River [Live/Curfews]

Indigo Girls · 1200 Curfews [1995]

it's coming on christmas

they're cutting down trees

putting up reindeer

and singing songs of joy and peace

i wish i had a river

i could skate away on



but it don't snow here

it stays pretty green

gonna make a lot of money

then i'm gonna quit this crazy scene

and i wish i had a river

i could skate away on



i wish i had a river so wide

i would teach my feet to fly

i wish i had a river

i could skate away on

'cause i made my baby cry



you tried hard to help me

and you put me at ease

then loved me so naughty

made me weak in my knees

and wish i had a river

that i could skate away on



i'm so hard to handle

i'm selfish and i'm sad

now i lost the best baby

that i ever had

and i wish i had a river

that i could skate away on



i wish i had a river so wide

i could teach my feet to fly

i wish i had a river

that i could skate away on

cause i made my baby say goodbye



it's coming on christmas

they're cutting down trees

putting up reindeer

and singing songs of joy and peace

but i wish i had a river

i could skate away on



god i wish i had a river so wide

i'd teach my feet to fly

i wish i had a river

i could skate away on

i made my baby say goodbye

River [Live/Curfews]

Indigo Girls' 'River' stands as a defining track from their 1995 album '1200 Curfews,' capturing the band's signature blend of folk-rock and introspective storytelling. Recorded live, the song exemplifies the group's ability to transform intimate acoustic arrangements into expansive, emotive performances that resonate with themes of personal struggle and resilience. As a staple of their discography, 'River' showcases the collaborative dynamic between Amy and Emily Remington, utilizing harmonies and melodic simplicity to evoke a sense of shared vulnerability. The recording reflects the era's indie-folk movement, prioritizing lyrical depth and raw emotional honesty over polished production. Its enduring presence in their catalog highlights its status as a classic within their body of work, often performed to connect audiences with the universal experiences explored in their music.