River Of Love

Carolyn Arends' song "River Of Love" delves into the complex interplay between love, grief, and the human experience. The recurring motif of a river serves as a powerful metaphor for the continuous and pervasive nature of these emotions. The song opens with the juxtaposition of a 'river of love' and a 'river of grief,' suggesting that love and sorrow are intertwined and flow through the fabric of our lives. This duality is further explored as the lyrics describe how grief begins when a heart is broken, highlighting the inevitable pain that accompanies the loss of belief in truth and love.

The second verse continues to explore this theme by introducing a 'river of tears' and the struggle for freedom. The imagery of fighting through the night only to end up in a metaphorical jail underscores the cyclical nature of suffering and the difficulty of escaping it. Despite these struggles, the 'river of love' remains a constant, suggesting that love persists even in the darkest times. This persistence of love offers a glimmer of hope amidst the recurring pain and failure.

In the final verse, Arends introduces a 'river of fire,' symbolizing the intense and consuming nature of unfulfilled dreams and denied truths. The flame represents the pain of dreams that have been destroyed, further emphasizing the theme of loss. Yet, even as the lyrics speak of choking on lies and the darkness of unfulfilled aspirations, the 'river of love' continues to flow. This enduring river of love serves as a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of love, even in the face of overwhelming adversity.