James McMurtry's song "Dry River" is a poetic reflection on the past, present, and future of a place and a person. The first verse describes the singer's birth by a river that has been paved over with cement, indicating a loss of natural beauty and purity. Despite this, the singer still imagines himself standing in the river and being soaked by its water. The second verse talks about the destruction of an orange grove where the singer used to play. Even though the trees have been bulldozed, the fragrance of the blossoms still lingers in the singer's memory. This creates a sense of nostalgia for something that has been lost. The third verse describes a failed romance that has left the singer feeling as dry and dead as the river and trees. However, the song ends on a hopeful note, with the repeated refrain of "someday it's gonna rain, someday it's gonna pour." This line symbolizes the possibility of renewal and rebirth, both for the land and the singer's heart. Overall, "Dry River" is a poignant reminder of the fragility of nature, the resilience of the human spirit, and the cyclical nature of life.
