The River

Garth Brooks

About The River

"The River" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music singer Garth Brooks. In late 1992, it became his ninth Number One hit on the Billboard country charts. It was released in April 1992 as the fifth and final single from his album Ropin' the Wind, and it has appeared on three albums that have sold more than ten million copies each in the US alone, these being Ropin' The Wind, The Hits and Double Live. The song was written by Garth Brooks and Victoria Shaw.


Year:
1991
4:25
1,463 
#1

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You know a dream is like a river
Ever changin' as it flows
And a dreamer's just a vessel
That must follow where it goes
Trying to learn from what's behind you
And never knowing what's in store
Makes each day a constant battle
Just to stay between the shores
And I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry
Like a bird upon the wind
These waters are my sky
I'll never reach my destination
If I never try
So I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry
Too many times we stand aside
And let the waters slip away
'Til what we put off 'til tomorrow
It has now become today
So don't you sit upon the shoreline
And say you're satisfied
Choose to chance the rapids
And dare to dance that tide
And I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry
Like a bird upon the wind
These waters are my sky
I'll never reach my destination
If I never try
So I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry
There's bound to be rough waters
And I know I'll tke soome falls
With the good Lord as my captain
I can make it through them all
And I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry
Like a bird upon the wind
These waters are my sky
I'll never reach my destination
If I never try
So I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry
Lord, I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry
Yeah

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Garth Brooks

Troyal Garth Brooks (born February 7, 1962) is an American country music artist. His eponymous first album was released in 1989 and peaked at number 2 in the US country album chart while climbing to number 13 on the Billboard 200 album chart. Brooks' integration of rock elements into his recordings and live performances has earned him immense popularity. This progressive approach allowed him to dominate the country single and album charts while quickly crossing over into the mainstream pop arena, exposing country music to a larger audience. more »

22 fans

Written by: Garth Brooks, Victoria Shaw

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Composition
"The River" is a song co-written by Garth Brooks and Victoria Shaw. They wrote the song early in Brooks' career before his first album was released.
Genre
The song is classified as Country music and it captures the essence of the genre. It is one of Brooks' most poignant traditional country ballads.
Album Appearance
"The River" is a track from Garth Brooks' 1992 "Ropin' the Wind" album, which was his third studio album.
Debut Timeline
The song was released in April 1992 as the fifth and final single from the album.
Chart Performance
"The River" reached the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs) chart, helping cement Brooks' status as one of country music's top artists.
Song Theme
The song metaphorically compares life to a journey on a river. It encourages listeners to follow their dreams and passions, even if the journey becomes difficult.
Song Inspiration
Victoria Shaw, the co-writer of the song, said the idea for "The River" was inspired by an old saying she heard from her father: "You know a dream is like a river."
Special Performance
Garth Brooks performed "The River" at the inaugurations of U.S. President George W. Bush in 2001 and Barack Obama in 2013. This is testament to the inspirational and universal message of the song.
Notable Cover
The song has been covered by American Idol contestant Clay Aiken in his "Measure of a Man" album, showcasing its wide appeal.
Legacy
"The River", with its touching lyrics and inspiring message, is considered one of Garth Brooks's signature songs. It has been used in many contexts including graduations, weddings, and funerals.

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