Shea Rider Survey Of World Music: The River By Garth Brooks

Shea Rider Survey of World Music: MUS 2602-2 Dr. Terri Wehmeyer 02/26/24 The River by Garth Brooks I once heard someone say that “music is the closest means we have to time travel. One piece of melody can cause you to reminisce about your past or have you dreaming up your future.” That quote has always stuck with me. Music has such a profound influence on the way I see the world. I’ve always loved poetry and used to write it when I was younger, then I switched to writing music and songs more frequently. Many of my lyrics lean towards the poetic style of symbolism and phrasing. I see song lyrics in the tree lines and melodic rhythms in running water. The world is made of music and poetry if we take the time to look and the patience to listen.

By the Lord’s grace, my parents got back together and I know that my Opa is happy with the Father in heaven. Because of these experiences, Garth’s lyric “Trying to learn from what’s behind you, never knowing what’s in store, makes each day a constant battle just to stay between the shores” hits very close to home. Everyday can be a battle to keep myself afloat knowing I can’t control what is ahead of me, but I learned to rest in God during these large hardships in my life which is perfectly written in the lyrics, “There's bound to be rough waters, And I know I'll take some falls, But with the good Lord as my captain, I can make it through them all.” I am a Christian and Jesus is my savior; that fact is the most important thing about me. So, I wanted my song to, if not a Christian worship song, to have Christian themes. The most prominent part of this song that connects to me is that line. God has gotten me through many rough waters, not just with my family, but also with friendships, and I know he will continue to guide me through the storms of life if I just keep my eyes on him (Matthew

Therefore the following line also fits me really well: “So don't you sit upon the shoreline, And say you're satisfied, Choose to chance the rapids, And dare to dance the tide.” One of my biggest struggles with my family is jealousy of my sister. She chose not to pursue a college degree, lives at home, has no job, no rent, and plays games with her friends online all the time. Often I struggle to know she could be doing so much more, but she doesn’t know where to focus her efforts so she remains “satisfied.” I worry for her and pray for her as well as my own hurt and struggles. Overall, I believe “The River” does a fairly good job encapsulating my personal and social identity. From the ever young dreamer, to anxiety ridden teenager, and now motivated young woman I am, this song holds different aspects of my memories, joys, struggles, and dreams. No matter what, music is an opportunity to shake off the dust of everyday life and experience nostalgia and something new simultaneously. You’ll never hear music exactly the same