It's coming on Christmas, they're cutting down trees
They're putting up reindeer and singing songs of joy and peace
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on
But it don't snow here, it stays pretty green
I'm gonna make a lot of money, then I'm gonna quit this crazy scene
I wish I had a river I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on
I made my baby cry
He tried hard to help me, you know, he put me at ease
And he loved me so naughty, made me weak in the knees
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on
But I'm so hard to handle, I'm selfish and I'm sad
Now I've gone and lost the best baby that I ever had
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on
I made my baby say goodbye
It's coming on Christmas, they're cutting down trees
They're putting up reindeer, singing songs of joy and peace
I wish I had a river I could skate away on
About This Song
"River" is a melancholic masterpiece that captures the profound loneliness and regret of the holiday season, with Mitchell expressing a deep desire to escape from emotional pain and isolation. The song's central metaphor of wishing for a frozen river to skate away on represents the yearning for both literal and emotional escape from heartbreak and disappointment. Musically, it features Mitchell's delicate piano accompaniment and vulnerable vocal delivery, creating an intimate folk-jazz atmosphere that contrasts starkly with traditional Christmas cheer. The lyrics explore themes of seasonal depression, romantic loss, and the alienation that can intensify during supposedly joyful times when personal struggles feel magnified. Written during a period of personal turmoil, the song has become one of Mitchell's most beloved and frequently covered works, resonating with anyone who has felt disconnected during the holidays. Its enduring power lies in Mitchell's ability to transform private anguish into universal art, making it a poignant alternative to conventional Christmas music.
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