I spent a year in the mouth of a whale
With a flame and a book of signs
You'll never know how hard I've failed
Trying to make up for lost time

Once I believed in things unseen
I was blinded by the dark
Out of the multitude to me
He came and broke my heart

When the dust in the field has flown
And the youngest of hearts has grown
And you doubt you will ever be free
Honey, don't bail on me

River is wide and oh so deep
And it winds and winds around
I dream we're happy in my sleep
Floating down and down and down

And the tide rushes by where we stand
And the earth underneath turns to sand
And we're waiting for someone to see
Honey, don't bail on me

Tell ma I loved a man
Even though I turned and ran
Lovely and fine, I could have been
Laying down in the palm of his hand
Laying down in the palm of his hand
Laying down in the palm of his hand
Staying down in the palm of his hand

In the morning, you wait for the sun
And secretly hope it won't come
But time washes everyone clean
Honey now, don't bail on me
Don't bail on me, don't
Don't bail on me


Lyrics submitted by spliphstar

Riverwide Lyrics as written by Sheryl Crow

Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc.

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Riverwide song meanings
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    General Comment

    This is the ONLY sheryl crow song I like. It's genius. But I have to totally disagree with the other reviewers (other than moehead). It always struck me as a very literal song. Even the whale bit. To me it is the speaker knowing what the "good" choices in life are. What people expect her/him to do. eg-immersing yourself in religion (I'm pretty sure the whale bit is a story in the bible), or marrying the "right" man, but having the strengths to chose the other. Knowing that being "lovely and fine" meant "being in the palm of his hand" and that being in a whale with the signs means a lot of wasted time. I love songs like this cause there are so many ways for people to interpret them. That's cool! To me though this song is about freedom and wisdom and not waiting for anyone but to go towards what makes you happy.

    conejitoasesinoon January 05, 2010   Link

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