One stupid grammar question

[Love Expresso]

Hey

I thought about the "One" in One Deep River and why it's there. "A deep river" of course sounds not as good but would have the same meaning? Sorry to bother you with something like this. I am aware that there are many English grammar rules that are beyond me and I don't detect but as this is an album title and thereore important,  I thought I could dare to ask. Is it to emphasize that this is a very deep river (don't know if the Tyne is very deep) or that it is a special one? Superval?  Anyone else? Thanks in advance.

LE

[superval99]

Hey

I thought about the "One" in One Deep River and why it's there. "A deep river" of course sounds not as good but would have the same meaning? Sorry to bother you with something like this. I am aware that there are many English grammar rules that are beyond me and I don't detect but as this is an album title and thereore important,  I thought I could dare to ask. Is it to emphasize that this is a very deep river (don't know if the Tyne is very deep) or that it is a special one? Superval?  Anyone else? Thanks in advance.

LE

Hi LE!   I would say that "One" in the title means that is a very special river especially to MK and most Tynesiders.  If "A" was used it would be just any river.   Others may have a different interpretation!   

[quizzaciously]

Hey

I thought about the "One" in One Deep River and why it's there. "A deep river" of course sounds not as good but would have the same meaning? Sorry to bother you with something like this. I am aware that there are many English grammar rules that are beyond me and I don't detect but as this is an album title and thereore important,  I thought I could dare to ask. Is it to emphasize that this is a very deep river (don't know if the Tyne is very deep) or that it is a special one? Superval?  Anyone else? Thanks in advance.

LE

Hi LE!   I would say that "One" in the title means that is a very special river especially to MK and most Tynesiders.  If "A" was used it would be just any river.   Others may have a different interpretation!

I have the same interpretation. Mark uses "one" usually when name-dropping important people, in his radio show he used the formula "one + name" many times. As in "One Jim Cox" or "One Peter Knight".

[Love Expresso]

Hey, thank you very much to both of you! That helps a lot.

LE

[Matchstickman]

But wouldn't the album title sound better as simply "Deep River"...? 

[quizzaciously]

But wouldn't the album title sound better as simply "Deep River"...? 

Probably, but it again diminishes the significance of this specific river, besides it's a quote from the lyrics of the song. The River is also an option, but there are so many songs and albums with this title it's out of the question. One Deep River sounds really Knopfler to me, so as Down the Road Wherever.

[Robson]

I suspect the title song will be soulful and I can't wait.

[Matchstickman]

But wouldn't the album title sound better as simply "Deep River"...? 

Probably, but it again diminishes the significance of this specific river, besides it's a quote from the lyrics of the song. The River is also an option, but there are so many songs and albums with this title it's out of the question. One Deep River sounds really Knopfler to me, so as Down the Road Wherever.

Well, it's subjective of course, but Tunnel of Love arguably sounds better than "The Tunnel of Love", and it's still about the one tunnel in the lyrics, regardless of "the". Much like for this album title.

[Pierre]

Another way I would read that title is "Such a deep river" or "Quite a deep river"

[Love Expresso]

Another way I would read that title is "Such a deep river" or "Quite a deep river"

Yes, that is how I understood it as well.

LE

[Matchstickman]

Another way I would read that title is "Such a deep river" or "Quite a deep river"

Yes, that is how I understood it as well.

LE

Yes, you may be right. Maybe it's a character speaking the line in the lyrics.

[qjamesfloyd]

It is more to do with the Tyne river specifically,  it is not just a river, for Mark, it is a symbol for his youth, his identity, his love for the area, so, it is "deep" for more than just the amount of water it contains.

[Love Expresso]

I agree. Guy called the complete album "deep" several times.

LE

[superval99]

I agree. Guy called the complete album "deep" several times.

LE

The title "One Deep River" is about Mark's deep affection for the River Tyne specifically - hence "One".