River
Eminem Ft. Ed Sheeran Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴I've been a liar, been a thief
Been a lover, been a cheat
All my sins need holy water, feel it washing over me
Well, little one, I don't want to admit to something
If all it's gonna cause is pain
Truth and my lies right now are falling like the rain
So let the river run
He's comin' home with his neck scratched, to catch flack
Sweat jackets and dress slacks, mismatched
On his breath's Jack, he's a sex addict
And she just wants to exact revenge and get back
It's a chess match, she's on his back like a jetpack
She's kept track of all his Internet chats
And guess who just happens to be movin' on to the next
Actually, just shit on my last chick and she has what my ex lacks
'Cause she loves danger, psychopath
And you don't fuck with no man's girl, even I know that
But she's devised some plan to stab him in the back
Knife in hand, says their relationship's hangin' by a strand
So she's been on the web lately
Says maybe she'll be my Gwen Stacy, to spite her man
And I know she's using me to try to play him, I don't care
Hi Suzanne, but I shoulda said "Bye Suzanne"
After the first night, but tonight I am

I've been a liar, been a thief
Been a lover, been a cheat
All my sins need holy water, feel it washing over me
Well, little one, I don't want to admit to something
If all it's gonna cause is pain
The truth and my lies now are falling like the rain
So let the river run

A one-night stand turned a two-night stand
It was "come sunlight, scram," now we hug tight, and
He found out, now she feels deserted and used
'Cause he left, so what? He did it first to her too
Now how am I supposed to tell this girl that we're through?
It's hard to find the words, I'm aloof, nervous, and Sue
Don't want this to hurt, but what you deserve is the truth
Don't take it personal, I just can't say this in person to you
So I revert to the studio, like hole-in-the-wall diners
Don't have to be reserved in a booth
I just feel like the person who I'm turning into's
Irreversible, I preyed on you like it's church at the pew
And now that I got you I don't want you
Took advantage in my thirst to pursue
Why do I do this dirt that I do?
Get on my soapbox and preach, my sermon and speech
Detergent and bleach is burnin' the wound
'Cause now with her in the womb
We can't bring her in this world, shoulda knew
To use protection 'fore I bit into your forbidden fruit (Fuck!)

I've been a liar, been a thief
Been a lover, been a cheat
All my sins need holy water, feel it washing over me
Well, little one, I don't want to admit to something
If all it's gonna cause is pain
The truth and my lies now are falling like the rain
So let the river run

My name's (ooh), my name's (ooh)
River (ooh), river run
Call me (ooh), call me (ooh)
River (ooh), we'll let the river run

Always the bridesmaid, never "The bride, hey!"
Fuck can I say? If life was a highway
And deceit was an enclave, I'd be swerving in five lanes
Speeds at a high rate, like I'm slidin' on ice, maybe
That's why I may have came at you sideways
I can't keep my lies straight
But I made you terminate my baby
This love triangle left us in a wreck, tangled
What else can I say? It was fun for a while
Bet I really woulda loved your smile
Didn't really wanna abort, but fuck it
What's one more lie, to tell our unborn child?

I've been a liar, been a thief
Been a lover, been a cheat
All my sins need holy water, feel it washing over me
Well, little one (I'm sorry)
I don't want to admit to something (I fucked up)
If all it's gonna cause is pain

The truth and my lies now are falling like the rain
So let the river run

Overall Meaning

The song “River” by Eminem featuring Ed Sheeran is a heart-wrenching ballad that grapples with themes of love, infidelity, and abortion. In the opening verse, the rapper admits to being a liar, thief, lover, and cheat who needs holy water to wash away his sins. He then describes his involvement in an affair with a woman who is seeking revenge on her unfaithful partner. The woman, who Eminem calls Suzanne, has a plan to ruin her partner, using Eminem as a pawn in her game. The second verse focuses on Eminem’s relationship with Suzanne and how it developed from a one-night stand to something more. But when Suzanne becomes pregnant, the relationship falls apart as Eminem convinces her to terminate the pregnancy. The song ends with Eminem grappling with his guilt and shame, acknowledging that he has hurt people in his life and begging for forgiveness.

Line by Line Meaning

I've been a liar, been a thief
I have done wrong in my life, including lying and stealing.

Been a lover, been a cheat
I have also been in romantic relationships where I have been unfaithful.

All my sins need holy water, feel it washing over me
I recognize that I have sinned and need to be absolved.

Well, little one, I don't want to admit to something If all it's gonna cause is pain
I am hesitant to admit my wrongs if it will cause others pain.

