Lyric discussion by mundanely 

Cover art for The River lyrics by Manchester Orchestra

I fought the Spirit with a sword in my side Cheat...What a way out. Crack my rib, wait to die, I think I know you the best when I sleep I think I know everything Me and my brothers, we have tongues sharp as knives I found a way out, make a noise, close your eyes I think I talk to you best when I sing I sing about almost everything

Oh God I need it So let me sing agian. Take me to the river And let me see again Oh my God Let me see again Oh my God

Let me see again Let me see again

Grace taught a debtor Daily I'm starined to be God how I feel it Fetter pride to Your feet

I'm going to leave You the first chance I get I'm going to leave You the first chance I get I'm going to leave You the first chance I get I'm going to leave You the first chance I get

Oh God I need it Well I was wrong again Take me to the river And make me clean again

Oh my God Make me clean again Oh my God Let me see again.

This is directly from the booklet.

This is talking about the struggles someone is facing and all they want is grace. They doubt that God can save them because they keep repeating it ("I'm going to leave you the first chance I get"). Yet they still desperately want Him to save them.

This song makes me cry. It's beautiful and true.

"This is talking about the struggles someone is facing and all they want is grace. They doubt that God can save them because they keep repeating it ("I'm going to leave you the first chance I get"). Yet they still desperately want Him to save them."

can you clarify this, i don't think it makes sense.

how is someone doubting God can save them by saying, "i'm going to leave you the first chance i get"

and how is it saying the desperately want Him to save them

I think they were trying to say that they think that someone thinks they are too sinful to be saved by the Lord. Like everything does bad things but they don't know what I do. Thats the point I think that they were trying to get by.

i couldn't agree more. my best friend just showed me this song, and i understand why he loves it so much.

so sad but so true for so many people. they want God to save them, but yet they are so quick to turn their backs on Him when He doesn't show up exactly in the way they want or expect Him to.