Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: indie-pop
Song Meaning of “Shallow River” by The Crane Wives
The song “Shallow River” by The Crane Wives tells the story of regret and coming to terms with the consequences of one’s actions. The narrator is taking a journey down a shallow river, reflecting on the life they have lived and the mistakes they’ve made. They painfully acknowledge that they are the one to blame for the current circumstances, and the river they are travelling on is a metaphor for their journey of self-discovery.
The chorus emphasizes the idea of a low, shallow river found in a barren landscape, mirroring the narrator’s internal struggles. In the first line of the chorus, “The shallowness of sorrow, cutting its way through this dry land”, the narrator acknowledges the sadness and emptiness that they feel. In the second line, they suggest that if they are able to forgive themselves for their mistakes, they might be able to move on and eventually find peace: “It’s only when I learn to forgive that I will be free to roam these open plains”.
“Shallow River” encourages listeners to accept responsibility for their actions and to learn to forgive themselves for any mistakes. It takes strength to be able to look honestly at oneself and to accept the consequences, but doing so can open the way to finding true peace.