Every River lyrics by Runrig, 20 meanings, official 2024 song lyrics | LyricsMode.com
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Runrig – Every River lyrics
You ask me to believe in magic
Expect me to commit suicide of the heart
And you ask me to play this game without question
Raising the stakes on this shotgun roulette
But you came to me like the ways of children
Simple as breathing, easy as air
Now the years hold no fears, like the wind they pass over
Loved, forgiven, washed, saved
Every river I try to cross
Every hill I try to climb
Every ocean I try to swim
Every road I try to find
All the ways of my life
I'd rather be with you
There's no way
Without you
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Lyrics taken from /lyrics/r/runrig/every_river.html

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Songwriters: CALUM MACDONALD, RORY MCDONALD
Every River lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Every River meanings Post my meaning

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    That American guy saying that we all ultimately believe in God. No I can categorically tell him I don't and fair enough have your view but quit preaching and telling the rest of us what we think etc...

    I love Runrig and religion does not play any part for me. I don't doubt the religious backgrounds of the band but I refuse to be told as a riggie that I ultimately believe. Its not a cult mate
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    The song is from a Christian perspective as confirmed by Calum in the sidelines of the Runrig song book. Can’t argue with the guy who wrote it. Lay off the American. Calum is deeply spiritual and it comes through his song writing. As for taking a different perspective that’s individual choice. Many songs mean different things to people. But if you want to understand the man writing buy the book.
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    I am no longer a believer of any religion so I am not commenting as a Christian, but these lyrics make perfect sense to me now when viewed as the words of someone who does believe in God. I puzzled over "Loved, forgiven, washed, saved" until I read the American commenter's observation. All the lyrics can be understood readily from this perspective
    but it's still a great love song. One just has to listen with an open mind and, if you will, an open heart. Taking the song simply at face value negates the skill of the lyricist.
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    Yes I can see, the different perspectives of this beautiful song, but mine is about loss of a love that many live all there lives & never find.
    I had the real deal. He knew what i needed before i needed it until cancer took him away.
    This song takes my heart, breaks my heart & gives the pieces back to me as proof I was unbelievably loved.
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    I agree that this song has Christian undertones although it is not overtly religious and can be enjoyed from a number of perspectives. The first clue is it relates to God's presence and help through all of life's challenges -'every river ..., every hill, every ocean, every road...' and the soul's desire to seek God in each challenge of life.
    The other clue relates to the loving relationship with Christ and redemption from sin: 'loved, forgiven, washed, saved'.
    What a beautiful song it is!

    Loved, forgiven, washed, saved.
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  • U
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    I spoke to Calum MacDonald in an interview a couple of years ago and he mentioned about how a lot of the runrig songs have different meanings and can be interpreted in different ways. However Calum is a strong christian and I think Rory is one too, and christianity is in the midst of many of their songs. For example he said that 'Darkest Winter' had a religious meaning which surprised me and if you look carefully I would think a lot of their songs have some meanings christian related. They don't force it though and it is slightly hidden which means they can have fans from all backgrounds.
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    Opinions are Opinions aren't they. Subjective interpretation is what in many ways music is about. The only thing I don't agree with is when the American chap says we naturally believe in God. I am an atheist but still appreciate the beliefs the McDonald brothers come from with their song writing.

    I'm not sure every river is overtly religious but some of the language will point to thar particular conclusion. Again subjective. Certainly a very powerful tune and powerful lyrics
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    Music is music. I actually used the chorus of every river in my best man's speech to describe my best friends relationship. To me it seemed appropriate. Lyrics and music means different things to different people. I think that's what makes music profound and special. I'm not just talking runrig but you look at someone like Bob Dylan and what meanings came across in his lyrics.

    But yeah this is my favourite runrig song always has been and if everyone just enjoys it on their own level and that's the true legacy of the best scottish band for me of all time.

    Truly once in a lifetime...all fans here aren't we
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    Oh my, why did everyone here get so upset because of this American guy linking the song to religion?
    In the end he said he's guessing the meaning of the song and was open to more thoughts - so really, no need to call that "preaching". When I read that comment, I see a deeply religious person finding God in music. That's okay.
    I wouldn't describe myself as super religious so when I listen to Every River, I first of all think of the beauty of Scottish music from Runrig. And you know what comes with a very beautiful song? The freedom to interpret it from different perspectives. For me Every River sounds like a journey and that could be anything. That's what makes it so good. You can connect to this song while thinking of friendships you made or love you found - but you can also listen to this and think of God or whatever sense of life you believe in.
    I wouldn't say the lyrics don't leave room for different interpretations. It doesn't seem just like a simple love song. But also it surely is not officially religious.

    Like another user already said - just take the music as it comes to you. Make your own connection to it. And don't get offended by other people's interpretations.
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    Religion for me is something that once sat strongly with me. But for me over time that's changed. That doesn't detract from others having the right to believe and interpret music as they wish. Its like a painting or a poem. It can be subjective how one interprets it.

