The Riverbed
Navigating Life's Rapids: The Meaning Behind Owen Pallett's 'The Riverbed'
Lyrics
Heart, heart in your mouth, hand on the paper
Feeling anxious or excited, expressing emotions through words on paper
With the new work that you've found
Engaging in a new endeavor or job
The gift of your depression weighs you down, down, down
The burden of depression affecting one's spirit heavily
And when you wake for the sixth straight day with the Tanqueray
Waking up repeatedly with the influence of Tanqueray (gin)
You will rise, rise again, and drink again
Despite challenges, facing and overcoming them with resilience
Hurtle, hurtle into the breach
Rushing or moving quickly towards a difficult situation
Let your body fall out of reach
Allowing oneself to be unreachable or distant
On the day that you find your 30s have left you childless
Realizing the absence of children in your 30s
Remember when you meet your coupled friends with unease
Feeling discomfort when encountering friends in relationships
The world will forget any good they have done
Recognition that the world may forget the good deeds of others
And the world'll forget any good you have done
Understanding that one's own positive actions may be forgotten
Hurtle, hurtle into the breach
Repeating the act of rushing into challenging situations
Let your body fall out of reach
Choosing to remain distant or unapproachable
Out of thought, out of house, out of your mind
Being disconnected from thoughts, home, and sanity
Lay your head, lay your heart next to mine
Laying down, sharing vulnerabilities and emotions with someone else
And try to admit that you might have it wrong
Acknowledging the possibility of being mistaken
Try to admit that you might have it wrong
Encouraging self-reflection and admission of potential errors
Thunderhead, oh thunderhead
Referring to a powerful, looming challenge or issue
I will be your riverbed
Offering support and stability in the face of challenges
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