The previous year a dissolving memory, The Magician feels too deeply mired in his origin. It may come time to leave soon, but it is impossible to deny that this is home, for now; for all its sharp corners and imperfection.
A song about finding respite in fading glory in the town of your birth, "Down, the River Down" (previously simply entitled "River") describes accepting your present despite the imperfect reality.
This version of the recording -- a set of recordings made during the same studio session for "Muse Tree", "Alexandria, Falling", and "Disconnect' in 2007 -- was released in "premaster" form as a physical item for European audiences during performances in Europe from 2008 to 2010. A more recent and mastered collection is available on the U.S. release, "Darlene" (2011), available here: juleanandtherai.bandcamp.com/album/darlene
Down, the River Down
Lyrics From the LP "Darlene" (European Release: "Here.", 2008)
Lyrics and Music by Julean Rai
---
Verse I
There was a stream.
I used to float sticks down there
When I was a boy
Staying at my grandparent's home.
Verse II
And I'd run with it --
-- like everybody else here does...
I'd have fun with it
And never have my troubles on.
Bridge I
And there I go again
Talking 'bout the days gone by...
But they're hoverin' right over me...
That little stick has sailed so long
Chorus
Down, the river down, down...
Down, the river down...
Verse III
Runs through this town.
Locking all the people in;
Freezing during wintertime.
Verse IV
And I've got my dreams --
-- like everybody else here does...
I've got Big Plans for me
I've got it all Worked Out.
Bridge II
And there I go again
Talking 'bout the yet to come...
But it's bearing right down on me...
And I'm feeling right at home
Chorus
Down, the river down
Down, the river down
Down, the river down
Down, the river down
Verse V
Don't know my friends.
And I guess I seem paranoid
But I've seen both sides of them.
Verse VI
They wear their masks --
-- like everybody else here does ...
They turn their truths around
And spit it out backwards-like
Bridge III
And there I go again
Pointing out the negative...
But it's pointing right back at me...
It's like they don't know Right from Wrong...
Chorus
Down, the river down
Down, the river down
Down, the river down
Down, the river down
Down, the river down, down...
Down, the river down.
Copyright 1996 Julian D. Rai (BMI); Julean Rai (BMI); Julean and the Rai (BMI). All rights reserved.s
credits
from Here. (European demo version),
released August 1, 2008
Music and lyrics by Julean Rai. Recording, engineering and performances by Julean Rai. Music and lyrical content & recordings copyright 1996, 2007 Julian D. Rai (BMI); Julean Rai (BMI), Julean and the Rai (BMI). All rights reserved.
Indie-folk / antifolk band spanning nearly 30 years and 12 live and studio releases, including the most recent "The War of
the Sons of Light Against the Sons of Darkness", and are currently remastering several albums for re-release in 2023. Julean is known for his dynamic voice, passionate onstage vocal delivery, and a playing style that swings wildly from soft and subtle to fast and breakneck....more
Great production, vocals ... wonderful sparseness of lyrics and phrasing while keeping its brevity. The tone is movielike and pure, while the music itself is like gravity. Recommend. Julean and the Rai
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