Story Behind The Song
I grew up with The St. Francis river running through my backyard. It has always had special meaning, and represented a constant of life. No matter what chaos was going on in my life, that river was always there to comfort me as a child. I believe marriage should have that same constancy to get us through hard times.
Song Description
It uses the river, as a metaphor for constancy. The couple marry, have children, challenges, doubts, but through it all they remain true, and like the river there love remains constant.
| Song Length |
5:51 |
Genre |
Folk - Contemporary, Folk - General |
| Tempo |
Slow (71 - 90) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Poignant, Moving |
Subject |
Life, Regret |
| Similar Artists |
Lucinda Williams, Bruce Springsteen |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
The River Runs
Louis and Lilly pledged their love in '73
a vow they carved in a cottonwood tree,
that was tall as their dreams
and sprung from the bank, where the river runs free.
After High School they married young and wild
Louis was happy, Lily was with child.
She hoped for a daughter, he hoped for a son.
Oh and still the River runs.
They set up house in a trailer park,
where Louis rose early to work until dark.
Hauling gas across the state.
Lilly held supper on the nights he was late.
Their lives were hard and grew harder still.
Lilly took a job at the textile mill
After the birth of their first born son.
and still the river runs.
CHORUS: Oh, oh how the river runs
oh, oh how the river runs.
They grew up old, they grew up fast.
Four kids later, they wondered could it last.
At night they'd feed and bathe their kids,
tuck them into bed with prayers and a kiss.
Exhausted, they'd fall into their bed.
Their love was like a watershed.
Cling to each other 'till the rising of the sun.
Oh, and still the river runs.
Sometimes Lilly would wake with a fright.
Sit in the darkness and stare at the night.
Wonder 'bout her choices and direction of her life.
Look at Louis sleeping,place the covers just right.
She'd check on her children one by one.
Light up a cigarette to watch it burn.
Wonder if the pieces would total the sum.
oh and still the river runs.
Chorus-
Louis would return home from work each day,
driving North on the interstate.
Wondering how he could make ends meet,
fearing the things he could not speak.
Sometimes he wanted to keep driving North
Leave behind all he'd left undone
It took all the courage he could summon forth
Oh and still the river runs.
Chorus- repeat 4x's