Across the River Lyrics
Oh down the lane
At night she walks on the banks and remembers how she
Dreamed of rowing away
And how she left one day
She left with a driven look in her eyes
Came back around with it still inside
They said give it some time and youll forget about it too
We know they always do
Well I know
You will find your way across the river
Row down slow
Theres a long way to go
Across the river
And she tried not to listen to idle talk
Downtown where she walked
They sit around and they say
That she came back with her tail between her legs
Like they always said she would
They say youll never do it so dont even try
Well you may be beaten downwith your closed mind
But dont try and make it mine
Well I know
You will find your way across the river
Row down slow
Theres a long way to go
Across the river
I dreamed she came, when I was down and
I walked where she led
She looks to the west with a look of longing
To where the grass seems greener
Theres a hard and distant prize
It probably wont happen but I think Ill try
Well even if it doesnt happen for me
It still beats hanging around here
Well I know
You will find your way across the river
Row down slow
Theres a long way to go
Across the river
I think Jakkijelene got some of the meaning, but I believe it's even deeper and - at the same time - less specific. The girl's longing and dream is not necessarily Hollywood, but likely something she perceives as better, higher, more worthwhile, and certainly not just making (more) money. The narrator observes that she came back 35 weeks ago, nearly the term of a pregnancy, perhaps intimating that she went away with high hopes, got taken advantage of, got pregnant, and had to come home without achieving whatever it was she left for. The idle talk of those who observed that she's come back with her tail between her legs, "like they always said she would" speaks to the small minds, mean spirits, and petty jealousies of those who don't want someone they perceive as thinking they're "better than we are" bettering themselves. Bruce's observation and response is one of faith and assurance to the girl, and to himself, that "Some Fine Day" both of them can make it to success and escape from the morass of negativity and small mindedness that tends to suck them down.
It seems this is a song about a girl from a small town who wants to make it in Hollywood. She made a go of it but things didn't work out and she came back home. Even still, she still plans to continue following her dream despite, the negativity of those around her. One of Bruce Hornsby's best!
@jakkijelene To me it sounds like the girl may have given up, but it won't stop the narrator or others like them trying to make it where she didn't.
@jakkijelene To me it sounds like the girl may have given up, but it won't stop the narrator or others like them trying to make it where she didn't.
I think Jakkijelene got some of the meaning, but I believe it's even deeper and - at the same time - less specific. The girl's longing and dream is not necessarily Hollywood, but likely something she perceives as better, higher, more worthwhile, and certainly not just making (more) money. The narrator observes that she came back 35 weeks ago, nearly the term of a pregnancy, perhaps intimating that she went away with high hopes, got taken advantage of, got pregnant, and had to come home without achieving whatever it was she left for. The idle talk of those who observed that she's come back with her tail between her legs, "like they always said she would" speaks to the small minds, mean spirits, and petty jealousies of those who don't want someone they perceive as thinking they're "better than we are" bettering themselves. Bruce's observation and response is one of faith and assurance to the girl, and to himself, that "Some Fine Day" both of them can make it to success and escape from the morass of negativity and small mindedness that tends to suck them down.
Don't understand why she had to come back. What's with the row boat? Why look West? Why 35 weeks? What is it that might not happen for him if he leaves?
@tarstarkas I think the rowboat symbolises struggles in the river. To operate a rowboat it takes hard work (and can be a lot of hard work), strength, patience and perseverance. Esp. compared to something like a power boat.
@tarstarkas I think the rowboat symbolises struggles in the river. To operate a rowboat it takes hard work (and can be a lot of hard work), strength, patience and perseverance. Esp. compared to something like a power boat.
Looking west ... could she be on the east coast somewhere and looking back over a cityscape (or conversely on the west coast and looking out across the ocean, watching the sunset and dreaming ... that her dreams have not set).
Looking west ... could she be on the east coast somewhere and looking back over a cityscape (or conversely on the west coast and looking out across the ocean, watching the sunset and dreaming ... that her dreams have not set).
Not sure about the 35 weeks ... could it be that she is pregnant??
Not sure about the 35 weeks ... could it be that she is pregnant??