(12) One deep river

[stratmad]

Hmmm. It'll certainly take on that meaning for us fans one day.

But still I can't imagine Mark writing his OWN "goodbye" song from the perspective of someone else. That would be a very odd thing for anyone to do, wouldn't it?
Besides, if that were the case, he'd also be singing his own praise (his "light would keep on burning", his "song would keep returning"), which for me just isn't compatible with the Mark that we (think we) know.
On top of that, he says he wants to make a few more albums, so for me it's not a swan song, but a goodbye song to someone.

From my end, it's clear that the character in the song is addressing someone else, whose "soul is heading to its rest", and it's their "light that will keep on burning", and their "song that will keep returning", not his own.

[Stanko]

You are a one deep river... that lines makes me remember that conversation about the gramatically thing using "One deep river" instead of "A deep river", which makes me think this song is not really about the Tyne but about a person which is strong or good like a river that is deep, so, a lot!

MK is most definitely alluding to the Tyne in those lyrics....

After reading the lyrics, yes you're right, he seems to be describing landscapes of Newcastle...

Truly an MK classic....

Actually there is nothing that makes you think he talks about Newcastle further than the picture of the cover, LOL

Very true!!

Yes but not if you're into all songs

[ingridswing]

One deep river…. Can’t stop listening to it. So far my favorite but it can change. It always changes from time to time

[dustyvalentino]

Don't think anyone has mentioned yet that the melody of the phrase One Deep River seems to be pretty similar to the old song Old Man River?

[bobfan]

Don't think anyone has mentioned yet that the melody of the phrase One Deep River seems to be pretty similar to the old song Old Man River?

I do think it sounds like ‘Follow The Ribbon’ in parts, and that song sounds like ‘Old Man River’ in parts to my ears…

[garibaldi]

I couldn't help thinking that it's a funeral song, from a friend to a friend who's passed away. Chet? Brendan? Tina? It could be so many others.

Yes, I was wondering if he's talking about someone specifically, maybe Chet? The neat thing is you can listen to the lyrics at multiple levels simultaneously - e.g. it can both be about the River Tyne as well as a lost friend at the same time

[Love Expresso]

Such a great title track.

After weeks and months pausing I put on the new album again and I thought it's a good album over all. But the title track really hits me. Great melody, great vocals, great music.

LE

[Robson]

And great lyrics:)

[Silvertown]

Such a great title track.

After weeks and months pausing I put on the new album again and I thought it's a good album over all. But the title track really hits me. Great melody, great vocals, great music.

LE

Yes, it is beautiful. Could be longer, but still very nice!

[Knut]

I agree. This one stuck with me.

[Love Expresso]

Still return to it and still think about the lyrics. It is kind of frustrating that I used to understand MK's lyrics (at least I thought so) but with DTRW something happened to his writing and made me think more than once that certain lyrics are just ... not good in terms of what he was trying to transport with them. Best example Precious Voice From Heaven. I am 41 now. .. it's impossible to work out who he is talking about so that's a failure to me. There MUST be hints or everything is obsolete. Same with this song One Deep River. Who is he talking about? The fun and admiration with his lyrics is replaced by frustration more and more. Applicabiltiy is and was always a thing with his lyrics but thereshould be some possible small hints at least to do so.

LE

[Love Expresso]

I am aware that the problem might be in the fact that English is not my first language. With this in mind I would assume that "Highway" hints more to the US than UK, same with plains, and therefore it is not about the Tyne Bridge which is only on the cover as a symbol for maybe "Watch Me Gone", if any. I was thinking about dear friends of Mark who died and came to the conclusion that it might be Tina who inspired the song (River deep, ...) more than Brendan whose passing was later in 2023 and didn't fit in for a recording (sounds strange but you know whatvI mean). So maybe here found the hints myself.

It is not a song ABOUT Tina but inspired by her passing, the leaving of a great creative mind and strong character which leaves an emptiness. It goes for All the other artists and friends as well and one day might be speaking for MK himself.

LE

[dustyvalentino]

I find it interesting that you are frustrated by not not knowing MK had in mind with the lyric. Maybe an amalgam of people? Certainly he has done his fair share of "death tributes" via the web page etc in recent years.

Personally I'm just able to enjoy it as a lament to a lost friend, and I think it's GOOD that it's not too specific as I think it will help people gain comfort from it when dealing with their own grief over the loss of a loved one, in a way that you wouldn't be able to with something specific like, say, Candle in the Wind

[Love Expresso]

Good thought that might help, thanks.

It is just that there ARE specific hints in his songs ("your song" in ODR, 42 years old in PVFH, so these imply to me that he HAS someone special in mind. So if he does so, we need more to get the idea. Or less to keep it more General. Sounds picky and complicated but I hope you gez what I mean. Those three mutineers come to mind, the Captain in Sky And Water. All things that irritate me. But maybe that is just my very own OCD. 

LE

[dustyvalentino]

PVFH sounds more specific... BUT! With MK it might not be a real life person, it could be a character from a book or whatever.