Black River by Matt Hires is a song about feeling trapped and suffocated in a stagnant environment. The lyrics suggest the idea of being born into a ghost town where nothing ever changes. The protagonist longs for something to hold onto, something to lift them out of the repetitive cycle of life they find themselves in. The river in the song symbolizes a release, a way for the protagonist to escape from their current situation. They ask for their body to be given to the river, implying that they are ready for a new start. The line, “Maybe this whole damn thing is a set up” suggests that the protagonist feels like their life has been predetermined and they have no control over it. The chorus, “Take all that’s left of my love, and give my body to the river” is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the desire for freedom and change. The protagonist seems to find hope in a fleeting moment when they see a glimmer of something better in the horizon. This glimmer gives them the strength to fight for a better life, to try and break free from the cycle that has been holding them back. Overall, Black River is a song about the desire for change and the struggle to break free from a stagnant environment. It explores themes of hope, despair, and determination, with the river acting as a powerful symbol of release and renewal.
