The River
Inside
‘The River’ was the band’s first single official released as a single in Australia and the UK, where it reached #79 in the UK Singles Chart, #99 in Australia. The music video was shot in Toronto, directed by Floria Sigismondi and features a cameo by Roy Harper.
Lyrically the song was inspired by the Book ‘White Goodess” by Robert Graves. The book draws from the mythology and poetry of Wales and Ireland especially, as well as that of most of Western Europe and the ancient Middle East. Graves argues that “true” or “pure” poetry is inextricably linked with the ancient cult-ritual of his proposed White Goddess and of her son.
Inside facts:
- An acoustic version with tar (lute), santur and drums was recorded in August 1995 at Studio Morin Heights (Morin Heights) for Alhambra but appears as a B-side on the “Temptation” single and the European Triptych Special Tour Edition 2000 album.
- The song was featured in the Netflix Series ‘Bad Blood’ (S1 · E5)
- The River was the first song the band played when they first got back together after their 6-year hiatus.
Lyrics
The River
Sailing down,
down the Styx again
Without you my love,
I want to return but then
I see all my friends,
they want me to join but then
They all melt away,
without you alone
And the river’s running through my veins
Lately she don’t seem the same
And the blood keeps calling out my name
I pass by the sins,
left by a different man
The tides brought them here
Cast by a different hand
And the wisps of the winds
Blow with the Styx again
Pushing me on,
without you alone
My will must be strong,
to rise with a different life
My will must be long,
I’m still pushing for different heights
And the wisps of the winds
Blow down the Styx again
The river runs red
And I’m left alone
Demo
The River
This is the version of The River recorded after the self titled “Indie Record” of 1991 and the studio recording of Splendor Solis in December of 1992 and February of 1993.
Video
The River
Official video clip for the River
Please note: the video is taken from the Illuminations DVD, where the sound was remixed!
Band video commentary:
River Single releases
select:
- Canada Promo
- Australian CD
- US Promo
- UK Promo
- UK 12" Promo LP
- US 12", Promo LP
The River
Winter Solstice
Canadian Promo CD
The River
The River
Sun Going Down
Australian CD
The River
Oz release in card cover picture sleeve
Australian CD
The River
1. The River (Radio Edit)
2. The River (Album Version)
3. Winter Solstice
4. Watching What The Rain Blows In
United Kingdom Promo CD
The River
A1 The River (Radio Edit)
A2 The River (Album Version)
B1 Winter Solstice
B2 Watching What The Rain Blows In
United Kingdom – 12", Single
The River
A1 The River
B1 In This Time
B2 Winter Solstice
USA – 12", Single Promo
The River
