Meaning of "Dear River" by Kina Grannis

The song "Dear River" uses the metaphor of a river to explore themes of change, loss, and the passage of time. The singer is holding onto the memories of the past, represented by the river flowing steadily. The river symbolizes the inevitability of life moving forward, bringing new experiences and taking away what is familiar. Despite the singer's attempts to hold on or resist the flow of time, it is ultimately futile as expressed in the lyrics "I could fight the flow, And tug of war the undertow, But I'd never not ever succeed." The chorus "I doubt anyone can keep up, Keep up, keep up, Keep up with you" captures the feeling of being left behind by the river, which can be seen as a metaphor for the inevitability of change and the difficulty of keeping pace with life's constant movement. The song conveys a sense of longing and acceptance of the passing of time, while also acknowledging the bittersweet nature of memories and experiences that are gone but not forgotten.