There's a house across the river, but alas I cannot swim
And a garden of such beauty that the flowers seem to grin
There's a house across the river, but alas I cannot swim
I'll live my life regretting that I never jumped in

There's a boy across the river with short black curly hair
He wants to be my lover and I want to be his peer
There's a boy across the river, but alas I cannot swim
And I never will get to put my arms around him

There's a life across the river that was meant for me
Instead I live my life in constant misery
There's a life across the river but I do not see
Why I should please those who will never be pleased

There is gold across the river, but I don't want none
There is gold across the river, but I don't want none
Gold is fleeting, gold is fickle, gold is fun
Gold is fleeting, gold is fickle, gold is fun

There is gold across the river, but I don't want none
I would rather be dry then held up by a golden gun
Saying work more, earn more, live more, have more fun
Saying work more, earn more, live more, have more fun
Saying work more, earn more, live more, have more fun


Lyrics submitted by bluest_light

Alas I Cannot Swim Lyrics as written by Laura Marling

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

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Alas, I Cannot Swim song meanings
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22 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    I think this song is all about being too scared to go for something and if you live your life gaurded how you will regret it.

    I feel the narrator can see all this great things across the river but her fear stops her from going for it even though it will be worth it. ?

    darkleexxxon November 14, 2008   Link

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