Song Of The Month by Marty Bishop

Rolling Down "The River"

There's an old joke that only parents get. "If you want to know something, ask a teenager. They know everything." HAH!

I remember the days when I knew it all. But age, responsibility-and above all, children-quickly teach a man that he will spend the rest of his days coming to terms with what he does not know. That's a hard lesson to learn. It takes a terrible toll on those who resist it.

But me, I celebrate it. And so, apparently, does Billy Joel. He's written some astonishingly powerful songs over the years, but none move me more than The River Of Dreams. In typical Billy Joel fashion, it's a perfectly crafted song, with a lovely melody and a rolling drum beat that makes me bounce and weave in my seat every time I hear it. But it's the lyrics that show off his amazing songwriting skills. He takes a serious philosophical topic, one that's been the subject of a million depressing lectures and books, and makes it...fun. Like a pop song.

"In the middle of the night
I go walking in my sleep
Through the jungle of doubt
To the river so deep
I know I'm searching for something
Something so undefined
That it can only be seen
By the eyes of the blind
In the middle of the night...

I'm not sure about a life after this
God knows I've never been a spiritual man
Baptized by the fire, I wade into the river
That is runnin' to the promised land"

In the end, what makes it such a powerful song is hope. Hope is built right into every verse. Yes, we may doubt; we might second-guess. But there is a river that is running to the promised land. That feeling of realistic optimism (and that incredible drum line!) is what makes me turn the radio up loud every time that song rolls around.

Listen to Marty Bishop weekdays 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. on MIXfm 94.9

© 2008 Good News Tucson™

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