I got two strong arms
Blessings of Babylon
Time to carry on
And try
For sins and false alarms
So to America the brave
Wise men save

Near a tree by a river
There's a hole in the ground
Where an old man of aran
Goes around and around
And his mind is a beacon
In the veil of the night
For a strange kind of fashion
There's a wrong and a right
Near a tree by a river
There's a hole in the ground
Where an old man of aran
Goes around and around
And his mind is a beacon
In the veil of the night
For a strange kind of fashion
There's a wrong and a right
He'll never, never fight over you

Near a tree by a river
There's a hole in the ground
Where a old man of aran
Goes around and around
And his mind is a beacon
In the veil of the night
For a strange kind of fashion
There's a wrong and a right
Near a tree by a river
There's a hole in the ground
Where a old man of aran
Goes around and around
And his mind is a beacon
In the veil of the night
For a strange kind of fashion
There's a wrong and a right
He'll never, never fight over you

I got plans for us
Nights in the scullery
And day instead of me
I only know what to discuss
Oh for anything but light
Wise men fighting over you

It's not me you see
Pieces of valentine
With just a song of mine
To keep from burning history
Seasons of gasoline and gold
Wise men fold

Near a tree by a river
There's a hole in the ground
Where an old man of aran
Goes around and around
And his mind is a beacon
In the veil of the night
For a strange kind of fashion
There's a wrong and a right
He'll never, never fight over you

I got time to kill
Sly looks in corridors
Without a plan of yours
A blackbird sings on bluebird hill
Thanks to the calling of the wild
Wise mens' child


Lyrics submitted by Nuklear, edited by kurozabulus

The Riddle Lyrics as written by Nik Kershaw

Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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The Riddle song meanings
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18 Comments

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  • +3
    General Comment

    It doesn't mean anything. Nik Kershaw even confirmed that the lyrics were just words thrown together to fit the music. The song was named 'The Riddle' so people would believe it was actually about something.

    HaleyHorrorshowon December 31, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    actually, the riddle was supposed to be a riddle, it just wasnt completed on time so there are parts missing that are filled in to make it sound good, but from what i understand i believe the river is called the euphrates river, near the mouth of the river is a tree called "the tree of life" in what is assumed to be the garden of eden and the mans name is Utnapishtim and he became immortal in the legends of babylon, that is all i have gotten so far

    ryudo420on March 07, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    the weirdest song ever

    Poptarts047on April 12, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song was originally written by nick Kershaw in the 80’s as I remember the lyrics on the song were the fill lyrics he was using to write the music and when time came to record the song he didn’t have the finished lyrics so he just used the ones he had. And he called it the riddle just to mess with peoples heads. The funny thing is the song doesn’t really mean anything

    cybrchldon June 08, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song was originally written by nick Kershaw in the 80’s as I remember the lyrics on the song were the fill lyrics he was using to write the music and when time came to record the song he didn’t have the finished lyrics so he just used the ones he had. And he called it the riddle just to mess with peoples heads. The funny thing is the song doesn’t really mean anything

    cybrchldon June 08, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Does anyone know the name of the Japanese song to this? o_o This snog has become my theme song.

    xxxLadyLuckxxxon January 13, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    What can I say except THIS IS 1 OF THE BEST SONGS EVER!!! I never get tired of listening to this!!!

    Maebhdhon June 01, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I"m thinking it means he knows some girl that all the guys if they were smart enough, would go after. "wise men fighting over you" And he thinks that he should be the one to have her

    just a guess, but i'm pretty sure i'm right

    moo_i_say_unto_theeon August 01, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    Coffie&cigaretson July 07, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    its a great song, the beat is great and so is the singing still haven't figured out it means however

    theoutcasteron February 18, 2009   Link

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