“Across the River” is a popular single from Bruce Hornsby’s 1990 “A Night on the Town” release with the Range, featuring Jerry Garcia.
Features: Bruce Hornsby (piano, accordion, vocals, synthesizer); George Marinelli (guitar, backing vocals); John Molo (drums, percussion); Joe Puerta (bass, backing vocals), Jerry Garcia (guitar); Laura Creamer (backing vocals); Shaun Murphy (backing vocals).
This song is about pursuing hard-to-attain goals in the face of skepticism from people around you.
It also says that there is nothing wrong with a little healthy ambition.
From “Bruce Hornsby & The Range – A Night On The Town” Sheet music published in 1990 by Cherry Lane Music Company, Inc. (ISBN 0-89524-580-9)
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Across the River
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Atlantic City, NJ
Band show; audience recording
October 10 2009
Across the River meaning of the song
“Across the River” by Bruce Hornsby is a song about pursuing dreams and ambitions despite the doubts and negativity of others. The river in the song serves as a metaphor for the challenges and obstacles that lie between someone and their aspirations. The song conveys a sense of determination, resilience, and the idea that even if success is uncertain, the pursuit itself is worth the effort. It also touches on the internal struggles of the protagonist as they navigate the gap between what they want and what others expect.
Personal determination and ambition
The main character in the song is a woman who moved away from her small town to chase a dream. She is described as having a “driven look in her eyes,” a clear indication of her strong ambition and desire for something more. The lyrics suggest that she is not satisfied with her surroundings and wants to explore opportunities beyond the limitations imposed by those around her.
Upon her return, the townspeople are quick to judge her, saying she came back “with her tail between her legs,” a common phrase that implies defeat and failure. This judgement reflects the skepticism and cynicism that people often face when they try to step outside the boundaries of what is expected. The protagonist, however, is still determined to “find her way across the river,” undeterred by the negative opinions of others.
The metaphor of the river
The river in the song represents a barrier or a challenge that must be overcome in order to reach one’s goals. Crossing the river symbolises achieving something difficult or making a significant change in life. The phrase “row down slow, and there’s a long way to go” reflects the arduous and time-consuming nature of chasing a dream. It’s not a quick or easy journey, but rather one that requires patience, persistence, and the willingness to endure setbacks.
In some ways, the river can also be seen as representing the passage of time, with the slow rowing reflecting how progress can often feel incremental or frustrating. Yet, there’s a sense of optimism in the song’s message—that even though the road is long, there’s always the possibility of making it to the other side.
Skepticism from others
A major theme in “Across the River” is the resistance and skepticism the protagonist faces from others. The people in her hometown are doubtful of her ambitions, saying “you’ll never do it, so don’t even try.” This negativity represents the closed-mindedness that can be found in people who are afraid of change or unfamiliar with striving for something beyond their current reality.
The lyrics “you may be beaten down with your closed mind, but don’t try and make it mine” reflect the protagonist’s refusal to accept this negativity. She rejects their pessimistic worldview, maintaining her sense of independence and determination to pursue her dreams.
Social pressure and gossip
The song also explores how social pressure and gossip can weigh on a person who tries to go against the grain. In lines like “they sit around and say she came back with her tail between her legs,” the lyrics point to how people are quick to gossip and make assumptions about others’ lives. This could be seen as commentary on how small towns or close-knit communities can sometimes stifle individuality by imposing rigid expectations on people.
Despite this pressure, the protagonist remains strong, continuing to “look to the west with a look of longing,” symbolising her yearning for something greater.
The idea of a distant dream
“Across the River” conveys a sense of longing for something that may be out of reach but is still worth striving for. The line “where the grass seems greener” reflects the idea that things always appear better on the other side, but achieving those dreams may be difficult or even impossible. Even though the prize is “hard and distant,” the protagonist decides that it’s still worth trying for, as “it still beats hanging ’bout here.” This suggests that the pursuit of one’s ambitions, even if it ends in failure, is preferable to settling for a life of complacency or stagnation.
Summary
“Across the River” is a song about ambition, determination, and the struggle to pursue dreams in the face of skepticism and resistance from others. The river serves as a metaphor for the challenges and obstacles one must overcome to achieve their goals. The protagonist, a woman who returns to her hometown after chasing her dreams, faces gossip and negativity from those around her. Yet, she remains resolute in her desire to cross the river, symbolising her commitment to striving for something more, even if success is uncertain. The song captures the tension between individual ambition and societal expectations, ultimately celebrating the courage to pursue one’s dreams regardless of the outcome.
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