The River- Garth Brooks

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
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 the tide...yes

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 take some falls
But with the good Lord as my captain
I can make it through them all...yes

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

Yes, I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry
'Til the river runs dry

• 2 years ago
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Some may say that poetry hard. Hard to write, hard to read and hard to interpret. Nevertheless poetry can be as simple as a country song. "The River" by Garth Brooks mirrors poetry using a conglomeration of techniques. This song depicts a dream being a river and the dreamer being the boat traveling across its waterway. Primarily it is stated that "a dream is like a river" symbolizing the constant change that occurs daily. As a simile it is articulated that a  "dreamer is like a vessel" depicting how one is unable to control a dream and how you " must follow where it goes ".  Expressing a hyperbole he states that  "each day is a constant battle". He confronts hardships with the same favorable attitude "till the river runs dry" .Using an analogy a comparison is made between "a bird upon the wind" and the waters being his sky. Making an allusion to God he declares that he will sail with "the good Lord as [his] captain. He believes that god is gazing down on him advocating for the most harmonious journey. Through repetition it is concluded that he will sail his vessel "till the river runs dry", never giving in to discomfort or distress. Garth's innovative lyrics and prolific imagery create a song of both easy listening and clever poetry. Each day a dab of poetry can be detected as it is concealed everywhere.