toronto's Best New Artist in the 2015 CBC Searchlight contest. Now based out of Toronto, Devan and Khalid have added Oakville natives Ben Labenski (drums), and Andrew Oliver (bass, guitar), and have become Wild Rivers. Their self-titled debut album was released on April 16, 2016.

Wandering Child
Wild Rivers Lyrics

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I wish I met you, further along
Gave you my older heart, still and strong
But I wouldn't have a fire like I do today
Oh it burns for you babe

Oh, you got nothing on my tendency to be led astray
Oh, it took a blindside hit to show me the right of way

When your footsteps conquer the streets
From your eyes to the soles of your feet
May my body and heart remain wild
For I'm a wandering child

I could keep an arms length, so I don't fall
I never learned to punch with my back against the wall
Oh no, I gotta let it go
And I got a feeling, deep in my bones
I can't sit still when there's a space up in the road
There's a fire coming on you in your lane
Oh it burns for you babe

Oh, you got nothing on my tendency to be led astray
Oh, it took a blindside hit to show me the right of way

When your footsteps conquer the streets
From your eyes to the soles of your feet
May my body and heart remain wild
For I'm a wandering child

And I hope to god the time ain't wrong

And I hope to god the time ain't wrong
Cause I can't be hanging on like this for long

Overall Meaning

The song "Wandering Child" by Wild Rivers is a reflection on the singer's romantic relationships and life choices. The opening lines express regret that they didn't meet the person in question earlier in life, when they could have given them a more experienced heart. However, the singer knows that their experiences have made them who they are and given them a fire that burns for the other person. The song's title is drawn from the chorus, in which the singer declares themselves a "wandering child," someone who can't sit still when there's space up in the road.

The second verse refers to the singer's tendency to be led astray and their need to learn to let things go. They acknowledge that they haven't learned to fight with their back against the wall, but they won't keep an arm's length from the other person. They know that they have a feeling "deep in [their] bones" that they can't ignore. The bridge expresses the hope that the timing is right for the relationship to work out, as the singer can't keep "hanging on like this for long."

Overall, "Wandering Child" is a song about accepting yourself and your choices, even when they lead you down unexpected paths. It's about recognizing your flaws and your impulses, but also your strengths and your passions.

Line by Line Meaning

I wish I met you, further along
I wish I had met you later in life when I had more to offer, but I still gave you my heart which is strong and unyielding.

But I wouldn't have a fire like I do today Oh it burns for you babe
If I met you later I would not have the passion that I have now burning inside of me, because it burns only for you.

Oh, you got nothing on my tendency to be led astray Oh, it took a blindside hit to show me the right of way
I am prone to wander and follow my instincts, but a sudden realization led me to the right direction.

When your footsteps conquer the streets From your eyes to the soles of your feet May my body and heart remain wild For I'm a wandering child
As you dominate the streets, I hope my body and heart never lose their wildness because I am a free-spirited traveler.

I could keep an arms length, so I don't fall I never learned to punch with my back against the wall Oh no, I gotta let it go And I got a feeling, deep in my bones I can't sit still when there's a space up in the road There's a fire coming on you in your lane Oh it burns for you babe
I could avoid getting hurt by keeping my distance, but I am not one who fights from a defensive position. I must let it all go and follow my instincts because I feel an unquenchable fire that leads me towards you.

And I hope to god the time ain't wrong And I hope to god the time ain't wrong Cause I can't be hanging on like this for long
I pray that the timing is right, otherwise I can't keep on waiting for you like this.

Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Wild Rivers

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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