Hold Back The River Lyrics

Lyric discussion by kathcarl1 

Cover art for Hold Back The River lyrics by James Bay

My idea is that "Hold back the river" means to stop crying so he can look in your eyes. I might be wrong but that's how I interpreted the song. :)

My Interpretation

@kathcarl1 That's exactly the way I interpret it, too - as in a "river of tears". Also "lonely water" can certainly be tears!