    Therefore, my only issue with the American chap is him saying if we don't believe in God then that's where issues start. That would be like me saying something derogatory about his beliefs.

    Music and runrig should bring us together not divide us
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    A random search led me here. I think we need to appreciate that as Donnie said music goes on and runrig will go on....the debate here is a tad silly. The legacy is that we all enjoy the music of for me Scotlands greatest band. They are retired but we are all still talking about that amazing legacy.

    Every River is a song I recall hearing on repeat in the car with my mum as a kid. Powerful words however you choose to inrerpet them. The power of music is that we can draw strength and meaning from words. Enjoy the music. Live and let live
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    Many Runrig songs are based on Rory and Calum's Christian beliefs, but are not overt and can be interpreted other ways or in a general spiritual sense. I'm an agnostic, but I appreciate songs like Every River, The Greatest Flame and Lighthouse, all of which are about their faith. Runrig songs often reflect the belief and spirituality of the Hebridean & Gaelic culture with deep and meaningful references.
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  • s
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    ScottishHeart
    First off I am an American but i so Love Runrig. I am guessing about the meaning of the song. I don't know. But this is what it means to me so far.

    I see Every River as a love song to the creator. Runrig has always been a band of Christians if not a Christian band. I'm writing the meaning in first person because that is how it's sung.

    Four lines are all the ways we try to connect with our Lord in our time on earth.

    People naturally believe in God. Something inside us just knows. When we try to deny him is when it gets complicated.

    Now the years hold no fears, like the wind they pass over. Loved, forgiven, washed, saved

    Pretty simple when you know that to die is to be with the Creator then growing old and dying isn't a scary thing at all. This is the best I can come up with so far. I would love to hear more thoughts.
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    I was searching through and the American banging on about we all ultimately believe in God. No mate not the correct forum. Have your beliefs and that is absolutely your right, but don't sit here and say we all ultimately believe. No I'm an atheist but I'm a massive runrig fan..

    I respect aspects of religious messages that are there, but don't sit there and preach about we all ultimately believe, not mate I honestly don't. I believe you're a loon
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    "People naturally believe in god" I'm sorry that guy needs to give his head a wobble. It sounds preachy and like someone who knocks on your door from a weird cult.

    I love Runrig, but I've no wish to be preached at and told when I listen to music I must or naturally believe in God. No thank you
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    The depths of a song are often magnified in one's interpretation of what that song means to them. At a different point of life, music can subjectively mean something different to each and every one of us. I enjoyed reading the process Rory and Callum go through. I understand the religious undertones that some pull from it, but I'm not sure the American gut saying we all believe in God is correct. Runrig bring people together and I am not sure I think its correct to say everyone ultimately believes in God based on these lyrics.

    It's his view and he's entitled to it, but please do not profess to tell others what we do and don't believe based on a wonderful band we both share a love for.
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    The American guy slavering on about God and how we naturally believe, here's a word for you arthiest. Stop trying to link everything to God and religion. Runrig were a folk band. Nothing to do with God.

    Every river is not a religious song and you are definitely the only person that thinks this judging by the posts on here.

    Every river is more about love and that journey than some religious mumbo jumbo.
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    I'm sorry to describe runrig as a Christian band is simply false. The whole suggestion that they sing solely Christian songs is complete and utter tripe likes.

    For me every river is a song describing the lifetime spent trying to find a true love, the never ending journey and not letting any barrier stand in your way of destiny.

    I am not denying god and I do not need to believe in him to understand runrig. Runrig are a Scottish folk band who crossed into the mainstream. This song epitomises the work of Callum and Rory McDonald. The deep meaningful songwriting that came from the Scottish islands into mainstream music.

    Forget all the god mumbo jumbo and take the music as it was meant.

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    Agree with above sentiments, absolutely nothing to do with God. Ridiculous that someone is chucking Runrig and their legacy with rantings about bloody religion, every river is not a religious song.

    It's about love and like the lifetime journey it takes to get to that point in your life, there is nothing stopping you if you find that person.

    Ignore the American preacer clueless about Runrig to be honest
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    This American guy going on about God and Christian faith and trying to tie it to Runrig is absolutely ridiculous. The is no link between this song and God, stop trying to throw bloody religion into everything.

    This song is a love song and you can break it down in different ways. Runrig in Scotland have never been a religious band. People don't naturally believe in God and stop pedalling and preaching. Nothing is about connecting with God here you religious nutcase. Any riggy would tell you that you American whack job
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    • U
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      That American guy saying that we all ultimately believe in God. No I can categorically tell him I... Read more →
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      The song is from a Christian perspective as confirmed by Calum in the sidelines of the Runrig song... Read more →

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