Truth and my lies right now are falling like the rain So let the river run
I am finally coming clean and revealing the truth, letting it flow like a river.

He's comin' home with his neck scratched, to catch flack Sweat jackets and dress slacks, mismatched On his breath's Jack, he's a sex addict And she just wants to exact revenge and get back
The story of a man with a history of cheating and a woman who wants to get revenge.

It's a chess match, she's on his back like a jetpack She's kept track of all his Internet chats And guess who just happens to be movin' on to the next Actually, just shit on my last chick and she has what my ex lacks
The woman is plotting her revenge, keeping tabs on the man's online activity and is moving on to someone else. The singer is also involved with a woman who enjoys dangerous situations.

'Cause she loves danger, psychopath And you don't fuck with no man's girl, even I know that But she's devised some plan to stab him in the back
The woman the artist is involved with enjoys danger and may be unstable. He is aware that you shouldn't mess with another man's girl, but she has plans to harm the man she is seeking revenge on.

Knife in hand, says their relationship's hangin' by a strand So she's been on the web lately Says maybe she'll be my Gwen Stacy, to spite her man And I know she's using me to try to play him, I don't care
The woman is contemplating ending her relationship with the man and has been chatting with the artist about possibly being with him. He knows she is using him to get back at her man, but doesn't care.

Hi Suzanne, but I shoulda said "Bye Suzanne" After the first night, but tonight I am
The artist is addressing someone named Suzanne and regrets getting involved with her after the first night, but is still seeing her now.

A one-night stand turned a two-night stand It was "come sunlight, scram," now we hug tight, and He found out, now she feels deserted and used 'Cause he left, so what? He did it first to her too
The singer and Suzanne's relationship went from a one-night stand to a continued romantic affair. However, when the man found out, Suzanne felt abandoned and hurt, even though she had done this to him in the past.

Now how am I supposed to tell this girl that we're through? It's hard to find the words, I'm aloof, nervous, and Sue Don't want this to hurt, but what you deserve is the truth Don't take it personal, I just can't say this in person to you
The artist is struggling to break up with Suzanne because he cares about her feelings. He knows he needs to tell her the truth, but finds it difficult and is afraid of hurting her. He cannot say it to her face.

So I revert to the studio, like hole-in-the-wall diners Don't have to be reserved in a booth I just feel like the person who I'm turning into's Irreversible, I preyed on you like it's church at the pew
The singer turns to music as a way to express himself and not hold back. He feels like he is becoming someone who he can't change and admits to preying on Suzanne, like it was easy and unimportant.

And now that I got you I don't want you Took advantage in my thirst to pursue Why do I do this dirt that I do?
The singer admits that he doesn't want Suzanne now that he has her and that he took advantage of her desire for him. He questions why he does these actions.

Get on my soapbox and preach, my sermon and speech Detergent and bleach is burnin' the wound 'Cause now with her in the womb We can't bring her in this world, shoulda knew To use protection 'fore I bit into your forbidden fruit (Fuck!)
The singer is owning up to his mistakes and trying to make amends. He wants to use his platform for good and help others avoid making the same mistakes he has. He regrets not using protection with Suzanne, as she is now pregnant and they cannot bring a child into the world given their situation.

Always the bridesmaid, never "The bride, hey!" Fuck can I say? If life was a highway And deceit was an enclave, I'd be swerving in five lanes Speeds at a high rate, like I'm slidin' on ice, maybe
The artist reflects on his past relationships and acknowledges that he has always been the one left behind rather than the one chosen. He talks about how he would be lost on the road of life if deceit were just a part of it.

That's why I may have came at you sideways I can't keep my lies straight But I made you terminate my baby This love triangle left us in a wreck, tangled What else can I say? It was fun for a while Bet I really woulda loved your smile
The artist is apologizing for his behavior towards Suzanne and admits that he couldn't keep his lies straight. He caused her to terminate their baby and the love triangle has left them both in ruin. He reflects on how he would have enjoyed being with her under different circumstances, but knows it cannot happen now.

Didn't really wanna abort, but fuck it What's one more lie, to tell our unborn child?
The singer feels regret about causing Suzanne to have an abortion, but also acknowledges that he would have continued to lie to their child if it had been born.

My name's (ooh), my name's (ooh) River (ooh), river run Call me (ooh), call me (ooh) River (ooh), we'll let the river run
The chorus repeats, emphasizing the idea of letting the truth flow like a river and washing away the singer's sins.

Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Marshall Mathers, Edward Christopher Sheeran, Emile Haynie, Thomas Bartlett

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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