Meaning of "Deep River Blues" by Doc Watson

"Deep River Blues" taps into the theme of longing and the connection between nature and the human experience. The rain and the river symbolize the narrator's emotions and state of mind. The repeated lines "Let it rain, let it pour, Let it rain a whole lot more" express a desire for intensified emotions and a release from numbness or emptiness. The deep river blues represent a sense of melancholy and longing, which is further emphasized by the imagery of the narrator's loneliness. The comparison of his old gal to a water fowl suggests that he sees her as someone free and unbound, contrasting with his own emotional state. However, the mention of the fish going out on a spree when he has the deep river blues suggests that he is not alone in his loneliness, as others also find solace in their own ways.

The desire to return to Muscle Shoals signifies a longing for happier times and a sense of nostalgia. The narrator believes that he will find solace and better circumstances there. This speaks to the universal longing for a place or time that we associate with joy and contentment, even if it may not truly exist as we remember it. The final lines of the song show a resignation to fate and a willingness to face the consequences of one's choices. The narrator is ready to bid farewell and even accept death if it means escaping the deep river blues. This can be seen as a metaphor for confronting and embracing the hardships and emotions that come with life, rather than trying to escape or suppress them.