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River Lyrics

Artist: Natalie Merchant
Album: Tigerlily

Young and strong Hollywood son
in the early morning light
this star fell down
on Sunset Boulevard

young and strong beautiful one
we embraced so close
is gone
was torn away

let the youth of America mourn
include him in their prayers
let his image linger on
repeat it everywhere

with candles, with flowers
he was one of ours
one of ours

why don't you let him be?
he's gone
we know
give his mother and his father peace
your vulture's candor
your casual slander
you murder his memory
he's gone
we know
it's nothing but a tragedy

lay to rest your soul and body
lay beside your name
lay to rest your rage
your hunger and amazing grace

with candles, with flowers
you were one of ours
one of ours

I saw cameras expose your life
I heard rumors explode with lies
I saw children in tears
cry and crowd around the sight
of where you had collapsed that day
where your last breath and word
had been sighed
where your heart had burst
where you had died

I saw how they were lost in grieving
all half believing you were gone
the loss and pain of it
crime and shame of it
you were gone
it was such a nightmare raving,
"how could we save him from himself?"

Comments/Interpretations

by Rupo on 5/21/2008 10:05am
Excellent song, better singer.

by Ryan on 6/15/2008 5:12pm
This is the best song on the album and one of my favorite songs around... you were one of ours

by brooke on 7/24/2008 12:25am
amazing song about an amazing person.

by carol on 9/21/2008 3:58pm
excellent...period

by smokesignal on 11/14/2008 9:00am
who is "River" about?

by nordq on 11/19/2008 7:15pm
River Phoenix

by Cheree on 2/6/2009 11:44am
This song is so sad. There is no one like River Phoenix and there never will be again. Thank you to Natalie for making the song...

by Eviee on 3/9/2009 9:09am
RIP Rio - You were one of the great ones

by ivanna on 8/29/2009 9:39am
really sad song about beautiful river phoenix, the one & only...he'll never be forgotten

by Lor on 9/15/2009 4:24pm
Bless your heart River. You will live on forever in all of us.
Beautiful Song. No one could do it better than Natalie Merchant

by R. on 1/14/2010 1:20pm
Beautiful. Thank you Natalie!

by Q, Airdrie on 2/8/2010 2:32am
A beautiful, heartfelt song. Difficult not to be moved by it.

by Kate on 4/22/2010 9:24pm
I was so touched by this song and his life. I just currently discovered this actor,,,I never knew how amazing he was. Today is Earth Day and he comes to my mind again. I never have blogged before or have followed anyones life and ran acrossed his work by accident. I am in constant need to learn about him as he was such a great example of a humanitarian. We all make mistakes and our mistakes should not define who we are. No one is perfect and we should be remembered for the things that really matter..River touched many people and will continue to do so, maybe even more now due to modern technology.

by Gaetano Brugellis on 12/29/2010 6:12pm
It is such sublime song it transports your body and soul up above the clouds, her voice is unique you would recognize her among hundreds

by Rayne on 12/5/2011 4:39pm
nice song for an amazing person!River Jude Phoenix will never be forgotten. As Natalie says in this song, i wish they would leave River's family alone and stop spreading rumors about him.

by Natalie Trott-Cobain on 2/3/2012 4:41am
RIP Riv. I've loved you for many, many years and I always will. You were one in a million. I'll never forget you. And thanks for the song Nat. Beautiful. Truly beautiful.

by Bedazz'elle on 10/3/2012 10:45pm
This song is amazing! I hold a vigil for River at the Viper Room and I play this song.. its very emotional. River was one of a kind. There will never ne anyone as special as him ♥