River Cross

Album: Gigaton (2020)
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  • Always thought I'd cross that river
    The other side distant now
    As I got close it turned and widened
    Horizon now, fading out

    Drifting off in the undertow
    Can't spot a figure on dry land
    And afterthoughts of safety
    When in truth, none to be had
    None to be had

    I used to tell time by my shadow
    'Til the thunder clouds
    They took the stage
    These days will end, as do the light's rays
    Another read of the same page

    Wide awake through this deepest night
    Still waiting on the sun
    As the hours seem to multiply
    Find a star to soldier on

    Oh, living beneath a lion's paw
    Knowing nothing can be tamed
    Can be tamed

    I want this dream to last forever
    A wish denied to lengthen our time
    I wish this moment was never ending
    Let it be a lie that all futures die

    While the government thrives on discontent
    And there's no such thing as clear
    Proselytizing and profitizing
    As our will all but disappears
    Folded over, forced in a choke hold
    Outnumbered and held down
    And all these talk of rapture
    Look around at the promise now

    Here and now
    Here and now
    Can't hold me down
    Can't hold me down

    Won't hold us down
    Won't hold us down

    Live it out
    Let it out
    Get it out
    Shout it out
    Won't hold us down
    Won't hold us down

    Share the light
    Won't hold us down
    Share the light
    Won't hold us down
    Share the light
    Won't hold us down

    Share the light
    Won't hold us down
    Share the light
    Won't hold us down
    Share the light
    Won't hold us down

    Share the light
    Won't hold us down
    Share the light
    Won't hold us down
    Share the light
    Won't hold us down

    (Hold us down) Writer/s: Eddie Vedder
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 3

  • Notamark from NyIt's about Alexander supertramp, couldn't get past the river.
  • Carmyn from Minnesota I dedicate this song to my friend Ryan Grahn who is the star I look up to, to soldier on...one day I'll see you again in the Light. Thank you Eddie and Pearl Jam for this song that finally brings me peace.
  • Tim S from Cincinnati I believe the song is Eddie Vedder describing his pain from the death of pj fans at Roskilde in 2000. The river crossing is fans going to the concert. A safe place. But the lions paw does not allow such safety. With the funeral sounding organ, the fading of light, the undertow of the wet undulating crowd and non accusatorial plea from those below, "share the light..don't hold me down" he puts himself and us in the crowd that day. The first time he sang it he used "don't hold me down" . I believe he added later his poignant description of our current culture and in vein of Can't Deny Me used can't and won't. He puts us there when he sings" I used to tell time by shadow, til (under) the thunder clouds, they took the stage.." Describes the conditions on that fateful day in June 2000. (Read the Rolling Stone article which reported the horrible day). He then describes his, (S,M,M,J & B's) and the families night. "Wide awake in the deepest night.....) Wish I could confirm but I believe the only songs possibly more personal are Release and
    Falling Down.
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